Vol. 35, No. 6 www.arlingtondemocrats.org June 2010

Don’t be in Dem vote unanimous against a fog about the FOG! change of government ballot (Form Of Government) Arlington Democrats voted unanimously, 74- gram on the proposal to hold a referendum on chang- 0, at the last ACDC meeting to oppose a proposed ing from Arlington’s current system, under which a See Pages 6-8 for all change in Arlington’s form of government. county manager runs the government with legisla- you ever wanted to This issue of The Voice contains articles and tive power in the County Board, to a system under know and didn’t boxes describing the proposal and pointing out which the County Board would hold executive as dare ask about FOG. sources of more information so you can learn more well as legislative power and actually run the county about the topic. (See Pages 6-8.) departments on a day-to-day basis. The May ACDC meeting was devoted to a pro- The change has been proposed by the Arling- ton Firefighters Union and endorsed by the Arling- ton County Republican Committee and the local Green Party. The change is opposed by a newly formed Coalition for Arlington Good Government, of which ACDC is now a member. A petition is being circulated to put the issue

Photo courtesy Jerry Long Jerry courtesy Photo to a referendum on the November ballot. The peti- tion must collect 14,350 signatures (10 percent of Arlington’s registered voters) by July 15. The vote by ACDC urged residents to oppose passage of the proposed referendum. ACDC invited Mike Staples of the Arlington Firefighters Union to speak at the May meeting on behalf of the change and Ron Carlee, who was Arlington’s county manager until last year, to speak in opposition. Staples agreed to speak but later said he could not appear and sent no other speaker. Carlee spoke and answered questions. The core of his argument was that Arlington’s county UNANIMOUS — The red cards rise as Arlington Democrats voted on government is not broken and doesn’t need fixing, while the proposed change would more likely cause whether to urge a referendum on a change in the form of county government. problems that do not currently exist. Moran to keynote, Webb attend J-J Senator and Congressman Jim Moran will be the This year’s theme is “The Road Ahead,” chosen by dinner co- featured guests at the annual Arlington Jefferson-Jackson Dinner June chairs Virginia Robinson and Aileen Whitfill. 11th. As in the past several years, the event will be held at the Westin Both will attend the special VIP reception preceding the main Arlington Gateway Hotel, 801 N. Glebe Road. The main entrance is event and Webb will speak there. Moran will keynote the dinner. on Vermont Avenue, one short block east of Glebe. Valet parking is Moran heads the Arlington Democratic ticket in November, which available and a public garage is at the other end of Vermont Avenue will also include County Board Member Chris Zimmerman, who is near Fairfax Drive. The Ballston Metro station is nearby. seeking re-election, and School Board Chair Sally Baird, ACDC’s The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. endorsed candidate. Ticket prices remain the same as last year—no inflation! General The J-J is ACDC’s biggest fundraiser of the year as well as the Admission for $125; VIP (which includes the special reception with party’s biggest social event of the calendar. Those who have worked Senator Webb) is $250; Roosevelt Society members get in for $115; so hard to keep Arlington Democratic during the past year will be Arlington Young Democrats for $100. (If you join The Roosevelt honored, highlighted by the Mary Marshall Award. continued on page ten ACDC Voice, June 2010, Page 2

Report from Chairman Mike Lieberman The solution to the credibility gap “I meant what I said and I said what I meant. there is a sweeping feeling in this country that why these votes were the right thing to do, An elephant’s faithful one hundred percent.” we should remove those in power and start hosting more town hall meetings than any Dr. Seuss, Horton Hatches the Egg (1942) over fresh. But I think there is another, sim- other congressman in the country. pler explanation lost in this media-driven nar- As a result, an amazing thing has hap- We must all be reminded from time to rative – that is, the public wants to elect people pened: people have turned out in waves to time that there are few lessons in life that can- who stand up for what they believe in, and support him – many of whom have never sup- not be learned from Dr. Seuss. Nowhere is are willing to tell people why. ported a Democrat before – because he says that mantra more true than in politics. This year in Virginia, we are very fortu- what he believes, and stands by it. This month, we witnessed what many nate to have some Democrats who appear to As we move into a tough election sea- viewed as a seismic shift in politics. We saw already have learned the lessons of Dr. Seuss. son, Democrats everywhere should take this five-term Senator washed out Most notably, in the 5th District, we are fortu- experience to heart. The change the public is of office in a Pennsylvania Democratic pri- nate to have Congressman Tom Perriello run- clamoring for is first and foremost a change mary, just months after he switched from the ning for re-election. Though Congressman in attitude. They are looking for candidates Republican Party. We saw two-term incum- Perriello won in 2008 with the smallest mar- who will say what they believe, and will stand bent Senator Blanche Lincoln, a conservative gin of victory in any congressional district in by those beliefs as they ask for support at the Democrat known for her unpredictable vot- the country, he has not shied away from tough ballot box. ing pattern, forced into a runoff in the Arkan- votes. Voters are not looking necessarily for sas Democratic primary. And we saw Rand He voted for health care reform, legisla- someone they agree with all the time, but they Paul, a Tea Party Republican, upset his estab- tion to address global warming, and the are looking for someone whose votes they can lishment-backed opponent in the Kentucky President’s economic stimulus bill not be- understand and respect. Seventy years ago, Republican Senate primary because the es- cause they were popular, but rather because Dr. Seuss reminded us to say what we mean tablishment candidate sounded too calculated. they were the right thing to do for his con- and mean what we say. To be successful at The media has spun these results as a stituents. And he has since spent every wak- the polls, this is a mantra to which we Demo- condemnation of incumbency, claiming that ing minute going around his district to explain crats must always be faithful – 100 percent. Precinct Ops Jerry Botland Computer Consulting is filling up Under Chairman Kip Malinosky, Pre- Troubleshoot and resolve computer and cinct Operations now has placed at least one computer related problems. captain in every precinct for the first time in Perform upgrades, set-up wireless routers and print servers. memory. Transfer old files, address book and emails There are currently 51 precincts in Ar- lington County. Under ACDC rules, most are from an old computer to a new one. allotted two captains while the 14 largest may Phone: (703) 933-0558 — [email protected] have three captains. Every precinct now has at least one cap- tain, a rare accomplishment, to say the least. With the rapid turnover in Arlington residents, recruiting precinct captains is virtually a full- time occupation—and Malinosky has been devoting considerable effort to recruitment. Published monthly by the Of the 116 slots, Kip has currently filled Arlington County Democratic Committee 101 or 87 percent. While that doesn’t break 2009 North 14th Street, Suite #612, Arlington, VA 22201 the record of 91 percent, it means that Pre- Tel: (703) 528-8588 Fax: (703) 528-2321 cinct Operations is clearly in high gear. http://www.arlingtondemocrats.org Kip is now looking for one captain to Chair: Mike Lieberman —(703) 408-3940 (h), [email protected] fill out each of the following 15 precincts: Editor-in-Chief: Warren L. Nelson —(703) 243-7867 (h), [email protected] Ashton Heights, Lyon Park, Park Lane, Deputy Editor: Vacant Rosslyn, Abingdon, Arlington Forest, Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the ACDC Fillmore, Dominion Hills, Oakridge, Madi- unless expressly approved by an appropriate Committee Resolution son, Nottingham, Arlington View, Virginia Copyright ©2010, ACDC, All Rights Reserved Square, Woodbury and Monroe. ACDC Voice, June 2010, Page 3

Next Monthly Meeting Dems probe All Dems Invited junction of Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 7:00 p.m. NRECA Building, 4301 Wilson Blvd faith, politics Corner of North Taylor and Wilson, just east of Glebe & Wilson Free parking under building, enter from Taylor Street The Arlington Young Democrats have sponsored what they hope will become an annual event bringing together Americans of This month, get the inside skinny on what’s going to all faiths to discuss the junction between faith happen this November from Larry Roberts, former and politics. ACDC chair, who is now chief of staff to Tim Kaine, the The Arlington Democrats’ Faith Caucus chairman of the Democratic National Committee. opened with the reading of excerpts from then-Senator ’s 2006 Call to Renewal Keynote Address. Obama said, “We make a mistake when we fail to acknowledge the power of faith in people’s lives” in an at- tempt to “talk about the connection between religion and politics and perhaps offer some thoughts about how we can sort through some of the often-bitter arguments that we’ve been Bumper Sticker seeing over the last several years.” The April forum was intended as a be- of the Month ginning of a conversation about the role of faith and politics. The Young Dems were joined by Mus- lim, Jewish and Christian panelists— Abdel- Rahman Hamed, from the Democratic Party of Virginia State Central Committee; Elissa Froman, from the National Council of Jew- ish Women; and the Rev. Clayton Childers, from the United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society. The panelists each spoke about their per- sonal beliefs, how their faith informs their politics and where faith and politics intersect in their own lives. Coming off the recent health care vote, all three spoke in resound- PC HELP ing agreement that their own faith’s traditions Want help with setting up, networking, upgrading, all speak to the necessity to care for one’s fixing, or just using your new or old PC? neighbor in times of need. Froman said that faiths don’t always agree, however, citing the issue of reproductive rights, but emphasized Affordable, personalized assistance. the importance of dialogue to build relation- Evenings and weekends. Your home or office. ships and strengthen those areas where there is common agreement. The Faith Caucus is jointly sponsored by Ron Hicks DBA Systems That Work the Arlington YDs and ACDC. It is open to people of all faiths or of no particular faith. Email: [email protected] The goal is to help attendees learn more about other faiths, to discuss the intersection of faith Website: www.systems-that-work.org and politics and to reach beyond the Arling- ton Democratic community to work with H/O: 703-528-1009 Cell: 571-217-9949 people of faith in the pursuit of a better com- munity. Arlington Chamber of Commerce The Faith Caucus is on both Facebook and Twitter at http://www.bit.ly/arldemsfaith and http://twitter.com/ArlDemsFaith. ACDC Voice, June 2010, Page 4

Democratic Values in Action Cereal flowing Donkey Ears for AFAC again Listening to the doings The May ACDC meeting saw 18 boxes of Arlington’s Dems of cereal collected and donated to the Arling- ton Food Assistance Center (AFAC). as overheard by The letter carriers have also held a food Dan Steen and Madi Green drive that AFAC reports was a tremendous success. AFAC received over 19,000 pounds of food from this one-day event. Arlington Wedding bells: One set of wedding bells in a summer doesn’t seem to be enough for Democrats were able to play a small part in mom and pop Bob and Debby Brink. The delegate’s two offspring are getting this effort. married seven weeks apart. Let’s see if Bob can cut a deal on an eight-week tux Please remember to continue to bring rental! Son David, who just graduated from UVa’s Darden Business School, will cereal to every ACDC meeting. We are ac- marry Kara Lindstrom, a Minnesota native, a neurologist at NIH and a PhD candidate. cepting canned and dry goods as well. They will tie the knot July 3 in Newport, Rhode Island. On August 21, daughter Eliza At the June meeting, Democratic Values will marry her law school sweetheart, John Dermody, at Debby’s home in in Action will also make an effort to collect Charlestown, Rhode Island. Bride and groom are both currently clerking for judges in supplies needed for residential homes used by D.C. “Doorways for Women,” which provides shel- Questionable questions: The Republican National Committee recently sent a question- ter for abused and homeless women. naire to GOPers living in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District (ours) asking them their Essential supplies needed include: pa- opinions. Here are some of their questions: Do you agree with Barack Obama and per towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, Nancy Pelosi’s efforts to impose massive tax hikes on the American people? Do you kitchen size trash bags, and grocery store gift believe that the federal government should maintain a permanent ownership stake in cards in any denomination. large auto companies? Should Republicans fight congressional Democrats’ efforts to grant full unconditional amnesty to illegal immigrants? We have a question, too: Does the Republican leadership really think its party members in Northern Virginia are that dumb? Here are the Romance at the Social Safeway: That great Washington landmark, the Social Safeway in upper Georgetown, has reopened and political consultant and Arlington Dem dollar figs for activist Greg Lane visited recently to reminisce. A decade ago, Greg met his future wife, Amy, by the meat case there as he was writing down Emeril Lagasse’s recipe for Cajun chicken cacciatore. education cuts Steen spouse recognized: Anne Steen, patient wife of former ACDC Chair Dan Steen, The state budget approved earlier this has been singled out as one of the Arlington School Board’s 2010 Honored Citizens, year cut deeply into funding for education which recognizes community members for the extra special contributions to the once the new governor declared his opposi- schools as volunteers. Since 1995, Anne has been a volunteer at Barrett, H-B tion to any tax hikes to plug the budget gap. Woodlawn, Williamsburg and Yorktown as she followed her children through the Here is how the numbers played out, school years. She served as co-chair of both the APS Career/Interest Pathways according to State Senator Mary Margaret Planning Process and the Enrollment Crowding and Capabilities Committee. She Whipple: worked on parent education programs and arranged college visits for underserved • $730 million –The scale of education communities. cuts proposed by Gov. Robert McDonnell be- Remember the Whipple Machine: Many have heard over the years about the famous yond those already in outgoing Gov. Tim Whipple Machine and many have heard the famous Whipple machines as they Kaine’s budget draft. churned and banged and rattled while printing an infinite volume of campaign lit for • $685 million—The cuts approved by the candidates all across the state. Be it known that Tom Whipple, ink-stained husband GOP-controlled House of Delegates. Note of State Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, now has clean hands as he has turned over all they were less than McDonnell wanted. his printing equipment to former Precinct Captain Gabe Rubalcava, who is the • $143 million—The cuts approved by the operations manager for SOC Enterprises, a non-profit that provides employment for Democratic-controlled Senate. the disabled in many specialties, including the printing trades. The business is located • $253 million—The education cuts that in South Arlington. emerged from the compromise between the Lopez joins Administration: Former ACDC Deputy Chair Alfonso Lopez has joined the House and Senate. Obama Administration. He just started working as head of congressional liaison for Senator Whipple said, “These are very the Small Business Administration. Previously, he served as a cabinet-level officer in real reductions and they show the importance Gov. Tim Kaine’s Administration, running congressional affairs for the common- of elections. There is a Republican mindset wealth. “It’s truly an honor to become a part of the Obama Administration,” Lopez that is very different from ours.” said. “I’m excited to get started.” ACDC Voice, June 2010, Page 5 Ken Cuccinelli’s latest cover-up makes him look like . . . well, a boob By Julian Walker The Virginian-Pilot TWO VIEWS — © May 1, 2010 At left is the Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli appar- ently isn’t fond of wardrobe malfunctions, REAL Seal of the even when Virginia’s state seal is involved. Commonwealth, The seal depicts the Roman goddess At right is the Virtus, or virtue, wearing a blue tunic draped censored version over one shoulder, her left breast exposed. But adopted by Ken on the new lapel pins Cuccinelli recently handed out to his staff, Virtus’ bosom is cov- Cuccinelli. ered by an armored breastplate. When the new design came up at a staff ing that the rendition chosen by his boss meeting, workers in attendance said “harkens back to an older version of the seal.” ported that after the attorney general distrib- Cuccinelli joked that it converts a risqué im- The Great Seal of the Commonwealth is a uted pins with the new image to his staff, he age into a PG one. two-sided image that dates to 1776. joked about covering Virtus in more modest The joke might be on him, said Univer- The side depicted on the state flag fea- attire. Cuccinelli’s spokesman, Brian sity of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato. tures Virtus standing victoriously over Tyr- Gottstein, said that the attorney general chose “When you ask to be ridiculed, it usu- anny, a male figure prone on the ground in the image because of its historic significance. ally happens. And it will happen here, nation- defeat, his crown fallen from his head. Be- Though Cuccinelli paid for the pins with ally,” he said. “This is classical art, for good- neath him is the motto Sic Semper Tyrannis: his campaign funds, not taxpayer dollars, he ness’ sake.” Thus Always to Tyrants. became the target of jokes and partisan barbs. It wouldn’t be the first time that Three Roman goddesses – Libertas, “This is the latest in a series of embarrassing Cuccinelli has found himself in a punch line Aeternitas and Ceres – grace the reverse side actions that distract from the real challenges since taking office. The conservative Repub- of the seal. Cuccinelli isn’t the first to have facing our citizens,” Virginia Democratic lican made Comedy Central’s “The Daily less-revealing garments placed on Virtus. Party chairman C. Richard “Dickie” Cranwell Show” in March after he advised state col- Multiple varieties of the seal have been said Monday. leges and universities they lack the legal au- used over the years, said State Capitol histo- Some observers noted that the image on thority to protect gay employees from dis- rian Mark Greenough. The modern version is the pin is similar to a version on the Virginia crimination. based on language added to the state code in flag from the era that included the state’s se- “You can’t be gay in college?” host Jon 1930, which specifies that Virtus is “dressed cession from the Union in 1861. Stewart asked in mock disbelief. “That’s the as an Amazon” while clutching a spear in one In Monday’s statement, Cuccinelli said whole point of going to college!” hand and a sword in the other. he took the image from an “antique state flag If the jokes start to fly, Cuccinelli can’t The secretary of the commonwealth, that hangs in the Virginia Capitol.” say he didn’t see it coming, Sabato said – not Janet Polarek, is charged by law with being “I liked this particular image and thought after what happened in 2002, when U.S. At- the keeper of the seal. Asked for an assess- it would be something unique for my employ- torney General John Ashcroft ordered drapes ment of Cuccinelli’s interpretation, she de- ees,” he said. “I cannot believe that joking installed to cover partially nude statues at the clined to offer an opinion. When Virtus was with my staff about Virtue being a little more Justice Department. “Ashcroft had one ex- fighting Tyranny, Polarek said, “a dress code ‘virtuous’ in this antique version has become cuse: it hadn’t been done before and he wasn’t was probably not her first concern.” news.” prepared for the critical onslaught that he Because the pin has become a “media- faced,” Sabato said. “Cuccinelli has no ex- made” distraction, it will no longer be used, cuse at all. He knows what’s coming because Three days later he said. of what happened to Ashcroft. You can only The joke is over. “I think we all do the citizens a service conclude that he enjoys being the center of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said by getting back to talking about things that pointless controversy.” Monday that he and his staff will no longer are more important to them,” he said, “includ- Efforts to reach Cuccinelli on Friday use a lapel pin featuring the female figure ing my office’s work last week to get four were unsuccessful. from Virginia’s state seal clad in an armored sexually violent predators committed to men- His spokesman, Brian Gottstein, said the breastplate. tal health treatment, the collection of $225,000 pin was paid for by Cuccinelli’s political ac- On the official state seal, the woman - in back debt owed to the commonwealth, and tion committee, not with taxpayer funds. He the Roman goddess Virtus, or virtue - is clad assisting local law enforcement in an investi- acknowledged that the attorney general has in a blue tunic that exposes her left breast. gation that resulted in a drug kingpin being pointed out Virtus’ “more modest attire,” add- A story in Saturday’s Virginian-Pilot re- sentenced to life without parole. “ ACDC Voice, June 2010, Page 6 Here’s what change in county gov’t means Arlington finds itself suddenly in the signed a public directive guaranteeing that all the average Virginia county; most county midst of a debate over whether to change its County Board members could speak with any board supervisor districts in Virginia are larger form of government. department heads they wished to. Carlee also than all of Arlington. The proposal has been drafted by the confirmed that in the 21 years before becom- People who are active in county issues Arlington firefighters union and is circulat- ing county manager, he always had extensive know they now have access to all five County ing in the form of a petition that would force interaction with Board Members as a depart- Board members as voters. With the proposed a referendum onto the ballot. ment head and even as a budget analyst. change, they might find access restricted to The change has been endorsed by the The Voice also queried all five County all but the two Board members who would firefighters union and police union as well as Board members and asked if they felt they still see them as voting constituents. by the Green Party and the Arlington County did not have enough access to department The other political change would alter Republican Committee. heads or other county employees. None re- the frequency of elections. Whereas now at The change in government would shift sponded that he or she felt restricted in any least one Board member is elected each year, the county from board members all elected way. under the proposed change, the entire Board at-large to members elected from separate Although the issue of the Board mem- membership would be elected at same time districts. Many county Republicans long ad- bers’ access to information is the only argu- once every four years. vocated districts, assuming that would result ment raised on the website of the advocates in at least one district with enough Republi- for a change, the proposed change would have can voters to win them a seat on the County many impacts. Pick a gov’t Board. But that interest has subsided in re- The impacts can be divided into three cent years; every current County Board mem- categories: political; administrative; and ber won every single precinct in the county policy. in his or her last election. The website of the proponents of the Political changes change does not make that argument. It makes The most dramatic change visible to the just one specific argument for changing the public would be a shift in whom one votes form of government. “The ability of the for. Whereas now every citizen can vote for County Manager to control the information all five County Board positions, under the flow to the County Board has become a means change voters would get to vote for only for a single individual to force his will upon two—one member elected at-large by all the County Board,” the website says. “The county residents and one member from their result is County Board members who are pro- own district. (Proposed for hibited from having relationships and ongo- Proponents see this as putting Board Arlington) ing conversations with department heads, members closer to the citizens, making them have become solely dependent upon the in- responsible for a smaller number of residents. formation they receive that is controlled by a Opponents describe the change as single individual—the unelected county man- “Balkanization,” in which neighborhood ager.” would be pitted against neighborhood. They But Ron Carlee, who retired last year as say Board members would no longer take a Critics say this could allow the Board to Arlington’s county manager, said he had countywide perspective on issues, but press a be captured by advocates of one fleeting fad narrow viewpoint. issue. They note that the U.S. Senate was Proponents structured with one-third of the membership Summary of changes note that most coun- elected every two years expressly to prevent ties in this coun- a brief flurry of concern from driving policy. try—and all other Under the proposed change, Arlington’s counties in Vir- elected School Board would be ended and the ginia—are divided School Board would be appointed by the into small districts County Board—however, an elected School for electing county Board could be reconstituted through a refer- legislators. Oppo- endum. Its members would then be elected nents acknowledge all at the same time and in the same year as that, but point out the County Board. that Arlington is the smallest of the Administrative changes nation’s 3,000 The biggest change would alter the rela- counties. At 26 tionship between the County Board and the square miles, Ar- county manager (who would be reduced to a lington is only 6 county administrator under the change). percent as large as continued on next page ACDC Voice, June 2010, Page 7 Here’s what change in county gov’t means to give Arlington some special powers in part because no other county in the commonwealth has the same form of government. There are numerous such authorities that Find out more on the web Arlington would lose if it shifted its form of PRO—The proponents of changing the form of government have organized as government as proposed. For example, sev- the Committee for a Better Arlington. They make their case for change on their eral years ago, Arlington went to Richmond website, http://www.changearlington.com. The petition is also available there for seeking and winning the authority to make signing. tighter rules for child care facilities than the state has. That authority would die if Arling- CON—The County Attorney drafted a memo on the proposal for the County ton switched its form of government. Board. The 15-page memo lays out the arguments against any change. It can be Arlington also has unique authority to viewed at http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CountyAttorney/file76036.pdf. regulate exterior lighting so homes are not Opponents have formed the Coalition for Arlington Good Goverrnment, which can awash in light from commercial areas. If the be accessed at http://www.tinyurl.com/2apxtzc. government is changed, Arlington will only be able to limit light near planetariums and NEUTRAL—A brief prepared for the Arlington County League of Women observatories! Voters lays out the main changes that would be brought about by the proposal with- Years ago, the county won the power to out taking an advocacy position. It can be seen at http://lwv-arlingtonva.org/files/ pay the relocation costs of tenants who are jeffgore042110.pdf. Go down to the seventh line an clock on “Jeff Gore.” booted out when apartment sites are taken over by eminent domain. Under the proposed Former County Manager Ron Carlee’s speech to ACDC opposing the change change, that would no longer be permitted. was videotaped and can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/l/ In 2006, the county obtained the author- 047ac;www.bluevirginia.us/diary/532/arlington-democrats-vote-740-against- ity to require developers to provide afford- change-of-government-resolution. able housing. That power would disappear with the proposed change. The Washington Post carried a story May 13 on the issue. It can be accessed at There are many other changes that are http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/12/ cited by the County Attorney and by the AR2010051201996.html. League of Women Voters briefs. (Website addresses are provided in the accompanying box at left.) Arlington would, however, gain one au- Currently, the Board is the county’s leg- Right now, the Board hires the county thority with the change in government. State islative arm and the manager is the county’s manager and he hires the department heads. law requires counties with the proposed form executive arm. The manager runs executive (The Board can also fire the manager—and it of government to operate a County Depart- departments. The Board approves policy but has fired two of the last five.) Under the pro- ment of Cooperative Extension and Continu- does not issue day-to-day orders to county posed change, the Board could assume re- ing Education. The Virginia Cooperative departments. However, the manager is obli- sponsibility to hire, evaluate, supervise and website explains, “We help the agriculture gated to implement County Board policy and fire all the county staff. industry use the most current technology and can be dismissed by the Board at any time Critics say this could politicize the staff, management practices to develop strong busi- and without cause. which would have to fear that all department nesses that prosper in today’s economy. We In a 1930 referendum, Arlington became heads could be fired after a once-in-four-years deliver programs that help put research-based the first county in the country to adopt this election brought in a whole new Board ma- knowledge to work for Virginia’s agriculture county manager system and division of au- jority. Carlee argues this could change the industry.” thority. perspective of the Board and staff from the The proposed change would have Ar- Under the proposed change, the County current long-term horizon to one of just four lington adopt a form of government currently Board would combine both legislative and years. The concern for a four-year turn-over used by only four other countries—all prima- executive power. The County Board could would also limit the pools of professional can- rily rural locales in the southwest with small delegate to the county manager all of the same didates, especially for senior jobs. Senior populations and limited public services. If authority (and more) that the position has to- positions could be filled by political insiders Arlington sought new powers that those four day. However, the County Board could also rather than career professionals. small counties did not want to be burdened take over direct supervision of department with, the county would likely come home heads and other county staff. County Board Policy changes from Richmond empty handed. members could tell the public works depart- The most intricate issues to grapple with Arlington could still seek laws specific ment what potholes to fill and which ones to are the policy changes. Virginia is a “Dillon only to Arlington. That’s permitted. How- ignore. The Board could even delegate to Rule” state in which counties have only those ever, an Arlington-only law requires a two- different Board Members executive author- powers the state has devolved to them. The thirds vote in the General Assembly while ity over different departments. Virginia General Assembly has been willing continued on next page ACDC Voice, June 2010, Page 8 Arlington party reaching out to help endangered Dems around Virginia Arlington Dems kicked off their effort from end to end, vocally proclaiming the ben- their communities and families are being to aid Virginia Democratic congressmen un- efits of the health care reform and stimulus helped by the legislation. (For details on the der assault with a fundraiser May 12 for Con- bills that he voted for, showing voters just how congressional races, see last month’s Voice.) gressman Tom Perriello. Working to make the event a success Perriello is one of four Virginia Demo- were Peg Hogan, who organized everything, crats (of six in Congress) who are being tar- Patrick Hogan, bartender supreme and his geted by the GOP in the fall elections. sidekick Halle Czeck, Young Dems Jen Perriello represents the Fifth Congres- Amore and Terron Sims, Mary Dooley, who sional District, a triangular district that starts designed the invitation, plus the always su- near Charlottesville and fans southward to the perlative Kitchen Crew of stalwarts Charlene North Carolina border. Bickford, Madi Green, Janet O’Neill, Joan More than 80 Arlington Dems turned out McDermott, Sandra Spear and Aileen to help fill the Perriello coffers and fuel his Whitfill, all operating under the talented ba- race to re-election with contributions totaling ton of Jean Marshall Crawford. $20,000. The other Virginia Democratic congress- The reception was hosted by Sally Coo- men for which the GOP is sharpening its per at her art-filled apartment with an impres- knives are Glenn Nye, from the Second Dis- sive view of the monumental Washington sky- trict, which takes in the Eastern Shore, Vir- line. Arriving guests were greeted by a paint- ginia Beach and the Atlantic coast down to ing of the Census Taker by Norman Rockwell, North Carolina; Rick Boucher, from the Ninth who was Sally’s uncle. District in the far southwest, and Gerry Congressman Jim Moran praised the Connolly from the 11th District in Fairfax large turnout and lauded Perriello as “a County. Perriello, Nye and Connolly are all keeper” whose continued presence was PERRIELLO freshmen who won office in the 2008 Obama needed in Congress. . . . a ‘keeper’ sweep. Boucher is a 27-year incumbent. Perriello, a prime Tea Party target, said he would be campaigning the same as he did in 2008 when he ousted incumbent Republi- can with a campaign of outreach that drew national recognition. Change in form of gov’t Perriello said the strategy was very simple: introducing himself to as many vot- continued from previous page closely to the State would undermine the au- ers as physically possible; explaining his val- tonomy with which the County has operated ues and telling his personal story, which is amendments to the current form of govern- for many years.” very intriguing; and ignoring the conventional ment require only a simple majority. Because There are seven forms of government wisdom that being forthright on the issues the current form of government under which that Virginia counties are allowed to choose might alienate someone somewhere. Arlington operates applies only to Arlington, from. They are listed in one of the boxes on Perriello has been working his district we have the ability to get changes that apply Page Six. The current form in Arlington is only to us more easily than other jurisdictions the “County Manager Plan.” The proposal is and have done so repeatedly. to shift to what is called the “County Board Report from Richmond Form.” In analyzing the proposal to change the At the ACDC monthly meeting May 6, team on Saturday, June 19 form of government, Stephen MacIsaac, the the voting members of the Arlington County Want to learn more about the just-com- county attorney, wrote that the alternative pro- Democratic Committee discussed the issue pleted legislative session in Richmond and get posed in the referendum “is most appropriate and were then asked to raise their red voting your questions answered straight from the for a county that has yet to develop the orga- cards to show whether they wished to oppose horses’ mouths? nizational structure that permits it to function or endorse the petition drive to put the pro- Senator Mary Margaret Whipple, and independently of the State. posed change on the ballot. The members Delegates Bob Brink and Patrick Hope will MacIsaac’s wrote: “Arlington has long voted 74-0 against supporting the petition. make a joint presentation on the 2010 Gen- evolved past a dependence on the State for The proponents of the change have until eral Assembly session with Q&A Saturday, management of the day-to-day needs of the July 15 to gather the required 14,350 signa- June 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the County. Reverting back to an organizational tures. They have not said how many signa- Westover Branch Library, 1644 North and operational structure that is tied more tures they have gathered thus far. McKinley Road. ACDC Voice, June 2010, Page 9 Kaine doesn’t see Specter spectre Democratic National Committee Chair- ginning to emerge—and they “Last night’s election re- man Timothy M. Kaine said his party’s will- are holding incumbents of sults put Democrats on no- ingness to embrace change and do the “heavy both parties accountable at tice: President Obama’s po- lifting” to improve the economy and enact the polls.” litical machine cannot protect health-care reform have Democrats well-po- While Republican in- them,” Steele said in a state- sitioned to maintain their majorities in Con- cumbents or party favorites ment. gress. have lost key races in Ken- “In fact, after our victo- “Our goal is to hold it with margins that tucky and Utah, Democratic ries in New Jersey, Virginia, are strong, rather than margins that are nar- Party-preferred candidates in and Massachusetts, and Arlen row, but we’re going to hold on to margins in West Virginia and Pennsylva- Specter’s primary loss, Presi- both houses,” the former Virginia governor nia have lost in primaries, dent Obama’s backing is predicted. with the Arkansas Senate proving to be the kiss of death Kaine spoke at the National Press Club contest unresolved. for Democrats.” in Washington, one day after voters in both The difference, Kaine Kaine said he didn’t see parties shook up the status quo in state pri- said, is that Democrats will anything in Tuesday’s results maries. not have a problem “pulling TIM KAINE that should worry Virginia’s Kaine said the key to weathering the together” in the fall in any of U.S. House Democrats, who upcoming elections with Democratic majori- the contested primary states. hold six of the 11 seats in the ties intact will be tapping into the 15 million He pointed out that Rep. Joe Sestak, who state’s delegation. first-time voters who propelled Barack Obama defeated Specter for the Democratic Senate “Last night, I think what it shows is that to the White House in 2008. nomination in Pennsylvania, also has sup- if you were willing to make the case that you He said turning out that voting bloc could ported Obama’s agenda consistently. are a change-maker, that you’re in there try- give Democrats a 2 percent to 4 percent bump He said Republicans are more divided ing to help improve the economy and get us that could be the difference in close races. because the conservative tea-party movement out of the ditch we’re in, you’ve got a better “We need to make the connection be- has chased away moderate candidates in chance of being successful,” he said. tween the president’s success and the success places such as Utah and Florida who could He said Obama would be doing “intense of his allies across the country whose help he appeal to independent voters. campaigning” across the country once the needs to enact his agenda for change,” Kaine “The Republican Party has a problem,” primaries are over but did not know the said. he said. “For the past year and a half they’ve president’s Virginia plans. He said the party also would commit an been riding the tiger, and now they’re feeling Kaine, however, plans to spend a lot of “historic $50 million” to House, Senate, the tea party’s bite.” time in the commonwealth as the election sea- governor’s and local races this fall. Kaine also noted an interesting statis- son gets under way, starting with a fundraiser Kaine said voters in the midterm elec- tic—the losing Democratic candidate in the for Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th. tions will reward Democrats, led by Obama, Kentucky Senate primary received more votes “I’ll be doing my national job at home,” for doing the “heavy lifting” of restoring the than the winning Republican candidate. he said. economy and reforming health care and Wall Michael Steele, chairman of the Repub- —————— Street. lican National Committee, had a different take Excerpted from The Richmond Times- Kaine pointed to Tuesday’s Democratic on Tuesday’s results. Dispatch, May 20, 2010, by Jim Nolan victory in a special election for the open seat in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. Mark Critz, an aide to the late Demo- cratic Rep. John P. Murtha, won the right to serve the rest of Murtha’s term. Kaine noted that in 2008, Obama lost the district to Sen. John McCain. But Kaine acknowledged incumbent success in midterm elections runs “against the tide of history.” He said that in the past 17 midterm elections, the party of the president has lost an average of 28 seats in the House and four seats in the Senate. “The difficult economic times facing everyday Americans make that political headwind even stronger than usual,” Kaine said. “Many continue to feel the bite of the deep recession from which we are only be- ACDC Voice, June 2010, Page 10 ‘First Saturday Breakfast’ has more than scrapple The “First Saturday Arlington Demo- Markham, deputy chair of ACDC, will share crats Breakfast” is heading into its fourth her thoughts. month with great appeal to the politics-talk- Congressman Jim Moran will be the ing and breakfast-eating crowd. special guest in October—but that’s still a In June, School Board Chair Sally Baird ways away. will be the featured guest. Kip Malinosky, chair of ACDC’s Pre- J-J dinner Please join; no RSVP is needed, only a cinct Operations, hosts the breakfasts. More desire for breakfast, conversation and perhaps than 20 Democrats have been attending. The a good cup of coffee. event is mostly social—we buy our own break- Note that the July First Saturday Break- fast and sit in a reserved area. Conversations is June 11 fast will be on the second Saturday so as not are all political over any style of breakfast. continued from page one to conflict with the 4th of July weekend. The The breakfast is at the Bear Rock Cafe July guest speaker will be author, veteran and in the Shirlington Shops between 8:30 a.m. Society now, you will be entitled to the dis- local Democratic activist Terron Sims dis- and 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each counted rate immediately—it pays to join!) cussing his new book. Also Maureen month. Tickets may be purchased online—and, in fact, this is actually encouraged!—at www.arlingtondemocrats.org. Click on “Click Here to Purchase Your Tickets Today.” They may also be bought the old-fash- ioned way, by check made out to ADJFC (Ar- lington Democratic Joint Federal Campaign) Please rise and join in and mailed to ACDC headquarters, P.O. Box 7132, Arlington, VA 22207. Be sure to in- clude your name, address, phone number, singing, ‘I am the very email address, occupation, employer and employer’s business address and phone num- ber. This information is required by law. Also mention the number of tickets you are buy- model of a mad ing and the name(s) of those accompanying you. attorney general’ For a modern political update of Gilbert and Sullivan (pictured above), you ACDC resolution might enjoy a song found on the Internet entitled, “I am the very model of a mad attorney general.” urged felon change The skillful and professional recording by Bart Hinkle is available on the ACDC approved a resolution at the last website of Blue Virginia at: http://www.bluevirginia.us/diary/581/cooch-is-the- meeting urging Gov. Robert McDonnell to very-model-of-a-mad-attorney-general make the restoration of felons’ civil rights au- Just to get your juices flowing, here is the first verse of the five-minute tomatic once they have completed their sen- recording. Please feel free to sing along. tences. I am the very model of a mad Attorney General, McDonnell subsequently made the pro- My politics are paleoconservative and visceral – cess easier, but did not make it automatic. I’ll sue the pants off Democrats and wreck their plans historical The resolution notes that once felons With writs and briefs that I’ll compose, tendentious and rhetorical, complete their required sentences most states I’ll stop environmentalists from regulating greenhouse gas allow them to regain their civil rights, such By proving carbon dioxide does not have an atomic mass – as the right to vote, hold public office and That solar-radiative forcing’s nothing but a liberal plot serve on juries. Only Virginia and Kentucky And dendroclimatology is superstitious tommyrot. require their governors to intervene to restore I’ll prove the EPA is overrun with Commie militants civil rights. Who haven’t shown a single lick of scientific diligence – The full text of the resolution is avail- In short, in matters legal, ecological, and federal able on the party website. Go to I am the very model of a mad Attorney General. www.arlingtondemocrats.org and scroll down to “Where We Stand—ACDC Resolutions.”