Letter to the Editor: MVCCA Opposes ESI’s Request
To the Editor: An article in last week’s Gazette (“Green Energy or a Closed Landfill”) seemed to miss the purpose of EnviroSolutions’ (ESI) request for a Special Exception Amendment, which is to substantially expand the capacity of the Lorton construction and demolition debris (CDD) landfill and extend operations for 22 years. The Mount Vernon Council of Citizens’ Associations’ Environment and Recreation Committee, which I chair, was asked to review this application by ESI’s representative, Conrad Mehan. We worked closely with colleagues in the South County Federation (which opposes the SEA request) and with ESI, and conducted our own research to understand this complex and contentious case. Majorities of MVCCA Environment and Recreation and Planning and Zoning Committees voted to support a resolution opposing ESI’s request, which was adopted by the full Council on Feb. 26 (see www.mvcca.org/Resolutions/res-J-2014-01.pdf ).
Letter to the Editor: Unacceptable For 2014
To the Editor: The article on March 13 regarding extending and expanding the construction debris landfill at Lorton raises yet again the question of why Fairfax County is even considering revising the current deal, which calls for the landfill to cease operations in 2018.
Commentary: U.S. 1 Version 2.0: Public Hearing Next Week
On Wednesday, March 26, at 6 p.m., the second public hearing regarding the U.S. 1 Multimodal Transit Alternative Analysis Study will take place at the South County Government Center. The study was funded by a $2 million budget amendment secured by Sen. Toddy Puller and I last session and is being administered by Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transit. It is probably the most important study for the future of our area to ever take place. The purpose of the study is to consider all factors clearly define the key transportation needs for our community, consider a range of multimodal transportation solutions to address the needs, and arrive at a recommended program of transportation improvements and accompanying land uses to lay the groundwork for development in our area through the year 2035.
Editorial: Voting Against Virginia?
Local proponents of expanding health coverage for poor people have a point about those in the General Assembly voting against it.
When Delegates Scott Surovell, Charniele Herring and Rob Krupicka, along with Sen. Adam Ebbin got together to make the case for expanding Medicaid in Virginia, they brought slide presentations, charts, spreadsheets, poll results and more.
Whew!
Originally, this column was to be a discussion about the communication process between my doctor and this patient. Specifically, the time lag between when tests are performed/completed and when those results are communicated to the doctor who in turn – per this patient’s request, e-mails them to me. In the olden days, results were most likely offered up in person; in the post-olden days, more likely a phone call was made; presently, at least in my experience, results most likely will be e-mailed. I imagine an enduring problem for the patient – during all three "days," has been the time waiting for test results and hearing about them from your doctor. Excruciating is one of the most accurate characterizations of that delay, combined with an unhealthy dose of helplessness. Eventually, if you live long enough, you sort of become accustomed to the process and learn to roll with the punches, both figuratively and literally. Nevertheless, the patience and experience you learn can’t totally stop the rampant speculation that keeps you up at night and sleepy during the day.
Letter: Ospreys Have Returned
To the Editor
Editorial: Take the Money
No downside to gaining health care for 200,000 or more; 30,000 jobs and millions of dollars for hospitals from expansion of Medicaid.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe is right to make expansion of health coverage part of the budget process.
Letter to the Editor: Re-striping Would Improve Safety
To the Editor: Re: Plan to re-stripe Sherwood Hall Lane to prevent it from appearing like a four lane highway.
Letter to the Editor: Parking in District 1
To the Editor: In his letter of Feb. 22, Nate Macek offers a questionable set of recommendations on parking in Old Town, which begins with the faulty assumption equating Old Town’s street grid with that of Clarendon and the District. Referencing a Google map of Old Town and Clarendon shows extremely different systems, and simply citing “the District” is like comparing Old Town to Nebraska.
Letter to the Editor: Best Use Of Funds?
To the Editor:When I think of the money the city is spending to further the cause of bike riders in Alexandria I am appalled. I am particularly appalled because the city, in the name of inadequate funds, has cut staff and activities for other every-day citizen services.
Commentary: Take Care of the Unisured
As Session winds down, we turn our focus to the budget. House Appropriations Chairman, Del. Chris Jones said it best — we are so close, we could knock this out in a day or two. Sadly, the chairman and other Republicans are threatening to hold the budget, and the Commonwealth’s financial health, hostage unless the Senate caves to their demands that we give our hard-earned tax dollars up to other states and force 400,000 Virginians — many of whom are veterans and children — to continue to live in fear of getting sick because they don’t have health insurance.
Letter to the Editor: Test Road Re-striping First
To the Editor: VDOT will soon repave Sherwood Hall Lane from end to end. The county has planned to restripe it for bicycle lanes, and would like to decrease accidents by narrowing the travel lanes and providing a bi-directional left turn lane where possible. Planners called a meeting at the police station on Parker's Lane to discuss it, and the discussion was animated and passionate.
Commentary: Public Meeting To Discuss Health Coverage Gap
The 2014 General Assembly session has come and gone … sort of. While a great many things were accomplished this session, we adjourned on March 8 without a budget. Governor McAuliffe has set a special session for March 24. Details on this special session are still being hammered out.The sticking point is accepting federal dollars for Medicaid expansion, or purchasing private insurance through Marketplace Virginia. As I stated on the Senate floor and in previous articles, I am in favor of expanding health care coverage in Virginia and closing our coverage gap. I have heard from many of my constituents on this issue and the majority of you agree we must close the coverage gap and keep our tax dollars in Virginia, helping Virginians gain access to insurance. To those who want to separate this out from the budget, I say that is short-sighted and not practical.
Letter to the Editor: Divided MVCCA
To the Editor: Last week, the MVCCA suffered a mini-implosion resulting from the controversial request by Furnace Associates, Inc. for a Special Exemption Amendment (SEA) permitting them to continue operating a landfill in the Lorton area until the year 2040, 22 years beyond the deadline imposed by the current Special Exemption. At last Wednesday's MVCCA's Council meeting, a resolution originating from its Environment & Recreation (E&R) Committee was debated and passed, after a contentious debate, by the slim margin of 10-9. The resolution was in opposition to the proposed SEA. Noteworthy to me is the fact that the MVCCA resolution makes no mention whatsoever of the position of the South County Federation (SCF) in opposition to the proposed SEA. During my brief time as chairman of the MVCCA's Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Committee, it was my strict policy to defer to the wishes of the SCF concerning any land use issues on lands in the South County area where its residents were most directly impacted. The MVCCA's continuing paternalistic attitude toward the SCF and its member associations and residents significantly reduces the MVCCA's influence concerning such issues. This needs to change.
Not Yet, Really
While we’re exchanging pleasantries here, in semi real time – although this column will not be most read until March 6th (I need to submit it on Monday, March 3rd as we go to press on Tuesday, March 5th), I feel the obligation, given how last week’s column ended, to update you on the results from my February 26th CT Scan. Presumably, by the title you all have determined that as of this writing, Saturday, March 1st, I have not heard back from my oncologist. Typically, I would have already heard from him, electronically. But so far, not a peep, electronic or otherwise and believe me, I’ve been checking, as you might imagine.