Opinion | ARLnow.com

Progressive Voice: Democratic House Candidates Describe What They’ll Fight for in General Assembly

Published May 20, 2019 at 2:30PM

Del. Alfonso Lopez and JD Spain

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

To inform voters, Progressive Voice asked each candidate in the upcoming Democratic primary for the State House of Delegates to respond to this question: “If elected, on which progressive initiative will you lead that you believe would be beneficial to the constituents of the 49th District?”

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By Airey

Published May 17, 2019 at 6:00PM

Summer is almost here and the weekend is now upon us — life is good.

Hopefully you had the opportunity to enjoy the nice weather today and bike to work — we spoke to several who joined in on the regional Bike to Work Day.

Peter’s Take: Nicole Merlene for Virginia State Senate

By Peter Rousselot

Published May 15, 2019 at 2:30PM

In these increasingly fast-paced times, Virginia’s 31st Senate District (where I live) needs a state senator who can quickly grasp our rapidly changing economic and technological challenges and champion innovative, new regional and state solutions.

We need a senator free from multiple conflicts of interest to advance solutions that are in our best interests, not some special interest. To develop sound energy and environmental policy that is best for us and fit for the 21st century, we need a senator who is free from entanglements with Dominion Energy. Nicole Merlene will be that senator.

The Right Note: No Exit Interviews?

By Mark Kelly

Published May 14, 2019 at 2:30PM

Arlington School Board members are asking for information about staff turnover. Superintendent Patrick Murphy doesn’t have it. That fact is rightly causing the School Board to push for more information.

If you have ever left a professional job voluntarily, you have probably been asked to provide an exit interview. Many employers do this because they want to keep good employees. The information they gain in these exit interviews is designed to help them understand what they can do to make the work environment better.

Progressive Voice: Arlington’s Library System Is a Model for Progressive, Continual Improvement

By Progressive Voice

Published May 13, 2019 at 2:30PM

By Laura Saul Edwards

From the time I began reading, the image of libraries that came to mind was of a building warehousing books that I checked out and tried returning on time to avoid fines. Thumbing through card catalogues and scrolling through microfiche film joined the memory bank in high school and college.

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By Airey

Published May 10, 2019 at 5:00PM

Another day, another week, and before you know it, it’s Friday again.

It’s been a busy week for news in this here 26 square miles. This week we’ve seen a Yorktown high schooler gain fame for his award-winning painting of immigrant children holding a “Bring Back Our Mom.” The artwork won a Congressional art competition. His prize? Getting to hang the painting in the U.S. Capitol.

Morning Poll: Do You Support Arlington’s Glass Recycling Decision?

By ARLnow.com

Published May 10, 2019 at 9:00AM | Updated May 10, 2019 at 10:47AM

(Updated at 10:45 a.m.) Last month Arlington County announced that it would stop recycling glass collected curbside.

The decision, which only applies to the county’s residential recycling pickup and not to offices and apartment buildings, was explained as a matter of economics — it’s more expensive for the county to recycle glass than it is to incinerate and dispose of it in a landfill.

Peter’s Take: Teens Promote Environmental Sustainability in Arlington

By Peter Rousselot

Published May 8, 2019 at 2:00PM

On April 6, the Global Co Lab Network partnered with filmmaker Miriam Gennari to screen her documentary StyrofoamMom.

The event also celebrated the new Teen Eco Action Network, a Global Co Lab Network partnership with the Smithsonian Conservation Commons to build a local and global network of teens to address eco action. Amazon landlord JBG Smith provided support.

The Right Note: Special Favors?

By Mark Kelly

Published May 7, 2019 at 2:30PM

According to the Washington Post report on emails released under a Freedom of Information Act request by the Washington Business Journal, Arlington County officials created a “cozy” working relationship with Amazon and developer JBG Smith.

“We tend to go to great lengths to find areas of cooperation.” Those were Christian Dorsey’s words describing his approach to attracting Amazon.

Progressive Voice: A Clear-eyed Look at the Green New Deal

By Progressive Voice

Published May 6, 2019 at 2:30PM

By Paul Ferguson

Progressive Democrats care deeply about the environment, the dangers of climate change, and the scientific data that support it. During my 12 years on the Arlington County Board, I learned that getting public policy changes done takes a practical, pragmatic approach and a clear-eyed view of what’s actually possible.

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By Michael O'Connell

Published May 3, 2019 at 5:00PM

Another Friday is upon us. Why not take some extra time this weekend to dust off your resume and submit it to Amazon?

The retail giant has started the hiring process for its HQ2 in Arlington. New employees will begin working at a temporary office in June.

Peter’s Take: County Budget Deal Defers APS Budget Problems

By Peter Rousselot

Published May 1, 2019 at 2:30PM

Last week, the County Board adopted its FY2020 budget. The County Board approved a 2-cent increase in the real estate tax rate, effective January 1, 2019. The Board earmarked 1.5 cents of that tax rate increase for Arlington Public Schools (APS).

APS long-range operating budget remains unsustainable without significant tax rate increases