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Q&A With Bob Levey
Washington Post Columnist
Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001; Noon EST
"Levey Live" appears Tuesdays at noon EST.
Your host is Washington Post columnist Bob Levey. This hour is your chance to talk directly to key Washington Post reporters and editors, local officials and people in the news.
Today, Bob’s guest is Jay Fisette, chairman of the Arlington County Board.
The transcript follows.
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Jay Fisette
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Fisette became chairman of the County Board in January 2001, after being elected to the Board in November, 2001. Since then, he has focused on a number of initiatives to increase community access to technology, bridge the digital divide, and encourage participation in community life. He is an avid environmentalist as well as a strong voice for human rights.
Fisette is a member of a number of civic organizations, including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Arlington Retirement Housing Corporation, and is a member of the Ashton Heights Civic Association, the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and the ACLU of Virginia.
He served as the director of the Whitman-Walker Clinic of Northern Virginia from 1990 to 1998, and was a staff consultant to the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee from 1988 to 1989. He and his partner, Bob Rosen, have been residents of the Ashton Heights neighborhood since 1987.
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Bob Levey:
Good afternoon, Mr. Fisette, and thanks so much for joining us this afternoon. Let's begin with the events of Sept. 11. The Arlington County police and fire departments did a superb job at the Pentagon that day (and in the days following). Is there any way for the county government to give them bonuses, or some other financial recognition?
Jay Fisette: Our community is very proud of the efforts of our fire and police departments, other public safety personnel and the entire County staff in their response to the Pentagon attack. They did their jobs, and they did them well. We had a county-wide event on October 7, our Day of Remembrance and Appreciation, at which 6000 people thanked our County staff and recognized them publicly. In Arlington, merit awards are available to each department and are determined by the Department Director, and with larger amounts, the concurrence of the County Manager.
Bob Levey:
Mark Warner was a big winner in the Virginia governor's race. What will be the effect on Arlington?
Jay Fisette: I am pleased with Mark's win, as are 68% of Arlingtonians. Mark understands No. Va's issues and the plight and needs of local government, so we expect a more friendly ear.
Big Fisette fans in 22207:
Jay - - We are HUGE fans of Arlington and your work has a lot to do with that! We have all the benefits of close-in living and all the benefits of a smart, responsive government. Keep up the good work.
Here's my real reason for writing: do you really think we'll be getting the ice skating/hockey facilities Ted Leonsis is proposing? My only reason for having to drive outside of Arlington is to get the kids to the ice! When will the final approvals be given so that we would know if it is a go? Happy Holidays!!!
Jay Fisette: What a nice note. Thanks. Arlington is a special place, and yes....the Cap's proposal for a practice rink is in the review process. I spoke with Ted L the other day and, at this point, everything is moving forward for a fall 03 opening. This will be a great addition to the Ballston area. Cheers.
Arlington, Va:
Mr. Chairman, congratulations on your ascendancy to the chair and as a 10 year resident of Rosslyn, I really don't know why anyone would choose to live anywhere else. but what about those out of sight rental rates, any plans to impose rent control or increase housing stocks for nonmillionaires?
Jay Fisette: Affordable housing is one of Arlington's greatest challenges, as our land value keeps rising. This results from our ideal location, good government, and excellent services and schools. We are very aggressive in protecting the affordable housing units that remain, adding units where possible, and assisting low and moderate income renters and prospective home buyers. Rent control is not feasible in Virginia due to the lack of legislative authority.
Arlington (how can you be sure it's not Texas?):
Mr. Fisette,
About twice a week, I see passengers that literally can't fit on the first Orange Line train that comes to Courthouse station, because it's so full. Yet I see more and more residential buildings going up along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor every month. Are these people all going to drive? What is the medium-term plan for the transportation infrastructure in Arlington?
Jay Fisette: You've identified another issue we, and METRO, are addressing. Arlington is a national model of smart growth -- i.e. focused development along our metro corridors. METRO capacity is strained, primarily during a brief 1 hour window during rush hours. METRO will be adding cars to the trains over the next years that will help, and will encourage commuters to avoid the peak hour. They have also floated a long term plan for an additional metro line in Virginia.
Arlington, Virginia:
Jay Fisette:
Thanks for doing this chat! I hear there are plans for having a new Metro line down Lee highway to Spout Run. Any chance of diverting that to Columbia Pike?
Jay Fisette: This relates to my last response. We are in the final stages of an extended Columbia Pike Initiative effort. ( Just had a worksession on this topic earlier today). The transportation infrastructure along "the Pike" will be improved. We will need to decide among enhanced bus service, light rail or heavy rail for the long term. Yet TBD.
Running in Arlington:
I love living in Arlington, but portions of it (esp. Rosslyn/Courthouse area) are not especially runner friendly (broken sidewalks, poor lighting, too many traffic lights). Trails (like the one along 66) devoted to biking and running are not well-lit enough at night to run along. How do I get this fixed?
Jay Fisette: Arlington has an extensive trail system - for bikes, running and roller blading. And these trails should be well lit and safe. If you have specific sections or locations that should be checked, please forward them to me, at countyboard@co.arlington.va.us and I'll have someone check it out. Happy holidays!
arl:
I've heard some talk about Arlington making a push to stop jaywalking. While I applaud the principle, in reality, it seems pretty silly. I walk to Courthouse Metro every day, and every day I see cars running the multitude of stop lights there, about two blocks from police headquarters. Often the redlight runners go right past police cars at the intersection, who do nothing. Seems pretty dumb to go after (or SAY you'll go after) pedestrians when they don't go after cars, which are much greater threats.
Jay Fisette: Our priority is to enhance our pedestrian safety. Many steps have been taken in this regard in recent years, and more are on the way. We are re-orienting from a car-centered community to a pedestrian-friendly one. Pedestrians should stay within crosswalks! and cars should slow down and be respectful of those walking.
Arlington Dog Owner:
Mr. Fisette:
Just wanted to thank you for the recent opening of the new Douglas Part dog exercise area. What a great use of former industrial park land. Our licensed dogs are quite happy with this new park so close to our home. Keep up the great work.
Jay Fisette: Thanks. I'm an advocate for our dog parks. They are great for the dogs...and for us dog owners. The new Douglas Park site is wonderful.
Arlington, VA:
Chairman Fisette:
What do you think should be done about the predudice against Arlington by DC residents? I have trouble getting friends from the city to meet me over here because it's "so far away". Some of them live in Cleveland Park, Capitol Hill, or upper Northwest. I point out to them that I can walk from home to Georgetown (they can't), and I have SHORTER commutes to downtown than most of them (3 metro stops!). But they still think of the Potomac as if it were the Pacific Ocean.
What is to be done about this?
Jay Fisette: It's our little secret! Our experience is that first time dinner guests from DC usually show up 20 minutes early....thinking we live on a rural farm somewhere over the Potomac. Enjoy it while it lasts!
Arlington:
Mr. Fisette --
Congratulations on your recent overwhelming re-election!
The Post ran a story on Saturday http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46755-2001Dec14.html about Pentagon row and the new Market Common in Clarendon. It pointed out that Arlington is promoting the new "urban village" concept. But the article pointed out that with nothing but chain stores and stucco architecture, these two places have a Ptomkin/saccerine quality that doesn't really feel like "home". What role does the Arlington County government have in promoting/discouraging these kinds of developments?
Jay Fisette: Haven't read the article yet, but Pentagon Row and Market COmmon are terrific examples of mixed use, pedestrian-friendly, well designed developments. They have a mix of small and larger retailers, restaurants with outdoor seating, central plazas one with a skating rink!), and good streetscape accents. Most importantly, people live upstairs, and can walk to meet most of their daily needs. Both are on metro lines. While not perfect, I think they embody our vision of an urban village.
Bob Levey:
How are office occupancy rates at Crystal City? I was there the other day and the whole strip felt less populated than usual. True, or did I just pick the wrong hour of the wrong day?
Jay Fisette: Arlington's vacancy rate hovers around 3.5% now - having dropped in recent months. Don't know Crystal City specifically, but there is lots of redevelopment going on there, as well as planned changes. Crysal Drive will be made 2-way, retail will be brought to the street edge, and you will see a much more pedestrian orientation over the next years.
Ballston, VA:
I can't cross Wilson Blvd at Randolph before
the don't walk sign comes on. I can get
halfay across if I catch the walk sign just
when it changes. The timing does need to be
changed.
I am healthy active 40 yo male.
Jay Fisette: Since I don't know YOUR email address, please write back to me at countyboard@co.arlington.va.us and we'll check it out. thanks jay
22204:
Arna Valley public housing apartments were razed for the Arlington Square luxury apartments. But where did all of the residents of Arna Valley go?
Jay Fisette: Nn former resident of Arna Valley was without housing in the transition to the new development. As part of the approval process, residents were provided with relocation assistance and extensive housing counseling to ensure that everyone found a new home. In addition, the new complex includes over 20% units integrated within the complex and dedicated to low and moderate income persons/families -- and the former residents of Arna Valley were given priority to rent these units.
Lincoln Heights:
Mr. Fisette,
Are there any plans in the works to construct new recreation facilities or refurbish the existing stock? I new that TJ community center is quaint as all get-out, but Arlington's rec centers can't hold a candle to Fairfax county's rec centers. I would love the opportunity to work out and swim at the same time without having to join a health club in another county.
Jay Fisette: Our rec centers are older, and their renovation are part of a long-term capital improvement plan. TJ is getting some work this year. Walter Reed and Langston Brown Comm. centers renovation have been approved. Most importantly, we have a North Tract Task Force developing recommnendations for the recreational uses of the North Tract above Crystal City. This is the largest tract of available land on the horizon. A world-class aquatic facility is being considered in that process.
Bob Levey:
When you ran for re-election to the county board in 2001, you handed out mini-CD Roms full of Fisette-ian facts. This apparently went over very well. Will we see other politicians in Arlington and elsewhere doing the same thing?
Jay Fisette: I expect so! The pocket CD was very well received. Entertaining and informative....and hopefully reached some new folks and encouraged their participation in Arlington's political and civic life.
ballston:
I recently moved to Arlington. Why such a lack of left hand turn signals? Is it because the roads are older and there isn't space for a left turn lane?
Jay Fisette: We use left turn signals, and lanes, but not everywhere. Roadway ownership could be an issue (County vs. VDOT), traffic patterns, right-of-way availability, etc. Please let me know of specific intersections and we'll check them out. countyboard@co.arlington.va.us Thanks.
Bob Levey:
You have a "wish list" item in front of the county council that would ban cell phone use while driving in Arlington. What's the likelihood of this bill becoming law?
Jay Fisette: We discussed this at our December Board meeting as we adopted our legislative package. At this point, we support a legislative study of the issue that would fully assess the statutory options and implications.
Arlington, VA:
Hi Jay,
I read you are no longer going to be Chairman of the Arlington County Board. Why do you rotate the Chairmanship every year? And is it true that the person selected as Chairman is always the one member who is up for re-election?
Jay Fisette: The Arlington system has long had a rotating chairmanship. Board members choose among ourselves who will serve as chair, and vice chair, for each calendar year. It has often been the person up for re-election, but not always.
Bob Levey:
What about bike commuting? It should be a huge fit for Arlingtonians who work in downtown D.C. Yet there are no decicated bike lanes on major Arlington streets. So I don't blame Arlington bike owners for riding Metro (or driving) rather than going one-on-one against a dump truck. Comments?
Jay Fisette: Arlington is probably the most bicycle friendly jurisdiction in the region, and we're proud of it. Along with our extensive trail system, the Board this year approved about 26 miles of on-street bike lanes throughout th County. While cyclists can now legally bike along with cars on roadways, these lanes will be preferable to some and will send a strong message of our encouragement of bicycle use.
Bob Levey:
Do you have a clear sense of when National Airport will return to the traffic levels of yesteryear?
Jay Fisette: I worked hard in coordinating the region's local governments, and in coordination with the Airports Authority and Board of Trade, to get our airport reopened. Currently, it is authorized at 57% of flights. Plane loads are now around 70%. The federal goverment has not yet laid out a timetable for the next phase, though we continue to encourage the most rapid timetable possible within the security needs.
Bob Levey:
The expansion of Arlington National Cemetery is mired in controversy. If the cemetery expands in the easiest, most logical way, it would obliterate a site that some black Arlingtonians want to use for a heritage museum. Yet you can hardly tear down half of Rosslyn to make way for more graves. What's your solution to this dilemma?
Jay Fisette: We have worked diligently to have a voice in the proposed expansion plans of Arlington Cemetery. The Defense Appropriations conference report was just completed, and is generally good for us. The Navy Annex site will house the Air Force Memorial and another memorial or museum, as well as gravesites. About 1/2 the wooded area around the Arlington House will be preserved by the Park Svc., and the land around Iwo Jima will not be allowed to have structures on it...in perpetuity...thus retaining it as open space. Many thanks to Sen. Warner and Cong. Moran!
Bob Levey:
It's nearly a year since you vowed to clean up the towtruck industry in Arlington. Have you done it?
Jay Fisette: Thanks for asking! As a result of a court case against a local tow company, the practice of overcharging by some tow companies has been halted and many residents who had been overcharged have received refunds. The legal limit for a charge is $85-$95, depending on the time of day and day of week. If you have been overcharged, call 703-228-3260. Small successes! The sad reality is that federal law restricts local governments from regulating this industry as is should be regulated.
Bob Levey:
Many thanks to Jay Fisette for taking the time to join us today. Next week, "Levey Live" shifts to a different day of the week: Thursday, Dec. 27. But we will begin, as always, at noon Eastern time. See you again then.
Bob Levey:
Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.
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