PAGE 6 | MARCH 10 - 16, 2016
One of the Nation’s Foremost Weekly Newspapers, Serving N. Virginia
(Published Weekly by Benton Communications, Inc.)
FOUNDED IN 1991
Vol. XXVI, No. 3 March 10 - 16, 2016 • City of Falls Church ‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Publish Official Legal Notices • • Member, Virginia Press Association •
N������� F. B����� O���� � E�����-I�-C���� �������������.���
J��� F������ M������� ������
�������������.���
D��� C������ N��� E�����
�������������.���
N��� G��� A���������� S������� A������������ ����������.���
M������ M���� A���������� D������� �����������.���
H���� W������ C����������
�������������.���
C������ C����, T�� W������ C��������� T�� W���� C��� E����� J���� I����� C���������� M������ �������������.���
T� C������ ��� N���-P���� �����: 703-532-3267 ���: 703-342-0347 �����: ���������.��� ������� ����������� ��������.��� ���������� ��� �������������.��� ������� �� ��� ������ ������������.��� ������������� ������������ � �������� �������������.���
WWW.FCNP.COM The Falls Church News-Press is published weekly on Thursdays and is distributed free of charge throughout the City of Falls Church and the Greater Falls Church area. Offices are at 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046. Reproduction of this publication in whole or part is prohibited except with the written permission of the publisher. ©2016 Benton Communications Inc. The News-Press is printed on recycled paper.
E D I TO R I A L
E��������
Welcoming F.C.’s ‘Critical Mass’
The long laundry list of incremental improvements to the business environment in the City of Falls Church presented in this week’s report from the City’s Economic Development Office (covered on Page One of this edition) is, taken as a whole, every bit as impressive as another big mega-project proposal for the City to consider. It shows that a lot of enthusiasm and optimism is being poured into the retail and commercial corridors of the 2.2-square mile Little City, even not counting the spectacular prospects for 36-acre school-andcommercial combined West End redevelopment potential and other new big stuff in the pipeline. All together, this is adding to the mysterious notion known as “critical mass.” It’s the kind of thing that creeps up on you that you may not be aware of until suddenly, one day, you look out your window and, behold, it is there! A lot of romantic comedies are based on such gradual revelations. “Critical mass” does not refer to a religious ceremony. It refers to that “tipping point” when almost suddenly, seemingly, everybody thinks you are the cat’s pajamas and can’t wait to pile into your pool party. Usually it takes a lot of patience and single-mindedness to achieve this result. It is never spontaneous, but it may seem like it. It’s like in that Alfred Hitchcock classic 1963 movie, “The Birds.” For the perceptive observer, at first only one or two birds are seen on those phone wires. Then four or five. Then 10. Then 20. Then 100! Gahhh!! At what point was the “critical mass” achieved? Was it when Tippi Hedren ripped her first ghastly scream? Or was it when the king of the birds saw it was time to launch an all out attack? It was clear from the final scene that were those birds new people ready to enjoy all the good things in Falls Church that there would be nowhere near enough parking. They would all have to have come by air. We are seeing the first of such proverbial birds arriving now in Falls Church. The City needs to keep up its concentrated effort. The State Theater continues to be the major draw for people from throughout the region. The sooner the City can arrange a shuttle bus service from both the West and the East Falls Church Metros to the center city, and can ensure State Theater patrons that it will run late enough on concert nights to pick them up after the show to get them back to the Metro station, the sooner this the date of the “critical mass” will come. That’s one example. It underscores the challenge to the City. With new business and residential developments (you need a lot more of both for the “critical mass”), the City needs to get it on with sidewalk, lighting and other amenities that will augment all the good stuff going on.
L������
Why Support a Costly & Outdated School System?
Editor, The school superintendent totally disregarded Wayne Shields’ request for a zero-growth budget. She ignored citizen input last year when 62 percent of respondents voted not to select any of her requests and still she sent the most expensive option to the board. How is that action representing the citizens’ input? Last year the school board wrote in the Press that 60 percent
of respondents to a survey said they chose Falls Church as home because of the schools. Where was this survey posted? How valid and reliable is this 60-percent data or is it of the “cherry picked” variety? (Taken at a PTA meeting?) My research shows that approximately a third of resident housing have children, therefore the figure cited by the school board seems “extreme.” I believe the vice-mayor said that without our
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
P������� 1. Keep the news clean and fair.
2. Play no favorites, never mix business and editorial policy. 3. Do not let the news columns reflect editorial comment. 4. Publish the news that is public property without fear or favor of friend or foe. 5. Accept no charity and ask no favors.
6. Give “value received” for every dollar you take in. 7. Make the paper show profit if you can, but above all keep it clean, fearless and fair.
ADVERTISE IN THE
The News-Press is delivered to every household and many businesses in the City of Falls Church (22046), and to many homes and businesses (but not all) in the adjacent 22041, 22042, 22043, 22044 and 22205 zip codes. Its total circulation of 15,000 per issue is greater than any other newspaper in the distribution area, including dailies. For complete advertising information, call us or check out our web site.
Call 532-3267 x2274 or visit www.FCNP.com
All original and some syndicated content is accessible via the Falls Church News-Press online site, www.FCNP.com. FCNP.com also includes photos, stories, ads and more not appearing in the print edition.
For information on online advertising, please contact Nick Gatz at 703-532-3267 or ngatz@fcnp.com. ONLINE
excellent school system our city is finished!? Is quality of schools in the top three considerations for property value, marketing, etc.? How does the “secret reason” Falls Church has a separate school system affect this city in the areas of education, social, financial and demographics? Why support a system that was initiated due to bigotry, racism and fear? Why not survey households without children to determine our thoughts about this limited, outdated and costly system? Responses could be questionable since we lack a forum such as the PTA as a process of “getting out the vote.” The goal of these letters is to alert all voters – including the 40 percent-plus that
fail to turn out – to be more aware of other fiscally feasible choices and how statistics and substance can be manipulated to support the author’s (school’s) agenda. John Boeddeker Falls Church
If You Don’t Want to Be Towed, Follow the Rules Editor, On the subject of predatory towing, if there is a visible sign that says that you are not allowed
More Letters on Page 8