Red Light Cameras Start Clicking Next Sunday

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

December 13, 2010

Falls Church Police Sergeant Pilar Uelmen advised the City Council this evening that two photo-red cameras will begin operating next Sunday, December 19.  One camera will be at the corner of E. Broad St. and Cherry St. and the other at W. Broad St. and Annandale Road.  Red light violators will receive warning notices for a 30 day trial period.  Thereafter, citations will be issued. 

Mayor Nader Baroukh queried Sergeant Uelmen regarding citizens’ concerns about the devices flashing at night.  She responded that the system’s vendor is working with the City’s engineering division to incorporate shielding mechanisms on the cameras. 

Resolutions and Ordinances  –  In its final meeting of 2010 the Council unanimously approved a resolution establishing a task force to implement a Community Energy Plan.  The initiative will identify emission reduction targets, develop and implement the plan, and monitor progress.  The resolution provides for $18,000 for consulting services to provide technical expertise in support of the plan.  The group will meet four to six times a year and will conclude its work and report to Council by June 30, 2012.

Ralph Yatsko of the Climate Change/Energy Efficiency Task Group projected that a 2% reduction in energy could be achieved per year and estimated total savings of $21.5 million by government, residential, and business sectors over ten years.  Vice Mayor Dave Snyder saw this as “a very significant payback of the $18,000.”

Councilman Ira Kaylin noted that the savings would not directly revert to the general fund, but would be diffuse.  In response, Mr. Yatsko stated that the savings for the City government were projected at $2 million over the course of a decade. 

The Council unanimously approved the second reading of a budget amendment.  The ordinance allocates $59,080 to the general fund, $50,000 to the capital improvements project fund, and $38,000 to the water fund.  Four consent items also were approved involving transportation engineering services, sidewalk repairs, and water main design services.

City Manager’s Report  –  City Manager Wyatt Shields introduced Richard La Condre, the City’s new Chief Financial Officer.  Mr. La Condre, who assumed his duties on December 6, comes to Falls Church from Tallahassee, Florida.  Mr. Shields thanked Melissa Ryman for her work as acting CFO over the past six months.

Mr. Shields advised that new trash and recycle containers were distributed during the first week of December.   On Monday, December 20 and Tuesday, December 21, the City will collect old containers.  Residents should put discarded containers face down by the curb.  Old trash cans also can be used to hold brush for pickup.  More information about the new containers is available at the City’s website.

Mr. Kaylin inquired concerning the “twist ties” that originally were to be distributed as part of the new collection program.  Mr. Shields advised that the ties will not be issued until the Council approves a resolution authorizing a trash pickup fee.

Santamobile  –  Some concern was expressed during the comment segment of the meeting that Santa hadn’t been seen making his rounds through City.  Councilman Ron Peppe pointed out  that Santa’s schedule is available at the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department website.  Santa will begin his ride through town on Wednesday, December 15.

Appointments  –  The Council approved numerous appointments and reappointments to City boards and commissions.

Charles Langalis and James Michel were reappointed to the Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation.  Their four year terms will run until January 31, 2014.

Donald Brobst, Jr. and Stephen Sprague were reappointed to the Housing Commission.  Their three year terms will run until December 31, 2013.

Linda Valentino was reappointed to the Historic Architectural Review Board to a term ending January 31, 2014.

Chairman John Lawrence and Vice Chair Melissa Teates were reappointed to the Planning Commission through 2014.   

Dennis Szymanski was appointed to the Tree Commission to a term ending March 31, 2013.

Raymond Arnaudo was appointed to the Environmental Services Council to a term ending February 28, 2012.

Larry Little was appointed to the Retirement Board through April 2013.

The Council also recommended that the city attorney request  the Arlington County Circuit Court to appoint Matthew Kahn and Claudia Volk to the City’’s Board Of Equalization.  If so appointed, their terms will run from February 1, 2011 to January 31, 2014.   

Council Closed Session  –  At 9:00 pm the Council went into a closed session to discuss matters relating to the City’s water system.  This was the second time in December that the Council has convened in secret on this topic.

MAN ABOUT TOWN: I’ve Had My Say

By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Falls Church Times Columnist

December 13, 2010

The Man About Town’s first column in the Falls Church Times ran just shy of 18 months ago. It was about the author James Thurber and how in 1902 he was shot in the eye with an arrow on Maple Avenue. For his trouble, James Thurber Court is named after him.

That was the idea of the column – walk and bike around town and offer whimsical commentary. There followed articles on the duck tree on South Virginia Avenue and the skateboard park, but thereafter the Man About Town began to exhibit a critical bent. A list of the City’s Ugliest Buildings shocked one of our editors, who temporarily withheld it from publication for fear of upsetting people. Little could he imagine how many upsets were to come.

The Big Bang came September 21, 2009, with Why Falls Church Needs Arlington:

Falls Church City is no longer economically sustainable. You won’t read that anywhere else because other media have a vested interest in preserving the status quo. Read more

Celtic Christmas Celebration at ArtSpace Falls Church

By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF

Christmas Cabin of Carnaween, Creative Cauldron’s stage adaptation of an old Irish folktale, has one more weekend of performances December 17 – 19 at ArtSpace Falls Church (410 S. Maple Avenue).  On the final weekend of the production, Creative Cauldron also presents “Pete Moss and the Bog Band” in concert at 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 18 & 19.

Pete Moss and The Bog Band will perform Irish music in concert at 4 pm Saturday and Sunday, December 18 & 19 at ArtSpace Falls Church. The concerts are part of a special Celtic Christmas weekend.

The Bog Band is a group of young musicians from this area who are mad for traditional Irish music and dance.  Lead by Pete Moss (aka Mitch Fanning), a local violin and fiddle player, the band has played at venues including the Potomac Celtic Festival, Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater, the
Washington Folklife Festival, the Takoma Park Folklife Festival, the Glen Echo Irish Festival, and Euronight.

The Bog Band provided musical entertainment at the Irish Embassy’s holiday reception last year.  Ambassador Michael Collins wrote:  ”Your performance, which was outstanding, was a highlight of the evening for our guests.”

Tickets for the Bog Band concert are $10 for adults and $6 for children.

Christmas Cabin of Carnaween performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm.  The last performance is scheduled for Sunday at 6 pm.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. 

Christmas Cabin and Bog Band tickets can be reserved online at www.creativecauldron.org or by calling 571-239-5288.

ArtSpace Falls Church is located at 410 S. Maple Avenue in the Pearson Square building.  Free parking is available in the garages at both 410 and 400 S. Maple Avenue.