Moran on Health Care Reform: ‘Our Better Angels Prevailed’
In Falls Church Monday night to engage the F.C. City Council, including with a report of federal money to the City’s infrastructure, U.S. Rep. Jim Moran told the News–Press in an interview on the steps of City Hall that “Our better angels prevailed” in the historic passage of health care reform the night before in the Capital Building.
Moran on Health Care Reform: ‘Our Better Angels Prevailed’
In Falls Church Monday night to engage the F.C. City Council, including with a report of federal money to the City’s infrastructure, U.S. Rep. Jim Moran told the News–Press in an interview on the steps of City Hall that “Our better angels prevailed” in the historic passage of health care reform the night before in the Capital Building.
“I personally feel this is the best side of America,” he said. “Until this, the more you needed insurance the less likely you were to get it,” he added. He noted that in his 8th District of Virginia, that includes the City of Falls Church, over $100 million is assessed every year for uncompensated care. “We spend twice as much as every other advanced nation and we don’t live as long or as healthy as they do,” he added. He derided the abusive and hateful behavior of protesters against reform that clogged the halls of the Capitol and rallied outside Sunday night, saying he, himself, got in a shouting match with one who didn’t know what is in the bill. He praised the nuns, many of whom work in hospitals, who defied their bishops to join with Catholics for Health Care Reform that “waded into the crazies with their signs” in the protest area outside the Capitol Sunday night.
F.C. Council Votes to Advertise Budget Rate of $1.30
In order to give themselves some “wiggle room” in crafting the FY11 City of Falls Church budget over the next month, the Falls Church City Council voted 6-1 to advertise a real estate tax rate increase to $1.30 per $100 of assessed valuation Monday night. City Manager Wyatt Shields recommended a budget calling for a 20 cent increase to $1.27, but he also recommended advertising for $1.30 to give the Council more flexibility as it manages the biggest disparity between revenue and expenditure levels in the City’s history. Each penny on the tax rate translates into about $300,000 in revenue. As the lone Council member to vote “no” Monday night, Nader Baroukh called for a further reduction in costs at City Hall, including furloughs and other personnel cost reductions. The Council is slated to meet with the School Board on the budget tonight and has until April 12 to consider options on other, besides real estate, tax rates. The final adoption of the budget will be on April 26.
Study: State Budget Cuts to Cost 37,000 Jobs
A study released by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis in Richmond this week estimated that cuts to state spending in health care and education in the budget recently approved by the General Assembly will result in 37,000 jobs losses and reduced economic activity of over $2 billion. It includes over $1.5 billion in lost personal income.
Sheriff’s Deputy Charged for Contact With Prisoner
A Fairfax County Deputy Sheriff was arrested after an investigation determined he was allegedly engaged in inappropriate contact with a female prisoner. The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office contacted police on Wednesday, March 17, after they learned of the allegation. Police detectives determined a 25-year-old female prisoner was admitted as a patient at a local hospital. Sheriff’s deputies maintained guard duty over her during her stay. During the overnight hours of Monday, March 8 into the early morning on March 9, a deputy sheriff and the prisoner allegedly engaged in sex acts. Police obtained a warrant and on Monday, March 22, the Sheriff’s Office arrested the deputy. James Lee Heinz, 36, was charged with carnal knowledge of an inmate, a class six felony. Heinz was employed with the Sheriff’s Office for two years.
Armed Robbery in Bailey’s Crossroads
Three masked men forced their way into a Falls Church home last week and held three people at gunpoint while they took cash and jewelry, police report. According to Fairfax County Police, three masked men forced their way into a residence in the 3600 block of Barcroft View Terrace in Bailey’s Crossroads around 9:55 a.m. Thursday morning, March 18. Once inside, one of the suspects tied up a 30-year-old man. One of the other suspects displayed a handgun and held a 32-year-old woman and a 22-year-old woman at gunpoint. The suspects took cash and jewelry and fled the residence. Two of the suspects were described as Hispanic, in their 30s, around 5 feet 6 inches tall, and 160 pounds with black hair. The other suspect was described as Hispanic, in his 30s, around 5 feet 4 inches tall, and 160 pounds, with black hair. Police as that anyone with information concerning this incident contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
F.C. Schools’ Support Nominees Named
The Falls Church City Public Schools announced four nominees for their “Support Staff Employee of the Year” award last week. Each nominee was surprised today by a visit from Superintendent Dr. Lois Berlin, who showed up to personally present each with a balloon bouquet and a copy of their nomination letters. The nominees are L.V. Bendolph, a custodian at George Mason High School, Robert Jones a technology paraprofessional at George Mason High, Martha “Mim” McFarland, a library assistant at the M.E. Henderson Middle School, and LaBryan “Coach T” Thomas, a maintenance technician at M.E. Henderson. The nominees were screened by a five-person review committee. The 2010 award winner will be announced next month and will win a cash award. The winner and all the nominees will be recognized by the School Board at a reception this spring.
