Author Archive

Smoking Ban

It sounds like Virginia is getting closer to enacting at least a partial smoking ban in restaurants.  I don’t smoke and I’m a huge fan of banning smoking in restaurants - mostly because I hate to be around it.  I know there are some complex issues involved but I think ultimately we’re all better off if [...]

Free Tax Prep Help

If your income was less than $42,000 in 2008 and you live or work in the City of Falls Church then you are eligible to get free help preparing your income tax return.  You have to make an appointment by calling 703-248-5005.  Considering how complex tax returns can be this sounds like a pretty good [...]

EDA Meeting Recap

Along with two other new members, I received a warm welcome at the Economic Development Meeting this evening.  Our primary topic was Transwestern’s request to allow non-retail businesses to lease space at Pearson Square.  Bob Ruffatto from Transwestern gave us some background on the building and what they’ve been doing to try and lease the [...]

Retail vs. Service

I don’t know the history leading up to the spate of mixed use development projects in the City.  In a general sense, I’m a big fan of mixed use development so I’m glad to see it happening.  Some (maybe most/all) of these developments were approved with a requirement that the ground level space be used [...]

Economic Development

Last Thursday I was sworn in as a new member of the City of Falls Church Economic Development Authority.  I swung by City Hall on my way into work and actually took an oath that talked about upholding the Constitution.  John Roberts wasn’t there to swear me in - just Veronica (and she didn’t mess [...]

Affordable Housing in Falls Church

I moved into the City about 6 months ago but before that I lived just outside the City for about 8 years.  I’ve been reading the Falls Church News Press for quite a while so I have a sense for what has been going on in the City.  However, I have to admit that until [...]