February 1 – 7, 2006
Arlington Clerk to Retire After 30 Years
David A. Bell, clerk of the Arlington court, announced this week that he will not seek re-election to another term in November, thus ending 30 years’ service in the role. Bell was first elected to oversee Arlington’s court operations in 1977. He is credited with modernizing the system, instituting a “call-in” system for jurors and setting up electronic scanning for land records. It is being rumored that Arlington County Board chair Paul Ferguson, whose seat is up on the Board in November, might seek the Clerk post. That would leave his Board seat open to a possible race between School Board member Daivd M. Foster, a Republican, and School Board chair Mary H. Haynes, a Democrat.
Gross to be Challenged for Mason Supervisor
Long-time Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross will face a challenge in her race for re-election this November from Vellie Dietrich-Hall. Hall kicked off her campaign with a formal announcement last Sunday. She set out her plans for lowering crime rates, lowering property taxes and easing traffic congestion in the district. Gross will be seeking support for re-election campaign with an annual fundraiser on Feb. 11.
Herman Named F.C. Director of Community Services
A veteran of the City of Falls Church’s Department of Recreation and Parks since 1970, Howard Herman was promoted this week to the position of Acting General Manager of Community Services by City Manager Wyatt Shields. In this post, Herman will supervise court services, housing and human services and the library divisions of the City government, while continuing to serve as director of Recreation and Parks, a post he has held since 1990. Herman held the same post in 2004-2005 before the City hired Cindy Mester. Now, however, Mester has been elevated to the position of Assistant City Manager.
F.C. Police, FBI Probe Armed Robbery
The City of Falls Church Police Department and the FBI are continuing their investigation of a Jan. 5, 2007 armed robbery at the First Horizon Bank, 133 S. Washington St., in Falls Church. According to a Falls Church statement, two suspects entered the bank armed with handguns. One jumped the teller counter and demanded access to the cash drawers. The second remained in the lobby and made all employees lay on the ground, face down. There were no customers inside the bank at the time and there were no injuries. The first subject is described as a black male in his 30s or 40s, standing 5 ft. 8 in. with short, black hair worn in dreadlocks or cornrolls. The second is described as a black male in his 20s or 30s, about 5 ft. 8 in., weighing 180 to 190 pounds. Anyone with information is urged to call FCPD (703) 241-5053 or the FBI Washington Field Office (202) 278-2000.
Kokolopori Fundraiser Set April 19 at IMF
The sister city of the City of Falls Church, the Kokolopori region of the Republic of the Congo in Africa, will be the beneficiary of a major fundraising reception being organized by Falls Church residents that will be held at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., on April 19. Honorary co-chairs Don and Mike Beyer are overseeing the event, and only pre-paid guests will be allowed to attend due to security procedures at the IMF. Details will follow.
Hull Announces Town Meeting on Feb. 10
Del. Bob Hull, whose 38th District covers the Mason District of Greater Falls Church in Fairfax County, announced yesterday that he will hold a town meeting to discuss matters before the Virginia legislature on Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, at 12:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
