To the Editor:
Alexandria is now going through some major changes as it relates to planning/development and traffic and transportation issues. Our current and previous local elected officials seem to be in complete denial about the very basic financial issues facing this small town. So I will propose the following questions to all Alexandria citizens/voters who say they really care about how Alexandria continues to grow and to our elected officials who continue to preach that city hall is transparent/ open government/ listening and accountable to citizen concerns, financially stable, etc. etc. You've heard all of their talking points.
Has our current mayor and council consistenly voted against the wishes/suggestions of the majority of Alexandria residents/voters as it relates to major planning developments?
Has Mayor Euille and previous Mayor and Vice Mayor Donley and majority of council pushed forward projects without knowing the full cost and impact on various neighborhoods? Think the Waterfront Plan, Beauregard Small Area Plan in the West End; BRAC-133; Alzheimers Unit next to Woodbine; bike path on King Street; proposed Metro Station at Potomac Yard. Potomac Yard generates $14 million-plus every year to Alexandria without a metro stop.
Commercial tax base is down. If Alexandria is such a great place to live and work, why have businesses not moved here when the financial picture was good? Why are we losing our small businesses who are so important to Alexandria? Could it be that it’s too expensive to live here? Or that Alexandria school system is still in need of major improvement? Or the continual increase in fees which are taxes?
Have our elected officials within the past several years who have been off council and now back on council and/or been on council too long continue to push for "knee jerk" proposals relating to transportation without honoring their fiduciary responsibilities?
Is Alexandria now a "pay to play" town and/or just a political town wherein elections are based on political affiliation and/or being related to various developer law firms?
Do all of our current and past elected officials pretend to care about citizens and their concerns because it is an election year or do they only care about their own re-election?
Do we need a new mayor and new council members? We now have Mayor Euille and former Mayor/Vice Mayor Donley and council members who have been on council way too long. Alexandria needs new leadership starting at the top with people who understand budgets, planning, preserving historical neighborhoods, affordable housing, parking/transportation and all of the very real issues facing Alexandria today in order for this town to continue to thrive for the next 10 to 15 years if not longer.
If you can answer "Yes" to the majority of these questions, then it is time for change in Alexandria with a new leadership who is truly listening and hear citizen concerns.
Annabelle Fisher
Alexandria