Moving Forward Together
To the Editor: I thank the Gazette-Packet for publishing my opinion columns as I’ve written on what affects our lives through my lens as a member of the Alexandria City Council, Virginia Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring and Liaison the Virginia Task Force on Local Mandates Review. My public service to you remains a privilege. I run again for council and have served purposed on “Keeping People First to Perfect One Alexandria.” I have been pleased to successfully: (1) lead the charge to keep the tax rate flat; (2) provide hot meals to seniors on Sundays through Meals on Wheels, starting Nov. 4; (3) have Old Town Farmer’s Market hours extended; (4) secure funding to reduce the pre-K backlog; and (5) preserve the integrity of neighborhoods while honoring our history, including having secured funding that led to the revelation of graves of Black soldiers in Fort Ward Park. I am also proud to be credited with leading the discussion that brought about a year-long study on how we use consultants and can curtail spending on them in Alexandria and saving local governments across the Commonwealth millions of dollars through my work on the Task Force on Local Mandates Review as the Governor’s Liaison to the Commission on Government Reform.
Letter: Right Policy
We need to reset City Hall with Andrew Macdonald as mayor and Bob Wood on the City Council, neither one beholden to developers but dedicated to preserve, protect and defend our culture, history and environmentally sustainable quality of life.
Letter: Inclusive Dialogue
We believe that it is high time for a change in our city administration. In our view, Andrew Macdonald is the best choice for mayor on Nov. 6.
Letter: Glorification Of Lost Cause?
Your recent articles on the restoration of the Confederate statue at the intersection of Prince and South Washington streets — Montie Martin's "A Statue with 100 Names" (Sept. 27) and Nancy Jennis Olds' "'Appomattox' Gets Makeover" (Oct. 11) — indicate that the romanticism and sentimentality of the South, otherwise known as the Lost Cause and exemplified in the glorification of the Confederate soldier, continue into the 21st century.
Letter: Who Knows Better?
City Council should revoke its mistaken approval of the replacement statue based on the recommendations of the Public Arts Committee and honor the wishes of the citizens who voted for the Dwight sculpture.
Lack of Oversight
To the Editor: The mayoral election is an opportunity to determine the future culture of leadership in the City of Alexandria. For six years, on behalf of several community organizations, I’ve attempted to get City Council members and city government managers to address a number of problems that impact our community in the Seminary Hills area. We have sought assistance to solve problems with illegal land uses, storm water, crime, crowds, traffic and human rights on public and private lands. My neighbors and I have been met with disinterest, disrespect, reluctance and disdain from city managers.
Letter: Voting for Clean Energy Economy
As young people, the future of our planet and our economy affects us more than anyone else voting in this election; it’s time we take a stand and support candidates that stand up for our health, the economy and the environment.
Letter: Proven Advocate
Ronnie has worked tirelessly to improve conditions and services for students with special needs. Her strong advocacy for those who might not otherwise have a voice makes her a needed choice for our children.
Sierra Club Disappoints
To the Editor: Are you kidding me? That was my reaction when I read the Sierra Club’s endorsements of four of the Democrat candidates for Alexandria’s election: Pepper, Lovain, Wilson and Smedberg. That being said, this is actually not a laughing matter at all. These are the very four folks who did nothing to prevent the BRAC from being built in the Seminary area requiring hundreds of mature trees to be sacrificed and replaced by cars and noxious fumes arising from congestion. Obviously these “environmentalists” misuse the term “smart growth.” Why not near a Metro?
Letter: Stop More Tall Buildings
All over the city smaller, more human-scale buildings are being replaced by high-rises. What will you do as City Council member or mayor to stop this trend?
Letter: Time for Change
Andrew Macdonald should be our next Mayor.
Letter: Bi-Partisan Leadership
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.
Letter: Investigate Voter Fraud Allegation
I hope, on behalf of the integrity of our electoral process, Attorney General Holder will conduct a thorough investigation. In Jim Moran’s own words: “Voter Fraud Must Be Investigated.”
BRAC Albatross
To the Editor: On March 25, 2009, Mayor Euille, Council members Del Pepper, Paul Smedberg, Justin Wilson as well as Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks, appeared before my civic association to discuss the BRAC 133 development at the Mark Center, announced in September 2008. More than three years and multiple meetings and events later, including five candidate forums since this September, and I am still waiting for answers.
Letter: Former Board Chairs Endorse
We know the qualities that make a good School Board member and our choice is Marc Williams.
Letter: Irresolute Resolutions
“Some” units? I find this surpassingly strange, given that it was just this past May that the City Council passed a strongly worded resolution declaring their intention to do whatever they could to keep all of the Towers as an important source of workforce and affordable housing — which is, of course, a well-documented endangered species in the City of Alexandria.
Exceptional Candidate
To the Editor: We have an important election facing us on Nov. 6. In addition to candidates on the national level, Alexandria will be electing its next City Council. The council will have at least two members who are not currently serving, and the city faces a number of critical issues that will affect our citizens for many years to come.
Letter: Balanced Representation
Frank Fannon is a life-long Alexandrian who knows and cares about the issues facing our city. He has voted to keep taxes down — both for homeowners and local businesses, and he has supported the preservation of green space.
Importance of Leadership
To the Editor: That “one Alexandria” motto Mayor Euille adopted when he first ran for office has become meaningless. I do not know where this One Alexandria is. It is not in the West End or in Old Town. These times cry out for a Mayor who will feel welcome in every neighborhood, and be ready talk to every citizen. There is no one in Alexandria today better suited to that task than Andrew Macdonald.
Letter: Unhappy Times
I am not happy with the necessity I feel to vote in a manner that I have never have before, but I don’t see an option if we are to protect this very special and unique community located in the significantly overdeveloped Washington Metropolitan area.