Opinion | ARLnow.com

Peter’s Take: APS Again Flunks Boundary Planning

Published December 2, 2020 at 3:15PM | Updated December 2, 2020 at 4:20PM

APS continues its record of flawed planning with the 2020 Elementary School Boundary Process. The latest recommendations typify years of ineffectual boundary planning.

In 2018, APS recognized it had a problem: a mis-match of the geographic locations in which its elementary students resided and the locations of schools. Further, APS identified the planning corridors (Rosslyn-Ballston, Columbia Pike, and Route 1) as the locus of the future enrollment growth, but the next new facility — Reed — was not being constructed where seats were needed. Therefore, APS began internal deliberations to adjust county-wide elementary school boundaries (for school year 2021-22).

The Right Note: What Will 2021 Hold?

By Mark Kelly

Published December 1, 2020 at 3:15PM

The County Board has issued guidance for the Fiscal Year 2022 budget and left all options on the table.

In other words, property owners should prepare for their real estate taxes to go up. The Board also began to lay the groundwork for a tax on plastic bags and cigarettes. This will all be done in the name of COVID-19.

Progressive Voice: Access to Healthcare Helps to Give Everyone a Fair Shake

By Barbara Favola

Published November 30, 2020 at 3:00PM

By Sen. Barbara Favola

Affordable healthcare is essential to the vibrancy of Arlington. It’s essential to giving everyone a fair shot at a decent living, along with other key elements such as education, jobs and housing.

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By ARLnow.com

Published November 27, 2020 at 3:30PM

The sun hides behind clouds over the steeple of Westover Baptist Church (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Congratulations on getting through Thanksgiving, whether that meant a large family dinner, a smaller pandemic-appropriate gathering, or a solo holiday.

Today is Black Friday, which usually means large crowds at the malls but will likely be more noticeable in the form of lots of delivery vans criss-crossing local streets next week. As always, but especially this year, please try to shop local whenever possible.

Morning Poll: Should Virginia Enact Stricter Coronavirus Restrictions?

By ARLnow.com

Published November 24, 2020 at 9:30AM | Updated November 24, 2020 at 11:49AM

(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) Just over a week ago, new coronavirus restrictions went into effect in Virginia.

Among other things, Gov. Ralph Northam ordered a 25-person limit on indoor and outdoor gatherings, down from 250; an expanded mask requirement; and a 10 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales for on-site consumption.

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By ARLnow.com

Published November 20, 2020 at 5:30PM

It has been a busy week for news in Arlington.

There have been an abundance of crime reports, plenty coming out of the County Board’s two meetings, and a pair of school stories of note. But perhaps no story will have a bigger impact on Arlington over the next few months is the rise in coronavirus cases.

Peter’s Take: County Must Help APS Reopen Schools

By Peter Rousselot

Published November 18, 2020 at 3:45PM

Reopening APS schools safely no later than the first day of the spring semester, for our youngest students (K-5), should be a top priority for the Arlington County government.

APS must do more to make the air in classrooms safe so schools can open — and stay open. Arlington County needs to step up and provide APS with the necessary funding and technical assistance.

The Right Note: Closing Out 2020

By Mark Kelly

Published November 17, 2020 at 3:00PM

Just as in years past, it is time to dedicate a column to the annual closeout process. Usually, it calls for the closeout funds to be set aside to avoid future tax increases as well as for better budgeting and revenue estimates. But it’s 2020 and nothing is normal.

Every year the County Board over-budgets and over-taxes. According to this year’s report, the County ended Fiscal Year 2020 with $15.6 million in unspent and unobligated funds or 2.5% of department operating budgets. By comparison, last year it was $13.1 million or 2.2%. The schools ended the year with $27 million in unspent budgeted funds which hopefully will be applied to offset this year’s, and next year’s, budget needs.

Progressive Voice: Democracy Is Not a Spectator Sport

By Progressive Voice

Published November 16, 2020 at 3:15PM | Updated November 16, 2020 at 4:04PM

By Matt Royer

The day after an election is often a day of rest and often viewed as the endpoint on a long path. I personally don’t believe that. No matter the outcome, moving forward on the issues you care about doesn’t stop after the election. It rests with the voice of the people to remind our elected officials why they are in office in the first place, no matter their party.

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By ARLnow.com

Published November 14, 2020 at 9:00AM

H-B Woodlawn and the under-construction Highlands development in November 2020 (staff photo)

Due to late-breaking news, the weekend discussion is being posted a day later than usual. But that seems likely to stop the usual robust conversation.

Without further ado, here are the week’s most-read stories:

Morning Poll: Is Now The Right Time to Start Playing Christmas Music?

By ARLnow.com

Published November 13, 2020 at 9:30AM | Updated November 13, 2020 at 9:59AM

Thanksgiving is two weeks away. Hanukkah is four weeks away. Christmas is six weeks away.

The holiday season is upon us, which may be why today local radio station 97.1 WASH-FM is making its annual switch to all Christmas music, starting at 5 p.m.

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By ARLnow.com

Published November 6, 2020 at 5:00PM

This afternoon was a gorgeous introduction to the weekend — we hope you were able to take a break from work and/or cable news watching and doomscrolling to enjoy it.

While the primary focus of the past few days was on national issues rather than local news, there were still some big Arlington stories this week.