Congressmen Comment on Closing Virginia For Inauguration

NBC Washington is reporting:

"WASHINGTON -- Two members of Congress are asking the Secret Service to reconsider the plan to close all bridges crossing the Potomac River between northern Virginia and Washington on Inauguration Day.

Reps. Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly, who represent northern Virginia, say medical personnel and hospitality workers who are scheduled to work the day President-elect Barack Obama takes office should be able to use the bridges.

"The secret service, they're insane," Moran told the Washington Post. "This is security on steroids. They are imposing major obstacles on people who have a right to be there for the inauguration."

On Friday, Moran said "common sense" should be guiding the region's transportation policies, rather than "fear." He also said having only two bridges open to pedestrians is unacceptable.

The Secret Service announced the bridge closings Wednesday. In addition, about 3.5 square miles of downtown Washington will be closed to traffic starting the day before the inauguration.

D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said she is concerned about the traffic plan."

Source: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Rep-Moran-Secret-Service-Is-Insane.html



This report appears to conflict with an earlier NBC Washington report on the transportation plan, that we featured in Attending Events During Inauguration Week - This Is A Must Read!

"Only authorized vehicles – emergency vehicles, buses, taxis and for-hire limos - will be permitted on I-395 North and I-66 East within the Beltway."

Many emergency personnel will be arriving into DC through their agency and/or will be housed within DC during the week.

In addition, emergency vehicles, personnel, and other support systems will be prepositioned.

It is our hope that emergency vehicles from outside the region who are NOT part of emergency procedures for inauguration DO NOT use these roads to get family and friends into DC. This will only cause more confusion and an improper use of emergency vehicles.

Stay'n Alive Without Funding

As most have heard, local jurisdictions are facing budget issues.

The following webpage includes details of reduction options presented to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

How do you feel about closing a police station?

What about elimination of Clinic Room Aides from School Health Program?

And the many volunteer programs that could be impacted.

Take a look at the following presentations for detailed proposed options.

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/lobs/agency_lobs_presentations.htm