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September 12, 2007
Berry Street Condo Rezoning Hearing Comments (50)
The Berry Street condo rezoning hearing was Monday night at Vienna Town Hall before the Vienna Town Council. The Council voted against it.
January 17, 2007
What Would You Do for A Job? Comments (3)
There are people in the Vienna Zoning Department (read Town employees) who are knowingly taking unethical and perhaps illegal action. What would do for a job? If you were told to take certain actions by Jane and Maud or face firing would you follow orders you knew were wrong? We have a handful of employees in the Vienna Zoning Department who know this entire charade over an assortment of issues is wrong, but they follow orders to protect their retirement and protect their paycheck. One of these employees has admitted to special favors being doled out to some, but still she sits there and takes the paycheck to enforce the law unequally. What kind of person lives that way? Who in their right mind, what competent professional, would want to work in this type of environment? You think we jest, the record of employees leaving this Department is clear. The ones who have left over the issues we address deserve respect. The one who have struggled about what to do need the citizens of Vienna's assistance. The ones who stay playing games with people's property rights on a daily basis deserve ridicule of the highest order.
January 16, 2007
Vienna Zoning Inspector Frank Simeck Where Are You Now? Comments (16)
Who else in Town would get away with this on Locust Street?
picture 1
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New 4-Story Steve Bukont Town House Development
January 02, 2007
Sweet Heart Deal for Frank Simeck? Comments (1)
One reader writes tonight:
Maybe someone should check out the way the developer beside Frank's house completely regraded the landscape right up to his foundation. The rest of us schmucks have to endure the poor drainage created by the large foot print of the new homes, and inversely the reduction of absorption square footage. Seems like he got an unprecedented "arrangement".
It does appear the Town Zoning Inspector Frank Simeck got a special dispensation. The old picture doesn't show the new house...we will do some digging.
January 01, 2007
Laurel and Hardy Comments (2)
To get the desired effect, you need to toggle back and forth from these (2) three second audio clips:
December 31, 2006
When the Video Tape Goes Down, the Audio Tape Picks Up Comments (2)
Recently, we posted video of Frank Simeck attacking a video camera. Unfortunately, the video tape shuts down. The audio, however, kept rolling. As you listen to the audio tape (the audio, from a different source, picks up after video shuts down), it is worth noting how scared Town officials (i.e. Zoning Administrator) are of this web site. On that note, we wonder what we can expect from Vienna's leaders as we head into 2007! Hopefully, more corruption and attempts to keep their activities "secret."
"We Are Not Stupid"
Best Quote of 2006
Courtesy of Town Zoning Administrator
December 22, 2006
Vienna Zoning Inspector Frank Simeck Assaults A Video Camera Comments (3)
This clip is from a meeting discussed earlier. The malcontent who attempts to break a video camera is Vienna zoning inspector Frank Simeck. The camera, the size used by TV news cameramen, was in plain view. The "it is not a deposition" comment sure is telling. Does that mean the only time Vienna residents can expect the truth is when Vienna Council members or Vienna Staff are under threat of perjury in a deposition?
It is worth noting that in the first rather boring 10 minutes of this video, Simeck stares at the camera on multiple occasions. Obviously, as the meeting progressed he knew something was said that he did want taped. That's when you see him motion to another Town staff member who seems to not care. Someone better put a leash on Simeck the loose cannon.
None of this is unexpected in Vienna. These people simply don't want record of their actions. That's how Maud runs the show. Open meetings? Not in Vienna. Back door arm twisting and corruption? You betcha.
NOTE: The video above is the end of the tape. The audio that picks up after the video is coming soon.
December 13, 2006
Frank Simeck Goes Ape Comments (2)
At a recent public meeting of nine people at Town Hall to discuss the historic district ordinance, four of which were Town staff, Frank Simeck the Town Zoning inspector crossed the line and attempted to damage a video recorder. While the camera was in plain view and while an audio recorder was in the middle of the conference table the entire time, it wasn't until the middle of the meeting that Simeck decided he did not like being taped. The video is not as outlandish as Bukont's 2005 meltdown, but it is telling. The power trip some of these people are on is unreal. Stand by for YouTube.
Frank, Open Meetings Are Good
Vote Tonight at Planning Commission Comments (0)
Tonight the Planning Commission has on its agenda:
ITEM NO. 1: Recommendation to the Mayor and Town Council on a proposed ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Vienna, Chapter 18, Zoning, Article 11, C-1, Local Commercial Zone Regulations; Section 18-73, Special Conditional Limitations. (Deferred from the regular meeting of October 26, 2006.)
October 27, 2006
William Womack, Jr.; New Vienna Planning Commission Member and Tom Davis Aide Comments (1)
We welcome new Vienna, Virginia Planning Commission Member William Womack, Jr. to HistoricVienna.com. We hope Bill, a legislative director for Congressman Tom Davis, brings a breath of fresh air to the Planning Commission.
However, as you can see from last night's meeting, some of your Planning Commission members were ready to ram a law change through to disguise what amounts to a rezoning all to benefit a single person. The arguments put forward by Ed Chase, David Miller and Laurie DiRocco as to why anyone deserves special treatment were transparent and disingenuous.
These three tried to make the case with a straight face that the deletion of three words from the Town Code would set in motion a commercial/residential mixed use development boom. Give us a break.
Laurie DiRocco
316 Moorefield Road, SW
Another Maud Puppet
In the case of Laurie DiRocco, her argument for giving out a big gift was borderline mindless - we can't tell if she is dumb or acting. While these three don't have a prayer of a further political career, Bill you may. And in Vienna, as you will learn, there is a severe vacuum in the corner of honesty and ethics. We eagerly wait to see where your bread is buttered.
October 21, 2006
Time to Fire Vienna Zoning Inspector Frank Simeck Comments (4)
Frank Simeck, residing at 201 Courthouse Road in Vienna, is a zoning inspector for the Town of Vienna. Simeck, who many in Vienna have had unpleasant experiences with, is a hot head always aiming to pick a fight. Vienna does not need loose cannons acting like God.
Vienna has a zoning inspector? Well, this web site is the inspector of the zoning inspector. Go ahead Frank, keep attacking Vienna residents...and we will add your video too.
Almost forgot, Mother Maud and Frank are very close neighbors.
Frank Simeck's Residence at 201 Courthouse Road in Vienna
Complaints about Frank's house can go here.
October 03, 2006
Heavy Construction Storage Comments (18)
Here is an updated picture from the last weekend of the former 7-11 store on Tapawingo. The site is being used for heavy construction equipment storage as of now. A rezoning request is expected.
July 03, 2006
The All Over Zoning Code of Vienna Comments (17)
Can anyone explain why the new Bukont project on Locust Street is four stories tall when the height limit is 35 feet in Vienna?
Apparently, in the Town it is perfectly legal to build a building that exceeds 35 feet as long as you create an artificial dirt birm in the front of the building. That's exactly what Bukont will do with his Locust Street project. Make sense? Of course is makes no sense!
Consider pictures from both Steve Bukont projects:
Steve Bukont 4-Story Tall Locust Street Project
Steve Bukont 4-Story Tall Locust Street Project
Steve Bukont 4-Story Tall Locust Street Project
Steve Bukont Tapawingo & Glyndon Project (Before Demo)
Steve Bukont Tapawingo & Glyndon Project (Before Demo)
Steve Bukont Tapawingo & Glyndon Project (Before Demo)
Steve Bukont Tapawingo & Glyndon Project (Before Demo)
June 16, 2006
Ed Umbrell's On & Off Conflict of Interest Comments (1)
During 2003 Ed Umbrell sat on the Planning Commission. He did not vote against letting 5 properties out of the historic district as he acknowledged that he had a relationship with the attorney representing the citizens. He recused himself.
Fast-forward to 2006 and Ed Umbrell, now Chairman of the Planning Commission, votes against another property seeking removal from the district.
Why the shift? How did Ed Umbrell have a conflict requiring recusal in 2003, but no conflict in 2006? Can someone explain those ethics to us? Are conflicts for Umbrell only applied when convenient?
Further, watch this video:
In 2006 Umbrell was asked what the rules were for the historic district and replied, “Not being a member of the Board I can't answer.” But on the 2004 video clip above Umbrell clearly says he understands the guidelines. Why does Umbrell's story flop around?
Last but not least, Umbrell is resigning on June 19, 2006 as he is moving from Vienna. Thanks for leaving us your mess to clean up Ed.
June 15, 2006
Ed Umbrell: Do Nothing, Say Nothing Comments (1)
Should Vienna Expect More from the Planning Commission Chair?
Recently the Planning Commission and the Vienna Town Council voted against yet another property seeking to be removed from the Windover Heights Historic District. Another lawsuit was filed in the last week over this decision.
When this item appeared before the Planning Commission and its Chairman Ed Umbrell three times earlier in 2006, the Planning Commission was given this document (PDF) with 38 reasons why the property in question was seeking to be removed from Vienna's historic district. Ed Umbrell's response? Umbrell submitted this document (PDF) to the Vienna Town Council.
Can anyone make the argument that Ed Umbrell is actually doing an honest job in responding to the concerns submitted? Or is he just kissing the right Town Council derrières with hopes of one day being 'anointed' by Maud?
