Jay's 2007 Year End E-Newsletter

Hello Everybody!  This email newsletter will provide you with some highlights of my efforts from the 2nd half of 2007.  You’ll notice a “green” theme.   I welcome hearing your thoughts, concerns and compliments at any time through the year.

Thanks for your ongoing support.  Jay.

Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions (“Fresh AIRE”)   - Arlington committed to reducing government greenhouse gas emissions 10% from 2000 levels by 2012.  During 2007, the government reduced our carbon footprint by an additional 1,060 tons, or 4% overall.  We continue to make progress.  We sponsored free energy audits for homes and businesses, gave away thousands of energy-efficient light bulbs and held many workshops on energy efficiency.  We established a permanent funding stream for environmental programs by enacting a residential utility tax.  For practical info and resources, please visit our Fresh AIRE website at http://www.arlingtonva.us/portals/Topics/Climate.aspx.

I did my part with a home energy audit (not a free one!) and began using my bike for some local trips.

Rosslyn Revitalization Continues - We approved three towers in the heart of Rosslyn, directly adjacent to the Metro station, that build on our effort to redefine the neighborhood’s skyline and revitalize the street life.   Two are office buildings and one is residential, with stunning glass and steel architecture and sculpted tops.  One office building will feature a top-floor observation deck open to the public that will hold 500 persons and provide dramatic views across the Potomac.  All 3 buildings will be designed “green” – with one being the only top-rated LEED Platinum building in Virginia.  These projects also provided over $10M to our affordable housing fund and a new civic plaza.

These developments are consistent with our smart growth principles, bringing density to a targeted location directly on top of two Metro lines.  I worked hard on the building designs and community benefits.  Rosslyn is on the move.

COG Award and Green Buildings Policy - I was honored to receive the 2007 Elizabeth and David Scull Public Service Award for my “leadership and dedication to regionalism.”   In December, furthering an initiative I had promoted, the COG Board approved regional “green building” standards for the construction of new government and commercial structures that we hope will be adopted by all local jurisdictions.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is a regional organization of 21 local governments surrounding Washington, D.C., plus area members of the Maryland and Virginia legislatures, that provides a forum for regional dialogue and action.  I have served on the COG Board since 1999. 

Arlington Excels

• A safe community with the lowest crime rates in decades,
• The highest credit rating possible,
• The most stable land values in the region,
• The lowest unemployment levels in Virginia, and
• One of the highest ranked school systems in the country, in fact, recently ranked #1 in the nation by Forbes magazine. 

VML Presidency and "Go Green Virginia" Initiative - In October, I became the first Arlington representative elected president of the Virginia Municipal League (VML) – a 102 year old non-partisan association of Virginia's 200+ city, town and county governments.  I unveiled "Go Green Virginia," an initiative to encourage and assist local governments to takes steps to reduce energy usage and promote sustainability.

A terrific collection of folks on the Advisory Committee are working hard (and having fun) to plan a series of regional forums and compile a "Best Practices Green Book."  At the heart of the effort is the "Green Government Challenge," a friendly competition among Virginia's localities to adopt identified policies and/or take certain actions that reduce carbon emissions.  Participants who earn 100 "green points" will earn VML's certification that they are a "Green Government" and top performers will receive special recognition at the 2008 VML Annual Conference. 

Webb Headlines Event - Sen. Jim Webb spoke to over 200 guests at our home for a Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club.   Over $30K was raised and helped Democrats win control of the state Senate and close the gap by 4 in the state House.  Sen. Webb was inspiring…and funny.  He told the crowd that he consistently claimed to be pro-choice, pro-gun, and pro-gay as a candidate in 2006, prompting a long-time friend to quip, "That's a good strategy, Jim.  You'll get all the gay hunters."

Holidays with our Families - On a personal note, Bob and I traveled to Florida to visit him mom and her husband for three days, and then shuttled over to Texas to visit my parents and family.  The time was relaxing and sweet.  Even the air travel was smooth and on-time.

A Peek at 2008 - January 1 County Board meeting - As is the Arlington tradition, our Board is in session at 11 am on January 1 each year.  Shockingly, people come to the meeting or watch at home, as the new Chair and Vice-Chair assume their roles, the rules are adopted, and Board members' outline their priorities for the coming year.  A copy of my remarks will be on my website soon at www.fisette.org.

A Peek at 2008 - Barak Obama for President and Warner for Senate - 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.   For full election information, visit   http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/VoterRegistration/VoterRegistrationMain.aspx

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.  Onward!

The End.