April 2008 Archives
April 28, 2008
Laser Show Safety Comments (4)
From a reader:
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MANAGERS OF FACILITIES WHERE LASER SHOWS ARE HELD: In order to safeguard your audiences, you should be aware of the safety requirements placed on the manufacturers and operators of laser shows by Federal, State and local authorities. To avoid possible liability for laser injuries, see that any shows in your facility have complied with the legal requirements. NOTE: The laser operator should provide to you the information about the class of laser to be used and its variance status. A laser product should have a label indicating its class. If the laser is Class lllb or IV, the company responsible for the laser should have documentation (an accession and variance number) from FDA granting a variance. you can contact the State authority (see Appendix Ill of this booklet) or FDA to verify the status of a company's variance. One person, either the laser company's operator, or where there is no operator, an employee from the facility, should be designated as laser safety officer. A laser safety officer should be in attendance Page 26 whenever a laser is in operation and should be responsible for shutting down the laser should any unsafe conditions occur. In order to properly set up and align a laser light system that can be operated safely, laser groups will need time in the facility before the show without members of the public present. They will need the electrical power and water supply set up early enough to test and align the equipment. Depending upon the complexity of the system, the preparation for a show may take up to several hours. Should a full inspection by FDA representatives be found necessary, it may require an additional hour or two prior to the show. This should be allowed for in the scheduling of performances. Should any accident occur with the laser, you should report the incident to the State authority and to FDA. FDA and State personnel are available to help you ensure that laser shows in your facility are run safely and in compliance with the law. Contact the FDA or the appropriate State office listed in Appendix Ill for more information. WHAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LASER SAFETY: Laser light shows can be exciting but they can also be hazardous if someone is accidentally struck (particularly in the eyes) by direct, reflected or even diffuse high power laser radiation. You have a right to enjoy a laser show knowing that your safety is provided for by the laser manufacturer, the laser operator and the management of the facility where the show is held. Should you have reason to believe that a show is not being run safely - that is, that the precautions spelled out in this booklet are not being taken - talk with the laser operator or people in charge of the facility, or call the State authority (listed in Appendix Ill). If you are aware of anyone being injured at a laser show, report it to the State authority or FDA.
April 27, 2008
Joan Lillis Takes Vienna "Walk on the Hill" to New Low Comments (17)
Today was the annual Historic Vienna, Inc. "Walk on the Hill". Historic Vienna, Inc. is of course a Town of Vienna created and run corporation. At the "walk" neighbors put this sign up at each participating yard's entrance:
However, today there was something different, because today historic nut job Loan Lillis posted some "extra" discriminatory language on this sign at her front yard entrance:
For those wondering yes those signs are ultimately paid for with tax payer dollars. Should citizens of Vienna be outraged at Lillis or just feel sorry for her? Unfortunately it is just further evidence that our government has been hijacked by corrupt and petty politicians.
However, the best spectacle of the day was launched by queen historic nut Laine Hyde. Apparently Hyde filed a police report because pictures of her house were taken. Yes, this is the same Laine Hyde who is President of Historic Vienna, Inc. and who also sits on the Town of Vienna Commercial ARB. More to come on Hyde.
April 26, 2008
Historic BS at the Walk on the Hill Comments (1)
How corrupt are the players that back the fake historic routine in Vienna. Well, consider this story from a past "Walk on the Hill" (this year's is tomorrow BTW):
One resident in the Vienna historic district has an old fashioned gas pump in his driveway. On top of it there is an old time sounding oil company. At a prior "Walk on the Hill" a historic busy body marched up to the gas pump with an eager group of people willing to believe anything. Mr. historic busybody then proceeded to tell his group how "historic" the pump was while specifically referring to the name at the top of the pump. Problem? The owner of the pump is an artist who made the name and sign up. That's how phony Vienna is.
Historic Propaganda Vienna Style Comments (1)
From the Historic Vienna, Inc. (read: Town of Vienna government) website:
The Freeman Store and Museum has regular store and museum hours Wednesday through Saturday noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Little Library will be open on the first Sunday of each month. It will also be open on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for stories from our storyteller for children ages four to twelve accompanied by a parent. The latter event will be canceled in case of inclement weather. Bring the kids and come and hear a story and learn about the oldest building of its kind in Fairfax County.
Oldest building of its kind? What the [blank] does that mean? These people will say or do anything to keep up an undocumented and frankly unimportant history. When something is actually documented historic in Vienna, like Moorefield, these historic nuts tear it down. So who are people who make this nonsense up?
Officers of Historic Vienna, Inc. are President Laine Hyde, Vice President Rose Mulville, Treasurer Kathy Georgen, Secretary Anne Stuntz. Board Members of Historic Vienna, Inc.: Sarah Jane Brady, Michael Cheselka, Daniel Dellinger, Frank Lancaster, Shirley McCoy, Maud Robinson, David Shelby, Sandra Stadelman, Daphne Sloan, Paul Snodgrass, Katherine Tugendhat
Can anyone point out in Virginia State law where the Town of Vienna has the authority to create a corporation that is run by a private citizen named Laine Hyde?
April 25, 2008
Seeman Please Go Back to Handing Out Library Cards Comments (3)
It was not but a few years ago that the Vienna Town Council dumped $200,000+ in grant money on "flowers" at the Town Green. Now it appears we can't get basic road work done. When the funny government money came in for flowers it was all smiles, now Vienna looks like a bunch of whining losers (of course oblivious to economic realities) incapable of caring for itself. Nice job Seeman:
From the Sun Gazette: The Vienna Town Council voted unanimously April 21 not to volunteer transportation projects that could be cut by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. In an April 2 letter to the town, J. Douglas Koelemay of the board's Northern Virginia District asked Vienna officials to list projects that could be reduced if revenues were lower than estimated. Because road-maintenance demands continue to siphon off moneys that would go toward transportation projects, the state's primary, secondary and urban road-construction programs must be reduced by 44 percent, Koelemay wrote. The project list was to be compiled before the board's May 14 public hearing, but the Town Council declined to cooperate. "I'm not in favor of giving up anything," said Mayor M. Jane Seeman. "I just think it's unfair that the state penalizes us for what they've failed to do." Seeman, with the council's agreement, said she would send a letter to the Commonwealth Transportation Board asking that the town's road projects not be penalized. Town officials already delayed plans to renovate part of Cottage Street, S.W., in exchange for improvements to Branch Road, S.E., she said. Such lists also encourage local officials to pad their tallies with projects they know can be cut, said Council member Laurie Cole. Some council members said Vienna officials should prioritize their road-construction projects, lest state officials make program cuts for the town.
April 22, 2008
Can Someone Go Film This? Comments (0)
From the Town web site:
On Thursday, April 10, Beulah Road, N.E., was reopened to two-way traffic from Maple Avenue to the town limit, following lane striping which lasted until 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Final inspections are due to be completed April 16, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening will be held at 11 a.m. April 29.
Can someone film the dinosaurs cutting their ribbon?
A Pig Needs to Go in the Historic District Comments (2)
Read.
This pig sits in a front yard in Vienna now.
April 21, 2008
Maud: "What Am I Doing Here?" Comments (10)
A picture from a big day for Mr. Volunteer Man:
Click on Picture for High Resolution
And of course an earlier not so big day for Mr. Volunteer Man.
See This Orange? It Is Really An Apple. Comments (6)
From the Town of Vienna web site:
Visitors will enjoy the hometown atmosphere of Maple Avenue (Rt. 123) bustling with specialty shops, numerous restaurants, family run businesses and stores. Take a stroll down treelined Historic Church Street, or take a leisurely drive through Vienna's Historic District, including Windover Avenue via Pleasant Street. Visit Freeman House and Museum, originally a residence / general store built in 1859, or walk across the street to Centennial Park, home to an old restored W&OD caboose and bordered by the scenic Washington and Old Dominion Regional Park Trail. There is something for everyone so...come visit, shop and stay for awhile. The Town of Vienna welcomes you.
Is there anyone, other than the Town of Vienna Government shill who wrote the copy above, who believes Maple Avenue in Vienna gives off a "hometown atmosphere"? It is a traffic filled nightmare almost 24 hours a day. How does a sane person stuck in gridlock, staring at 1970s cinder block architecture, much of which is empty, wax nostalgic about "hometowns"?
April 20, 2008
Maple Avenue Dead Zone Comments (4)
Maple Avenue in Vienna is dead. No new buildings. No new shops. For lease signs on every other building. Some buildings and or lots are completely empty. You might be wondering: "Aren't we going to have a revenue shortfall requiring big tax increases?"
No and here is why...
The political machine in Vienna is corrupt, but not politically dumb. When times are good they always keep the revenue coming in and no one pays attention, but when things get bad they simply cut back the budget no problem. How do they so easily cut their budget back? Well, when most of the money is blown on patty cake parties at the Freeman Store and other assorted dimwit expenditures it's actually easy to cut back the budget and crow to the 500 seniors actually paying attention that you (the Town Council) worked hard to tighten the belt. Next the Sun Gazette and other local rags write obligatory a** kiss to Maud and then we repeat the cycle. So feel free to go to sleep, wake up 5 years from now and note zero progress.
April 19, 2008
Vienna Town Green: The Biggest Waste of Money in the History of the Town of Vienna Comments (12)
From a reader:
"I rode by the Town Green two times today - at 10:30am and 12pm - and it was completely empty. A beautiful, 80 degree Saturday afternoon and not ONE person on the Town Green. Seriously, not even a tired biker resting? What a waste of money."
An 85 year old woman named Maud fed her ego with millions of tax dollars. The Vienna Town Green is the biggest waste of money in the history of the Town of Vienna.
Next to the Vienna Inn Comments (1)
An email came in that said:
"Not sure how to post but does anyone know what's going to happen to the stores where the antique shops were between town green and the Vienna Inn?"
Does anyone know?
April 17, 2008
Jane Seeman: Momma Red Hunter on Maple Avenue Comments (11)
From the Connection live and in charge comes Momma Red Hunter:
[...Jane] Seeman is looking at the future of Maple Avenue, the Town's primary traffic route and corridor of business. "The Town Council needs to come up with plans for Maple Avenue enhancement and improvements. What do we need to do to make it better?" The Town Council has been working on the Town's water issues, and Seeman expects resolution soon. Seeman sees the Cedar Park shopping center and Cedar Lane apartments as an opportunity to try to bring that community closer into the Vienna community. "I am aware that some residents of that area have expressed concerns about the shopping center there and the apartments. The police have been doing a great job at the shopping center, getting cooperation from the shop owners and the people who live around there. "I'm willing to meet with people who have concerns." Seeman filled out her husband's term on Town Council after his death in 1996. She's lived in Vienna for 40 years, and is guardian to a cat and a rescued indoor rabbit, both of whom get along just fine.
We guess Seeman misplaced the Maple Avenue Vision Committee Report that she commissioned? It used to be that if someone lied you called them a liar. Now you have be more sensitive. What's really amazing about Seeman is that she uses "words" in "sentences" that literally say nothing and mean nothing.
"Mom, what is a dedicated Cold Warrior?"
April 13, 2008
Race Baiting Comments (10)
Across the United States there is a debate about immigration. Every community faces its. This blog has seen it in regards to the Cedar Lane Shopping Center. And if everyone pauses for just a minute...they will see that while the immigration debate today is about those of Hispanic origin, 100 years ago it was about Irish, Italian, Polish, etc. Bottom line, things will work out as we all head toward a mixed gene pool in the centuries to come where every last person will be Mulatto. Now shift gears back to reality and consider this excerpt from the wires that makes an interesting point with hard numbers:
African-Americans are victims of nearly half the murders committed in the United States despite making up only 13 percent of the population, a report published Thursday showed. Around 8,000 of nearly 16,500 murder victims in 2005, or 49 percent, were black Americans, according to the report released by the statistics bureau of the Department of Justice. Broken down by gender, 6,800 black men were murdered in 2005, making up more than half the nearly 13,000 male murder victims. Black women made up 35 percent, or 1,200, of the nearly 3,500 female homicide victims. Young black men aged between 17 and 29 bore a disproportionately high burden in the grim statistics, making up 51 percent of African-American murder victims.
Is the messenger of these statistics a racist? Should these numbers be ignored? What should be done with them? Now bring it back to the Cedar Lane Shopping Center and one big question comes up: what are the numbers? If we find a preponderance of crime is coming from a mostly immigrant Hispanic area of Vienna, then the Vienna government with limited Policing resources needs to be aware of those statistics.
If there is a significant crime increase at or near the Cedar Lane Shopping Center it doesn't make any sense for the Vienna Police to increase patrols on the other side of Vienna where there has been no increase in crime...just to make some people feel better that there is some form of equality in evaluating crime statistics that are inherently unequal. There is a balance to be had. Everyone is not a bad guy, but there are bad guys and they need to go. There has to be better solutions than the most recent debate on this blog?
April 10, 2008
Jane Seeman Giggling About Fireworks Horror on WMAL 630 Today Comments (9)
Today at the 11am news break on WMAL Jane Seeman was talking about the new Vienna laser show on the 4th of July. While "giggling" Seeman said she wasn't even sure what we were getting in terms of the laser show. A headline and Mayor we can all be proud of.
FLASH:
Now you can listen (MP3) to Mayor Boob Jane Seeman (or should we now call her Mayor Chucklehead?). Notice as she is saying that she "agonized"...she is laughing? Unreal. Wonder if the mother and child who were torched by pure negligence think it is funny?
Town of Vienna Employees: Whistle Blowers Welcomed Comments (0)
Memo
To: Town of Vienna Employees
From: Vienna Voters
Subject: Corruption
If any Town of Vienna employee has evidence of corruption feel free to drop us a line. No matter how small or large the issue -- we want to hear from you (Anonymous contact is fine). Over the years this site's content has been built with your help, but the time is now to contribute even more. Sitting back and watching corrupt politicians (or senior Town management) do the wrong thing should not be part of your job description. Help Vienna voters shut down dirt.
April 09, 2008
Who Still Shops at Cedar Lane Shopping Center? Who Takes the Gamble? Comments (56)
We were sent this video today by Vienna Citizens Group:
Who still gets out of their car and shops here? Do parents actually take small children into the McDonalds and drug store in Cedar Lane shopping center? Not in the last 30 years has this type of activity been tolerated. Would it be tolerated if they congregated in the parking lot next to Maud's house?
Vienna Fireworks Reduced to Jane Seeman and a Laser Pointer Comments (12)
Recently Jane Seeman questioned Celine Dion music - concerned that she was Canadian. Since we pointed out Seeman's fine xenophobic rant, she must have felt the need to say more. From the Sun Gazette:
Vienna Town Council members on April 7 voted 5-2 to approve a contract with Image Engineering of Baltimore to produce a laser light show in lieu of fireworks at this year's Fourth of July celebration. Town officials opted to make the switch after several people were injured by a malfunctioning multi-shot firework at last year's celebration. The laser show, which will cost up to $22,700, is more expensive than the $10,000 spent last year on fireworks. The new show will project lasers into the sky and onto an inflatable, seven-story screen. The council also agreed to project up to 15 custom images, specific to the town, at a cost of $100 each. Robinson, who voted with Town Council member Michael Polychrones against the contract, wanted to hold the show's cost to no more than its base price of $15,000. Town Council member Laurie Cole countered that, because the town was breaking with its long-established fireworks tradition, it should not skimp on the laser show's quality. Vienna Parks and Recreation director Cathy Salgado agreed. "The $15,000 package is not enough to do something that will be a lasting impression in the minds of people here," Salgado said. "To give them the 'wow' factor, it needs to be a multi-layered, multi-dimensional show." In an aside to the main issue, Cole and Mayor M. Jane Seeman apologized for questioning, at an earlier meeting, the desirability of playing singer Celine Dion's music at the event. Neither, apparently, is a big fan of the Canadian songbird. Despite the apology, Polychrones said Cole and Seeman were right on in their musical tastes. "I have heard her songs and, in my opinion, Madam Mayor, you weren't that wrong," he said.
Who is betting that these crackpots shoot a kid in the eye with a laser and cause permanent eye damage? When you add stupidity with even more stupidity you don't get smarts.
April 08, 2008
Learning About Maudasaurus from Hannibal Comments (0)
A memorable Dr. Hannibal Lecter quote from 'Silence of the Lambs' :
"First principles, Clarice. Simplicity. Read Marcus Aurelius. Of each particular thing ask: what is it in itself? What is its nature? What does [she] do...?"
The only way to change Vienna is to have an honest conversation about the nature of Maud Robinson and Jane Seeman. To understand their nature, what they do and why, only then can their defeat be executed.
April 07, 2008
How to Write Copy for People Over 90 Who Have Never Turned on a PC Comments (8)
From the Town website comes some great copy:
"The Town of Vienna is providing free wireless Internet access at the Town Green located at Maple and Mill Streets,NE. This is a pilot project. The goals of the Town's Wi-Fi pilot project are to attract more customers to the downtown Vienna business area, encourage the use of this public park, and enable more citizens to access Town services online. Users are responsible to take measures to secure their devices and Internet communications. Hours of Wi-Fi operation will by the same as the park hours (parks are open dawn to dusk) throughout the year. Users can log-in using Vienna Gov't Sponsored Free WiFi for the SSID. SSID stands for "Service Set Identifier" and is a unique ID for naming a wireless network. All wireless devices attempting to communicate with each other must share the same SSID. If you have questions or comments about the Town Green Free WiFi, you can contact our I.T. Administrator: Craig Griffin Email: cgriffin@viennava.gov Phone: (703) 255-6364"
Fairly innocuous? Not really. Consider this line more carefully:
"The goals of the Town's Wi-Fi pilot project are to attract more customers to the downtown Vienna business area."
They should have just said:
"The goals of the Town's Wi-Fi pilot project are to say pointless things on the Town website that everyone knows are complete BS, but nonsensical statements make 90 year olds happy so we continue to say them."
The interesting thing about a corrupt and immoral government is that every last word uttered is a manipulative pile of barnyard waste.
April 06, 2008
Shirley Damon: The Corrupt Gift that Keeps Giving Comments (2)
From the Town Commercial Architectural Review Board:
Ms. Susanne Bradley of Dowling Signs, Inc. came forward to speak. Ms. Bradley stated that they are going back to their original proposal, which is to change out the sign panel to reflect the name Progressive. Chairwoman Damon stated that she preferred the sign without the green noting that it identifies the business much better.
Shirley Damon likes the sign without green. Isn't that special? Nothing in the law references any color and most of Vienna is painted crud brown by governmental design, but Damon likes this sign without green. Corrupt governments work to take the smallest of liberties and when you have dirty politicians like Damon on board, making the law up depending on what she had for lunch that day, maintaining control is easy as pie.
Shirley Damon Communist? Be the Judge.
Beulah Road Benefit? Comments (6)
Now that Beulah Road is near completed can anyone explain what the benefit was to having the road in shambles for 9 months plus? We are sure Seeman and the Saurus will show up to cut a ribbon soon, but isn't basic road work supposed to be their job not an accomplishment to crow about?
April 04, 2008
Chevy Chase Bank and Empty Lots Comments (2)
Does anyone know the status of the empty commercial lots on either side of Chevy Chase Bank near the intersection of Maple Avenue and Glyndon?
April 01, 2008
Vienna Council Member Involved in Altercation Comments (3)
From the Sun Gazette (Brian Trompeter):
"The Vienna Town Council voted 6-1 to censure Maud Robinson over a recent fight on the Town Green between Robinson and Historic Vienna, Inc. President Laine Hyde. A local teacher called 911 and both women were separated by Vienna Police with only minor injuries. A Vienna Police spokesperson had no comment, but witnesses said they were troubled that a local elementary class had observed the altercation."
What really happened?
