Alexandria Politics

Moderate Mutiny

Former governor wants to impose Virginia “talent economy” on Washington; increase bipartisanship.

With the sluggish economy at the forefront of voters’ minds this year, former Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine hopes to put fiscal issues at the top of his campaign to fill the seat vacated by Democratic U.S. Sen. Jim Webb.

Politics of Notification

Father takes his plight for increased parental notification to Richmond.

Steve Stuban can’t help but wonder if things could have turned out differently.

Council Notebook

Smoking is still legal in Alexandria, but it’s increasingly discouraged.

In Session

Now that congressional redistricting has moved through the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate, a picture of 2012 is beginning to take shape

City Students: No. 1 in Poverty

Superintendent proposes $236 million budget; more students in poverty.

Superintendent of Schools Morton Sherman unveiled his FY2013 budget on Thursday, Jan. 19, describing his plan as “about the best budget we could have come up with. It is the coalescing of the work we’ve done over the past four years.”

West End Worries

Beauregard small-area plan raises concerns about displacing poor residents.

Like the street that bears his name, Confederate Gen. Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard was difficult to manage.

It’s Done, Sort Of

Controversial plan passes on 5-to-2 vote; opponents vow to overturn.

After hearing more than eight hours of heated testimony for and against a controversial plan to allow hotels and increase density at three sites on the waterfront, Alexandria City Council members cast a party line vote on the planning documen

Protesting the Vote

Alexandria officials say City Hall is not open for business during a public hearing.

Is City Hall open for business during a public hearing? Alexandria officials say no, but that could be a matter litigated in the Alexandria Circuit Court.

Urban Renewal on the Waterfront

City Council poised to adopt controversial plan to increase density and allow hotels.

In the game of Monopoly, players that have four houses on each property in a color group can buy a hotel from the bank and plunk the red plastic piece down and start raking in cash.

Cutting Back Between the Semesters

Proposal would cut back on ‘intersession’ classes at two schools, distribute money more broadly.

As School Board members prepare for the upcoming budget season, Superintendent Morton Sherman is suggesting the school system go back to the drawing board on “intersession” classes — the five weeks of instruction offered between semesters at the city’s two year-round schools

Undercutting King’s Dominion Law

Governor supports Northern Virginia’s plight to start schools before Labor Day.

Ever since Republicans gained a narrow one-vote majority in the state Senate, many in Northern Virginia have been fearing a loss of influence in Richmond.

Living the Dream

By the time 15-year-old Justin Cox was finished reciting the “I Have A Dream” speech from memory Monday afternoon, Jan. 15, at City Hall, several in the audience were holding back tears

Democrats Launch Primary Campaign

Candidates are eager to win back two seats lost in the last election cycle.

Six candidates officially launched their campaigns this week at a meeting of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, and several more are expected in the coming weeks.

Plan Heads to Rocky Conclusion

Supporters have votes to pass plan, but opponents are plotting final stand.

The first rule in politics is knowing how to count. By almost any standard, that means that a controversial proposal to allow hotels and increase density at three properties on the waterfront is likely headed for approval.

Allen Declares War on Unions

Former governor goes on the offensive against organized labor.

Hoping to capitalize on anti-union sentiment in Virginia this year, Republican George Allen is giving labor issues a starring role in his bid to recapture the Senate seat he lost to Jim Webb in 2006.

Alexandria Gazette Packet