Lyon’s Legacy is a limited-run opinion column on the history of housing in Arlington. The views expressed are solely the author’s.

“A racist policy is any measure that produces or sustains racial inequity between racial groups. An antiracist policy is any measure that produces or sustains racial equity between racial groups. By policy, I mean written and unwritten laws, rules, procedures, processes, regulations, and guidelines that govern people. There is no such thing as a nonracist or race-neutral policy. Every policy in every institution in every community in every nation is producing or sustaining either racial inequity or equity between racial groups.” 


Here is the unedited response from incumbent Takis Karantonis:

Last year I ran for office not in spite of, but because of the extraordinary and demanding circumstances, in the middle of a pandemic that was ravaging our community and our economy. Fifteen years of civic engagement, community leadership and deep-rooted community relationships motivated and prepared me for assuming the responsibility to make difficult decisions while carefully listening to what Arlingtonians told me during the campaign and while in office.


Here is the unedited response from Chanda Choun:

People always ask me why do I run for elected office.  As a 15-year Army Reserve veteran, business manager and technology professional, I continue to believe that I am the best person to provide missing skills and experience in local government that will lead us successfully into a post-pandemic new world. Each run adds to our collective story and forces changes, both large and small. But there are also other fundamental reasons.


Yesterday was the unofficial start of summer and today is the official start of the Summer 2021 Arlies awards.

You’re already familiar with The Arlies, our community awards which highlight Arlington’s favorite local places, people and organizations — as chosen by you. Now let us introduce you to our new format: weekly voting.


Memorial Day weekend is here and the flags are in at Arlington National Cemetery.

ARLnow’s Jay Westcott, himself a veteran, photographed the solemn annual tradition Thursday afternoon. His photos are above.


Another week, another busy news cycle with plenty of local stories to cover.

Next week, as we head into the long Memorial Day weekend, looks to be busy as well, though holidays have a way of slowing things down.


For the past week I have been fuming at the ears mad about the situation at the Serrano and the impossibly difficult situation any Virginia renter that lives in poor housing conditions lives with.

Even after appreciated commitments from local leaders, systemic failures in local code enforcement and bare minimum renters rights laws in Virginia continue as a result of systemic failures. A long-term assessment of the system that has allowed this situation to happen must be taken.


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