Alexandria Local

Richard Sandford Laurent Dies

Richard Sandford Laurent, 59, of Alexandria, died peacefully on April 7 at the Halquist Memorial Inpatient Center after a brief illness.

E-mail announcements to the Gazette, gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week's paper. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with questions.

In Support of Stratford Hall

Members and friends of the Alexandria Committee of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Association gathered March 8 at the residence of Latane and Patricia Montague on Prince Street for an evening celebration, rasing funds for Stratford Hall, home of the Lees of Virginia and birthplace of Robert E. Lee.

Ribbon Cutting at New Hospital

The new IAH Mark Center had an official ribbon-cuttling ceremony on Wednesday, April 4.

TRCA Spring Meeting and Elections

The Taylor Run Citizens Association will host its annual Spring Meeting on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.

Migratory

Great Egrets winter in Mexico and South America and breed along the shore, passing through this area in migration.

Old Town History: Bank of Alexandria

A fairly nondescript building sits on southeast corner of North Fairfax and Cameron Streets. It’s a bit taller than the others nearby, and forms a quiet bookend for the distinctive Carlyle House next door. It’s anonymity, however, belies its rich history.

Letter: Value of an Ombudsman

Recently a new group, Democrats for a Better Alexandria, has suggested that the City needs an Ombudsman (or Ombudswoman). According to Wikipedia, an Ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between government, and constituents, representing the broad scope of constituent interests.

Letter: Don’t Encourage ‘Magic Bullets’

As a desperate high school student just sliding by, I too would hope for a magic bullet cram course to improve my standardized test scores and chances of getting into college.

Letter: Fixing Flaws, Building on Successes

The following open letter is addressed to school staff and residents.

Letter: Consider Children’s Safety

The following letter was sent to the City Council and School Board.

Letter: Clear Cutting Of Trees

This morning I watched as contractors for WMATA cut down tree after tree after tree along the property line adjacent to my apartment complex.

Letter: Another Step for Smoke-Free City

The Mayor and City Council are to be congratulated for steps they have recently taken to address what Surgeon Generals of the U.S. have called the two leading causes of preventable death and disease in America: tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. In January, the City Council, by a vote of 5 to 1, authorized the placement of signs discouraging smoking in all City-owned parks, playgrounds and bus shelters.

Letter: Hybrid School Board?

That in the past few months there have been issues of extraordinary concern and increasing public outrage over ACPS is well-understood.

Letter: Pay More Attention To City Schools

Where there’s smoke there’s usually fire. Unfortunately, for Alexandria City Public Schools, too few people have pulled the alarm.

Alexandria Gazette Packet