Reply to Matt DeFerranti v. John Vihstadt

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Reply to "Matt DeFerranti v. John Vihstadt"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Part of me wonders if this thread is the same 3-4 50-somethings posting over and over.  Especially with the relentless comments about stupid millennials.  I own my home, am in my 40s, have kids, and voted for deFerranti.

I live in North Arlington (22207) close to an affordable housing complex.  I support AH and would be perfectly fine to give up a CC or even one of the EIGHT dog parks for more, even right in my own backyard!  I am VERY left-leaning and I actually agree that one-party rule is a bad thing.  I was offered but did not take a Dem sample ballot, FWIW.

I would like to vote for Vihstadt except...I just don't feel like he managed to accomplish much during this tenure after squashing the streetcar which I didn't think was a great call.  In Arlington, anyone who ever says "let's not spend (this much) money on X" is going to sound like a radical but you have to bring more to the table than that.

For all the people handwringing that this will be a disaster, show up for CB meetings and make your voice heard, it's "the Arlington way!" Better yet, run as an independent/"fiscal conservative" yourself.  
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I hope you're out there advocating for more AH in your back yard.  Perhaps YOU could have more influence.  I didn't agree with JV about the streetcar, probably never will.  But realistically, what more do you expect him to have done as one of 5 voices?  Libby would sometimes support him, making it 2 - 3.  JV has been a positive contribution and had as much impact as one could expect given the animosity and Democratically bonded wall of resistance against him as an "outsider" and "one-time anomaly."  He helped influence the affordable housing master plan - in response to advocacy - to at least address geographical distribution.  That would not have happened without him on the board.  He's the only one who opposed the Aquatic Center as fiscally irresponsible in our given situation and climate.  He pushed for the independent auditor until they got one.  He actually sought-out opinions from non-like-minded people AND implemented those opinions into his thinking and his actions and votes on the Board.  NONE of the other board members do that.  They came in with their personal opinions and that's what they vote; they cling to like-minds and dismiss differing opinions.

It's unfortunate people still hold the streetcar against JV and therefore retaliated with their vote today.  Nobody seems to blame Hynes or Fisette for caving.  They still had a majority and could have pushed it through.  They are the ones who failed to sell the plan to the community.  The only good thing I have to say about Tejada is that he stuck to his guns on the streetcar.

But if you think one-party rule isn't a good thing and still voted for it, that's your right.  I'd love to know what you think Matt actually brings to the table - cause from my perspective, it sure ain't anything compared to JV.[/quote]

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