Congratulations to Cindy Brookshire for being
selected local “Woman of the Year” by the
Manassas Christmas Parade organizers. It is a
well deserved honor for the work she does
helping our community. Cindy is slated to ride
in next month’s big event (hope the weather is good).
Noticed the Blockbuster at Wellington Shopping
Center has just put up going-out-business signs.
The chain has struggled over the last few years
and this wasn’t unexpected – a classic “who moved
our cheese?”. They were “killers” of the
first wave of individual and smaller chains
(remember Erol’s?) and now, a decade later,
they are dying out due to Netflex, Red Box,
on-line movie sources, etc..
It seems big box bookstores – like Barnes & Noble
might follow the same path, as technology changes the
way we buy “books”. In a related area, what
will community libraries look like in a decade? Assume
they will be smaller with more technology and fewer
stacks of old-tree editions.
Went to the Public Hearing on it back in October. Nick Garner, Asst Dir of Public Works had a big schematic up of it, plus some color charts.
Actually, the 28&Wellington Bypass will look better and there are also several other changes to include Cockrell Rd interstection. Andy H. gets his bike path 🙂 up Wellington and along 28.
Just going to be a long process of road realignment, driving in the bridge pilings, etc. which will run to project completion date of Nov. 9, 2011. Fortunately, unless we get a Snozilla again, they can drive the pilings and do a lot of work over the winter.
Nick is willing to provide the slides to anyone interested and you can call him at 703-257-8266 or email him at ngardner@ci.manassas.va.us
Thanks! For a bike path, I might be able to tolerate a bit of over-construction, and Cockrell/Zimbro/28 lash-up is a major hazard.
It had occurred to me as I was on the 234 flyover, that if the wellington project had a similar design, I’d end up living under a bridge, which is only one step up from a van, down by the river. Couldn’t imagine what that’d do to the value of the ol’ homestead.
FYI: Public Hearings at 7:30 tonight. The second item
on the agenda relates to “Sexually Oriented” business
activity in the City of Manassas. The full agenda
and back up material is on the city website.
I don’t think book stores will become obsolete any time soon. I have too many friends who tell me they want to hold that book in their hand. the voracious readers I know cling to their print copies.
Also, Barnes and Noble was smart. Their Nook electronic reader is state of the art and reasonably priced. They also attract people because if you want an e-reader, you can go into the store and look at how it works. Up until very recently, you could not do that with Kindle. B & N also trains people how to use the Nook. Some people aren’t at ease with technology and throw things in a drawer rather than find out how to use them.
I’ve tried several e-readers and pretty much hate them all. The only one that I stick with is the iPad and that’s only because it can do 20 other things – all of which are useful but it’s too heavy to read for long stretches on.
One nifty thing that I’m starting to see is apps you can download for the ipad that are based on books. There is a great one based on Dracula that was released in time for halloween. Erin absolutely ate it up. It was still the text but it had animation, video and audio woven through it. That’s the stuff that’ll take the ipad and its like to the next level.
I don’t believe any of these devices will ever crush the printed book though. Those stores (B&N, etc) may end up looking a lot different – you don’t throw away a retail distribution chain like that lightly – but they won’t go away….
So, missed viewing and skipped attending as I had already burned energy previously at the Planning Commission hearing about it.
How many showed up or not showed up for the 15 mintues of time?
My son and I went to the Planning Commission and we made two of the three speakers. Councilman Way was there as Chair of LUC to ask they approve and send forward, and then read a long list of things to be regulated to include lingerie. I was there with two pages of comments on weaknesses in the use of terms, some of my comments based on Dr. Kelley’s Toledo Study and other work. My son was there to add his comments.
Much to young Martin’s credit, our City Attorney took my two pages and walked through them, discussing them with the PC. One Member asked if the draft could be returned to Staff for edit, and the answer was comments would be considered for input to the study, but the draft had to go forward for Nov. 14th hearing so the temporary stop gap could go in.
My son Andy’s comments were mostly covered in Martin’s explanation.
Still, just curious on how many showed up…or if lack of attendance, is this another example of apathy as being discussed in the other post?
The PWC BOCS will be receiving a presentation and report from UVA on Illegal Immigration tomorrow followed by a Press Briefing at 3:30pm.
Not available on the web (either too big, not available at time of dispatch, or just BOCS wanting public briefing before public release). Should prove interesting viewing on TV or via live streaming on the County website.
I was one of the four who showed up. The reason I was there was this is very important to me. Apathy, to me, would mean you just don’t care enough about a subject. However, I know several folks who wanted to come, but had scheduling conflicts.
Here’s how I see the whole issue of whether or not people are engaged:
Most people are followers. Few are leaders. Look at any group, and you will see this. Same holds true for society. Some are introverts, while others extroverts. Some are comfortable speaking in public, others are not. Some are “joiners”, others “lone wolves”.
Some people are very knowledgeable regarding local issues, as they have a passion for this. Others have a passion for past-times, like football. They can tell you exactly how many 1st downs the Skins converted last game, but couldn’t tell you what the advertised tax rate is. Why? They have no passion for tax rates. Even though the Skins W-L record on the season has little more than an emotional impact on their lives, this is important to them. Tax rates, zoning issues, etc. are not…until their neighbor starts renting his house out to 30 suspected illegal aliens…then it becomes very important.
Some people are just too dang busy. They live cluttered lives. They are active at church. Their kids play travel hockey, or are budding thespians. They find time for this, because it is important to them. They’d love to be more involved in local issues, but work and family is all they have time for.
Some are just too dang tired. They fight the DC traffic, and arrive home at 7:00. All they want is a little peace before they jump on the hamster wheel.
Thank goodness there are people who do have a passion for local issues. Thanks goodness they have the time, or can make the time to engage. Thank goodness there are good folks who have the passion to seek elected office and leaders in their community. Thank goodness there are men and women who choose to serve our country in uniform, while there are many who do not. There may be a portion of the citizenry who just flat out don’t care, or who are burdened with ignorance. However, there is a lot to choose from in life, and priorities must rule.
I read the interim ordinance & watched @ home via FIOS. I figured the council knows what I think, having spoken once. Will my views mean more if I appear numerous times to restate or add to them? Doubt it.
I understand the need for an up-to-date ordinance. Employing the national expert is pretty smart, but I hope the final cost will come in under $71K.
I think KK’s is an asset to Old Town, the new streetscape and life of Battle St. I have no complaints. Okay, maybe one. Poppy Hogan at New Method Cleaners has stopped using that neat little machine that cranks out white and yellow receipts. Guess they don’t make the paper refill rolls anymore. Life goes on….
During my comments, I tried to convey that regardless of opinions regarding KK’s, the shop was the trigger, and not the target of the ordinance. Having been into the shop, I can say that we could be dealing with a far more onerous establishment, and having had no way to regulate it.
Barring any sale of crimminally obscene material, the Skokan’s will succeed or fail based solely on market conditions. The new ordinance will have little to no impact on any of the existing businesses. I’ve moved on to the broader issue.
I firmly believe the City needs a new ordinance. We have learned a valuable lesson from KK’s (and dodged a potential bullet). Whether or not KK’s is an assett is more a matter of personal taste, I think, but not every new adult-oriented business would be an assett to the community, as I am sure you would agree. That’s why we need the ordinance.
Would any of the supporters of the “arts” center at George Mason care to weigh in on how the City has benefited from it? Have any new businesses opened up in response to the Arts Center? Have our restaurants seen an increase in business from those attending shows?
I do recall hearing during the “debate” on funding the center the City would see an economic benefit from the Center.
And, no, I do not consider the arts to be of any type of benefit to the community.
Sounds like Old Town restaurants are doing some kind of partnering with the Hylton Center on a soon to be revealed shuttle service where you park in Old Town, have a great meal, get shuttled to the Hylton’s front door and back to Old Town afterwards. There was a teaser on Facebook this morning.
One of the things I have come to like about you and I posting, is that we express our views, consider them, and even if differences (although I find we have more in common as we have posted), you and I “shake hands” and walk away as gentlemen.
That said, if I may, I would like to drop the formality of “Mister” each time. On to your observations:
Thank you for the report and, in part, I see your examples given for people’s participation fit into my rambling in the other posting. We both see this as a busy community, and various reasons as to why some come out, some do not. To be honest, my use of “apathy” was an exploration on my part – I could not think of a generic word that would work.
We carry a similar view about participation, and I respect that. Thank you again for the report! Ray
Sometimes, when you open a Pandora’s Box, you have to be ready for what comes out. That said, I appreciate and respect your willingness to explore an area…you created this blog as a tool to hear what we think. And if it helps as you look at an action you must decide on, that is commendable.
Since we have that GREAT Book Store with all kinds of older books…
What IF: HMI or OTBA or who ever makes the effort to recruit a Barnes & Nobles or Borders into downtown…not a full store, a B&N Express or Borders Express.
You have to go to the Mall or clear across the area to get to both those stores. This would have a couple of positive points:
1. Have the older books and new books – the stores compliment each other.
2. Having one of those express stores in would attract families into Old Town – plus that famous 18-25 yr old demographic.
3. Encourage whichever comes in to have a cafe area. Another possible venue for local musicians to play.
4. And with the advent of e-readers, the cafe could have a special night to push whichever one the store is pushing, and special guest to pitch it could be one of the well experienced with it Harrover Family.
Just maybe a general consensus emerged among the people who were so upset about the store, that the City Council has done a pretty decent job in responding to an incident that should not have happened.
I’ve attended Council meetings and one of the LUC meetings on this issue; I was pretty satisfied that Mr. Way, Andy H and the council overall were proceeding in a reasonable way to deal with the issue. Did I hear everything that I wanted to hear? Or see done, everything I wanted done? No, but Mr. Way strikes me as a pretty level headed guy, he’s not going to do anything stupid. I see someone in charge, doing a decent job, using common sense, I don’t feel the need to be hanging over his shoulder, distracting him.
I couldn’t agree with your assessment, or your conclusion, more. I think the council has done a great job getting in front of the issue of S.O.B’s, especially when considering they had to play catch-up. No one could have predicted that someone would try to open a KK’s-type establishment in Old Town. 6 months ago, if you would have told me someone would try, I would have looked at you like you had lobsters crawling out of your ears. But someone did in fact open an S.O.B, in Old Town, and council’s actions thus far have been reasonable, measured, and prudent. If I show up to comment, it’s going to be in support of their actions. If I disagree with a point or particular, I will send them an email, or pick up the phone. Shout the good, but whisper the bad.
Ponderings on the new EPA rules regarding the Chesapeake Bay and runoffs to it…and the Annual City Leaf Pickup.
The City makes the effort to publish a schedule each year encouraging folks to rake leaves at specific intervals to the curb, and they then get picked up.
Yet every year there are people who do not follow the schedule and rake out, and then the leaves sit..and foul weather sets in and all this junk flows into the sewers (all marked for the most part with “the crab” reminder – some have been ripped off or knocked off in last year’s plowing).
So all this mulching mass with bacteria et al drains down, and out to the Bay contributing to the ongoing issues of other run-off, etc.
Andy H. has commented before on the increased cost the new regs will bring to sewage managements, and wastewater fee for my house runs around $45 or so a month. And I also pay around $23 a month for solid waste management, which includes the Monday yardwaste regardless if I use it.
Talked to Sue Latka last Saturday about it, and it is frustrating point for her. She told me ideas are kicked around on how to encourage residents to do it on time to include phone reminders…but no practical solution comes out.
In my case, what does not get leaf vac’d for use as compost (thank you, Toro!), I place in bags at the curb since leaves never fall on schedule.
The street pickup is a great idea, but given more costs for the Chessie issue, and the cost of the service, maybe it is time to just drop the trucks and have it that residents bag and put out?
I agree with the assessment that the process to expedite the ordinance was being handled well. I also appreciated the Planning Commission hearing, and understood the urgency to move it forward to Council Public Hearing with approval on Nov. 22nd, and Martin saying my points will be considered as the study moves forward satisfied me.
And now, the brakes put on with the 1000ft rule…and since I did not get the chance to view the Monday night session, will catch the replay tomorrow night so I can better be informed vs. just the News & Messenger article today.
Watching CNN last night, I caught the “Hugh Jidette
for President” commercial filmed in Old Town Manassas
a few weeks ago. The local flavor was hard to
notice in the finished product but still found it
interesting … hopefully we can grow as a good
location for filmmaking. (“My Son John” was
sixty years ago. Hollywood forgave Helen Hayes
for that box office bomb, why not us?).
The commercial ask viewers to learn more
their cause at oweno.com .
@Ray:
Regarding leaf pickup, I contend that no more than 10% of City residents read the flyers and newsletters that come with their utility bill. In my mind this is obvious because people would know a LOT more about their City if they did read them.
So most people don’t know the schedule, or even know that there IS a schedule. They just see piles of leaves at people’s curbs around town, and the piles eventually go away (or blow away), so they rake theirs out as they see fit. Me, I blow mine into my corner veggie garden that’s barren now, then when my week comes up I tote ’em to the curb. But the next pickup here isn’t for two more weeks, and I see neighbors with piles at their curbs.
I wish the City had someone whose sole job was to just drive around town looking for stuff like this, and then posting notices on folks doors. I bet if people got a notice that there’s a schedule, and they could be cited for not raking out in accordance with the schedule, a lot of behavior would change. And not just on this topic, on any number of issues. Tall grass, trash put out before allowed time, no house numbers visible from street, there’s probably hundreds of things in City code that a gentle reminder could help motivate some behavioral change. And make our communities better.
As for eliminating leaf pickup, as I said on this site last year, I’d still like to see the REAL cost savings before just saying “cut it”. Those folks that run the trucks are all City employees, what would they be doing otherwise if they weren’t out sucking up leaves? Or are we going to eliminate some positions? Are there vehicles we would no longer need in the City fleet? Would maintenance costs go down? Or go up due to less use? Would the City contract for yard waste pickup have to be re-negotiated if there’s now going to be a fall surge in leaf volume?
I’d also argue most City residents don’t have the luxury of a leaf vac (yeah, I know they’re not EXPENSIVE), or the time/space/motivation to compost..
@Steve Thomas:
There used to be some nice big drawings of what the new 28/Wellington intersection will look like posted on the walls on the 2nd floor hallway in City Hall. Not sure if they are still there (was actually just up there tonight but don’t recall if they were still up) but if not I’m pretty sure the GIS Department could show you them.
@Andy:
Regarding e-readers, seems to me a Kindle or Nook at under $150 leaves a WHOLE LOT of money for buying books versus the cheapest iPad at what, $500? I’m not sure if you’ve spent a lot of time reading on an iPad or iPhone or laptop or anything with an LCD screen, but the e-ink technology in the Kindle and Nook and suc (but NOT the new color Nook) beats LCD hands down for long term reading. AND you can actually read them outdoors in direct sunlight (sitting on the deck, beach, whatever).
Will try pasting in the Hugh Jidette video. If it doesn’t work, you can see it on the web site: http://www.hughjidette.com/
And yeah, if you didn’t know it was filmed in Manassas, you’d never be able to tell.
Great article on leaf collection, Steve. I hate getting those tall paper bags to open at first. Even bought a $2 cardboard funnel at Home Depot. But the paper bags seem to be the best solution for me. If I rake them to the curb I have to watch out for traffic (I rake them onto a drop cloth and drag, but have to stand in the busy street to dump them off), and then the vacuum truck takes up all the rocks on the shoulder of the road with them (we don’t have sidewalks). For 1/4 acre, about $20 in leaf bags does it. The rest I compost/mulch.
Ah, I see we have the same points on “show me the money” of the program cost. I remember a couple (maybe more) years back when one of the sweepers used to get up leaves used to jam up because of junk in the piles (cans, plastic bottles, etc). Can remember Council discussing the cost of that truck – seem to vaguely recall parts had to come from Germany(???).
Shoot, if they can’t buy a leaf vac-blower, rakes are real cheap and a good low-impact exercise 🙂
GREAT article from Roanoke (Thanks Steve!). Feeds into my point about we pay for service (remember the yellow stickers? like the consolidated payment myself), why not use it. And as Sue also told me, it would increase tonnage on yard waste – which is a good thing!
” The FC City Council has manifest itself as arrogant,
secretive, pedantic idealogues driven by fear
of what they do not know of the past and by what
they cannot evision in the future.”
Falls Church News op/ed
Ouch, at least our local paper hasn’t zinged us with
words like that — yet. Also, there is
no reported case of anyone shooting at their TV
while watching a Manassas Council meeting!
The 1st show of the new series, broadcast on Saturday, featured a kissogram, a naked Physician along with a “sexed up” Tardis.During the unique 65-minute episode, The Eleventh Hour, in which Doctor Who had 20 minutes to save Earth from aliens identified as the Atraxi, his new companion, Amy Pond, was revealed as a kissogram dressed in a skimpy policeman’s outfit, complete with mini-skirt and handcuffs. In one scene, Amy, played by the actress Karen Gillan, told the Dr that her kissogram repertoire also included nuns and nurses’ outfits. Discover out additional at Sci Fi Fan.
November 15, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Wondering what the final Welington/28 interchange is going to look like. If it looks like the 28/234 interchange, I’m gonna be ticked.
November 15, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Congratulations to Cindy Brookshire for being
selected local “Woman of the Year” by the
Manassas Christmas Parade organizers. It is a
well deserved honor for the work she does
helping our community. Cindy is slated to ride
in next month’s big event (hope the weather is good).
November 15, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Thank you, Steve. As Pulitzer Prize winning author Laurel Thatcher Ulrich titled her latest book:
“Well-behaved women rarely make history.”
November 15, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Noticed the Blockbuster at Wellington Shopping
Center has just put up going-out-business signs.
The chain has struggled over the last few years
and this wasn’t unexpected – a classic “who moved
our cheese?”. They were “killers” of the
first wave of individual and smaller chains
(remember Erol’s?) and now, a decade later,
they are dying out due to Netflex, Red Box,
on-line movie sources, etc..
It seems big box bookstores – like Barnes & Noble
might follow the same path, as technology changes the
way we buy “books”. In a related area, what
will community libraries look like in a decade? Assume
they will be smaller with more technology and fewer
stacks of old-tree editions.
November 15, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Congratulations, Cindy!!! I nominated you within minutes of seeing the request on FB. You came immediately to mind.
November 15, 2010 at 4:57 pm
@Steve Thomas
Went to the Public Hearing on it back in October. Nick Garner, Asst Dir of Public Works had a big schematic up of it, plus some color charts.
Actually, the 28&Wellington Bypass will look better and there are also several other changes to include Cockrell Rd interstection. Andy H. gets his bike path 🙂 up Wellington and along 28.
Just going to be a long process of road realignment, driving in the bridge pilings, etc. which will run to project completion date of Nov. 9, 2011. Fortunately, unless we get a Snozilla again, they can drive the pilings and do a lot of work over the winter.
Nick is willing to provide the slides to anyone interested and you can call him at 703-257-8266 or email him at ngardner@ci.manassas.va.us
November 15, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Mr. Beverage,
Thanks! For a bike path, I might be able to tolerate a bit of over-construction, and Cockrell/Zimbro/28 lash-up is a major hazard.
It had occurred to me as I was on the 234 flyover, that if the wellington project had a similar design, I’d end up living under a bridge, which is only one step up from a van, down by the river. Couldn’t imagine what that’d do to the value of the ol’ homestead.
November 15, 2010 at 5:31 pm
FYI: Public Hearings at 7:30 tonight. The second item
on the agenda relates to “Sexually Oriented” business
activity in the City of Manassas. The full agenda
and back up material is on the city website.
l
November 15, 2010 at 5:34 pm
@Steve Randolph,
I don’t think book stores will become obsolete any time soon. I have too many friends who tell me they want to hold that book in their hand. the voracious readers I know cling to their print copies.
Also, Barnes and Noble was smart. Their Nook electronic reader is state of the art and reasonably priced. They also attract people because if you want an e-reader, you can go into the store and look at how it works. Up until very recently, you could not do that with Kindle. B & N also trains people how to use the Nook. Some people aren’t at ease with technology and throw things in a drawer rather than find out how to use them.
I am betting on B & N for some odd reason.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
November 15, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Cindy, congratulations!! `I hope you have the greatest reign ever and sunshine for the Christmas parade.
November 15, 2010 at 6:52 pm
I feel like Graci Hart in Miss Congeniality.
I really do want world peace!
November 15, 2010 at 6:58 pm
I’ve tried several e-readers and pretty much hate them all. The only one that I stick with is the iPad and that’s only because it can do 20 other things – all of which are useful but it’s too heavy to read for long stretches on.
One nifty thing that I’m starting to see is apps you can download for the ipad that are based on books. There is a great one based on Dracula that was released in time for halloween. Erin absolutely ate it up. It was still the text but it had animation, video and audio woven through it. That’s the stuff that’ll take the ipad and its like to the next level.
I don’t believe any of these devices will ever crush the printed book though. Those stores (B&N, etc) may end up looking a lot different – you don’t throw away a retail distribution chain like that lightly – but they won’t go away….
November 15, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Congrats Cindy!
November 15, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Public Hearing on the Sexually Oriented Business:
So, missed viewing and skipped attending as I had already burned energy previously at the Planning Commission hearing about it.
How many showed up or not showed up for the 15 mintues of time?
My son and I went to the Planning Commission and we made two of the three speakers. Councilman Way was there as Chair of LUC to ask they approve and send forward, and then read a long list of things to be regulated to include lingerie. I was there with two pages of comments on weaknesses in the use of terms, some of my comments based on Dr. Kelley’s Toledo Study and other work. My son was there to add his comments.
Much to young Martin’s credit, our City Attorney took my two pages and walked through them, discussing them with the PC. One Member asked if the draft could be returned to Staff for edit, and the answer was comments would be considered for input to the study, but the draft had to go forward for Nov. 14th hearing so the temporary stop gap could go in.
My son Andy’s comments were mostly covered in Martin’s explanation.
Still, just curious on how many showed up…or if lack of attendance, is this another example of apathy as being discussed in the other post?
November 15, 2010 at 11:46 pm
Other topic –
The PWC BOCS will be receiving a presentation and report from UVA on Illegal Immigration tomorrow followed by a Press Briefing at 3:30pm.
Not available on the web (either too big, not available at time of dispatch, or just BOCS wanting public briefing before public release). Should prove interesting viewing on TV or via live streaming on the County website.
November 16, 2010 at 8:55 am
@RB: 4 people showed up. I don’t know about apathy Ray. I kinda got my head handed to me in the other thread so I’m not going to venture a guess.
November 16, 2010 at 9:22 am
Mr. Beverage,
I was one of the four who showed up. The reason I was there was this is very important to me. Apathy, to me, would mean you just don’t care enough about a subject. However, I know several folks who wanted to come, but had scheduling conflicts.
Here’s how I see the whole issue of whether or not people are engaged:
Most people are followers. Few are leaders. Look at any group, and you will see this. Same holds true for society. Some are introverts, while others extroverts. Some are comfortable speaking in public, others are not. Some are “joiners”, others “lone wolves”.
Some people are very knowledgeable regarding local issues, as they have a passion for this. Others have a passion for past-times, like football. They can tell you exactly how many 1st downs the Skins converted last game, but couldn’t tell you what the advertised tax rate is. Why? They have no passion for tax rates. Even though the Skins W-L record on the season has little more than an emotional impact on their lives, this is important to them. Tax rates, zoning issues, etc. are not…until their neighbor starts renting his house out to 30 suspected illegal aliens…then it becomes very important.
Some people are just too dang busy. They live cluttered lives. They are active at church. Their kids play travel hockey, or are budding thespians. They find time for this, because it is important to them. They’d love to be more involved in local issues, but work and family is all they have time for.
Some are just too dang tired. They fight the DC traffic, and arrive home at 7:00. All they want is a little peace before they jump on the hamster wheel.
Thank goodness there are people who do have a passion for local issues. Thanks goodness they have the time, or can make the time to engage. Thank goodness there are good folks who have the passion to seek elected office and leaders in their community. Thank goodness there are men and women who choose to serve our country in uniform, while there are many who do not. There may be a portion of the citizenry who just flat out don’t care, or who are burdened with ignorance. However, there is a lot to choose from in life, and priorities must rule.
November 16, 2010 at 11:00 am
Congrats to CindyB for her well deserved honors!
November 16, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Thanks, Steve – it is an honor!
I read the interim ordinance & watched @ home via FIOS. I figured the council knows what I think, having spoken once. Will my views mean more if I appear numerous times to restate or add to them? Doubt it.
I understand the need for an up-to-date ordinance. Employing the national expert is pretty smart, but I hope the final cost will come in under $71K.
I think KK’s is an asset to Old Town, the new streetscape and life of Battle St. I have no complaints. Okay, maybe one. Poppy Hogan at New Method Cleaners has stopped using that neat little machine that cranks out white and yellow receipts. Guess they don’t make the paper refill rolls anymore. Life goes on….
November 16, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Cindy,
During my comments, I tried to convey that regardless of opinions regarding KK’s, the shop was the trigger, and not the target of the ordinance. Having been into the shop, I can say that we could be dealing with a far more onerous establishment, and having had no way to regulate it.
Barring any sale of crimminally obscene material, the Skokan’s will succeed or fail based solely on market conditions. The new ordinance will have little to no impact on any of the existing businesses. I’ve moved on to the broader issue.
I firmly believe the City needs a new ordinance. We have learned a valuable lesson from KK’s (and dodged a potential bullet). Whether or not KK’s is an assett is more a matter of personal taste, I think, but not every new adult-oriented business would be an assett to the community, as I am sure you would agree. That’s why we need the ordinance.
November 16, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Would any of the supporters of the “arts” center at George Mason care to weigh in on how the City has benefited from it? Have any new businesses opened up in response to the Arts Center? Have our restaurants seen an increase in business from those attending shows?
I do recall hearing during the “debate” on funding the center the City would see an economic benefit from the Center.
And, no, I do not consider the arts to be of any type of benefit to the community.
November 16, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Sounds like Old Town restaurants are doing some kind of partnering with the Hylton Center on a soon to be revealed shuttle service where you park in Old Town, have a great meal, get shuttled to the Hylton’s front door and back to Old Town afterwards. There was a teaser on Facebook this morning.
November 16, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Mr. Thomas,
One of the things I have come to like about you and I posting, is that we express our views, consider them, and even if differences (although I find we have more in common as we have posted), you and I “shake hands” and walk away as gentlemen.
That said, if I may, I would like to drop the formality of “Mister” each time. On to your observations:
Thank you for the report and, in part, I see your examples given for people’s participation fit into my rambling in the other posting. We both see this as a busy community, and various reasons as to why some come out, some do not. To be honest, my use of “apathy” was an exploration on my part – I could not think of a generic word that would work.
We carry a similar view about participation, and I respect that. Thank you again for the report! Ray
November 16, 2010 at 11:42 pm
@Our Beloved Host of this Blog:
Sometimes, when you open a Pandora’s Box, you have to be ready for what comes out. That said, I appreciate and respect your willingness to explore an area…you created this blog as a tool to hear what we think. And if it helps as you look at an action you must decide on, that is commendable.
And the mark of a Leader. Keep at it, my friend!
November 16, 2010 at 11:49 pm
OK! Here’s an idea for Old Town –
Since we have that GREAT Book Store with all kinds of older books…
What IF: HMI or OTBA or who ever makes the effort to recruit a Barnes & Nobles or Borders into downtown…not a full store, a B&N Express or Borders Express.
You have to go to the Mall or clear across the area to get to both those stores. This would have a couple of positive points:
1. Have the older books and new books – the stores compliment each other.
2. Having one of those express stores in would attract families into Old Town – plus that famous 18-25 yr old demographic.
3. Encourage whichever comes in to have a cafe area. Another possible venue for local musicians to play.
4. And with the advent of e-readers, the cafe could have a special night to push whichever one the store is pushing, and special guest to pitch it could be one of the well experienced with it Harrover Family.
How’s that for an idea?
November 17, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Steve, Ray, Andy H, and others,
Just maybe a general consensus emerged among the people who were so upset about the store, that the City Council has done a pretty decent job in responding to an incident that should not have happened.
I’ve attended Council meetings and one of the LUC meetings on this issue; I was pretty satisfied that Mr. Way, Andy H and the council overall were proceeding in a reasonable way to deal with the issue. Did I hear everything that I wanted to hear? Or see done, everything I wanted done? No, but Mr. Way strikes me as a pretty level headed guy, he’s not going to do anything stupid. I see someone in charge, doing a decent job, using common sense, I don’t feel the need to be hanging over his shoulder, distracting him.
November 17, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Doug,
I couldn’t agree with your assessment, or your conclusion, more. I think the council has done a great job getting in front of the issue of S.O.B’s, especially when considering they had to play catch-up. No one could have predicted that someone would try to open a KK’s-type establishment in Old Town. 6 months ago, if you would have told me someone would try, I would have looked at you like you had lobsters crawling out of your ears. But someone did in fact open an S.O.B, in Old Town, and council’s actions thus far have been reasonable, measured, and prudent. If I show up to comment, it’s going to be in support of their actions. If I disagree with a point or particular, I will send them an email, or pick up the phone. Shout the good, but whisper the bad.
November 17, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Ponderings on the new EPA rules regarding the Chesapeake Bay and runoffs to it…and the Annual City Leaf Pickup.
The City makes the effort to publish a schedule each year encouraging folks to rake leaves at specific intervals to the curb, and they then get picked up.
Yet every year there are people who do not follow the schedule and rake out, and then the leaves sit..and foul weather sets in and all this junk flows into the sewers (all marked for the most part with “the crab” reminder – some have been ripped off or knocked off in last year’s plowing).
So all this mulching mass with bacteria et al drains down, and out to the Bay contributing to the ongoing issues of other run-off, etc.
Andy H. has commented before on the increased cost the new regs will bring to sewage managements, and wastewater fee for my house runs around $45 or so a month. And I also pay around $23 a month for solid waste management, which includes the Monday yardwaste regardless if I use it.
Talked to Sue Latka last Saturday about it, and it is frustrating point for her. She told me ideas are kicked around on how to encourage residents to do it on time to include phone reminders…but no practical solution comes out.
In my case, what does not get leaf vac’d for use as compost (thank you, Toro!), I place in bags at the curb since leaves never fall on schedule.
The street pickup is a great idea, but given more costs for the Chessie issue, and the cost of the service, maybe it is time to just drop the trucks and have it that residents bag and put out?
November 17, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Doug,
I agree with the assessment that the process to expedite the ordinance was being handled well. I also appreciated the Planning Commission hearing, and understood the urgency to move it forward to Council Public Hearing with approval on Nov. 22nd, and Martin saying my points will be considered as the study moves forward satisfied me.
And now, the brakes put on with the 1000ft rule…and since I did not get the chance to view the Monday night session, will catch the replay tomorrow night so I can better be informed vs. just the News & Messenger article today.
November 18, 2010 at 7:06 am
@RB: no brakes were put on…..
November 18, 2010 at 11:24 am
Watching CNN last night, I caught the “Hugh Jidette
for President” commercial filmed in Old Town Manassas
a few weeks ago. The local flavor was hard to
notice in the finished product but still found it
interesting … hopefully we can grow as a good
location for filmmaking. (“My Son John” was
sixty years ago. Hollywood forgave Helen Hayes
for that box office bomb, why not us?).
The commercial ask viewers to learn more
their cause at oweno.com .
November 18, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Who markets the City of Manassas as a filmmaking location? It takes more than just hope.
http://www.film.virginia.org/
http://www.filmva.com/home.html
November 18, 2010 at 2:38 pm
@ Steve, I saw that commercial on FoxNews last week, I had almost forgot they had filmed it here.
A few months ago TCM actually played My Son John, and I could barely make it through it!
November 18, 2010 at 9:51 pm
@Ray:
Regarding leaf pickup, I contend that no more than 10% of City residents read the flyers and newsletters that come with their utility bill. In my mind this is obvious because people would know a LOT more about their City if they did read them.
So most people don’t know the schedule, or even know that there IS a schedule. They just see piles of leaves at people’s curbs around town, and the piles eventually go away (or blow away), so they rake theirs out as they see fit. Me, I blow mine into my corner veggie garden that’s barren now, then when my week comes up I tote ’em to the curb. But the next pickup here isn’t for two more weeks, and I see neighbors with piles at their curbs.
I wish the City had someone whose sole job was to just drive around town looking for stuff like this, and then posting notices on folks doors. I bet if people got a notice that there’s a schedule, and they could be cited for not raking out in accordance with the schedule, a lot of behavior would change. And not just on this topic, on any number of issues. Tall grass, trash put out before allowed time, no house numbers visible from street, there’s probably hundreds of things in City code that a gentle reminder could help motivate some behavioral change. And make our communities better.
As for eliminating leaf pickup, as I said on this site last year, I’d still like to see the REAL cost savings before just saying “cut it”. Those folks that run the trucks are all City employees, what would they be doing otherwise if they weren’t out sucking up leaves? Or are we going to eliminate some positions? Are there vehicles we would no longer need in the City fleet? Would maintenance costs go down? Or go up due to less use? Would the City contract for yard waste pickup have to be re-negotiated if there’s now going to be a fall surge in leaf volume?
I’d also argue most City residents don’t have the luxury of a leaf vac (yeah, I know they’re not EXPENSIVE), or the time/space/motivation to compost..
November 18, 2010 at 10:13 pm
@Steve Thomas:
There used to be some nice big drawings of what the new 28/Wellington intersection will look like posted on the walls on the 2nd floor hallway in City Hall. Not sure if they are still there (was actually just up there tonight but don’t recall if they were still up) but if not I’m pretty sure the GIS Department could show you them.
November 18, 2010 at 10:17 pm
@Andy:
Regarding e-readers, seems to me a Kindle or Nook at under $150 leaves a WHOLE LOT of money for buying books versus the cheapest iPad at what, $500? I’m not sure if you’ve spent a lot of time reading on an iPad or iPhone or laptop or anything with an LCD screen, but the e-ink technology in the Kindle and Nook and suc (but NOT the new color Nook) beats LCD hands down for long term reading. AND you can actually read them outdoors in direct sunlight (sitting on the deck, beach, whatever).
November 18, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Will try pasting in the Hugh Jidette video. If it doesn’t work, you can see it on the web site:
http://www.hughjidette.com/
And yeah, if you didn’t know it was filmed in Manassas, you’d never be able to tell.
Website Intro from Peterson Foundation on Vimeo.
November 19, 2010 at 9:57 am
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/267957
A story in today’s Roanoke Times on how they
handle leaf pick-up in the “Star City”.
November 19, 2010 at 10:11 am
@DavidB the drawings there were on the 2nd floor have been gone for a while. They were really nice, really laid out the project.
November 19, 2010 at 11:22 am
The Playoffs Begin!
Loudoun Valley at Osbourn, 7:30 tonight.
OHS! GO EAGLES!
November 19, 2010 at 11:45 am
Great article on leaf collection, Steve. I hate getting those tall paper bags to open at first. Even bought a $2 cardboard funnel at Home Depot. But the paper bags seem to be the best solution for me. If I rake them to the curb I have to watch out for traffic (I rake them onto a drop cloth and drag, but have to stand in the busy street to dump them off), and then the vacuum truck takes up all the rocks on the shoulder of the road with them (we don’t have sidewalks). For 1/4 acre, about $20 in leaf bags does it. The rest I compost/mulch.
November 19, 2010 at 12:59 pm
@David B
Ah, I see we have the same points on “show me the money” of the program cost. I remember a couple (maybe more) years back when one of the sweepers used to get up leaves used to jam up because of junk in the piles (cans, plastic bottles, etc). Can remember Council discussing the cost of that truck – seem to vaguely recall parts had to come from Germany(???).
Shoot, if they can’t buy a leaf vac-blower, rakes are real cheap and a good low-impact exercise 🙂
GREAT article from Roanoke (Thanks Steve!). Feeds into my point about we pay for service (remember the yellow stickers? like the consolidated payment myself), why not use it. And as Sue also told me, it would increase tonnage on yard waste – which is a good thing!
November 19, 2010 at 10:28 pm
OHS WINS 41-21 !
GO EAGLES!
November 20, 2010 at 10:20 am
” The FC City Council has manifest itself as arrogant,
secretive, pedantic idealogues driven by fear
of what they do not know of the past and by what
they cannot evision in the future.”
Falls Church News op/ed
Ouch, at least our local paper hasn’t zinged us with
words like that — yet. Also, there is
no reported case of anyone shooting at their TV
while watching a Manassas Council meeting!
December 1, 2010 at 10:05 am
The 1st show of the new series, broadcast on Saturday, featured a kissogram, a naked Physician along with a “sexed up” Tardis.During the unique 65-minute episode, The Eleventh Hour, in which Doctor Who had 20 minutes to save Earth from aliens identified as the Atraxi, his new companion, Amy Pond, was revealed as a kissogram dressed in a skimpy policeman’s outfit, complete with mini-skirt and handcuffs. In one scene, Amy, played by the actress Karen Gillan, told the Dr that her kissogram repertoire also included nuns and nurses’ outfits. Discover out additional at Sci Fi Fan.