What We Do Matters Approaching Election
Editor,
The blessing (or silver lining, whatever words you use) of living in such challenging times is this: what we do matters. From conversations we have in the checkout line at the grocery store to early voting to postcards, or whatever it is you are doing, it all matters.
These times demand dedicated spiritual practices to get through. We don’t have the luxury of choosing not to pray or meditate or go for that walk, listening to the birdsong. We have to keep ourselves awake, engaged, and active and to do that we have to care for ourselves and one another.
Choosing to be kind and to have hope. Because I have learned that the voice in my head that tells me I can be better prepared for the worst by imagining it, by allowing my cynicism to set the scene, that voice is incorrect. It does not prepare me in any way to imagine a worst-case scenario. It prepares my spirit by hoping, by imagining what is possible, and then I am able to respond to whatever comes.
And here’s why I have hope: “The broad and diverse coalition that is leaning into joy and hope and a new way forward. We feel the future coming… There’s a reason the polls are tightening: partisan pollsters are dropping dozens of polls that lean right to flood the plane. This is what they did to create the mirage of a Red Wave which never materialized…Watch where the money is going; who is raising the most?…Look at ground games and who is getting out there hitting the pavement, making inroads into local communities…Who is winning the early vote (and by margins that exceed 2020)?
“Dobbs + Jan 6 + 34 convictions + no concession in 2020 = the most extreme authoritarian candidate we’ve seen in our lifetimes. Some of the most trusted people who have worked for him refuse to support him, from his VP to former chief of staff to military generals. I really do not believe the American people will go for it.”
I’m going to keep saying it: this consequential election is up to us. What we do matters.
Regardless of whether you live in a swing state, the popular vote and its margins send a message. Your down-ballot candidates will impact your local community profoundly. Ballot measures are worthy of your attention and discernment. Please stay awake and engaged with me, and let’s do it with hope and joy. Now is the time.
-Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss
A Plea to Republicans To Support Harris
Editor,
There are two ideals that loom large in Republican party values — the Rule of Law and Fiscal Responsibility; Donald Trump is a cancer on both of these. This cancer must be removed.
You can survive four years of a Harris Administration (we survived four years of Jimmy Carter…). But please pay heed when Icons of Conservatism like Dick Cheney, Mike Pence, John Kelly, John Bolton, Michael Luttig (the list goes on and continues to grow) warn us of the deadly perils of allowing Trump back into the White House.
A Harris win this November will spell Trump’s departure from our public eye. If his multitude of legal woes don’t imprison him (ALL self-inflicted), and he’s not completely buried under the over one-half billion (and counting) Dollars in debt he owes, he’s a prime candidate to flee to some third world country that doesn’t have an extradition treaty with the United States. In any event, the Grand Old Party will be freed from the Cancer of Trump, allowing it to rebuild on the best strengths of Conservatism and MAGA-ism and compete on and display its true values in ‘28 and beyond.
There are times when patience is a virtue and discretion is the better part of valor. This is one of those times. Allow Harris to save our Republic. Work to straighten the path in 2028 and beyond.
Pay heed to Abe Lincoln’s better angels.
-Hugh Johnston
Trump’s Scapegoats Aren’t The Problem
Editor,
Donald Trump has a habit of stirring up hatred against whatever group of people he can bully to make himself look like a hero.
He has gone after African Americans, Muslims, Hispanic immigrants, Jews, Haitians, veterans, military brass, the City of Detroit, NATO partners, Democrats, whistleblowers in his administration, women who are not his type, Chinese perpetrators of the China flu, welfare recipients, the Central Park Five, Native Americans, abortion getters, LGBTQIA+ folks, non-MAGA Republicans, pacifists, unions, liberal protesters, the media, people who deserve to get fired, lousy golfers, you name it.
All these groups and many more have become scapegoats in Trump world to cover over the real difficulties besetting the country, which include politicians who thrive on hate to advance their careers, judges who trash the Constitution, churches that are silent when Jesus would not be, monopoly media corporations that drift in whatever direction the wind is blowing, companies offshoring manufacturing, fossil fuel fanatics, non-existent civics education in the public schools and colleges, addiction and ill health, hyper-materialism, virulent factionalism in politics, legalized sports gambling, federal pre-emption of state police powers, billionaires, Jim Crow discrimination in policing, the Citizens United court decision…
-Kimball Shinkoskey
Lanternflies Arrive in Falls Church City
Editor,
Unfortunately, I have some bad news to share. Spotted Lanternflies have officially arrived in Falls Church, as I saw some in Berman Park yesterday. According to researchers at Cornell who are tracking the range of this invasive pest they have reached Fairfax, Arlington, and most places around here. Spotted Lanternflies put more than 70 local plant species at risk of destruction because they have no local predators and can quickly decimate native species of rose, maple, birch, and most notoriously grapes.
I encourage everyone in town to learn what they look like and smash any egg masses or pests that you see. The other thing you can do is commit to not spreading their range accidentally by driving firewood or other things which might contain eggs far distances. Let’s do our best to preserve our local ecosystem and protect native species.
-Joseph Schiarizzi
New Traffic Lights Long Overdue
Editor,
Driving down Broad Street the other day, I was “happy” to see three new traffic lights being installed: one by Dulin Church, another just after Fairfax Street, the third at Oak Street.
These lights are long overdue. People have been ripping through Falls Church as if it was the national venue for the Arthritic Centenary Sloths of America Indy 500. Why, you can sometimes even clock three or four miles an hour on light-festooned Broad Street!
Seriously, while I know I preach to a small choir, I wrote to the Mayor last year about the experience of living on Fairfax Street, driving to the Library to pick up a book they were holding for me, and only needing 13 minutes to drive that day, between lights and construction.
The parochial mentality “driving” Falls Church traffic regulations is appalling.
-John M. Grondelski
Parking Reform Can Be An Opportunity
Editor,
During July’s Environmental Sustainability Council meeting, one of our senior city planners presented a proposed amendment to our city’s commercial parking requirements, known as “parking minimums.” Currently, new businesses must provide a minimum number of off-street parking spaces, with the quantity varying by business type and use. The proposed amendment aims to encourage the adaptive reuse of older buildings, specifically for small businesses, by easing these requirements.
Prior to this presentation, I hadn’t given much thought to off-street or on-street parking. I was surprised to learn that off-street parking requirements can actually hinder small businesses. Parking needs land, which costs money to maintain and use. By mandating off-street parking, the city inadvertently increases operational costs for businesses. These costs are ultimately passed on to consumers through higher prices for goods and services. Following this logic, I realized that requiring parking essentially forces all customers—whether they drive, bike, or walk—to subsidize parking costs.
It’s easy to feel frustrated by having to find on-street parking, especially when it is paid parking. I’ll admit, before researching the topic, I used to feel annoyed when faced with a parking meter. “Why should I pay for something I’m used to getting for free?” I’d think. But I’ve come to understand that this reaction was emotional and short-sighted. By offering free on-street and off-street parking, we’re in effect promoting car use as the primary mode of transportation. U.S. households, including those in Falls Church, significantly contribute to poor air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions through personal vehicle use. As noted in a Rewiring America article, “The EPA estimates that a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. That’s like burning over 5,000 pounds of coal!.” While it can be challenging to choose walking or biking over driving, abundant free parking only encourages driving. It’s human nature. However, what’s truly best for our community is cleaner air, less traffic congestion, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and more engagement with our neighbors—something that happens far more often when we walk and bike.
A common concern is that without mandatory off-street parking for businesses, nearby residential areas will suffer from overflow parking. As the book “Walkable City” states, “Communities can only be their best if on-street parking, off-street parking, parking permits, and parking regulations are all managed collectively.” We can protect residential neighborhoods by adjusting on-street parking permit zones. Those who choose to drive can still do so, but they probably should pay the true cost for their on-street parking spot. These funds could then be used to further beautify our city. Maybe we can even add some trees and green space where there used to be parking spots!
I urge my fellow neighbors to see these potential changes not as a problem or a loss, but as an opportunity to make our city more vibrant. There’s so much to gain! We can attract diverse small businesses to revitalize our older buildings, reduce our vehicle miles traveled, and foster a healthier community. Let’s embrace this chance to shape a more dynamic Falls Church!
-David Stile
