Letters to the Editor

Reneging On Promises Violates Public Turst

Most citizens do not realize that West End Park is a very small park and the green space next to it is owned by the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department agreed to give the city 50% of this land in exchange for credits towards the new firehouse. The fire department got its credits but the city never received title to the property promised to it in exchange. Now the fire department wants to resell this land.

The City Council voted 6 to 1 to approve proceeding with the sale provided a "significant" amount of the ½ owed to the park would remain green space even after Carol Jackson told them that the project could not go through without using this land.

I am disappointed that the newly elected council members do not hold to their promise to us to protect what little open space is left in the city. Going back on campaign promises is a violation of public trust.

Promises have been made for years that this open space would remain in the park, in fact the City's Compressive Plan and Capital Improvement Program all call for all this land to go to the park.

I would welcome commercial development on Broad Street but not the intrusion into open land already promised to the city.

I feel like this process has been rushed through without public input. Most people did not even realize this vote was going down.

Zaneta McGaha, Falls Church

Neighbors Not Only Opposed to West End Plan

I remain very skeptical that there are absolutely no other sites available for affordable housing. Remember we were told there were no other sites for a new school except Madison Park.

The News-Press would have you believe that only the neighbors of West End Park are interested in preserving and expanding the West End Park. This is unfortunate. Our goal should be to increase, rather than decrease, parkland and open space. In our growing, urbanizing community, open space is finite; and usurping this parcel for anything is a loss everyone who uses the City's parks understands.

Final Question: Who gave the Housing Commission and the Volunteer Fire Department the idea this land was available?

Rob Meeks, Chairman, Falls Church Advisory Board Parks and Recreation

West End Park Enjoys Heavy Use by Neighbors

Now our City Council is faced with the task of deciding to which of these deserving uses the land will be put. Hopefully, their decision on Monday will pave the way for a solution which will address both needs.

Again, I acknowledge that we need more affordable housing in the City but will also tell you that the park is heavily used by those in the neighborhood. Given the shortage of park-land, it is no wonder that the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks, The Planning Commission, The Environmental Services Council and the Tree Commission have all weighed in against removing this land from our already scant park system. As my daughter, her husband and two young sons live on Grove Avenue, right across from the park we, as a family, frequent the park almost daily.

Perry Gawn, Falls Church

Affordability Is An Issue for Current Residents

My property tax bill has doubled over the last four years, and I haven't made any improvements or additions to my property. Were I trying to buy a house on my current salary, I could not afford the house I live in because of the rapid escalation of house prices and the property tax bill.

My salary has gone up only a modest amount over the last four years. If the City truly needs income so badly that my taxes have to rise that rapidly, then I don't see how the city can have possibly have extra money to hand out in subsidies. I have seen a number of homes in my neighborhood sell in the last several years for higher and higher prices. Those who have left have certainly enjoyed a windfall, but those of us who remain should not be punished in order to give handouts to special interests.

Stephen Donnelly, Falls Church

Unselfish Fire, Police & Sheriff Help on the 4th

The fireworks were a huge hit with the kids, and who was there to ensure our safe arrival and departure? We all know that the Sheriff's and Police Departments kept the vehicle and pedestrian traffic apart and running smoothly. And of course, the Fire Department was an essential part of the evening, overseeing the spectacular fireworks display. On New Years Eve, during Watch Night, during the Tinner Hill Festival, on the Fourth of July and at other City celebrations, we always make a point of personally telling these these unselfish, hardworking City employees "thank-you" for enabling safe passage to City venues. And we always get a simple and cheerful, "oh, you're welcome!" But don't take my word. Try it for yourself, you'll see.

Again, thank-you, thank-you, thank-you, you're the greatest! Without you, these community events could not take place. Karl Ensign. Falls Church

Why Not Just Invade France To Make it Free?

I read recently in the newspaper an article by Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, denouncing Jacques Chirac and France for their policy concerning Iraq. He proposed a wholesale economic boycott of any entity that was French or France-affiliated in any manner. This makes perfect sense to me, because of course if a leader in a free country makes horrible decisions, then certainly the entire nation, as a whole, feels exactly the same way. And we have to show them that they're wrong, because they all obviously hate America and freedom.

Bill O'Reilly also justly faulted Chirac for not attending Former President Reagan's funeral. That was a slap in the face to all Americans. Chirac was in the country that day, and the funeral was only an hour away. It’s inconsequential that Chirac might have important matters of state to attend to; he could at least have the decency to honor our former great leader. Look at President Bush. Even in our darkest hour, when suicide hijackers were raining fire down on innocent civilians, President Bush had the decency not to walk out on his elementary school photo-op. He stayed and listened to children's stories, because he's dedicated to children and education.

So, thank you, Bill O'Reilly, thank you President Bush, for showing us that France is a horrible force in the world. Even though they've never shown even the smallest inclination to attack America, neither did the evil regime in Iraq. And Iraq had a bad man leading it, because he disagreed with America and freedom. But we knew that. And now, because of Bill O'Reilly, we know that Chirac is a bad man. He and everyone that is French are obviously against freedom and America too. So I propose we do more than a boycott. Let's invade France, and do the right thing, restore peace and order and freedom, just like in Iraq.

Ben Schollnick, Rochester, New York