Letters to the Editor

Falls Church Council‘s ‘Altered View of Reality’

Editor,

Some members of the Falls Church City Council seem to exist in an altered reality regarding recent events in the Virginia General Assembly.

For example, what is Falls Church City Councilman Snyder’s basis for his belief that the Virginia legislature “…killed Northern Virginia's efforts to protect citizens from the ability of gun-toting gangs and terrorists to enter government and recreational facilities”?

Maybe Councilmen Snyder uses terms like “gangs” and “terrorists” to tarnish the image of folks like me who lawfully carry handguns routinely into Falls Church governmental and recreational facilities. Perhaps some folks have seen me quietly sitting at a computer terminal in the Falls Church library checking my email while my daughter attends violin lessons down the street? Or perhaps others saw me respectfully attending Delegate Scott's open house in the recreation center? Or perhaps Councilman Snyder is still upset that I and others dared to speak calmly during the public comment period of a city council meeting to oppose his bid to violate Virginia law and ban lawful gun carry in the public buildings of Falls Church?

And how about Mayor Dan Gardner’s belief that the General Assembly’s decision to not renew the expiring experimental authority for a few localities to employ photo-red light surveillance against the citizenry was “… a tyranny of the illogical,” arguing further that “There is no excuse for it. I would not want to be responsible if there is any loss of life as a result of this.” Is Mayor Gardner unaware that the Virginia Department of Transportation released a study to the General Assembly this session that concluded that photo-red light surveillance programs contributed to “…an increase in total injury crashes,” or that even the safety obsessed American Automobile Association is increasingly critical of photo-red light surveillance programs in Washington, DC and other places?

Mike Stollenwerk, Alexandria, VA

Where Do We Sign Up for Secession?

Editor,

I have lived a good part of my life in Virginia, rather Northern Virginia, over 50 years to be more precise. Your editorial about the Dillon Rule is right on the mark. We may be taught in our schools of the proud heritage of Washington, Jefferson and Madison, but we don't discuss in public the heritage of slavery and, in my time, massive resistance to school integration after the ‘54 Brown decision. To the folks in Richmond, the Civil War (or as they would prefer to call it, the War Between the States) is still going on - and we in Northern Virginia are very much the Yankees in their midst. They would like to be rid of us but can’t get along without out our money.

You end your editorial with a call to secede, and I think such action is long over due. The new state of North Virginia could comprise Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun Counties and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park. The combined population would be larger than many states, and the economic wealth would put the state of North Virginia in the top tier of states. The infrastructure is well developed including some of the best higher education and research facilities in the country. It’s been estimated that Fairfax County sees a return of between 17 and 19 cents on the dollar sent to Richmond. Based on those figures, the new state of North Virginia would realize a quintupling of revenue overnight. Would there be any debate about extending Metro or dealing with other transportation issues? And what better way to jettison the Dillon Rule?

Where do we sign up?

Charles Whitham, Reston, VA

Business Awards Event ‘Uplifting, Touching, Fun’

Editor,

Uplifting. Touching. Fun. These words are not typically associated with proceedings at Council Chambers in City Hall. But these feelings are precisely what I experienced at the City of Falls Church 2004 Business Awards ceremony on March 3.

In chambers filled to capacity, eighteen businesses were recognized and honored by the City Council, the Economic Development Authority, the Environmental Services Council and the Chamber of Commerce.
These entrepreneurs, owners, executives and employees make a difference in our city. Not just economically. These businesses make a difference in the quality of life for our residents and visitors to Falls Church. Every day, in small and sometimes big ways, these businesses touch our lives. And through their hard work and dedication to service, they add richness to our workdays and our errands.

The businesses that were celebrated are yet another reason Falls Church City is a wonderful place.

Gina Caceci, Falls Church

Judge Alper Due for Re-Appointment

Editor,

Falls Church citizens and former mayor David Snyder, were offended and insulted by Arlington Judge Joanne Alper last October. As reported in the News-Press, Judge Alper ridiculed the presence of 20 Falls Church residents and professionals who attended a hearing and the 30 letters of others.

As Councilman David Snyder told the News-Press, Falls Church citizens were “treated in an adversarial and unfair manner,” by Judge Alper. “There was a clear animus toward the citizens of Falls Church that pervaded the entire proceeding. We were treated as though we were on trial.” Judging from the news coverage, it appears that Judge Alper made her decision before hearing the evidence. But perhaps thumbing her nose at the supporters, Judge Alper responded by giving Frank Marino an unusually harsh sentence at the maximum end of the range.

Now, Judge Alper is being evaluated. At its very next session, the General Assembly will vote whether to reappoint Judge Alper for another eight years to continue behaving in this manner towards others in the future. That means the General Assembly will be deciding in the coming months how they will vote.
Our goal should be to offer the citizens of Virginia the very best our legal profession has to offer. We should have no hesitation about putting forth Virginia’s very best candidates for judgeships rather than rubber-stamping the status quo merely out of a lack of attention or a lack of interest.

The citizens of Falls Church need to do their civic duty one more time. Their experiences need to be communicated to the General Assembly, especially to the members of the Courts of Justice Committees in the House and Senate.

Unfortunately, I would like to say that the citizens of Falls Church were treated to something unusual on October 22, 2004. I’d like to say it was just a bad day for Judge Alper. But attorneys who practice in Arlington could not tell you that with any honesty.

Jon Moseley, Esq., Ashburn, VA

Disagree With View on Ending Of ‘$1M Baby’

Editor,

Just to offer a different point of view on the ending of “Million Dollar Baby,” which you wrote about last week.

First, I appreciate that you did not care for the ending, which is surely your right. However, I disagree that it is either fair or accurate to characterize plot element as using “trickery to perform a major disservice.”
Second, the fact reviewers did not reveal the plot twist seems right and appropriate to me. Surely anyone wanting to know the ending could have visited the many websites in which the reviewers did reveal the ending after warning that he was going to do so. I don’t believe it is otherwise appropriate to reveal that sort of plot twist. I know folks who saw the movie both ways and those who did not know what was coming describe a more intense experience.

Lastly, I am not sure I agree that the film represented a “sympathetic” portrayal of assisted suicide. I thought it showed two people dealing with the very difficult question. Indeed, I think the real problem with that part of the film was that it created a dilemma that may not be accurate. If I understand that state of the law, the Swank character had the right to ask that the ventilator be turned off and did not need to involve the Eastwood character in carrying out her decision to end her life.

Bill Brew , Falls Church

Letters may be sent to Letters to the Editor, c/o Falls Church News-Press, 929 West Broad Street #200, Falls Church, VA 22046 or may be faxed to 703-532-3396 or emailed here.