To the Editor:
It should be obvious to Arlingtonians now, nearing the end of a very demanding winter, that a planned renovation of the water distribution system within the confines of the county is necessary. Many neighborhoods have seen county crews working late at night on water line break related issues. Extensive repair work was done in my Crystal City neighborhood.
I see the Democratic party is making schools (and other infrastructure needs like water) a politically managed issue with the appointment of John Milliken, County Board chair from the 1980s to head the task force for planning public facilities. You don’t need politicals or lawyers whose law firms represent private financial interests to plan what is needed. You do need citizens and knowledgeable county and schools staff (the school system is half the county) to discuss and agree to objectives, the general means to get there, and how to pay for it.
One party rules in Arlington, even with John Vihstadt on the County Board. I suggest broader representation of the community is needed and people who understand infrastructure as well as the business side.
County officials double the propaganda side with tax money through the published county newspaper that is distributed at no cost to the Arlington Democratic Party.
Look, I even have friends who are Democrats. But let’s move forward and recognize when politics is too much of the method, and not competence.
Kevin Chisholm
Arlington