Letter: Disrespectful
To The Editor: The common area around the rock and plaque which was dedicated by the City of Alexandria to its veterans and in honor of the deceased Alexandrian veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1979 is shameful.
Letter: Unsolved Landfill Issues
To the Editor: Your article "Landfill Decision Deferred to July 29" [Connection, June 19-25, 2014] reporting on the controversial Lorton landfill extension proposed by EnviroSolutions (ESI) omits two strategic facts that pertain to the discussion. The first is that developers are tending increasingly to recycle construction waste, rather than send it to landfills. This will undoubtedly impact a planned closure date, plus any projected revenues the County plans to obtain from ESI landfill operations should be reduced accordingly.
Letter: Later Start Times Can Benefit Community
To the Editor: To set the record straight, there is nothing worse for traffic than a car crash, and sleepy teen drivers are like drunk drivers in terms of performance behind the wheel. Later high school start times are safer for teens and also for the rest of us as they have been shown to significantly decrease car crashes in young drivers.
Letter: Campaign Experience
I recently had the opportunity to volunteer on the John Foust for Congress Campaign – a small office with a small army of professionals, interns, and volunteers – and I’m pleased to say that it was an extremely positive experience.
Letter: Outraged by Medicaid Rejection
It is senseless to reject federal funds that would clearly benefit Virginians.
Letter: A Thank-you Note
Mr. Knoeckel, I’m sorry it has taken four months, but I thank you so much for everything you did and directed me the night before the Super Bowl
Opinion: Silver Line No Silver Bullet
For those of us who have been looking at the seemingly completed infrastructure for many months, announcement of the actual date that we can ride this important new service for our community is welcome news.
Letter: Investing in Communities
We are fortunate to live in a community that places such a high priority on ensuring that our children have the tools they need to succeed in school and in life.
Letter: Senator Who Gets It
As a small-business owner, I appreciate Mark Warner's work to foster the right environment to attract and retain new businesses.
Look Out Below
I think I know what a rampaging bull feels like; and I don’t mean one on Wall Street, either. I mean one in the figurative sense: when one has a need, an overwhelming, unstoppable-type urge, to scratch that itch, to gratify that which has been delayed. What am I talking about? (You sound like my wife, Dina.) I am talking about food. More specifically, I am talking about a side effect I’ve been experiencing of late from the chemotherapy drug Alimta, with which I’ve been infused every three weeks since late September, 2013 (successfully I may add, given the shrinkage noted in my most recent CT Scan).
Commentary: State Budget, Federal Grand Jury and Court Challenges
The last two weeks in Richmond have been unusually busy.
First, ethics are back at the forefront. in the wake of the resignation of state Sen. Phil Puckett and change in control of the State Senate, the new state budget was written under one-party control. A $1.6 billion shortfall due to lagging income tax collections forced cuts which I detailed two weeks ago: K-12, higher education, affordable housing, healthcare, and funding for continued planning for improvements on U.S. 1 was removed from the budget.
Commentary: State Formula Hurts Public Schools
There’s been some commentary on Fairfax County school budget issues and a total misuse of the term “underfunding.” A recent Washington Post news story included the false claim that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors underfunded the school system. My reaction to this is more than academic — it’s personal. Not only am I a proud K-8 product of FCPS, but I’ve also got a daughter in our school system and a son just a few years behind.
Pets Can Suffer in Summer Heat
It can be very tempting to bring your dog along for your round of errands when he is staring at you with those big brown eyes. Unfortunately it can be very dangerous, and illegal, to leave your dog in the car while you shop.
Letter: Council Solves Another Problem
To the Editor: Bravo and congratulations to the Alexandria City Council for rapidly installing the King Street hill bike lanes. The time between a small group of activists pushing for the lanes, council approval, and the spreading of green paint with white markings was incredibly fast. Some people complain that government is unresponsive and gets nothing done. Nonsense.