BSCL's membership met at the community house at 7:30 p.m. on March 2 for its monthly meeting. The meeting featured a staff member from the office of Rep. Don Beyer.

Minutes

Barcroft School and Civic League (BSCL)
Meeting Minutes
March 2, 2017

Chris Kupczyk called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m. He deferred the approval of the February meeting minutes.

Announcements

• Joanne Rodewald reminded everyone that the BSCL membership year has changed and now is January 1 to December 31. Current members get a free extension to December 31, 2017. Dues are due for others.
• Nora Howell has signs available in three languages declaring that immigrants are welcome. Anyone interested in a sign can contact her via her recent chat list message.
• Orr Partners, the developer of the Village Center project at George Mason Drive and Columbia Pike (the current Food Star site), will present at the April BSCL meeting. It will be a joint meeting with the Alcova Heights and Douglas Park civic associations.
• A workgroup developing recommendations for deferred senior taxes will meet on March 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Arlington Mill Community Center. Jill Herndon has details. Karen Darner added that this will be the topic of the next Committee of 100 meeting. 
• The BSCL will elect a new president, vice president, recording secretary, and one board member on May 4. Chris asked for a third nominating committee volunteers besides Randy Swart and Eric Harold.
• Gary Mason reported that neighbors of the now-uninhabitable Shea residence at 9th and Buchanan received a letter from a contractor stating the house will be demolished in coming weeks. Neighbors should make any concerns known to the contractor. Gary has asked them to address rodent control.
• Keith Fred announced that the Shirlington dog park is being retained in plans to redevelop parkland along the Four Mile Run study area on which he reported in January. 

Program

Noah Simon, Rep. Don Rep. Beyer's district director, spoke about the congressman's outreach. Some of his key issues include climate change, social justice, women's rights, treatment of immigrants, others. Constituent services: 2,000 cases last year, busy helping constituents with IRS, Social Security and other cases with federal agencies. The congressman will meet with groups when requested.

Rep. Beyer was concerned about the recent increase in long term care premiums for federal employees, and the abrupt way it was sprung on the employees. He worked on the issue but was unable to get it fixed other than making sure it is not sudden next time.

• Rep. Beyer believes Congress should not tamper with Affordable Care Act medical care until a new system is developed.
• A Barcrofter who is an EPA employee asked if Rep. Beyer would oppose administration initiatives to dismantle EPA and other environmental protections. Rep. Beyer opposes EPA program cuts. Many Republicans oppose the as well, and cuts will probably not survive the appropriations process. Rep. Beyer is joining with others on federal employee issues and on other issues where they are resisting administration initiatives.
• Rep. Beyer is working with Alcova Heights on reviving the trail design to cross Arlington Hall to Thomas Jefferson Community Center. Randy Swart informed Mr. Simon that Barcroft has an interest in the trail and would like to see a Barcroft connection on our side of George Mason Drive.
• Members raised many more issues, including Russian election interference, Metro and transportation funding, and world reactions to the Trump administration's actions and announcements.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Randy Swart