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September 27, 2007
The Town Council's Resident Intellectual Comments (13)
George E. Lovelace has put pen to paper and come up with an instant classic in the Town newsletter:
Vienna is more than a collection of people and buildings. Rather it is a mosaic of neighborhoods. Essentially, our neighborhoods represent the building blocks and glue that define the town. Our neighborhoods comprise residents who have lived here over 50 years as well as those who have moved here recently. As I talk to residents around town, both newcomers and long-time residents, all clearly indicate that they chose Vienna as a place to live and raise their children because of its small-town character. The health of the town depends on the vitality of the neighborhoods. Neighborhood pride is demonstrated by well-maintained properties, changing home styles, families in the parks, street improvements, and a sense of safety. Maintaining this atmosphere is critical to the continued vitality of neighborhoods and ultimately the town as a whole. Citizens have assumed the responsibility to make sure it stays that way. The neighborhood watch programs, block parties, volunteers in the youth sports programs, arts and craft opportunities, support of the library, churches, schools, and service organizations demonstrate their resolve. Neighborhoods look to the town government for support in the way of events, communications, planning, infrastructure, recreation, and public safety. Citizens expect to be heard on issues that affect the neighborhoods. The tenacity of residents committed to ensuring that Vienna re- mains primarily residential is constantly demonstrated. Recently, a group of residents spoke clearly and in numbers, offering their opinions about a proposed development to be inserted into their neighborhood. The residents’ voices were heard, and the development was unanimously rejected by the Council. There are challenges. The primary challenge has been the arrival of McMansions, which provided impetus to overall change in the neighborhoods. This was the second change that I experienced, the first coming in the late 1960s to the mid-1970s when small cottages were replaced by larger two-story single-family homes; McMansions added another story. The significant factor in each change is that the residential zoning code has not changed in a meaningful way. This code is the foundation for the policy to maintain Vienna as a single-family residential community in all of our neighborhoods. The inflow of McMansions into the neighborhoods pumped up property values. For many, it proved to be a good thing. For others, particularly long-time residents who intend to remain in their homes, rising property values proved to be a burden. Some have left. Overall, the community has accepted this change as good. Our neighborhoods, although changed, have brought new families who believe in the small-town character of Vienna. They have become participating and valued citizens. As the housing stock changes, the town government faces the challenge to ensure that new houses meet the building code, particularly building height, setbacks, and lot coverage. I recently accompanied members the Town’s Planning and Zoning and Public Works staffs to observe how we ensure the Town’s building code is met. On site, physical measurements were made to verify setback, lot coverage and adherence to the lot grading plan approved by Public Works. Building height measurements are taken from engineering drawings provided by the developer. In order to assure our citizens of building height compliance, we will have to adjust our methods for verifying the height measurements. Stormwater runoff from newly constructed McMansions has had in some cases a deleterious effect on the Town’s infrastructure. We are challenged to address stormwater runoff at the construction stage. One way to approach this issue is to assess the first floor height of the property adjacent to the planned new construction as well as other houses along the street. The approved grading plan for the new house would adhere to the grade in the area. In upcoming work sessions the Town staff and the Council will determine how these issues will be best accomplished. Another challenge is improved communications with town citizens. The widespread use of the Internet might make the delivery of news, events and other areas of citizen interest more efficient over this medium. Also, infrastructure maintenance, particularly street and water and sewer maintenance, must continue to be a high priority. The future of our neighborhoods is dependent upon our ability to resist relaxing restrictions as outlined in the residential zoning code. Current residential development is now at the limit of the code. We must resist proposed changes that purport to take us to the “next level.” Pressure on residential zoning can come from several directions, for example, blighted properties. There are several areas in Vienna where properties are old but they have not fallen to the condition of being blighted. Usually, properties such as these are purchased by developers and become candidates for infill development. Another scenario might be applications from developers for townhouse/condo units in residential zones requiring a rezoning. The historic district must be protected from the pressure to change zoning categories. My goal in writing this article was to point out how valuable neighborhoods are to our town. Keeping Vienna a residential community is the vision of founding citizens and elected officials. I believe that strong, vibrant neighborhoods are the backbone of this community. I look forward to hearing from you on any matter, especially matters that will aid in the improvement of Vienna.
Got that everyone? The logic of a politician: promise everyone something while simultaneously saying absolutely nothing of substance all the while ignoring the real world. Good job George.
September 10, 2007
George Lovelace Targets Vienna Block Parties Comments (13)
Town Council member George Lovelace tonight wanted to make sure that the block party problem in Vienna was under control. You did not know there was a block party problem? No one else on Town Council knew it was a problem either. Good to see that Lovelace is at the top of his game working for Vienna citizens.
April 05, 2007
George Lovelace: Saying Nothing Comments (2)
From George Lovelace this week:
"I’ve grown to understand Vienna, grown to understand what it is to be in Vienna, and how it’s important to retain those ideals that the town was founded on...The last thing I want to see happen is for Vienna to lose its unique quality."
Blah, blah, blah, blah...
Do any of these incumbents have the ability to say something remotely relevant? Do we simply put Lovelace back in office because he is a nice guy? We should give new people a chance to solve problems that Lovelace clearly can't solve. It's time for George to get the gold Vienna watch and an easy chair. Him and Maud could perhaps form a checkers club to pass the time.
March 26, 2007
George Lovelace: Time to Retire Comments (4)
It is 2007, not 1985. The time has come for fresh blood and the word fresh can't be used to describe anything about George Lovelace. Vienna has real challenges that are not being met. We don't need people on Council who are there to feed their ego and get adulation. You don't like our tone? Look at it politically. What has George Lovelace done on Vienna Town Council since 2003? Exactly - nothing.
"Forget the Fence Color, I Want to Know the Finish"
January 27, 2007
George Lovelace: Coming or Going? Comments (1)
Mixed messages are floating across Vienna about George Lovelace. Is he retiring this year or not? Is he a 2007 Town Council candidate or not?
November 03, 2006
Mother Maud Robinson Rips George Lovelace about Town Green Memorial and He Rolls Over Comments (3)
In this clip George Lovelace tries to do the right thing initially:
The clip above has Town of Vienna employee Cathy Salgado also speaking with her back to the camera.
But then Darth Maud retorts:
After Darth Maud said her peace, George shut up.
March 03, 2006
George Lovelace v. Logic Comments (0)
In 1998 the Vienna Town Council voted to add a property to the Windover Heights Historic District. Then citizen George Lovelace stood up at the microphone to voice his support of adding a new house to the District without any review board approval. From the verbatim minutes of that meeting comes this Lovelace comment:
"What kind of a symbol would we set if we chose not to allow someone who WANTED to be in the District, to leave them out? I think we want to send a message that says we still are for historic preservation..."
Follow that logic? George Lovelace's logic to support adding a property to the Windover Heights Historic District was asinine. From that same Town Council meeting, then Town Council member Steve Briglia added more "logic":
"I also feel that once you are in [in the Windover Heights Historic District] you are going to have to come up with pretty compelling reasons to be let out. So if you are willing to be let in, I think that speaks highly. I think getting out may be a little harder the next time."
It is no longer 1950, it is 2006 and garden club style politics need to be retired once and for all. Vienna cannot afford to jeopardize its recent ranking as a great place to live.
February 02, 2006
George Lovelace Defends Obscenity Comments (1)
This week in a local newspaper George Lovelace defended the now departed Chairman of the Windover Heights Board of Review by declaring:
"Whoever we decide to put up there next, you can believe they are going to go through the same process."
We are not sure what Lovelace means exactly by the term "process". However, if the Vienna Town Council replaces their Chairman with another "volunteer" who throws f-bombs at citizens and who is incapable of answering basic questions as to the rules of the Review Board, Lovelace is right, they will go through the same "process".
December 03, 2005
Smithsonian Institute? Comments (0)
In the now infamous 2004 Town Council work session that laid bare the nonsense that is the Windover Heights Historic District, George Lovelace tossed forward this pearl of wisdom:
"I don't think we want to any way limit what this board does...how they get it done...You want to go to the Smithsonian Institute...whatever they want to do, but I think that it's been proven that may be a little more research needs to be done when you get to deal with these applications..."
Yes, you heard that right. George Lovelace proposes that when the Windover Heights Board of Review receives an application they should consult with the Smithsonian Institute. Guess how many times this type of consultation has happened in the past? Zero times.
We assume Lovelace's scenario would unfold something like this:
"Hi, we are from the Town of Vienna. We are the Vienna historic review board. As background, we have no rules or guidelines and nothing in our District has been validated as "historic", but we need your help Mr. Smithsonian. We have an application before us to tear down a standard 1970s house and replace it with a brand new structure. Our Town Council member George Lovelace says you will help us."
All of this would be funny if Lovelace wasn't intentionally damaging property rights. Doubt that statement? Lovelace was personally responsible for causing economic harm to the owner of 315 Windover Avenue.
George Lovelace: Not An Advocate of Property Rights
December 02, 2005
George Lovelace Crosses the Line Comments (0)
In this video George Lovelace declares:
"If he follows the ordinance he can't come up with that design."
Say what?
Here is the finished house Lovelace refers to.
Will Lovelace ever explain how the Windover Heights Historic District should have prevented this construction? How could he say that with a straight face? Where is the law that backs Lovelace's silly assertion? Do you think George will say the same thing under deposition when he has to raise his right hand?
November 28, 2005
Robinson, Cole & Lovelace Vote to Lower Property Values; Is Your Home's Value at Risk from Them? Comments (5)
We recently wrote about Frank and Joan Lillis attempting to lower property values.
Unfortunately, they had backing from the Vienna Town Council in the form of Maud Robinson, George Lovelace and Laurie Cole. These members of Vienna Town Council voted in 2004 against the now completed $1.8 million dollar house. Here is the gorgeous new house:
Click to Enlarge
What sane person would vote against this house? Cole, Robinson and Lovelace did. They should be ashamed. They had no legal reason to vote against it. Here is the house torn down before the new one.
Next time you think about voting for Laurie Cole, Maud Robinson or George Lovelace don't forget their vote to lower property values. These three if left to their own devices would make your house worth less money. How can George Lovelace expect to get elected Mayor in 2006 campaigning to lower property values?
Here is the type of house Lovelace, Cole and Robinson would prefer at 313 Windover Avenue. Does any of this make sense?
Lovelace Video on Lowering Property Values Comments (0)
Earlier we mentioned George Lovelace's desire to lower property values. Now watch the 2004 video. This video of Lovelace is not unlike a Seinfeld episode - he says nothing.
George Lovelace
November 25, 2005
Mayor George Lovelace Comments (0)
George Lovelace, who intends to run for Mayor in 2006, might have problems with his statements from 2003:
"The issue for me comes down to the applicants' seeing the historic district as preserving the structures as they were in the 1800s, [vs.] the historic district created by the Town Council [as being] a living, viable community that reflects the associations of persons and events from Vienna's past. It is a neighborhood with diverse homes, architecture and styles. This is a major distinction in my mind, and accounts for much of motivation to opt out of historic district. Finally, I believe the area has a distinctive quality and has retained its character and charm. The historic district represents the vision of our citizens and the Council to ensure that future generations will have the benefit of a community that reflects its past as well as the present. The historic district has survived for close to 25 years, and through the hard work of dedicated citizens. Any actions to alter the historic district such as that requested by the applicants to opt out of the district should be resisted."
Vienna Council Member George Lovelace in Action
It's not unusual for politicians to say nothing when they talk, but this takes the cake. Lovelace knows there are problems with the Historic District and he refuses to do anything. Now he and the Vienna Town Council must defend multiple lawsuits.
Here are some questions we would like to see George attempt to answer:
- Who are these persons and events from Vienna's past?
- What exactly is distinctive about 313 Windover Avenue?
- What exactly is the character and charm you speak of?
- How has the so-called District helped to retain the so-called charm?
November 22, 2005
George Lovelace Wants No Standards Comments (1)
George Lovelace and Shirley Damon know the Windover Heights Historic District is on life support.
George Lovelace, Vienna Town Council and Shirley Damon of Damon Galleries Ltd.
With Shirley Damon by his side Councilman George Lovelace, in a now infamous Town work session, utters:
"There are some things that don't have to be on a standard...I am little bit worried about having to redo this and put a bunch of numbers and things that we have to follow...I am not ready for that."
George Lovelace
Mayor Seeman responds:
"Right I agree. Well you start getting into trouble when you [pause] as we know [pause] you don't want to get into numbers guys. You want to keep it a little 'loosey' here."
Jane Seeman
This dialogue from Lovelace and Seeman shows why multiple lawsuits are pending against the Vienna Town Council. These people think it is perfectly appropriate to make citizens appear before review boards where there are no rules. Worse yet, as the above dialogue shows, they don't want any rules!
