The October 2024 newsletter is linked below. If you have any comments or questions, email editor@ashtonheights.org.
When it Rains, it Pours
By Scott Sklar, President, AHCA
We have lots of activity in September, and I have excerpted from the listserv, media and county communications to give you some flavor.
On September 10th, Arlington police surrounded the red brick apartment house at 922 N. Ivy Street with guns and dogs. The SWAT team set up a perimeter around the building and camped there from ~9 p.m. onward. Police ordered an individual inside Apt 1 with a bullhorn that they had a search warrant and he had to come out with his hands up.
Around 1 a.m., they broke the window and arrested him. Police recovered two firearms, including an AR-style rifle, and numerous rounds of ammunition after responding to a reported domestic dispute.
On September 6th, Arlington County contacted us about permit renewal for Darna. I pulsed residents on North Ivy, North Jackson and North Kenmore Streets near Wilson Blvd and received nine responses on loud noise at night. I informed the county that AHCA does not support this permit renewal until the Darna noise issue is resolved.
Beginning on September 9th, I received four reports from residents on North Kenmore Street regarding tractor trailer trucks coming from CVS going through our residential streets rather than going back onto Wilson Blvd. I just received two other such reports on September 12th. AHCA’s Transportation Committee Chair Patrick Lueb is discussing with county staff.
In early September, AHCA Safety & Security Committee Chair, Christina Schultz, reported lack of response of the Arlington County Police Department liaison office on advising AHCA on crime events status. This was spurred by the August 10th event at 7:15 a.m., where a woman walking on the N. 2nd Rd entrance into Columbia Gardens Cemetery was attacked from behind by a male wearing a white t-shirt and dark shorts. The suspect attempted to grab the victim from behind but she wiggled free. The victim recovered and chased the suspect south bound on N Jackson St. to attempt to take a picture. Police were called and they responded around 7:20. a.m. There is video of the attack and of the suspect from a building camera. Video was provided to Arlington Police. But not a peep on status from ACPD of a violent event in our neighborhood. I have upgraded dialogue with Chief Penn, of the Arlington County Police Department.
And County actions on Macy’s and the four buildings in Clarendon are winding their way through the County approval process followed by our AHCA Development Committee chairs Jack Spilsbury & Alexander Tuneski, who I hope will give us an update at our AHCA Monthly meeting.
On September 9th AHCA’s Tree Canopy & Native Plants Committee chair Brooke Alexander met with Melissa Gildea, Arlington Urban Forester to review the county proposal for aerating Gumball Park. Aeration is needed for the health of the trees, in addition to the grass on the park. As it turns out, the tufts of “grass” that are growing there on the southern end are actually a reed which only grows on soil with low oxygen. (Note, per Brooke, aeration will increase the oxygen available to the roots, in addition to water penetration into the soil. Tree (and grass) roots need (alternatively) oxygen and water. When the soil is compacted, neither is available in sufficient quantity to support healthy roots. This aeration project is planting a fast growing root plant that penetrates into the soil 6-8 inches that will make holes 1/2-1 inch in diameter. Then the plants will be allowed to rot. This will leave holes in the ground that will allow oxygen and water penetration. This is a biological solution to the needed aeration.)
There’s more, but I focused on these highlights on the diversity, urgency, and frankly the amount of personal time any of you are making to help this community. This is what a civic association is all about — everyone doing what they can, when they can, to make our neighborhoods safe, secure, and increase our collective quality of life.
Hope to see you at our monthly Wednesday night (3rd Wed of the month) for October and November at the Clarendon United Methodist Church social hall at 7:30 p.m. A most Happy Autumn to you all.