It’s the eternal question: Does South Arlington get less in the way of county-government support than North Arlington?
In certain areas, yes, according to those seeking to become Arlington’s newest County Board member.
Specific South Arlington needs were one of the questions at a May 8 candidate forum, sponsored by the Arlington Committee of 100.
All five Democrats on the June 18 primary ballot (J.D. Spain Sr., Tenley Peterson, Natalie Roy, Julie Farnam and James DeVita) took part, as did independent Audrey Clement, who has qualified for the Nov. 5 ballot.
While easy to describe geographically – basically referring to anything below U.S. Route 50 – “South Arlington” is hardly a homogenous set of communities. Neighborhoods span the economic spectrum and, like North Arlington, range from single-family enclaves to urban corridors.
Broadly speaking, candidates offered these views about the southern reaches of the county (in order of response):
• Roy: Parks and tree canopy must be addressed, she said.
• Farnam: Crime (especially in the 22202 ZIP code) and overcrowded schools are a concern, she opined.
• Peterson: Tree canopy, nature facilities and affordable housing were on her fix-up list.
• Clement: Providing quality development and housing options were needed, she said.
• Spain: Business retention, especially along the Columbia Pike corridor, and the current physical state of the Columbia Pike roadway (“a headache” for drivers) were on his to-do list.
• DeVita: A desire for new development, preservation of mom-and-pop businesses and potentially expanded Metrorail service were on his short list, he said.
“South Arlington has been ignored for too long,” said DeVita.
The winner of the June 18 primary becomes the odds-on favorite to win the Nov. 5 general election and succeed current board member Libby Garvey. Besides Clement, other independents and a Republican candidate could end up in the general-election mix before the filing deadline arrives in mid-June.
