Late night thoughts on the challenges for civic associations (like mine) sincerely seeking to engage renters, condo-owners, younger folks, etc...

To generalize grossly and dangerously, I think that many of these residents can be put in a few broad categories...

a. People who are truly transitory, who landed here by mostly chance (and are perhaps learning they'd rather be in DC)

b. People who are here, and want to stay, but can't afford to.

c. People who are here, going through a life-change (kids? divorce?), and don't think they can fit that new life into Arlington.

d. People who aren't Arlington residents, but want to be. Yes, they need to be considered.

It is hard enough to get our actual government to adequately meet the critical needs of these four broad characterizations. Putting those challenging issues before associations formed largely to represent folks who don't fall in any of those categories is tough.

Cheers to those trying, though.