January 2008

Dear Friends -

Thanks for visiting my website. The Latest News section is updated regularly, and the rest of the site is monitored less frequently.

Arlington had a great year in 2007!  Read my 2007 Year End E-Newsletter (“Latest News” section) to find out about some of the highlights.  And if you have a chance, check out Arlington’s award-winning website at www.arlingtonva.us.  You can sign up for a range of free e-newsletters.  I strongly recommend the 1 page, bi-weekly Arlington Insider – which features the latest news, events, tips, construction updates, and more.

And we’re on a roll in Virginia!  Virginia voters have now elected Democrats as Governor in back-to-back elections in 2001 and 2005.  In 2006 we stunned the country and pleased the world when Democrat Jim Webb defeated an incumbent Republican to become the 51st Democrat in the U.S. Senate!!  And in 2007, Democrats made significant gains in the state legislature, winning 4 new seats in the House of Delegates and 4 in the Senate – taking control of the Senate for the 1st time in a decade.

I have endorsed Barak Obama for President.  While I could feel very good about any of the leading Democratic candidates as the party nominee.  I have come to believe that Obama is the real deal and is right for the time.

I believe Sen. Obama has the potential to change the political dynamic and equation in the country and the world.  I trust his judgment and his life experience.  I admire his poise, eloquence and sense of inner peace.  He seems comfortable in his own skin.  He would clearly have an ability to affect race-related issues as no past President could, and he inspires and taps into the hopes of a generation as few are able to do.  The effectiveness of his campaign and his success in Iowa reinforce his viability.

Virginia’s Presidential primary is on Tuesday, February 12th.  Polls will be open from 6 am until 7 pm, with voting at your regular polling place.  Absentee voting will begin on January 12th.  

With Obama leading the ticket in November, this could be the first time Virginia votes for a Democratic presidential nominee since LBJ.  And of course, the wildly popular Mark Warner will be our strong nominee for the U.S. Senate.

My personal thanks to each of you for your help and support, and for all you do to make this a better, more just, and more equitable world. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance. I am most easily reached at my County Board office, 703.228.3130 or jfisette@arlingtonva.us.

Best,

Jay