Opinion | ARLnow.com

Poll: Is Arlington Really a ‘Soulless Suburb?’

Published September 10, 2014 at 4:15PM | Updated September 17, 2014 at 3:22PM

Within eight hours of our article’s first publication, Gillibrand apologized for the remark (which was buried in the pages of her new book, “Off The Sidelines.”) But that didn’t stop the debate over whether Gillibrand was off-base or on-target in her assessment of Arlington.

Among those weighing in: Ben Adler, a former New Yorker and a writer at the environmental news website Grist.org. Penning a piece for the Washington Post’s online PostEverything op-ed section, Adler said Gillibrand shouldn’t apologize.

Peter’s Take: APS Macbook Decision Flunks Transparency Test

By Peter Rousselot

Published September 4, 2014 at 2:00PM

Peter’s Take is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

Regardless of whether APS’ decision is right or wrong, the decision badly flunks any reasonable test of transparency.

The Right Note: What About ‘The Arlington Way?’

By Mark Kelly

Published September 4, 2014 at 1:30PM

The Right Note is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

Yesterday’s report that Arlington County policy may leave First Amendment protesters subject to arbitrarily enforced rules should give us all pause.

Progressive Voice: Improving the Streetcar, Respecting the Process

By ARLnow.com

Published September 4, 2014 at 1:00PM | Updated September 4, 2014 at 1:16PM

Progressive Voice is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

The streetcar project will also provide significant financial returns to Arlington through economic development that, in turn, will generate revenues to help create needed schools while protecting neighborhoods and preserving affordable housing.

Progressive Voice: Why I Support Arlington’s Streetcar

By Terry Savela

Published August 28, 2014 at 2:45PM

Progressive Voice is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

As a planning commissioner for the County from 2002 and 2012 and as a transportation commissioner for part of that time, I participated in the development and review of the long-range plans for Columbia Pike and Crystal City and the eventual selection of the streetcar as the preferred option for improving transit services.

Peter’s Take: Friends of Guest House Offers Valuable Services

By Peter Rousselot

Published August 28, 2014 at 2:00PM

Peter’s Take is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

Mission

The Right Note: Free Ride

By Mark Kelly

Published August 28, 2014 at 1:15PM

The Right Note is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

ARLnow.com asked its readers this week to opine on whether or not riders on the new trolley line should have to pay for the ride — assuming the line is built that is.

Morning Poll: Should the Streetcar Be Free?

By ARLnow.com

Published August 27, 2014 at 11:10AM | Updated February 13, 2024 at 11:25AM

To try to reverse falling ridership, some are suggesting that the three-year-old Tide light rail line in Norfolk eliminate its $1.50 one-way fare.

Making the seven-mile Tide line free, say advocates, would help boost ridership and achieve the system’s true goal: encouraging more transit-oriented development around its 11 stops. The line simply isn’t long enough to attract ridership sufficient to offset its $8 million in annual operating costs, they say.

Morning Poll: Leaving Town for Labor Day?

By ARLnow.com

Published August 26, 2014 at 9:20AM

That’s 842,100 local residents hitting the local roads, rails and airways. Nine out of ten of those traveling — 735,000 residents — will doing so by automobile, the association predicts. That’s up 0.8 percent from 2013, and AAA says the lowest Labor Day weekend gas prices in four years are helping to drive the increase.

“It remains the preferred and cheapest mode of transportation for a couple traveling with children trying to squeeze in a memorable family getaway before the school year goes into high gear,” said John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Manager of Public and Government Affairs, in a press release. “With the wind to their backs, they will also be buoyed along by a positive consumer outlook and improvements in the labor market.”

The Right Note: Heading to Richmond

By Mark Kelly

Published August 21, 2014 at 2:10PM

The Right Note is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

What can we expect from our newly elected delegate?

Progressive Voice: Arlington’s Role in Creating a More Perfect Union

By Krysta Jones

Published August 21, 2014 at 1:40PM

Progressive Voice is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

Since I was younger than I can remember, I have watched documentaries on the American civil rights movement. Growing up in the 1990s, my mother made sure I understood the struggles and accomplishments of African Americans in our country and also how far we had to go as a community and a country.

Peter’s Take: On Medicaid Expansion, What Is the Va. GOP’s Alternative?

By Peter Rousselot

Published August 21, 2014 at 1:10PM

Peter’s Take is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

In two earlier columns, I urged Virginia’s political leaders to try to find bi-partisan common ground to improve access to healthcare for Virginia’s poor. In the second of those columns, I explained that Republican leaders in many other states, even leaders who opposed the Affordable Care Act, have found ways to do this either by expanding Medicaid or by using a premium assistance model.