We Would Laugh If We Weren't About To Cry

Roy Baldwin is a dirt bag divorce attorney.

“I see a job that needs doing and I'm the best one to do it,” she said. “I have a lot of government experience that I think will translate well in Richmond.”

Kelleher said she would like to help Virginia make progress on transportation, education, public-safety, stormwater-management and health-care issues, but for now would focus on the state's budget.

WHAT EXPERIENCE? WHAT HAS SHE DONE FOR VIENNA BUT KEEP HER SEAT WARM? SHE'S A DO NOTHING, KNOW NOTHING.

DOES SHE THINK THAT JUST SITTING ON VIENNA TC WHERE MAUD RAN THE SHOW, COUNTS FOR EXPERIENCE? GET A F-ING CLUE KELLEHER, YOU DID NOT HELP VIENNA AT ALL.

HV HAS ALWAYS BEEN KIND THROUGH THE YEARS TO EDITH HOPING THAT SHE WAS THE DARK HORSE ON THE TC, AND ACTUALLY MAY GET SOMETHING DONE. THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE, DESPITE ALL THE CONVERSATIONS, SMILES AND WINKS.

HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN DOING THIS DIATRIBE ABOUT LOWERING OUR WATER RATES? AND EACH YEAR PEOPLE SWALLOW THAT HOMETOWN GIRL:-) ISN'T SHE NICE?

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW SHE WILL RAISE EVERYTHING ONCE SHE GETS IN A HIGHER POSITION.
EDITH I NEVER SAW A TOWN, CITY, STATE OR COUNTRY THAT WAS TAXED INTO PROSPERITY, AND I NEVER GOT A JOB FROM A POOR MAN.

Edythe does seem to have the Sun Gazette in her back pocket despite having accomplished little. Was it a coincidence that the front page of that edition had a picture of her sons?

Edythe is a pretty tireless worker for the Town of Vienna. She volunteers for everything, works hard for the Lion's Club, the American Legion, etc. She's been the PTA President at Vienna Elementary and Madison, has volunteered on County-level committees, etc. She founded the "Friends of the Town Green" to get private sponsors for concerts during the summer (so Vienna taxpayers don't sponsor them) and she forced the Town Council to drop the extra meals tax - which infuriated Maud and Jane. In fact, Maud and Jane don't speak to her (or her children) anymore - so please don't assume that she's buddy-buddy with them.

Obviously, Edythe is a good friend of mine - she's one of the first people to go to when you need something done at a school or for the band or for a school club. In addition, she has a lot of experience with transportation and land use issues i.e., some of the most important issues that we face in NOVA. The other candidates don't have her experience or her committment to Vienna. Mark Keam (who lives in the townhouses near the Metro - his kids go to Marshall Road) is a professional politician. He was Hill staff, then worked on a bunch of Democratic campaigns - Chap's, Mark Warner's, Webb's, Connolly's, Bulova's, Obama's. He shows great committment to the Democrats but I don't see too much committment to the people of our district.

What has Edythe accomplished politically? Lots of us are very involved in the PTA and other local civic/non-profit groups.

Since I did not support the Town Green, why do I care that there are free concerts? What about the Town water? What about the cable channel?

Pathetic:

http://www.historicvienna.com/2006/11/town_of_vienna_efforts_to_secu.html

Equally pathetic:

http://www.historicvienna.com/2008/07/edythe_this_was_your_baby.html

Exactly seriously! What has she DONE? A lot of us volunteer.

You know it is time that voters stop feeling, and start THINKING! So she is your friend Groovis, great what does that mean? My water prices keep rising and Edith keeps saying she is going to do something. Is that enough now days? Just to say something? Traffic is getting worse, Maple Ave looks dismal. But hey Edith volunteers and is your friend...

Likely I am your friend, too.

Edythe HAS worked tirelessly for TOV - She attends and is acitve in the Lions Club, putting in dozens of Community Service Hours on the Christmas Tree Lot. She is a real force in the American Legion, where she chairs the Legislative Committee, and reports monthly on the happenings in Richmond. She has organized myriad Political Debates for our Town, including last year's Senatorial Debate between Chap Petersen and Jeannemarie Devolite Davis. Edythe is always present at the Chamber of Commerce meetiing and events, volunteering and pushing various agendas forward. When I attended the Tysons Task Force Meetings, I could always depend on seeing Edythe's face there. She is amazing with the Madison PTA -working patiently and constantly with those people,and coordinating the annual Ethics Day, a joint venture between JMPTSA and the local Chamber. Edythe is the first one to call for Town Green Events - Love it or hate it, Edythe has organized a group of local businesses to sponsor concerts, such that the price is not put back on the Town or local Citizens.

But I wax poetic....Like Groovis Maximus, Edythe is my friend. I can call her, I can email her, and she ALWAYS is there to meet me and listen to my political kevetchings...She just appears when I most need her, and when we talk, she LISTENS, and I know she will carry my voice forward however she is able...

So, I AM - EDYTHE FAN....

I get it - Edythe volunteers. Unfortunately, if you look at what you wrote as criteria as *political* accomplishments for Vienna, you've really named nothing. Those are civic accomplishments.

I cannot support any TOV politician for another elected political office.

I have never seen Edythe at a Tysons Task Force meeting except perhaps the couple of public worksessions they had where many people from Vienna showed up. It is not something she has been terribly involved with. Laurie Cole gets credit for her involvement and efforts more than anyone else on the Council.

For those who worship at the feet of St. Edythe, I've got news for you: she doesn't give a damn about you or your children.

When citizens BEGGED her to do something about the day laborers bothering children walking to Thoreau in the mornings, SHE LAUGHED.

I glad she thinks it's so funny.

Here's my piece of advice: dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

I was not a fan of Jeannemarie but she got it - look the part of a successful politician. Don't schlep around town looking like you are a model for a SNL skit about mom jeans. Just because you own it, does not make it right.

All that said, do not show up at a cocktail attire event in pleated front khaki pants, comfortable flats and a sweater set. It's not volunteer day at the library.

Edythe was a weasel in Mason District and has brought the same to Vienna. How do you know when she is lying-when her lips are moving.

All of these comments make me wish Stich had won.

Yes, many of us wished she had won. Unfortunately, when you have the Town Council, the Mayor & her family and all their minions spreading horrible rumors about Susan, it's hard to beat.

It is probably all for the better. You would have been attacking her character within five years anyway.

Miss London:

You appear to be an insufferable snot.

Dress for the person you ARE, not the person you hope will impress others.

Good Luck with your Good Looks.

Let's grow up and take our town politics seriously and not treat it like an after thought to be performed on the way to a PTA meeting or after dropping the kids off at soccer. This is a real town with real issues amid one of the most important areas in the country. Looking the part of a professional is not a new idea (why does Chap Peterson always have on a suit and tie?). This has nothing to do with the latest designer duds or expensive clothing but rather putting yourself together to make others take you seriously. You don't show up at a job interview wearing jeans and a sweatshirt.

Politicians are on display 24/7. You ARE our representatives - it is a serious obligation. I want to know you give the job the proper consideration it deserves.

I miss the days of powdered wigs and knickers. Those guys really knew how to get it done.

Stacy, if you ever have the chance, ask Bill Gates about the relationship between business attire and acumen/success.

I totally agree with "our snotty friend!" I think even in the business world it has been shown that productivity decreases on "dress down Friday". I happen to think it is important to take pride in your appearance.

I wish I would have won too Internet!

It continues to break my heart when I see all the possibilities that Vienna has to become a true gem of the NOVA area. It continues to be frustrating to see other places that are growing and prospering while we stay stagnant. I have and continue to be so sick of that "small Town feel" drivel that has kept people afraid of any change. The word to be used, and followed is Community and Pride! It is becoming more difficult to have that in a place with a deteriorating Maple Ave.

OK, OK - you all have changed my mind with your articulate arguments in favor of poor dressing. I now believe sweat suits and sneakers should be the mandatory attire for all Town Council meetings and public appearances.

Stacy, which Council member wears sweat suits and sneakers to meetings?

Susan, as I said, unfortunately it is probably for the better (for you and your family) that you did not get elected this time around.

Not saying who it was but I witnessed a TC member canvassing a neighborhood recently in something no better than a sweat suit/tennis shoes. It was attire fit for gardening not trying to solicit citizen's votes. But, if you do nothing for the town, why do you need to wear anything other than comfy clothes meant for lazing around on the sofa eating popcorn?

You are probably right Internet!

I'm sorry to say that this site has become pretty disappointing. All this talk about how Edythe dresses--there's merit to both arguments, but is that really the most important thing to discuss here? What kind of JOB does she do? What has she ACCOMPLISHED? I'm not even sure if she's been good or bad, but let's talk about it here. My biggest disappointment is that with all the bright people here, we couldn't find a single candidate to run for town council. Yea, yea, I know it would be really difficult, but we can't bring improvements to the town if no one even tries. Susan & Deborah deserve a lot of credit for running and I can understand why they wouldn't put themselves out there again, but we owe it to them to continue their efforts.

Some of us have many small children and it's not the time to run due to familial constraints. We are a town of 15,000+ residents and, yes, there must be at least a dozen people out there who could step in and run. The current lot cannot be the only politically minded citizens in this town.

I think Anne that the truth is she has accomplished nothing. She has been saying for years she is going to try to get help with the water pricing, she is open to the Maple Ave vision....but what has she done. Why on earth would we put her in a higher office?

She is one vote. I do not know how she has voted on water, nor do I know what she has said behind closed doors about the issue. But candidates every year make ridiculous promises that are beyond their one-vote power. Every year, it is the same thing: I will fix traffic. Great. How? And even if you figure out how to vote on something before you, how do you do it with just one vote?

How has she voted on water bill issues?