Shsssh...Don't Talk About Mother Maud's Millions!

I guess she picks and chooses "her" developers, because Steve Bukont sure has benefited from Maud. Picking and choosing is all about what Vienna is.

Don't forget, talking about Bukont's millions caused him to snap.

Maud Is Wrong for Vienna.

Let me count the ways:

1. She is not a leader; she is a divider. You either like her or you hate her. She approves of no middle ground. And if you cross her, you get verbally thrashed as this writer has personally overheard her screaming at board members when she thinks they have not supported her hook, line, and sinker. She's not a nice person.

2. She has not a clue about how we need to protect Vienna. Tysons Corner is our bosom buddy neighbor, and it's going to grown by leaps and bounds, and to think you are going to protect Vienna's Interests by keeping it in the dark ages with it's antiquated codes and building restrictions is like an ostrich sticking its head in the dirt. We need leadership in Vienna to allow it to grow into itself in a way that will keep Vienna charming. I know of at least 4-5 long time residents of Vienna who know that what you are doing is wrong, and they will take this town to the courts to get relief, and all because you are stuck in the past. Your actions, however will result in the large landowners who have millions to spend in the courts to get what they want, rather than allowing for Vienna to make the decision and guide the development.

3. Why in hell did the TC allow Maud to take an important parcel OUT OF THE COMMERICAL DISTRICT, so that she could have her MAUD MEMORIAL TOWN GREEN AND CONCRETE PARK EQUIPPED WITH WORKING WATER FOUNTAIN AND INDOOR TOILETRIES? And the worst part is, she doesn't have a clue why this was such a bad decision for Vienna. You are killing the commercial tax basis which means the ordinary residential homeowner has to bear the difference in higher taxes which hurts all of us, young and old. You have to wonder why? She's abusive, overbearing, mean-spirited, antiquated and ignorant of the poison she's allowing to perpetuate. Remember when Bukont stormed out of his chaired meeting screaming, you are all a bunch of f**king imbeciles. But what is more telling is what he also said, which I think is more damming: why don't you just play the game like the rest of us: meaning, we should all play, "Let's make a deal"... Well, Maud, you have created a fine mess.

4. Now that leads us to the point that all your cronies are getting away with your abuses by proxy. For instance, Cole and Seeman getting sweet-heart deals when it comes to real estate and improvement deals with their properties or their families properties, because you are allowing Bukont and D'Alexander to get special favors in return for special deals for your cronies. THAT"S FLAT OUT WRONG, and you should ashamed that you support such a corrupted TC. Back room dealings and special favors is bad for Vienna.

5. We don't live in a vacuum. Your vision for Vienna and most of the TC's vision for Vienna has been one of isolationism because Cole, Seeman, Lovelace and Maud, have always acted as inept policy makers when it comes to issues surrounding Vienna. You all attend meetings and bring your stubborn and draw a line in the sand attitudes, and refuse to get along with "outside" political forces, refusing to really help Vienna's issues such as Metro West, Tyson's Corner, Traffic along Beulah, water sources and costs, double taxation, and I could go on... but you get the point.

I for one, don't want Vienna to lose its charm. I for one think we should have better leadership both to deal with our issues within our town, but also the outside forces like Tysons.

I for one want to make Vienna better, not worse, and that does mean we make some changes in the commercial code, for the sake of improving its elegance and value, and not for the rich developers, and Maud and her cronies decry. I for one support Vienna and its Family activities, the ball games, the older homes, the restaurants, the parade, the holiday activities...

We will always have our small town charm, but we need better minded leaders and TC members who will work for a better Vienna.

What a stupid argument she puts forth: we need affordable housing but I won't let anyone build it because it might make them money or even, God forbid, rich!

Do I really care if some developer makes millions by building 30 condos in downtown Vienna?! I know my friends and I are more concerned about having someone build the homes for us to be able to afford.

Out of the other side of her mouth, Maud uses every chance she can to imply we should move African-Americans out of Vienna. Racist? You be the judge.

It is very obvious that Maud picks and chooses the developers she wants to help financially. Ask her why she gave Bukont 100% lot coverage for his Church Street Building? The Church Street Vision specifically states 70% lot coverage. Now the Citizens of Vienna know why the sidewalks are impassible in front of the building. There simply was no room for sidewalls as the result of Maud’s MONETARY GIFT to Bukont. Maud also gave the developer of the Southern State’s a MONETARY GIFT when she allowed the project to be built with 25 FEWER parking spaces than required by Town Code. Now the citizens know why there is no parking for the new development. Makes you wonder how she got SOOO MUCH MONEY.

Should Vienna really elect another developer/builder to the VTC? Haven't we learned our lesson from the past? She may not be in Maud's bed today but that should only take a minute, right? Citizens DON'T fuel either fire. Brehony wines and dines Maud every chance she gets. Why? Consider what she has to gain. It isn't for our town citizens. Some would prefer to call it "kissing tail." Whichever way you call it we can do better. Citizens must JUST SAY NO.

Dear "Just Watching"

I do not recall at anytime within the forseeable past that Vienna has had a "developer/builder" on VTC.

To clarify - My husband and I ARE NOT, nor have we at any time ever been "developers". We are custom residential homebuilders. We build 8-10 custom homes a year, by far the majority of which are built on land/properties that are owned by our clients, who hire us as contractors to design and complete their homes. There is NOTHING, repeat NOTHING that we could "gain" monetarily by my being on Town Council - In fact, given the time that I will commit to the Town, we will take a personal loss in income by this decision.

That said, I have never either "wined or dined" Ms. Robinson. I have never had a private meeting with her, not spoken to her at any time apart from a public meeting or forum. (The one exception is that we did have a phone conversation approximately six-eight months ago regarding my intention to sell baseball caps that I would personaly buy, and then forward the profits of such to the Town - We discussed what those hats might look like to best appeal to the Town and our citizens...

You seem angry, and I do not know why, or for what reason. I will help you if I can, and certainly, I am willing to listen to you.

I suspect you have posted earlier under another name. Your syntax and grammer is familiar. Can I help you? What is it that is so disturbing to you? If you would like to call and talk to me, I am available.

Hope you are feeling better soon - Happy Valentines!

DB

Deborah B get used to it. You threaten someone in or around the machine. They like their power and you are running to knock one out. You should be happy that the best they can do is some illogical rant. Their next line of attack will surely be that you want to ration cat food to the elderly instead of food stamps. Be happy that some nutbag is attacking you!

Anyone who can ...

1. Acknowledge Vienna's glaring failures

2. Provide ideas to stimulate change

... will get my vote.

But, I will work my butt off to see you not re-elected if you become just another do-nothing Maud crony.

DB & her husband have filled a much-needed niche in this town. And, they are extremely attractive houses.

I have no idea if DB will be good/bad on TC but I hope she continues to focus her home building in Vienna.

"Should Vienna really elect another developer/builder to the VTC?"

1. When was the other builder ever elected to VTC?

2. Why is DB's profession singled out over Maud's or Lovelace's? Why is she penalized for being successful? Maybe if we got more people used to success on VTC, we would see better results?

"Just Watching" will you add to the discussion or were you just a one 'hit' wonder?

It is very obvious that Maud picks and chooses the developers she wants to help financially. Ask her why she gave Bukont 100% lot coverage for his Church Street Building? The Church Street Vision specifically states 70% lot coverage. Now the Citizens of Vienna know why the sidewalks are impassible in front of the building. There simply was no room for sidewalls as the result of Maud’s MONETARY GIFT to Bukont.

The Town gave Bukont more than 100% lot coverage! That building was suppose to be lower but when they dug the foundation, they hit groundwater. Could it be the house builder didn't pay for proper pre-construction soil core samples? Rather than redesign (properly design!) a project that already max'ed out on height and lot coverage and with a parking garage crammed under it... the Town just let him squash the garage, raise the building height, and pile up brick stairs and ramps where the sidewalk should have been. Probably won't happen again so you can expect that development to look more and more out of place as the rest of Church Street gets rebuilt for more sensible ground level access.

And Mayor Seeman thinks that this is exemplary redevelopment? Just imagine what will come if her Town Council pursues this same sort of unplanned piecemeal approach to redeveloping Maple Ave one block at a time. One third of them want to do something right... one third of them want to do nothing... and none of them know what to do or how to do it and just want a sweetheart like Bukont to show them the way. That's the wrong way to run a railroad, folks! The easy way out is seldom that.

Agreed Town Green, piecemeal will be a disaster. The only reason that is being proposed is Maud knows it will lead to nothing except leveling the Vienna Inn. The Town sponsored Vision Committee spent years studying all of Maple Avenue (PDF).