June 2008 Archives
June 29, 2008
Aw, Man, the Town is "Disheartened" Comments (2)
HistoricVienna.com is very disheartened to know that the Mayor and Town Council are very disheartened. Do you think Supervisor Hudgins is very disheartened, too?! How will anyone sleep tonight with such heavy hearts. Sigh ....
July 2008 Newsletter: Study Needed on Impact of Tysons Traffic
The Town Council has asked Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for a comprehensive traffic study of specific intersections in Vienna that will be affected by the redevelopment of Tysons Corner.
Council is encouraged that money has been identified for this purpose but is very disheartened to know the actual study will not be completed until after the Tysons Land Use Task Force makes its recommendations.
In order for such a massive and dense plan to work, transportation in the surrounding areas must be an integral part of the entire plan. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Board of Supervisors and ask
them to address the impact on Vienna.
Be a Good Neighbor: Put Boats on Your Property Comments (1)
This is probably not an issue for everyone in town but for those who have a neighbor who will park a boat on the street for weeks, if not months, on end, it is infuriating.
From the new July 2008 town newsletter:
Keep Boats, RVs Off the Street
Where permitted, on-street parking in Vienna is intended for the temporary parking of motor vehicles, not the long-term storage of watercraft, boat trailers, motor homes, and other large recreational vehicles, which can obstruct the view of motorists. Residents owning such vehicles should keep them in the driveway or elsewhere on their property.The Town Code prohibits parking on public streets longer than 48 hours at a time. For more information, or to report violations, call the Vienna Police Department’s non-emergency number, 703-255-6366.
June 25, 2008
Laser Show is a Joke. Comments (22)
Do you think Westwood Country Club will let us come crash their fireworks display?!
Laser Show Highlights July 4th Annual festival
features rides, food, vendors and entertainment.
By Donna Manz, The Connection Tuesday, June 24, 2008The highlight of Vienna’s summer season is coming up … the annual 4th of July festival on the grounds of the Community Center and Waters Field.
A multi-media laser show caps off a day of celebration that features 40 vendors, eight amusement rides, all-day musical entertainment, children’s programming, family games, and the ever-popular hotdog and beer tent hosted by the American Legion.
"We will have a 70-foot tall inflatable screen set up," said Vienna Parks and Recreation Director, Cathy Salgado. "It’s an on-site viewing experience. That means you have to be at Waters Field, in front of the screen.
"There won’t be any viewing from off-site or from behind the screen."
Images of Vienna and of traditional 4th of July experiences will be shown on the screen, accompanied by patriotic music. There will be "a bit" of laser lighting in the sky, making the laser light show a multi-media event.
While the music of Jimmy Buffet is the main inspiration for B2B, a Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band out of Richmond, B2B also plays beachy sound of the Beach Boys and others.
The Children’s stage features a vaudeville show entertainer, a traveling medicine show, a magic comedy show, and a magical rodeo. A strolling clown takes to the turf with balloons and tricks.
The antique and classic car show is a popular staple of the Independence Day festival. Last year, Gov. Tim Kaine mingled with the crowd and signed the two banners strung along the fencing that made their way to Iraq and Kuwait. The vendors and amusement rides close down at 4:30 p.m. in preparation for the evening festivities, including the rock band, Nightwork, and the Vienna Community Band.
The laser light show begins at 9:15 p.m. sharp, and runs for 25 minutes.
"I want to emphasize that viewers have to be at Waters Field promptly at 9:15 p.m. You cannot be late. This is not something you can see from a block away," Salgado said.
Vienna's Streets are Deadly. We All Know It and Nothing Is Being Done. Comments (14)
Cars striking pedestrians and bikers are now commonplace in Vienna. Vienna residents must not stand for this blatant disregard of safety. Town of Vienna politicians better start listening. No serious measures are being proposed. Everything is a silly, cosmetic, feel-good stop gap ("More speedbumps! Wheeeeee!")
Bicyclist hit crossing Church StreetVienna - Oakton
Source: Fairfax County Times
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 2008A car struck a bicyclist trying to cross Church Street, N.E., in Vienna on the morning of June 23. According to Vienna Police, the cyclist was traveling on the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. Traffic in both directions on Church Street had come to a stop where it intersects with the trail, and the cyclist began to cross the street in a crosswalk. A car traveling eastbound on Church Street passed a stopped vehicle on the right side, then struck the cyclist, police said. The bicyclist was thrown from his bike onto the hood of the striking vehicle but was not seriously injured, police said. The driver, Edward Fitzgerald, 43, of Leafcrest Lane in Fairfax, was charged with failure to yield the right of way.
'Emerging Gang' Members, Come On Over to Vienna to Where All the Action Is! Comments (2)
To think we could have both MS-13 and this emerging gang right here in town. FUN.
County Police Make Arrests of Members of 'Emerging Gang' by BRIAN TROMPETER, Staff Writer (Created: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 6:22 AM EDT)Fairfax County police have arrested six young men who authorities said were part of an emerging gang.
Police believe there may be 15 to 20 members of this predominately Asian group, which is based in the Fairfax, Centreville, Fair Oaks and Falls Church areas.
The investigation began after a Feb. 18 robbery and mob assault, which took place on a basketball court behind Fair Lakes Shopping Center. A verbal altercation became physical, resulting in several teenagers attacking a 15-year-old Fairfax boy, police said.
The boy was kicked and punched as he tried to get away from the group. Members of the group took the boy's backpack and belongings, police said.
Following that incident, which was not reported to police, another incident involving some of the same suspects took place on a basketball court in the Fair Oaks area.
More than 30 people met at the court, where a violent fight took place between the two groups. Police are aware of at least one person who sought medical treatment at a local hospital's emergency room. Several weapons were recovered from the scene, police said.
Police launched an investigation that coordinated with school-resource officers from Fairfax, Oakton and Centreville high schools. Fairfax County patrol and bicycle officers from the Fair Oaks District Station and gang-unit detectives also participated in the investigation.
Authorities established that there were two separate acts of violence that took place and charged the following individuals with robbery and mob assault: two 16-year-old boys and one 17-year-old boy, of Fairfax High School, on April 2; two Oakton High School students, ages 16 and 17, on May 7; and an adult, Daniel Y. Choi, 19, of 9600 Blake Lane in the Oakton area on June 7. There are no other charges anticipated.
Police ask anyone with information about these incidents to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1 (866) 411-8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County police at (703) 691-2131.
June 23, 2008
Again, It All Comes Back to Sidewalks. Comments (2)
School budgets are not looking good but factor in the rising cost of fuel, some local districts (like Montgomery County) are going to, gasp, ask kids to walk to school from even further distances away.
Is Fairfax County going to announce the same thing? Quite frankly, nearly every single child in the Town of Vienna could/should walk to school. Problem is that if you live in many areas of Vienna, you cannot even walk to school three blocks away because there are ZERO sidewalks (NW and NE Vienna springs to mind).
From the Washington Post:
Fuel Costs May Force Some Kids To Walk Montgomery Weighs Altering School Bus RulesBy Daniel de Vise
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 23, 2008; A01Here's how rising fuel prices affect an organization with a fleet of 1,273 school buses: The Montgomery County school board today will consider giving Superintendent Jerry D. Weast emergency powers to make students walk farther to school, if need be, in the coming academic year.
The school system's diesel costs have more than doubled in four years, from $3.6 million in fiscal 2005 to a projected $7.9 million for fiscal 2009, which begins next month. It's a hardship shared by the Fairfax County school system, with more than 1,500 buses; the Prince George's County system, with 1,285 buses; and other area systems that transport tens of thousands of students daily and are paying more for fuel than the average parent at an Exxon pump on Rockville Pike.
"The last purchase we made was $4.40 a gallon," said John Matthews, Montgomery schools transportation director. A one-penny rise in price costs the school system $33,000 a year.
Nothing Says "Bring on Summer" Like a Knife Wielding Drunk at the Cedar Lane Shopping Center Comments (13)
Town of Vienna Police Report 6/23/08
Disorderly Event
900 Block Hillcrest Drive, SW
June 20 7:08 p.m.
An individual was outside cursing and being disorderly to neighbors. In the course of their investigation, officers determined that the same subject was in another incident outside of Vienna. The subject was arrested by Fairfax County Police after they secured a warrant for the previous event.
Drunk in Public
200 Block Cedar Lane
June 21 2:21 a.m.
An intoxicated individual was observed approaching a group of men wielding a knife. Vienna Police intervened and the man was arrested and charged with being Drunk in Public.
Arrested: Marvin Robelo Reyes- Martinez, 24, of Cedar Lane in Vienna.
Credit Card Fraud
300 Block Maple Avenue, East
June 22 7:50 p.m.
A wallet was found by a citizen. After investigating, officers determined that the credit cards had been used fraudulently.
Reckless Driving- Cruiser Struck
300 Block Maple Avenue, East
June 22 7:50 p.m.
An individual was driving aggressively and threatening other drivers. He was located and during the stop, he attempted to leave and ran into a Vienna Police cruiser. Minor damage sustained.
Charged with reckless Driving: Jamal D. Afifi, 22, of Spring Ridge Road in Vienna.
Destruction of Property
500 Block Lawyers Road, NW
Between June 14 and 22
Unknown object broke glass out of a door. A neighbor reported hearing gun shots but nothing further substantiated that claim.
June 20, 2008
Historic Phony's Annual Book Sale Comments (0)
As usual, a non-event in the Town of Vienna gets covered by the press since it involves the fraudulent Historic Vienna, Inc.
Question: How would another non-profit in town get to "host" an event at the Freeman House? There are many organizations who would love to have such a high-profile venue for one of their charitable events. Also, what does HVI do with the money it raises?
Question 2: Historic Vienna, Inc. gets to use the Freeman House at their whim in exchange for "maintaining" the premises (though, the Town does cut the grass). Could another non-profit also vie to take over the duties that HVI performs at the Freeman House in exchange for their own free government run clubhouse?
Just some thoughts. If you are part of a non-profit in town, please post and let us know if you would be interested in having your event hosted at the Freeman House/Town Green property. Sure doesn't seem fair, does it?!
Vienna Politicians are Big Fat Liars, Case Study No. 2,456: Sidewalks Comments (8)
In March 2007, the below list was published by the Town stating their "sidewalk priorities." One year later, priority number one was completed - the smallest strip of walkway. Has any other piece of sidewalk been built?
The price of gas is $4 and rising. Getting out of our cars and walking to Town is no longer just a whimsical thought - it is a necessity. Town residents must DEMAND safe and plentiful sidewalks in our town. These fifteen priority spots are just some blatant missing pieces in the bizarro Vienna sidewalk puzzle. Everywhere you look, sidewalks disappear so you forced to hop back and forth on streets. We all know this is hard enough for an able body person but what if you have a stroller, a disability, etc.? The Town must stand up and do their jobs.
Do not set priorities if you never, ever have an intention of fulfilling them. Was the list just a feel good measure and the act of creating it was actually an end unto itself?
* A 150-foot-long section of McHenry Street, S.E., between Park and Fardale streets.
* A 2,805-foot area along Windover Ave., N.W., between Lawyers Road and Nutley Street.
* A 1,660-foot section of Plum Street, S.W., between Cottage Street and Harmony Drive.
* A 1,025-foot area along Park Street, N.E., between Church Street and Hilltop Road.
* A 640-foot stretch of Moore Avenue, S.E., between Park Street and Ninovan Road.
* A 1,024-foot section of Lewis Street, N.W., between Orchard Street and Windover Avenue.
* A 625-foot area along Orchard Street, N.W., between Lewis Street and Windover Avenue.
* An 810-foot section of Harmony Drive, S.W., between Cottage Street and the neighborhood's pool and park.
* A 505-foot area along Lawyers Road, N.W., between Blair Court and Abbottsford Road.
* A 750-foot section of West Street, N.W., between Lewis Street and Windover Avenue.
* A 715-foot stretch along Dogwood Street, S.W., between Cottage and Center streets.
* A 1,600-foot area along East Street, S.E., between Maple Avenue and Echols Street.
* A 160-foot stretch of East Street, N.E., between Maple Avenue and Church Street.
* A 300-foot section along Talahi Road, S.E., between Park Street and Ninovan Road.
* A 510-foot area along Nutley Street, N.W., between Maple Avenue and Knoll Street.
June 19, 2008
Another Hike in Residential Taxes? Comments (1)
Vienna's meals-and-lodging tax will revert from 4 percent to 3 percent starting July 1 much to Maud's chagrin. In her usual form, Maud gives us one of her famously archaic and not-so-subtle condescending idioms:
“I feel those who opposed it are being penny wise and pound foolish,” Robinson said.
Is the Mayor Now Babysitting AND Handing Out Library Cards? Comments (7)
Child Left Unattended at Patrick Henry Library for Hours
Source: WJLA News
A mother is facing child neglect charges after police said she left her young child at a Vienna library, while she went to work.
Around 1:30 p.m., police went to the Patrick Henry Library at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Center Street. A library employee called to say a six-year-old boy was left unattended.
The child told employees his mom had dropped him off at the library, said she'd be back in three hours and then left. Officers worked to find out his name and where he lived. According to officers, the boy didn't know his address or telephone number.
Police said the boy did know where his mom worked and a dispatcher was able to call the woman at her workplace and tell her to come to the library. Both the boy's mother and father come to the library and talk with officer.
The mother, 37-year-old Mei Mei Lin was charged with child neglect for leaving her son unsupervised. She faces up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Lin was released on a summons. The child was released into the father's custody.
This isn't the first case of a child left unattended at a library. Mary Mulrenan with the Fairfax County (web|news) 's public library says it's happened at her location. "It does happen. It's not something that happens on a daily basis, regularly, but it is something that does occur at the library."
Because of that incident, Fairfax County put pamphlets in all of their libraries telling parents how young, is too young. It recommends that any child under seven should never be left alone in a public place for any period of time.
Fairfax County Child Protective Services will be following up on the case.
June 18, 2008
Victim of Vienna Fire Remembered for Years of Service Comments (0)
From the Sun Gazette:
An 86-year-old woman who was a longtime Vienna resident died on June 13 after her house caught fire in the early morning hours, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department officials said.Virginia Casey, who had lived at 308 Plum St., S.W., since 1953, was found dead at the scene, officials said.
"The last thing she did on this Earth was to come save me," said her son, Richard Casey II, who also lived at the house. "She woke me up. I thought she was behind me, but she wasn't. The smoke was down on the floor. It was evil, poisonous."
Firefighters responded to the blaze at 4:20 a.m. Upon arrival, they encountered heavy fire coming from the rear and sides of the one-story house. The home and a nearby shed were fully engulfed in flames, fire officials said.
Firefighters sounded a second alarm, which brought more than 60 emergency personnel to the scene. Fire crews extinguished the blaze in about 40 minutes, officials said.
A smoke alarm sounded, which allowed two of the house's occupants to escape with non-life-threatening injuries.
Two men were displaced by the fire, which also killed the family's dog, an Australian shepherd named Dexter. One man was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital and the other the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Fire investigators said the blaze caused about $300,000 damage and that the house is a complete loss. The fire's cause is under investigation.
Casey's death was Fairfax County's fourth fire fatality this year.
Casey was born Virginia Clark in Arlington on Oct. 13, 1921, and graduated from Washington-Lee High School. She later graduated from the Washington School for Secretaries and served as a secretary for the U.S. State Department during World War II.
She and her husband, Richard Casey, married in Hutchinson, Kan., in 1945 after his discharge from the U.S. Navy. They had a son, Richard Casey II, and a daughter, Margaret Casey, who died 10 years ago.
Virginia Casey worked with the American Textile Association and later for the Resource Recovery Administration, from which she retired in 1992 after her husband died.
Casey over the years was active in the Lions Club Auxiliary, American Legion Post 180, American Association of Retired Persons and the Holland Point Civic Association in Anne Arundel County, Md., where the family had a beach cottage.
Casey enjoyed genealogy and had belonged to the Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna, said Martha Clark, her sister-in-law.
Vienna resident Shirley Martin said Casey was an outgoing hostess who reached out to help others.
"She was very interested in everything," Martin said. "She read [about] everything that was happening. She had some strong opinions about things, which was good."
Vienna Town Council member George Lovelace said Casey frequently spoke with him about issues affecting the town.
"She became my conscience for quite a while," Lovelace said. "I'll definitely miss her charges, her directions to me."
Council member Dan Dellinger called Casey "a great lady" and said Vienna had lost one of its great citizens.
In addition to her son, Casey is survived by a grandson, Troy MacDaniel, and two great-grandchildren.
There will be a visitation on Friday, June 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Money & King Vienna Funeral Home. Burial services will be held at 2 p.m. that day at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, Va., where her husband and daughter are buried.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks well-wishers to donate to their favorite charities.
Church Street on LSD Comments (2)
Has anyone seen the traffic calming measures now in place on Church Street between East Street and Beulah Road? Can someone take some pictures? It is quite possibly the craziest thing ever done in this Town. It looks like a curvy racetrack for Formula One racing. It is off the wall in terms of function and appearance.
June 10, 2008
Daphne and Chuck Sloan: Historic Nuts Comments (9)
One of the Historic Vienna, Inc. Board of Directors (along with Crazy Maud and Laine Hyde) is Daphne Sloan. At the recent Town Council meeting where a historic review board decision was reversed Sloan of course stood up and railed against property rights (she seems to have a socialist bent). Not to be out done her husband, a long time historic district gadfly, wrote a letter to Town Council in which he argued (this is not made up!):
"There are a number of published stories about the property including one about ghosts in the house and reports that the house was used as part of an underground railroad."
When it comes to abusing property rights in Vienna just about any tactic is appropriate to that end for some people.
June 06, 2008
Vienna Is for Cat Lovers Comments (2)
VIENNA, Va. (AP) - Authorities have removed more than 40 cats from a home in Vienna.
Officials with the Humane Society in Front Royal asked police to check on the home after a woman recently brought dozens of cats to their facility to be spayed or neutered.
Animal control officers found 47 cats inside the home on Nelson Drive. Police say cat excrement and litter was spread throughout the home; a deceased cat also was found.
Police say 30-year-old Anisa Mustafa was issued a summons Friday for improper care of animals. She faces a maximum fine of $250.
Vienna police spokesman Bill Murray says most of the cats were taken to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. He says many of the cats have been adopted, but 19 had to be euthanized.
(Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.)
June 03, 2008
Laurie Cole: Morally Bankrupt & Dishonest to the Core Comments (6)
Laurie Cole voted against a new house last night at Vienna Town Council. Her statements were some of the most corrupt and unethical lies ever seen in Vienna Town Hall. We can't imagine who in Vienna actually thinks there is anything redeemable about Cole on either a political or human level. Others just as bad on this issue include Jane Seeman, George Lovelace, Carey Sienicki and Chuck Anderson. Video to follow.
Library Fun in Vienna! Comments (2)
Weekly Crime Report
By the Vienna Police Department
TOWN OF VIENNA POLICE REPORT 6/2/08
for the period May 23-June 1
Arrest Location:100 block Maple Ave., E.
Date/Time:3:20 p.m. May 27
Details:Police responded to a call for an intoxicated male harassing patrons at the Patrick Henry Library. The subject was identified as Emmett Thomas Mountcastle, 49, of Meadow Lane in Vienna. He was arrested for being Drunk in Public and transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
Vandalism Location:Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave., E.
Date/Time:11:55 a.m. May 28
Details:A window was broken on a vehicle in the parking lot of the Patrick Henry Library. Nothing was removed from the vehicle.
Arrrest Location:Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave., E.
Date/Time:12:10 a.m. June 1
Details:An officer observed several young men behind the library and subsequently charged Robert Michael Ashwell, 18, 11626 Ayreshire Rd., Oakton, with drunk in public and Justin Plymack, 18, 2752 Marshall Lake Dr., Oakton, with underage possession of alcohol.
June 02, 2008
Vienna Sued Over Fireworks Comments (7)
Vienna now will pay the piper. And to boot a nationally recognized attorney Joseph Cammarata is leading the case. Don't worry, we all know with the brain trust of Maud and Jane Vienna will be fine. Not.
Wait till everyone learns how sloppy Vienna is run. But it is our guess that the old geezers who keep these boobs in office are so decayed in the brain that they will never know or care how much Vienna has to shell out for its negligence.
