Arlington County Board Chair Mary Hughes Hynes Unveils 2012 Initiative

January 02, 2012

Unveils PLACE initiative to revitalize “Arlington Way”
Announces weekly “open door” sessions with public
Targets new land use civic engagement pilot
Underscores focus on maintenance capital and Capital Improvement Program

ARLINGTON, Va. – Arlington County Board Chair Mary Hughes Hynes External link

today named the development of a blueprint for deeper, broader civic engagement as her top priority in 2012.

Speaking at the Arlington County Board’s first meeting of the New Year, Hynes unveiled her “PLACE -- Participation, Leadership And Civic Engagement” initiative, saying it will provide a much-needed update to the County’s long-cherished “Arlington Way” of public participation in government decision-making.

“We've been busy building this great place more than 60 years, and we have had many successes to show for it,” Hynes said after the County Board elected her to serve a one-year term as chair, and J. Walter Tejada to serve as vice-chair. “Our challenge now is to ensure that Arlington – our home town -- continues to tap into our residents’ and County staff’s talents so that Arlington remains a great place for all kinds of folks – even in these increasingly demanding times.”

Reinvigorating the “Arlington Way”

For decades, Hynes noted, Arlington has championed the “Arlington Way” -- civic engagement that routinely involves hundreds of residents and other stakeholders in the decision-making process. County government has relied on a strong network of neighborhood and civic associations, and on dozens of advisory committees, to ensure broad public participation in important decisions.

Hynes’ initiative calls for:

Reinvigorating the Arlington Way, intentionally supporting – with regular training for citizens, commissioners and staff -- interactive dialogue on key issues.
Taking advantage of technology while continuing to work face-to-face.
Finding new ways to encourage persistent, thoughtful, constructive residents to engage in the continuing work of improving Arlington.

The County will train staff to actively encourage broad civic engagement by using both traditional means and new tools, such as social media and online town halls, Hynes said. She announced that County Manager Barbara Donnellen will build civic engagement into staff work and evaluations, making effective civic engagement a required staff skill.

Hynes said that the County will implement the new approach this fall, tackling first the County’s land use planning process. To prepare, Hynes explained that the County will conduct joint civic engagement training with key groups who interact in the planning process, including County Board Members, Commissioners, County staff, Civic Association presidents and property owners.

“This will not be an exercise,” said Hynes. “Our goal is for more members of our community to be involved – actively and constructively – in the important local government decisions that affect their lives and those of their neighbors.”

Community workshop, Board “open door” sessions

Hynes said the County Board will host a community open house this winter to begin the creation of a community map that captures the depth and breadth of Arlington’s groups, leagues, organizations and other entities. She noted, “Our hope is that this expands our understanding of these groups, improves their connections to one another, and becomes a valuable resource for each Arlingtonian, newcomer and old timer, teen to senior, seeking to make connections in our community.”

And starting at the end of January, Board members will hold “open door” sessions every Monday evening, from 7 to 9 p.m., in County facilities and community centers, where residents can engage them in informal discussions on any topic, Hynes said. Locations will be posted later this week on the County Board website.

Capital maintenance funding

Hynes also said that she will continue her focus on maintenance capital and the Capital Improvement Program. She cited a recent condition assessment of County facilities and parks that identified more than $50 million critical maintenance capital needs over the next eight years. “Now, more than ever, when every dollar of public funding counts, we must be sure to take care of what we have,” Hynes said. She pledged to work with her colleagues on the County Board, the County Manager and the community to develop a realistic plan “to ensure the sustainability of Arlington’s physical infrastructure.” Read the full text of Hynes’ speech.

The Board also adopted its 2012 meeting schedule.

Board Member priorities

Arlington County Board Vice Chair J. Walter Tejada and Board Members Jay Fisette and Christopher Zimmerman also presented their priorities for 2012 during the organizational meeting.

Tejada announced that he and Fisette will together lead an initiative to promote Arlington urban agriculture. A task force of residents will “research best practices in sustainable urban agriculture policies and programs,” and make recommendations to the Board, Tejada said. “My hope is that we can develop an inventory of existing programs and activities, identify gaps, and explore new options such as rooftop gardens, land exchanges, demonstration gardens, and backyard hens, and investigate issues concerning food security, health and fitness benefits, and food and zoning ordinance changes,” he said. Read the full text of Tejada’s speech.

Fiscal and environmental sustainability will be among his top priorities in 2012, Board Member Fisette said. Continuing the work done in 2011 by the Community Energy and Sustainability Task Force, “we will propose a final Community Energy Plan and an implementation plan” this year, Fisette said. Read the full text of Fisette’s speech.

Board Member Zimmerman, stepping down from a year of service as Chairman of the County Board, cited housing affordability as “the most difficult challenge that Arlington faces.” Zimmerman said the County needs to “be even more aggressive” to meet that challenge. He cited the need to establish long-term targets for creating affordable housing and “shift up our support for the Affordable Housing Investment Fund in several stages over the next few years.” Zimmerman called for the County to “be more willing to experiment with new tools,” starting in 2012. Read the full text of Zimmerman’s speech.

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.