VIGIL 3 P.M. MONDAY

Today's newspaper reports about the light show in Sterling on Juniper Avenue as one of the biggest shows in the area. Displaying The Lights Fantastic Plugging Away, Residents Turn Yards Into Seasonal Spectacles http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18118-2003Dec20.html >>>> Old Board Meets Again, Dec. 22 The board of supervisors held their last "business" meeting on December 15 and spent millions of dollars until 10 p.m. at night. The NEW board of supervisors was sworn in promptly at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday December 16 with more than 400 citizens present over at Lansdowne Resort in the main ballroom. But the OLD board is meeting again at 7 p.m. on Monday night December 22 for the "limited purpose" to vote "yea" or "nay" to vacate the 15 acre (Fifteen acres!) Jimenez Family Subdivision. A statement from the family says "The Jimenez family subdivision is the only subdivision owned by a Hispanic family, and the only one to be forcibly vacated during this four year term." The board took two hours of testimony from both sides (neighbors who want the Jimenez family subdivision to be killed and the Jimenez family members who say their mother's illness and long hospital stays forced them to sell their land). My own opinion is that it is typical of this board to continue full speed ahead at Christmas time in the waning moments of their own 4 year term to have a special meeting to decide the fate of one family caught up in a frivolous technical complaint that will undoubtedly be the subject of a long court battle -- as a result of an adverse board action. I would prefer families have the freedom to move west if they wish, but with this kind of reception, you should remember the pioneers took the arrows (just kidding here). >>>> VIGIL VIGIL VIGIL >>>> FOR CHRISTA ROGALINER A vigil has been organized for Monday, December 22nd at 3:00 PM to pray for the safe return of Christa Rogaliner. The vigil will take place where her car was left, near the intersection of Shaker Woods Road and Meadowville Court off of Wiehle Avenue (This is Shaker Woods Road, south off Wiehle in the Herndon/Reston area). Please join us together with Christas family and friends, as we show our support and love for Christa. Please pass this email on to everyone you know that might want to attend and please bring a candle. Due to police and safety concerns, please park your car in a location that is not blocking traffic and is considerate of those who live in the neighborhood. If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia Hall-Tipping ([email protected]) or Carol Wynne ([email protected]). Your prayers, poems, and hugs will be appreciated by all. Permission is granted in advance by Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio to forward this on to your distribution list. Leesburg Police: 703.771.4500 (Officer Corey Smith and Detective T.F. Butler) THESE TWO WEBSITES PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION Web sites: www.geocities.com/girlnovember/findchrista.htm and www.324mp.com/missing/christa.htm >>>>>>>WOLF: FY 2004 SPENDING BILL PROVIDES FUNDING FOR LINK Washington, D.C. - Funding for LINK was included in the spending bill approved by the House on Monday, according to Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th). Wolf, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, said the bill includes: * $100,000 for LINK to provide food and financial assistance directly to people in need. Wolf said while the Senate will not take action on the FY 2004 omnibus appropriations bill until January, it cannot alter the spending plan because it is a conference report, meaning the final version of the plan was settled on by House and Senate negotiators and cannot be amended once it is sent to the floor of each respective body. Thankyou Congressman Wolf for helping LINK. Thank you to all of you who have supported LINK this past week and today as LINK fed 2000 people in 365 families. Other thanks: thank you for sending cards in the mail, on the internet and messages of greetings on the phone. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND DRIVE CAREFULLY.