To the Editor:
I would like to commend new County Board members, Christian Dorsey and Katie Cristol, for their new year’s day addresses focusing our vision on rebuilding faith in Arlington government and helping the county’s most vulnerable.
As a newly disabled Arlingtonian with limited mobility, I know that many of the board’s recent actions have been disheartening to the disabled community, including many disabled vets and wounded warriors. The cancellation of the streetcar line would have provided “at-grade access” for the disabled who live or planned to live and work along the proposed corridors. Many disabled were anxiously awaiting the amenity to simplify their lives and open up a new realm of possibilities. The delay of the aquatic center was also a blow to the disabled, as many disabled Arlingtonians and wounded warriors were anticipating the aquatic center to aid in their recovery and foster their re-engagement with society. Currently our county’s swimming pools are often at capacity, making them difficult to access.
Fostering pro-business strategies is a great way to help fund programs for the most vulnerable. The disabled, APS, the elderly, the homeless, and those below the poverty line all benefit when we concentrate on bringing new jobs and corporate stewards to our emerging business centers in Ballston, Columbia Pike, Rosslyn, and Crystal city. It is hoped that all County Board members will strive to bring more jobs to Arlington, especially with dynamic transportation initiatives that corporate entities can bank on.
I also appreciate board members re-focusing on streamlining the permit process and educating permit staff to assist local builders. It is important to remember that local and regional builders have long found Arlington to be among the most amenable locations in the region to build and prosper, and have long fostered programs to give back to the Arlington community.
James O’Hara
Arlington