Check out the full Sun Gazette coverage from last night.

“Mark Kelly said the County Board is run by an “insular group” of Democrats, and that the election of Democratic nominee Libby Garvey wouldn’t change that dynamic.”

Tonight I have two things to announce.

First, I will not be seeking another full term as Chairman.

Second, as your chairman, I am pleased to report that I have successfully recruited a candidate for County Board.

Five years ago, I stood before you as an unknown candidate. Since then, we have gotten to know each other. I look around the room and see more than fellow Arlington Republicans. I see many, many friends.

So, I have thought a lot about what I wanted to share with you tonight.

And here’s the bottom line, when you talk to your friends and neighbors about this special election, your message should be simple.

Every complaint you have about Arlington County is the direct responsibility of one, insular group of Democrats.

And, the only way you can send a message to the Board is to elect someone who isn’t part of the club.

My opponent has been a central figure in the Democrat establishment in Arlington for 15 years. She does not represent change. She was endorsed by the woman she is seeking to replace, and let’s face it, you don’t endorse someone you think will make wholesale changes to your priorities.

So, if you don’t remember anything else from what I say tonight remember that the only way to send a message against status quo is to stop complaining and cast their vote for me.

Now, I know you don’t need convincing that we need to move in a new direction on the board, but I want to share a little more about why I’m running.

If you’ve listened to any of our board members, there’s a chance you didn’t get more than one or two sentences into the speech without hearing the buzz word diversity.

Of course, they don’t believe diversity is good for the county board.

Imagine if someone concerned about fiscal responsibility was on the board as we went through the review of the artisphere, which can only be described as a failure – one which many fiscal watchdogs saw coming and warned about.

The next buzz word you have regularly heard from our board is sustainability.

Democrats running for office express a belief in sustainability – but it’s not the number one priority when it comes to budgeting.

What seems to pass up our Board, and the Democrat candidates who campaigned for this seat, was recognized by our federal officials in a bi-partisan fashion last summer – that our federal budget is unsustainable.

The pentagon is planning cuts which will take effect in a year, and across the board cuts will come to the rest of government well. And, these cuts are nothing compared to what will happen if our creditors pull back on our line of credit.

It goes without saying that our local economy is inextricably linked with the federal government. The government is far and away the biggest employer in Arlington, not to mention all of the trade associations, law firms, lobbying shops, etc.

The credit rating agencies have already issued a warning about the debt for local governments in our region based on this fact.

We need to make it a goal to reduce our debt service as a percentage of our budget.

We should look at shoring up long term funding obligations like retiree health care and our pension system.

We also should look at we can do to help businesses improve the local economy.

One way to do that – put the $300 plus million trolley plans on the shelf and cut the commercial property tax surcharge that will be used to help pay for it – putting money back into the job creating sector of the economy.

Another, make it a priority to work with local businesses and county staff to identify barriers to business and streamline or eliminate them. Taking a year to approve a few small provisions in the sign ordinance is not enough.

And, no idea along these lines should be a bad one.

Which leads to the last buzz word I want to address, a buzz phrase anyway – the Arlington Way.

The thing that galvonized my decision to run in this special election was watching the county board’s January 2nd organizational meeting. Our newly elected Chairman, Mary Hynes, said her number one priority was defining the Arlington Way. In other words, we are going to spend the next year talking about how we talk about issues.

Yet, in December, with less than a month’s notice, the Board announced and approved the purchase of a new building that would contain a year-round homeless shelter along with new office space for county staff. They are proposing to pay about $7.5 million more than the building’s most recent assessment – 41% over assessment. And, they are threatening to use eminent domain if necessary to force the sale through.

The local community came out largely opposed. The board acknowledged the discontent and promptly voted to move forward anyway.

Instead of talking about talking about the Arlington Way, maybe they could start by practicing it.

People want more accountability from their government, not more talk.

I called for putting all of our expenditures online in the last election. The civic federation has recommended, and I support, an Inspector General for the county.

So, what can you do?

This election is now less than 9 weeks away, so time is of the essence.

You can give, and whatever number first comes into your mind, consider doubling it. We need to start making important budget decisions in the very near future. We can take checks tonight, or you can contribute online at kellyforarlington.com

While you are at the website, sign up to receive a yard sign, bumper sticker or to volunteer.

Together, we can send a message to the county board on March 27th.