redistricting | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published May 6, 2011 at 8:31AM

Petition Contractor Waives Extradition — The man whose company was hired to collect signatures for a petition to change Arlington’s form of government is likely headed to the Arlington County lockup. Shawn D. Wilmoth, 24, was indicted last month on voter fraud charges. Yesterday he waived extradition in Macomb County, Mich. [Washington Post]

McLean Residents May Sue Over Redistricting ‘Insult’ — McLean residents are apparently none too pleased that their pristine ‘burb has had its state Senate representation split in two by redistricting. One of the new McLean districts is the 31st, which also includes most of North Arlington. One resident said it was an “insult” to have their neighborhood lumped in with Arlington. A McLean citizens group is contemplating a lawsuit over the redistricting outcome. [Sun Gazette]

News

State Senate Approves New Redistricting Plan

By ARLnow.com

Published April 29, 2011 at 1:09PM

The plan, however, does not change the serpentine borders of the 31st District, which will stretch from North Arlington to Loudoun County along the Potomac River. Likewise, the 30th District will remain unchanged from the first plan, which took away a bit of South Arlington territory from the district’s borders.

If approved by Gov. McDonnell as expected, the plan will place McLean millionaire Caren Merrick within the borders of the 31st District. Merrick has already announced her intention of running for the state Senate as a Republican.

News

Gov. McDonnell Vetoes Redistricting Plan

By ARLnow.com

Published April 15, 2011 at 3:54PM

McDonnell, a Republican, said the districts in the Democratic-controlled state Senate’s redistricting plan did not “preserve communities of interest, ensure compact districts and maintain generally equivalent populations in each district.” That, the governor said, is a violation of state and federal law.

This is the first time a Virginia governor has vetoed a redistricting plan since 1981.

News

Redistricting Would Push Arlington Senate District into Loudoun

By ARLnow.com

Published March 30, 2011 at 9:17AM

The state House and Senate redistricting plans were unveiled last night and, unsurprisingly, the new district boundaries would give a boost to the majority party in each chamber. The Democratic-controlled state Senate plan would force two pairs of Republican senators to run against each other, while the Republican-controlled House plan moves the districts of three Democratic delegates, including that of House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong.

For Arlington, the state Senate plan will dilute Arlington’s influence in one district, the 31st, while the county picks up a third district, the 32nd. Arlington will lose some territory from the 30th district, which is subject to a three-way Democratic primary battle.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 10, 2011 at 8:11AM

New Bar Coming to Columbia Pike — William Jeffrey’s Tavern will be a 6,500 square foot bar and restaurant on the ground floor of the Siena Park apartment complex, across the street from Bob & Edith’s Diner. The tavern, owned by the team behind Ragtime and Rhodeside Grill, is expected to open this fall. [Pike Wire]

Arlington Funds Slugging Web Site — Each year, Arlington allots $10,000 out of its $8 million commuter services budget to fund Slug-Lines.com, a privately-run internet resource for the area’s unique, grassroots carpooling system. [Miller-McCune Magazine]

News

League of Women Voters Fights for Redistricting Reform

By ARLnow.com

Published January 12, 2011 at 2:09PM | Updated January 12, 2011 at 4:45PM

It’s called ‘gerrymandering,’ and it’s practiced in state houses across the country.

But the Virginia chapter of the League of Women Voters has seen enough. Together with the national LWV organization, they’ve been pushing for the past seven years to take redistricting responsibility away from state legislators and put it into the hands of some sort of nonpartisan commission or process.

News

Virginia Primary Date Could Be Pushed Back This Year

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2011 at 9:21AM | Updated January 7, 2011 at 10:15AM

Redistricting occurs every ten years in conjunction following the U.S. Census. It traditionally is a partisan process, with the majority party drawing districts in a way that helps their election chances the most. This year, however, the Republican-controlled House of Delegates will have to work with the Democratic-controlled Senate.

As an added wrinkle, the plans will for the first time face the scrutiny of a Democratic Justice Department. Under the Voting Rights Act, the Justice Department has oversight over Virginia’s redistricting process. Since the Voting Rights Act passed in the 1960s, redistricting has always occurred during a Republican presidential administration.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 6, 2011 at 8:36AM | Updated January 6, 2011 at 9:40AM

County No Longer Offering iParks — The company that makes the iPark electronic parking pass has stopped manufacturing the device due to financial problems. That has prompted Arlington County to stop selling iParks, pending the company’s effort to stay in business. More from TBD.

O’Leary, Morroy Announce Reelection Bid — Arlington County Treasurer Frank O’Leary and Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy, both Democrats, announced their bids for reelection at last night’s Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting. See the video from Blue Virginia.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 9, 2010 at 7:41AM

Bayou Bakery Sneak Peak — Eat More Drink More scores the first photos inside Courthouse’s new Bayou Bakery. The elaborately-decorated cafe/restaurant has a distinct New Orleans theme, which extends from the decor to the food. It could be open as soon as Monday, Nov. 15.

County Government Closed for Veterans Day — Most Arlington County offices will be closed on Thursday in honor of Veterans Day. More from the Sun Gazette and Arlington County.