Jay's Bi-Annual E-Newsletter: January 2007 - July 2007

Hello Everybody! This email newsletter will provide you with some highlights of my efforts from the 1st half of 2007. I welcome hearing your thoughts, concerns and compliments at any time through the year.

Thanks for your ongoing support. Jay.

Progress on Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions ("Fresh AIRE") - Our goal is a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions produced by County government by 2012. We have already doubled our purchase of wind-generated electricity to 6%, given away 2000 compact fluorescent lights, sponsored 25 free energy audits for homeowners and small businesses and planted 1200 trees. For practical info and resources, please visit our Fresh AIRE website at http://www.arlingtonva.us/portals/Topics/Climate.aspx.

COG Attacks Climate Change - The Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG) is a regional organization of the area's 21 local governments. I represent Arlington on its Board. In April we created a Climate Change Steering Committee to advise us on a regional climate change program. Their task is to assess the local impacts of climate change, propose a regional greenhouse gas reduction goal and a method for measuring progress.

Two Affordable Housing Successes - I was proud to vote for one plan to preserve 300 affordable housing units in the Buckingham community and another to create 70 new affordable units in Clarendon as part of a mixed use project. The cost of housing has become such a challenge to our community - the average single family home assessment in 2007 is $537,500 - that we must be creative and committed in our efforts. Our commitment to the Buckingham community is by far the single largest affordable housing investment in Arlington history.

Arlington Excels -

• Triple AAA bond rating achieved for the 7th consecutive year - obtained by only 20+ local governments in the U.S.
• Crime rate is the lowest since 1960
• Unemployment rate is 1.8% - one of the lowest in Virginia
• All four high schools ranked in the top 1% in the nation according to the annual Washington Post survey

Outdoor Emergency Warning System - I represent Arlington on the Washington Metropolitan Regional Emergency Preparedness Council. Arlington secured federal funds to set up an outdoor emergency warning system as a pilot project for the region. The system talks to you, and was used successfully on the afternoon of July 4th to warn folks of the approaching storms. In related news, the 20,000th person recently registered for Arlington Alert. Go to http://www.arlingtonalert.com/index.php?CCheck=1 and sign yourself up for emergency alerts.

Striving for Better Architecture - Arlington is famous for our smart growth, but not for our architecture. Some buildings are better than others, but we need to ratchet up the overall quality of our building design and materials. Last year I proposed the Architecture Series, which has featured several prominent speakers and has instigated a robust discussion of architecture in Arlington. Stay tuned...

Soggy 3rd Annual Community Bike Ride - I birthed the 1st Community Bike ride in 2005, and this year we partnered with Alexandria for the first time. It was a beautiful route mixing trails and on-street bike lanes and including a scenic stretch along the Potomac River. Nearly 700 riders, including lots of kids, braved the light showers but enjoyed the exercise and camaraderie.

I've Taken the Green Living Challenge! - Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) has a contest for homeowners to make the community healthier and more sustainable. I'm in, and I need 100 points for a Green Living Certificate. Having a certified backyard wildlife habitat I start with 15 points in the bank! A home energy audit is scheduled, and I'm looking into rain barrels! Do your part. Check it out at www.arlingtonenvironment.org.

VA Democrats 21/51 Project - Help Turn Virginia Blue! Our 21/51 Project is an effort to gain majorities in the VA Senate and House. We only need 4 seats to take the Senate! Arlington's 21/51 Committee is working to send volunteers to key races in Fairfax and other nearby counties. Check the fabulous new Arlington Democratic Committee website at www.arlingtondemocrats.org for full information on the campaigns and volunteer opportunities.

Two exciting, winnable races against ultra conservatives to highlight today:

• Chris Brown is running for Delegate against Republican Jeff Frederick in Prince William County. Chris is the former mayor of Dumfries and a great guy. Visit www.BrownforDelegate.com.
• Janet Oleszek is running for State Senate in Fairfax against Republican Ken Cuccinelli. Janet is an at-large member of the Fairfax School Board. Visit www.JanetforFairfax.org.

Please consider making a contribution to these candidates as we slowly and steadily effect change in Richmond. I'll be sending infrequent updates on legislative campaigns during the fall.

South Africa Trip - On a personal note, Bob and I spent 10 days in South Africa. We visited a game reserve and saw all the animals up close and personal, toured Soweto and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and then finished in the magical city of Capetown. We visited the pristine wine country one day and Nelson Mandela's prison cell on Robben Island another day. While racial tension remains, amazing progress has been made toward reconciliation in a short 13 years. I sat and watched as the Constitutional Court announced some decisions. This is the same court that unanimously found that gay couples in South Africa had a constitutional right to marriage. Bless them. We have a long way to go.

The End.