Dear Friends, The new year is off to a busy start. I wanted to share a couple of time sensitive items with you.DC Protests – January 6thWe are asking all residents to stay safe and refrain from counter-protesting in Washington D.C. on January 6, tomorrow, when far-right extremist groups are expected to gather in large numbers to protest what they falsely claim to be widespread voter fraud in the November 3, 2020, presidential election. Mayor Bowser has asked that people not come to the city to counter-protest and we strongly support her request. Vaccinations and our next … [Read more...]

Dear Friends, As this most challenging of years draws to a close, I want to wish everyone a healthy and better New Year. My daughter kindly put in calligraphy the quote from Vaclav Havel that I’ve had taped up on my wall for most of this year. It’s an important message. There has been a lot of love and truth shown this year by so many people from all walks of life as we helped each other get through the pandemic however we could. May we build on the positive things that got us through this year to make a better world in 2021,Libby … [Read more...]

Dear Friends, As this strange year comes to an end, the Board had — as now is usual — a combination of traditional Board issues and Covid ones. I marvel that only a short time ago holding meetings virtually felt odd. I think “you’re on mute” is the catch-phrase of the year. I now have a corner of my home that I call my “broadcast studio.”  Covid Work SessionWe continue to accept funds when available from the Federal and State governments to help with Covid relief, e.g., help with utility bills. As we all know, numbers of cases and deaths are rising rapidly and the beginning of … [Read more...]

Dear Friends, At last! Biden is the President-elect and has overcome voter suppression, voter intimidation, a pandemic, and an Electoral College system that makes a Democratic win extremely difficult even with a large popular vote margin. And at last for the first time in our history, we have a woman and a woman of color Vice President-elect.Over the last two presidential elections, the flaws in our democracy have become so clear.I am grateful to everyone nationwide who stood in line to vote, knocked doors, made calls, wrote postcards. I am grateful to the thousands of public servants who … [Read more...]

Dear Friends, As we all wait for the national results, I want to express my gratitude and thank many important people. First, thank you my readers and supporters. Your support has allowed me to serve Arlington for another term. It truly is an honor and a privilege to serve Arlington County. I want to thank my opponent, Audrey Clement, for running. It is not easy to run, and I know that Audrey is passionate about wanting to improve our community. While she and I don't always agree on how to do things, we all benefit from active campaigns that bring a range of ideas to the table. Debate and … [Read more...]

Dear Friends,Voting is in FULL swing! The election might be on November 3rd but there’s already been record-breaking turnout for early voters, especially among Democrats. If voters continue this momentum, we’ll have much-needed change in the White House, the Congress, and more! This year, it’s more important than ever to vote early! Voting early and using a dropbox means: -- No wondering if your ballot got there on time-- No standing in crowded lines - stay healthy and avoid potentially bad weather-- No question whether your voice is being heard October 31st is the LAST … [Read more...]

Dear Friends: Please Join Us to write Postcards from your home & GOTV(Get Out the Vote) for this November’s All Important Election. Saturday, October 3rd10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83220206136?pwd=Z3lOOFZ0NGpBTzRjeGhiMmUzQldvZz09If you can’t join us on Saturday, you can still write postcards; please give us a call.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ RSVPs: info@libbygarvey.com Postcards can be picked up fromLibby’s front porch: 4264 S. 35th Street, 22206Brendan's on Columbia … [Read more...]

Dear Friends,I recently sent out a postal mailing which you may have received. But if you did not, the text is below with some links about voting.  "As this very strange year and election cycle enters the last quarter of 2020, I am writing to tell you a little of what I think our future could look like. As you know, I suspended my campaign for much of this year so I could concentrate on our County response to the pandemic. Now I must return to campaigning to finish my re-election effort and I ask for your support. Please see my website to make a donation.While I am thrilled to … [Read more...]

Dear Friends,July's meetings took three days. We handled issues associated with the pandemic as well as more traditional items.    WETA & ShirlingtonThe County Board continues to take up some of the typical land use issues. We approved WETA's expansion plan and renewed their incentive grant to keep   our public broadcasting station in its longtime home of Shirlington. I’m delighted. While our agreement with WETA was supported by just about everyone, the item of amendments to our General Land Use Plan (GLUP) zoning for Shirlington divided many people. This was understandable. We … [Read more...]

Dear Friends,June continued to be a turbulent time on the Board and in our nation. I’ll briefly cover our board meeting, but talk more about COVID-19 and Systemic Racism, both of which I view as plagues on our nation and which have been consuming most of our time.  COVID-19We moved into Phase 2 on June 15th and likely will move to Phase 3 in a few weeks. We set up a way for restaurants to be able to provide increased outdoor seating without a lengthy permit process. Through our “We Are Covered” program businesses, churches and apartment buildings can fill out an online form and … [Read more...]