Column: On the Way to $85 Billion Budget
Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling broke a tie in the evenly divided Senate chamber at the beginning of the Session. This provided Republican organizational control of the Senate even though a lawsuit is still pending on whether the power should be shared. In taking this step, many bills have been passed that were voted down by a more moderate Senate in past years.
Letter: Prompt Action, Good Work
I am writing to commend the City of Alexandria’s Office of Environmental Quality for its prompt response to a concern I passed along to them this past Wednesday, Feb. 15. That morning, I was walking my dog in the Chinquapin woods, like I do every weekday just before dawn
Letter: Invaluable Assist for Seniors
With all the talk about the rapid growth of the aging population, here in Alexandria there is an answer that benefits our community by supporting seniors who want to stay in their homes.
Letter: Manager’s Budget Lacks Vision
Alexandria's city manager's proposed budget reveals a flawed focus and vision. Instead of proposing major budget cuts in public safety and scaling back the major capital improvement projects, our city manager has instead preferred to cut jobs and reward the speculative metrics of more expenditures on public safety and priority development projects.
Letter: Displacing The Poor
I recently had the opportunity to attend the Beauregard Small Area Plan working session held at the Landmark Mall. As many of your readers may be aware, this plan is quite contentious — particularly to the residents of the West End neighborhood who will be most impacted.
Letter: Congressional Satirist?
Let’s not lose our faith in Rep. Moran’s ability to surprise. As background, he gamely decided to co-sponsor the STOCK Act which prohibits congressmen from buying or selling securities based on “congressional nonpublic” information.
Letter: Honoring George Washington
I commend Mayor Euille for proclaiming February 2012 as a month-long celebration to mark George Washington’s 280th birthday and the Birthday Committee for planning and facilitating the events and activities throughout the month.
Letter: Say Thanks in the Budget
Scott Gordon wrote a very moving tribute to our Alexandria First Responders in his Feb. 16 letter entitled "Say Thanks." He's right; the spirit of his letter and his recommendation to just say thanks are both spot on.
Bulldogs, Warriors Take it to the Wire
Westfield emerges victorious in first round region playoff action.
Monday night’s first round Northern Region boys’ high school basketball playoff game, between a physically strong Westfield squad versus a running, defensive-pressure oriented Wakefield opponent, was pretty much close throughout. Both teams, with their seasons on the line, played as if there were no tomorrow. The result was like a close boxing match gone the distance as both the Warriors and home team Bulldogs continually took one another’s best shots only to come right back and deliver one themselves.
Voters to Have Final Say on Eminent Domain Amendment
Opinions are divided as to what kind of influence the amendment could have if passed.
This fall, voters across Virginia will be confronted with a hotly debated amendment to the Virginia Constitution that seeks to limit the ability of local governments to use the power of eminent domain.
United Way Awards More Than $150,000
Benefitting 17 Arlington nonprofits.
United Way of the National Capital Area presented a ceremonial check on Feb. 14 totaling more than $150,000 to Arlington officials representing 20 grants awarded to 17 Arlington County nonprofits.
Encore Hosts President’s Day Mini Camp.
More than 20 students signed up for Encore Stage & Studio’s theatre workshop at the Cherrydale United Methodist Church on Lorcom Lane.
Column: Looking Ahead Despite Disappointments
The 2012 General Assembly has passed “Crossover,” when each house must complete action on all of its legislation that is to "crossover" to the other body.
New Shuttle Service Begins in Arlington Cemetery
The National Park Service has plans to have in service a number of new transportation options for visitors to the National Mall and Memorial Parks and Arlington National Cemetery in time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival at the end of March. The first of these options is a shuttle within Arlington National Cemetery that was scheduled to begin on Monday, Feb. 20.
New Aquatics Center Opens
The new Yorktown High School Aquatics Center has officially opened. The facility contains an eight-lane competition pool with a separate diving well and a separate instructional pool.