Falls Church News Briefs

Sze Out, Kaylin In: 8 Set for F.C. Council Election

Incumbent Falls Church City Councilman Dan Sze informed the News-Press today that he’s chosen not to seek re-election in May. But citizen Ira Kaylin added his name to the list, keeping the field of candidates who were qualified by the F.C. Voter Registrar’s Office yesterday at eight.

 

Sze Out, Kaylin In: 8 Set for F.C. Council Election

Incumbent Falls Church City Councilman Dan Sze informed the News-Press today that he’s chosen not to seek re-election in May. But citizen Ira Kaylin added his name to the list, keeping the field of candidates who were qualified by the F.C. Voter Registrar’s Office yesterday at eight. All eight provided more than the required signatures and other information by the 7 p.m. deadline Tuesday, according to Gwen Hoffman, assistant F.C. registrar. The F.C. office will now forward the candidate information to the State Board of Elections, which will officially certify the candidates for the ballot by March 11. Expected to be on the ballot to seek election to four Council seats on May 4: Johannah Barry, Barry Buschow, Lindy Hockenberry, Ira Kaylin, John Lawrence, Hal Lippman, Ron Peppe and David Snyder. Four candidates filed successfully at City Hall to seek the four School Board seats that will also be on the ballot May 4. They are Susan Kearney, Rosaura Aguerrebere, Patrick Riccards and Greg Rasnake.

 

 

Va. Supreme Court to Hear Episcopal Church Case

The Supreme Court of Virginia notified involved parties Wednesday that it will hear arguments in a case brought by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia challenging the constitutionality of Virginia’s so-called “division statute,” and subsequent decisions at the circuit court level, that have allowed former Episcopalians to claim Episcopal Church property as their own. Henry H. W. Burt, secretary of the Episcopal Diocese, said in a statement today, “For more than 200 years, the Episcopal Church has had the freedom to govern itself without government interference…We believe this law is clearly unconstitutional and there is too much at stake for all churches of Virginia to let it remain in effect.” He noted that 15 other churches, dioceses, judicatories and national denominations, both hierarchical and congregational in structure, have submitted “friends of the court” briefs in support of the Diocese’s position. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case during the week of April 12-16.

 

F.C. EDA OK’s Creative Cauldron Grant

The Falls Church Economic Development Authority (EDA) Tuesday voted to grant $6,000 to assist the non-profit Creative Cauldron arts education program in its marketing efforts for the 2010-2011 season. The vote was unanimous following a presentation by the Cauldron’s executive director Laura Hull and Meg Wiant. EDA member Phil Duncan said of the Creative Cauldron, “You all are doing terrific stuff. Your programs spread Falls Church’s name far and wide, bring new people into the City, generate customers for other local enterprises, and of course, enhance the City’s arts and culture scene.”

 

Tastings May Be OK’d in ABC Stores

The Virginia House of Delegates voted 66-33 in favor of a bill passed earlier by the State Senate, 30-10, allowing organized wine and liquor tastings in State-run Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) sales outlets. The measure now goes to the governor’s desk for his action. (Capital News Service)

 

Metro Project to Delay McLean Drivers

All northbound lanes of Route 123 between McLean and Tysons Corner will be shut down for 14 hours beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 5. The lanes will reopen by 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 6. All northbound through traffic from the Tysons area toward McLean and the Chain Bridge will be detoured.

 

F.C. Council Mulls Outsourcing Trash Pickup

At its work session Monday, the Falls Church City Council concurred with the desire of the City staff to OK a contract not to exceed $500,000 by mid-March to outsource trash and recycling services in the City beginning May 1. The contract would involve acquisition of two 65-gallon, covered carts per household in the City, one for refuse and the other for recycling. The savings would total $149,757 annually and would relieve the City of having to maintain and upgrade it own fleet of collection trucks in future years. With the Council’s blessing at its meeting Monday, negotiations with American Disposal Services should be finalized for Council approval on March 8. The contract would be executed by March 31, and collections begin by May 1. An additional 60 to 90 days will be needed to manufacture the carts and distribute them to residents. Hicks also indicated how seven City employees currently working in waste management services for the City will keep their jobs by being redeployed to other functions.