Editorial: More Obstacles to Transparency
General Assembly puts more information out of public reach, but other factors also limit access.
The first paragraph of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, passed by the General Assembly in 1968, states that all public records "shall be presumed open." It doesn’t add, “except when we don’t want to,” although that provision does seem to be available in many cases. Individual government entities have a variety of ways of making it hard for the public to access public information.
Column: 14.8 Percent
That is the percentage of diagnosed lung cancer patients who survive beyond five years, according to The National Cancer Institute’s SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2009, in a graph published in the Feb. 26, 2013 Washington Post’s weekly Health & Science section. As a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survivor beginning his fifth year post-diagnosis, charting my prospects in such a cold and impersonal manner is both chilling and arguable. “Chilling” in that facts speak for themselves and are hardly made up of whole cloth, to invoke one of the late Jack Kent Cooke’s more famous quotes. And “arguable” in that charts, statistics, etc., may very well measure the mean, but it sure doesn’t measure the man (this man, anyway). Meaning, from my perspective: sure, the chart is scary as hell, but I’m not sure I’m on it, if you know what I mean? (I know you know what I hope.)
Letter to the Editor: More Than Just Money
Governor McDonnell is considering legislation that would seize control of the unaccredited Jefferson Houston Elementary School from the Alexandria City Public School Board and Superintendent Sherman can only say, “We believe we are going to make accreditation. We’ll have a conversation in June or July, and I hope I’m not here saying ‘Oops.’”
Letter to the Editor: Reasonable Requirements
Democracy is the foundation of the American way of life, and the driving force behind democracy is the power to vote.
Letter to the Editor: Protect Del Ray, Not West End?
The recent concerns of many Del Ray residents about the possibility that Walgreens may move into their neighborhood at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and E. Monroe Avenue and displacing several businesses who have been in the Del Ray neighborhood for many years raises a very important question/concern for this resident.
Letter to the Editor: Well-Balanced Decision-Making
In the March 14 Gazette, we read "... once again Alexandria's libraries are on the hit list" in a letter about a proposed 4 percent cut in operating hours for three of five of the City's libraries.
Column: What’s Humane in Execution? The Bid for Justice or Mercy
Except in special cases seldom does the death penalty bring about much conversation pro and con on all sides of the political spectrum. It’s not a cut and dried matter and must not be taken lightly.
Letter to the Editor: Support Funding Public Libraries
I am writing to urge support for important elements of the proposed FY14 City budget as it pertains to the Alexandria public library system.
Letter to the Editor: Many Benefits To Beauregard Plan
I am writing to voice my support for the Beauregard Small Area Plan (BSAP), and its proposed affordable housing solution for Alexandria.
Letter to the Editor: Passive Parks, Creative People
This past Sunday, a beautiful sunny day, I walked the length of the river from Founders Park to Canal Place. People were everywhere and smiling broadly. But what was most exceptional was how creative people were on the blank canvas of green grass along the waterfront.
Letter to the Editor: Who Knows Best?
Although the City Council voted 6-1 to rezone the Alexandria waterfront last Saturday, and although I was disappointed that four years of constructive planning were coming to an end, I was impressed by the intellectual clarity of the council members.
Letter to the Editor: Going Above And Beyond
Sincere appreciation to Dr. Vyfhuis known as Dr. "V" at Paws, Purrs & Exotics in Old Town. Dr. V and his staff provided excellent care to our precious Maine Coon kitty when Hurricaine Sandy hit the area.
Letter to the Editor: Pet Horses Or Eat Them?
[Recently,] food safety officials in United Kingdom, France, and Sweden found traces of horse meat in ground beef sold across Europe. Massive recalls and lawsuits are ensuing.
Amidst the Rubble
The remains of a playground used by numerous children stands amidst the rubble on N. Columbus Street.
Letter to the Editor: Patron Saint Of Animals
I was delighted to learn that the newly elected pope chose for himself the name of St. Francis of Assisi, generally known as patron saint of the animals.