Rep. Jim Moran | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published February 8, 2012 at 8:00AM

Snowy Evening Commute Expected — Forecasters warn that light-to-moderate snowfall may make for a slick evening commute tonight. Still, above-freezing temperatures will mean that we in Arlington will likely see less than an inch of accumulation. [Capital Weather Gang]

County Saves Money Through Bond Issue — Arlington County has taken advantage of very low interest rates, along with its triple-AAA bond rating, to issue $106 million of refunding bonds. The move will save the county more than $9 million over the life of the bonds, officials say. [Arlington County]

News

Arlington Resident Will Challenge Moran in Primary

By ARLnow.com

Published February 3, 2012 at 11:15AM

Bruce Shuttleworth, a resident of Arlington’s Old Glebe neighborhood, announced his candidacy this week and is putting his money where his mouth is: contributing $50,000 of his own money to his campaign. The former U.S. Navy pilot is also coming out in full-attack mode asked why he wants to take on the well-connected, ten-term congressman.

“I’ve been very impressed by our wonderfully honest local leaders, and I’ve been very struck by the disparity in integrity between those local leaders and [Rep. Jim Moran],” Shuttleworth told ARLnow.com, specifically mentioning campaign contributions Moran has received from earmark recipients. “I don’t think he can be trusted to uniformly act in the best interest of the citizenry.”

News

Moran Responds to Cut of Planned Parenthood Funds

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 2, 2012 at 3:30PM

The founder of the foundation cited changes in priorities and policies, and says the money will be put elsewhere to benefit a larger number of women. However, some say the decision was political, and the foundation was pressured by right-leaning organizations who disapprove of Planned Parenthood’s abortion services.

Just today, The Atlantic reported that a top official at Komen resigned in protest over the dust up.

Traffic

BRAC Traffic Issues Improve in Barcroft Neighborhood

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 1, 2012 at 3:45PM

In July, we reported about resident concerns over an additional 1,200 workers flooding the Barcroft neighborhood due to the Base Realignment and Closure Act. People living in the area were concerned about workers parking on the streets and dangerous traffic congestion on George Mason Drive. They appealed to Rep. Jim Moran for help.

Moran asked that the plan for shuttle buses between Arlington Hall and the Pentagon Center be expedited to ease the traffic burden, and shuttles started running on September 6. Now, residents report this action has helped improve traffic conditions and safety over the past few months.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 19, 2012 at 8:15AM

WaPo Endorses Garvey — The Washington Post has endorsed Arlington School Board member Libby Garvey in the Democratic County Board caucuses being held tonight and Saturday. The Post said Garvey and Melissa Bondi “stand out” in the five-way race, but lauded Garvey as “cool, competent and a quick study” while expressing reservations about Bondi’s tax troubles. [Washington Post]

Bondi Statement on Accusations — County Board candidate Melissa Bondi has responded to new allegations against her. The accusations, largely spread by anonymous blog commenters, insinuate that Bondi illegally voted twice in recent elections — once in Virginia and once in Ohio, where she used to live. Bondi says the basis of the accusations — Ohio voting records referencing someone with her exact full name and middle initial — is a result of the fact that her mother is also named Melissa M. Bondi. [Bondi for County Board]

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 9, 2012 at 8:00AM

Silver Diner in Clarendon (file photo)

Favola Endorses Garvey — State Senator-elect Barbara Favola has endorsed School Board member Libby Garvey in the special election race to fill her former County Board seat. Calling Garvey “a proven leader,” Favola said in a statement that Garvey had the skills, experience and values to be an effective County Board member. “Libby will work to protect our core services including human services, affordable housing, and public schools as we continue to grow and change as a community,” Favola said.

Moran to Face Primary Challenge — Rep. Jim Moran (D) is facing a potential primary challenge this year. Fairfax County resident Will Radle says he will challenge the long-time incumbent in this year’s Democratic primary. One reason Radle cited for challenging Moran: “the congressman’s ineffectiveness securing more take-home pay for federal employees.” (On Friday, however, Moran issued a statement calling for federal employees to receive a larger cost-of-living increase than the 0.5 percent raise proposed by the Obama administration.) Radle has previously run for office as an Independent Green and a Republican. [Alexandria Times]

News

Moran: Proposed Cuts Will Keep Military Strong

By ARLnow.com

Published January 6, 2012 at 11:44AM

Moran’s Northern Virginia district, which includes the Pentagon and the headquarters of numerous defense contractors, has much to lose from cuts in defense spending. But Moran said in a statement that the proposed cuts (which will actually just trim hundreds of billions of expected increases in the Pentagon budget over the next decade) will keep the military strong and agile.

The President’s new defense strategy both preserves the world’s strongest military while recognizing that our country faces difficult budgetary challenges in a security environment much different from the Cold War era our current defense posture was designed to combat.

News

Moran Welcomes End to War in Iraq

By Katie Pyzyk

Published December 15, 2011 at 3:09PM

Today the U.S. military officially declared an end to the war in Iraq. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta participated in a symbolic ceremony in Iraq, making the declaration and retiring the flag of U.S. Forces-Iraq according to Army tradition. Locally, Rep. Jim Moran (D) released a statement welcoming the end to the war and thanking service members for their involvement.

“Today, our men and women in uniform, their families, and a war-weary country welcome an end to our direct involvement in Iraq.

News

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Installed at Mall

By ARLnow.com

Published December 2, 2011 at 2:21PM

Arlington County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), Rep. Janice Hahn (D-Calif.) and representatives from mall owner Simon Property Group were all on hand for the ceremony. Also present were reps from 350Green, the Los Angeles-based company that manufactures the charging stations.

The charging stations are located on level 2 of the mall parking garage. They can partially charge an electric vehicle in as little as 90 minutes, while the car’s owner shops.

News

Murray Assails Moran on Insider Trading Allegations

By ARLnow.com

Published November 15, 2011 at 10:20AM

According to the book, and a Newsweek article, Moran’s stockbrokers sold shares in 90 companies following a confidential briefing Moran attended at the outset of the 2008 financial crisis. The briefing, featuring Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed chairman Ben Bernanke, outlined the breadth of the impending financial doom that gripped the country.

The newly re-formed campaign of Republican Patrick Murray, who’s hoping to unseat Moran in 2012, issued a statement about the allegations late last night.

News

AFAC Begins Distributing Thanksgiving Meals to Needy Families

By ARLnow.com

Published November 14, 2011 at 4:15PM

AFAC expects to distribute some 1,800 frozen turkeys between today and Saturday, when the distribution ends. The organization is also distributing stuffing and mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving, in addition to its normal weekly food distribution (eggs, milk, pasta, canned goods, etc.).

Rep. Jim Moran joined volunteers at AFAC’s Shirlington distribution site this afternoon. The 66-year-old congressman helped to distribute food to AFAC clients, in an effort to draw more attention to the group’s mission.

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Patrick Murray: Rematch With Jim Moran in 2012

By ARLnow.com

Published November 11, 2011 at 9:35AM

Murray has announced that he will again seek the Republican nomination in the upcoming Virginia 8th District House of Representatives race. After losing to Moran by a final vote of 61 percent to 37 percent in 2010, Murray is pulling no punches in his criticism of the ten-term Democratic congressman.

Murray sent the following email to supporters last night.