Alexandria Gazette Packet

Alexandria Gazette Packet

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Letter: No Reason for Write-In

Letter to the Editor

If you live in affordable or low income housing, why would you possibly write-in a vote for the mayor? Under his leadership the AHRA housing stock has plummented in favor of market rate housing and soon gobs of relatively speaking, "affordable housing" apartments will soon go bye-bye in the Beauregard corridor and likely Arlandria. In a couple of years when the Waterfront is redeveloped, we'll have more tourists flocking to Old Town and the residents won't be able to leave their homes for fear of not being able to park unless they are lucky enough to have a driveway.

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Alexandria/Mount Vernon Weekend Fun: July 31-Aug. 9

Events in and near Alexandria and Mount Vernon.

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Tons of Trucks’ Drive to Success

Event sparks memories, old and new.

Passing showers could not keep away the hundreds of eager people searching Chinquapin Park for long lost loves and new found interests in every day city vehicles. The inaugural event on Saturday, July 18 hosted seven departments including the fire department and Alexandria County Public Schools.

People At Work: City’s Sign Fabricator

Meeting an ever-increasing need for signs.

The black wedge jerks back and forth, making small cuts in the shiny red vinyl. Two or three minutes later Abraham (“they call me Abe here”) Kifle, sign fabricator for the City of Alexandria, cuts off the 24-inch rectangle from the large roll with his sharp blade.

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Alexandria: Frontlines Falter

... in city’s affordable housing war.

While the city prepares to gain a little over 100 affordable housing units at Potomac Yard and The Filmore, one of the city’s bastions of affordable housing is in the process of pricing out residents, formerly protected by a rent freeze, who can’t keep up with rapidly rising rent costs.

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Alexandria: Interning at Horatio Alger Association

High Point University rising junior Blake Pohanka is working with the Horatio Alger Association at her summer internship in her hometown of Alexandria.

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Alexandria: Visiting Community Lodgings

Lynn Thomas (near left), executive director of Community Lodgings, discusses the challenges of providing low-income and affordable housing with U. S. Rep. Don Beyer (D) (right) after they toured the nonprofit's transitional housing unit on Friday, July 24.

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