Laine Hyde: One of the Most Dishonest Citizens Ever in the Town of Vienna

Laine Hyde and Maud Robinson run Vienna's only political action committee 'Historic Vienna, Inc.' Don't let the little old lady, garden club spin fool you, utilizing this Town funded organization Hyde (230 Lovers Lane, NW) and Robinson have spent years carefully crafting a 'history' to buttress the existence of the Windover Heights Historic District. Why do this? This gives them the power to give their friends free rides along the approval process, but with people they don't like it gives them the power to harass.

Vienna Council Member Maud Robinson

Historic Vienna Inc., under Hyde's and Robinson's stewardship, puts on a walking tour within the Windover Heights Historic District every year. It is called the 'Walk on the Hill'. During the tour they hand out a brochure that purports to show the historical significance for each and every house in the District.

They do all this to convince people that the area comprising the Windover Heights Historic District is the same now as it was in 1850 (or whatever year they make up). The brochure and the Walk on the Hill are also designed to push their agenda that 'historical preservation' is taking place.

Unfortunately, there is clear evidence that 'history' for Hyde and Robinson changes every time they vote to demolish a house.

Example #1:

Inside the Walk on the Hill brochure from a few years back this entry was logged:

308 West. The original part of this residence is an 18th century log and brick cabin. The beams are still visible inside the house. The shaded, naturalized property is most appropriate to the old cabin.

Then under Hyde's leadership on the Windover Heights Board of Review, the house was razed on her vote. One day it's the 'historic cabin'; the next day it's two new houses. The brochure has since been edited by Hyde and Robinson to read:

308 West and 201 Windover. These two homes were built in 2000 and replace a single structure.

Isn't it amazing how the original story of the cabin just goes 'poof'? We propose the brochure to read:

308 West and 201 Windover. These two homes were built in 2000 and replace the so-called 'historic' cabin Laine Hyde voted to demolish.

Example #2:

Inside that same Walk on the Hill brochure this entry was logged:

316 Windover, known as 'Windover'. Built @1898 and enlarged @1909 by Mr. Whipple for his widowed daughter-in-law, who liked to entertain. There is still the huge tin tank in the attic that was used to gravity feed water to the rest of the house. During the Civil War a round log house was said to house officers.

Then under Hyde's leadership (and her vote) on the Windover Heights Board of Review, the house was demolished to any recognizable extent and expanded to 15,000 square feet. One day it's the 'historic tin tank', the next day it's the largest house ever built in Vienna...and no more tin tank!

The brochure has since been edited by Hyde and Robinson to read:

316 Windover, known as 'Windover'. Built @1898 and enlarged @1909 by Mr. Whipple for his widowed daughter-in-law, who liked to entertain. During the Civil War a round log house was said to house officers. Extensive renovations of the house and gardens in 2003-4.

Extensive renovations? Give us a break! Anyone with a heartbeat living in Vienna saw what happened. They built a brand new house. Gardens? There were no gardens.

Mrs. Robinson the next time you wave this brochure in the air at a Council meeting declaring it the inventory for the Windover Heights Historic District, well at least now the citizens of Vienna will more fully understand your manipulations, spins and half-truths.