July 2008 Archives
When Will Vienna Get Cable Television? Comments (17)
Every so often, random people announce, while they like reading HistoricVienna.com, everyone who posts on here is crazy. It gets tiring after awhile.
Another town resident tried to start a warm fuzzy blog two years ago which fizzled out quickly since blogs work when the topics are controversial and the debate is heated.
Perhaps, if Mother Maud would let us have a television station, debates could take place in a more personal atmosphere with face to face discussion. Different types of programs could arise that would address many topics in town. But, to this day, not one member of Town Council believes we should have a cable television station.
Who in Northern Virginia is allowed to have a community channel?
Town of Herndon
http://www.hctv.org/
Reston
http://www.rctv28.com/index.htm
Falls Church
http://www.fcctv.net/
Fairfax County
http://www.fcac.org/
Vienna, Meet Your Neighbor. Comments (21)
For this special occasion, a song ...
It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor
Would you be mine
Could you be mine
It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood
A neighborly day for a beauty
Would you be mine
Could you be mineI've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with youSo, let's make the most of this beautiful day
Since we're together we might as well say
Would you be mine, could you be mine
Won't you be my neighbor
Won't you please, won't you please
Please won't you be my neighbor
Thank you, Mr. Rogers, we could not have said it any better.
Jaimea Espinal of Vienna
Our Elected Leaders Are All Worthless. Comments (16)
Every single one of them should resign. Keeping your head buried in the sand has gone on too long. None of this violence is random. We have a nasty underbelly that has come to stay in Vienna.
July 26, 2008
Stabbing at the Vienna Inn. Comments (7)
From Channel 7 News:
Police Arrest Man in Vienna Attack
Sun July 27, 2008 - VIENNA, Va.Police have arrested a Vienna man who allegedly stabbed an area restaurant worker.
Police say they received a call about 2:45 a.m. Saturday from an employee of Vienna Inn on Maple Avenue, reporting he had been assaulted. Officials found the 38-year-old man bleeding and took him to a local hospital, where he was in intensive care.
Police say 21-year-old Jaimea Espinal of Vienna has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding in the incident. Espinal allegedly stabbed the victim at the Maple Avenue Restaurant before making a quick getaway.
Those familiar with the area say they are shocked by the attack. "[Vienna] is generally a very safe community, so you don't hear a lot about anything like this happening," said former Vienna resident, Kevin Stratton.
Saturday morning was different.
The owner of the Virginia restaurant was at the hospital this morning and spoke with ABC 7/NewsChannel 8 reporter, Phil Stewart. "He's a great guy, a friendly guy, harmless, so we don't know," said Marty Volk, owner of the Vienna Inn. "We're waiting for the answers too."
Police say the the motive for the stabbing, and whether it happened inside or out, is unclear. But what they do know is the victim frequently works nights, cleaning up after closing time. Volk said, "He's coming in and out of the building several times."
Evidence was found both inside the restaurant and out in the parking lot.
"Everybody who works at the Vienna Inn is probably considered family on some level, so to have somebody get hurt...our hearts go out to them," said Vienna resident, Pat McCloskey.
The victim worked at the establishment for 14 years. He is described as an Hispanic male. He is a husband and father. He underwent surgery Saturday morning at Fairfax hospital and is expected to be OK. "Now that we've seen him; we're happy," said Volk. "Not happy that it happened, but we're happy that he's doing well. It could have been worse."
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July 24, 2008
Vienna Development 101. Comments (13)
The Maple Avenue Vision project was killed by Maud Robinson, Jane Seeman, George Lovelace and the rest of the lot.
If anyone out there wants to know what is in the report, you must read it. There are no Cliffs Notes. HistoricVienna.com is growing weary of posters who refuse to read the report and just want the quick sound bites spoon-fed to them.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE MAPLE AVENUE VISION REPORT (Can we make this any easier?).
Edythe, this was YOUR baby ... Comments (6)
Explain yourself.
Water rates debatedVienna - Oakton
By Monty Tayloe
Source: Fairfax County Times
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 2008
Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth have called for the Town of Vienna and the City of Falls Church to be investigated by the Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission over municipal water rates. Fairfax County residents that receive Vienna water pay a rate of $112.88 – a few dollars more than Town of Vienna residents -- while Fairfax County residents receiving water from Fairfax Water are paying $47.05."The discrepancy in water rates leading to the apparently unequal treatment of Fairfax County's residents is of serious concern to the county," reads the supervisors' board matter on the issue. Hudgins particularly attacks Falls Church for funneling water fees into its general fund. "Those Fairfax County residents who purchase water from [Falls Church] are effectively subsidizing [Falls Church's] property tax rate," Hudgins said.
According to Vienna Town Manager John Schoberlein, Vienna also transfers funds from water customers into its general fund. Town Councilwoman Edyth Kelleher said that the council will be studying Vienna's water issue this fall.
"This isn't something you can decide overnight," Kelleher said.
July 20, 2008
The Development of the Wolf Trap No Tell Motel Comments (41)
The Wolf Trap Motel was purchased in July 2007 by Hekemian. On their website, they describe their intentions for the land. Let us encourage and work with Hekemian to create a beautiful shopping and living area. How can we go wrong doing the exact opposite of what has always been done in Vienna?
As they describe below, the opportunities are boundless. We are only limited by the visions of Maud Robinson and Jane Seeman. Do you think they are actively working with Hekemian? Do you think they have even met with them? I am sure they are just hiding their heads in the sand because they really do not have a vision or even understand how to create one.
Vienna Virginia Redevelopment
Spanning 2.8 acres, the Vienna Virginia Redevelopment is a thoughtfully crafted village-style mixed-use project that will embrace the charm, history and vitality of Vienna, Virginia. Boundless opportunities exist for this high-traffic location in an affluent Northern Virginia neighborhood.
"What Power Lines? Where? All We See is Blue Sky" - direct quote from Vienna Town Council and Mayor Comments (5)
A recent post said Vienna needs to bury power lines but HistoricVienna.com wants know how you even see them?! The Maud-controlled party line is that you do not notice power lines because of two reasons: the telephone poles are green and are located on only one side of the street.
The Town, using as little common sense as possible, made a very, very, very, very, very, very STUPID decision when they they decided against burying the power lines with their lame Church Street/Maple Avenue beautification projects in the 1990s. They put us through traffic hell for years, killed a few businesses along the way and we still get to look at those ugly, aging power lines.
If a vote was put up to the people, who would have chosen the town green over burying power lines? If you want to visit a city who gets it right, just drive down Route 7 in the City of Falls Church on any day: bike trail bridge, buried power lines, and beautiful new mixed-use buildings.
July 18, 2008
10K Down the Drain? Comments (2)
Does anyone know whatever ever happened to this study? The town boobs can add this to the wasted 22K from the lame laser shows. How much of our money each year do these dimwits just throw away?
Could Even A Partial Tunnel Work? Comments (5)
A comment from regular poster, Wyltn, regarding opening up Abbotsford:
Tearing houses down and realigning roads is just the price the town, county and the state have to pay for their mistakes. I am surprised we haven't been offered a better idea other than tunneling under the length of Maple Avenue.
A idea was floated years ago to build a partial tunnel from about Center Street to Park Street. This would create a walking plaza across Maple Avenue near the public library, bike trail and, now, the Town Green. This would definitely solve the Maple Avenue and bike trail mess and improve the safety/sound on the Town Green.
July 17, 2008
Forget the Flop Houses and Child Rapes .... Comments (6)
ALL HANDS ON DECK: Someone might steal a fire-hydrant!
Police Ask Residents to Report Thefts of Fire-Hydrant Parts Thursday, July 17, 2008 Sun GazetteVienna police, citing reported thefts in other Northern Virginia jurisdictions, are asking residents to keep an eye out for people who have been stealing operating nuts from fire hydrants.
The brass nuts, which are located on top of the hydrants, are used to open and close the fireplugs' water-flow valves. Theft of these parts can render the fireplugs inoperable and cause a safety hazard, police said.
Prince William County police on July 9 arrested Douglas Mumaw, 40, of Strasburg, Va., after he allegedly tried to sell stolen fire-hydrant parts.
Vienna police said if residents see people stealing the hydrant nuts, they should call 911 and take notes, but not intervene. Observers should note description details of the thieves, their getaway vehicles and any of the occupants, police said.
Is the Vienna Times Reading HistoricVienna.com? Comments (5)
Vienna has eye on crime
By Monty TayloeWEDNESDAY, JULY 16 2008
In the past few months, the Town of Vienna has experienced a series of serious crimes, from the apparent murder of a young woman just outside the town borders last week to a string of recent sexual assault cases, and the attempted abduction of a man at knifepoint last month."We've had a lot of serious events in recent weeks. ... These kinds of events would stand out for us at any time," said Vienna Police Chief Robert Carlisle. However, despite the recent string of incidents, Carlisle says that for the year so far, crime in Vienna has not increased significantly over the last few years.
So far, Vienna has experienced two aggravated assaults in 2008. In all of 2007 there were five, in 2006 11. Chief Carlisle is quick to point out that the drop-off doesn't mean much more than an uptick would.
"When you have such small numbers of crimes, they can vary pretty wildly from year to year," Carlisle said.
The numbers are just as close in other categories of crime.
"So far this year we've had 17 burglaries, last year we had 26," Carlisle said.
One reason it may feel like a heavier year for crime in Vienna is that residents are getting more information from the police than they ever have before. "We are doing a much more robust program in pushing info out to the community," Carlisle said.
Last fall, Officer William Murray, a 20-year veteran of Vienna police work, became the force's first public information officer.
"Before, that information wasn't getting out, it wasn't as accessible," Murray said.
Murray's work means that violent crimes in Vienna are now ending up on the evening news and the local papers, which might contribute to some residents felling more unsafe. However, Carlisle says that's not the point.
"Knowledge is power. ... I think we can prevent more crimes by letting people know about what's happening," Carlisle said.
Even with that flood of knowledge, many Vienna citizens don't feel that their town has a crime problem.
Greg Moessian, whose Alfa Shoe Repair store has operated in Vienna for 20 years, says that crime is not a big worry for him.
"I feel very safe here," said Moessian. "I hear about some crimes, but not very often."
"Having traveled and seen what real crime is, I think we live in a very safe area," resident Deborah Pratt said.
"We're trying to put things out there as much as we can, if we have a thousand eyes in Vienna on crime maybe we can get ahead of it," Carlisle said.
Citizen of the Year? Seriously? Comments (3)
Did JDD get this for giving out the names, pictures and address of Chap Peterson's kids and passing it off as campaign literature? She surely couldn't have gotten this award for the abominable campaign she ran against Chap.
Vienna-Tysons Chamber Salutes Service Award Recipients by BRIAN TROMPETER, Staff Writer Wednesday, July 16, 2008The Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce on July 10 honored 10 local residents and businesses at its 2008 Annual Service Awards Luncheon.
Chamber leaders gave out eight Service Awards and two other honors at the event, which was held at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse in Tysons Corner.
Chamber chairman Tana Keeffe presented the organization's “Above and Beyond Award” to Gina Cocomello of The Alternative House.
Keeffe also presented the Chairman's Award to Rich Irons of First Citizens Bank.
Del. Stephen Shannon presented plaques to the Service Award winners.
The Business of the Year Award went to The Burdette Smith Group PC and was accepted by Robert Stemetzki.
Karin Arnette of Karin's Custom Images won the Business Person of the Year Award.
Joan Fletcher of Winning Ways Inc. received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, a former state delegate and state senator, took home the Citizen of the Year Award.
Vienna Tech Help received the chamber's New Member of the Year Award, which was accepted by James Orsinger.
The Non-Profit of the Year Award went to PRS (Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services) Inc. and was accepted by Wendy Gradison.
Kurt Mills, a former Virginia Army National Guard sergeant who now teaches physical education at Kilmer Middle School, received the Educator of the Year Award.
Navy Federal Credit Union was given the Lifetime Service Award, which was accepted by Louise Foreman.
Another Stupid Vienna Crook. Comments (2)
Too bad we don't have a police sketch ...
Alleged Champagne Thief Threatens Grocery Clerk Wednesday, July 16, 2008, Sun GazetteFairfax County police are looking for a man who allegedly stole champagne from a grocery store in the Vienna area on July 4 and threatened a clerk who confronted him.
The suspect entered the alcoholic-beverage section of the Safeway store at 3043 Nutley St. at about 8:45 a.m. and asked an employee about champagne.
After the employee returned to his duties, the suspect allegedly placed six bottles of champagne into his backpack and walked out without paying, police said.
The employee chased the suspect until he produced a knife and threatened the clerk. No one was injured, police said.
The suspect was described as white, between 18 and 22 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, 140 pounds, with short brown hair. He was wearing a blue shirt, khaki shorts and white shoes, police said.
July 15, 2008
Dude, Would Anyone Notice a Difference? Comments (8)
If Town Hall was opened 2 days a week, would anyone even notice?
State, Local Officials Eschew Idea of Four-Day Work Weeks by BRIAN TROMPETER, Staff Writer (Created: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 7:39 AM EDT)Virginia state and local officials say they're saving money and reducing pollution with teleworking and flexible schedules for employees, but do not plan to institute four-day work weeks anytime soon.
Utah this summer will become the first state to mandate that state-government employees work four-day weeks, according to a recent article in USA Today.
In Virginia, Gov. Kaine's office this week will announce changes to the state's teleworking system, said Delacey Skinner, a spokesman for the governor.
“The policy will allow managers and supervisors to determine policy for eligible [employees],” she said.
Some independent agencies in the state government are considering four-day employee work weeks, but government leaders insist that these agencies' customer-service offices be staffed five days per week, Skinner said.
Fairfax County officials are not considering any proposals for four-day work weeks, but do support an aggressive telework program, said Jeremy Lasich, a county spokesman.
“About 1,300 employees telework now and about 4,000 people have computer access from home, so they can work from home, if needed,” he said.
The town of Vienna's government also is not considering four-day weeks, said Nancy McMahon, administrative services director.
“Our residents are used to our being very, very accessible,” she said. “We can't flex-time the sanitation drivers.”
Vienna has offered a flex-time program for many years, implemented on a case-by-case basis. Employees usually are the ones who initiate such schedules, McMahon said.
“Out of 185 employees, I'm guessing that maybe at most 40 would work a traditional 9-to-5 schedule,” she said. “Town Hall is the only [location] that works a standard shift. It's really only suited for office personnel. [Police] patrol cars have to roll 24 hours per day.”
Vienna's government two months ago formed a “Green Team,” drawing from employees in every department, to examine materials used by the town and find ways to realize further energy savings. The group's report should be ready sometime this fall, McMahon said.
July 14, 2008
Best Places to Live: 2008 Comments (2)
From Money.com:
Best Places to Live: Money's list of America's best small citiesPlentiful jobs, excellent schools, affordable housing - America's best small cities have all that and more. See the top 100 best places to live - including detailed city profiles, homes for sale and million-dollar homes.
And the winners are...
1 Plymouth, MN
2 Fort Collins, CO
3 Naperville, IL
4 Irvine, CA
5 Franklin Township, NJ
6 Norman, OK
7 Round Rock, TX
8 Columbia/Ellicott City, MD
9 Overland Park, KS
10 Fishers, IN
11 Olathe, KS
12 Highlands Ranch, CO
13 Parsippany/Troy Hills, NJ
14 McKinney, TX
15 Carrollton, TX
16 Cary, NC
17 Eagan, MN
18 Richardson, TX
19 Hunter Mill, VA
20 Allen, TX
21 Abington, PA
22 Troy, MI
23 Piscataway, NJ
24 Apple Valley, MN
25 Sully, VA
26 Lakeville, MN
27 Ann Arbor, MI
28 Gilbert, AZ
29 Gaithersburg, MD
30 Chandler, AZ
31 Burke, VA
32 Bolingbrook, IL
33 Loveland, CO
34 Euless, TX
35 Edison, NJ
36 West Bloomfield Township, MI
37 Reston, VA
38 Frisco, TX
39 Shawnee, KS
40 Eden Prairie, MN
41 Maple Grove, MN
42 Bellevue, WA
43 Burnsville, MN
44 Westminster, CO
45 Franklin, TN
46 North Hempstead, NY
47 Scottsdale, AZ
48 Novi, MI
49 Newton, MA
50 Longmont, CO
51 Hamilton, NJ
52 Edmond, OK
53 Ames, IA
54 Wheaton, IL
55 Peoria, AZ
56 Missouri City, TX
57 Denton, TX
58 Washington, NJ
59 Clay, NY
60 St. Peters, MO
61 Sterling Heights, MI
62 Shelby, MI
63 Orem, UT
64 Sugar Land, TX
65 Chapel Hill, NC
66 Rockville, MD
67 Garland, TX
68 O'Fallon, MO
69 Lewisville, TX
70 Rochester, MN
71 Clarkstown, NY
72 Waltham, MA
73 Weston, FL
74 Aurora, IL
75 Union, NJ
76 West Hartford, CT
77 Howell, NJ
78 Coral Springs, FL
79 Lee's Summit, MO
80 Greenburgh, NY
81 Germantown, MD
82 St. Charles, MO
83 Sandy, UT
84 Henderson, NV
85 Chesapeake, VA
86 Middletown, NJ
87 Brookline, MA
88 Fargo, ND
89 Madison, WI
90 Roseville, CA
91 Fountain Valley, CA
92 Orland Park, IL
93 Blaine, MN
94 Sunnyvale, CA
95 Spring Valley, NV
96 Grand Prairie, TX
97 Bismarck, ND
98 Miramar, FL
99 Midlothian, VA
100 Wayne, NJ
Running for Mayor Comments (15)
From a HV reader:
When people run for public office, they should realize that all of their communication with their potential constituents is really like a job interview. The voters do the “hiring,” based on how much they like the candidate’s policies, his leadership skills, his interpersonal skills, and--fairly, or unfairly--how much they like him or her as a person. When holding a public office, one becomes the representative for not only the people who agree with the office holder, but all the residents of the jurisdiction. The bloggers on this website are among the constituents of the mayor of Vienna, and as such, should be treated with respect by a prospective mayoral candidate. Yet, Mr. Rossi has insulted us, baited us, refused to deal with us on our terms, rather insisting that we meet him on his terms. Will a citizen vote for someone who tells her sarcastically, that she doesn’t know the meaning of a word and to look it up in a dictionary? Will a citizen vote for someone who says, “trust me, I know what’s best for you”? Will a voter just accept that a mayor always has the best answer while refusing to listen to others or consider that others might have better answers? Will a citizen vote for someone who says his constituents aren’t worthy of good grammar? Would anyone get the job if they use poor grammar and insult the interviewee?
July 11, 2008
The Town Will Not Build Any New Sidewalks ... Comments (15)
... which can benefit whole neighborhoods and school children but ....
Audible Signals Approved by Council
by BRIAN TROMPETER,Staff WriterBlind pedestrians soon will be able to navigate the intersection of Follin Lane and Echols Street in southeast Vienna more easily, thanks to audible signals approved July 7 by the Vienna Town Council.
The council approved the $19,217 project after receiving assurances from town staff members that the signals would not disrupt the residential neighborhood.
Matthew Randall, an engineer with the town, said the volume of the equipment's locating beacon would automatically adjust depending on data from its ambient-noise sensor.
The device's louder chirping noises, which signal when it's safe for pedestrians to cross the street, would be activated only when people pushed a button, Randall said.
The signals had been requested by Louise Rothrock, a blind resident who moved to Valley Drive, S.E., to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.
Rothrock told the council her mobility instructor recommended the audible devices be installed.
“My one concern is that it not be too loud for the neighbors,” Rothrock said. “I wouldn't want to offend anybody in the neighborhood. I don't expect I would ever use it at night.”
Brothers Signal Co. of Leesburg will provide and install junction boxes and concrete foundations for $9,683. Sagres Construction will install concrete curb and gutter and handicapped-accessible ramps for $2,102. The remaining equipment and labor will be provided by the town for $7,434.
Young Girls Sexually Abused in Vienna Flop House Comments (13)
Town of Vienna, Virginia Police Department Media Information ReleaseMultiple Arrests for Unlawful Sexual Conduct
Involving Minors
On July 7, 2008 at approximately 10:00 a.m. Town of Vienna Police Officers responded to a residence on Cottage Street, SW in Vienna for an unwanted guest. An uninvited 19 year old Hispanic male was seen entering a home occupied by three young girls ages 10-13.
Arriving officers located the unwanted subject hiding in a bathtub within the home. The individual and all involved parties were interviewed. Subsequent to conducting interviews, detectives learned of several events which had occurred in the past involving two of the girls.
Additional investigation revealed that sometime during the month of April, 2008 a then 17 year old male, engaged in Unlawful Carnal Knowledge of a Minor with one of the girls. This offense is a Class 6 Felony and the individual, now an adult, is being charged as a juvenile because of his age at the time of the offense. The individual, currently 18 years of age, was arrested and transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, formally charged, and held without bond.
Continuing investigation revealed that another adult male, Luis Roberto Portillo Ramos, 20 years of age of Vienna, had solicited sex from one of the girls. He was charged with Indecent Liberties with a Child, a Class 5 Felony. Mr. Portillo Ramos was already incarcerated on an unrelated charge at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. He was formally charged with Indecent Liberties with a Child and held without bond.
A third adult male, Jose Narisco Ramos Portillo, 19 years of age, of no fixed address was also arrested and charged with Aggravated Sexual Battery involving one of the girls. This charge is an unclassed Felony punishable by 1-20 years in prison upon conviction. This individual was also arrested and transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he is being held without bond.
Please contact MPO Bill Murray for further information at
703.255.6396 or wmurray@viennava.gov
July 10, 2008
Vienna Cannot Be Bothered With Such Silly Trendiness Comments (12)
According to the Washington Post's Food Section, tangy frozen yogurt is all the rage. Here are a list of locations where you can find it:
Building a Yogurt Capital
Wednesday, July 9, 2008; D01Now serving:
Iceberry: Reston, Springfield, Chantilly, South Riding
Mr. Yogato: Dupont Circle
Sweetgreen: Georgetown
Tangysweet: Dupont Circle
Planning to open:
Iceberry: Georgetown
Sweetgreen: Dupont Circle
Red Mango: Scouting locations in Tysons Corner, Reston, Bethesda and Georgetown
HV notices Vienna doesn't make the list and, as a matter of fact, we never do. But, who cares if tangy frozen yogurt is the new best thing since sliced bread?! The Town of Vienna must stick to their guns and NOT EVER OPENLY COURT any business that the good residents of Vienna may actually like. Forget Panera Bread where Hollywood Video used to be. Forget Trader Joe's in the old That's Amore location. It's all just faddish nonsense. We all really should just continue to shop at Magruder's and get our nails done. Mother Maud knows what is best for us and we should thank her.
Young Girl Sexually Assaulted Comments (0)
Girl assaulted in ViennaFairfax County
Source: Fairfax County Times
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9 2008
A 13-year-old girl reported that she was sexually assaulted while visiting relatives Vienna last weekend, according to the Town of Vienna police.
On July 1, the victim was alone at the Nutley Street home of a relative when a black male aged 18 or 19 allegedly entered the home and forced the girl to have sexual intercourse. The crime wasn't reported until July 8. Police are still investigating how the subject, a stranger, gained entry to the residence.
The suspect is described as a black male, 18-19 years old about 5 feet 11 inches with twisted or braided hair, two vertical shave marks in each eyebrow, single diamond earrings in both ears and a tattoo on the right shoulder depicting a cross with the letters “R.I.P.” under it. He was wearing a black V-neck T-shirt, black socks, new black Jordan sneakers and was wearing a silver chain necklace with a heavy 5-6-inch cross hanging on the end.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Detective Tina Brook of the Vienna Police Department at 703-255-6395.
July 09, 2008
Oldie But Goodie: Beulah Road Mulching Nonsense Comments (9)
HV would like to state for the record that we are more than happy to give up curb side leaf pick up and leaf mulch deliveries. Beulah Road Park deserves to be more than a service for a few residents in the town of Vienna.
Can anyone think of another use for such a nice, convenient piece of land that the Town owns? Skate park? Amphitheater? Public pool? Such a shame that we still subject the park's neighbors to that horrible looking wall and mulching.
NE Vienna Residents: What say you all?
Woman's Body Found on Malraux Drive near Trail Comments (4)
Please see section in bold below. Doesn't this mean she was found pretty much on/near the trail? Over the years, the trail has been the site of numerous criminal attacks.
Arrest Made in Slaying of Vienna Woman
(Created: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 9:06 AM EDT)
Sun Gazette
Fairfax County police have arrested a 30-year-old Woodbridge man in connection with the July 4 slaying of a 25-year-old Vienna-area woman.
A resident found the woman's body shortly after 6:30 a.m. on the sidewalk in the 2300 block of Malraux Drive.
The victim, identified as Homaira Rahman of Litwalton Court, apparently had suffered upper-body trauma, police said. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, officials said.
Police arrested Ehsan Amin of Woodbridge at Inova Fairfax Hospital on July 4 and took him to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he was charged with abduction and murder.
Authorities said the victim and suspect may have known each other.
Rahman's body was discovered within sight of the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. Police ask anyone who may have been on the trail or in that vicinity recently to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (866) 411-8477 or county police at (703) 691-2131.
July 07, 2008
F%$king Awesome. Comments (4)
Let's hear it for NW Vienna. Whoo-hoo! And, you all thought all the fun was just at Cedar Lane?! Nothing says Happy 4th of July like an abduction at knife-point. Isn't this the same day we found the dead body across town in the Dunn Loring area?
Town of Vienna, Virginia Police Department Media Information Release
Man Abducted and Threatened With a Knife
On July 4, 2008 at approximately 2:11 p.m., units from the Town of Vienna Police Department responded to the 100 Block of Lewis Street, NW for a reported assault. After arriving, an officer began interviewing the complainant in Spanish. The complainant reported that earlier in the day at approximately 2:00 a.m. another individual that lives in the home had attempted to make contact with the victim. The victim was sleeping and had his door locked so the subject was unsuccessful in making contact. Later on that same morning, the victim awoke and came out of his bedroom. He was approached by the same individual, Vicente De Jesus Carrion Espinosa, 42, of Lewis Street in Vienna, and told to go run an errand for him. The victim refused and was then threatened with a knife. The victim fled and secreted himself in a bedroom. The arrested subject forced the victim to remain in his room under threat of violence for approximately 4 hours. At approximately 2:00 p.m. the victim was able to exit the room and call the police. Officers entered the home and found the suspect, Mr. Carrion Espinosa. He was arrested and charged with Abduction by Force and transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he is being held without bond.
Stupid Town Decals: Free To Whomever Needs to Feel Good About Vienna. Comments (5)
From the town website: Does your car windshield look empty without a Town of Vienna vehicle registration decal?
Our Answer: No.
Can We Really Call This Traffic Calming if Nothing is Ever Calmed? Comments (53)
How about the "Committee for Never, Ever Implementing One Good Idea to Help Vienna's Traffic."
Here are a few of our ideas:
- Get rid of all "Do Not Enter" signs for town residents. If a Town of Vienna resident wants to drive on Country Club Drive at 4:30pm on Wednesday afternoon, they should absolutely be allowed. This dumbness has gone on long enough.
- Open Abbotsford, at the very least , from Lawyers Road to Route 7. Life would be better for every one.
- Open up Cherry Street by the Community Center to Spring Street - why is this street blocked?
- Make some of the turn lanes in the middle of Maple Avenue islands. People just whiz down the turning lanes for blocks.
- Actually use the police to enforce blocked intersections on Maple Avenue during rush hour. Stop having police just sit at Courthouse/Locust to check for expired stickers.
About UsThe Transportation Safety Commission provides criteria, a program, and a procedure in considering, evaluating, and implementing requests for the installation of traffic calming measures on residential streets in the Town of Vienna. The Town has complete responsibility for traffic management activities for all streets within the Town limits. The five program goals seek to address the following:
1. Enhance and preserve the quality of life and neighborhood livability.
2. Create a safe and attractive street system by enhancing the safety and efficiency of streets within the Town of Vienna.
3. Promote pedestrian, cycle, and transit use.
4. Incorporate the preferences and requirements of the people using the area (residing, working, or playing) along the street or at intersections.
5. Help reduce the negative effects of motor vehicles on the environment.
Objectives include the following:
1. Achieve slower speeds for motor vehicles.
2. Reduce collision frequency and severity.
3. Improve the safety and the perception of safety for non-motorized users of the streets.
4. Reduce cut-through motor vehicle traffic. (HV note: Actually this idea is being challenged by many communities. Keeping all traffic clogged on one main artery is stupid. Eliminating cul-de-sacs and building communities with streets that connect helps keep people on side roads who do not ordinarily need to be stuck on the main drag. i.e. driving to a friend's house across town)
5. Reduce need for police enforcement.
Principles of the plan:
1. Traffic calming planning will be community based and supported, by the Town administration and staff.
2. Traffic calming measures must directly affect driver behavior and improve the safety of all users of the street (e.g., children, elderly, handicapped, pedestrians, and cyclists).
3. Traffic calming measures will be considered when ever petitioned by Town residents as specified in the full Citizen's Guide to Traffic Calming in Vienna (click this link), available here in Adobe Acrobat.
4. Traffic calming measures will be considered on new streets and/or when existing streets are considered for major reconstruction or repair.
July 06, 2008
WHOA! An Actual Halloween Theme for the Halloween Parade?! Holy smokes! Comments (1)
You mean we are not going to be celebrating Jamestown again this year? Nothing gets the kids excited for Halloween quite like historical events. Rats.
Count Gore De Vol
Vienna Halloween Parade Committee Starts Work
Sunday, July 6, 2008 7:48 AM EDT - Sun GazetteThe Vienna Halloween Parade Committee has started its planning for the 62nd annual parade, to be held on Oct. 29.
The next parade planning committee meetings are slated for 9 a.m. on July 10 and Aug. 7 at the Vienna Community Center.
The theme of this year's parade is “It's an Old-Fashioned Halloween,” and the grand marshal will be Vienna's favorite vampire, Count Gore De Vol, the online host of “Creature Feature.”
July 05, 2008
Cool. It is About Time Someone is Challenging the Mayor. Comments (7)
HistoricVienna.com just received this ...
Ladies and Gentlemen,As a resident of Vienna Va for 48 years. Thats right my entire life. I went through the ranks of Vienna schools, VYI Football, basketball, baseball, soccer. I was President of the Vienna Jaycees, Director in the Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Halloween parade...etc etc. I love Vienna more then I love most things in life. My hometown. The town I tear up about when I drive through the streets and remember. However in the past 5 years I have grown quite displeased with so many things in the town. I read about Mayor Jane Seeman and can tell you all, it's all true. She out of touch and I speak on direct issues I bought to Ms. Seeman myself. My issues were ignored and now she doesn't even want to talk to me anymore. I have sat in on many of the town council meetings, traffic control meetings and carefully listened to the residents and the complaints they had on their streets issues. I wrote down everything they said and periodically go to the streets that have a traffic problem and absolutely nothing has been done. If you want the Fairfax County residents to continue to cut through our neighborhoods, then I suggest you vote for Mayor Jane Seeman
However, I ask you all to be patient. I am announcing that I will challenge her for the position of Mayor in 2010. I have a traffic control plan that as Mayor I will order in to affect immediately. The quality of our lives have declined due to the same old policies here in the Town of Vienna. Also, the 23K spent on the Laser show in my opinion was a flop. Money not wisely spent. At the opening of the ceremony, Ms. Seeman even announced that this was a beginning of a long tradition in the Town, meaning be prepared for an expensive laser show that equates to nearly $ 20.00 per second.
Please comment to me directly at rossihere2@hotmail.com
I will need all your help and I will always put common sense first and will always put the hearts of all the good folks like you first as well..
Sincerely
Charles A Rossi
121 Locust St SW
Vienna Virginia 22180
703 498 6882
Seriously, What is This Place Coming To? Comments (7)
You want to rob, cheat, steal, kill - come to Vienna. No one is on duty. No one is home. It is the wild, wild west.
Man, 30, Is Charged In Woman's SlayingBy Michael Laris
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, July 5, 2008; B03The body of a 25-year-old woman was found on the sidewalk of a cul-de-sac in the Vienna area early yesterday, and Fairfax County police said they charged a man with abduction and murder in the case.
The victim, Homaira Rahman, lived a half-mile from where she was found, according to police. Detectives think that she and the suspect knew each other, said Officer Don Gotthardt, a Fairfax police spokesman.
Police declined to give details of how Rahman was killed, but they said she suffered trauma to her upper body. An autopsy will be performed.
Gotthardt said the suspect, Ehsan Amin, 30, lives in the 16000 block of Kings Mountain Drive in Woodbridge. However, a man reached by telephone at that address said Amin stays there only occasionally.
Amin was taken to Fairfax's Adult Detention Center, police said.
Tooba Mayel, a close friend of Rahman's family, said Rahman was a generous and sparkling force among loved ones and the broader Afghan community. Her family moved to the area in the 1980s, and she was born in the United States.
"She was a beautiful, tall girl with a smile on her face," Mayel said. "Friends and family always called her sunshine. Our entire community is in grief right now."
Rahman encouraged young Afghan American women to find jobs, Mayel said, and "she was always volunteering to do charity work for the kids in Afghanistan."
Rahman, who lived in the 8700 block of Litwalton Court in the Vienna area, was also known among her friends as "the fashionista," Mayel said. "She wore the best clothes, the newest trends in clothes. She just had a lot of love for that," Mayel said. "She's just a very colorful person. She's always wearing bright colors, happy-go-lucky, very bubbly."
A man out for a walk came across Rahman's body in the 2300 block of Malraux Drive shortly after 6:30 a.m., police said.
"Her arms were very badly scraped up," said Dennis McAuliffe, a neighbor who also saw the scene. Rahman was fully clothed, and a pocketbook lay by her side, he said.
"I don't know if there's a quieter street in Vienna, in Fairfax County, than here," McAuliffe said.
Flags dotted the neighborhood for the Fourth of July.
"People don't drive fast. There are a lot of kids. It's a pretty family-oriented neighborhood," resident Ron Alexander said.
Staff researcher Eddy Palanzo contributed to this report.
July 03, 2008
"Little Ole' Me Did Nothing Wrong" (Insert Sheepish Grin) Comments (6)
Vienna thrusts liability for injuries on fireworks firm in lawsuits
Jul 3, 2008
By William C. Flook, The Examiner
WASHINGTON -
Vienna leaders, facing two lawsuits over a July 4th fireworks disaster last year, argue the town’s contract with the pyrotechnics company hired to do the show frees the town from any liability in the incident.
Michael Ku and his son Conley were among the 11 onlookers injured when a defective box of Chinese-manufactured mortars launched into the crowd during the event’s finale at Waters Field. Both have lawsuits filed against the town, Fairfax County and Ronks, Pa.-based Schaefer Pyrotechnics.
In June court filings, the town lays responsibility for ensuring the safety of the display at the feet of Schaefer, based on their contract. Vienna claims the company is obligated under that agreement to hold the town harmless from any lawsuits or damages stemming from an accident.
Also as part of the contract, “Schaefer expressly undertook both directly and through its subcontractors to take every precaution at all times for the protection of persons and property, including Vienna’s employees and property,” the court document stated.
It continued: “Schaefer was also responsible for initiating, maintaining and supervising all safety precautions and programs in connection with the work for which it was engaged, i.e. Fourth of July fireworks show.”
Schaefer was cleared of any wrongdoing after a Fairfax County investigation of the incident. In a May 30 interview, owner Kimmel Schaefer blamed the accident on a product he had custom-ordered from a Chinese factory. He declined comment on Wednesday.
A Fairfax County spokesman and Vienna spokeswoman also declined comment, citing policies on pending litigation. The Kus’ attorney, Joseph Cammarata, could not be reached.
The lawsuits, filed in March, each allege the victims suffered serious injuries during the mishap. Conley Ku’s injuries included second-degree burns to his leg and a perforated right ear drum that left him with hearing loss. Michael Ku suffered second-degree burns to his chest, abdomen and shoulder, as well as puncture wounds to his abdomen and pelvis.
Vienna will conduct a laser light show this Independence Day as a result of the accident.
wflook@dcexaminer.com
July 01, 2008
Dumb, Dumb, Dumb Comments (1)
Limo Driver and Accomplice Allegedly Rob Man in Vienna
Sun Gazette
(Created: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 12:02 PM EDT)
A limousine driver and an accomplice allegedly abducted and robbed a 26-year-old Manassas man on June 21, Fairfax County police said.
The victim was lost in Washington, D.C., at around 3:30 a.m. when he saw a limousine at a gas station. The man asked the driver for a ride to Vienna and offered to pay. The driver obliged and after a short ride, stopped to pick up another man, police said.
As the driver passed over Interstate 66 on Nutley Street, the second passenger allegedly pulled out a gun and demanded money from the victim, police said.
The suspects drove the victim to an ATM and allegedly ordered him to withdraw money and return to the car. The victim complied and handed over his money, police said.
The suspects continued driving and the victim attempted to get out of the car. The doors were locked but the suspect who was driving eventually stopped the car and the victim escaped. The victim was not injured, police said.
Both suspects were described as black. The driver was between 38 and 45 years old, about 6 feet tall and 250 pounds. He had a long beard only on his chin and wore glasses, a light-colored sweater and light-colored pants.
The second suspect was between 24 and 28 years old, about 6 feet 1 inch tall and 150 pounds, wearing a blue shirt and dark blue jeans.
