Letters to the Editor

Editor,

I was somewhat disappointed to learn that the City terminated its efforts to consummate an agreement with the Akridge Company, the preferred developer for the Falls Church City Center Project. It is also disheartening to learn that Akridge was one of the last to learn of its proposed cancellation. Over the last two years, a lot of time, effort and financial resources have been put into this project - city staff, advisory committee members, developers, land owners and interested citizens and business people have made endless contributions.

Apparently, the city has come to the realization that joining with a private real estate entrepreneur to develop property they do not own was a bad idea. So where are we in the process of achieving our goals of creating a truly great city center? Back to square one - letting market forces shape the destiny of Falls Church's business core. And that is a good idea. Look at what the market forces have already brought to the city in the interim: Completion and occupancy of the Broadway, commencement of construction on the Byron project, and special use approval of the Spectrum and 500 south maple Avenue projects, all mixed-use projects just outside the city center.

Development in the city center could have led this renaissance if it had led through creating incentives to attract development there. I recall numerous proposals by the Chamber and Private-Public Partnership urging the city to make that effort through the establishment of municipal garages - downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring, Maryland, being two prime examples. One proposal complete with illustrated plans and sketches and describing how a similar effort could begin in Falls Church was given front page coverage in the News-Press in October 2001. In a June 2002 Guest Commentary, “Parking Critical to Successful Business Growth,” I reiterated the Bethesda parking garage success story.

Now the city is looking at another strategy, creating an overlay district for the city center. This document would set out the parameters by which private developers could propose projects that meet both market demands and the city's desire for a unique city center. Ironically, the Overlay Zoning District was a proposal of the Falls Church Private-Public Partners more than ten years ago.

Paul Barkley Falls Church

Editor, In your “Retro vs. Metro” editorial, one sees the attitudes of the left, especially in defeat. As someone who grew up in Ohio and Massachusetts but who has lived in Virginia for over 30 years, I have several comments about the editorial which insults those of us so-called ‘Retros,’ who thought that President Bush deserved our votes, as 52% of our nation did.

I can assure that notwithstanding the elitist attitudes of some in the Blue areas, those who voted for our president in Ohio are not ‘Retro,’ less intelligent or less sophisticated than the majority in Falls Church who voted for the loser.

In just one factor that did not escape this ‘Retro,’ I noted that Senator Kerry begrudged hard working people who got a tax cut from almost 40% to 35%, as a tax cut for the rich, while Senator Kerry's wife, who earned over $5 million, paid only 14% to the feds.

A typical example of the elitist attitudes of the limousine liberals, of which Kerry is the best example. I, for one, was proud to give my vote to our President, and look forward to the next four years. Smug liberals who think themselves more intelligent and sophisticated than the rest of us, well, that is just one of the many reasons smug Brahmin from Massachusetts will not be spending his next four years at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Dave Phelps Falls Church

Editor,

Post-November 2nd, I was hopeful we could open Falls Church News-Press and not be confronted with the language of excess and vitriol that has filled it recently. Sad to say, in this week's White House Report I found “seething testosterone fury,” “blood lust,” “dark foreboding wings of death,” and “a new precipice overlooking a new hell.” This follows “seize the reins from the insolent, drunken fool that is whooping and hollering while allowing the global wagon to careen toward the precipice” from the same column last week.

While editorial content is your prerogative (and WHR must be an editorial because the News-Press Platform clearly states ‘news’columns will not reflect ‘editorial’ opinion), I would hope that I am not the only City resident that is pleading with you to use a measure of decency, courtesy, and professionalism to express it.

Unfortunately, there is often little relief to be found in the Editorial itself; this week’s “It's Retro vs. Metro” is a case in point. Your meander through ‘Retro’ and ‘Metro’ implies that you view yourself as ‘Metro’ and have an apparent frustration at the slow pace of success you and the paper are having in transforming the City into a haven of ‘Metrohood.’

There’s no need, however, to dismiss everyone who disagrees with your view of social or economic development issues facing the City as a stubborn and moribund member of a ‘rural village.’ I am not sure what's worse - - the contempt evident in the editorial for those ‘rural villagers’ with whose religious beliefs you do not agree or the attempt to foment dissent and division in the City by asserting that many of its new residents will be joining your campaign against the poor ignorant ‘Retros.’

The Falls Church I know is an ‘all-American’ blend of both long-time and new residents; Democrats, Republicans, and Independents; wealthy and less-well-off families; and, both the religious and the non-religious. I am pleased there is not across-the-board unanimity in the City.

Karl Stegenga Falls Church

Editor,

For over 22 years I have loved living in Falls Church. There are so many special things about our community - from the people like the friendly crossing guard at St. James School and the great men at Brown's Hardware, to places like the Farmers Market and the wonderful restaurants. Today I am writing you about a newer addition that has made a huge difference in my life…..Healthy By Intention.

In April I fell and hurt my shoulder. At first, the doctor thought it wasn't broken, but over the weekend the pain got worse and worse. I called Healthy By Intention late on a Sunday afternoon to see if I could have a massage of the muscles that were in spasm. Rick Grier, a masseuse who works with people in pain, came to Falls Church from his home in Maryland on a Sunday night to help me! How incredible is that! I won't go into my own medical story, but let me summarize by saying he told me I should return to the doctor, who then saw the shoulder was broken in an unusual location. Rick and Amy, another great masseuse, have been integral to my recovery, and I thank heaven for the kind, talented, professional people at Healthy By Intention.

I just wanted to pass on the compliment publicly. Another wonderful service in Falls Church. Let me close with a compliment to you. The Falls Church News-Press is a treasure.

Julie Galdo Falls Church

Editor,

Greetings from the New Heart Building at Fairfax Inova Hospital and several words of advice to you.