Alexandria Voters to Determine Direction of City Government
Growth, development, taxes and spending are the hot-button issues dividing candidates.
Are voters pleased with the recent direction of city government, which has dramatically increased the amount of density available to developers in recent years?
Refugees from Slavery: Contrabands in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia
The National Park Service and the Office of Historic Alexandria will co-sponsor a program called Refugees from Slavery: Contrabands in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, at the Alexandria Black History Museum from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The program will consist of two parts. Initially, Professor Chandra Manning of Georgetown University will explain the history of the Contrabands, men and women who escaped slavery during the Civil War. Afterward, there will be further discussion about who the Contrabands were and how they can be remembered by a panel consisting of researchers, descendants, rangers, and local historians from across the region.
Calendar
Saturday/Nov.10 Preschool Fall Festival. noon-2 p.m. The Plymouth Haven Baptist Church Preschool Fall Festival will feature a chili and macaroni & cheese cook-off, hot dogs, chips, apple cider, coffee, cold drinks, and dessert for only $6 ($3 for children under 12). There will be raffles and drawings featuring goods and services from local businesses. There will also be an inflatable obstacle course, a hay ride, a bean bag toss, apple bobbing contest, old-fashioned sack race, face painting/tattoos, popcorn, and much more. All proceeds go to Plymouth Haven Preschools Scholarship and Enrichment Programs.
Upheaval at Target
In celebration of Fotoweek DC, the Target Gallery hosts a juried photography exhibition that explores the theme Upheaval, whether in our own lives or throughout the world. Visit on Thursday, Nov. 8, 6-8 p.m. for a reception to meet some of the artists and listen to a gallery talk by juror Brie Castell at 7 p.m. The exhibition will showcase 16 works by nine artists from across the country, including two local artists, Sascha Hughes-Caley (Great Falls) and Angela Kleis (Arlington). Other selected artists are Therese Brown (CA), Lisa
Obituary
Ernest (Ernie) J. Colton
Ernest (Ernie) J. Colton, 96, of Springfield, died on Oct. 25, 2012 at Greensprings Retirement Community’s Renaissance Gardens. He was the husband of Ruth Litten Colton who preceded him in death along with his parents, brother and other aunts and uncles. Survivors include his son David Martin Colton, daughter-in-law Cheryl Anne and granddaughter Alexis FuBao from Alexandria, and daughter Esther Joanna Colton from Berlin, Germany.
Right Policy
To the Editor: Let's face it — Alexandria is the loveliest jurisdiction of the entire Washington Metropolitan Area. I have lived here for half of my life. And in the course of this many years, "things happen." The city was always there when needed — whether it was a tornado hitting four houses on our street, ours included; the Fire Department ambulance staffed with an emergency physician when I fainted while jogging; the battle with "our" monopolist TV and high-speed internet provider; the city arborist to support our drive to re-forest our street (80-year old oak trees had either died a natural death or had been trimmed to extinction because of above-ground wires); the Recycling/Solid Waste Department's responsiveness to "special needs" recycling or simple oversights; our highly competent Police Department whenever "odd" occurrences were reported on our small street; the General Court Clerk when we needed procedural information; the Environmental Inspector as to noise pollution and flooding problems; the Tax Department for additional information and help. And so on. The list is long, and I am fully appreciative not only of what our city does but also of what it represents historically.
Inclusive Dialogue
To the Editor: This year, the local elections in Alexandria are particularly important for the future of our city. The choices are clear and stark. On the one hand, we may elect a Mayor and City Council that will continue to follow the closed, secretive, and divisive practices that have allowed development to run amok throughout the city. If we choose this path, we will condemn Alexandria to an uninspiring future of mediocrity, allowing it to develop into just another McCity with uninspiring architecture that could be located anywhere in the nation. On the other hand, we can choose new leadership that will encourage open, transparent, and inclusive practices that respect and preserve the unique, historic character of Alexandria. If we choose this direction, we can retain the best aspects of life in a city that has witnessed first-hand the most important and dramatic episodes in our nation’s history. These and our rich cultural heritage are the things that make Alexandria such a desirable place in which to live and which annually draw hordes of tourists to our city. Lose them and we lose our major attractions.
Who Knows Better?
To the Editor: Regarding the Freedmen’s Cemetery sculpture controversy: a card laid is a card played. After the final designs were chosen, I remember that the public was asked to vote for the winner. It seems that only after the Dwight submission was chosen did the Public Arts Committee decide it was inappropriate. Is this another example of a few people telling the public that we know better than you what is right for our city? If the religious symbols were not noticeable enough to disqualify the proposed statue originally, they should not be invoked as a reason to rule the choice ineligible now.
Voting for Clean Energy Economy
To the Editor: In November, young people have a choice: make our voice heard or continue letting others make decisions for us and our planet. No kid can wait to be an adult and run their own life. It’s time we take that responsibility to the voting booth and preserve our environment. President Obama has worked with auto manufacturers to save families $8,000 at the gas pump by increase fuel efficiency standards. These new standards will create and bring home many auto manufacturing jobs. At the same time, he has worked to increase investment supporting over 100 clean energy and energy efficiency projects and supporting over 91,000 clean energy and energy efficiency jobs in Virginia.
Proven Advocate
To the Editor: In less than a week, we head to the polls to elect our country’s president, as well as local leaders who represent our community’s interests in Congress, Alexandria City Council and the School Board of Alexandria City Public Schools. I’m proud to support Ronnie Campbell who is seeking a third term on the Alexandria City School Board. It was an honor to serve alongside Ronnie on the Alexandria City School Board in 2006-09. We worked closely together in many areas, especially in our mutual interest to close achievement gaps. With the support of teachers, the community, including Tenants and Workers United, Superintendent Sherman and fellow School Board members, we helped introduce Individual Achievement Plans (IAPs) which encourage students to take the lead in their own academic success. Today, IAPs are helping all students, especially social-economic challenged students as well as English Language Learners, get the help they need to succeed and prosper in our school system.
Stop More Tall Buildings
To the Editor: The question that should be asked every candidate or City Council or mayor is: What will you do to keep Alexandria from becoming Crystal City? The essence of Crystal City is tall buildings — office buildings, condominiums, hotels — that tower over people walking along narrow sidewalks below.
Time for Change
To the Editor: Andrew Macdonald should be our next Mayor. Bill Euille has served us honorably as Mayor, but too long. His enthusiasm for high-density development puts at risk Alexandria’s most valuable assets, livability and historic charm. He does not understand the old adage about killing the goose that lays golden eggs. Robert Pringle Resident of Alexandria since 1954
Bi-Partisan Leadership
To the Editor: I want to encourage my fellow Alexandrians to vote for Frank Fannon for Alexandria City Council on Nov. 6. Frank has set an example of bi-partisan leadership in the Alexandria City Council and has been the fresh, new voice needed for so long.
Former Board Chairs Endorse
To the Editor: We, as former School Board chairs, enthusiastically encourage Alexandria voters in District B to re-elect Marc Williams to the Alexandria School Board. Marc has served on the board for the past four years and, with a minimum of six new members on the board, it is important to maintain the experience and continuity that Marc brings in order to continue the progress that has been made in raising student achievement throughout ACPS. Marc is a consensus builder, proven leader and dedicated School Board member who has demonstrated his commitment to programs and curriculum that challenge and meet the needs of all our students.
Unhappy Times
To the editor: I am a lifelong Democrat and have not voted for candidates for public office other than Democrats. Unfortunately, there has come a point at the local level in Alexandria that I can’t, in good conscious, bring myself to support the Democrat incumbents that are running for the City Council. They have displayed a level of disrespect, incompetence and delegation of responsibility that is inexcusable. There seems to be no leadership, no fresh new ideas and no willingness to devote time and energy to move this city forward in a responsible manner while preserving the wonderful unique character of this community. Rather, they have delegated to nonelected city employees the authority to present their own vision of this city, which seems to be a vision that sets aside many of the elements and aspects that make the city so special and unique, and try to make it look like every other city that is overdeveloped and excessively dense. Then the council members grab their rubber stamps and give their blessings to bad ideas and poor planning. This process is totally backward. A decision-making process should originate at the top, with elected officials creating a detailed vision for the city, with real and meaningful opportunities for public involvement and input, and then directing the city employees to develop draft implementation plans for review by the council and the public. This would require a good deal of more energy and work by council members than they appear willing to undertake.
Pragmatic Leaders
To the Editor: Over the past nine years, Alexandria has grown to a population of over 144,000 while maintaining a historically low crime rate, a AAA bond rating, and the second-lowest property tax rate among major jurisdictions in Northern Virginia.
Representative Candidate
To the Editor: According to 2010 Census Profiles, 52 percent of Alexandria’s population is female and collectively, minorities represent 38 percent (Blacks 22 percent and Hispanics 16 percent). Everyone should be represented at the seat of government. We are women — young and old, Republican and Democrat, married and single, black and white. And we want genuine representation on the City Council just like everyone else. Alicia Hughes, in one person, represents all of us and we want her back on City Council. She is a black woman who happens to be Republican too. We need a balance of perspectives on council that no one party alone can provide. Most importantly, her stellar record of service, open-mindedness and intellect has earned our support.
Pedestrian, Bicycist Safety
To the Editor: I am writing because I am concerned about safety. While I am delighted that Alexandria has a strong economy and that our leaders are responding with increased road-capacity in the form of transit lanes, I am concerned that too little attention is being paid to people who are out on our streets and sidewalks, walking and bicycling. After all, most people access transit by walking and, according to Metro, more bicycles park at the Braddock Road Station than at any other in the system.
Analytical Skills Needed
“If not now, when?” — A 40 year Alexandria citizen and life-long Democrat, I must abandon one claim (only within this city) to preserve the other. Clinging to the claim of “citizen”, I cannot vote for any of the BRAC Five, all Democrats (Euille, Pepper, Wilson, Lovain, Smedberg). I find their positions on development destructive to the essential character of our city — putting at risk our heritage and keys to our future economic prosperity. At one debate I heard four of them attribute their BRAC position in part to being misled by city staff’s presentations. Tantamount to an admittance of poor analytical skills and/or their ability to assert true leadership, their “excuse” is unacceptable. Might these flaws explain their advocacy for shortsighted and damaging positions on development from the waterfront to the west end?
Important Balance
To the Editor: As I head to the polls on Nov. 6, there is one candidate who will surely get my vote, and I encourage other Alexandrians to do the same. First term Councilman Frank Fannon has been a true asset to the City Council over the past three years. Fannon is a lifelong Alexandrian who has worked and been involved in civic life for over 20 years. He brings an important balance that is needed in local government. He is a straight shooter, sticks to the point and is realistic about the issues facing Alexandria.