Moving Forward Together: Neighborhood Town Halls Begin Wednesday Night

A series of 10 town hall meetings across Arlington County this year kicks off Wednesday night at the Charles Drew Community Center, 3500 23rd St. S.

The town halls are part of Arlington County Board Chairman Walter Tejada's Moving Forward Together campaign. The meetings are scheduled every month except August and December this year, and they are designed to give residents a chance to talk directly with county board members on any topic.

"As part of my 'Moving Forward Together' agenda, I am looking forward to hearing from the community in this informal setting, where people can speak their minds directly to County Board members, and get answers," Tejada said in a statement. "Arlington is always at its best when we are listening to each other and sharing ideas…"

Each town hall will go from 6:46 to 9 p.m.

[Click here to view the complete 2013 schedule.]

Tejada unveiled the town halls as part of his broader Moving Forward Together campaign on New Year's Day. His agenda for the year includes an increased focus on affordable housing and encouraging healthy lifestyles. It also will promote diversity and inclusion and pedestrian and bike safety.

As part of the campaign, Tejada has outlined an initiative that targets childhood obesity. For that, Arlington County is building a coalition of volunteers and community members to tackle a long list of issues, from exercise habits to establishing new community gardens.

The policy, too, has helped shape part of the conversation board members are having with Arlington Public Schools about a new elementary school in the Williamsburg neighborhood.

And this weekend, the county accepted a $25,000 grant to fund a program at Carlin Springs Elementary School designed to teach at-risk children and their families healthy eating habits and practical nutrition tips.

The March town hall will focus on a planned streetcar system for Columbia Pike and Crystal City, according to a news release.

The town halls are open to anyone and do not require advance registration.

State Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, is hosting a separate town hall Wednesday night on school safety. Click here to read more about Hope's event.