Jay's Bi-Annual E-Newsletter: July 2006 – January 2007

Hello Everybody! This email newsletter will provide you with some highlights of my efforts from the 2nd half of 2006 and a preview of 2007. I welcome hearing your thoughts, concerns and compliments at any time through the year.

Thanks for your ongoing support. Jay.

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) – COG is a regional organization of Washington area 21 local governments. I was honored to serve as Chair in 2006, during which COG adopted the first regional Energy Plan and held a successful Green Building Conference. COG took a leadership role in advocating for a dedicated source of funding for METRO. As a certified smart growth geek, I continued to promote regional smart growth efforts throughout the region.

Passage of so-called "Marriage Amendment" - The only disappointment on Election Day 2006 was passage of the so-called Marriage Amendment. I served on the Board of the Commonwealth Coalition fighting the amendment. Late polls suggested we had a chance to win. We mounted a strong campaign, generating nearly 1 million NO votes, but fell short 57-43. In the process we discovered many new allies and educated many people. Despite the sting, Virginia's GLBT community is now stronger than ever.

I am so proud of my county of Arlington. Arlington voted 72% for Jim Webb and 74% AGAINST the so-called Marriage Amendment. And we increasingly share our talent and resources to help Virginia move forward. Virginia is no longer red, but purple... a competitive swing state!

Election of Senator Jim Webb - Virginia voters have now elected Democrats as Governor in back-to-back elections in 2001 and 2005. And 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!!

Many of us worked hard for Jim Webb. I believe Senator Webb will fulfill his new responsibilities with distinction. He is a principled, serious man with an independent mind. That he was chosen to provide the Democratic response to President Bush's State of the Union speaks to the voice he will have in the U.S. Senate.

"Housing Leader" Award from the Virginia Housing Coalition - Jay was honored as a Housing Leader by the Virginia Housing Coalition for his efforts to preserve and increase the supply of safe, quality, affordable housing in Virginia.

"Jay Fisette is a champion of affordable housing in the Commonwealth," said Governor Timothy M. Kaine. "From serving on the Virginia Housing Development Authority board to his critical role in chairing Arlington's Affordable Housing Task Force, Jay has been an articulate and energetic advocate on the issues of affordable and fair housing."

Dazzling Air Force Memorial Dedication – Arlington Is now home to the region's most dramatic new memorial. Reaching 270 feet high, it is now a visible part of the regional landscape. The dedication was held on a beautiful October day. A moving program culminated with a dramatic fly-over by Air Force jets, in a formation that mirrored the three soaring spires of the memorial itself. The Air Force Memorial is a must see for visitors!

President-Elect of Virginia Municipal League (VML) – Jay is now in line to become VML President in November 2007. VML is a statewide association of 39 cities, 156 towns and 16 urban counties whose mission is to improve and assist local governments through legislative advocacy, research and education.

January 1 County Board Meeting – As is longstanding Arlington tradition, we held an Organizational Meeting on January 1 at 11 am. While most of America is still sleeping off their New Year's Eve excesses, Arlington is getting down to work! Jay's family was visiting for the holidays, and attended the meeting en masse.

County Board to focus on Environment and Energy in 2007 – Chairman Paul Ferguson set an ambitious goal for Arlington: to reduce government carbon dioxide emissions 10% by 2012. We will also purchase more wind-generated electricity, increase energy efficiency in County buildings, plant 1200 trees, provide free energy audits for homeowners, and distribute free fluorescent light bulbs.

Jay's speech referred to former Arlingtonian Al Gore as a "hero" and cited a Native American proverb, that, "We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." You can read Jay's speech on his website at www.fisette.org/speeches.html.

Signature Theatre Grand Opening – The grand partnership between Arlington County and Signature Theatre culminated with the opening this month of a beautiful new theatre complex. Over 10,000 people attended an Open House weekend, followed by a blowout Gala Event after the opening of "Into the Woods." It was picture perfect. The theatre sits on top of a new County library as the anchor of an expanded and hip Shirlington neighborhood. This creative partnership, exciting urban design and vibrant mixed-use neighborhood is why Arlington has become a national model for smart growth.