Recently elected Arlington County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson is known for his initiatives to improve the environment, including a plan revealed Monday to lower the county’s greenhouse gas emissions.
In his opening speech earlier this week, the 10-year County Board veteran also pledged to move ahead on capital improvement projects that have been stalled for years. In his first speech as chairman, Ferguson pledged to move forward on construction projects such as the Cherrydale Fire Station off Lee Highway. A bond to raise money for the station was first approved in 1990, but despite subsequent bonds, the project has not moved forward.
“Over the past decade, Arlington has made record investments in infrastructure that will serve us well in the future,” Ferguson said. “We are focused intently on getting these projects done.”
Ferguson also pledged to create a separate source of funding for gutter, curb and sidewalk projects to address immediate needs. He added that he will work to preserve affordable housing in the county.
Walter Tejada, the newly elected vice chairman of the board, said his priorities include improving the health of Arlington residents, as well as initiatives aimed at better-integrating foreign immigrants into the Arlington community and preserving affordable housing.
“Unlike other jurisdictions that seekto exclude immigrants from their community, we in Arlington will proudly continue to uphold a tradition of welcoming and incorporating our hardworking neighbors into this community,” said Tejada, a Salvadoran immigrant and one of the highest-ranking Hispanic politicians in Virginia. “That vision makes us an even better Arlington.”
