Mayor’s First Born Makes Public Appearance

By Stephen Siegel
Falls Church Times Staff
May 21, 2013

Mayor Nader Baroukh’s first child, daughter Mia Grace, made a public appearance Tuesday and took in a large swath of Falls Church City.

Now six weeks old, Mia Grace, powered by her mom Bernie, went from their Winter Hill home to the Starbucks at Broaddale Center, then headed west to Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, where she was admired by a crowd that included Superintendent Toni Jones and a variety of other city and school officials.

It’s unclear how much she saw, since her eyes were closed for long stretches during the trip, but it seems certain that she found the city suitable for peaceful slumber.

Falls Church Kiwanis Little League Game Reports

By Neal Comstock
Falls Church Times Staff
May 21, 2013

Below are exclusive to The Falls Church Times game reports from the Falls Church Kiwanis Little League (FCKLL) at the Majors, AAA and Single A levels. Game reports were prepared by FCKLL Managers, Coaches and parents. Complete scores and standings can be found at FCKLL.org.

Majors (ages 10-12)

On May 13, on an unseasonably cold May evening, the Athletics beat the Orioles by a score of 4 to 1.  This tightly contested game showcased A’s ace Erik Martin striking out 11 Orioles over 5 2/3 innings with no earned runs. A’s closer Caleb Parnell got the last O’s batter to fly out to right field and after giving up a walk to end the game and get the save.   

The Orioles got on the scoreboard in their very first at bat when their lead off hitter, Ian Thompson, got on with a dropped third strike wild pitch. Thompson then moved to second and third on sacrifice outs and wild pitches, eventually stealing home on another wild pitch in that inning.  This was to be the only run by the Orioles.  The A’s bats were hot with hits by the top of the order Ben Sharrer, Caleb Parnell, Jay Nesson and Erik Martin.  The A’s #5 batter Hollman Smith and #7 batter Nick Wells each had 2 hits with Wells bringing in the sole batted RBI.   The A’s other runs came in the second inning after loading the bases on a combination of hits and walks. With no outs in the second inning, the O’s held their ground getting the force play at home two times before the A’s could get 3 players across the plate on wild pitches.  One truly notable defensive play came from Oriole Alex Pigeon making a diving stop at 3B and shovel throw to second to get the lead A’s baserunner out.

AAA (ages 8-11)

On May 16, when the lights came on, the bats warmed up at Westgate Park as the Tigers visited the Dodgers. The matchup featured two teams that were undefeated in the second half of the season. The teams traded runs early as starting pitchers William Webb of the Dodgers and Charlie Tucker of the Tigers each tossed three solid innings. The Tiger bats came to life in the fifth, though, as they turned a 6-6 tie into a 13-6 lead. Peter Villa’s double was the big blast in the frame, with Jonathan Oppenheimer, Paul Weaver and Tucker also picking up hits. In the bottom of the inning the Dodgers struck right back, as Aiden Cunningham doubled and Zach Sedmak, Hunter Bensen and Webb singled to help plate three runs. Tiger Reliever Sela Scheinman managed to contain the damage, though, and she protected the lead through the fifth. In the sixth, Peter Villa took the mound and slammed the door, striking out the side for the Tigers to preserve a 13-9 victory.
On May 18, before the raindrops finished falling at Westgate, plenty of baseballs landed on the field as well when the Tigers visited the Giants. The Tigers built a 6-3 lead early behind starter Michael Gerber’s three solid innings. The Giants broke through in the fourth, though, scoring six runs on five hits. Brian Toman’s double was the biggest shot, but Nicholas Sharrer, Nam Pham, Michael Pandula and Ian Tracy added singles as well. In the fifth the Tigers struck back, plating six runs by compiling patient at-bats with timely hits from Mark Comstock and Charlie Tucker.  But the Giants weren’t finished. The Giants flashed some leather in the top of the sixth, as Toman retired the side in order and the team recorded three putouts in the field. In the bottom of the inning Nathanial Jaramillo, Pham and Tracy all singled as the Giants rallied to tie the game at 12 before time ran out.
Single A (ages 6-8)

On Wednesday, May 15, the Muckdogs defeated the Ironbirds at Jefferson Village Park.  Leading the Muckdogs offense, Sean Casserly, Dylan Miller, Daniel Garza, and Ben Kenner hit consistently and drove in runs.  In a Muckdog defensive highlight, second baseman Noah Grossman made an unassisted double play in the second inning, then made a throw to first baseman Cameron Barnes to complete a triple play.  The Ironbirds were led by three for three hitting performances by Chris Kiersz, Everett Wishrad, Marcus Leary, and Andrew Bruno. 

On May 18, the Bees defeated the Seadogs 10-6 during a drizzly day at the JEB Stuart High School field.  Ariel Barker contributed three hits at big moments for the Bees.  Payton Raia and David Cockrell paced the Bees’ offense with three and four hits, respectively, while combining for several force outs at different bases in the field.  Ameya Mandhare provided the Bees’ key play on defense in the bottom of the fourth inning, throwing an advancing runner out to Billy Asel at third base to blunt a Seadogs rally that threatened his team’s lead.  Forest Beason made the play of the day for the Seadogs with a great catch of a foul ball.  Offensively, the Seadogs were led by Charlie Lyons’ double and four hits by Evan Ramsey.  Both teams made numerous plays in the field in this tight matchup, showing great progress in the development of their baseball skills as the Single A season nears its close. 

OUTSIDE THE BOX: Is Walkability Just a Pipe Dream?

By Stephen Siegel
Falls Church Times Staff
May 19, 2013

There has been a lot of talk over the years about how to make Falls Church City more walkable. Residents and activists have different reasons for promoting it; some just like to walk places, while others hope improving walkability can reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with motorized transportation.

But is this just an impossible dream?

The Little City is blessed with a great location. It is near two Metro stops, convenient to Interstate 66 and Interstate 495, and has superb access not only to the region’s traditional employment center of Washington, but to the area’s new employment center of Tyson’s Corner.

However, that central location comes at a price. Thousands of commuters come through town each day on their way to somewhere else. They take Broad Street traveling between Alexandria and Tysons. They take Lee Highway between Fairfax and Washington. And they use West Street to go between the former and the latter.

All of this travel causes congestion, and that congestion is surely compounded by the carpool restrictions on I-66 and the Arlington Strangle, where three lanes drop to two as Fairfax gives way to our eastern neighbor. I can’t prove it, but the brutal reality of I-66 must cause traffic to spill over into Falls Church City.

And they don’t just spill onto Route 7. Heavy traffic there, backing up from West to Shreve in the afternoon, for example, causes drivers to spill into residential neighborhoods as they seek to get where they’re going a little bit sooner.

Commuters illegally cut through the West End Shopping Center, Rite Aid, and Taco Bell to avoid Broad Street congestion or the light at Broad and West. They barrel down Park Avenue, making it difficult to exit City Hall at times, a police officer says. They illegally cut through the Applebee’s parking lot to speed their way north on Washington Street. I’m sure readers are aware of others.

There doesn’t seem to be much we can do about Broad Street. It’s a state highway, meaning the state limits the City’s authority there. A while back, some city officials got the idea of restricting through trucks on Broad, but that idea was vetoed by Richmond.

Some of the streets that feed into Broad are major problems as well. Trying to cross Broad on foot at West is like taking your life in your hands. Impatient drivers turning from southbound West to westbound Broad frequently don’t stop before turning right on red, and they turn in violation of the signs that say No Turn on Red When Pedestrians Are Present.

City planners put together an enormous pedestrian plan to address some of these issues, but the entire thing was put on hold because of the controversial idea of prohibiting parking on Lincoln and Hillwood avenues.

Planners insisted the restrictions were just a thought for the future, but that item had the unfortunate effect of causing a lot of good ideas to be shelved. Perhaps the City Council could bring the pedestrian plan back, sans the parking restriction, or consider approving small pieces of it at a time.

It doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing: we don’t need to emulate Washington’s bad habit of stuffing every legislative wish list item into a bill, making it an Omnibus bill in Washington lingo, also known as a “Christmas tree.”

Still, even though we hear a lot of advocacy for improved walkability, I wonder how deep that desire is among local residents.

A brief discussion emerged a few months ago after a pedestrian was hit by a car on West. Several commenters suggested putting a crosswalk there, at Ellison, but several others thought that was a terrible idea, fearing that it would back up automobile traffic.

That seems dubious to me; there aren’t enough pedestrians to really cause traffic to back up. It’s not like we have George Mason University here, so pedestrian traffic is quite irregular.

But even if it did cause small backups, is that really such a terrible thing? Cars sometimes pile up about three deep at the Washington & Old Dominion Trail if several people are crossing in short order. However, that’s nothing like how many back up at the Broad Street light during peak times, when the total back up could be 15 or more cars.

Besides, waiting an extra 30 seconds at the W&OD doesn’t seem awful, either. And I have to say that after 10 years living in Chicago, where drivers are quite disrespectful of pedestrians, I find that I actually enjoy stopping for people out for a run, walk, or stroll.

It’s like my good deed for the day. The pedestrians like it, and it exerts a calming influence on me, kinda the opposite of what happens if you race to make a light. Northbound West Street drivers heading for Broad at 45 mph, I’m looking at you.

Outside the Box is an opinion column. Read it every Sunday in the Falls Church Times.

Unanimous City Council Approves Two Mixed Use Projects

By Stephen Siegel
Falls Church Times Staff
May 15, 2013

Two large mixed use projects, each combining grocery stores and other retail on the ground floor and several floors of residential above, were approved in unanimous votes by the Falls Church City Council late Monday.

The projects, one slated for the parcel where Saab dealer International Motors and the adjacent Meineke Muffler shop now operate, and the other where the old post office sits empty on West Broad Street, are expected to add several million dollars in revenue to the city’s coffers annually, in addition to millions more in developer contributions to the city’s school building fund.

It also means the city is likely to soon have an extra $4 million in its bank account on top of those other figures, because the approval by the Council means the sale of city land next to the post office on the 200 block of West Broad Street can soon proceed. The City had earlier agreed to sell the land to developer Rushmark Properties for $4.3 million, but that deal was in limbo until the Council approved Rushmark’s plans for the site.

The plans include a 60,000 square foot Harris Teeter grocery store and 288 apartments, an increase of six from the previous proposal. The 288 apartments include 100 two bedroom units, which is down from 106 in an earlier proposal, with the rest being efficiencies or one bedroom units.

The complex at the Saab parcel is expected to have a 26,000 square foot Fresh Market store and 224 apartments. Both projects will have underground parking.

The next step in the process is for each developer to submit site plans to city officials, illustrating exactly how they envision the building and grounds to look.

While the projects should add significant revenue to a city that could very much use it, they remain controversial because they are adding considerable density to a place that dubs itself the Little City. That density will add some students to the schools, along with more traffic, from residents and shoppers alike, making Falls Church City a more urban place that it previously has been.

Police Investigating Stabbing on W&OD Trail

By Stephen Siegel
Falls Church Times Staff
May 14, 2013

Police on Tuesday afternoon were driving on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in a search for a masked suspect who stabbed someone around 3 pm near the trail’s intersection with Grove Avenue.

The victim was stabbed in the hand and was being treated at an area hospital, an officer searching for clues at the scene said.

Details were sketchy, and it wasn’t clear if the incident involved people who knew each other. It also was unclear if it was a robbery attempt or just a case of random violence.

The fact that witnesses reported the suspect wore a mask may imply a robbery, but that remains for police to determine. The officer at the scene reported that they recovered the mask, but said they were having trouble getting an accurate description of the suspect.

The officer said two “credible” witnesses gave conflicting information about the man’s clothing, although both described him as a Hispanic male. One witness told police the suspect was wearing a white shirt and jeans, while another said he had a flannel shirt, the officer said.

At about 3 pm, an officer on a motorcycle headed west on the trail over the Broad Street bridge in search of the suspect.

The incident delayed dismissal from the two City schools nearby — George Mason High School and Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School — and officers were stationed at both schools “out of an abundance of caution,” City Spokeswoman Amy Betor said in a press release.

Police have cleared the area, Ms. Betor said. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information on the incident is being asked to call police at 703-241-5053.

Schools spokesman John Brett said the delayed dismissal was done at the request of police while they conducted a search for the suspect. He said the all clear was given at 3:25, which delayed buses heading for Thomas Jefferson and Mount Daniel elementaries.

City Staff Agrees to Support Traffic Plan for Saab Parcel

By Stephen Siegel
Falls Church Times Staff
May 13, 2013

After initially having misgivings about the traffic management plan for the new mixed-use proposal at the Saab parcel on South Washington, city planners, on the eve of the City Council vote for approval, now say they are comfortable with the proposal.

Last week, the Times reported that staff had misgivings in advance of tonight’s vote, despite the fact that two new traffic signals were going to be added: one, that would be paid for by developer Lincoln Property Company at Washington and Tinner Hill Road and another that would be installed by the city at Washington and Maple.

Their concern was that left turns into and out of the new development, which will feature 224 apartments and ground floor retail expected to include a 26,000 square foot Fresh Market grocery, might be a safety hazard for traffic and pedestrians alike on Washington.

Planners previously acknowledged that the developer’s own traffic engineer could justify the allowance of left turns, and they also said that Fresh Market had indicated it would object to any left turn prohibition.

In the new staff report, planners struck a more conciliatory tone, noting that, if this project were nixed, any future project might be worse.

“The challenge to having a drive aisle (an entrance and exit) on South Washington Street is not unique to the proposed development; it is a challenge faced by any use on the subject site,” the report says. “And, one benefit of the proposed development is that it will reduce the number of drive aisles to one, from the three which currently exist on South Washington Street.

“In addition, were the site to redevelop with several independent businesses, each would likely expect a full service driveway entrance and related parking and drive aisle, and so the consolidation that occurs with this proposed mixed-use project provides a long-term improvement that mitigates impacts that could occur under other redevelopment scenarios.”

The report goes on to point out that having multiple access points for the project — on Maple, Tinner, and South Washington — will have the beneficial impact of dispersing traffic so that no one location is too congested, and cautions that the imposition of a left turn restriction comes with its own set of problems.

“With a right in/right out restriction, drivers may slow, stop or even attempt to make a turn before they are aware of the restriction. Having a full access drive aisle gives drivers the option and opportunity to get to the site from South Washington Street if they choose, and/or until they find a preferred, alternate route.”

The report concludes with a recommendation that the Council approve the traffic management plan for the site with no turn restrictions.

OUTSIDE THE BOX: Fear and Loathing in the Little City

By Stephen Siegel
Falls Church Times Staff
May 12, 2013

If you turn on the news, you know will hear something sad. There are stories about fires, explosions, car accidents and shootings. You also may hear someone objecting to something.

Some of their complaints may be legitimate. We all know there are plenty of injustices out there. But the parade of people objecting to everything under the sun wears thin after a while. If you watch enough of the news, it seems like there’s always another grievance.

And so it is in Falls Church City. Yet it shouldn’t be.

The City is in an enviable position: it has homes that sell within days for high prices; a location at the crossroads of booming Northern Virginia; an economy prosperous from the federal government’s stabilizing influence and the explosive growth of the information technology industry.

But ever since moving here in 2008, I have heard people say they wanted to slam shut the city door to keep out that scourge of our society, families with children. The annual battles over the budget are acrimonious.

It’s okay for the debate over the budget to be passionate. Politics ain’t beanbag, goes a famous expression, and people who live near Washington take their politics with a heaping dose of extra serious.

It is to be expected that people defend their positions ardently, but somewhere, somehow, it feels like some have crossed a line somewhere. I was reminded of this anew during the battle over this year’s city budget.

I didn’t have any issue with the differing positions taken by members of the City Council. There was, you may recall, disagreement about how much of an increase the schools should get (once again, a luxury many cities do not have). The disagreement was well explained by City Councilor Johannah Barry in a Falls Church Times article in April.

Instead, what I am talking about is the tone, the language some residents are using during these debates. It is one thing to suggest the schools need to sacrifice. That is a legitimate position. It is quite another to assert that a “school lobby” is using “talking points” to effect a “money grab.”

Wow.

There’s no doubt Falls Church City spends a lot of money on its schools. So do Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax. The City has to spend more per capita in some cases because it lacks the economies of scale those larger jurisdictions enjoy.

But some of the anger about the school budget was based on a misunderstanding. While the Council voted to increase the city transfer 14 percent, that did not increase funding for school operations 14 percent.

In the 2012-2013 year, the schools spent $38,489,400 on operations. With the Council’s approval, they will spend $40,937,800, a 6.4 percent increase. Enrollment was up 6.9 percent over the last year. The figures come from Superintendent Toni Jones.

Funding for the city schools comes from a variety of sources: Mostly city funding, but also state and federal subsidies. State assistance increased 4.7 percent, but federal just 0.6 percent.

And here’s the kicker: The schools were using money from their fund balance the last several years, which helped keep the amount they needed from the City Council down. That changed with this year’s budget. The amount the school fund balance was being raided to fund operations fell 61 percent this year, from $3.28 million to $1.27 million, necessitating that the money be made up elsewhere.

Now, that doesn’t mean that the schools can’t tighten their collective belts. They can. The question is whether we, as city voters, want them to, which is ultimately a political question.

The city has small schools with small class sizes, which are considered a good thing. But it is a legitimate political position to say that smallness is a luxury we can’t afford, or, to be more precise, one could say we can afford it but that it would be better to have larger class sizes and a lower tax rate, or larger class sizes and more money to spend elsewhere.

That’s what politics is about. But people with that view need to make that case, and not just fire off language complaining about the schoolstalkingpointsmoneygrab. It’s unbecoming a community like ours, and the fear and loathing isn’t healthy — for those on either side.

One could also make the case that we can’t afford to be independent, and that we don’t need to be any more. The city desired its own independence and better quality schools at a time when Fairfax County was extremely rural.

Times have changed. Fairfax is now one of the wealthiest counties in the nation and has many excellent schools. Ditto for Arlington. If we just gave up independence, and became as one with one of our neighbors, perhaps we could have excellent schools and a lower tax rate.

That’s a political choice as well. But it’s one I doubt most City residents would make.

Outside the Box is an opinion column. Read it every Sunday in the Falls Church Times.

Thieves Hit Two West End Businesses Overnight

By Stephen Siegel
Falls Church Times Staff
May 9, 2013

Police this morning were investigating two burglaries at the West End Shopping Center that occurred about midnight.

The thief or thieves broke the door to the barber shop at the far west end of the plaza and cleaned the cash register of several hundred dollars, the owner said, but left a laptop computer that was inches away. The barber shop is perhaps the business that is the least visible from Broad Street at the strip mall, because it is somewhat hidden behind the Washington & Old Dominion Trail bridge.

The spree continued two doors east at the new Indian restaurant Curry Mantra 2, which just opened in February. The burglars broke out the glass to the metal door, but didn’t appear to gain entry, as the pile of glass both inside and outside the door appeared not to have been disturbed.

Nothing was taken from the cash register, although it had a combination lock on it and couldn’t easily be opened, the restaurant owner said.

The thieves may not get away for long: Curry Mantra has a camera recording all the happenings at the restaurant’s door, and police will no doubt be reviewing the footage shortly.

Private security cameras have been in the news recently for helping police catch the Boston Marathon terrorist bombers as well as the cross-dressing sexual assault suspect here in Falls Church City, who is accused of touching a 17-year-old girl inappropriately at 124 E. Broad Street.

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