Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-01

i. What county Improvement
programs, II any, are you par
ticularly interested in spon-
soring, If elected?
Mr.. Brown, The basis Of the
improvement program we need
in my opinion, is a new master
plan. We urgently need ar
understanding Of, an apprecia-
ton Of, the function Of long
term. comprehensive planning
There can be no intelligent
consideration of specific pro-
grams until we have an over
all program-or at least I'M
derstand that one is essential
It is hard to say honestly which
programs we need first.
I'VE have. a staggering prob
lem. A street and highway
program is obviously high on
the list. So is storm sewer
construction. We are SUBJ
standard in recreational ia
cilities. We shall have to ex-
pedite our participation in
regional planning. Many OF
these problems are metropolis
tan in character and must be
solved by a cooperative APP
proach.
II should add that, in my
Judgment, the county board
should Immediately start a
program for quick acquisition
Of vacant land. We are down
to 8 per cent vacancy of pri-
vately held land. If the county
doesn't buy quickly, there will
be none left.
1.-TWO other thoughts: We
need a virtually new library
system. We also must get
moving on sewage treatment
facilities, in cooperation with
the District, Maryland, other
Jurisdictions in Virginia, and
the Federal Government. In
short, we need a plan, formu-
lated through the widest pos
sible citizen participation, with
effectively stated priorities and
a calendar for financing all
this carefully and prudently."
Mr.. Magruder: "Above and
beyond the basic general issues
in this campaign. I am particu-
iarly interested in:
"a. The m aintena lance OF
sound administration and Justly
paid professional tea chin g
STATS in our school system.
''b. A broadened tax base so
as to alleviate individual tax
burdens by protecting Arlington
as a desirable residential area.
This needs promotion of our
county as an attractive area for
urgently needed light industry
and desirable commercial de-
velopment.
&c. A tax-abatement program
for retired government workers.
widows and pensioners so as to
combat increasing costs Of liv-
ing. The solution exists in CO.
operation with the State Legis-
lature, through such measures
as the Homestead Exemption
Act (Florida is a good sample)
as a starting point.
I'd. Replacement Of the con-
fusing 40 per cent base Of tax
alton by a reassessment based
on 100 per cent valuation, so as
to remove tax inequities and
reflect the true value of Airing
tons wealth. This reorganiza-
ton of our present confused
taxation system has proven in
many other localities to result
In a widespread net reduction
Of individual taxes.
re. A regional hospital coun-
ell covering Arlington, Fairfax
and Alexandria to bring up to
necessary standards the ur-
gently needed expansion Of
health and hospital-bed facil-
tiles. I also feel that Arlington
should Immediately take steps
to build a well-planned home
for the aged.
II. Improve Immediately the
present garbage and trash col
lection system by meeting the
costs for better service.
"g. Well maintained adequate
parks and Fairgrounds.
III. Modern libraries, such as
are needed in the Williamsburg
and the Nauck-Green Valley
areas.
81. Prompt fulfillment of side
walk approaches to schools for
the safety of our school chill
dren and a program for street
lights for the safety of our
residential areas.
81. Re-evaluate our govern
ment programs carried out by
our county work force so as to
make maximum utilization OF
their talents. This must provide
for flexibility to meet county
projects and problems as they
arise in the months ahead.
tx. A revitalized program for
the protection of Arlington's
Potomac palisades. and anti
pollution measures to safeguard
the Potomac River as a drink.
ing water source. In this
would vigorously seek State
and Federal aid to abate the
increasing pollution of the
Potomac.
81. Relief to our excellent
(volunteer) fire and police de-
partments so as to raise then
to national protection stand
ards, commensurate with pop
ulation growth, on a fully paic
basis"
2. Are there any existing
government services in thu
county which you feel SHOULD
be curtailed, eliminated or ex'
panded?
Mr.. Brown: "Answere {
above" (Mr. Browns answer
to question No. H.