Column: General Assembly Session Stalled
The beautiful red and pink camellias on Capitol Square in Richmond have been blooming for a couple of weeks.
Letter: Chambers ‘Frustrated’ With General Assembly
Letter to the Editor
On behalf of the Northern Virginia Chamber Partnership, comprising the Dulles Regional, Greater Reston and Loudoun County chambers of commerce, we would like to convey our collective frustration with the conduct of the 2012 Virginia General Assembly and remind you of the priority we shared at the start of the 2012 session – to support policies that promote a strong, pro-business environment that enhances Virginia’s economic competitiveness, cultivates growth in all segments of our economy, and ensures adequate access to critical business infrastructure and resources. At this point in the session, on behalf of our 2,800 business members and their more than 100,000 employees, we urge you, once again, to focus on this top priority.
Elden Street Players Present "Glengarry Glen Ross"
"What a great play with wonderfully rich characters," said Rosemary Hartman, director of the Elden Street Players upcoming production of David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross."
Ryan Forrest’s Quest for State Crown Falls Just Short
South Lakes senior wrestler finished second in Virginia despite battling illness over the postseason.
Following a third place finish in his respective 145-division weight class at last winter’s 2011 Virginia State AAA high school wrestling championships, South Lakes’ Ryan Forrest was determined to come back and capture this year’s ultimate prize – a state crown.
Indoor Track Season Wraps Up at State Meet
Local Northern Region athletes compete in Hampton.
A number of local athletes put together strong showings at last weekend’s Virginia State AAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, held Friday and Saturday (Feb. 24-25) at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton. On the boys’ side, Westfield High finished third overall and was the top finisher from out of the Northern Region. The Bulldogs finished with 27 team points. The team champion was Western Branch (48) of Chesapeake, a member of the Eastern Region. Finishing second was Grassfield (34 points) of Chesapeake.
RCA Questions Toll And Revenue Forecasts
Study worries about ‘optimum bias’ in projections.
The Reston Citizens Association released a report last month calling into question the toll and revenue forecasts done by CDMSmith, then known as Wilbur Smith and Associates. The forecasts were done to estimate costs and other planning measures for Phase Two of Dulles Metrorail.
Column: Protecting Residents in Tax, Road Debates
Congress finally has acted to ensure payroll tax relief for 170 million individuals and families through the rest of 2012. This additional tax relief is critical for maintaining the momentum of the economic recovery, and Northern Virginians will realize an average savings of $2,000 per household.
Column: A Raw Deal for Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia is getting a raw deal from Governor McDonnell. While we need transportation investment to support this economic engine of the state, at least $1.5 billion in transportation funds are being diverted to wasteful and unnecessary projects in rural areas. Meanwhile, the state refuses to adequately fund Dulles Rail, leaving Northern Virginia taxpayers and toll payers to foot the lion's share of the bill.
Governments Across Virginia Hope to Kill Local Aid to the State Program
Jurisdictions hope to kill funding scheme created at height of recession.
In the darkest days of the global financial crisis, leaders in Richmond were willing to do almost anything to balance the budget.
Outgoing County Executive Tony Griffin Presents Final Budget Proposal
$6.7 billion proposal is a 6.1 percent budget increase.
Appearing before members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for the last time, outgoing county executive Anthony Griffin had the luxury of taking the long view.
Column: State Shirks Transportation Responsibility
Maybe we should rename our County The Bank of Last Resort.
Reston Dentists Give Children a Smile
Fusion Dental’s Reston office provides 21 local children free dental care.
By participating in their third annual Give Kids A Smile event, doctors and staff at Fusion Dental’s Reston office gave some local kids and their parents a lot to smile about.
Column: A Budget Divide
Work on a budget for the FY 2013-2014 biennium occupied most of the General Assembly’s time this past week. Two budgets – one to complete FY 2012 and another for the FY 2013-2014 biennium – were proposed by the Governor and were introduced on his behalf in both houses of the legislature.
Walter Alcorn Selected as Citizen of the Year
Planning Commissioner Walter Alcorn will be honored as the 2011 Citizen of the Year at the annual awards banquet of the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations ("Federation") and SAIC on Sunday, March 25 at the Tysons Corner Crowne Plaza Hotel.