PRESS RELEASE: Not All Bond Issues Are Good

Posted

September 23, 2024

Written By

Audrey Clement

September 23, 2024.

I’m Audrey Clement, the Independent candidate for Arlington County Board on November 5.

In addition to federal, state and local races, there are several bond issue referenda on the ballot in Arlington, County. They are:

  • $72.4 million for transportation, including Metro.
  • $25.8 million for parks and recreation.
  • $76.2 million for community infrastructure.
  • $14.2 million for utilities.
  • $84 million for schools.

According to the Gazette Leader, Arlington voters have rarely seen a bond issue that they didn’t like, having voted for all of them except one in the past 40 years.

This is unfortunate, since tax payers will have to pay off the debt on the $272.5 million bond issue. That comes to $2,315 per household not including debt service.

With inflation at an all time high, and a weak job market, voters should be raising serious questions about paying for all this.

For example, the school bond allocates $45.5 million to “refresh” the existing Career Center building to house the Montessori School. That’s $10 million less than the average cost of a brand new elementary school in the state of Virginia, which is $55.7 million. Why the exorbitant cost for a simple renovation?

Then there’s $6.5 million for the Quincy site near Virginia Square, which is evidently needed for ART bus overflow parking that the new $97 million ART bus facility on Shirlington Road can’t handle.

$2.44 million has been allocated to resurface 2 athletic fields at Kenmore Middle School with synthetic turf. There are recent reports that synthetic turf leaches PFAS—i.e. “forever chemicals” that do not break down in the environment–into ground water and may be harmful to the health of young children playing on it.

If you agree with me that these bond items need more scrutiny, that’s exactly what I will do if elected to County Board.

I also pledge to:

  • Seek immediate tax relief for residents and businesses.
  • Convene a task force of community stakeholders to study reasonable alternatives to Missing Middle up-zoning.

If you share my agenda, then:

  • Spread the word about my candidacy.
  • Volunteer or donate to my campaign.
  • Help make the “Arlington Way” more than an empty phrase.