Friday, March 22, 2013
Former Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald says citizens can rest assured that its elected leaders, Democrats one and all, know what’s best for the city, even when its citizens don’t.
Dear Editor, Virginia is for lovers and the Alexandria waterfront is too! Although the City Council voted only 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. It was clear that they understood the concerns of residents and the importance of creating a waterfront that will compliment one of the most important historic districts in the nation. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Chapman noted just how romantic a venue the waterfront is, or could be, if it weren’t for those old warehouses that gobble up some much landscape. Ms. Pepper, who is known for her support of citizen concerns, took …
Friday, March 8, 2013
The city's former vice mayor says the last Planning Commission meeting shows planners have done everything in their power over the last four years to squelch public opinion and input that doesn’t fit with the city’s planning agenda.
To the Editor: I thought we had reached the nadir in the waterfront planning process on my birthday a year ago, but I was wrong by a country mile. The new low point occurred just last Tuesday night when the Planning Commission voted 7-0 to push through the text amendment that gives the green light to rezoning the waterfront. This land-use plan will allow developers to triple the density along the waterfront, and build basically anything they want, including two hotels. The night had all the hallmarks of a show trial from beginning to end. The commission was dismissive, arrogant, condescending, and at times downright bullying in its response to community concerns. It would be clear even to a child that the City has made been no real …
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
City Council will consider waterfront measures at March 16 public hearing.
The Alexandria Planning Commission approved two zoning text amendments in a meeting that ran into early Wednesday morning that will allow the city to circumvent pending litigation and begin implementing a long-debated waterfront redevelopment plan, provided City Council signs off on the measures later this month. • See: Alexandria City Council to Vote Once Again on Waterfront Plan Opponents of the plan, who have spent more than two years expressing their concerns over new development on the Old Town waterfront, stated old worries and some new ones to the commissioners. Andrew Macdonald, a former vice mayor who ran a failed campaign for mayor last year largely built on opposition to the city’s waterfront proposal, told the commissioners the…
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Former Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald says preserving Alexandria’s African American history is just as important as preserving the home of Robert E. Lee.
- OPINION
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Thursday, February 14
To the Editor: Why preserve the Carver Nursery School? Why preserve history? There was a day when Alexandria’s waterfront was a real working waterfront; when it had some working-class character. There was a time, too, when African Americans couldn’t attend local public schools and depended upon places like the Carver Nursery School to educate their children. The era of “separate but equal” is an indelible part of Alexandria’s history that must be preserved. It is embodied in a building that is as important to save as the hotel where George Washington dined. But the history told by the former Carver Nursery School will soon be forgotten if our primary motive is money and the right to develop whatever you own as you see fit. Bill Cromley, …
Monday, November 5, 2012
Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille and challenger Andrew Macdonald fielded questions Saturday at Goodwin House in the West End.
With three days until the election, Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille and challenger Andrew Macdonald tackled the thorny issues of West End development, transportation and transit during a forum Saturday morning at the Goodwin House, a home for seniors off Beauregard Street. Audience members posed questions primarily focused on development in the West End, including BRAC 133 at Mark Center and the Beauregard Small Area Plan. Euille, a Democrat, said the West End in particular poses problems for pedestrians. The Beauregard plan will improve pedestrian access, he said. Euille also addressed concerns that the city could have avoided the building of the BRAC 133 building in Mark Center. “Yes, it was a mistake,” he said. “But, you know what? We, the…
Thursday, November 1, 2012
The Mount Vernon Chapter of the Sierra Club said it is supporting but not endorsing both incumbent Democratic Mayor Bill Euille and challenger Andrew Macdonald, an independent.
The local chapter of the Sierra Club is supporting but not endorsing both Mayor Bill Euille (D) and challenger Andrew Macdonald, who is running as an independent for mayor on the November ballot. “We have made this decision in recognition of the strong commitment both Mayor Euille and Mr. Macdonald have made to the city in addressing Alexandria’s environmental challenges, and believe they would continue to do so as mayor of Alexandria,” the Mount Vernon Group of the Sierra Club said in a statement. The group cites Euille’s strong leadership on complex issues such as green buildings and transit “particularly at Potomac Yards.” It also cites his support for the Eco-City charter and for "innovative ideas" such as providing affordable housing …
Friday, October 26, 2012
Alexandrian Mark Coombs says local Republican candidates as well as one independent have his vote this election.
- OPINION
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Friday, October 26, 2012
To the Editor: I am a 26-year-old Alexandrian. Like many who call Alexandria home, I did not always have the privilege; it took but one trip into Old Town a few years ago, however, for my wife and me both to fall hopelessly, head-over-heels in love with the city cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as “one of the most culturally rich destinations in the country.” Alexandria is a community, simply stated, with singularly inimitable character. Of the 12 candidates running for City Council, three rise above the rest in their appreciation for — and commitment to conserving — this character: Frank Fannon, Alicia Hughes and Bob Wood. Together with former Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald, who is running to replace the incumbent Mayor …
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Alexandrian Hazel Rigby says Mayor Euille has her respect, her support and her vote.
- OPINION
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Thursday, October 25, 2012
Dear Editor: In his opening remarks in the second mayoral debate Andrew Macdonald stated that life in Alexandria had worsened under Mayor Euille's leadership, but it would only be fair to examine his own record. Mr. Macdonald has a history of indecisive, political allegiance and perseverance. In the 2000 election he ran for Council as an independent and lost. In 2003 he joined the Democratic Committee, ran as a Democrat and won. He served his full term. In 2006, he again ran as a Democrat but in an attempt to become Vice Mayor allowed the Republicans to include his name in Republican ads. He prevailed--winning the most votes to become Vice Mayor. In early May 2007, he abruptly resigned his seat for "personal reasons" having served …
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Candidates critiqued each other’s performance on council.
Overcrowding in Alexandria City Public Schools and each candidate’s performance on Alexandria City Council took center stage Monday during a debate between Democratic Mayor Bill Euille and independent challenger Andrew Macdonald, who previously served on the council. The forum at the George Washington Middle School auditorium was sponsored by ACTion Alexandria, the Alexandria Chapter of the NAACP and the three Alexandria Patch sites. Each candidate was asked how he would work with the school board to address overcrowding in city schools, provoking disagreement between the two men. Euille said increasing enrollment in the school system is a good thing but that the city needs to expand pre-kindergarten programs. The council is working with …
38.81655
-77.05688
George Washington Middle School
1005 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA
/articles/mayor-euille-challenger-macdonald-debate-in-del-ray
1380897
/locations/8015068
Monday, October 15, 2012
Patch is cosponsoring a mayoral and city council candidate forum with ACTion Alexandria and the local chapter of the NAACP.
- ELECTIONS
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Monday, October 15, 2012
Along with ACTion Alexandria and the Alexandria Chapter of the NAACP, Patch is presenting a forum for mayoral and city council candidates in Alexandria at 7 p.m. Monday at the George Washington Middle School auditorium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the forum expected to run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event will feature a one-on-one debate between Democratic Mayor Bill Euille and independent challenger Andrew Macdonald. The half-hour head-to-head will follow a 90-minute forum featuring all 12 council candidates. Del Ray Patch editor Drew Hansen will serve as a moderator alongside NAACP member Alexis Stackhouse. John Porter of ACTion Alexandria will serve as emcee. We hope to see you there! For more information about the candidates, …
38.81655
-77.05688
George Washington Middle School
1005 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA
/articles/you-re-invited-to-tonight-s-alexandria-candidates-forum
1380897
/locations/8007624
Sharon McLoone
4:15 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
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