Column: Staying Ahead of the Feds
The federal government is not always wrong. At the same time, the state government is not always right.
The Virginia House and the Senate have penned similar but competing mid-point versions to the 2014-2016 biennial budget.
Black History Month Celebrations
Local students learn about the history and accomplishments of African-Americans.
Fourth grade student Eli West crafted a poem this month that was modeled after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous, “I Have a Dream” speech.
Stalled Labor Market Slows County Budget
Proposed budget calls for no real estate tax rate increase, but average homeowner would pay $184 more.
Supervisor Jeff McKay pointed out an irony in County Executive Ed Long’s proposed $3.8 billion budget. Three planning positions would be eliminated from the budget even though Long suggested the county needs more efforts to raise revenue from commercial and industrial venues.
Researching Alexandria’s African-American Ancestors
Two genealogists help African-Americans in Alexandria trace their families’ roots.
Tracing genealogies is not only impossibly frustrating for many African-American families, but many of the results they find are predictable and grim. But for two genealogists who hosted events at Alexandria’s Black History Museum, that idea obscures the powerful histories and proud legacies of many families.
MidAtlantic Erg Sprints Yields New World Record
1,700 athletes compete.
A new world record in the half marathon by Olympic gold medalist Esther Lofgren capped the competition at the 2015 MidAtlantic Erg Sprints, hosted by T.C. Williams High School on Jan. 31.
Legacies of Two Presidents
Our February celebration’s official name is the George Washington Birthday Holiday, not Presidents Day. Although some people include both Washington and Lincoln among our best Presidents, Washington’s contributions are far more admirable. Sadly, even here in his hometown, many know relatively little about his achievements and are mistaken about Lincoln’s.
Addressing Health, Crime
This year I am proud to have sponsored several bi-partisan initiatives to make Virginia safer for our communities and families. I serve on the Virginia State Crime Commission, the House Courts of Justice Committee, and the Governor’s Taskforce on Heroin and Prescription Drugs.
Herring Named Finalist For National Award
Del. Charniele Herring has been named as one of six finalists for the EMILY’s List Gabrielle Gifford Rising Star Award. Nominees came in from the public and around the country. Herring is the only nominee in the South or Mid-Atlantic regions.
Letter: What Do Seniors Need?
Letter to the Editor
In the debate over the proposed Woodbine expansion, I have heard some say that Alexandria “needs” a proposed memory care facility to be located on a small lot adjacent to the current Woodbine Nursing Home in the 2800 block of King Street. If by “need,” we are referring to a necessity or something we can’t live without, I respectfully disagree.
Letter: Opposition Based on Zoning
Letter to the Editor
There have been various views presented recently about the proposed memory care facility on the property that sits between Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare and Ivy Hill Cemetery.
Thousands of Books Later
Couple owns Already Read Books.
Sweetie Pie, the black cat of unidentified origin, pads across the green- and beige-tiled floor to the Romance Section in the last aisle.
Letter: School Board Irresponsibility
Letter to the Editor
Our City of Alexandria possesses an inferiority complex, no matter what the city does, it just can't measure up to the National Harbor and Clarendon.
Separate But Equal Amenities for Alexandria
Class-segregated pool at proposed housing complex dampens council enthusiasm for affordable housing project.
A proposal for a mixed-use housing complex in Alexandria swiftly became an argument on classism when the developer revealed the pool would be off-limits to residents of the affordable housing section.
Working Toward Restorative Justice in Alexandria Schools
TC students take aim at suspension rates and new disciplinary policy.
A word of warning to students at T.C. Williams High School hoping to skip out on classes in the second half of their senior year: Don’t. A new policy implemented at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year gives teachers at TC final say over whether a student can pass or fail a class regardless of the final grade.
Too Poor for Benefits in Alexandria
New advisory panel tackles lack of healthcare options for Alexandrians.
An estimated 5,000 people living in Alexandria are without access to healthcare. Without any assistance from the state, the struggle for many Alexandrians has potential to grow into a city-wide moral and financial crisis.
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