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Preferential Treatment?
To the Editor: As reported in the Alexandria Gazette Packet ( May 9) Mayor Euille and city officials expressed major concerns about Norfolk Southern's proposed plan to increase their ethanol transloading and had not been notified about this proposed plan, our local elected officials quickly decided to vote on an resolution opposing Norfolk Southern's plan. Is this resolution really that important and necessary? There is no question from most Alexandria residents that Norfolk Southern's proposed plan to double their ethanol transloading might impact the environment for those residents who live nearby at Cameron Station and other residential properties. However, Norfolk Southern has been at this location for more then 20-plus years long before Cameron Station and other condos/schools were built in that neighborhood. Further, the Surface Transportation Act supercedes local law movement by rail and the city of Alexandria lost its lawsuit against Norfolk Southern about six years over the same issue.
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A Vital Part of the Rich History of Alexandria
After living in the Boston area for many years, I returned to Alexandria about six years ago. Having an opportunity to witness the tremendous growth of the city has been a phenomenal experience. I have walked down streets I frequented, as a child of color, with a sense of nostalgia that is sometimes overwhelming. I can still hear some of the old voices of my youth speaking as I pass homes that are so familiar and yet so foreign. I still remember some of the catchy rhymes my father said and sang as we walked on the Hill to visit relatives and friends. I can still feel my hand in my mother’s hand as we walked along enjoying the sights of the route chosen for the evening. We so often walked from North Alfred or North Fayette to “ The South side.”
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Kindness On Bike Trail
To the Editor: In this fast-paced world it is easy to become cynical and concerned with what has been dubbed as the “me” generation. However, this notion was dispelled one early morning, when a buddy and I went on a 25-mile bike ride on the W&OD, Custis and Mount Vernon Bike Trail. It was surprising how many young and older riders use the trail, many commuting to work.
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Rebuilding Together Day
Volunteers rebuild homes for those in need.
More than 700 local volunteers took part in National Rebuilding Together Day April 27 to provide critical repairs and upgrades for low-income homeowners in Alexandria.
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Opposition Heats Up over City's Plans for Founders Park
Council to be asked to amend current restrictions on special events.
The proposed amendment to allow special events in Founders Park took center stage at the May 10 annual meeting of the Founders Park Community Association. “I can't believe the city is proposing this,” said one attendee who asked to remain anonymous. “There should be more respect for Ellen Pickering, Chuck Hamel and Patricia Golubin for saving this land. The park would not exist at all if it weren't for their efforts back in the '70s.”
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Calendar
Ongoing Food Truck Thursdays. In the surface parking lot at the corner of Crystal Drive and 18th Street. Line Dancing Class. Fridays, 10-11 a.m. Line dancing with Barbara Allen. Covers the basic steps, then combines them to music for a gentle aerobic workout. More experienced line dancers are welcome as they can assist newer dancers. At Aurora Hills Senior Center. Call 703-228-5722.
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Vote in Spite of Election Fatigue
Primary voting, absentee voting, Republican convention
Absentee voting, including “in-person” absentee voting, is already underway for the June 11 primary, a statewide Democratic party primary for lieutenant governor and attorney general, plus one delegate race in Northern Virginia. Voters in the Democratic primary will choose between Ralph S. Northam and Aneesh Chopra for lieutenant governor; and between Mark R. Herring and Justin E. Fairfax for attorney general.
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It’s All About Knowing the Options for Long-Term Care
While it may be something we don’t want to think about, we will probably be faced with making long-term care decisions. What happens if I get sick, and I can’t remain in my home? How can I stay in my home, and receive care? How will I pay for all of this? Knowing what the options are, how to make preparations, and putting things into place in advance can help. Last Thursday, Senior Services of Alexandria’s Speaker Series focused on this important topic. Panelists at the SSA event covered a wide range of long-term care services and support available here in Alexandria, as well as state-wide resources. David DeBiasi, AARP’s associate state director, framed the issue and spoke about the cost of care in Virginia. The audience heard from local service provider Adult Companion Care about in-home support, and also learned about the various options available for assisted living, continuing care and nursing home facilities. Kathy McNulty from Capital Care of Alexandria talked about when palliative or hospice care may be the right choice.
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People
People Notes
Martin Ogle, chief naturalist at Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington, is the first recipient of the Arlington Green Patriot Award. The honor recognizes an individual, business or organization that exemplifies sustainability in more than one aspect of their recent life or operations to improve civic life in Arlington. Ogle was recognized for his lifelong dedication to environmental education and for emphasizing the interrelationships between people and the rest of nature. He served on the boards of several environmental and community organizations, including the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia, Arlington Food Co-op, Arlington Heritage Alliance, the Arlington/Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless and Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment.
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Bulletin Board
Absentee Voting Opens On Tuesday June 11, there will be a Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Absentee voting for the primary began Friday, April 26. Many Alexandria voters are eligible to vote absentee, but relatively few take advantage of this option. Qualifying circumstances: commute and work for 11 of the 13 hours the polls are open; caregiver for a confined family member; unable to go to the polls in person on Election Day because of an illness or disability; or will be absent from Alexandria on Election Day because of personal business, work, school, or vacation. To learn more about these, and other circumstances in which absentee voting is an appropriate option, visit alexandriava.gov/Elections and click on “Absentee Voting,” or call 703-746-4050.
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Vote in Spite of Election Fatigue
Primary voting, absentee voting, Republican convention
Absentee voting, including “in-person” absentee voting, is already underway for the June 11 primary, a statewide Democratic party primary for lieutenant governor and attorney general, plus one delegate race in Northern Virginia. Voters in the Democratic primary will choose between Ralph S. Northam and Aneesh Chopra for lieutenant governor; and between Mark R. Herring and Justin E. Fairfax for attorney general.
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Crime
The following incidents were reported by the Arlington Police Department. ARSON & ATTEMPTED ROBBERY, 5500 block of S. Columbia Pike. At 10:37 p.m. on May 2, a subject attempted to rob a store by demanding that a store employee give him money. When the employee refused, the subject proceeded to light coffee filters on fire and announced that no one could leave the store. The subject threw several items at store employees, including at their 16-month-old child. All of the victims barricaded themselves in another room where they stayed until police arrived on scene. The suspect knocked over shelves, broke machines, and threw store merchandise all over the store. A 49-year-old Arlington man was arrested and charged with arson, attempted robbery, four counts of abduction, felony destruction of property, and three counts of assault and battery. He is currently being held without bond.
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Bulletin Board
Thursday/May 16 Speaker. 12:15-1:30 p.m. at La Cote D’Or Restaurant. The Arlington Rotary Club is hosting Mario Price, who will speak on “7 Things You Must Know About Energy Deregulation.” Friday/May 17 Bike to Work Day. 6:30-9:30 a.m. at Gateway Park. Register and be entered in to win a bicycle. Free.
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Walker Meets Conviction After 2012 Murder
He killed Centreville woman in January 2012
Right from the start, Benjamin Luke Walker admitted he’d done wrong. He took the life of a 22-year-old Centreville woman and, for that, he was sentenced to nearly a half-century behind bars.
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Telford Receives Spirit Award
Fair Lakes resident honored at Race for Hope.
The annual Race for Hope in Washington, D.C., raises money for brain-tumor research and, for 10 years now, the Rabbi Joseph P. Weinberg Triumph of Spirit Award has been given at that event to a deserving recipient. This year, the award was presented May 5 at the race’s starting line to Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford. Although battling brain cancer, herself, she created her own fundraising organization, Team BT, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure.
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Letter to the Editor: True Danger Is Speed
I sympathize with Rocky and Julie Curtis’s account of their “frightful” experience rounding the southbound curve in Ft. Hunt Road just past the Martha Washington Library, but doubt that prohibiting turns into the newly-opened Westgrove Park (a local park meant to serve the residents within 1-2 miles) will solve the real problems confronting travelers along Ft. Hunt Road.
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Letter to the Editor: Add Tax, Lower Other
Last week's Gazette reported on Supervisor Hyland's latest attempt to convince his Board of Supervisors’ colleagues to support his quest for a meals tax referendum.
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Open to All
Storck hears concerns from parents and teachers.
In a wide-ranging weekend monthly office hours session in a Sherwood Hall Library conference room, Dan Storck, Mount Vernon School Board member, listened to a variety of concerns of parents and school employees.
