Since being elected to the County Board in March 2003, Walter has worked to:
• Build bridges to all members of our Arlington community;
• Encourage civic participation from our diverse population;
• Reflect our community values of social justice and inclusion;
• Preserve and increase our stock of affordable housing;
• Preserve and enhance open space;
• Promote a healthy community; and
• Realize our vision for Arlington as a caring, inclusive community where everyone is important.

Specifically, Walter has:

• Established the Office of the Public Defender to serve Arlington and the city of Falls Church, ensuring legal representation for our indigent residents;

• Established the Community Role Models Program, which develops leadership and civic participation among our young adults;

• Created the Arlington Non-Profit Assistance Network to provide support and resources to strengthen non-profit organizations that serve the neediest citizens in our community;

• Established the Food Safety Initiative, ensuring that food vendors understand and comply with food safety requirements while providing opportunities for small business entrepreneurship;

• Preserved and expanded the Buckingham Community Center, thereby improving the quality of life for multicultural tenants in Arlington;

• Developed new synthetic grass playing fields at Wakefield, Washington-Lee, Barcroft Park, Virginia Highlands, Yorktown, and Gunston, creating greater opportunities for healthy activities and physical fitness for all of Arlington;

• Partnered the Arlington Economic Development Office with the Ibero-American Chamber of Commerce to help minority business owners strengthen their businesses and open up opportunities for new entrepreneurs;

• Established Attention to Prevention Initiative, whereby Arlington County works with non-profit community organizations to prevent youngsters from joining gangs; and

• Established Latino Roundtable Public Forums so Spanish speakers could weigh in quarterly on county, regional, state and national issues.