August 25 - 31, 2022
Falls Church, Virginia • w w w . fc n p . c o m • Free
Founded 1991 • V o l . X X X II N o . 28
The City of Falls Church’s Independent, Locally-Owned Newspaper of Record, Serving N. Virginia
F.C. School Serving The Schools Well Days Begin Monday at 5 Campuses Noonan’s Rousing ‘Year Of Joy’ Pledge is Kickoff by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Classes commence starting next Monday in all five City of Falls Church public schools. They began this week in neighboring Fairfax County. Falls Church Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan, beginning his sixth year at the helm of the local system, told the News-Press yesterday that all positions, including for bus drivers, have now been filled in time for classes to begin next week. “No need for any double runs of anything with respect to busing,” he said. There is, he said, one special education position that opened up just last week with the promotion of an existing person, but with the addition of an extra full-time substitute in each position provided in this year’s budget, that one-slot opening will be covered by “someone who is permanently in the building,” he said. “All relationships will start strong,” he added, Spearheading the annual convocation of all the FCCPS system’s five school campuses and the central
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THE FALLS CHURCH CITY Public Schools have been so well tended to by this assemblage of teachers, staff and administrators who were recognized on their anniversaries for between 15 and 30 years of service to the system at Tuesday’s annual convocations on the eve of the start of a new school year (see the complete list accompanying the story in this issue). (News-Press Photo)
Shovlin’s Historical Rehash Sets Record Straight by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
News of the major deal by the City of Falls Church to sell a 7.42 acre property that has been home to the Northern Virginia campus of Virginia Tech since 1995 was this paper’s lead story for its July 28 edi-
tion. It is part of a massive overall deal to convert three separate properties by the West Falls Church Metro station into over 40 acres of one of the biggest multi-use business and commercial campuses in the entire region. The story elicited for those with longer memories here a recollection
of what many felt at the time was a ridiculously lopsided perceived giveaway by the City of a big chunk of what some of the most potentially lucrative real estate in the region. It was a misperception the NewsPress inadvertently took part in, not having been given access to the important details of the arrangement
at the time. When last month’s historic deal for $25 million, of which portion $8,300,000 comes to the City, it accrued far, far more than the $1 a year many had been led to believe by virtue of the City’s apparent commitment to secrecy at the time.
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Inside This Week Restaurant Review: Mark’s Pub Patricia Leslie is back with another Restaurant Spotlight, this time focusing on Mark’s Pub. Mark’s Pub gives “a warm vibe” while offering various dishes and live music. See Page 12
A look at electric vehicles With a recent rise in popularity, electric vehicles have caused numerous arguments about their sustainability. Andrew Olesen explains the pros and cons of electric vehicles, and whether they are the “answer” for the future of transportation. See Page 13
Index
Comment........................................5,7,8 Editorial.................................................6 Crime Report........................................8 Business News...................................10 News Briefs.........................................11 News & Notes...............................16,17 Calendar........................................18,19 Classifieds..........................................20 Comics................................................21 Critter Corner......................................22