Nicholas Benton's Letter Supporting Child Molester Michael Gardner

Falls Church News-Press "Owner-Editor" Nicholas F. Benton wrote the following letter below (as reported by the Falls Church Post) in support of convicted child molester Michael Gardner. 

The full set of letters is a Who's Who of Falls Church Democratic elite, and this one is no exception.  Benton's coverage of the sad case of Michael Gardner was slanted from the start, with a slew of allegations that the charges should never have been filed.  

Gardner has confessed to the original crimes, and since this letter was written, he has confessed to even more sexual crimes against children.  

Tom Clinton's Letter Supporting Child Molester Michael Gardner

Falls Church City Commissioner of the Revenue Tom Clinton (D.) wrote the letter below (as reported by the Falls Church Post) in support of convicted child molester Michael Gardner.  

It's worrisome whenever an elected official tries to use the weight of his office to sway the judicial branch.  Mr. Clinton makes a point of doing so in the first sentence.  

On the upside, he doesn't try to claim that Gardner was incapable of the crimes (cough, cough, as did Phil Duncan).  So on that count, at least Mr. Clinton is on the right side of history.

The Gardners (Mike and his wife) and Clinton are all unabashedly part of the Falls Church Democratic Party elite.  They circled the wagons and fought to the end.  Their trust was misplaced.  

Now voters need to decide whether their trust in Mr. Clinton is warranted.

Phil Duncan's Letter Supporting Child Molester Michael Gardner

Falls Church City Council Member Phil Duncan wrote the letter below (as reported by the Falls Church Post) in support of convicted child molester Michael Gardner.  

As Mr. Duncan says, he never saw "anything" that could "hint at the possibility that [Gardner] could be capable of the offense for which he was convicted."  

Michael Gardner freely confessed to those crimes -- and others against more children -- later, making clear that Mr. Duncan's judgment was misplaced.

Mr. Duncan is running again for City Council.  Good judgment will certainly be on the minds of many voters as they select among the candidates.

Falls Church's United Methodist Church and Rent-a-Car

Christ Crossman United Methodist Church, at Washington and Columbia Streets, has found a continuing stream of revenue from its largely unused parking lot.  Previously, it rented out space on the Q.T. to the construction company building the nearby apartments.

Now it's using its ample tax-exempt parking lot as a full-scale satellite facility for the Hertz rental car location down the street.

This is a questionable linkage that deprives Falls Church City taxpayers of a generous stream of revenue.  There is also a notable lack of comment about the financial arrangement on the Church's website.

To get your car, turn left at the church.

Christ Crossman Church and Rental Agency

Longtime residents will recall that this brings to mind Rosslyn's Our Blessed Lady of Exxon, at yet another United Methodist Church.  But that deal was so blatant that it must have been approved by The Powers That Be.  This one in the back lot of a church raises a lot of questions.  There are three parking lots closer to the Hertz office than Christ Crossman, so clearly someone's getting a good financial deal -- and it's not the taxpayers.

  

Photo credit:  Washington Post

The Garages of Falls Church

Falls Church City used to have nice, moderate-sized houses on nice, moderate sized lots.  Developers are now tearing down those houses and putting up long, narrow garages that people live above.  This one, below, has charming faux stonework.  There is actually a tiny pedestrian door to the right, by the two mini shrubs.  The most prominent feature of this house, though, is the vinyl garage door with faux walnut stain.  

There goes the neighborhood!

And the house's twin is going up next door.  Looks like it will have the much-coveted "jutting out double-length garage with tiny study on top."  I'm sure it'll be snapped up soon.  

Falls Church Taco Bell -- Crime and Trash

Long time residents recall the great controversy surrounding the arrival of Taco Bell in Falls Church.  All the old folks were worried about crime and trash.  Taco Bell management promised a "trash squad" that would regularly patrol the area.  

A decade later, the old folks turned out to be right.  There was the attempted homicide in the Taco Bell parking lot that was -- and continues to be -- the City's most violent incident in living memory.  

Now, with the restaurant's cosmetic makeover (they added a "handle" to the roof), Taco Bell has removed all trash cans outside, inviting patrons to throw their trash anywhere they like.  Many patrons dump their trash on City streets.  

So much for being a partner with the Falls Church Community, Taco Bell.  

Unsuspecting Patron Enters Taco Bell

Now!  New and Improved!  With Handle!

"I'd like Meal Number 4, Hot Bullets Doritos Locos"

Two-alarm Incident at the Pancake House

Two Falls Church City Police cars -- outside of City limits -- on a recent Saturday morning.  I'm sure they were on their own time, but it still doesn't look good.

Lazy Saturday in Fairfax County