June 2006 Archives
June 29, 2006
$10,000 to Charity for the Rules Comments (1)
How About Helping to Fight Cancer Mrs. Robinson?
If Maud Robinson can explain the precise and objective rules of the Windover Heights Historic District, a Vienna citizen has informed this web site that they will donate $10,000 to the American Cancer Society in Maud's name.
This means Maud must explain the exact guidelines that the Review Board uses to approve or disapprove a color choice, building material choice, design choice or landscaping choice. Specifically, if a resident proposes a blue house, how does the Board determine blue is good or bad as compared to red or orange or whatever color, etc.
We call this challenge the 'honesty test'. Can Mrs. Robinson pass?
June 22, 2006
Same Ole Mistakes Made Over & Over Comments (10)
This article from 1990 is relevant to Town Council decision making in 2006 as they prepare to study the Town police building expansion for $120,000. No one here is against needed expansion, but not having long range vision is a severe problem in Vienna government. Note: When the image loads, clicking on it again in your browser will make it larger for reading.
June 19, 2006
Fast and Loose with Freedom of Information Comments (1)
Recently we posted the results of a freedom of information inquiry into Maud Robinson's 2006 economic interests. We then decided to seek her statement of economic interests from 2001-2005 to check for conflicts (those will be posted soon). The Town of Vienna delivered the requested records, but the records had a problem, they were edited.
It seems someone at Town Hall decided to 'white out' Maud Robinson's phone number on the documents. You might say, 'No big deal, so what.' Yes, it is a big deal. Complete, unedited Town records are open to inspection by ANYONE. Town employees, or whoever, are not allowed to unilaterally decide that some aspect of a record is 'private' based on their subjective whim at that moment. Town employees and Town Council members must operate under State law. They don't get to make up the law as they go. Better yet, if forced to talk, would we find someone in Town Hall was ordered to do this by Maud?
And that is why this seemingly innocuous act is so important. Maud Robinson over 50 years has crafted a culture of elitism that seemingly floats outside of any boundary. Altering records shows clearly, in yet another way, the disdain that the Vienna Town Council and Vienna Town Staff have for the rule of law. It's their country club and who are we to tell them how to run things.
Guess what? They rolled over. The Town has now agreed to provide the complete and unedited documents while not explaining why the records were edited in the first place. They did offer Robinson's phone number in an email response and said that her phone number was listed in the phone book. That's brilliant, why were the documents edited then?
Lastly, whoever decided to redact Maud's phone number must be oblivious to what happens when you type in the phrase 'Maud Robinson Vienna' in Google. By George, it's a phone number!
This is not the first time Town Hall has played games with public records.
June 18, 2006
Who's Next on the 'Historic' Chopping Block? Comments (2)
Maud Says, "Put Your Blind Fold On & It Will All Be Fine!"
Since the historic district lawsuits were filed in 2003, the following Board members have disappeared (i.e. resigned) from one or more Town Boards or Commissions:
Laine Hyde
Connie Stuntz
Thomas Kamstra
Steve Bukont
John Scheib
Ed Umbrell
Who's next to be blindfolded and forced to defend the historic district? Steve Bukont resigned nearly six months ago and they still can't fill his seat. Anyone out there want to fill his vacant seat? The perks are great. You can curse out residents with no repercussions! There must be more people out there with oversized egos looking to exert false power over their neighbors?
Seriously, we can't figure out why Town residents don't want to sit on the historic review board, attempt to defend the indefensible and then end up on this web site looking like they were bought and paid for by Maud Robinson. One way or the other the leftover Board members still playing games with Town residents will be profiled here soon.
June 17, 2006
Vienna Never Intended to Revitalize Maple Avenue Comments (4)
At the April 3, 2006 Council meeting this agenda item was seen:
AWARD OF RFP 06-02, THE MAPLE AVENUE FEASIBILITY STUDY, TO DUNCAN ASSOCIATES IN ASSOCIATION WITH FERRELL MADDEN, FOR THE AMOUNT OF $10,000.00. Council consideration to award this contract to analyze four different possible approaches to Zoning control on the commercial corridor of Maple Avenue.
Now at the June 19, 2006 Council meeting this agenda item will be heard:
REQUEST APPROVAL TO AWARD RFP 06-01 TO MOSELEY ARCHITECTS P.C. IN AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $119,704.00, FOR ARCHITECTURAL /ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF WORK SPACE NEEDS AND ASSOCIATED DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING. Council consideration to contract Moseley Architects of Richmond, Virginia to examine the feasibility of possible renovation or expansion of the Police Department.
Does anyone see the problem here?
$10k to study Vienna's commercial corridor worth in the hundreds of millions and $120k to study a new Police station expansion - seem logical to you? Maud and her cronies never had any intention of revitalizing Maple Avenue. They should have donated the $10k to a worthy charity instead of wasting it with a dog and pony show.
June 16, 2006
Ed Umbrell's On & Off Conflict of Interest Comments (1)
During 2003 Ed Umbrell sat on the Planning Commission. He did not vote against letting 5 properties out of the historic district as he acknowledged that he had a relationship with the attorney representing the citizens. He recused himself.
Fast-forward to 2006 and Ed Umbrell, now Chairman of the Planning Commission, votes against another property seeking removal from the district.
Why the shift? How did Ed Umbrell have a conflict requiring recusal in 2003, but no conflict in 2006? Can someone explain those ethics to us? Are conflicts for Umbrell only applied when convenient?
Further, watch this video:
In 2006 Umbrell was asked what the rules were for the historic district and replied, “Not being a member of the Board I can't answer.” But on the 2004 video clip above Umbrell clearly says he understands the guidelines. Why does Umbrell's story flop around?
Last but not least, Umbrell is resigning on June 19, 2006 as he is moving from Vienna. Thanks for leaving us your mess to clean up Ed.
June 15, 2006
Maple Avenue/123 Closed Comments (0)
Maple Avenue/123 is closed today both ways due to a sewer pipe rupture. The pipe also happens to lie next to a major gas line. If you want to be mad at anyone, make it the elected officials who have most likely dropped the ball on maintenance. However, don't blame the police and public works crews, they did not cause it and they are stuck fixing it! And after talking to the guys out there working on it, it might be a good while before it is all fixed.
Think about this: we now have a multi-million dollar Town Green, but our sewer infrastructure is rotting out. Maud enough of the pet projects, take care of the basics. How much money did this cost businesses today? Seriously, what will be the total economic loss from this? Vienna's political machine sure messed up the lives of tens of thousands of Fairfax County residents today.
Looking Toward Tysons on 123 at 5PM
In Front of Magruders - Ruptured Sewer Line
Ed Umbrell: Do Nothing, Say Nothing Comments (1)
Should Vienna Expect More from the Planning Commission Chair?
Recently the Planning Commission and the Vienna Town Council voted against yet another property seeking to be removed from the Windover Heights Historic District. Another lawsuit was filed in the last week over this decision.
When this item appeared before the Planning Commission and its Chairman Ed Umbrell three times earlier in 2006, the Planning Commission was given this document (PDF) with 38 reasons why the property in question was seeking to be removed from Vienna's historic district. Ed Umbrell's response? Umbrell submitted this document (PDF) to the Vienna Town Council.
Can anyone make the argument that Ed Umbrell is actually doing an honest job in responding to the concerns submitted? Or is he just kissing the right Town Council derrières with hopes of one day being 'anointed' by Maud?
June 12, 2006
High School Kids Design Communities Comments (2)
While Vienna treads water, avoiding any semblance of smart redevelopment on Maple Avenue, local high school kids are learning what it takes to get the job done (PDF). Can you imagine Maud Robinson actually working with (and respecting) a young person toward a productive goal?
Could you see Jane Seeman or Maud ever understanding a phrase like smart-growth? Vienna, in many ways obvious to even high school kids, is about 'dumb-growth'.
June 10, 2006
Tom Seeman Gets a Promotion for Racist Views Comments (4)
Tom Seeman, Jane Seeman's ultra-right wing son and owner of a racist blog, recently got a promotion from the Town of Leesburg. Tom is a member of the Town of Leesburg's Cable TV Advisory Commission, but he was recently made Chairman. We reveal that Seeman has racist views, Leesburg promotes him.
Amazingly, not too long ago in a Sun Gazette article by Brian Trompeter, Jane Seeman was quoted on race relations:
"...Vienna Mayor M. Jane Seeman challenged students to examine their own ideas about tolerance and asked if society had realized Dr. King's dream for justice, brotherhood and truth. 'We can look to the government, educational institutions and the workplace for the answer, but I believe we need to look no further than our own hearts and minds,' Seeman said."
Why then Mrs. Mayor, if this is what you believe, do you post messages to your son Tom Seeman's hate-based web site?
Tom Seeman Fights On
June 09, 2006
Maud's Private 1-Acre Parking Lot Comments (3)
Look at this picture.
With all of the problems Vienna has with parking crunches, and given the huge increase in property values in Vienna that makes 1 acre of land worth far more than a million dollars, why would the owners of this parking lot, a lot that is ALWAYS empty, be willing to sit still and do nothing with their property for 30+ years?
Mrs. Robinson you live next door, got an answer? Are you penalizing this property owner for your own selfish reasons? This property is more than twice the size of the upcoming Town Green! Is this a good use of land? An empty asphalt 1-acre lot?
Maud Likes Asphalt Everywhere. We Don't.
June 08, 2006
Maud Robinson Wants 'Rich' Post Removed Comments (1)
Maud Robinson apparently sent out John Sekas, one of Vienna's prominent builders and a man who has to appear before her for approvals regularly, to personally lobby for the removal of this post. We are learning more and more about who scratches who's back and how hard in little ole Vienna. What a machine!
Will Maud Ever Graduate from Playground Bully?
June 07, 2006
Maud & Jane Pushing #4 Down the Drain Comments (3)
While Vienna received the #4 ranking last year from Money Magazine, it is painfully obvious that Jane Seeman and Maud Robinson are working together to eliminate that lofty national stature. The shenanigans outlined on this site, led and fostered by Seeman and Robinson, will eventually prove detrimental for Vienna. The time to fix problems is now. This site seeks to right the wrongs and preserve Vienna as a great community.
June 06, 2006
Laine Hyde's & Paul Layer's Behavior is Gross Comments (4)
Laine Hyde and Paul Layer both sit on the Vienna Commercial Architectural Review Board. There are no rules to this Board. There are no guidelines. When you appear before Hyde and Layer they have the power to approve or deny applications for buildings or building modifications in the Vienna commercial district - based on however they personally feel at that finite moment in time.
Let us be clear. If you want to paint your building or sign blue or any shade of blue or whatever color, there are no rules. There is nothing that says one shade is better than another or that one color is better or worse than another. Taking that into account watch the seriousness in which Hyde and Layer question a business owner looking to use his trademark colors.
Video #1:
Video #2:
What is this all 'questioning' about then? Why do business owners have to appear before busy body politicians like Laine Hyde and Paul Layer only to be asked to make changes based on their personal view at that very minute? Why is Paul Layer not forced to base his questions off spelled out law? Does any of this make any sense?
Hyde wants softer colors...compared to WHAT? The code says nothing about COLOR. The other Board member wants less vibrant colors. Compared to WHAT? There is no baseline to 'vibrancy'! Why do Hyde, Layer and other Board members allow themselves to sit there and knowingly violate the rights of their fellow citizens? Should Paul Layer, who is handling a new building design on Church Street, be sitting in judgment of other business owners? If you were a business owner in need of architectural work, why would you use Paul Layer when he plays games with business owners' livelihoods across Town?
Footnote: After begging and pleading this business owner for softer colors or muted colors or less vibrant colors, the Board rolled over and approved the application with no modification. Why did they approve it? The applicant was Prudential and the threat of legal action was clear: deny our trademark colors when you have no rules and you will see us in court. Unfortunately, these people regularly abuse small business owners because they know the legal threat is not as strong. Helluva way to run government Maud and Jane!
June 05, 2006
Maud & Jane Still Have Your Norfolk Pattern Book? Comments (4)
Maud Robinson and Jane Seeman, while facing down the barrel of historic district lawsuits and playing games with Maple Avenue's revitalization, have had a little document in their possession for several years now. What is that document? It is the City of Norfolk's A Pattern Book for Norfolk Neighborhoods. In fact, they have bragged about how great this document is (when you click on link above each section has a detailed PDF to download). Unfortunately, like everything in Vienna, their excitement was short-lived and fleeting. It's not that Vienna politicos don't know the 'right' way. They know their way is backward. The problem? The current powers that be don't have the skill to implement anything, work solely to keep their political power and plain just don't care. They are lazy AND manipulative. Lazy is too strong of a word you say? What would you call someone who has the above document and does nothing with it? Why can't Vienna implement good ideas from other jurisdictions?
June 03, 2006
Nostalgia v. Reality Comments (3)
Why Are Vienna Power Lines Above Ground on Maple Avenue?
The #4 Vienna Money Magazine ranking applied to a population of 60,000. That means the ranking far exceeded the borders of Vienna Town limits. This feedback was recently posted on the site from a non-Vienna Town resident. We reproduce it here to give it more visibility:
"The Vienna area has been my home for over 40 years and my beloved late wife and I sang in the OLGC church choir for over 25 years. So, I am not a Johnny come lately. Anyone who spends any time in Vienna soon realizes the ennui, lethargy and stasis, which characterize this community. Maple Avenue is frankly dreary--and seems destined to become even drearier as the years roll by. While filling stations, fast foods and parking lots are necessary it is daunting to face the fact that these have become the high spots of "Downtown Vienna." The one "jewel" is the Vienna Inn and its nostalgic "chili dogs with everything" and the reminiscences of us old timers who found it a convenient meeting place when our time with the "Company" permitted. As I accumulate the years, thinking progressively and imaginatively about the future is a mounting challenge--especially if one is preoccupied with small town charms and the appeal of yesteryear, but they are not real anymore in a metropolitan community like Washington DC and its suburbs. It is NOT leadership to resist inevitable change and refuse to adapt to the realities of accelerating change. While Alvin Toffler wrote "Future Shock" over 25 years ago, its central thesis is even more immediate and commanding than it was in 1980. The recognition and acceptance of revolutionary change in our society can only be resisted, avoided or obstructed at great expense, growing annoyance, and an increasing detriment to the common good and the ultimate welfare of our communities and society. We can see the results of such resistance to change in those backward areas of the world where the frustrations and accumulating disappointments of the masses induces the promotion of terrorism... It is the actual reality that the increasing velocity of change must be accommodated and even embraced by those who lead or aspire to lead in our world today. The alternative to accommodating such change, and indeed planning for it and using it for the promotion of the common good is grotesqueries such as the dismal panorama of Maple Avenue-especially during rush hours. It is not leadership to obstruct and play small town "Let's Pretend" (a delightful radio serial of fairy-tales of my youth). Those who will not lead should get out of the way and if they cannot find it in their hearts to help those who are willing to accept the challenges of the real world, they should at least move on without obstruction."
June 01, 2006
Fairfax City Leaves Vienna in the Dust Comments (14)
Fairfax City Leveling Old Post Office for New Revitalization Effort
While we are forced here in Vienna into a complete stalemate on Maple Avenue, thanks to Maud Robinson's anti-everything attitude, Fairfax City is marching to a very attractive down town. We found this description of the Fairfax City vision from 5 years ago:
"The Fairfax City Council wants you to picture this: Shop at your leisure at a number of boutiques or small chain stores in the heart of its historic district. Dine at an upscale restaurant, or grab a bite at a more casual eatery. Attend cultural events or a movie, or hop aboard a CUE bus or trolley to catch a performance at the Concert Hall or Patriot Center. Finally, if you're from out of town, spend the night at a fine hotel in the city. And do it all without the hassle of driving a car and finding a parking space."
Consider the reality happening today:
Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3, Picture 4, Picture 5
Here is a link to their main site.
Nice job Fairfax City!
By comparison, here are links outlining Vienna's "moronic efforts":
Speaking of Post Offices, did you know that a new design for the Vienna Post Office was killed by Jane Seeman and Maud Robinson? So while Fairfax City gets a new City center, Vienna is stuck in the proverbial mud. And guess what? There is funding help out there. Tom Davis got money for Fairfax City. We are sure Davis could help move forward the redevelopment of Vienna's antiquated and dysfunctional Post Office! Why are we listening to Maud?
