County Board members on Tuesday (Dec. 17) celebrated the 60th anniversary of Arlington’s neighborhood-conservation efforts, and lauded the work of the community’s public-health director.
60 Years of Neighborhood Conservation Celebrated: County leaders on Dec. 17 marked the 60th anniversary of the Arlington Neighborhoods Program.
The effort sprang to life in 1964 as the Arlington Neighborhood Conservation Program, with the Halls Hill/High View Park the first community to sign up.
Soon, there were three participating neighborhoods, and the initiative had an annual budget of $400,000.
Beginning with its first community-improvement project in the Arlington View neighborhood, more than 600 projects spanning approximately 50 Arlington communities have been supported.
“It really is an incredible organization,” said Elizabeth Weir, who represented the Arlington Neighborhoods Advisory Committee at the presentation of a County Board proclamation noting the anniversary.
She pointed to successful efforts on topics ranging from beautification and parks to lighting and safety, adding that those who participate in the effort get the side benefit of learning about Arlington’s governance processes.
“The No. 1 benefit is knowledge of how government works,” Weir said of the program. “It’s definitely grass-roots-based.”
The program “recognizes that each neighborhood is different,” County Board member Takis Karantonis said.
Funding for neighborhood projects comes through bond funds approved by voters in a succession of referendums. Since 1996, a total of $117 million has been authorized, county officials said.
Public-Health Director Saluted: Arlington leaders on Dec. 17 saluted the efforts of Dr. Reuben Varghese, the county’s public-health director, as he prepares for retirement after more than 19 years in the position.
Board Chairman Libby Garvey called Varghese “a rock” during a host of healthy challenges, from West Nile to Covid.
Describing him as “the voice of calmness and reassurance” during the early days of the pandemic, Garvey said the efforts of Varghese and the public-health staff “probably saved thousands of Arlington lives.”
County Manager Mark Schwartz added his thanks.
“What an amazing person you are, and what a friend,” he said.
When asked to deliver remarks, Varghese said it was both the county’s public-health staff and the broader health and social-safety county infrastructure that were deserving the accolades.
“Very rarely do I get the opportunity to publicly thank the staff,” he said. “We, and I, owe them heartfelt thanks.”
