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Get Involved in your Community

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:19:16 +0100

It’s been almost 11 years now since we moved to our home in Old Courthouse Road. In 1997, OCR was a quiet, sleepy street dominated mostly of families who moved there in the 60’s. My husband and I have come to know them very well because we were one of the younger families on our street. Back then, life was simple, nothing disturbed the peace and the biggest concern was what to have for dinner.

Fast forward to 2008, 13 accidents, close to 12,000 cars a day, 296 speeding tickets from August 2007 to August 2008, these statistics are very disturbing. What is worrisome is the fact that Old Courthouse Road is not keeping up with the changes of the community surrounding it. Since the community is experiencing a huge turn over, averaging 43 new young families every year since 1997, Old Courthouse Road is now seeing families with young children replacing the original owners. Most were attracted to this community because of its many amenities as well as its proximity to Westbriar Elementary School, a short walk from Old Courthouse Road and its surrounding streets.

In 2005, the families of Old Courthouse Road started discussing how we can bring traffic calming. We brought this issue to the attention of the civic association only to be told that “it is what it is” and “don’t worry about it, nothing can be done to it”. But the safety of the families was the #1 priority. We knew it will be a long arduous task--learning the processes, signatures on petitions, discussions with public officials, research on the topics, etc. What complicates the situation is the political boundaries on Old Courthouse Road between Town of Vienna and Fairfax County. Based on what we saw with the Town of Vienna, they move on traffic calming very quickly, Fairfax County on the other hand is a longer procedure as evidence that we are still working on this issue 3 years later.

In addition to the present challenges we face as a community, there are many future challenges that lie ahead. Old Courthouse Road is right on the border of the 2 proposed districts namely Tyson’s Central 7 and Tyson’s West. Based on the task force proposal of an urban center that could include 200,000 jobs and 100,000 residents, this proposal could bring an immediate adverse impact to our community.

Tyson’s traffic choked arteries will force many to avoid additional congestion due to lane closings on Rt 7 and Rt 123, thus forcing them to use back roads like Old Courthouse Road and Creek Crossing. With the forecast of 200,000 jobs, 100,000 new residents in the Tyson’s area, this only means increase in traffic volume through Old Courthouse Road and Creek Crossing before, during and after re-development.

There is a saying, “what is worth having is worth fighting for”. In 2008, the families of Old Courthouse Road and its surrounding streets formed Citizens for Traffic Calming on Old Courthouse Road (CTCOCR). We are united regardless of whether we are Town of Vienna or Fairfax County residents in requesting traffic calming on the entire length of Old Courthouse Road. We deserve a better quality of life; we deserve a safe community to raise our children. For more information about CTCOCR’s goals and objectives, you can contact Cris Janoski, at ctcocr@cox.net or visit us on the web at www.OCRVA.com. Be pro-active; get involved in your community and its challenges.

Stop the Madness Part 2

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:42:33 +0100

I saw these cartoons about Blagojevich on MSNBC, the one above is my favorite, it is by Chris Britt, Springfield, IL The State Journal-Register. Here are the rest http://www.cagle.msnbc.com/news/SenateSeatSale/.

Stop the Madness

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:44:53 +0100

Illinois governor Blagojevich was arrested because of corruption charges. Blagojevich was caught on tape discussing how he will be selling the Senate seat vacated by President elect Obama to the highest bidder. He said if no one brings an acceptable payment for the seat, he will keep it for himself so he can run for presidency in 2016. How can this man think he can get away with committing such crimes? It boggles the mind how someone with so much greed, self delusion and moral turpitude was voted into office and how he holds a very important seat in government. His actions were so brazen, you have to question his sanity.

Blagojevich joins the long line of corrupt politicians in Chicago, 3 governors in the past 35 years, who have been convicted. He has broken the trust of the public and so arrogant about it, he should be held accountable for what he has done. He sounds more like a mob boss than a governor. Let's add this story in the repugnant and revolting file folder, in addition to all the craziness that contributed to the fall of Wall Street.

It's a good night when the Wizards win. Wizards won tonight against the Pistons, the team showed energy, intensity and desire especially the younger players. The team effort elevated the Wizards from as high as 17 point deficit to a win of 107-94. The players demonstrated commitment, everyone contributed to the win. Go Wizards!

Hold them Accountable

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:39:35 +0100

If any of you saw the Washington Wizards game tonight, their 124-100 win against Golden State is a sound off. Wizards was pumped up! What a debut for Coach Tapscott. In his TV conference yesterday, he said that he will hold each team player accountable. I would say that is a very good motivator, wouldn't you?

Eddie Jordan, the head coach for the Wizards since 2003 was fired on the 24th due to the Wizards 1-10 record for the season. Since I am a big basketball fan, I had to talk to friends and fellow fans about the news, get their views. My position is very favorable to Jordan's firing.  When you pay someone in position of leadership and they do not deliver, the franchise suffers. My husband and I have been season subscribers for 5 years and we decided not to renew our subscription this year. It is very diffcult to justify the fees we pay when we see the wizards win the first half of the game only to loose it on the second half of the game. It is hard to stomach!

Anyone who is in a position of leadership, has to instill discipline, inspiration to his team, he has to be held accountable for his team's record. I believe it is the coach's responsibility to bring direction to his team -- focus! This season, the wizards were definitely NOT focused and they seem to have lost the drive. It is as if something died, there was no direction and no team effort. There is a saying, there is no "I" in "TEAM". This is extremely toxic!   Now we are going to have to explore the success of the Celtics some other time. Now that is a TEAM!

I understand the decision. I believe we all have to be held accountable, but most of all, positions of leadership should be held accountable for their team's/company's/group's/division's/governmental agency's performance and actions.   Does it really make sense bailing out car-maker companies whose CEOs own 2 or 3 jets when their company's are in the brink of bankruptcy? I would think that getting rid of these "jets" will pay for thousands of employees' salaries. How about AIG sending 2 Tiffany's champaign glasses as Christmas gifts to clients? Didn't this company get a bail out infusion a month ago?

When I hear bail out in the "billions" and "trillions' of dollars being thrown out there in the news, I want to know where this money is coming from? Will my grandchildren be paying for this so called bail out? We also need to be asking, what is the game plan?   Do we have the right players in the team? Have these companies showed a business plan to get their companies back on track? Has anyone really sat down and done the analysis? What is the strategy if the bail out does not work? Why can't we get a task force with the best economic minds in the US, shut the door and do not let them out until they formulate a grand solution?

This article was in the Vienna Connection -- can you believe it? Yes Virginia, we have a $1.2Bil shortfall for 2009 and we are tied with Massachussetts in the #7 slot of 29 states with a shortfall, http://www.cbpp.org/1-15-08sfp.htm , again, really? seriously? If only 50% is real estate tax revenue, what does other 50% consists of? It is definitely not transportation.

Connolly Favors Federal Bail Out for Local Governments

By Julia O'Donoghue
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

U.S. Representative-elect and current Fairfax County chairman Gerry Connolly (D) indicated that he would advocate adopting an additional Economic Stabilization Act to give federal assistance to local governments.

"When you are looking at bailing out GM, Ford and Chrysler, how about bailing out us? There has to be aid to localities for the purpose of stimulus," said Connolly at a county board legislative committee meeting Nov. 14.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors also backed a resolution adopted by the Virginia Association of Counties that requested the federal government give money directly to localities and not only to state governments.

Veteran's Day

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:04:55 +0100

To all the men and women who have served or are currently serving our country and their families, thank you for all your sacrifices.

Rights and Duties

by Calvin Coolidge

We do honor to the stars and stripes as the emblem of our country and the symbol of all that our patriotism means.

We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth. It represents our peace and security, our civil and political liberty, our freedom of religious worship, our family, our friends, our home. We see it in the great multitude of blessings, of rights and privileges that make up our country.

But when we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights, we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duty done. A yearly contemplation of our flag strengthens and purifies the national conscience.

Virginia $1.2B Budget Shortfall

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:37:44 +0100

I was talking to a public official a few weeks ago and I mentioned to her how concerned I was about Fairfax County's $540M budget shortfall for FY2009. She told me that Virginia is "not bad" at all in comparison to most states. As I do some research on how "not bad" the situation is, I found Virginia is one of 29 states that has a budget shortfall in FY2009 based on The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, http://www.cbpp.org/1-15-08sfp.htm, and Virginia (tied with Massachusetts) is in the top 7 -- California tops the list at $22B, New York at $4.9B, Florida at $3.4B, New Jersey $2.5B, Arizona at $1.9B, Illinois $1.8B, Massachusetts and Virginia are tied at $1.2B.

For the states with budget shortfalls, residents as well as the economy are affected severely. What this means is that states must balance their budgets by either cutting expenditures, raising taxes, or tapping on to reserve funds.

How will these shortfalls affect us, the residents of Virginia? Decrease of college funding, state workforce hiring freeze, cuts in transportation funding, education, problems for elderly and disabled, public health programs? Economists I have spoken with told me that the economy will continue its down trend for another 2 years. If states continue with deeper cuts, tightening of more expenditures and tax increases, the effects can actually exacerbate the current status because of decreasing demand. The question to ask is how much reserves does Virginia have and can it be tapped for such situations. Would it ask for assistance or government bail out like California?

Reminder to Vote!

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:40:26 +0100

Please make sure you vote! It is your civil duty and priveledge.

Welcome to CTCOCR

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 05:51:07 +0100

Finally, a completed site. The purpose of this site is to act as an exchange of information for the families of Old Courthouse Road. For the past 10 years, Old Courthouse Road has seen a dramatic increases in traffic volume and speed. It has been "neglected". All the while, the make up of our community continues to change. Orginal owners from the 60s are leaving and young families are taking their place in our community.

Vienna, VA is one of the most desirable places to live, in fact, it was voted #4 Best Place to Live by Forbes Magazine in 2005. With its small town feel, many historic sites, top rated school districts, and numerous amenities, it becomes a "must see" for many families looking to move.

My husband and I moved to Vienna 11 years ago after we got married. Back then, traffic on OCR is only 2,300 cars a day. Now, volume is close to 12,000 cars a day. I think the biggest problem is the speed that cars travel. From August 07 to date, Town of Vienna wrote 288 speeding tickets, 8 from Fairfax County. What's really scary is the number of accidents from August 07 to August 08--13 Accidents! This is outrageous!

OCR is narrow at the top of the hill as you come down from Tyson's Corner, then it narrows as you travel down hill on a bending road, dog leg right; then widens from Westbriar Dr to Country Club Dr.; at Creek Crossing it narrows again to a beautiful winding road that passes 3 parks; at Arabian, it widens again until you reach the intersection of Beulah, Beulah and Trap. Policatical boundaries also complicate the matters--Town of Vienna owns both sides of the road from the top of the hill to Fairway Dr., then it splits--half of the road are Town of Vienna residents and half Fairfax county residents. It does revert back to Fairfax County residents on both sides of the road after Creek Crossing.

In Sept, our community had a Town Meeting with Supervisor Hudgins, Sen Chap Petersen, Del Shannon, Mayor Seeman, VDOT Staff, Chairman Kenney and other government staff. There were about 140 people who attended the meeting. Families of this community were able to "vent". Concerns and Responses were written.

Because of Fairfax County's shortfall of $50M this year and another $540M for 2009, many programs are being cut. But this is not an excuse NOT to do anything. This community deserves a better quality of life, a safe community for all of us to raise our families.

Many of the neighbors emailed me as they have seeing increase in Fairfax County police patrol in the neighborhood for the past 6 days. This is a step in the right direction. The list is the next.

Cris Janoski, Chairman
CTCOCR