For immediate release: Thursday, February 21, 2008
Contact: Rafael Bejar ()

News release:

Arlington GOP urges County Board
to reject frivolous Lustron House spending

Arlington Republican Chairman Rafael Béjar today called on the Arlington County Board to reject the nearly $60,000 requested by County Manager Ron Carlee to send components of the County-owned pre-fabricated, all-metal Lustron House to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City for an exhibition later this year.

"It's surreal," said Mr. Béjar . "On the same evening that the Board is voting to advertise nearly $28 million of new taxes and fees in connection with next year's County Budget, in addition to advertising a substantial new real estate tax surcharge on certain commercial properties, they are looking to spend $60,000 so this pre-fab house, which the County shouldn't have bought in the first place, can go on a field trip. Surely, the taxpayers' money can be better utilized."

Mr. Béjar noted that the Mr. Carlee's report requesting the funds also notes that the $60,000 does not include any expenses related to the "opening festivities of the exhibit or any other social activity surrounding" it. "So on top of the $60,000, it sounds like Arlington taxpayers will also be paying for a junket. How nice," said Mr. Bejar.

Mr. Béjar also confirmed that the Arlington Republican Committee was sending out a pre-recorded phone message to residents, alerting them to this situation and urging them to voice their opposition.

"Let's hope this is a wake-up call to the all-one-party monopoly County Board - that someone is watching what they do, and will alert the community on egregious spending," said Mr. Bejar.

The Board is expected to vote on this expenditure on Tuesday evening, February 26.

NOTE: For more background on this issue, see news article in the Arlington Sun Gazette.

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The Arlington County Republican Committee (ACRC) is the official local organization of the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) for Arlington County. ACRC nominates Republican candidates for local office and supports Republican candidates for office at all levels of government.

For more information on Arlington Republicans, visit ACRC on the web at www.ArlingtonGOP.org