Welcome to Arlington's Future
Recent Happenings
Arlington Greens File Motion to Stay Widening I-66
On August 26 Arlington Greens Audrey Clement and John Reeder filed a motion to stop construction of a 1.5 mile extended merge lane on westbound I-66 between Fairfax Drive and Sycamore Street. VDOT has completely torn up the left shoulder and Metrorail retaining wall along that stretch of road, despite the fact that Clement and Reeder have an appeal pending with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the April 30, 2010 dismissal of their case in federal district court. Clement and Reeder view VDOT's decision to proceed with construction before the Fourth Circuit has reviewed the case as just another example of VDOT's contempt for the courts and environmental laws.
Arlington Greens Propose a Green Jobs Program for Unemployed
J-O-B-S NOT Welfare!
A group of Arlington Greens has been working with unemployed and homeless individuals in Arlington for the past 12 months. Their demands are a year round homeless shelter for adult men and women. They also want a public jobs program paying a living wage, so that the homeless can afford to move out of shelters into their own apartments and rebuild their lives.
Arlington Green Party leaders met several months ago with Arlington County Government officials, Congressman Jim Moran's staff, and Senators Warner and Webb. They presented a paper proposing a $10 million program to employ up to 200 unemployed persons in green jobs that would weatherize and upgrade low income housing and public properties in Arlington (see attached paper on this website). Arlington County officials indicated they were interested in administering the program if federal funds could be obtained.
In June 2010, Greens learned that the State of Virginia had nearly $50 million in federal TANF Stimulus Funds that could be used for such a jobs program, but the State of Virginia Department of Social Services has prevented localities from using these funds. Right now these funds will probably go unused and be returned to the U.S. Government by September 30. Most other states have used their funds to create jobs--Pennsylvania, for example, but not Virginia!
It is pure insanity not to use all of the $50 million available to Virginia to create jobs--green jobs or any other type of job that does a social service to the community and provides training and a living wage to the unemployed. Is it the rigid anti-worker ideology of the Democrats and the Republicans in Virginia state government that has led to this stupidity or is it downright imcompetence?
Arlington Greens Endorse Miriam Gennari for Arlington School Board
At its June 2, meeting the Arlington Green Party endorsed Miriam Gennari, a ten year resident of Arlington and parent, for the Arlington School Board. Miriam has been a long time school and community activist on many youth and social issues. She has two daughters enrolled in Arlington schools, and one who graduated in 2009 attending James Madison University. Miriam spent much of her professional career marketing senior housing. She will face Democrat Sally Baird in the November 2 election. For more information, visit Miriam Gennari's website at: http://www.gennari4greenschools.org.
The Arlington Greens Nominate Kevin Chisholm for Arlington County Board
At its May meeting the Arlington Green Party nominated Kevin Chisholm, a long time Arlington resident and environmental professional, as its nominee for Arlington County Board. Until recently Chisholm was the Arlington Public Schools' chief energy manager and has broad experience in Arlington civic affairs. He is the parent of two daughters, one in a Colorado university and another in an Arlington public school. Chisholm will face Democrat Chris Zimmerman in the November 2 election. For more information, visit Kevin Chisholm's website at: http://greensofarlington.org.
Greens Appeal Court Decision Approving I-66 Widening
On May 24 Audrey Clement, co-chair of the Green Party of Va., and John Reeder, convener of the Arlington Greens, filed a brief with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging an April 30 federal district court decision dismissing their suit to stop the widening of I-66 inside the Beltway. The Governor's office recently trumpeted the fact that the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) had awarded a $10.2 million contract for the first phase of the so-called Spot Improvement Project, known as Spot 1. But Clement and Reeder argued that VDOT misrepresented the findings of the 2005 I-66 Feasibility Study to justify the project, when it actually recommended end to end road widening. They stated that the decision to back away from the Feasibility Study's principal recommendation was based on political considerations rather than sound engineering. Clement and Reeder also predicted that the three entrance to exit merge lanes to be constructed in Arlington County won't relieve congestion on I-66, because 90 percent of westbound traffic travels beyond the Arlington exits. They also criticized the fact that VDOT rejected 17 out of 21 noise barriers recommended by its own noise consultant and denied the public an opportunity to speak at workshops held in 2007.
Greens Elect Reeder Facilitator
The Arlington Green Party elected John Reeder as Facilitator at its April 14th meeting. Reeder leads the party's efforts to advocate for the homeless. He ran for County Board in 2009 garnering 32 percent of the vote.
"We continue to strive to improve the quality of life for all Arlington residents and are actively seeking candidates for office in 2010," said Reeder. The Arlington Green Party heard from a prospective candidate considering running for the County Board and plans to make an announcement by early May.
Who We Are
Arlington/Courthouse Greens were founded in early 2001 and are an affiliated local of the Green Party of Virginia (which is a member of the Green Party of the United States). The local came into being as a result of interest in the Green Party in Arlington following the presidential bid in 2000. Meetings are run by consensus process and all are welcome to attend. Decisions requiring a vote (where consensus is not present) may be restricted to members. Arlington Greens have been involved in a number of local campaigns including opposition to widening of I-66, actions to stop the loss of affordable housing in the County, lobbying for the Living Wage Ordinance (passed in 2003 by the County Board), opposition to the Death Penalty--to name just a few.
But who are you?
Greens provide real solutions for real problems. Whether working for universal health care, alternative energy, election reform, a sustainable economy, or decent, living wages for workers, fighting overdevelopment and gentrification, or opposing corporate globalization and the war in Iraq, Greens are your neighbors who have the courage and independence necessary to take on the powerful corporate interests that dominate our lives.
Our members are active in many organizations that promote our 10 key values. We welcome opportunities to advance our common goals, as outlined in the Ten Key Values. We are grassroots activists, environmentalists, advocates for social justice, nonviolent protesters and regular citizens who've had enough of corporate-dominated politics. Greens are renewing democracy without the support of corporate donors. We do not accept contributions from corporations, labor organizations, or corporate Political Action Committees (PACs).
How do I get involved?
We invite you to join the Arlington Courthouse Greens and join the Green movement in building a new political party and a movement dedicated to promoting ecology, democracy, justice, community and peace.
If you like, you can join us at our next meeting to get a feel for us, and get your questions answered in person.
In addition to your contribution, if you sign on to do as little as distribute on a one time basis information in your neighborhood or on your block regarding the important issues that arise, you will be serving yourself and your neighbors.
Please take a look at the FAQ or drop us a line at info [at] arlingtongreens.org.