Wednesday, January 16, 2013
First-time councilmembers granted revote after initially voting against Reed Avenue complex.
Alexandria City Council approved plans Saturday to construct a new affordable housing complex at the corner of E. Reed Avenue and Route 1 with a vote that was conducted twice, after the two dissenting council members asked to vote again so they could support it. The project submitted by nonprofit AHC calls for a three- to five-story building with 78 affordable housing units that will be marketed to residents with incomes up to 60 percent of the area’s median income for 60 years. The hang-up for Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg and Councilman John Chapman—two members of council serving for the first time who both campaigned for more affordable housing in the city—was on parking at the complex. As part of a financing package for the project, …
Friday, November 16, 2012
Session dealt with discussion of the acquisition of open space, though few details are known.
Alexandria City Councilwoman Alicia Hughes refused to take part in a closed meeting with Mayor Bill Euille and other members of council Tuesday night to discuss pending or possible city litigation and potential acquisition of real estate. What exactly was discussed in the session is unclear. Councilman Paul Smedberg announced that the closed session was called under reasons stipulated in the Code of Virginia, adding that it was called specifically to discuss “the acquisition of real property for public open space and likely litigation that may result from the acquisition of real property to support infrastructure, safety and other public purposes.” Just before councilmembers exited the City Hall chamber for the closed session, Hughes, who …
Monday, November 5, 2012
Alexandrian Paul Friedman says City Councilman Frank Fannon is a nice guy, but should not be re-elected.
- OPINION
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Monday, November 5, 2012
I have met City Councilman Frank Fannon and he is a nice guy. Unfortunately, he should not be taking up one of just six precious seats on our City Council. Frank actively opposes the interests of the people of Alexandria and should not be re-elected. While there are many, I offer three reasons. First, Frank has opposed funding needed to build and maintain the public schools we need. Second, Frank actually called for cutting a million dollars from our education budget in order to spend more money for the Alexandria Pipe and Drum Corps. No offense to the corps, but children should be our community’s highest priority. Third, even though Alexandrians had long been united in their desire to see the Mirant/GenOn plant close as quickly as …
Friday, November 2, 2012
Helen R. Desfosses addresses her support of Democrat Allison Silberberg for Alexandria City Council.
To the Editor: I am writing to express my wholehearted support for the candidacy of Allison Silberberg for Alexandria City Council. As a former City Council President in Albany, N.Y., a long-time Professor-in-Residence at the New York State Assembly, and a continuing consultant for U.S. government projects around the world on what makes an effective, transparent and publicly engaged legislative body, I have had a long time to reflect on the qualities that we need on our City Council. Furthermore, as someone who grew up on the coast of Maine and who moved to Alexandria to live close to my two grandsons, I have thought long and hard about the leadership that we need to help safeguard our precious waterfront, and our environmental and fiscal …
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Suzanne Lachelier calls Silberberg an “outstanding new voice.”
- OPINION
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Thursday, November 1, 2012
To the editor: Allison Silberberg is running for city council and would be an outstanding new voice for this great city. From the very beginning when I met Allison in August, I was immediately struck with her energy, sincerity and handle on the issues I see as important to Alexandria: fiscal responsibility, opposing the waterfront development plan and school needs. As a public defender, I value and see the impact of community service in my own work. I also appreciate the difficulties inherent in balancing such service with professional demands. Allison’s continuous service to her community has informed her entire career – and that is what solidified for me the desire to help her campaign as a volunteer. Allison has demonstrated the rare …
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Former Alexandria School Board member Eileen Cassidy Rivera offers her endorsement of Democrat Allison Silberberg for City Council.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, October 24, 2012
To the editor, I’ve known Allison Silberberg for more than 30 years. I wish I could say we’re only 31, but it seems like yesterday when Allison and I used to live in the same dormitory at American University. We’d have fun conversations going back and forth to campus while we were both pursuing our undergraduate degrees in international studies. During late nights when I worked as a desk receptionist in the dorm, Allison used to stop by and chat while we’d eagerly await the delivery of fresh Krispy Kreme donuts! Allison went on to accomplish great things with her many talents and has dedicated her life to helping others. From serving as Founder/Executive Director of Lights, Camera, Action!, where she mentored youth in Anacostia, to her …
Thursday, October 11, 2012
At a City Council candidate forum in Old Town on Wednesday night, the first question asked was predictably about the city's plans to develop its riverside.
The issue of riverside redevelopment saw some lively debate at a forum attended largely by Old Town residents and hosted by the Old Town Civic Association at Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy on Wednesday night. Candidates debated citizen engagement and the possibility of rezoning some portions of the city’s waterfront to allow hotels. The city in January passed a plan to redevelop its waterfront, but it has not approved a proposed zoning change permitting development such as hotels there. “I would not rezone the waterfront. You do not need to rezone to gain amenities,” said Republican candidate Bob Wood, who lives near the city’s riverside. “Council can exercise leadership over the process,” adding that council members shouldn’t constantly…
38.800008
-77.046852
Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy
530 S Saint Asaph St, Alexandria, VA
/articles/old-town-debate-tackles-waterfront-redevelopment
2007558
/locations/7995827
Monday, October 1, 2012
The candidates, incumbents and issues that will be affecting Alexandria.
As we look ahead to November’s elections, Old Town Alexandria Patch, Del Ray Patch and West End Alexandria Patch are devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. Bookmark this page for updates. Voting Information For complete information on voting on election day, including information on the new Virginia voter ID laws, see the election section on the city's website. Not sure of your polling place? Fill out your voter information on the Virginia Election and Registration Information System website. Alexandria Mayor, City Council and School Board Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, a Democrat, is seeking a fourth term in the …
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The 12 candidates for Alexandria City Council shared a stage for first time Wednesday night at Francis Hammond Middle School.
The 12 candidates for Alexandria City Council shared a stage for the first time Wednesday night at Francis C. Hammond Middle School, tackling questions in a forum organized by members of several citizens associations from the city’s West End. Sitting in the shadow of the new location for the Washington Headquarters Service called BRAC-133, discussion of how it was decided in 2008 that the massive office complex would be built away from transit just off Interstate 395 became the biggest point of contention in a forum that aimed to help voters decide who will represent the city in 2013. First-time candidate Bob Wood (R) drew the earliest and one of the larger applauses of the evening when he called BRAC-133 “the biggest planning failure” in…
38.82726
-77.1099
4646 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA
Francis C. Hammond Middle School
/articles/brac-decision-is-focus-of-candidate-debate-in-west-end
/locations/7829612
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Gant Redmon, Kathleen Burns and Ginny Hines Parry applaud those who seek to change the direction and makeup of Alexandria's current city government.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, July 3, 2012
To the Editor: Despite the claims of Mayor Euille and others, the Democratic primary result was hardly “a vindication” of the course set for Alexandria by their current and past incumbents on Council. The mayor is fooling himself and voters when he concludes, “the voters of this great city like the direction we’re moving in and we’ll continue moving forward.” Instead, a broad call for reform and new direction from within the Democratic Party itself was narrowly defeated. City hall insiders managed to impose their will on their own frustrated party, again. Fourteen candidates, four or more Political Action Committees, attack ads, record spending – all indicate a party in disarray over the direction, the priorities, and the policies of this …
Kathlynne
1:58 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013
If we could get people to clean up after themselves and stop littering we wouldn’t have this problem added to the parking situation. Have NEVER lived anywhere where the streets have had to be cleaned on a weekly basis because people are so inconsiderate. It’s embarrassing. >>> more ›