To the Editor:
I applaud all who have written over the past weeks expressing concern for the governance of this city. There appears to be genuine enthusiasm for the June 9 primary which will select the next mayor. However, will the issues that ignited this surge of interest still matter? The waterfront development project is a done deal. Last month the mayor and council unanimously approved the city’s funding of the Potomac Yard Metro Station. The candidates differ as to the financing, pace and aesthetics of development. None question the relevancy of the Alexandria Master Plan, the foundational development document, passed by the council in 1992. With no definitive policy disagreements what separates the candidates?
The candidates and their supporters see the election as a referendum on leadership. The assumption is the mayor is imbued with general powers and duties of a chief executive. Below are extracts from the city charter of three Virginia municipalities; see if you can select the one codifying the powers and duties of Alexandria’s mayor.
(a) The mayor shall preside at meetings of the council, and perform such duties as are imposed upon the mayor by this charter and such other duties consistent with the mayor's office as may be imposed by the council. The mayor shall be entitled to a vote, but shall possess no veto power. The mayor shall be recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process, and by the governor for military purposes. The mayor may execute all requisite contracts or other legal instruments in writing for and on behalf of the city and perform all other functions or requirements arising from federal or state law, procedure, rules or regulations but these authorizations shall not be construed as conferring upon the mayor administrative or judicial functions.
(b) The mayor shall preside over the meetings of the city council and shall have the same right to vote and speak therein as other members. The mayor shall not have the power of veto. He shall be recognized as the head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes, the purposes of military law and the service of civil process.
(c) The mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the city and shall be responsible for the proper administration of city government. The mayor shall be recognized as the head of government for all ceremonial purposes, military law and the service of civil process. The office of mayor shall be a full-time position with salary and expenses set by the council.
The answer is (b); whereas, (a) reflects Roanoke and (c) Richmond. With respect to the powers and duties of the mayor, the Alexandria city charter is at best vague and therefore ripe for interpretation. In truth, the mayor’s ascendency to chief executive officer status is derived solely from city council acquiescence, not the city charter. Our next mayor should not assume a homogeneous or subservient city council. A new city council could challenge the ascendant authority of the mayor.
The next mayor needs to be willing to concede power and embrace compromise. Decisions about governance, growth and development need not descend into a zero sum game of absolute winners and losers. Fostering inclusion, being open to compromise, these are traits of a servant leader. The mayor must never forget he or she is first and foremost the servant of the people. Thwarting the will of the people under the guise of “the greater common good” constitutes tyranny not leadership. Embracing a longer strategic view, by setting realistic priorities that build upon that which differentiates Alexandria from surrounding communities, rather than striving to be like them will require true leadership. Who among the three candidates has the experience, record of relevant achievement; and temperament to lead effectively?
The choices are clear, the decision is yours and mine; the question, will we vote with eyes wide open?
Roy R. Byrd
Alexandria