The Fairfax Times got it right in its recent editorial ("One Size Fits All") on moving local elections to November.
The money quote:
"... Frankly, we're not sure why this decision has been so difficult to make. ...
In late 2009, with every municipality between Herndon and Hampton Roads'" [...]
In the political poker equivalent of a call and an all-in raise, Falls Church City Mayor Robin Gardner last night proposed a modification to the November local election ordinance which would move the effective date of the change to November 2012 and provide that no council member whose [...]
Falls Church City changed its local elections in 1973 from June to May in response to an administrative change made in Richmond. Moving local elections was done by city council ordinance, not by public referendum, and it did not result in partisan elections or the extension of any [...]
The state of Virginia has said it will no longer subsidize local elections held in May. Moving Falls Church City local elections to November would dramatically increase voter turnout and would save city taxpayers approximately $60,000 each local election cycle.
Opponents of moving local elections argue moving local elections to the [...]
The Falls Chamber of Commerce has had a particularly good year in a very difficult economic climate. It had a successful gala, hosted a series of popular luncheons, has signed up a slew of new members, published a new web site, and helped coordinate successful local business openings [...]
Lawyer games can be amusing (as long as you are safely on the sidelines). Yesterday a creditor attorney in Front Royal dinged Tareq Salahi, of White House party crasher infamy, for his wrist watch as payment for an unpaid lawn care bill.
*Special* Legal Tip From The Weed: If you are [...]
For the eighth consecutive year, the Falls Church City Police and Falls Church Police Association are heading up the US Marines Corps Toys for Tots drive. Donations of new unwrapped toys will be collected at the Police Department lobby, located on the G-2 level of [...]
Local election season draws near. It looks like it will be a long one, what with all the usual suspects of "concerned citizens" and "groups of friends" already putting out anti-something ads attacking the "malignant" "them" and trying to protect "our city" from Taco Bell a new [...]
It is oddly comforting to know that being a member of a stealth opposition cabal intent on overthrowing the progressive majority and imposing a conservative political agenda on our nonpartisan local government is not really as much fun as it seems.
Falls Church school board member Kieran Sharpe has been [...]
Falls Church is the little city.
A crucial first step in what will eventually prove to be a sweeping re-branding of Falls Church City for purposes of economic development was completed this week with the release of a comprehensive new brand strategy. The strategy was [...]
Blueweeds is somewhat loath to offer comment on national issues with no direct connection to local events. But rules, particularly the ones I make up, are meant to be broken. Below is video of President Obama's speech on our military policy in Afghanistan.
h/t Bryan over at Left Of The [...]
Northern Virginia Democrats are about to take, and fail, a basic political test. I write to encourage my people to gather themselves and make an effort to avoid public humiliation.
The voter rich Virginia State 37th Senate District (Springfield and Sully Districts) has been vacated by [...]
They should just tell the mayor to sit down and shut up and be done with it. *
The elderly gents over at the conservative FCT blog are on quite a tangent lately against our beloved mayor. It seems like just the other day we all discovered [...]
As I have noted in previous posts on this site, I describe myself as a Republican although, as with all such labels, it covers a pretty wide area. I am defintely from the libertarian, free enterprise, socially moderate (dare I say liberal) end of the spectrum. [...]
The conservative FCT blog co-founded by Council Member Team Dave Snyder continued to escalate its criticism of city officials with a post which mocked Falls Church City Mayor Robin Gardner as a "target ... never in range" of gun rights protesters. At the time FCT staff [...]
Congressman Jim Moran is recovering from successful double knee replacement replacement surgery completed November 24, 2009. We wish Congressman Moran a speedy recovery, and our good thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and caregivers, over the next several weeks.
Moran has asked well wishers to consider [...]
Measured objectively, the issue of whether or not to move Falls Church City local elections from May to November is rather straightforward. Moving the elections will double or triple voter turnout and save city taxpayers an estimated $60,000 in each local election year (out of a total city [...]
Citizens for a Better City, the grand dame organization of Falls Church City politics, kicked off some cobwebs and threw a stunningly successful Fiftieth Year Annual Dinner last Sunday. The event demonstrated that the venerable nonpartisan political organization, which has been plagued by transitions and defections in recent years, has plenty [...]
McDonnell on Fox News Sunday (11/09/09). Progressive summary: tax cuts, service cuts, implement conservative social agenda, no funding for planned parenthood, promote fatherhood as a priority, massive resistance to health care reform, oppose the initiatives of the Obama Administration ... and, yes, he is "very flattered" about being mentioned as [...]
The insurance provider for the City of Falls Church, the Virginia Municipal League, is obligated to pay the legal defense costs being incurred as a result of the Fairfax Water Authority bringing suit against the City.
The VML initially denied coverage for the claim. In protesting the denial, Falls Church brought a [...]
Citizens for a Better City, a nonpartisan political action organization which supports the campaigns of qualified school board and city council candidates in Falls Church City, is celebrating its fiftieth (50!) anniversary of community activism.
The CBC will hold its Annual Meeting and Dinner [...]
In a statement provided to Blueweeds Tuesday afternoon, the owner-editor of the Falls Church News-Press confirmed his paper has retained legal counsel to determine whether or not the FCT blog has improperly interfered with its agreement with the City of Falls Church to re-publish the weekly FOCUS advertising section.
The City [...]
I feel a bit like the guy telling his drunk friend to drink a big glass of water before sacking out ... but all you Democrats and friends should go vote Tuesday. I suspect we are going to have a four year hangover, but you will [...]
It surprised me to learn recently that our hero, council member Team Dave Snyder, is one of the founders of the conservative FCT blog. According to sources familar with the startup of the blog, it was Snyder who encouraged campaign workers of his friend Nader Baroukh to [...]
On Friday I attended the Deeds GOTV rally in Falls Church. Dressed as a gunslinger. I shouted a marriage proposal to our mayor from the crowd ... who pretended not to hear me. Jim Webb gave me an appreciative grin. Creigh Deeds gave me a goofy smile and [...]
Democratic political stars are turning out Friday, October 30, 2009, at the Falls Church City campaign office for a get out the vote rally for Creigh Deeds and the Democratic ticket.
Creigh Deeds, Jody Wagner, and Steve Shannon will be there, along with Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Jim [...]
Our family guinea pig, Furry, passed away a few days ago. She was the subject of one of my favorite posts from a few years back. There were some kid tears and a quiet backyard burial. The vet was unclear on the cause of death, but we believe [...]
Just a quick link to the latest Rasmussen Poll (09/17/09) which calls the Virginia gubernatorial race "now a toss up." McDonnell 48% - Deeds 46%.
Voters are concerned about the McDonnell thesis and the growing evidence of his very conservative views. Voters seem to be still getting to know Creigh Deeds. The [...]
If you are going to read one book this year, make it Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. It is a an extraordinarily clear and comprehensive statement of the costs – economic, social and moral – of the oppression and mistreatment of [...]
New poll from the nonpartisan Clarus Research Group shows the Virginia gubernatorial race has tighten considerably. Deeds base is emerging. Poll shows McDonnell lead has been cut in half statewide (from 10% to 5%), with Deeds leading in NoVa. The McDonnell thesis remains important to Virginia voters [...]
As Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Republican Bob McDonnell tried unsuccessfully to intervene in a private church property dispute on behalf of a conservative breakaway congregation involved in litigation over ownership of the historic Falls Church Episcopal. Falls Church City is named after the church which was founded in 1732 [...]
There has been a sharp increase in home invasion crimes reported in the west end of Falls Church, according to city officials. Neighbors are forming watch groups and police are helping residents in the neighborhoods around Shreve Road monitor suspicious activity. The crimes reportedly show a pattern of [...]
The Star City Harbinger has published a Bob McDonnell campaign email which provides thirty "talking points" supporters should use when writing letters to local editors in support of the campaign. The local Republican Committee Chair who circulated the instructions warned writers "...not to copy/paste these talking points word" [...]
There is a really important article in today's Washington Post ("Region's Office Space Vacancies Soaring" by V. Dion Haynes) regarding office building vacancies in the metro area.
For many years (if not decades) the development discussion in Falls Church City has been infected by what I like [...]
More on the 2009 Falls Church Fall Festival in a minute. Before we get there, let me say how odd it was to see city school officials handing out a 1000 free cupcakes (to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our public school system).
You might remember the controversial school [...]
Republican candidate for governor "Taliban Bob" McDonnell dropped a crystal clear F-bomb on WTOP radio this weekend here in Northern Virginia. Not Larry Sabato has the (NSFW) audio.
Hey, Bob, I am not sure where you were raised, but here in NOVA you can oppress our working women, hate on gays, or swear [...]
Going into Labor Day weekend this poll shows a looming disaster for Virginia Democrats. SurveyUSA is a reputable pollster, and its post-thesis data shows McDonnell largely undamaged by the controversy and all three statewide Republican candidates with considerable leads in their respective races.
Wish I [...]
The Falls Church City Council will consider enacting a "second signature" ordinance targeted at curbing abusive towing practices in the city. The ordinance, if enacted, would require towing companies to have a state-required towing contract with the property owner, and, if the tow was taking place within [...]
The thesis Bob McDonnell submitted to fulfill his professional and legal educational requirements is an intolerant political manifesto which disqualifies him from being Governor of Virgina.
The Washington Post first ran the story about the McDonnell thesis last Sunday, on page A1, and offered up this devastating encapsulation:
"..." [...]
Falls Church City officials have taken a hard stand against a strip club relocating to Eden Center. See previous Blueweeds posts on the controversial club.
The City Zoning Administrator John Boyle denied Paper Moon a final occupancy permit on the ground the club has self-described itself on permit applications [...]
