Remarks by Julius D. "JD" Spain, Sr.
44 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 2
Well, thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedule to be with us tonight. I think these opportunities are not just unique and a new direction for this county board, but it gives us an opportunity to really get a pulse of what's going on in our community. I know my colleagues will probably cover a lot, so I was taking notes. And I just want you to know that I take every testimony Seriously. Some of the themes that stood out tonight were housing affordability and development. They were, quite honestly, most of the prominent concerns that we heard. But…
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, it gives me great honor and a privilege to put forward a proclamation on National Disability Employment Awareness. We here in the Arlington County Government and Specialty Board, we recognize October as Disability Employment Awareness Month, celebrating the talents, the skills, and contributions of individuals with disabilities in our workplace and communities. According to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 22.8% of people with disabilities were employed in 2025, highlighting the importance of expanded employment opportunities and fostering an…
Yes, go ahead. Can I just say one comment on that? Sure. So I'm not saying this is all pro forma and what we do. I've often said and talked about persons with disabilities. And I would just remind folks that disabilities, quite frankly, some of them are seen and some of them are not seen. and that we all have a critical part to play in our community to ensure that we lift everyone up, especially those with disabilities. As a veteran with a disability, many folks don't even know that Spain has a disability. But as I said before, we have to do everything in our power to ensure we leave no one…
First, let me say thank you, both Wayne and Shirley, for the level of professionalism that you have displayed since I've arrived on this board, to be quite frank. To the proposed changes, we spoke during our one-on-ones about the obsolete confidentiality provision. One who's watching this may say, what was that actual provision? Because at one point in time, it was put in there for a reason or something. Can we talk a little bit more about, I know the county attorney is here, what was that confidentiality provision that was in the charter. And finally, I think you're about residency and…
Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. And for I think I'm clear again. Thank you for the presentation. And I just want to kind of beat the drum again from your work plan that you have clearly laid out to us and to the community and staying true to that, to all the work you've been doing and your role at Otters, both the U. Wayne and Shirley is greatly appreciated. I think the community. We did a long time to have folks like yourselves on deck and you're doing a phenomenal job both of you So, thank you. We thank you
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Thank you for that. Mr. Clerk, this is for the team. A lot of folks may have seen this, but we're going to pull it up real quick. It's a vehicle. They use it up in Toronto for store work, for snow removal. We're just going to give him a second. Oh, are you can we see it?
So... Is there a possibility, Toronto's not better than Arlington, I heard a lot of, especially homeowners, what would it take for us to acquire or get that into our apparatus, that type of technology, just in case?
Yeah, I think from what I have observed that whether you use this type of vehicle or even if you use your regular snow plow with those vehicles still being parked on the street there, what has happened, you know, if we don't have another snowmobile, but the snow that comes, it can actually block. Those vehicles that are currently parked right into spaces where they can't get out so I'm willing I mean I think it's something we can maybe look at down later years ahead but you know explore innovative ways to take on this issue with driveways I'm glad the buddy program is coming around That's all…
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First, I'm not the liaison, I think, to the partnership, but let me just say this. We had a meeting yesterday, right, Anita and I, along with the deputy county manager, Michelle, and they talked me through of course, some of the plan and the way forward. I just want to thank you, both of you, Candace and Pat, for getting us this far. And for the teen ambassadors that are here with us, thank you for all your hard work and diligent efforts. I think what we are going to see as we move into 2027 is a continuum of this just getting better and some more involvement from the partnership, quite…
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Right. I think I'm, you know, on Saturday when we were here, I think I had some pretty pointed words. But it's great to hear that by the end of this week, we are going to hopefully deliver. And I know what you said, we have a lot of folks to speak with between now and Friday. We got to speak with the family to what our vice church has stated. I just want folks to know, I really understand that the importance of ensuring that we respect not only the family, but also respect, you know, the sanctity of life and what that means and how any deaf in our community, how that may be viewed. And not…
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I'll be quick. First, thank you, Brian, and to the entire team, ledge team, and to our liaison, our vice chair, who's been leading this effort. We've heard about the robust engagement that has taken place. over the past several months, and I've been monitoring that closely. And thank you for that. And then our commissions actually getting involved earlier this year was quite a positive. I will just say this. We have a way to go and many more conversations to have. We did, you know, for AOBA and the chamber, your correspondence and what you've stated to us, let's just say it's been received.…
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Well, thank you, Mr. Chair. I had the opportunity to engage with Senator Howell just briefly in public gatherings, and her background, her experience speaks volumes. One thing that folks don't maybe say a lot about, as many do know, that she was also a school teacher, public school teacher. And to think about what our school teachers today are going through, and what she did, Senator Howell, that is, that service, again, that on top of, honestly, 32 years of public service as a legislator. I only did 26 years in the Marine Corps, but 32 years. I think... giving that much of your life, your…
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We're almost home. Good evening, everyone. Good afternoon. It gives me great honor and pleasure to be here for you today to present at least three proclamations at this time. The first one for the Ivey Foundation of Northern Virginia and your 25th anniversary. For 25 years, the Ivey Foundation of Northern Virginia has invested in people and communities through education, service, leadership, development, and philanthropy. Founded in 2001 as the charitable arm of Zeta Chi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. I don't hear anything. The foundation has built its work around…
I'm very aware of what's going on in and around this neighborhood. And the county manager talked a little bit earlier about letter of intent, I think, or something. You have agreement through 2030. Well, 2030 is right around the corner, y'all. And as I applaud our efforts to get in front of this, to what the Vice Chair just stated between in all of that, what we're actually talking about is potentially some of our most vulnerable residents in Arlington and how they're gonna be affected. So again, we have two outstanding liaisons assigned to this and I'm very appreciative of staff getting us…
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