NLS: "You May Not Speak"
By: Lowell
Published On: 5/31/2007 3:11:09 PM
I agree with Ben, this is "unacceptable." Metro to Dulles is a 100-year project that will cost billions of dollars and affect everyone's life in Northern Virginia. How can a crucial meeting on the issue be closed to public input? Or is the Board simply afraid of public input, given that the vast majority of people support a tunnel in Tysons, and at least a sizeable minority support "tunnel or bust" - either build the tunnel or don't build it at all. This meeting should be open to the public, as should all deliberations on this crucial project.
Comments
Cosigned (Terry85 - 5/31/2007 3:15:44 PM)
n/t
Stupid question... (Eric - 5/31/2007 3:29:17 PM)
I agree 110% with Ben on the issue of the public being allowed to present their opinions/ideas/feelings/etc at the BOS meeting.
But... does the Board actually have to act on those comments?
They (the Board) already knows we (the people) want a tunnel and they (the Board) are going to do what they (the Board) want to do no matter what we (the people) say (or don't) at the meeting on Monday.
This is utterly unacceptable (Draft Me Please - 5/31/2007 4:25:36 PM)
I feel a lot of loyalty to Democrats in Northern Virginia, many of whom are on the FFX BOS, but day after day they continue to disappoint.
This is why we need Charlie Hall (fixfairfax - 5/31/2007 4:55:22 PM)
This is case-in-point why we need a voice like Charlie Hall on our Board of Supervisors. He's run his whole campaign on opening up government and allowing citizen dialog. He's said that he wants to take a step back and consider the best options before we embark on this project. The supervisors, like Linda Smyth and Gerry Connolly, are trying to cut out any possible opposition just to get the this project started, even if that means a disastrous plan. These supervisors have to go; we need fresh voices and fresh ideas in here now.
Connolly and Smyth got us in this mess (Hiker Joe - 5/31/2007 5:23:21 PM)
Fairfax Board Chairman Gerry Connolly has been the biggest proponent of this flawed elevated alignment. He testified in favor of it and voted in favor of it.
Linda Smyth, his appointee to the Planning Commission, is just as culpable. As Connolly's hand-picked planner, it was her responsibility to advise him on the project's planning legitimacy. As Providence Supervisor, Smyth has never spoken out against the El. All the experts are now saying that the El will be a disaster. As impossible as it sounds, it will actually make Tysons worse.
The El is in Providence District. Connolly and Smyth have been the Supervisors/Planning Commissioner during this selection process. They are to blame for this catastrophe.