Issues

Over the past several months I have had the privilege of listening to hundreds of voters in District 5 about what they feel is working well in Arlington and what areas need more attention by the next city council. Here are some of the issues that have repeatedly been addressed in our community meetings, when talking to voters at their homes and through our community survey.

Reducing Crime-

Protecting public safety is the most important function of city government. In a recent survey nearly 80% of District 5 residents reported feeling that their neighborhoods are less safe today than they were 5 years ago. That is simply unacceptable. In 2009, Arlington had a record number of burglaries and our crime rate was 138% of the national average. I support increasing the number of sworn police officers in Arlington and increasing community based patrols to make our neighborhoods and community safer.

Street Repair and Maintenance-

Currently only 43% of Arlington streets are rated as being in acceptable condition, which is down from 55% of streets last year. Maintaining our streets is more than just a convenience; it is a safety issue and has an economic impact for our city and neighborhoods as well. Properly maintained streets are essential for attracting new businesses and maintain vibrant neighborhoods. Arlington must do better at repairing and maintaining streets in a timely manner throughout the entire city. Arlington has still not completed all of the road projects funded with the 1999 bond election resulting in increased costs for taxpayers.

Protecting Neighborhoods-

Stronger community policing coupled with responsive code enforcement will help to protect our neighborhoods. Each neighborhood in District 5 has a unique culture and history that should be preserved. It is easy to walk down the street in some of our historic neighborhoods and differentiate homes that are still owned by the original owners and those that have been bought up by absentee landlords. Arlington should prioritize providing incentives for home owners and homebuyers to revitalize and restore homes to help preserve neighborhood standards. The push to organize more neighborhood associations must be coupled with providing the support necessary to keep the existing neighborhood associations active and involved.

Economic Development-

Trying to recruit new businesses to Arlington by simply offering cash incentives is misguided and incapable of achieving true economic development. Simply put, Arlington cannot afford to provide up-front cash to enough businesses to make a difference in our economy. More importantly, doing so reduces the level of investment new businesses have in our community. Businesses relocate and expand in communities with low crime rates, good roads, an educated workforce, and streamlined permitting processes. We need to get back to concentrating on these basic functions of city government.

Hike and Bike Trail-

I support the creation of a comprehensive bike and hike trial plan that increases recreational opportunities and realistically addresses alternative transportation options. That said, I am opposed to adopting the current hike and bike plan.

Beginning implementation of the bike plan by prioritizing two bike projects in each council district is more political than productive and results in a disconnected system that is counterproductive to the stated goals of the plan. Additionally, the decision on whether two lanes will be removed from Abram Street and how to address the issue of eliminating on street parking in residential neighborhoods must be addressed before adopting the plan.

I firmly believe that if Arlington is going to implement a new bike system, it should be centered around UTA where ridership and usage is most concentrated. Additionally, the plan should provide realistic timelines for completion so the public is fully informed and identify potential funding sources to complete the project.