February 2006 Archives
February 26, 2006
Political Activities of Green Hedges School: Not Good Comments (0)
After some records "digging", the Green Hedges School connection to the Windover Heights Historic District has sharpened considerably. Why is that? In 1985, after the Town allowed an office building to be built in the Historic District without any review, a homeowner sought to be removed from the District due to the sheer corruption of the episode. Green Hedges School (415 Windover Avenue, NW, Vienna, VA 22180) inexplicably lobbied against this request for removal. At the time the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Green Hedges School, a Mrs. Macauley, sent a nonsensical letter in opposition. Macauley showed no understanding of the concept of property rights in her letter and seemed to revel in "messing" with others. Additionally, Kenton and Frances Kilmer, both of Green Hedges School, chimed in via letter to argue that the District "protected" houses in the Historic District. We wonder if Green Hedges believes such nonsense now? Where was Green Hedges School when this house in the District was bulldozed in 2006? Is this Green Hedges School style historic protection?
February 25, 2006
Maple Avenue Vision Committee Comments (2)
Have you ever wondered why Maple Avenue in Vienna is an eyesore? Have you ever wondered why so many buildings look run down and past their prime? If you were thinking it might be nice for Vienna to have a Panera, a Banana Republic, a Palm Steak House, an Apple Store or a Barnes and Noble bookstore - you are not alone.
Over the course of 2002-2005 the Maple Avenue Vision Committee met to solve the problems of Maple Avenue's business corridor. They had the support of much of the Town Council and Town Staff. What kind of work did they do? What was their research? Why did it all stop abruptly in 2005?
The Maple Avenue Vision Committee Resource File (PDF) is a 200 page file. All of the letters, speeches and memos in the file were assembled with the help of "insiders" in Vienna Town Hall. These "insiders" were distressed that this fantastic work would never see the light of day.
Why did it all stop? Why were these documents deep-sixed? Why was the Committee nixed? Maud Robinson, Laurie Cole and George Lovelace killed it all. They never wanted any Vienna citizen to see the 200 page resource file we are now putting online. All Vienna citizens should be wondering why Robinson, Cole and Lovelace sabotaged these efforts to make downtown Vienna a better place.
February 24, 2006
David Miller: Not An Honest Politician Comments (0)
Not unlike his fellow Planning Commission Member George Creed, Planning Commission Member David Miller (209 East Street, SE) seems to have no problem making up the law as he goes.
David Miller: Honest?
David Miller sits on both the Planning Commission and the Windover Heights Board of Review. Last night he voted against letting a property out of the Historic District, but not but a few months ago, at his very first Windover Heights Board of Review meeting, he said this:
Miller on the video states:
"I am of the opinion that the changes the homeowners proposed would go to make the house look more 'period' than it currently is so I stand in favor of it."
Period to what? Is Miller proposing that we make up Disneyland-like fake "historic" homes? Of course, Miller knows there is no reference to a 'period' in the Windover Heights Historic District. Miller is simply making up law on the fly to show his "power". He then arrogantly refuses to answer questions when backed into a corner. Worse yet, Miller is completely cognizant of the words of the former Town Attorney:
"The age of the structure has no bearing on whether or not it should be included in the district. Your attention is invited to Section 18-280.2 of the Town's zoning ordinance concerning the boundaries of the Windover Heights Historic district. You will note that it is a historic district created by boundary and makes no reference to the age or character of the structures within the boundary. I have always maintained that if Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated at the local Giant, that structure would be historic. One the other hand, the mayor's antique chicken house is very old, but in my mind has no historic value."
David Miller is a dishonest politician.
February 23, 2006
The Maud Robinson Political Machine Comments (0)
After the Planning Commission voted last night 5-3 to deny a petition to have a property removed from the Historic District, Maud Robinson "dressed down" one of the 3 Commission members who voted to allow the property out of the District. Can you imagine being on the Commission, asking fair questions and voting your conscious, only to have Maud yell at you? You can never underestimate the nastiness of Maud Robinson. Sadly, while many people may have fond memories of Mayor Robinson (her husband), Maud Robinson is not a close facsimile of the former Mayor. It is time for Maud Robinson to retire and move on.
February 22, 2006
Planning Commission Votes 5-3 Comments (0)
The Planning Commission voted 5-3 tonight to not allow a property to be removed from the Windover Heights Historic District. The debate before the vote clearly showed a Planning Commission not in agreement as to what the Historic District law even says. Planning Commission member George Creed of course voted against the petition. It is clear where Creed's political bread is buttered.
February 14, 2006
The Green Hedges School 'Lobby' Comments (1)
The Windover Heights Historic District has a rather curious group of supporters with extremely close ties to the ultra-private Green Hedges School located behind the Amphora restaurant. Green Hedges School (aerial photo) just so happens to sit next to the border of the Windover Heights Historic District, but not in it. This group is extremely active behind the scenes in backing the Windover Heights Historic District. Consider their politics:
1. George Creed's wife is a teacher at Green Hedges School. Creed is on the Vienna Planning Commission. He voted in 2003 to not allow 5 properties to be removed from the Historic District. Litigation is pending now. In 2006, Creed still thinks the District is "fine" even after reading this website. On the other hand, does Creed support an expanded Green Hedges? Will he recuse himself when its time to vote on the school?
2. Sherry Dart is a teacher at Green Hedges School. Dart is virulently opposed to the removal of properties from the District. She read this letter at a community meeting in 2003. Dart's house touches the border of the District, but is not in the District. She lobbies for others to be in it, but she doesn't want in herself. Lastly, Dart's house at 331 Lewis Street, NW is on this list of so-called historic structures.
3. Sharon Kallio and Gloria Runyon both have an association with Green Hedges School (Runyon is a Trustee). Both are also Board Members of the Malcolm Windover Heights Civic Association. They have ignored all problems with the Historic District. They have refused to stand up as Board Members of the Civic Association and do anything toward the resolution of the Historic District mess.
4. Green Hedges School is currently planning a monster addition in the middle of a residential neighborhood (off Windover Avenue, NW). How many of these students reside in Vienna? How many teachers reside in Vienna? How is it appropriate to force the neighbors who live in the neighborhood to deal with the increased traffic the expanded school will bring?
5. Chuck and Laura Anderson have a long history with the Windover Heights Historic District. For example, their new home was added to the Historic District in 1998 for no cogent reason. They also happen to be big supporters of Green Hedges School. Laura Anderson, for example, is Vice-Chair of the 2005-2006 Board of Trustees for the school. It should be noted that Chuck Anderson argued against this house being built in 2004 saying it was too "massive". But apparently the new Green Hedges School, only three houses away from the one Anderson opposed, will not be "massive"?
6. Church Street Closed with Barricade. Any expansion of a school in a residential neighborhood will be a burden on the people who live there. While Laura Anderson, a Green Hedges School Trustee, thinks it's fine to burden neighbors with the increased traffic, she had no problem keeping Church Street behind the Marco Polo closed to one-way traffic. Anderson was instrumental in making sure this silly barricade (see yellow square on picture) is the only one of its kind in Vienna. For those not recognizing the location, the red square is the Post Office, the green square is the Marco Polo restaurant and the blue square is Chuck and Laura Anderson's house. How many times have you ever wondered why that barricade is there? Blame Laura Anderson for creating her own private road.
February 10, 2006
Demolition: Maud Robinson Style Comments (0)
How does Maud Robinson promote "preservation" in the Windover Heights Historic District? Can you spell demolition? Here is some great video (MPG):
This video was shot today February 9th. It is yet another house receiving 'Vienna style historic preservation'! What's the point of the Historic District if this is legal and approved by Maud Robinson? If you can blow every house up like this - why have a District?
Before "Preservation":
After "Preservation":
February 06, 2006
Affidavits Submitted to Council Comments (0)
Tonight (3) affidavits were submitted to Vienna Town Council attesting to Steve Bukont's exact language during his December 6, 2005 attack of Vienna citizens. Here is the video of tonight's presentation:
These affidavits were submitted in response to comments made by Laurie Cole, Maud Robinson and George Lovelace last week.
February 03, 2006
Enter the Spin (Twilight) Zone Comments (0)
While the Chairman of Windover Heights Board of Review recently resigned under pressure, he had no shortage of defenders in the 'Spin (Twilight) Zone':
"The barrage of insinuation and innuendo recently directed toward Mr. Bukont is reprehensible. I am very sorry that he and his family have been subjected to it. There is always room for civil discourse concerning different views in public affairs. But insidious, unfounded attacks on a person's integrity are beyond the pale of civil debate."
Laurie Cole, January 30, 2006
"It bothers me that we have to lose people in this way."
George Lovelace, January 30, 2006
"I feel firmly that tolerance is at an end."
Maud Robinson, January 30, 2006
On December 6, 2005 in full view of Town Staff and numerous Town residents, then Chairman of the Windover Heights Board of Review Steve Bukont called citizens, "f**king morons".
Why are three Town Council members defending such behavior? We doubt Laurie Cole would be flowing with praise if she had the f-bomb whipped at her. Or is that type of talk 'civil discourse' for Cole? Or better yet, does this video represent the 'civil debate' Cole speaks of?
Mrs. Cole it is not 1950. It is 2006. You can't sit up there on your podium and throw political spin out expecting it to stick unrebutted.
February 02, 2006
George Lovelace Defends Obscenity Comments (1)
This week in a local newspaper George Lovelace defended the now departed Chairman of the Windover Heights Board of Review by declaring:
"Whoever we decide to put up there next, you can believe they are going to go through the same process."
We are not sure what Lovelace means exactly by the term "process". However, if the Vienna Town Council replaces their Chairman with another "volunteer" who throws f-bombs at citizens and who is incapable of answering basic questions as to the rules of the Review Board, Lovelace is right, they will go through the same "process".
February 01, 2006
Break Down An Example Comments (1)
What is a good example of the abuse of power exerted by the Windover Heights Board of Review? Read these Minutes (PDF) from the Windover Heights Board of Review meeting of May 2, 2005. What is wrong with this seemingly innocuous document?
1. Board member Carey Sienicki refers to book "This was Vienna". This is not Vienna law.
2. Board member Steve Bukont refers to "color". This is not Vienna law.
3. Board member Shirley Damon refers to "color". This is not Vienna law.
4. Board member Ed Umbrell refers to "Greek revival". This is not Vienna law.
5. Board member Robert Petersen refers to "mass". This is not Vienna law.
Here is an excerpt from the end of the Minutes (listen MP3):
"Mr. Petersen asked Chairman Bukont to bring the Board up to date on what the possibility is that they may be able to have a survey done of the building in the Historic District as previously discussed last year. Chairman Bukont said that he has been advised by the Town Attorney that given there is pending litigation that involves this Board to wait for the resolution of that litigation saying the Town Council thought the ordinance was quite adequate as drafted."
We don't understand how Petersen can continue to serve on this Board, making decisions that affect people's lives, when he knows the Code lacks a survey. He obviously knows there is a problem, but doesn't follow through.
