May 2007 Archives
May 31, 2007
Washington Post: More on May 07 Election Comments (11)
From the Washington Post today comes the continuing saga:
By Bill Turque, Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 31, 2007; VA05Oversight Underplayed
On its Web site, the county's Office of Elections declares that it is "committed to providing each citizen of Fairfax County with the opportunity to exercise his or her right to vote in an efficient and equitable manner in accordance with the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Code of Virginia." Fairfax Electoral Board Chairman Robert J. Sparks Jr. had a more low-key approach in mind when voter complaints surfaced after the May 1 Vienna elections. Several voters said the town's longtime election officers attempted to interfere with their decisions, telling them how many candidates to vote for or hovering behind them as if trying to see their selections. The flap brought to light Vienna's long-standing practice of having Town Clerk Carol A. Orndorff and the Town Council -- whose membership happens to include her son, Michael J. Polychrones -- choose their own election judges. That's something the electoral board does not permit the county's other towns to do. After news stories about the election, Sparks e-mailed board secretary Margaret K. Luca to say, in essence, that the panel should lie low. "What came through [in the stories] was that the inside game that is Vienna politics looks pretty shabby in print," Sparks said in a May 7 message, obtained by town activists under the Freedom of Information Act and first posted by the political blog Historic Vienna. "For now, I do not think there is much that we need to/should say or do, other than, if forced to say something, gently letting the Vienna folks know that we're looking into it, considering various options, etc., which means we may not know what the new system will be, the old system is over. The more we do/say now, the more we create another news story. "For now, let's let it cook and see if the Vienna folks heal themselves," Sparks concluded.
Traffic in Vienna: Welcome to 85 Year Old La La Land Comments (36)
Feedback in:
"Traffic in Vienna is a joke because Maud thinks and acts like she is 85 years old all the while living in 1954 (actually she is 85, but her last campaign positioned her as "80"). And not to only blame her, the larger problem is that Vienna has a voting block of octogenarians who most likely don't leave their house except 2 p.m. in the afternoon to go to Magruders on side roads. Well, 9:30 a.m. in Vienna is gross. It's gross on 123. It's gross on Church Street. It's gross on Lawyers Road. Someone has to accept responsibility for this, don't they Maud? For those people feeling upset that someone just picked on the over 80 set, tough. There are millions of accomplished citizens in this country over 80, but the ones mindlessly voting for Maud year after year, while she refuses to solve the most basic of problems, are lost sheep. Guess what Maud voters, you will get a chance to leave your house next spring to vote for the Maud machine one more time. And we bet you can't wait to stop those mythical 50 story towers from being built all over again! In the mean time, the rest of us will be stuck in traffic that you couldn't plan for or solve while you were in your fifties and sixties. Thanks!"
Waiting to Vote for Maud Can Be Tiring
May 30, 2007
Vienna Demographics After 53 Years of Robinson Control Comments (21)
Perhaps no one cares, but...
9.51% - African-American population in Herndon
9.20% - African-American population in Leesburg
8.83% - African-American population in Fairfax County
6.89% - African-American population in Loudon County
5.07% - African-American population in Fairfax City
3.44% - African-American population in Vienna
Said another way, 85,628 African-Americans live in Fairfax County and 497 African-Americans live in Vienna. Four hundred ninety seven. How did Vienna get this way?
“You know I always get a little edgy when I hear the word ‘HUD' mentioned.”
-- Maud Robinson"The politicians can then say to the blacks and union members "hey, don't look at me", while it's wink wink to the gays."
-- Tom Seeman
Maud's Election Day Campaigner & Mayor's Son“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 [sic] from 1964 on. Trillions of dollars, program after program, quota after quota (excuse me, "diversity")."
-- Tom Seeman
Maud's Election Day Campaigner & Mayor's Son
Tom, no worries. You and the rest of the Vienna political establishment made sure that "diversity" is a four letter word in Vienna. We have a funny feeling that when census data is pulled for the last 50 years of Mother Maud's reign that there will be a year after year precipitous drop in the African-American population of Vienna.
The Robinson Political Machine Started in 1954 Comments (1)
Time line of Robinson political control in Vienna:
- Charles Robinson appointed to Board of Zoning Appeals in 1954
- Charles Robinson named to Planning Commission in 1960
- Charles Robinson elected to Town Council in 1962
- Charles Robinson elected Mayor in 1976
- Charles Robinson dies in office in 2000
- Maud Robinson appointed to Town Council in 2000
Mother Maud has had a death grip on power in Vienna for 53 years. That is bizarre any way you slice it. So what was going on in 1954 as the Robinson machine starts?
- President Eisenhower warns against U.S. intervention in Vietnam.
- Marilyn Monroe weds Joe DiMaggio.
- National Negro Network is established with 40 charter radio stations.
- First Church of Scientology established in Los Angeles, California.
- Bill Haley & His Comets record "Rock Around the Clock".
- Jerry Seinfeld is born.
- The Dow Jones closes at an all-time high of 382.74.
- The Boy Scouts desegregate on the basis of race.
- U.S. Supreme Court delivers decision in Brown v. Board of Education.
Wow.
May 29, 2007
ViVa Vienna Wrap-Up Comments (3)
Another ViVa Vienna is in the books. Families, kids, seniors - everyone raced to a central area in Vienna where they could eat, shop, hang out, walk, etc. Well, it's over. Jane and Maud give us three days a year. That's it folks. While other communities across Fairfax County get outdoor fair year round, we get three days. Tomorrow is back to normal. Get back in your car and go to your favorite Vienna strip mall. When you are done from another robotic day of Vienna errands (while stuck in traffic that Maud assures us has no fix), please go home. That is community building Maud and Jane style. Don't frown, you get three more days in 2008! Plus for the next year you can buy rock candy at the Freeman Store and use the lavatory at the new Town Green. Isn't that enough economic vitality for you?
May 28, 2007
Gomer and Goober Patrol Mayberry; Shazam! Comments (87)
Viva Vienna's Mayberry's security force of Town Council Member Maud Robinson Gomer and Town Council Member Jane Seeman Goober in action:
Maud: "If I was inside the Freeman Store you could not take my picture!"
Jane: "[Expletive Deleted]"
Question: Were these women seriously prepared to handle an emergency or was this all meant to be cute?
May 26, 2007
Vienna Budget Increases Unneeded Comments (6)
From the Vienna Times, an editorial from Vienna resident Ron Corso:
In your article last week regarding the Town of Vienna budget, you indicated that no one made any comments on the budget. That is incorrect. You ignored my many letters to The Times, some of which you published in the paper or on your Web site, that pointed out that the Town has been on an unprecedented spending spree for several years. In addition, I have respectfully tried to call to the Town's attention the effect of budget increases on homeowners. To update you on the state of the budget, the Town manager made a change in the budget message by making what appears to be a late change and probably a lot of people like myself were not aware of this situation. His budget message, published on the Town Web site, states that the tax rate would increase from 18.62 cents per $100 of assessed value to 19.61 cents. The Web site statement as of 2:58 p.m. on April 28 is as follows: "The Fiscal Year 2007/08 budget is based on a rate of 19.61 cents, an increase of 1.08 cents per $100 of assessed valuation or 5.83 percent." However, the last Town newsletter has a revised tax rate of 20.22 cents, an increase of 1.6 cents. What this means is that instead of the tax rate increasing by 5.3 percent (the Town manager's arithmetic doesn't equal his stated 5.83 percent), the tax rate according to the newsletter will increase our taxes by 8.6 percent. The stated reason for the change in the newsletter version is that the Town is eliminating the auto decals, which will save each residence $20 per year for each vehicle. While the new tax rate will probably result in about the same amount of money out of our pockets, it is still difficult to understand why our tax rate is increasing at either the 5.3 percent or 8.6 percent. It's interesting that the newsletter version of the budget message has left the phrase quoted above out of the newsletter. It makes one wonder if that's because 8.6 percent increase just before an election might not have played well to voters. That is interesting given its timing. Furthermore, if you look at the Town budgets since our home assessments began to increase dramatically, you'll find that Vienna has increased the taxes on homeowners over 10 percent per year. When compared to any other measure, whether it be the inflation rate, salary increases, the CPI, etc., those are unacceptable tax increases. Yet the Town has made no effort to curtail spending. The taxpayers continue to get pummeled and we are in fact going backwards when you consider what is happening to our costs given gasoline, heating, medical and other expenses. And, the Town doesn't care, it keeps spending. Ron Corso Vienna
Ron, you can't beat this crowd with logic and common sense!
May 25, 2007
Jane Seeman Starts An Investigation of Herself? Comments (10)
Read Jane Seeman's response to one Vienna voter who questioned the election process (Note: Once image loads, click on it again to make larger). Does anyone remember hearing about this investigation now supposedly underway?
We propose appointing a blue ribbon committee of Laine Hyde, Howard Springsteen, George Creed and Mother Maud to investigate. A fine group of citizens like that will surely find the truth!
Inside Politics Comments (4)
From the Examiner today:
Fairfax Co. to step up Vienna election oversight, e-mails showDavid Francis and William C. Flook, The Examiner
2007-05-25Fairfax County elections officials plan to drop the long-standing tradition of letting Vienna select its own poll workers, e-mails obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show, a move that follows controversy over the small town’s elections.
After news broke on alleged voter interference during the May 1 Town Council election, the e-mails show a private discussion between officials over how to keep news stories from appearing in the media and how to “quietly” step up oversight of the town’s electoral process. The county oversees Vienna’s annual election.
“For reasons lost in the mists of time, we had a practice of deferring to the Vienna folks, whom we thought were sending us a slate of even-handed election officials,” Fairfax County Board of Elections Chairman Robert Sparks wrote on May 10. “Turns out some of them were ill-informed about the rules, to put it nicely, and acted on that misinformation. The way we should work, I suggest, is to go to the Vienna folks quietly in the near future and let them know that the old days are over. We are going to be more actively involved in vetting those who serve as elections officers in future elections.”
The county Board of Elections on Tuesday verified the authenticity of the e-mails, which are posted at www.historicvienna.com, a local blog.
The contention is summed up in a complaint filed at the State Board of Election. It alleges a poll worker told a voter at the booth to “vote for three,” a reference to the maximum number of candidates a person could cast a vote for. With only two challengers, filling the out three entries would have sent a vote to an incumbent, each of whom won by wide margins.
The poll worker was removed that day, though the state later faulted the county for not taking action fast enough. The worker has since denied any wrongdoing.
“What came through [in news coverage] was that ... Vienna Town politics looks pretty shabby in print,” Sparks wrote on May 7.
In an e-mail the following day, Sparks urged Fairfax County Board of Elections Secretary Maggi Luca, who had become the defacto spokeswoman, not to let a reporter “get you to say anything directly critical of Vienna.”
“Anything critical (or seemingly critical) means he goes to them for comment, and the ping-pong game is on with the press writing a new story every day,” he wrote.
Our Mission: Remove Careerists from Vienna Government Comments (0)
We found the following Mark Tapscott editorial in The Examiner. He sums up the mission of this web site: get rid of careerists in Vienna politics:
Neither Democrats versus Republicans nor liberals versus conservatives will define 21st-century politics. Citizen legislators versus career politicians will. The citizen legislators will win by embracing the Internet and the wisdom of crowds. Politicians in both major parties who repeatedly seek re-election to keep "bringing home the bacon" while feathering their own nests are careerists. Candidates in both parties who bring the real world to Washington to clean it up - and who can't wait to return home - are citizen legislators. Careerists thrive on the power, perks and prestige that come with being insiders. Until now, their power stemmed from a monopoly on information, which they selectively shared with the rest of us. Theirs is the world of old media, big impersonal institutions and spinning "experts." By contrast, citizen legislators thrive on the power of principle and the liberating independence that comes with being outsiders. Their power stems from their cultivation of information to the widest possible audience and the accountability that comes with such transparency. Theirs is the world of Internet-based new media and the collaborative networking that thrives there. As long as the careerists remain in power, they will continue aggrandizing themselves, while making government bigger, more costly and less able to deal with emergencies...
Seeman, Robinson try as you might, neither of you are citizen legislators.
May 23, 2007
Watch Out Mayor Seeman, The Truth Bites Comments (5)
In a recent Washington Post article the Mayor of Vienna Jane Seeman offered:
Mayor M. Jane Seeman said no favoritism was involved in picking election officials, although they did tend to be the same people every year. "I've never known us to say that we want or don't want a specific person," she said.
Mayor Seeman explain this email interchange (PDF) then.
Recommended, Submitted, Requested, Appointed Comments (0)
Every year the Town publishes an excerpt in their newsletter listing the polling officials for that year. Each year they use a word to lead off the sentence announcing the names. Here is how they have described it since 1980 in the Town newsletter:
1980: Requested [these election officials]...
1981: Requested...
1982: Appointed...
1983: Requested...
1984: Submitted...
1985: Requested...
1986: Requested...
1987-2007: Recommended...
Yes, they have been consistent on their terminology for sometime, but considering the origin of this "selection" process dates to the dawns of time, it is relevant that they have used four different words to state how they made their picks. Note: Did Roger Seeman serve on Council during the eighties?
Fairfax County Slams Vienna Officials in Email Comments (10)
"...the inside game that is Vienna Town politics looks pretty shabby in print."
- Chairman of the Fairfax County Electoral Board, May 7, 2007The recent Washington Post article on the May election revealed the Vienna power structure for what it is: corrupt. Following that Washington Post Article emails were exchanged among Fairfax County electoral board leaders about the nature of Vienna politics.
1. The Chairman of the Electoral Board Robert Sparks writes to the Secretary of the Electoral Board Margaret K. Luca about the Washington Post article (READ: PDF).
2. A day later Brian Trompeter is asking about the Vienna election and the Chairman of the Electoral Board Robert Sparks writes to the Secretary of the Electoral Board Margaret K. Luca again (READ: PDF).
3. Then after Deborah Brehony requested to appear before the Electoral Board at their June meeting, the Chairman of the Electoral Board Robert Sparks writes to the Secretary of the Electoral Board Margaret K. Luca yet again (READ: PDF).
The County is clearly disgusted with Vienna politics.
So are we. ...Those silly challengers and their sour grapes.
PS. This document (PDF) is the exchange between the Vienna Town Clerk and County officials about how the selection process went down. The 2006 reference is a typo.
May 22, 2007
The Freeman Store's No Pictures Policy Comments (7)
The recent no pictures flap at the Freeman Store was taped. Listen to the action (about 4 minutes).
Who is "Mr. Helper"? Mr. Helper is some random guy who injected himself into this debate. He is the soft spoken one in the conversation. The German sounding woman is the Freeman Store attendant.
May 21, 2007
Gestapo Tactics at Vienna's Freeman Store Comments (22)
Take a walk into the Town of Vienna's Freeman Store and you will see:
No evidence of Henry Minor's book.
Again, no evidence of Henry Minor's book.
Nothing too out of the ordinary there. Just a bunch of books. But here is where it gets interesting, this is Vienna after all. After taking those pictures the Freeman Store attendant ordered no more pictures quickly pointing to a tiny little sign on the door that banned pictures. Say what?
The woman (name unknown) above called the Police due to a resident taking pictures of books in the Freeman Store. What was the fear?
The man above (name and association unknown) injected himself into the dispute over taking pictures saying that taking pictures in a Town owned public building without permission was "arrogant". He had lots to say, but had no idea the Town actually owned the Freeman Store. He just kept saying the "Historical Society" owned it. He also accused the photographer of using his camera as a "weapon". Nice group of friendly "historical" folks eh?
Of course, we completely understand that these people will say that the picture takers were causing a "disturbance". That would not be a good tactic as an audio recording of the entire event exists. That audio clearly shows NO disturbance. It also shows random residents affiliated with no one getting upset that the Police were called. One resident goes on to call the people who work in the Freeman Store "nasty". Your tax dollars at work on a lazy Sunday afternoon in Vienna!
"Little Town in Virginia: It Started in Vienna" by Henry Minor Comments (4)
Henry Minor has written the only first hand account of Vienna's history from the 1930s until 2000 (mostly up through the late 60s). Little Town in Virginia: It Started in Vienna (written in 2001!) primarily places the reader during the time when segregation was in full effect. This book was brought to our attention & recommended by students at The University of Virginia.
This is the kind of history (read: non-white) that Maud Robinson and Laine Hyde don't want you to read. For example, today an attempt was made to document with pictures the books carried in the Town of Vienna's Freeman Store. We were curious if they carry Henry Minor's book. A woman behind the counter at the Freeman Store (which is owned by the Town of Vienna) ordered "no pictures". She called the Police to enforce her order. Will the Town of Vienna do anything to uphold their fake history?
As we understand it the Town of Vienna has the authority to subjectively decide who takes pictures in the Freeman Store. Vienna citizens are not allowed to walk in this Town owned "museum" and take pictures without prior approval of the government (or Laine Hyde). Welcome to Vienna history communist style! Doubt us? Go try taking some pictures yourself and see how fast they call the Police.
Don't expect to find this book at Vienna's phony Freeman Store!
May 20, 2007
Maud From August 2007 Comments (4)
From the Washington Post:
"You can't condemn the McMansions out of hand," said Maud F. Robinson, a Vienna Town Council member who has lived in the town for 55 years. "It's the American dream to build and rebuild." Nonetheless, she said, she worries that rising property values will drive out longtime residents who can't afford the taxes." All these people who are of retirement age -- I hate to see them forced to leave," she said.
Do you feel like you now better understand Maudasaurus' position?
May 19, 2007
Flashback: Maud Flaps Her Lips About Maple Avenue Circa 2002 Comments (0)
From Cathy Hudgins 2002 newsletter (PDF) comes a little ditty from Maud called Town of Vienna Planning Workshops:
"The focus of the workshops was to help the Town build on its ongoing efforts at improvement and, most important, to develop a sustainable vision for Vienna's well being in the next 10 to 20 years. The focus was on downtown Vienna, with particular emphasis on the central commercial core encompassing Maple Avenue from Lawyers Road to Glyndon Street, Church and Mills Streets, and a portion of Dominion Road. Topics explored included developing incentives for good building design, attracting businesses and services needed in town, and creating an attractive environment in which to operate a business and shop so that Vienna retains a sound commercial base. Another concern was enlisting the interest and cooperation of business owners. It should be noted that the business community generates approximately 35% of Town tax revenue, hence the emphasis on maintaining its viability. The workshops validated the need to look beyond the present, to have the courage to take new and innovative steps, to respect the past, but not become so entrenched in the familiarity of the present that we forfeit the future."
What happened? WE FORFEITED THE FUTURE. The people who elect this woman are either 1.) ignorant, 2.) scared, 3.) don't care that she contradicts herself, 4.) can't remember yesterday or 5.) are as corrupt and vision-less as she is.
State of Virginia Faults County on Vienna Poll Problems Comments (15)
From the Examiner (image 1 and image 2):
William C. Flook, The Examiner 2007-05-18 07:00:00.0 Current rank: # 81 of 6,412 Fairfax County -The Virginia State Board of Elections this week criticized Fairfax County election officials for failing to promptly remove a poll worker accused of misconduct during Vienna’s May 1 election.
Continue reading "State of Virginia Faults County on Vienna Poll Problems" »
May 18, 2007
Faulkners: A Piece of Vienna's History Comments (7)
Before it was the Vienna Inn, it was Faulkners. Given that Maud holds herself out as all that is historic, we wonder if she would care to comment on Faulkners segregated history? Maud did you ever have a drink there when it was divided down the "white" and "colored" line? Come on Mother Maud, cat got your tongue when it comes to your place in Vienna history?
And Maud (or Laine as she knows Vienna history too), was the Freeman Store ever segregated? Or was your beloved non-historical "store" simply off limits to African-Americans?
May 17, 2007
Vienna Teen Center Fights Gang Violence Comments (3)
From the Vienna Municipal League comes this:
Since the late 1990s, Northern Virginia has experienced a dramatic increase in the violence, vandalism, drug use and other problems associated with youth gangs. According to a Fairfax County Gang Update presented at the 2004 VML conference, more than 80 gangs operate in the county with a total membership of at least 1,500. One of the more disturbing trends in these gangs is toward younger members, many of them in grades 6-8. The After School Program offered at the Town of Vienna’s Club Phoenix Teen Center provides a positive alternative to gang involvement for these younger students.
Does anyone care that this piece of writing is 100% made up nonsense? We are to believe that lily white Club Phoenix is an alternative for gang members? Well, maybe we are wrong here. Tell you what. Pass us some of that Club Phoenix Kool-Aid!
"HV, stop being so angry. Can't you just sit back and enjoy it? Club Phoenix is wonderful!"
Wasn't Lies, It Was Just... Bulls**t Comments (20)
Brian Trompeter, Maud Robinson's adopted son & checkers partner, writes about the glorious new Town Green:
- "This will be an oasis in our busy lives, a place to come and refresh ourselves," said Vienna Mayor M. Jane Seeman. "Most importantly, this is a legacy those of us can leave today for those who follow."
- The $3.5 million park features about a dozen park benches, seating walls, restrooms and a small wooden amphitheater.
- "This is the centerpiece for Vienna," Lovelace said. "A lot of people we haven't seen for while, I think we'll meet them on the green."
- Vienna resident Denise Ramsey, who attended the event with her husband and children, said her family was excited by the park's potential. "It's nice to have something we can all congregate at and listen to music, watch movies and all that kind of stuff," she said.
The Town Green will also cure cancer, stop terrorism and lower the deficit. Watch movies you say Denise? Wow, we had no idea that was a benefit too! Awesome.
Jake: You lied to me.
Elwood: Wasn't lies, it was just... bullshit.
May 16, 2007
Howard Springsteen Does Nothing Comments (11)
Howard Springsteen, a Town of Vienna busy body and self-appointed transportation guru, has refused to solve problems at the intersection of Church Street and Lawyers Road (as but just one example). His lack of action, knowing there is a huge problem, has put Vienna residents in jeopardy. Vienna's Transportation Safety Commission needs to toss this guy and get people who care about safety, not just people who care only about sucking the political nipple.
On another front, do Springsteen's Fairfax County bosses have any idea how politically active he is in Vienna? Why should County residents be forced to have a County employee, like Springsteen, actively pushing corrupt political agendas against them when they pay his salary?
Howard Springsteen, Vienna Resident &
Fairfax County Department of Vehicle Services Logistics Manager
Salary: $74,352.66
May 15, 2007
Age Clarification Comments (4)
A May 2007 article in the Washington Post referred to Maud Robinson as 80 years old. She is either 84 or 85, but she is NOT 80. As with most things in Vienna the smallest items become blurry and fuzzy...and made-up. That's how the machine runs the show.
May 14, 2007
Project Rejected by Planning Commission Comments (5)
From the Sun Gazette:
"AyrHill Homes' proposal to build 22 condominiums in southeast Vienna received a setback on May 9, when the Vienna Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the project's denial. Commission members said the proposal would generate too much traffic and was too high-density to be compatible with the neighborhood...While some neighbors said the proposal should be held to the town's strict 25-percent maximum for lot coverage in residential areas, this proposal is eligible for transitional zoning, which elsewhere in Vienna has resulted in lot coverages of 60 to 70 percent, Strobel said. The condominium proposal would need only 50-percent coverage, she said...The Vienna Town Council now will set a public hearing to consider the case. The project faces an additional hurdle because at least 20 percent of surrounding residents signed petitions protesting the condominiums. Under town code, the proposal now needs a super-majority - at least six of seven Town Council members - in order to pass."
May 13, 2007
Election Procedures to Change After Complaints in Vienna Comments (9)
From the Sun Gazette comes Brian Trompeter's angle on Vienna Election corruption:
The Fairfax County Office of Elections will change some of its procedures after some voters reported election officer misbehavior during the May 1 Vienna Town Council election.
Continue reading "Election Procedures to Change After Complaints in Vienna" »
May 12, 2007
"Overzealous" Is One Way to Describe Corruption Comments (5)
From the Vienna Times:
Despite a strong vote in favor of the status quo, things are still going to be changing in Vienna. Due to the efforts of a Vienna poll worker, the town will no longer be selecting its own poll workers, ending a tradition that has gone on so long that no one at the Fairfax County Electoral Board can remember how it started. According to electoral board Secretary Margaret Luca, the woman instructed a voter who submitted a ballot for only one candidate that the person had to select three. "That's bad information. It says on the ballot 'select not more than three.' You can submit a ballot for nobody if you want" Luca said. According to candidate Deborah Brehoney, one witness said that the poll worker reached over their shoulder and voted in their place. When the incident was reported to Luca, the worker was asked to leave the polling place. "I wouldn't think that she will serve as an election worker again," Luca said. Vienna election officers have traditionally been recommended by the Town Council from a list approved by the Board of Elections, but this incident has changed that. "We will simply appoint the election officers for the town from now on," Luca said. "[She] is a good citizen, she just got a little overzealous," Lovelace said of the poll worker. "What happened was wrong. Even if we had won, we would still be screaming about this," said Brehony. "I sincerely hope that next election we return to normalcy," Robinson said.
"Vienna Not For Sale!" Huh? Comments (6)
Vienna Town Council member Mike Polychrones made this post election comment:
"I think really what this election symbolizes is that Vienna citizens are not for sale. I'm definitely very happy [with the results]."
What does that mean? Another resident affirmed Polychrones:
"...Vienna is very engaged with the rest of Fairfax. The difference is, Vienna is engaged for the right causes and on behalf of citizens, not developers, unlike the county government. Of course Vienna has fought development Fairfax county wants to do, because the Fairfax board of Supervisors has been so totally bought by the developers that will overwhelm us all. Mr. Polychrones got it right - Vienna is not for sale. Thank goodness!"
Vienna is not engaged with Fairfax County. That is nonsense. Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins just shakes her head in disgust when the subject of Vienna's self-imposed isolation is broached.
May 11, 2007
Senior Citizen Politics in Vienna Comments (10)
An email came in from a relative new contributor to HistoricVienna.com regarding senior citizen politics:
Even before I knew anything academically about economics, I never understood resistance to change on the part of Senior Citizens. Growing up in Fairfax County and living here or close by over the last 45 years, I can recall bond referendum after bond referendum for school expansion shot down by the oldsters. It always seemed to be that the retired (or nearly retired) crowd always bitched about “TAXES, TAXES, TAXES we can't have any more schools because it costs us too much in TAXES!” In McLean, they even turned an elementary school into a retirement home! Then in the 90s, when the younger families started to move back in, the county was stuck bringing trailers in to meet demand at the other schools. This same attitude drives the political process in Vienna. Here is my rebuttal to that:1.) We got nothing to complain about here regarding property taxes – try living in New York, Connecticut or Wisconsin.
2.) Most of the suburban housing sold in the McLean and Vienna area in the late 1950's and early 1960's was sold on twenty year mortgages, so when all of those people became empty-nesters in the 80's, they had no mortgage. All that was left was the taxes and other than a rent-controlled apartment in NYC, there's no better deal out there.
3.) This one is cold but true: If you don't have the luck of dying suddenly at home, you need rising property values. If the day comes when assisted living is the only option you've got, you'll need to sell that 500-750K teardown.
4.) The reason why you have that 500-750K teardown to sell is the family that moved in next door (maybe into the last teardown) because they could send their child to a public school (already paid for) that is the rival of most private schools in the country.
Perhaps one of the reasons why I have never understood the whole senior mindset, is that my parents never succumbed to it. They haven't given up their own education (at 85+) and their worst fear about retirement was not being around young people. They still live in the house that I grew up in and although my Dad has certainly never been a fan of taxes, he is practical - "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." and "You get what you pay for."
November Elections for Vienna Comments (2)
While Vienna incumbents tout 23% as a high voter turnout, they really know that number is terrible. Low turnout in May elections is a problem across Virginia and a solution is available.
BY BRIAN KIRWIN PUBLISHED JULY 31, 2006 - THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT, OPINION COLUMNIs local government closest to the people? Or maybe the question should be, “Is local government close to enough people?” That’s the core of the discussion as cities consider holding local elections in November instead of May. Virginia Beach recently joined several localities in moving City Council and School Board elections to November. Held in even-number years, they’ll join races for president, the U.S. House and Senate.
May 10, 2007
Old Vienna Movie Theater: Why Not Rekindle It? Comments (27)
How many people realize that Spokes, Etc. on Maple Avenue used to be a movie theater? No need to go into who was in charge when Vienna lost the theater, but it is an easy guess (the usual suspects). Bigger question: how is it that we have no one looking to come into Vienna and use that cavernous old building as a concert hall or movie theater again? Clearly, Spokes, Etc. does NOT come close to using the space in any maximized manner.
So why no movement for creative ideas like this? The current Town Council occupy "seats". They don't aggressively do anything outside of the box. They simply sit back and allow our precious Maple Avenue real estate to be gobbled up by more and more banks, while ignoring any use of incentives that might make that old theater shine again. Or should we just let the over 80 set say "no" to everything?
Note: Maudites please post comments about how this idea is all out of the Town Council's control or that we are trying to put Spokes, Etc. out of business. That will allow the Maud camp to sleep at night knowing nothing could be done.
Propaganda 101 Comments (3)
While the Vienna election was won by Maud using scare tactics on the over 80 set ("Stich and Brehony want high rises"), the Connection's Scott J. Krischke gives his best Joseph Goebbels' version of how the election was won:
Town Votes to Retain Its Character Incumbents highlight opposition to major redevelopment as key to victory. By Scott J. Krischke May 9, 2007It’s been 30 minutes since the local polls closed for the 2007 Vienna Town Council election and the halls of the local community center that played host to it are silent, save for the low hum of a silver vacuum cleaner over the thin carpeting.
As the early summer sun goes down on the first day of May, election officials work behind closed doors to determine a winner. A woman and her young son walk briskly through the community center, the toddler’s small hand clutching his mother’s fingers as the two pass the only other person left in the hallway.
May 09, 2007
Never Lose Faith! Comments (7)
After the election Maud was quoted saying:
"My husband [the late Mayor Charles Robinson Jr.] always said, 'Never, never lose faith in the people,' that their innate good sense and judgment would determine the outcome of the election. I think this trust was validated today."
Did Charlie also say to stack the polling place with your poliitcal cronies as insurance for the outcome? Don't worry Mother Maud we will get every last table scrap of documentation from the State Election authorities and post it for easy review. We suspect by comparison Maud won't be posting the data on the Town of Vienna web site.
Budget Research Comments (2)
The budget in Vienna needs a can opener applied to it. We all need to be able to see a line by line dollar amount comparison for key items year to year for the last 10 years. With all of the residential assessment increases since 1997, where are the tax proceeds going? An astute six-grader can see that Vienna has crumbling roads and sidewalks and no plan to fix any of it in place. Where does the money go?
The election was no mandate. The election simply showed that if ALL you do in life is Vienna politics (i.e. Maud), after 50 years you will have a 1000 friends (and a little corruption too as evidenced by the Washington Post article). Vienna is more than 1000 people.
May 07, 2007
Anne Smith Breaks It Down for Vienna's Downtown Comments (32)
Reader Anne Smith writes:
"Rather than focus on mixed-use or form-based codes, let's talk about what people who want change in Vienna are really looking for. I think what most of us want is a more pedestrian-friendly downtown where people can walk to shops & services, kids can walk to school, and the retail district meets more of our needs."
Continue reading "Anne Smith Breaks It Down for Vienna's Downtown" »
May 06, 2007
Washington Post Article About Vienna Election Irregularities Comments (30)
As you read the article below from today's Washington Post ask yourself when the Vienna election policy of Maud selecting her own poll workers was changed? The election was last Tuesday.and County officials say the policy has now been changed. When did that happen?
Vienna Voters Complain of Irregularities at PollsBy Bill Turque
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 6, 2007; C05There are elections every year in Vienna, and they usually unfold with "Groundhog Day" predictability.
About a quarter of the central Fairfax County town's 10,000 registered voters come to the polls and return the incumbents to office. And that's what happened Tuesday as three members of the six-person town council -- Maud F. Robinson, George E. Lovelace and Daniel M. Delinger -- easily defeated two challengers, Susan Yancey Stich and Deborah T. Brehony.
The aftermath of the balloting, however, has been anything but routine. It has been marked by a series of complaints about the conduct of the town's longtime election officers. There have also been questions about their unusual selection process, which includes vetting by the town clerk and incumbent council members.
Continue reading "Washington Post Article About Vienna Election Irregularities" »
Obscene Talk Comments (21)
One reader writes:
"Now that the election is over, this site seems to be melting down into useless name-calling. can we identify some things we'd like to accomplish & then figure out how to accomplish them?"
Good feedback! However, there appears to be a REASON for some of the post election negative remarks on this blog.
May 05, 2007
Beulah Road Project Detours Comments (1)
From a reader:
This VDOT map suggests the likely detours via Glyndon or Creek Crossing/East Street. I wonder if they installed all-way stops at Tallisman/Beulah and at Creek Crossing/Old Courthouse? Those appear to be the likely detour intersections.
No Cable TV Comments (21)
A poster arguing against cable TV in Vienna wrote:
"...no one but you would watch a televised meeting, and no one gives a rat's [...] about you, so it would be a colossal waste of money. I'd expect YOU of all people to be against colossal wastes of money. The town could invest that "TV money" in a hedge fund and make like 70 trillion dollars. You wouldn't want Maud to spend 70 trillion dollars on televised meetings, would you? How's that?"
That is one argument against televised meetings in Vienna. Perhaps there are more?
May 04, 2007
Is This Really Smart? Comments (19)
Let's try and be political scientists for a moment. 1416 people cast a vote for Maud. That's 15-20% of the electorate. Who are those people on average? It is an important answer to find out. If 80% of those people, for example, are 75+ years of age, in retirement and living in a house they bought 30+ years ago (and there is nothing wrong with that), BUT is it a good thing for that voting block to be the only ONES deciding Vienna's future?
Counter argument: "Get more people out to vote if you don't like it!"
More people did come out to vote this year, but not enough to beat the Magruders machine. Let's face it the current group of Vienna Town Council members do everything in their power to remain a nameless-faceless lot. The Vienna web site on Election Day did not have one mention of the Election ANYWHERE on the front page. Cable TV? In the Vienna power system cable TV would only offer sunshine which would only possibly expose how Vienna operates. Everything is done to keep everything about Vienna politics a secret. Tip your hat to them, it is one helluva a machine. But unfortunately now the other 90% of Vienna residents are faced with another year of nothing.
Counter argument: "Only if Vienna could shake that nasty, mean website historicvienna.com...they are just messing everything up with their hidden agenda. Why can't they just join a club or a board and be like us!"
Zoning Education for All of Us Comments (10)
A Vienna resident thought some zoning education about form based zoning would be useful for all of us. We agree. His email:
As promised, here are some links to information about form-based zoning. My idea in passing this along is that in order to sell the idea, advocates of the idea need to be more conversant with the concepts. When a candidate announces that they are "in favor of modifying the building height allowances on Maple avenue" - the luddites run away screaming. If put into context of an overall plan for rational development, it becomes less scary. Part of the appeal of form-based zoning is that the best form-based codes are largely devoid of technospeak. So without further ado, here are the links...A Non-profit with the mission of advancing the use and acceptance of form-based codes...
http://www.formbasedcodes.org/
The Congress of New-Urbanism - more relevant to larger municipalities...
For general background on the importance of form in urban planning check out the two volume series "Getting to Smart Growth: 100 Policies for Implementation" produced by the Smart Growth Network and the International City Managers Association at...
For the really ambitious, Virginia Tech offers degrees in Urban Affairs and Planning at their Alexandria Center. One of the Professors, Peter Katz, is one of the originators of new-urbanism. They also have an occasional lecture series.
May 03, 2007
Not Old v. Young, But Wealth Warfare Comments (19)
Much of what is playing out in Vienna is not exactly old v. young or young v. old. The real challenge Vienna is an internal class or wealth struggle. Fight as many might, no election can stop new $1+ million dollar houses - which after all was THE reason for the #4 ranking that everyone seems to brag about! There would have been NO #4 ranking if Tommy Staats, Steve Bukont, Pat Stack, John Sekas and Deborah and JP Brehony (to name a few) had not built in Vienna over the last 10 years. Period.
But the chorus at the polls was loud. Older, fixed income Vienna residents, many living in the Town for 40+ years, truly thought their vote was to stop new houses from being built. Who will tell them it doesn't work that way?
There is a huge disconnect in Town. The older, fixed-income people want no change while at the same time its happening all around - mostly unplanned. The Town Council revels in their #4 ranking, knowing exactly where it came from, but then campaign to their base and in turn go after the very people who have turned Vienna around.
Politics in Vienna. It's clearly not much of mystery.
May 02, 2007
Election Feedback Comments (14)
Election feedback from a reader today:
Let's look at Maud's last two elections:May 2005...May 2007
Deborah T. Brehony 0...866
Dan M. Delinger 0...1,655
George E. Lovelace 454...1,633
Maud F. Robinson 452...1,416
Susan Yancey Stich 0...858Registered Voters 10,249...10,523
In Person 551...2,286
Absentee 10...65
Total Votes 561...2,351
Turnout % 5.47%...22%Well, it looks like something turned out the vote this round, and it sure wasn't the good weather. I'd say it was the competition. Thank you Brehony and Stich for participating! I appreciate your effort.
Given the motivated turnout, I suggest the incumbent base... the senior citizen garden club more or less... is 15% of the registered voters... about 1600... probably less considering many of the anti-base voters threw their third vote for an incumbent. That's hardly a safe number... and can not accurately represent the needs of the greater community of 10,000... that's just 1400-1600 people voting for their retiree interests... trash pickup, pharmacy, groceries, banking, doctor visits, and haircuts... a tidy fixed lifestyle with no surprises... and then you die leaving Viennaland to whomever. The future of Vienna is not their concern... that's why today our children still walk to school in the streets with the traffic.
Poll Worker Rhoda Stevens Does Her Civic Duty Comments (15)
All of Vienna should feel proud today about our dear neighbor Rhoda Stevens. Stevens was a polling official yesterday. After several incidents Stevens was removed by State Election officials as a poll worker. The incidents? Telling voters who to vote for as they pressed the buttons. Telling them they had to vote for three people because if they didn't, "the challengers would win". It doesn't appear Rhoda's impropriety swayed the election as the vote totals are pretty clear, but it does say something about Maud's machine and the voting process in Vienna.
Perhaps the best part of Steven's "work" yesterday? Her using a public phone to call home to have the political sign in her front yard taken down late in the afternoon as she was being removed from the polling place (see picture below). Once again, none of this swayed an election it appears, but the fact that it happened, the fact that a close friend of Maud's felt the need to cross the line, is sad.
While some critics might position this post, and the fact that it was even written, as "black helicopter talk", don't expect this site to back away from the truth any time soon.
Rhoda Stevens of 303 Edwin Lane, Vienna
Rhoda Stevens (and hiding of course)
