October 2006 Archives
October 31, 2006
Phony Empathy from Maud Robinson As She Describes the "Incident" Comments (2)
This piece of video needs little comment. The transition from Robinson's fake empathy to her only concern of stopping the proposed memorial, is gross. Everyone in Vienna now knows why these cast of clowns wanted to ban video last year.
This kind of BS and spin is exactly why the Town faces lawsuits over the historic district. They are dishonest brokers on numerous issues. If Robinson wasn't 84 years old, would anyone respect her? Of course not. If this was all filmed and on cable would it happen? Of course not.
Maud Robinson Slams Memorial to Honor Biker Killed Comments (8)
Maud Robinson last night showed clearly why she is no one's Grandmother. In the clip below (addressing George Lovelace's request for a specific up or down vote) she responds to the request of a widow whose husband was killed on the corner of the new Town Green along Maple Avenue. This man's widow designed a bike rack as a memorial to her late husband. She did so with the approval of the Town. Now the Town says they don't want the memorial, but Maud took her 'no' an extra step. She declared that the Town Green had already been designed and approved and that if they approved this memorial, then next her Garden Club would want a vegetable stand And yes, she made that Garden Club crack in a room of twenty people with this man's widow sitting 15 feet from her. She is plain nasty. You know what wasn't part of the "PROCEDURE" you harp about Maud? This man's death! You should be ashamed, but since you have no shame, we know that is wishful thinking.
Robinson is more than confused. She is mean. And yes, if you listen close, that is someone saying, "She is nuts."
October 30, 2006
Laurie DiRocco Investigation Comments (1)
Laurie DiRocco's answers and statements at the last Planning Commission meeting were so entirely unacceptable that we have undertaken both a Vienna Freedom of Information search and a George Mason University Freedom of Information search. Since DiRocco is a State employee and a Vienna politician, we are concerned about conflicts. We are also very concerned that an individual such as DiRocco actually has involvement with students. Once all GMU records are in, they will be posted.
Vienna Can Do Better
"Honey, Get the Kids. Let's Go On A Walking Tour of Maud's New Banks. Bring the Puke Bucket!" Comments (2)
Even Pumpkins Puke at Maud's Leadership
Go to the corner of Glyndon and Maple Avenue and look at the new Commerce Bank under construction. It's only two places down from the now finished Chevy Chase Greek Revival masterpiece (heavy sarcasm).
When you finishing puking, you can start reading again.
These two new banks are a sad day for Vienna. Their construction sets Vienna back years and maybe decades. Some points to consider:
1. The construction of banks, while great for storing Maud's millions, are terrible for the tax base of Vienna. It puts more of a burden on residential taxes.
2. This type of construction perpetuates Vienna as a community with nothing to walk to. The choice to populate our limited commercial land with new banks is beyond words.
3. The appearance of both banks is atrocious by any measure regardless of taste. They both make Vienna look terrible. These banks give the term hodge podge a bad name.
Now of course the Maud defenders will pathetically say she has nothing to do with this, she can't stop construction. They will argue that people have the right to do with their property how they see fit.
Here's the problem with that logic. Government leaders control the zoning. Through good law and incentives, Vienna could get whatever they want built. It's done across this country. Unfortunately, an incompetent crew of leaders currently leads Vienna. It is very sad. There is only so much commercial land left and we are simply destroying Vienna with idiotic and inept construction.
October 28, 2006
Laine Hyde and Laurie DiRocco Backgrounds Comments (0)
We believe it is important to understand the backgrounds of local politicians in Vienna. Here are some backgrounds from assorted Vienna players:
Laurie DiRocco (PDF)
(316 Moorefield Road; $971,000)
Laine Hyde (PDF)
(230 Lovers Lane; $1,025,000)
David Miller (PDF)
(209 East Street; $657,690)
We will post their financials (stock, bonds, other real estate) once they are in.
October 27, 2006
Political Morons Force Vienna Citizens to Lose...AGAIN! Comments (8)
We reported earlier about a 'dog and pony' study Vienna contracted out for Maple Avenue. The study (PDF) was released today. Since the Town refused to provide an electronic format, we provide it for all residents.
There is one big problem with this study: it only covers from Beulah to Lawyers. It leaves out Maple Avenue from Lawyers to Nutley and leaves out Beulah to East. Why is this relevant? Name the properties on Maple Avenue between Beulah and Lawyers that are capable of being redeveloped? Beyond Giant and Safeway, there is no land.
The Town knows that the Tara Thai building, Marco Polo, the Wolf Trap Motel, The Tower Building and the SunTrust Bank building are all ready to explore new ideas, but they were all left out of the study.
In effect, this study was political cover for those (read: Maud) who want to pretend they are progressive, but in actuality have no intent on anything ever changing. Of course, this will fool some sheep into believing something is about to happen. Don't be fooled, it's all mental masturbation by the Garden Club gals. So if you want a nice day of walking, nice shops, and attractive buildings, at least Fairfax City's new development is close by.
William Womack, Jr.; New Vienna Planning Commission Member and Tom Davis Aide Comments (1)
We welcome new Vienna, Virginia Planning Commission Member William Womack, Jr. to HistoricVienna.com. We hope Bill, a legislative director for Congressman Tom Davis, brings a breath of fresh air to the Planning Commission.
However, as you can see from last night's meeting, some of your Planning Commission members were ready to ram a law change through to disguise what amounts to a rezoning all to benefit a single person. The arguments put forward by Ed Chase, David Miller and Laurie DiRocco as to why anyone deserves special treatment were transparent and disingenuous.
These three tried to make the case with a straight face that the deletion of three words from the Town Code would set in motion a commercial/residential mixed use development boom. Give us a break.
Laurie DiRocco
316 Moorefield Road, SW
Another Maud Puppet
In the case of Laurie DiRocco, her argument for giving out a big gift was borderline mindless - we can't tell if she is dumb or acting. While these three don't have a prayer of a further political career, Bill you may. And in Vienna, as you will learn, there is a severe vacuum in the corner of honesty and ethics. We eagerly wait to see where your bread is buttered.
October 26, 2006
Another Bank Robbery; 7th Holdup in Last 12 months! Comments (3)
BB&T on the corner of East and Maple was robbed yesterday - for the 2nd time this year! Hey Jane, any chance you might help our Police to fight this problem? Prior reporting on Vienna bank robberies.
We bet if someone robbed the rock candy display at the Freeman-Hyde Store, the garden club and Mother Maud would station Police there. Banks are not high enough up the food chain for concern among the over 70 set who like to pretend they live in Civil War times?
The priorities in this Town are borderline looney tunes!
Maybe if a mother and her child get killed in an armed robbery, Maud and Jane will pay attention.
Vienna Bank Robbery Recreation
October 25, 2006
Maud, Explain This to Us Comments (1)
This feedback was posted today and adds to the discussion about the new Bukont law change underway:
"...most people are sheep and often ignorant of being abused and afraid or unable to speak out. Not knowing and not knowing to care are big contributors to their silence. Hell, just consider our own national predicament right now... Americans drunk on their religions are unconscious about important issues concerning our country and now they are going to swing their vote the other way without really knowing why. Go ask the previous owner of the old 7-11 property if he knew the Town of Vienna was going to rewrite the zoning law that makes that property now worth far more than he sold it for. Inform him and then see if he feels slighted. You are a fool if you don't take notice when your elected officials get into bed with developers for their own mutual benefit, cheating others along the way while lowering the standard by which all are expected to conduct themselves. Those complicit are corrupt cheats who demean and disgrace the Town government and its entire staff. This should concern all in Vienna whether they realize it or not. Watch the Council vote... those voting for Bukont's zoning law cheat are your elected frauds."
Just because someone has white hair, doesn't mean they are honest or have ethics and that is the sole reason Robinson is getting a pass from criticism. If this widescale Vienna nonsense was going on and she was forty years old, do you really think outside law enforcement would not be investigating by now?
And if we were not right, don't you think Robinson would have responded in some form by now? Everyone in Town Hall reads this site everyday (even though they were ordered not to) and they all know what is up. They are more disgusted than anyone. The Town Staff is basically told, "Do my bidding, or you are fired."
And where are the Town puppets who have been posting here? Where are Brehony, Andrews, Baldwin, Colbert and Seeman's daughter? Cat got your tongue? Surely, there is some way to spin this to your advantage?
October 24, 2006
Here Is How It Works in Vienna Comments (7)
We reported earlier on a desire to build apartments at Tapawingo and Glyndon.
Now it turns out that the Town Council is set to change the law to make this happen. Here is the evidence (PDF). This law change has one beneficiary: Steve Bukont. That's right, the Vienna Town Council is set to change the zoning code to make Steve Bukont money. This is not just a rezoning, it is a law change! Would they do that for you? What about the prior owner...do you think he would have sold to Bukont if he knew he could get this freebie from Maud and Jane?
Maud Robinson is a dishonest politician - the evidence is in. For those who may want to speak on the matter, the Planning Commission will hear it at a special session this Thursday night.
October 23, 2006
Another One Bites the Dust Comments (1)
Becky Hartley has resigned from the Commercial Architectural Review Board. That means the Vienna Town Council now has to replace Dellinger and Hartley on the ARB. Brehony slid off the ARB in the summer. Who is left on the Commercial Architectural Review Board? The Larry, Moe, & Curly trio of Paul Layer, Laine Hyde and Shirley Damon. On top of that, they still can't replace Bukont on the Windover Heights Historic Review Board after 10 months.
Makes you wonder if the Town of Vienna government is held together with scotch tape and Krazy Glue - emphasis on 'crazy'.
And for all of you busy bodies out there looking to be on these asinine boards, remember that your video will be on this web site permanently as a testament to the fraud of it all.
However, if you would like to apply to the ARB and fill the two open spots, send your resume and financial statements to us first. Why here? We will obtain your resume and financial statements legally under the State of Virginia Freedom of Information Act, scan them and post here anyway...so it saves us all time.
Why would we do this? The Vienna government has a nasty habit of withholding information and has even attempted to ban video in violation of State law. This site holds them and their board puppets to the fire. Not like the old days of information control is it Maud?
So your move Maudie - send the next lamb to slaughter!
October 22, 2006
Straw Man Politics Comments (0)
What is one of the favorite retorts of those who know the historic district is wrong, but who still want to preserve it? This clever 'straw man' is regularly pulled out:
"Weren't some of the people suing the Town over the historic district in favor of it in 1979?"
That cute little misrepresentation, another example of the Chewbacca defense, ignores all of the accumulated evidence on this site: The boundary changes, the Council admissions of wrongdoing, the cursing barrages from Steve Bukont, the building of an office building in the historic district, the unequal enforcement, etc. The list goes on and is well documented.
October 21, 2006
Time to Fire Vienna Zoning Inspector Frank Simeck Comments (4)
Frank Simeck, residing at 201 Courthouse Road in Vienna, is a zoning inspector for the Town of Vienna. Simeck, who many in Vienna have had unpleasant experiences with, is a hot head always aiming to pick a fight. Vienna does not need loose cannons acting like God.
Vienna has a zoning inspector? Well, this web site is the inspector of the zoning inspector. Go ahead Frank, keep attacking Vienna residents...and we will add your video too.
Almost forgot, Mother Maud and Frank are very close neighbors.
Frank Simeck's Residence at 201 Courthouse Road in Vienna
Complaints about Frank's house can go here.
October 20, 2006
The Town of Vienna Violates Their Own Law Comments (0)
So Steve Bukont resigns from the infamous Vienna historic review board in January 06 and Vienna still has no replacement 10 months later? Vienna is violating their own law (PDF) by not populating their review board with the legally mandated number of members. The law says "shall" - not maybe.
Is the once inexhaustible supply of Maud cronies finally slowing down? This used to be a stepping stone for Vienna politicians...what happened? You know what happened? There is no one left in Vienna willing to defend an abusive and unconstitutional law. Maybe they should clone Maud? That would be another able body to place on the Board.
"Maud asked Mr. Jong to Sit on the Board. He Declined."
October 19, 2006
Historic Vienna, Inc: The Town of Vienna's Publicly Funded Big Lie and Consummate Con Job Comments (0)
"Would you like lies with that?"
Read this letter (PDF) from Laine Hyde to Mayor Seeman. Yes, it sounds like a nice old lady showing off her community spirit, but reality is far different. Laine Hyde and Historic Vienna, Inc. have regularly abused the property rights of Vienna citizens under the guise of phony historic preservation.
We mince no words: Laine Hyde and Maud Robinson are both political cons. The whole notion that the Town of Vienna and Historic Vienna, Inc. actually preserve and or protect anything is simply a lie. Oh, you don't like such harsh language? That upsets you?
Consider some insights on what constitutes a "con":
"What does set con artists apart is the natural ability, often discovered at a very young age, to manipulate the people around them. Added to this is the fact that such manipulation leaves them without any feeling of guilt or remorse. On the contrary, it leaves them with an intense feeling of satisfaction - a particular glow that encourages them to continue manipulating to get whatever they want, regardless of the cost to the giver. They easily compartmentalize their different characters, victims, and on-going scams. If they cannot quite remember a fact (or lie), they can dance around the lapse so convincingly that you will seldom, if ever, notice."
Isn't that an accurate description of these people?
The proof of our statements is across this web site. The letter posted above from Hyde to Seeman is yet another great example of our point. The remarks in that letter about preservation are bold-faced lies. But at this stage of the game Hyde could care less what she says as long as she keeps power.
Better question? Do all the people below associated with Historic Vienna Inc. support the big con too? Are they as ethically challenged as Hyde and Robinson?
Officers of Historic Vienna, Inc.
President - Laine Hyde
Vice President - Shirley McCoy
Treasurer - D. H. Scarborough
Secretary - Anne Stuntz
Board Members of Historic Vienna, Inc.
Sarah Jane Brady
Michael Cheselka
Daniel Dellinger
Mildred Monahan
Rose Mulville
Maud Robinson
Daphne Sloan
Paul Snodgrass
Katherine Tugendhat
Christopher Vereide
You have to wonder if Hyde or Robinson will ever respond or will they just keep working behind the scenes to shut this site down all the while keeping their big lie going?
October 18, 2006
Howard Springsteen: Political Crony Endangering Children Comments (1)
Howard Springsteen serves on the Vienna Transportation Safety Committee. We recently reported on his actions with the intersection of Lawyers Road and Church Street, but there is a bigger issue at play with Springsteen. Howard is a poster boy for Maud's political patronage system.
What could possibly cause Springsteen to ignore this problem with the potential of someone being killed?
Springsteen is so infatuated with his crumb of power (that is sitting on a Board at Maud's leisure) that he would never dare stand up and do the right thing - that is protect citizens from danger. The moment he stands up and says "Maud you are wrong, this needs to be fixed" - he will be relieved of duty just like Deborah Brehony was berated by Maud behind closed doors and then pushed off the Commercial ARB.
Spines in Vienna are hard to come by, but we do have plenty of weenies. Howard Springsteen better pray no one is hurt or killed at this intersection.
It's Only A Matter of Time in Vienna If Problems Are Not Fixed
October 17, 2006
How Much Cash Does the Mayor Have? Comments (0)
We have reported on Maud Robinson's secret pile of cash and Laurie Cole's cozy 'get rich with developers' moves, but as an update we provide Jane Seeman's financials under the State of Virginia Freedom of Information Act. It is always a good thing to know how much money our elected leaders have - and if money is the measuring stick 'Maud the Fraud' really is the Mayor.
Safeway-Park Street Cut-Through Now One-Way Comments (2)
Feedback from a resident:
124 Park Street SE has painted their lot 'one-way only' to effectively close the very convenient cut through between Park St. and the Safeway parking lot. If drivers honor this new traffic flow, all Safeway traffic wanting to exit east on Park St. must now exit onto Maple or Glyndon and circle around to travel east on Park. This will divert that traffic onto busy Maple, across the lot in front of Jammin Java, and/or onto Echols to the very busy and dangerous 3-way 1-stop intersection at Echols and Park. This is unfortunate since that cut-through was very convenient and helped to spread the traffic pressure around. Do they really expect drivers trying to exit Safeway east toward Park to STOP and turn around when they discover the cut through has been painted one-way only? Either they physically close the cut through or remove the one-way markings, imo. And how can they force 124 Park customers to exit via Safeway, but not allow Safeway customers to exit via 124 Park? And that cut-through is a breeze most hours of the week... why shut it down 100% of the time? And what about the Echols/Park intersection... isn't time for the Town to put a traffic light there... AT A VIEWABLE LEVEL?
October 13, 2006
More From Fairfax City Comments (9)
Fairfax City is moving ahead like gangbusters. Take a look at these pictures. Would it not be nice to have some form of that in Vienna? Would it not be nice to get past the image pervasive in Fairfax County that Vienna's government is backwater?
Look at Fairfax City's Post Office being leveled here. The time has come for Vienna's Post Office to be replaced. Why is this not done? Jane Seeman doesn't have the backbone to stand up to the real Mayor of Vienna - Maud.
Seeman knows, and most everyone in Town politics agrees, that it is time to replace the Post Office. The money and energy is there ready to go. But Vienna has an obstinate 84-year-old Maud Robinson sitting there like a bag of bricks refusing to budge.
October 12, 2006
The Mayor Opens Her Mouth Comments (0)
Jane Seeman was quoted recently about newly appointed Council member Dan Dellinger:
"I was very impressed with the homework he did" for meetings of the Board of Architectural Review, she said. She added that Dellinger's involvements are well rounded and "not centered on any particular agenda or issue." Dellinger has served on the board of directors for Historic Vienna Inc. for three years and is leaving his seat on the Board of Architectural Review after four months, to take his place on the council."
While we mean this as no criticism of Dellinger, he is an unknown quantity, the Mayor's comments are slanted. First, what homework can you do sitting on the ARB? There are no rules Mayor. If you were simply making a comment to a reporter to hear yourself talk, then you are excused. Second, any involvement with Historic Vienna, Inc. and Laine Hyde does not qualify as well rounded - whether its Dellinger or anyone else. It might sound great to use the phrase 'Historic Vienna, Inc.' in the local papers, but it is a term that has come to be synonymous with abuse of power and wacky old ladies talking about their mythical social standing.
Vienna's finest continue to lead us nowhere.
Long Time Seeman Supporter Fannie Travis Supported
the Historic District Too
October 10, 2006
Tom Seeman on Hurricane Katrina and Racism Comments (1)
It has been a while since we reached into Tom Seeman's racist bag of tricks. Consider Tom's views on hurricanes and racism:
What we saw in New Orleans, and the race-baiting that followed, is the result of forty years of liberal social programs. It is absurd beyond reason to say that this country has not worked it's collective butt off to make life better for it's underclass from at least 1933 on. And it defied comprehension how anyone could say that we have not tried beyond trying to make the lives of black people in particular better since the mid-fifties, with the trend accelerating greating from 1964 on. Trillions of dollars, program after program, quota after quota(excuse me, "diversity"). So at this point we are entitled to ask a question: If white racism is as big a problem as the left says it is, and they allege it runs all the way up to the president, then what does that say about all the liberal social programs to alleviate all this that we've followed? I'll spare you the typing and answer the question myself; your policies have failed. The liberal welfare state, and the modern "diversity" and "multiculturalism" that have been forced on us, have not worked. Not nearly as much as their sponsors claim, at any rate. The black citizens of New Orleans who were so impoverished that they didn't own cars, or have the money to get out, were not victims of racism. They were victims of the failed liberal welfare state. And why do so many buy into the notion that federal government failures were the result of racism? I'll spare you the typing on this one too; because liberal leaders have done nothing but preach the gospel of victimhood to them. We will no doubt hear that "both sides need to come together", that conservatives need to "reach out", blah blah blah. Sorry, but after listening to the insanities coming from the left on the issue of race after Katrina, I'm not in much mood for "coming together" with the likes of Al Sharpton, Howard Dean, most members of the Congressional Black Caucus, or, while we're at it, the NAACP. I have had it up to here with them. P.S. I hated writing this post. This entire affair pains me greatly, and so wish things weren't as they were. But some things have to be said."
Why relevant? The Mayor of Vienna goes to her son's web site and participates by posting comments. Her video answer looks worse as time goes on.
October 06, 2006
Dave Marsden Memorial Comments (2)
Visit memorial site to make a donation.
Unfortunately, Maud Robinson quashed this memorial after signing off on it first. Nothing surprises us anymore.
October 05, 2006
Fairfax City Has Leaders; Why None in Vienna? Comments (1)
Why can't we have what they have in Fairfax City? Why is economic development a dirty word in Vienna? People wake up. Maple Avenue is by and large an eyesore. From banks galore to fast food joints to dying buildings to power lines hanging everywhere - it's a mish mash past its prime by any measurement. Fairfax City gets a shot in the arm. We get Maud and Jane hanging out at the Amphora on Friday nights talking about name plates for park benches at the Town Green..
If you can make it happen at 80 years old - great. There are MANY in society at 80 still kicking ass. However, the 80+ year old leaders in Vienna are not doing anything except "resting". Vienna's leadership and government has become old physically and mentally. That's not good for Vienna in the short run or the long run. We are falling behind and Fairfax City is proving that.
October 03, 2006
Heavy Construction Storage Comments (18)
Here is an updated picture from the last weekend of the former 7-11 store on Tapawingo. The site is being used for heavy construction equipment storage as of now. A rezoning request is expected.
October 02, 2006
'Slum Houses' Complaints Comments (16)
A reader wrote in:
Shouldn't the Town take a more active role in ensuring homeowners keep up their property? What about that "slum house" next to the post office. Not objecting to the color (to each his own, can't legislate taste...), but the broken door, tall grass and junk in the yard. Who owns that? I hear it’s a rental?
This reader's point about whether there should be guidelines or rules is a good one. That should be explored.
However, the home in question is 'protected' by Maud Robinson and the historic district ordinance. Vienna leaders consider that home special. That house is also party to a lawsuit seeking to have the historic district overturned. Until the lawsuit is handled, and of course the Town controls the speed of that process, not much will likely change with this particular home.
October 01, 2006
Vigilante Maud Says Beat Them with a Stick Comments (2)
From the Sun Gazette it was reported that the Vienna Town Council:
"Heard a plea from Assembly of God Church minister Craig Burns for more speed and courtesy rules enforcement along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. Burns, a marathoner who regularly jogs on the trail, said bicyclists increasingly are dispensing with audible warnings that alert pedestrians to their approach. Burns said he once was struck from behind by a bicyclist, who then offered no apology. Cyclists' behavior changes markedly when police are present, as with the Vienna farmers' market on summer Saturdays, he said. Burns rejected a suggestion from Council member Maud Robinson, who said her late husband, Mayor Charles Robinson, used to carry sticks with him on the trail."
