Dear Neighbors:
Thanks to all who attended our quarterly Civic Association meeting on February 7. Here's a summary:
- A neighbor took the initiative on the puzzling mail delivery issues. At the meeting, she described her interactions with Rep. Don Beyer's office about the mail issue, and how she started arrangements for him or a representative from his office to participate in our next quarterly meeting. Thank you!
- We discussed the recent flurry of surveys and road markings around the neighborhood. For example, a neighbor noticed all manner of spray painted lines at South 7th and Garfield to South Highland, apparently marking for gas, water, sewer, fiber optic cable, etc., along with red plastic ties around trees, utility poles and light fixtures. Through some research, she learned that the architect that Arlington Public Schools recently hired for renovation work at the Career Center ordered a complete survey of the entire site, along with adjacent right-of-ways along 7th, 9th, Highland and S. Walter Reed, and 15 feet beyond the right-of-ways (i.e., residents' front yards).
- We also learned that Arlington Public Schools has begun looking at sites for a fourth comprehensive high school. One proposed site is the Career Center.
- The County Board will consider renewal of Arlington Cinema & Draft House's live entertainment use permit at the Feb. 25 County Board meeting. You can weigh in by commenting online, emailing the County Board and/or speaking at its Feb. 25 meeting. See https://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/meetings/speaking-procedures
- Finally, I am pleased to announce our new and returning civic association officers:
- Evan Farley was elected AHCA's new First Vice President. We welcome him onto AHCA's Executive Committee.
- Scott Winn was re-elected AHCA's Treasurer. We're glad he's staying on as our well of institutional knowledge, neighborhood perspective, and all-around good counsel.
- AHCA Secretary Susannah Keefe has served AHCA well for over a year, but opted not to stand for election again due to business and family commitments. (Darn! But we understand). Therefore, we still welcome nominations for civic association secretary.
- President too. I've enjoyed serving as AHCA's president, but have considerably less time to devote to civic duties than I had the first year. In the absence of other candidates, I accepted re-nomination and was re-elected. I'm ready to pass the baton, but until we elect a new president, I won't leave AHCA without one, and I shall continue to serve as best I can. Feel free to contact me or any of the officers if you're even a little curious about the role and would like to learn more about what it entails.
- See the first crocus of spring above on AHCA's homepage. Thanks to our webmaster Jay Jacob Wind for posting that photo yesterday.
- A neighborhood Facebook page is in the works too, thanks to our newsletter editor, Claudia Winkler.
- AHCA welcomes our new Social Chair, Kristy Kelly, who hosted a fantastic Halloween Parade and Party last October and will organize our neighborhood picnic next summer.
- AHCA also welcomes our new Newsletter Editor, Claudia Winkler, a communications professional who is already hard at work on the next issue of Over the Fence.
- We are grateful to these enthusiastic volunteers who stepped into crucial civic association roles soon after moving into the neighborhood.
Thank you
Molly Calkins, president