Why Are We Cutting Mental Health?

Anyone who has lived in Fairfax for any length of time knows that this town has more than its share of psychotics. As of matter of fact I’d say that there’s a significant part of our population that is simply out of their minds. I blame the traffic.

But regardless of the cause, does it make any sense for the County to be cutting back on mental health services?

Well that is exactly what’s going on, to the tune of $9.5 million.

An opinion in the Fairfax Times lays it all out there. I’m not going to re-state the arguments, but I will add my two cents.

We the tax paying public are going to pay for all these mentally ill people one way or another. If they aren’t getting treatment in the hospitals, then they are going to be spending time in the jails and shelters while diverting law enforcement resources to deal with them.

But at least with treatment, there’s a chance that we can save some of these crazies from themselves. Hell, maybe some of them will be able to live normal lives. 

That’s a lot better than the alternative.

So yeah, Board of Supervisors. Go out there and figure something out.  I’m sure there’s other places we can make cuts that won’t be nearly as damaging to our community!

Why The Silver Line Sucks

As I’ve said before, the Silver Line is a losing proposition for NOVA. Now, some guy has actually put together some legitimate facts to back up my wild assertions.

In an opinion piece reported in the Fairfax Times, Robert Jackson of McLean asserts that the Silver Line really won’t solve anything. Instead, it will only spur development around the Tysons area, which will in turn add to the congestion along our roads.

Which leads me to the conclusion that this really isn’t about transportation at all.

Nope, at the end of the day it all comes down to one thing. Money! Watch as your Board of Supervisors Bow Down before the Almighty Dollar! More development means more people, and more people mean more TAXES!

That, in a nut shell has always been the problem of Fairfax County. Over development in the pursuit of taxes, and traffic!

To read the full article, go to

http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/20120727/OPINION/707279840/1065/dulles-rail-triggers-more-not-less-traffic-congestion&template=fairfaxTimes

Defense Cuts Threaten NOVA

NOVA's Post Apoc Future?

Is NOVA on the verge of an economic doomsday? According to a study published by George Mason professor Stephen Fuller, we are all officially screwed unless Congress gets off of its collective butt and does something.

 Approximately 220,000 federal jobs in civilian agencies [i.e. contractors] will be eliminated next year if Congress fails to repeal the automatic defense spending cuts, often called the defense "sequestration," that are scheduled to go into effect in January.

Over a period of ten years, approximately 2.1 million jobs would be eliminated, either directly because of the cuts or indirectly as a result of its effects on local economies, the study concluded.

That’s a lot of good paying jobs that will be going down the toilet. 

I can only imagine what NOVA will look like ten years from now if these cuts go into effect.

New Bike Signs [NOT] Likely To Make Life Better

PREPARE TO GET REEMED COMMUNTERS

Another genius idea by Fairfax County is causing confusion on the roads.

 According to the Fairfax Times, new signs are going up across the County that read "Bikes May Use Full Lane” as opposed to just staying to the far right of the road where they belong. 

Not only is this idea completely insane, but it also may violate a state law that directs bicyclists to stay to the far right of any lane when impeding traffic. A rep from VDOT however stated in the Fairfax Times article that the signs were legal. [I.E. don’t try to lawyer your way out of this one]

But putting aside the legality of the signs, allow me to re-state the obvious.

Who the heck wants to see bicycles taking up entire lanes on ANY road, EVER!

I’m sure that’s EXACTLY what commuters want to see when they are trying to bust through ever worsening traffic conditions.

Fortunately, Virginia State Delegate Mark L. Keam, (D-Dist. 35) is looking into this issue.

Well that’s a relief.

Bloody Summer

This is shaping up to be a bloody Summer on the mean streets of NOVA. Last week, Fairfax Police in Mount Vernon shot and killed a man who allegedly opened fire on them in the Mount Vernon area, making it the third Police shooting in Fairfax within the last month and a half.

Now two more people are dead in the Falls Church area after a shooting incident at the Eden Center shopping plaza.

Is it just me or is Fairfax not quite feeling like such a safe place anymore?

UPDATE: Police Scanner Up And Running

We Really Have Nothing Better To Do Than Listen To You.

Attention all criminals, rabble-rousers, law-enforcement wannabes and overly concerned citizens:

After a  week long hiatus that began when the mega-storm hit, the Fairfax County Police scanner is now up and running again!

So feel free to listen in. The link is provided on this very blog!

NOVAGEDDON: The Aftermath

GOV. SPRINGS INTO ACTION.

Normally I try to make my posts amusing, but when it comes to the total breakdown of our 911 system after the “Derecho” mega-storm, there really is no way to be funny. Instead, I’ll have to settle for some outrage tinged with a bit of sarcasm. [Thanks Verizon! You did a great job with this whole storm thing, but next time can we keep our 911?]

Now our government is responding to the aftermath with decisive and bold ideas to make sure that when it happens again, we'll be ready.

 

Supervisor Gerry Hyland (D-Mount Vernon) was quoted in the Fairfax Times as saying, “The best possible reaction you have when you have no communication is … to have someone on the street to knock on doors.”

Excellent point Mr. Hyland. But if we are planning to go down that road, why don’t we start training every citizen to handle law-enforcement, fire, and medical emergencies?

Better yet, if we could just get Dominion to start training average citizens to make repairs on the electrical grid, we’d never have to wait for power again! Come on, how hard can it be right?

In all seriousness though, our government is taking this stuff really seriously [really?] Gov. McDonnell (R) has created a subcommittee to study this issue and Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity (R) will serve on it.

So the next time NOVAGEDDON happens, you can be assured, your government will be working hard at studying the issue.