Friends,

This morning, Arlington is taking two new steps as we continue to work to recover from this difficult storm, the likes of which we have not seen since Snowmaggedon in 2010. I also want to share with you my statement from our last Board meeting on immigration, which is important as we work to keep our community safe in light of the deaths in Minneapolis. Finally, I want to ask you to join me on Saturday as I launch my re-election campaign to hear from neighbors and from me about this moment and my commitment to you.
This graphic shows the work: Snowcrete, plowing at nights, and very cold temperatures for over a week.


** Storm Cleanup Enters New Phase
------------------------------------------------------------
Arlington road crews are in Phase 4 of snow response. Crews are focused on additional cleanup of residential streets (particularly narrow ones), primary roads, school routes, and trash collection routes.
* The Snow Issue Form ([link removed]) is open for requests for streets that need more attention.
* Follow the Snow Activity Map ([link removed]) to see the progress of plowing.
* Stay informed. Sign up for free alerts about hazardous weather and other major events at ArlingtonAlert.com ([link removed]) .

Our crews did fourteen,12-hour shifts in a row and the work we are continuing to do to try to address your concerns and respond to this storm that has delivered to us the new word: snowcrete.
* For a timeline of our work, go to: Winter Storm Updates – Official Website of Arlington County Virginia Government ([link removed])

And for a further update of work this hour: as of 9 am this morning, the snow emergency that the County Manager and County Board declared, has ended. Storm Updates: Local Emergency Ends, Snow Removal Enforcement Begins ([link removed]) That's because we are in a new phase: wrapping up Stage 4 and working on our schools.
Opening our schools has been the biggest issue for the last 4 days, in addition to being one we have been focused on from the start of the storm. The School Board and Superintendent are the leads on this, but our County Manager, Department of Environmental Services, and County Board have also been fully engaged on it as partners and as the entity with snow clearance responsibility.

This morning, Arlington Public Schools are opening 2 hours late. That is consistent with Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria as well as a significant majority, but not all (DC and Falls Church), of the region. The primary reason most schools have been delayed is the difficulty in clearing sidewalks due to the Snowcrete as cold, icy snow is being called. That is true in Arlington, and we are working on this difficult challenge with urgency.

The County Manager and the Board suspended our ordinance that requires Arlington residents to clear their own sidewalks because of the ice at the top of the snow and the weight of the snow last week. I agreed with that decision because it was not safe or realistic to require sidewalks be cleared given the 9 inches of snow, the ice, and the weight of it. This morning, we are reinstating that ordinance because of the warmer temperatures yesterday and today and the need to improve our sidewalk conditions. Storm Updates: Local Emergency Ends, Snow Removal Enforcement Begins ([link removed]) Sidewalks are key to our school safety and we will focus on the key spots as we work to improve sidewalk conditions, with your help.
[link removed]
My 7-minute statement on immigration from our Saturday, January 24th County Board Meeting
I also want to update you as we work to keep our community safe on immigration. We are engaging with our public safety professionals in light of the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, which, along with the deaths of at least 30 individuals in ICE custody over the past year, led me to speak on this topic a week ago Saturday at the Board meeting. The approach ICE is taking is wholly inconsistent with Arlington's values and my own, as well as the best approaches to ensure public safety. To watch my remarks, delivered in the hours before Mr. Pretti was killed, click above on the red arrow.
Join us on Saturday at 3 pm for my Campaign Re-Election Kickoff ([link removed])
Last, I want to invite you to my campaign kickoff as I seek re-election to the County Board to continue to serve you. The event will be on Saturday at 3 pm. To sign up and contribute what you can afford, click of the link above or go to this link Matt de Ferranti — Donate via ActBlue ([link removed]) You can also reply to this email f you want to attend as my guest or have questions.

I would be honored to have you join me and hear from our neighbors and from me about the work I have done and commit to doing if I am re-elected.

With a full heart,

Matt


============================================================
** Matt4Arlington ([link removed])
** Matt for Arlington ([link removed])
** Matt for County Board ([link removed])
** mattforarlington ([link removed])

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
Matt for Arlington . Matt for Arlington . Box 5884 . Arlington, VA 22205 . USA