<sh>Correction
<bt>In last week's story concerning Judge Stephen Rideout's retirement party ("'Community' Judge Praised," Aug. 5, Gazette), Mayor William Euille's statement read by Vice Mayor Redella Pepper, due to Euille's absence, should have reported Rideout as "a people's judge" rather than "a people justice."
<sh>Single Mailing For PP Tax
<bt>Sometime this month most Alexandrians will receive one, instead of two, mailings from the City containing their personal property tax bill and vehicle decal. This change will make it easier and less time consuming for residents to pay for and obtain vehicle decals, according to the Department of Finance, Personal Property Tax Branch.
The deadline for payment of personal property tax and decal fee remains the same: Oct. 5. Under this new plan, most tax bills will include a red 2004 vehicle decal attached to the bill itself. The new decals are designed to be easier to remove from vehicle windshields, according to officials.
Owners of motorcycles, trailers and taxicabs will continue to receive a dual tax mailing. The first will be the tax bill. After payment they will receive their decal. The decal for these vehicles differs from those of most others.
All tax, decal fees, and zone parking permit fees must be paid no later than Oct. 5. Failure to do so, even though decals have been sent, will result in penalties, interest and collection actions, officials said.
<sh>Belvoir To Initiate Security Exercise
<bt>Motorists traveling into Fort Belvoir next week may experience traffic delays during an upcoming force protection exercise Aug. 16-20. As part of a post-wide exercise, security personnel will increase the frequency of searches during certain undisclosed periods.
The annually required exercise is a routine event for training purposes only, according to the Belvoir public information officer. The post hospital, PX, commissary, child development centers and all other facilities will be open as usual.
<sh>Duncan Library To Close
<bt>Alexandria's Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave., will close for building expansion beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday. During the construction period, library operations will be relocated to 3809 Mount Vernon Ave.
The branch will reopen at the Commonwealth Avenue address in the Spring of 2005 following completion of a 5,000-square-foot expansion. Regular branch hours will be in effect at the temporary location. They are: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most library services will be offered at the temporary location including computer access.
<sh>Newcomer's Guide Updates
<bt>Newcomer's Guide will be published in September. To maintain the most current information, the Gazette is looking for listings of bazaars and fairs for its Fall Fair Guide as well as 2004-05 theater and concert schedules for the Theater and Concert Guide. Send the information by Aug. 15 to: galecurcio@cox.net. For more information, call 703-360-3550.