Letter: Mockery of Government
The Alexandria City Council has voted on and passed the waterfront plan that has been opposed by the majority of the residents this council supposedly represents. Why has this majority body of Democrats even gone through the motions of public hearings and spend unknown amounts of taxpayers’ money while all along they have known how they would vote on the issue.
Letter: No to HOV Ramp
The Virginia Department of Transportation is proposing to remove large numbers of trees, and other vegetation, along I-395, between Seminary Road and Sanger Avenue. The removal is needed, says VDOT, to widen I-395, so that there will be room for ramp from the HOV lanes, going northbound, to connect to Seminary Road.
Letter: Flouting Public Opinion
I would like to thank Councilmember Alicia Hughes for standing by the citizens in Saturday’s waterfront vote, particularly in her remark that she sees her role as an elected representative to implement the public’s wishes on a matter where an informed public has formed a view.
Letter: City Needs Ombudsman
If ever there was a time for Alexandria to have an ombudsman, now is the time with the majority of Alexandria residents lack of trust with our elected officials and department administrators.
Letter: Small Area Plan Disaster
As some of you may know, I voiced an opinion about the proposed Arlandria Re-Development plan that praised the concept, the new tax revenue, the revitalization of the area and the addition of developer funded affordable housing units. As this letter progresses, please keep in mind that as the developer in Arlandria adds affordable units, it is not tearing a single one down.
Letter: Explaining Her No Vote
I voted against the Waterfront Small Area Plan and accompanying text amendment on Saturday. I want to clear up any misunderstanding on why.
Letter: Restore Pregnancy Prevention Funding
At the beginning of the Virginia General Assembly session earlier this month, Gov. Bob McDonnell unveiled his proposed $85 billion budget for the next two fiscal years. Buried way down in the massive document is a cut of $455,000 for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative which serves seven Virginia communities, including Alexandria.
Letter: A Lack of Leadership
I was not at all surprised, sadly, by the 5-2 vote in favor of the City’s waterfront plan on Saturday. What continues to astound me is the total disregard of the Democratic majority on City Council for citizens who don’t agree with them.
Letter: The Day City’s Democratic Party Died
As an activist labor Democrat on a national scale it pains me to admit that Alexandria’s Democratic Party produces elected mutants.
Letter: Later, Later
I am an Alexandria resident and retired librarian who also worked as a contractor with FEMA's flood insurance program. I was an opponent of Alexandria's Waterfront Development "Draft Plan."
Letter: Residents Ignored
There was a time when the opinions of civic associations would have carried some weight at City Hall.
TC Drops Double-Overtime Thriller Against Woodson
Huggins scores 25, Moss 22 in defeat.
The T.C. Williams boys’ basketball team trailed Woodson by two points midway through the fourth quarter and was in search of a defensive stop when the Cavaliers passed the ball to Peter Murray, who was standing alone at the top of the arc. Murray, a reserve post who had yet to score, let fly from long range, burying a 3-pointer that left TC head coach Julian King slumping forward in disbelief in front of the Titans’ bench.
TC’s One-Woman Gymnastics Team
During West Potomac’s only home gymnastics meet of the season on Jan. 23, the Wolverines and Titans rotated through the competition as a group, checking in together at each event. Actually, there was only one Titan in the bunch — Grace Girard, the lone member of the T.C. Williams gymnastics team. And not only did the Wolverines accept her, they kind of enjoyed having her around.
Sports Briefs: Yorktown Boys Beat First-Place Edison
The Yorktown boys basketball team edged Edison 56-54 on Jan. 20 at YHS. Edison entered the contest atop the National District standings with a 7-0 record, including a 63-58 win over Yorktown on Dec. 13, but the Patriots started the second half of district play with a win over the previously unbeaten Eagles.
Whitman Attempting To Fill Ceccone’s Scoring Void
Vikings struggle offensively during loss to Walter Johnson.
With leading scorer Angelica Ceccone sidelined for nearly a month — and possibly for the remainder of the season — due to lingering effects of a knee injury suffered last season, Whitman has relied on a committee approach for picking up the offensive slack. On Friday, however, the Vikings didn’t have a player score more than six points as Whitman produced its lowest offensive output of the season.
District Gymnastics Meet Approaching
With the Patriot District gymnastics meet scheduled for Feb. 2 at Lake Braddock, several teams participated in their final tune-up meet at West Potomac on Jan. 23.
Voorhees Leads West Potomac Gymnasts in Home Meet
Seniors Bell, Tupitza, Muir compete at home for final time.
West Potomac gymnast Marien Voorhees turned to a nearby Wolverines supporter and said "I’m scared" prior to her floor routine during the team’s lone home meet of the season on Jan. 23. Nerves were getting to the junior, who would attempt her first full layout of the year. As it turned out, Voorhees had nothing to worry about.
Sports Briefs: West Potomac Boys, Girls Swim Teams Win
In the last meet of the regular season, the West Potomac girls’ and boys’ swim and dive teams posted wins over the Lee Lancers on Jan. 20 at the Lee District Recreation Center.
Lake Braddock Boys Stumble Against West Potomac
Bruins suffer first Patriot District loss of season.
On a night when Lake Braddock squandered a fourth-quarter lead and committed 31 turnovers, the Bruins weren’t going to catch a break.
Potomac Sports Briefs
The Churchill girls basketball team defeated Walter Johnson 80-63 on Jan. 13, improving its record to 10-2 while extending its winning streak to nine games.