The word “radio,” I’m reliably informed, was first used by broadcasters a century ago this year, right here in Arlington. The transition from the quainter “wireless” was accomplished at the Naval Radio Station, the area’s first such facility, located at what is now South Courthouse Road and 7th Street, according [...]

Next week, we will offer our solution for the City of Falls Church budget that will keep or lower the current real estate tax rate, fully fund the School Board request, and avoid the equivalent of a 5.5 cent increase in the tax rate coming from the rush by the [...]

Last month, the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors considered two resolutions on reducing gun violence. One called for continued study without any action and the other called for endorsement of the policy position of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). The policy position covers [...]

Does Growth of F.C. Population Impact Tax Rate? Editor, I would like to know how the growing population of the Little City is affecting the taxation and budget issues currently facing Falls Church City. Fifteen or 20 years ago, there was an article in the Washington Post about a study [...]

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) was established in 1957 to provide a forum for cooperation and collaboration between and among jurisdictions in the National Capital Region. Fairfax County was one of the original founders, and currently is the largest member jurisdiction in COG, holding three seats on the [...]

The immutable fact trumping all ideological, expedient or simpering searches for least-bad outcomes in this budget cycle for the City of Falls Church is the 495 net new students that have enrolled in the City’s school system in the last five years, a 20 percent growth boom that has taxed [...]

We returned to Richmond on April 3 for the “veto session.” About ten days ago, the Governor met the deadline for the Executive Branch’s action on the bills that were passed during the General Assembly that concluded February 23. This Governor is known for his amendments to legislation. Therefore, it [...]

The weeping-and-wailing budget season has enveloped Arlington. And though the Columbia Pike trolley and travails of the Artisphere draw much commentary, smaller line items spark debate that drives home at least three observations: Many citizens are suspicious of the county board’s agenda; much commentary abounds with misinformation; and spending is [...]

This week’s lingering snowstorm belies the fact that the National Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to begin next week, whether or not the famed Tidal Basin cherry trees blossom on time. The festival dates to 1927, when school children re-enacted the original planting of cherry trees, a gift from the [...]

Many of us are concerned about our increasingly erratic climate and wonder how future generations will cope. Is there anything we can do as a community in Falls Church about this? This article provides one option. The largest source of climate-affecting greenhouse gas emissions comes from energy made from burning [...]