The Tanker Spill and the Tank Farm

For those traveling through the City late Saturday on Route 236 (Main Street/Litte River Turnpike), you probably noticed that your travels were delayed. The reason as most know, was that a Baltimore Lines gas tanker overturned at the corner of Pickett and Main. The truck, according to the fire department, was trying to beat the light and sped up, going to fast as it made the lefthand turn, hitting the curb and overturning.

Fortunately, no one was hurt. However, 4,000 gallons of gas leaked out and caused a major traffic jam for hours. Thanks to our wonderful City and County fire departments, City and County police and the George Mason police for handling the incident so professionally and quickly. The gas continues to be cleaned up and crews have been working around the clock to see to it that everything can be done to ensure the spill doesn't severly damage the environment. And I should note that the City and County (as well as others involved) will be reimbursed by Baltimore Lines or whatever company is ultimately liable.

Now even though the accident was a traffic accident it has raised the subject of the tank farm and whether it should still be allowed to be there. Grant it, the accident could have happened regardless of whether the tank farm is in the City or not. But I certainly understand the linkage.

First thing people should know is that the City doesn't really have much of a say. In fact, the Commonwealth has oversight and in fact a few years ago took away localties' ability to enforce local ordinances on facilities such as the tank farm. Not a good move on the part of the state in my opinion. Maybe we can get it overturned.

Second, the tank farm's time has come and long, long gone. While I understand it's value to the larger region, it is ANOTHER accident waiting to happen. It has no place being in the middle of a residential area. Nestled between City neighborhoods and impacting adjacent County communities, the tank farm had development grow up around it. Now should be a time to re-evaluate whether it should be there at all.

Third, there is no simple solution here. For the time being the tank farm is staying put. Hopefully the state will give the City more authority to regulate it, but moving it is going to require federal, state and municipal leadership to come together and figure out a solution that works for the neighborhoods, the localites, the state and the region, which - whether we like it or not - does depend on the tank farm to distribute petroleum products.

By the way, I should note that the tank farm's management - according to the fire deparment and those whom deal with them directly - have been very forthcoming and cooperative. So, this is not an issue about them specifically, but rather a larger discussion about the suitability of having a facility such as the tank farm in the heart of our community.

What Greg is Teaching Us

Tonight the larger Fairfax community gathered in the Bowl at Van Dyck Park to both mourn the loss of Gregory Malsam and celebrate his life. It was a simple service that was poignant, funny and brought home the reality that while life can be taken away in an instant, it's what you do while you are living that matters.

And what Greg did mattered.

Some people have commented privately to me that they don't understand why there has been this outpouring for Greg. And I can certainly understand their viewpoint, especially if they didn't know him or even know of him.

But Greg touched people in ways that you can't account for on a plaque, in a newspaper headline or on a ballfield. From his interest in electricity and construction to the smile he always had, he was someone that people remembered for the little things Greg did - that made a big difference in someone's day - and their life.

Take for instance Lanier Middle School Principal Scott Poole's touching memory tonight of when Greg insisted on helping with the construction of Lanier's remodeling of school. People don't know it, but a lot of wire that connects that school has Greg's hands on it.

Or one of his high school teachers speaking of Greg's smile cheering her up and the look he gave her when students were acting up. It was a look that said, "Let it go, it's not that important." And he was right, she said. There were better things to focus on and not get worked up over.

Then there were his friends, some who even had known him since kindergarten. But one girl stuck out that speaks to why more than 200 people came out tonight to his vigil: Having just moved here in 7th grade, this young girl didn't know a soul. And at that age it's hard to make friends. Greg though introduced himself, helped her find her way and was always there to help no matter what.

At the end of the service, Greg's brother Kendall asked the crowd to look around and give each other a hug, saying before the request that many people wished they had gotten to know Greg better. Well, Kendall said, this is your chance to know your neighbors, your friends and even strangers just a little bit better. Don't ignore them, understand them.

This is a lesson that we can all learn. Thank you, Greg, for the way you've touched us all so that we can better neighbors and just plain better people.

Couple of quick notes:
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 31, at Everly Funeral Home, 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030. Interment immediately following at the adjacent Fairfax Cemetery. Carpools are encouraged due to limited parking.

The family is gratefully accepting donations to “The Gregory James Malsam Memorial Fund,” c/o Reggie Jones, 232 West Colonial Highway, Hamilton, VA 20158.

Funeral Arrangements and Vigil for Greg

The City of Fairfax and the community have certainly come together in support of Greg's family. He was a special young man and it shows through the outpouring of generosity that's been displayed by those who knew him well and those who never met him.

Here is an update on the funeral arrangements and upcoming community vigil.

Funeral. Tuesday, August 31 at 11:00 AM at Everly Funeral Home on Main Street in the City of Fairfax. The internment will take place afterward at the City of Fairfax cemetery immediately adjacent to Everly's and is open to the public. A big crowd is expected and encourage you to share a ride with a friend/neighbor.

Vigil. A candlelight vigil will take place on Sunday, August 29 at 5:00 PM at Van Dyck Park in the Bowl area.

The Green Acres community is setting up a memorial fund and will be collecting contributions at the vigil.

Negative 10 cents on SmarTrip: You Could Get Stuck in the Station

Metro's latest decision - this one regarding SmarTrip cards - just makes me scratch my head and wonder: Do they want customers to like them or not?

I am one of those people who had the experience of having a negative balance. Not because I'm a bad person, but because, like most of us, I'm busy. I went back, paid the negative balance off later and went on my way. Metro got its money and I wasn't inconvenienced.

So now, Metro is telling the customer that:

1. We don't believe in good customer service;and
2. If you, like many because of safety reasons, don't carry cash, you will be stuck in our stations because our machines aren't technically advanced enough to handle credit card/debit card processing should you get stuck having a negative balance of say, 10 cents? Which, by the way, is a result of tacking on a new surcharge to support poor management decisions.

Now, I usually try to cut Metro a break when it comes to revenue issues because I am sympathetic to the need for a dedicated source of revenue. However, this "clawing" for revenue by trapping customers in a station over 10 cents, $1 or $4 is unacceptable and I personally will not let it stand. Metro has gone too far this time. I'm even more shocked that the General Manager made this decision, not an elected or appointed body.

Quite frankly, Metro made a stupid decision and they need to reverse it - today.

A Neighborhood Coming Together for Greg

I just got back from a very moving prayer and memorial service for Greg Malsam, the young man who tragically died yesterday in my Green Acres neighborhood. There were about 100 people there near where flowers, card and candles marked the spot where he died. The service was very touching with many neighbors providing their own special memories of Greg, a rising 17-year-old senior at Fairfax High School.

It seemed the memories all had a theme. Greg... Always had a smile (and made you smile). Waved hello to everyone. Was always there to help. Loved life.

Here was a young man who had an impact on so many people's lives in so many positive ways and he probably didn't even know it.

Greg - you will be missed.

Loss of a Young Neighbor

My wife and I are quite saddened by the news of a young neighbor's death. As has been reported by Fox 5 and The Washington Post, a young man was electrocuted while trimming a tree at a neighbor's house. The exact circumstances are still under investigation.

Our family knew the young man and he was happy go lucky guy, with a hard work ethic - always eager to help. He will be greatly missed by the Green Acres neighborhood. A rising senior at Fairfax High School, he leaves behind two brothers as well as his mother and father.

He will be very much missed by his Green Acres family.

New Discount Prescription Drug Program for City Residents

There aren't too many certainties in life. Taxes is one. And rising health care costs is another. This is why I am so pleased that the City of Fairfax will soon be providing a discount prescription drug program that not only can save residents up to 20 percent off their medicines, but comes at no cost to the City.

The City will be only the third in the Commonwealth and the only one in Northern Virginia to implement it.

As the Fairfax Connection newspaper wrote this week, the program is offered by the National League of Cities in partnership with CVS/Caremark. The City is able to participate because of its membership with the NLC. And while CVS/Caremark is the primary sponsor, residents can use their benefits at any pharmacy.

Here are some key points about the program:

- This is not insurance and is not meant to be a replacement for insurance
- The card can only be used to pay for medication when insurance isn't available or if someone does not have insurance
- Discounts can save users of the card up to 20 percent and can be used at any participating pharmacy
- The program is at no additional cost to City taxpayers

Starting in late August the City will publicize the program (as will I) and around mid-September people should people able to get the discount cards. Cards will be available at public locations around the City including City Hall, Green Acres and where the City typically has helpful literature and information.

An added benefit of the program is that City residents don't have to really "sign up" for anything. They can simply pick up the cards wherever they are available. While this does technically open it up to non-City residents, it makes it easier for City residents to get the cards when it is convenient for them.

I should note that the City may also be working out some kinks as the program is implemented, but I'm expecting it to go smoothly and be of great benefit to many. Thanks goes to City Manager Bob Sisson and staff for helping to see this program come to light in the City.

Fairfax Host Lions Club

Tonight I had the honor of being the guest speaker for the Fairfax Host Lions Club monthly dinner. In addition to the wonderfully tasty fried chicken and chocolate cake, this was a great opportunity to talk about our great City and take questions from a group of dedicated community volunteers.

The Fairfax Host Lions Club, like our other community-service groups, are a staple of the City of Fairfax. These folks are dedicated to helping their communities and the world, including partnerships that create better living conditions and a better life in countries like Uganda. They also have a robust vehicle donation program, support the Bland Music Scholarship and of course support eyeglass donations.

The group has been serving the area since 1951. Tonight, speaking at the American Legion Post 177, I couldn't help but think about how these two organizations have helped shape our community.

As I spoke about our council, the low tax rate, small town feel and all of the awards we've won recently, I looked around at the faces of those there, both young and old, who simply are invested in their communities. It's because of people like those who hold blood drives, care for the poor, provide scholarships and hold these monthly dinner meetings that the City of Fairfax is the place it is today. We are still a small town that is knit tightly by the people who live, work and participate in our community.

In the book "Bowling Alone," the author - Robert Putnam - describes a country that is losing its taste for participatory community activities. Not here. This is a place where a good fried chicken dinner and fellowship will still beat out some of our more modern amusements.

And thanks again to City resident Jim Kaplan for the invitation to speak. Really appreciate it.

Metro's Governance Task Force Needs More Sunshine

Back in May a group of business leaders formed a task force to look into how Metro is governed. Soon thereafter the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments appointed a group of former of elected officials, staff and three current elected officials to join the cause.

As a member of MWCOG's Board of Directors, I voted against MWCOG's involvement because I didn't believe that there was enough of a voice from the rider community, environmental organizations and other groups representing the public. I also didn't think this group was going to operate in an open forum like the City Council or MWCOG does.

Sure enough, this organization has held ONE public meeting on July 1, its actions are unknown and most distressing is that the public is not involved in this process. According to this document there have been several closed work sessions and another public meeting isn't scheduled until September. This really isn't the way a body that is looking at governance should be operating.

These meetings - all of them - need to be held in the open. The public must be able to attend each one, detailed minutes taken and time be allowed for comment at every meeting. Otherwise, this process and this "task force" will have little credibility. It is not right that business group - albeit well-intentioned and well-respected - lead this effort. Metro is a public entity and these proceedings need to be treated as if we were operating under the same rules of the road of a public body like COG or City Council.

It was suggested to me that this effort was really following Metro's own public meeting guidelines and that the reason closed sessions were needed was because of the sensitivity of the issues. That doesn't wash. First, Metro's existing governance structure isn't exactly an example we should use. We should be aspiring for a higher standard. Second, while I understand the need for candor I don't believe we need to hold meetings in the dark like we're sharing top secret information because we aren't.

An August 10 letter from the Riders' Advisory Council for Metro to COG Board members makes clear that they have not been involved in the governance task force. They also point out that commitments were made by COG to keep the public informed. Unfortunately, COG has not done this. The task force has not done this. And the public is the one who is left out in the cold.

Metro's governance needs to be revamped. No question about it. I've even offered some suggestions on this blog on what should be done, especially to give smaller jurisdictions like the City of Fairfax more of a say. Yet, the public needs to know what's going on and understand how decisions are being made by a private sector group that may change the way a public transit system is governed. It's time to let the sun shine in.

Local news for the City of Fairfax: Patch

In an era when local news coverage is shrinking, it's refreshing to see a new outlet sprout up. Soon Patch - a web site covering local news around the country - will be coming to the City of Fairfax.

The site is fairfaxcity.patch.com. It's not working just yet, but when it does, the site will be covering the City's government, sports, politics and daily life.

Check them out on Facebook, too, and become a fan. You'll be notified when they're ready to go live. And if you want to be a reporter and cover our little patch of heaven, email whitney@patch.com.

Chap for Governor?

Just got home from the yearly vacation with the family in Duck. Love it down there. Totally relaxing. This year even more so. With the kids growing up, they can do more stuff, but fortunately for me they love the beach and the pool - just being there makes them happy, which in turn makes mom and dad (and grandpa and grandma) happy as well.

Catching up on the news and saw this little tidbit on the WaPo's politics blog:http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/08/state_sen_chap_petersen_d-fair.html.

In short, it's about whether Chap (Petersen, our state senator and Fairfax City native and resident) will run for Governor in 2013. Chap doesn't say yes, but he doesn't say no, either. As we'd expect he's focused on his current job and getting re-elected in 2011.

I'll say it here. If Chap runs, I'll be one of the first to endorse him and write him a check.

Chap is one of those people who can bring Rs,Ds, Is and all other letters of the alphabet together. He's got great ideas and tons of energy. Besides, he's from the City of Fairfax - how can we not support the local guy.

Seriously, Chap is a leader and he'd make a great Governor. Now we just need to wait about three more years to see what happens.

Metro's Board needs a shake-up. Three quick fixes.

Metro can't seem to get any breaks. And it shouldn't. Time after time, this agency finds itself in a position of tripping over its shoelaces. It just can't do anything right.

As someone who rides Metro every day to work in and out of Washington, D.C. (Vienna to McPherson Sq), I see firsthand how Metro just doesn't "get it" when it comes to operations, safety or performance. In fact, I'm usually calling the Virginia government relations person about everyday pointing out a problem. That shouldn't be the case. I shouldn't have to do that.

The City of Fairfax pays more money into the system than even the City of Falls Church, which has two stations in or right near its jurisdictions. We get a few bus stops and a station that's 8 miles away. Hence, I have started to pay more and more attention to what Metro is doing with our citizens' money.

This latest story in the Post - http://tinyurl.com/36vu7dw - about the NTSB's findings only underscores what most feel. Not only does Metro not get it, but can't relate to their riders.

And quite frankly, it's the Board of Directors to blame or at least its structure.

Take a look at some of the comments from Peter Benjamin, the current chairman, who "questioned the NTSB's findings that Metro suffered a "systemic breakdown of safety management" and a "lack of effective oversight," noting that Metro's board is often criticized for micromanaging." Or DC Councilman and former chairman of Metro's board, Jim Graham, who "said the accident resulted from a failure in technology -- although "I think this board needs to be accountable, and I want to be accountable as a member of this board."

Both of these gentleman are solid public servants and I know in their hearts they want to do everything possible to ensure the safety of Metro. However, from these and other comments, it seems the Board just doesn't relate to the average, every day Metro user.

And from these comments, it just seems that the Board is missing the mark. It's not about "micromanagement" or simply being held "accountable." Rather it's taking proactive steps and stepping in the shoes of riders and really understanding what it is that makes not just the system tick, but what riders have to endure every day.

From broken SmarTrip machines to broken A/C units, riding Metro feels like a punishment for many. Moreover, it's hard to justify paying - as I do - as much as $14 a day to ride the rails and park in one of its garages, especially when the service is lacking.

By my estimation not one single Metro board member uses the system (bus or rail) on a daily basis. And they get to ride for free when they do! And according to an article in The Examiner newspaper, many of them don't even show up for meetings.

So what's the answer to provide both better accountability and for Board members to hae a better understanding of what Metro does on a day to day basis and see what the riders see:

1. Require all of them ot ride Metro a minimum of three times a week during the am and pm rush. Make them pay, too. No more free Metro trips as they have now.
2. Break up the Board's structure to allow for representation from smaller jurisdictions and outside the beltway jurisdictions. This includes the City of Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun, for example. It will also need to be reflected in the compact that's made to ensure payments are fair.
3. Forbid Metro board members to be paid like they do in Maryland (I believe some make $36,000 a year). This is public service where people should be honored to serve through appointment. So, small stipend - sure. The salary of a first-year teacher to attend a couple of board meetings - nope.

Those are just three quick ideas to shake up the board and make it more accountable to the people it serves. I think, too, that once Board members see how the other half lives, so to speak, they will become more interested in overhauling this agency.

August Recess and Planning Meeting

It's August. It's a time when folks head to the beach and the Council goes on recess. That doesn't mean City Hall shuts down though. In fact, this August is particularly busy as we plan work sessions to look at the following:

- Assessments ... how we assess property, revisions that need to be made to our process and an update on real estate. As you may know the Council is responsible for assessing all property including providing the policies that govern assessments.
- Update on economic development ... we actually have a host of projects in the pipeline. We'll hear how things are going.
- Finances.... Enough said really: How are we doing financially? And are we out of the woods?
- Water and sewer system ... At the last council meeting we were asked to consider spending $23 million taxpayer dollars on essential upgrades to the system. We'll get an update

There are some other items that I'm probably missing. If I think about them I will post them here.

Finally, you have probably noticed that I've been offline. Part of the reason is that my Apple died and with it my main web site (it's computer, not web based). Then I took a new job as Director of PR at the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, a non-profit and then there's just the family/vacation stuff that comes up during the summer.

From now on, the blog will be the web site so look for more updates here.

Hope everyone is having a good summer.