Lette: Adaptive Reuse of Ramsey Homes
Letter to the Editor
Next month, City Council will consider the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority appeal of the Parker Gray Board of Architectural Review’s unanimous denial of its request to demolish the 15-unit scattered-site public housing complex in the Parker Gray historic district, known as Ramsey Homes.
Letter: Thoughts on Confederacy
Letter to the Editor
On the question of how Alexandria can deal constructively with the remnants of the Confederacy:
Letter: Adaptive Reuse of Ramsey Homes
Letter to the Editor
Next month, City Council will consider the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority appeal of the Parker Gray Board of Architectural Review’s unanimous denial of its request to demolish the 15-unit scattered-site public housing complex in the Parker Gray historic district, known as Ramsey Homes. Some are framing this case as historic preservation versus affordable housing, implying it is a zero sum game. However, that is a false dichotomy as both aims can, and should, be achieved.
Letter: Examining Fiscal Policies
Letter to the Editor
A recent letter praised city officials for a good bond rating. Believing that a AAA Bond rating is a sign of how great the finances of the city are being run shows a basic lack of understanding of public financing. A Bond rating directly affects how much the city has to pay to borrow money and is an indication of the level of risk an investor assumes in providing that funding. In other words, the higher your Bond rating, the easier it is to borrow money. The current Alexandria administration has subscribed to a borrow, build and hope strategy and adjusted city fiscal policies to maintain or improve the city's Bond rating rather than make responsible decisions that buy down the city's debt and reduce the future burden on the city taxpayers.
Alexandria: Shared Vision
Chairs of boards and commissions express unity in need for more affordable housing.
City Council may be gone for the summer, but the inner workings of the city government are just getting started.
Letter: City's Enviable Balance Sheet
Letter to the Editor
One Republican City Council candidate recently referred to “debt that continues to escalate at a problematic rate.” Another Republican City Council candidate last week asserted, falsely, that the council had revised its debt policy guidelines downward. An independent City Council candidate recently spoke of the city's “burdensome” debt. Unfortunately, the recently concluded mayoral primary was dominated by false assertions about Alexandria’s debt.
Letter: Where To Spend
Letter to the Editor
A self- congratulatory announcement from the city arrived via e-news about the low interest rates our triple A bond rating has earned us. According to the mayor, it’s all due to good management.
Alexandria: Luck Be a Lady(burg)
Ladyburg bath and body apothecary opens in Old Town.
For Crystal and Fred Wellman, there was never any doubt that Alexandria is where they were meant to be.
Alexandria: News Briefs
Police Investigate Shooting
he Alexandria Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred in the 1000 block of First Street on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Alexandria: Schedule Changes at DASH
Schedule Changes at DASH
Letter: Deferred CIP Projects
Letter to the Editor
In response to my letter to the editor about the budget that was published last week in the Alexandria Gazette, Councilman Justin Wilson suggested that I was in error concerning the debt guidelines, and that these guidelines had not been altered. Mr. Wilson was indeed correct in that the city did not alter their debt guidelines in order to close the $31 million deficit on the operating budget.
Alexandria: Help Sought in Missing Person
The Alexandria Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Reyam Abed.
The Alexandria Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Reyam Abed. She was last seen in the 5300 block of Essex Court around 3 p.m. on Aug. 3.
Alexandria: Newest National Landmark
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria was named by the National Park Service as one of four newly designated national historic landmarks on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
“The George Washington Masonic National Memorial stands among the most architecturally significant projects to honor George Washington and one of the boldest private efforts to memorialize him.
Alexandria: Water Taxi Must Go On
Rain or shine.
Blast, blast … BLAST! Captain Alex Skubel is backing out the first water taxi of the day from the Port of Alexandria. "How many on board?"
Letter: City Can Do Better
Letter to the Editor
Over the past few days in our local news, I have read various opinions over an important topic facing our city: Can our city do better? I want to unequivocally state that I know we can do better. That is why I am running for Alexandria City Council. I have enjoyed this recent discussion because quite frankly, vigorous debate is missing from the halls of City Council. When one party controls all the seats on the council, it is far too easy to fall into “group think." Democracy functions best when ideas are thoroughly debated and vetted. When all viewpoints are heard, compromise can lead to great solutions. I call for more rigorous debate when we contemplate the future of our city.
Letter: Overlooked Candidate
Letter to the Editor
While I do not live in Alexandria I was in the west end of the city recently giving a contribution to City Council candidate Monique Miles from my organization, the Virginia Federation of Republican Women. I am sure Herve Aitken [“Is City ‘Well-Run,” letter, July 30-Aug. 5, Gazette Packet] did not mean to slight or forget her as he listed all the other Republicans in the race. Ms Miles is a wonderful representative on my organization
Letter: One Party Rule
Letter to the Editor
It’s difficult to understand the response of some of our local politicians to the voting outcome that put Allison Silberberg in the running to be the next mayor of Alexandra. Unless it’s just a knee jerk reaction to losing absolute power and absolute control … the greatest danger of one-party rule. And unlike the two-party madness across the river, our council and mayor have reacted most violently against their own residents. By exercising super majority votes that despite public discussion are set in advance.
Letter: Hearing from The President
Letter to the Editor
It isn't often that one receives an invitation to join the President of the United States on a conference call. Grassroots leaders, activists and many organizers around the country got to hear the President discuss an issue about which so many are concerned: The P5 +1 nuclear deal with Iran and what it means for our country and international communities throughout the world.
Column: A Junior View of Senior Services
Commentary
When I began my internship at the Senior Services of Alexandria, I only really knew about the Meals on Wheels program, which I had volunteered at with my mom when I was much younger.
Alexandria: Summer Crew Season Ends with Racing in Old Town
Rowing competition brings hundreds to the waterfront.
The Old Town waterfront came alive with hard-fought competition on Saturday morning, Aug. 1, as the Alexandria summer rowers competed in the Blue Plains Sprints, the annual end-of-season competition.