June 18 - 24, 2015
Falls Church, Virginia • w w w . fc n p . c o m • Free
Founded 1991 • Vol. XXV N o . 17
Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads
Inside This Week Report from Richmond On Virginia Economy Virginia State Sen. Dick Saslaw and State Del. Marcus Simon provided a comprehensive briefing on the Commonwealth’s economy to the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Tuesday. See page 5
Grunley Chosen for Mt. Daniel Renovation
The City of Falls Church and Falls Church City Public Schools have selected Grunley Construction Company, Inc. and Samaha Associates for the $15 million contract to provide design and construction services for Mount Daniel Elementary School.
Mason High Girls & Boys Soccer Teams Notch State Titles Again T he C lass of 2015
26-0 Mustang Boys Win 3rd Straight Title, Girls an 8th
including from Falls Church Vice Mayor David Snyder, who, even though he welcomed the audience on behalf of the City, issued a statement that exemplified the sharp criticism that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and other planning officials were subjected to.
Three City of Falls Church sports teams – George Mason High School’s boys soccer, girls soccer and girls lacrosse – made history last weekend after unprecedented runs through the postseason during the Virginia High School League’s state tournament. Both Mustang soccer teams brought home state championships as the boys capped off a record-setting 26-0 season and the girls won an eighth consecutive Virginia title, extending their own state record. On Saturday, the Mason boys soccer team shut out Martinsville, 4-0, to win their third consecutive 2A Virginia High School League state championship at Radford University, finishing the season 26-0 and setting a new VHSL record for most wins in a season. The 23rd shutout of the season was another state record. Earlier on Saturday, the girls soccer team beat the Governor’s School 3-1 to win their eighth straight Virginia High School League state championship. The state championship win extended their Virginia High School League for most consecutive soccer state championships for any division. Finally, George Mason’s girls lacrosse team posted its best season ever, finishing with a 14-4 record and an appearance in the Virginia High School League state semifinals. Mustang head coach Courtney Gibbons, responsible for a complete turnaround of that program, was named Conference and Regional Coach of the Year.
Continued on Page 8
See more in Sports, Pages 18-19
See News Briefs, page 9
David Brooks: The Democratic Tea Party
Last week, the Congressional Democrats defeated the underpinnings of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Let’s count up the things these Democrats will have done if this policy stands. See page 14
Tinner Hill Blues Fest Rocks Falls Church
Performers and blues lovers from across the nation converged on Cherry Hill Park last Saturday for the 22nd Annual Tinner Hill Blues Festival. See photos, page 10
THE TRADITIONAL RINGING of the bell by each graduate concluded again this year the commencement ceremony for George Mason High School at historic DAR Constitution Hall in downtown Washington, D.C. The Class of 2015 was slated to follow yesterday’s graduation with an all-night graduation party. (Photo: Larry Golfer)
VDOT Plan to Add Tolls to I-66 Gets Tough Reception
by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Index
Editorial..................6 Letters....................6 News & Notes.12-13 Comment........14-17 Sports ............18-19 Calendar.........20-21
Food & Dining......22 Business News....27 Classified Ads .....28 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword...........29 Critter Corner.......30
The plans developed for a 25-year upgrade of Interstate 66 inside the Beltway by the Virginia Department of Transportation were presented at a heavilyattended public meeting at the Henderson Middle School in Falls Church Tuesday night, and left
the audience more than a little unsettled, based on the comments and grumblings from many there. The plans include the introduction of tolls for all vehicles carrying less than three passengers during rush hours in the morning and the evening, and going both ways. The presentation faced a lot of angry criticism from the public that spoke up Tuesday night,