Friends,
I am happy to report to you on your/our role in the Virginia elections, the key news from the October Board meetings, and the ongoing work on the mental health docket. (And to share with you my first rodeo--see above.)
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On election day, November 5th, 2019, with Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton,
canvassing for Delegate Wendy Gooditis in Leesburg, Va.
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First, the Virginia elections and our role. I asked you to help Sheila Bynum-Coleman, Wendy Gooditis, and Hala Ayala. Together, we raised nearly $24,000 for their campaigns. We knocked on over 750 doors this cycle. Both Wendy and Hala won in close races, with 52 and 54 percent of the votes, respectively. I am confident that we made a difference in both races and I am forever grateful to you for that.
Sheila Bynum-Coleman lost by just a little--just over 3 percentage points. She took on the Virginia speaker who did the NRA's bidding this summer after Virginia Beach. I believe, though, that the energy and resources we put into Sheila's race helped flip the Virginia Legislature and will lead to the red flag law, background checks, the ERA, a significantly higher minimum wage, and stronger legal authority on climate change that will help Arlington and Virginia.
For those important changes and our ideals, yes, we did.
I will never forget what you did to help make history in 2019 here in Virginia. And I promise you that Arlington will be better off because of it.
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At the October meeting, this project exemplifies the theme: how we grow matters. Listen for 3 minutes 48 seconds of video of my views on this and thoughtful growth.
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As far as the October Board meeting, two key steps stand out. First, we approved a multifamily building in Crystal City that is the type of project that makes sense: meeting our housing supply needs to prevent increases in rents by developing a parking lot into a building. We don't need to grow for its own sake, but we cannot ignore the reality that we will change. The project included funding for parks and affordable onsite units, as well as funding for affordable housing offsite. Not perfect, but the project is and was thoughtfully done and worthy of approval.
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The Board approved Fire Station 8, a fire station of historic significance as the Station first served many of Arlington's African-American residents.
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Second, Fire Station 8 has a unique place in Arlington's history and is a good investment for our County. This upgrade/action is worth 8 minutes via the video above.
For the full County Board wrap video, including a summary of the joint Arlington/Alexandria meeting, click below.
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On the mental health docket, to the credit of Arlington's Department of Human Services, the docket, which raised concerns in June, has been revised to reflect community input. To learn more about an informational session on Monday and read the draft, go here:
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I don't know for 100% certain that it is perfect, but many of the pre/post plea concerns have been addressed and stakeholders agree to revisiting this in 6 months. I believe it is much, much better and that being involved and monitoring this was helpful in advancing our shared ideals.
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Last, I want to share with you the above link to Housing Arlington conversations. 3 videos of about 50 minutes each on economics of housing in Arlington, sustainability of housing, and equity in housing can be found via the button above. Each are worth watching and indicative of our shared focus on housing affordability.
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Yesterday at the opening of an affordable housing building through a partnership between
Arlington Presbyterian Church and APAH, supported by Arlington County.
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For my part, I am later in reporting this month because I have been working hard on housing (see above for an example of success) and stormwater issues in anticipation of the budget discussions we will be having over the coming week.
Those discussions, like everything we do in Arlington, must reflect the shared ideals that led to our campaign last year for County Board and the simple truths that:
- How we grow/evolve matters;
- We must be and stay committed to equity and serving those most in need; and
- Every person and their concerns count.
With a full heart,
Matt
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