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January 15, 2007
Northern Virginia Ethical Society & A Not So Ethical Association Comments (0)
The Northern Virginia Ethical Society meets at Green Hedges School, in Vienna, Virginia. That says it all doesn't it?
January 10, 2007
Green Hedges School Secret Expansion Meeting Tonight. Did Not Know? That's How They Planned It! Comments (2)
Fred Williams, head master at Richie Rich school Green Hedges School in Vienna, along with neighborhood gadfly Chuck Brewer, have organized a secret meeting tonight at Green Hedges School to push for the school's expansion. You didn't hear about it? Well, that's the idea.
January 05, 2007
Green Hedges School: Not Good Neighbors Comments (5)
Green Hedges School is back with more development plans. This was sent to Charles Brewer:
Charles,
This is to confirm that Green Hedges will host an evening with our neighbors on Wednesday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m. We will meet at the School in Kilmer Auditorium. This evening is an opportunity to discuss Green Hedges' new building plans, which have been revised in response to comments the School heard from the community. As always, the response of the School' s neighbors is an essential piece in this effort.
Would you be able to distribute this invitation electronically to the neighbors? Green Hedges was not planning on sending anything by mail at this point.
Please let me know how I can be of help.
Best,
Fred
Frederick W. Williams
Head of School
Green Hedges School
Vienna, VA
ph. 703.938.8323
fax 703.938.1634
September 03, 2006
Green Hedges School in Vienna Pulls Plan Comments (1)
Green Hedges School in Vienna, after a rude awakening at the Vienna Planning Commission, has pulled their construction plan. They were to appear before the Board of Zoning Appeals, but backed out. Apparently they will submit a new plan and try to win Planning Commission approval first.
August 19, 2006
Bob Dart Lobbies for Green Hedges School in Vienna Comments (2)
On the heels of Green Hedges School losing in front of the Planning Commission last week, comes Bob Dart's feedback about our post regarding his wife's politics:
"As a journalist, I have never been involved in politics, local or otherwise, but I do have a commitment to the truth. What has been written here about my wife, Sherry Dart, not the truth. The truth is that she has taught the first grade at Green Hedges for more than 20 years and has always been devoted to the school and dedicated to its students. Before we moved to Vienna, she taught at public schools in Florida and Georgia for another decade. I guess it depends on your perspective but I don't think many people enter the teaching profession because it is a "cash cow."
His wife is intimately involved in trying to ram a school expansion into a residential neighborhood to pad her pocket. His wife also is an ardent supporter of the Town of Vienna's crooked historical politics. On top of that, Bob voluntarily put his house into the Town's flimsy historical marker program. That action was as political as it gets in Vienna. Is that the kind of truth you search for Bob?
And now, Bob is jumping up and down declaring he has no political involvement in anything. Your carefully crafted "unbiased journalist" label just went poof didn't it Bob? For his sanctimonious malarkey, Bob is awarded our "Weenie of the Month". We wish Bob well as he continues his search for that elusive truth...excuse us while we puke.
August 11, 2006
Green Hedges School in Vienna Denied Comments (0)
The Green Hedges School's ambitious expansion was denied by the Planning Commission Wednesday night. The proposed new super-structure would have overwhelmed the neighborhood. Additionally, Green Hedges was proposing an entirely buried gym for kids - an underground death bunker if you will. The thoughts of a firetrap for kids must have terrified some Commission members. It is not over yet though. The Board of Zoning Appeals only considers the Planning Commission recommendation - they have the final call. Stay tuned.
July 07, 2006
Sherry Dart of Green Hedges School: Bought and Paid For Comments (4)
From the Sun Gazette today comes this from a member of the Maud machine:
Sherry Dart, who teaches at Green Hedges School and lives on nearby Lewis Street, said the proposed improvements are essential to the school's future. "We can't expect Green Hedges not to change," she said. "To not evolve is to stagnate."
Guess what? A few months before today's quote Dart was telling neighbors that she would never support the school expansion, but supports it NOW only since she works there! Show Sherry Dart the money and she will roll over and let you tickle her tummy! Everyone has a price, eh? Sherry once your services are paid for, do you offer a receipt for tax purposes?
On top of that, three years earlier Sherry Dart read this letter (PDF) at a Town meeting. Sherry Dart is virulently opposed to the removal of properties from the District. Dart's house touches the border of the District, but is not in the District. She lobbies for others to be in it, but she doesn't want in herself. Lastly, Dart's house at 331 Lewis Street, NW is on this list of so-called historic structures. Just another Maud crony forcing inconsistent politics on everyone except herself...
April 17, 2006
Green Hedges School in Vienna: Fines Issued Comments (1)
This web site has been harshly critical of Green Hedges School. That criticism has focused on their proposed expansion and their violation of their conditional use permit. We have also been harsh of the Town for their handling of the matter. However, it appears the Town has now stepped up to address the matter in a sternly worded letter sent to the school (PDF). What does this mean exactly in the real world? If Green Hedges pays a few bucks and still gets all of their staff, at the end of the day the letter will mean zilch.
It is worth noting that George Lovelace is the big supporter of Green Hedges School. How long did he know about these violations? Why did he not step up and do something about it?
April 14, 2006
Green Hedges School in Vienna: Money Talks! Comments (1)
We have been covering the Green Hedges School's lobbying effort to expand their school. A wise Vienna resident wrote in with the following comment:
"[Green Hedges School] would not consider expansion or go to the expense of preparing a case for construction unless they had some assurance from someone that they might get approval in spite of what I read was the previous agreement with the Town."
Good point. Very good point. Here is an outline of exchanges from the last two weeks with the Town Zoning Director:
Question 1: The conditional use permit issued to Green Hedges School stipulates 33 staff members. Their web site lists 42. Are they in violation now? How does enforcement work? What does the Town do in the case of violations of conditional use permits?
Greg Hembree, Zoning Director: We'll ask them about these issues and decide on the next course of action based upon their answers. As you know, any proposed expansion will also require an amendment to the existing conditional use permit which will certainly deal with students, employees, building size, site plan arrangement, etc.
Question 2: Thanks. I do understand a whole new review process will get underway soon, but they should not be allowed to violate their current conditional use permits just because a new review process is coming.
Greg Hembree, Zoning Director: Did Not Respond.
Question 3: How long does it take to determine 42 staff members is in violation of their conditional use permit? Has any step been taken? Letter sent? Call made?
Greg Hembree, Zoning Director: Both an inquiry and a telephone call have been made to Green Hedges staff. Green Hedges students and staff were on spring break the last two weeks. Mr. Williams, the headmaster, has requested a few days to locate his copy of the 1997 conditional use permit which I consider to be reasonable. Once he has it in his possession, then he will call me ASAP. We will then discuss remediation of the problem, which includes the option of immediately applying for an amendment to the existing conditional use permit.
Question 4: Immediately applying for amendment? Why? What is the fine for a violation? Simply changing the original permit to be in compliance with the violation?
Greg Hembree, Zoning Director: Did Not Respond.
April 03, 2006
Green Hedges School Rich Kids Make & Break the Rules Comments (0)
The ultra-exclusive Green Hedges School, located in the middle of the Windover Heights residential neighborhood, is set to expand again. They are proposing a massive new complex that will overwhelm neighbors (existing elevations and proposed elevations). Interestingly, Green Hedges expands quite regularly. In 1997 they received a special conditional use permit to expand. They agreed to limit themselves to 33 staff members (PDF), but if you go to the Green Hedges web site (PDF saved from today) they freely advertise 42 staff members. Now they want more "breaks" from the Town while not abiding by the original limits? Will the Town enforce the law or will it allow the "rich kids" school to do whatever it wants?
How rich is rich? Here are the fees to attend Green Hedges:
1. Three and Four Year Olds: $9,905.00 per year
2. Grades 1-5: $17,095.00 per year
3. Grades 6-8: $17,380.00 per year
If your kid goes there for grades 1-8 that's $136,000 dollars! By comparison George Mason University is $11,000 per year for tuition. Money must be talking REAL loud in Vienna Town Hall these days.
March 02, 2006
Green Hedges School and George Lovelace Comments (0)
While the ultra-private Green Hedges School (415 Windover Avenue, NW, Vienna, VA 22180) is seeking a 2006 expansion that requires Town Council approval, it is not the first time the school has expanded. Green Hedges School expanded in 1997 too. Guess who the big supporters of the 1997 expansion were? Then Delegate George Lovelace was right there backing expansion into a residential neighborhood that borders the Windover Heights Historic District. If a ritzy private school wants to expand, with an assortment of Town granted waivers, that is fine? But when the Lillis' neighbor wants a new house, legally, the political machine goes into action to dole out "payback" to Lillis? Why can't we have honest government? Why are we stuck with cronyism? Why can't there be fair treatment across the board for all citizens? The day is coming when the fog of the Vienna historic district corruption will be lifted. There will be some severely tattered reputations and this web site will be there to document it all.
February 26, 2006
Political Activities of Green Hedges School: Not Good Comments (0)
After some records "digging", the Green Hedges School connection to the Windover Heights Historic District has sharpened considerably. Why is that? In 1985, after the Town allowed an office building to be built in the Historic District without any review, a homeowner sought to be removed from the District due to the sheer corruption of the episode. Green Hedges School (415 Windover Avenue, NW, Vienna, VA 22180) inexplicably lobbied against this request for removal. At the time the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Green Hedges School, a Mrs. Macauley, sent a nonsensical letter in opposition. Macauley showed no understanding of the concept of property rights in her letter and seemed to revel in "messing" with others. Additionally, Kenton and Frances Kilmer, both of Green Hedges School, chimed in via letter to argue that the District "protected" houses in the Historic District. We wonder if Green Hedges believes such nonsense now? Where was Green Hedges School when this house in the District was bulldozed in 2006? Is this Green Hedges School style historic protection?
February 14, 2006
The Green Hedges School 'Lobby' Comments (1)
The Windover Heights Historic District has a rather curious group of supporters with extremely close ties to the ultra-private Green Hedges School located behind the Amphora restaurant. Green Hedges School (aerial photo) just so happens to sit next to the border of the Windover Heights Historic District, but not in it. This group is extremely active behind the scenes in backing the Windover Heights Historic District. Consider their politics:
1. George Creed's wife is a teacher at Green Hedges School. Creed is on the Vienna Planning Commission. He voted in 2003 to not allow 5 properties to be removed from the Historic District. Litigation is pending now. In 2006, Creed still thinks the District is "fine" even after reading this website. On the other hand, does Creed support an expanded Green Hedges? Will he recuse himself when its time to vote on the school?
2. Sherry Dart is a teacher at Green Hedges School. Dart is virulently opposed to the removal of properties from the District. She read this letter at a community meeting in 2003. Dart's house touches the border of the District, but is not in the District. She lobbies for others to be in it, but she doesn't want in herself. Lastly, Dart's house at 331 Lewis Street, NW is on this list of so-called historic structures.
3. Sharon Kallio and Gloria Runyon both have an association with Green Hedges School (Runyon is a Trustee). Both are also Board Members of the Malcolm Windover Heights Civic Association. They have ignored all problems with the Historic District. They have refused to stand up as Board Members of the Civic Association and do anything toward the resolution of the Historic District mess.
4. Green Hedges School is currently planning a monster addition in the middle of a residential neighborhood (off Windover Avenue, NW). How many of these students reside in Vienna? How many teachers reside in Vienna? How is it appropriate to force the neighbors who live in the neighborhood to deal with the increased traffic the expanded school will bring?
5. Chuck and Laura Anderson have a long history with the Windover Heights Historic District. For example, their new home was added to the Historic District in 1998 for no cogent reason. They also happen to be big supporters of Green Hedges School. Laura Anderson, for example, is Vice-Chair of the 2005-2006 Board of Trustees for the school. It should be noted that Chuck Anderson argued against this house being built in 2004 saying it was too "massive". But apparently the new Green Hedges School, only three houses away from the one Anderson opposed, will not be "massive"?
6. Church Street Closed with Barricade. Any expansion of a school in a residential neighborhood will be a burden on the people who live there. While Laura Anderson, a Green Hedges School Trustee, thinks it's fine to burden neighbors with the increased traffic, she had no problem keeping Church Street behind the Marco Polo closed to one-way traffic. Anderson was instrumental in making sure this silly barricade (see yellow square on picture) is the only one of its kind in Vienna. For those not recognizing the location, the red square is the Post Office, the green square is the Marco Polo restaurant and the blue square is Chuck and Laura Anderson's house. How many times have you ever wondered why that barricade is there? Blame Laura Anderson for creating her own private road.
