While not scientific we’ve noticed a high rate of SOLD signs in the South Riding neighborhood so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it isn’t simply Ron Rush placing SOLD signs in yards to create the illusion things are popping. Either way, it’s nice to see SOLD signs… reminds us of the good ole days.

Earlier today I came across a blog post that provides another plausible explanation for the incredible traffic jams that citizens in most major cities have become bitterly accustomed to. Basically, the traffic jams are viewed by some greenies as a very good thing because people will be motivated or forced to reply more on public transportation or telecommuting.

Could this be possible? Could greenies really be using high school level theory to resist the investment of billions worth of tax revenues into improving our roads? Based on recent news I do believe this is partly to blame for the complete lack of effort to build out our infrastructure at a pace even resembling our population growth. If I’m right, I say fine. Just let us know what you are doing and why and reduce our taxes significantly so we aren’t paying for goods never delivered.

Here are some articles on this very subject:

• Wired: The Upside of Traffic
• Wall Street Journal: How Traffic Jams Help the Environment
• One Green Gnome: How Can Traffic Jams Help the Environment?

The Washington Post

We say nice effort WP! Sorry it didn’t work out better financially for you.

Makes me wonder how local news publishers survive if the Washington Post can’t make the numbers work with a very small budget dedicated to covering the Loudoun scene. The internet truly is changing the news landscape at every level.

My emotions that are mixed? Exasperation and disappointment….. Why? Because it didn’t take rocket science to predict the horrendous traffic we encounter on Route 50 every weekday yet nothing was done for over a decade. While the widening of Route 50 will be helpful it’s a little like pouring a bucket of water on the head of a thirsty person… it’ll feel good and they may get a few sips of water, but the problem will remain.

There are too many people driving on Route 50 during rush hour today and with population growth expected to continue, it will only get worse. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an anti-sprawl loon, but Northern Virginia has been screwing it’s residents since I’ve lived here (over 40 years now) and the state and local governments continue to get away with it. BUILD SOME INFRASTRUCTURE!!!

When we moved out here in the late 80’s Route 50 was 4 lanes all the way from Gum Spring to Route 28. It took me all of 13 minutes to get from our home south of Route 50 on Gum Spring Rd to Sullyfield Circle in Chantilly.

The good old days…

Now after the population has exploded by over 1000% they’re going to widen one small stretch of highway by 50%. Sheesh.

One thing I saw firsthand was how much damage automatic car washes could do to the paint of a car. It was years before I was willing to subject any vehicle to that sandpaper-like damage.

A relatively new car wash off of Route 50 in South Riding, Main Street Car Care, has turned me into a fan. Although the lines are long on weekends they move quickly. The wash is as mild on the paint as any I’ve experienced despite being effective (car gets cleaned). They even offer a couple of kind souls to dry your car after you’ve run it through to keep the water drops from spotting your car (very important in the hot summer sun).

They offer a coupon on their site in exchange for filling out a short survey. Will take less than a minute so it’s worth the $3 savings.

Truth be told.

Source: Loudoun Home Sales Up 31 Percent

Map courtesy of HomeFinders.com

What?

THIS is why governments eventually drain their citizens and cause their own collapse. They have no sense for what is NEEDED versus WANTED and just keep on spending.

Read the article yourself here: County To Create Web Site For Eastern Loudoun

They admit that the main Loudoun County Website has the information residents in eastern Loudoun might want access to, but apparently they haven’t heard that a Website resides on something called the World Wide Web, which means even residents in eastern Loudoun, or residents down here in Dulles South, can actually get to the main Website just as quickly as they could to a special new site just for them.

Of course, they’ll spend a lot more then a typical organization to create the site and surely they’ll need a full-time Webmaster to copy paste all of the info on the main site over to the new site. Then someone will need to be responsible for the maintenance of the site. And don’t forget about the additional office space these eastern Loudoun Website staffers will need to perform their duties.

Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) said he was pleased to see the county moving forward on addressing the needs of eastern Loudoun residents.

“These are safety issues; these are quality of life issues,” he said. “Here our goal is to respond to the hundreds and hundreds of people who have filled out their forms. I have pushed for this. It has gotten to this point because of a lot of work on behalf of supervisors.”

Now I realize this isn’t quite like the bridge to nowhere in Alaska, but it is a lot like a Website for no reason at all. Just add a section for the Eastern Loudoun residents on the main site and while you’re at it add one for us folks down here in Dulles South as well! Quality of life!!!???