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Oppose Killing Deer and Support Non-Lethal Deer Management in Arlington, Virginia

Budgets, Bullets, and Deer: Arlington’s Misplaced Priorities

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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  © Bill Draper Photography | Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park | 2026 It’s tax season. I wonder if it’s merely a coincidence that tax season coincides with the beginning of Spring. Spring’s remarkable cycle of beauty and Nature’s renewal and filing state and federal tax returns are incongruous. While Spring inspires hope and a return to outdoor activity and sunshine, taxpayers hope for a monetary return and dread owing the government. Concurrently, Arlington, Virginia County Manager, Mark Schwartz, is preparing the FY 2027 budget. The outlook is grim. The proposed $1.69 billion Slash and Burn Budget includes, but is not limited to, a tax increase for residents, the possibility of Arlington County employee furloughs or staff elimination, and - as always! - cuts to important community programs. Arlington, Virginia libraries always suffer. Our eight libraries are crucial centers of literacy, learning, and building community. The Arlington County Government proposes to close the...
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“Deer Management” is a Deceitful Term for Mass Killing

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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"Deer Management" Blood Money Euphemisms are frequently used by state and federal wildlife management officials, local governments, hunting and trapping organizations, and others to deceitfully characterize and justify trapping, baiting, and killing animals by bow-hunting and sharpshooting. The term Deer Management is widespread across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. The general public widely misunderstands and is often confused by the euphemism Deer Management . Deer Management has replaced the term Deer Cull . The bottom line is: Deer Management and Deer Cull are the same: the systematic and selective slaughter of deer. My community of Arlington, Virginia is no different from any other locality across the world. The Arlington County Government uses the term Deer Management to communicate and assert, in a falsely constructive and digestible manner, that killing deer to manage populations and protect our ecosystem is acceptable, fair, decent, and the ...
Location: Arlington, Virginia Arlington County, Arlington, VA, USA
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Act Now: Respond to 2026 Survey to Evaluate Arlington County

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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  The 2026 Resident Satisfaction Survey to evaluate Arlington County performance across many County departments and services is now live for Arlington resident response. The survey ends on March 31, 2026. This long and detailed survey includes many crucial areas for feedback. Residents are encouraged to respond thoughtfully and throughly. Civic engagement is imperative. Local politics are just as vital as state and national politics. To thrive as a democracy and community, the Arlington County Government and the Arlington County Board must listen to and value the voices of individual residents, our neighborhood civic associations, and act for the collective good. At the end of the survey, there is an open-ended comment section to share anything Arlington residents want to tell the Arlington County Government. This is an important opportunity for Arlington residents to continue to oppose the sharpshooting of deer in our local parks and demand humane, non-lethal, science-supported pr...
Location: Arlington, Virginia Arlington County, Arlington, VA, USA
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The Shadows of Deer: Poem by Jeannette Louise Smith

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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  © Bright Eyes | Zephyo | 2014 Shadows everywhere Shadows An army of Crows gather upon treetops lined up, filling branches their mournful caws intensify I cry pain - anger - sadness I cry The Messengers Crow wings fan out fly spread across The Universe their Requiem Mass for the Shadows I grieve, weep with and for the Shadows Every moment awake Every night asleep I am We are The Shadows of Deer This poem is dedicated to the lives of deer murdered by The Arlington, Virginia Government in early 2026. NEVER AGAIN! Please sign, comment, and share our petition to save Arlington Deer: https://www.change.org/StopTheArlingtonDeerKillNow
Location: Arlington, Virginia Arlington County, Arlington, VA, USA
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