Letter: New Stream Of Revenue
To the Editor: On two visits to Norway we found the meal tax for food served in a restaurant to be 25 percent or more. I can tell you that Norwegians still eat. And so did we.
Letter: Bipartisan Voice
To the Editor: I believe there is always a way to reach common ground with people I don't immediately see eye to eye with. But like many people, I have grown frustrated with politicians who are more interested in partisan talking points and political image than in compromise. Finding common ground in my everyday life is important to me and those around me — and it should be to elected officials as well.
Letter: Project-Based Learning
To the Editor: It seems like every time you read an article regarding education there is talk of standardized high-stakes testing. Teachers spend hours planning and prepping lessons that ensure their students will select the correct answer on a lengthy multiple choice test. Students regurgitate this information one day late in the spring, when the only thing anyone can focus on is the looming summer months. When you think about what we want our students to be able to do when they exit high school, is being really good at test taking the first thing that comes to mind?
Letter: Two Strikes And Counting
To the Editor: The city manager’s initiative “What’s Next Alexandria”, ostensibly a program to develop a set of principles for civic engagement, has just imploded. The city manager established a Food Truck Advisory Group to ascertain if and where food trucks ought to be able to operate in the City of Alexandria. Presently food trucks can only operate at construction sites, special events, and at the farmers markets if Special Use Permits (SUPs) allow them to do so. The group met over a six-month period, yet because of the heavy snows we had last winter the group was unable to complete its work. However the over-rambunctious city staff could not wait until all of the issues were settled, and a final report rendered, before taking the program to the Planning Commission on May 6 and the council will address the issue on May 13 followed by a public hearing sometime in June or September. During their May 6 presentation, the Planning Commission was aghast at being told that they were only being asked to listen to the staff presentation and then comment but not to vote on whether they agreed or not. At least four of the seven commission members could not believe the subterfuge employed by the city staff in ram-rodding this program through.
Letter: Concerned with Animal Rights
To the Editor: When I heard about Jim Moran retiring I was hoping that his replacement would work as hard as he has for animal rights. But after reading Michael Lee Pope’s article last week and speaking directly to some of the candidates, I am relieved to know that three candidates, and especially Don Beyer, but also Adam Ebbin and Mark Levine will continue supporting a cause that I think is very important.
Letter: Brick Sidewalks Need Repair
To the Editor: There is a very serious problem existing in the Old Town area of the city. This problem is to be found on many sidewalks. When we walk on the sidewalks, we have a problems existing under our feet. That problem is a horrific danger. People are falling because of loose bricks, broken bricks, missing bricks and holes between bricks. The problem may have arisen by excessive rains and heavy snowstorms that have hit the city several months ago. I have not seen or heard of any repairs to these bricks. Some of these problems may have existed prior to these storms. Repairs of the bricks in Old Town streets will enable walkers to walk into restaurants and shops without literally falling into them.
Letter: Alexandria Isn’t Arlington or D.C.
To the Editor: Something smells very rotten indeed in the process regarding the proposals for food trucks in our city. The panel who toiled long and hard and the concerned citizens who attended those meetings have been completely disregarded. The panel was not even allowed to issue a final report after eight months of meetings. Worse, city staff reported that many issues were decided unanimously by the panel — totally false! What is the rush in bringing this type of trade to our city? One can only assume that this is being driven by city staff as the final proposal is nearly identical to what was first proposed. This entire process makes a mockery of civic engagement and I fear what that impression holds for our future.
Letter: Best Suited For Congress?
To the Editor: To hear Mayor Bill Euille tell it, Alexandria will be just fine if we have more development. His vision for Alexandria is to sell historic City Hall to a developer to put up more condos for the very wealthy. That way, we can erect the Taj Mahal of city halls in Eisenhower Valley to showcase our rise from historic seaport to generic urban center.
Letter: Be Selective on Food Truck Sites
To the Editor: The City of Alexandria is about to entertain the idea of food trucks. We can look at the issue from two perspectives.
Letter: A Better Way to Teach Children
To the Editor: It seems like every time you read an article regarding education there is talk of standardized high-stakes testing. Teachers spend hours planning and prepping lessons that ensure their students will select the correct question on a lengthy multiple choice test. Students regurgitate this information one day late in the spring, when the only thing anyone can focus on is the looming summer months. When you think about what we want our students to be able to do when they exit high school, is being really good at test taking the first thing that comes to mind?
Letter: Senator Who Cares
To the Editor: It's been more than frustrating to watch such a dysfunctional Congress. Looking toward the coming election, I'm voting for candidates that can cross party aisles and put the welfare of the citizens first. This is why I am supporting Sen. Mark Warner's re-election. Examining his past work in the Senate has given me hope that with more representatives like him, our legislature can emerge from the inoperative era.
Letter: Not the Answer
To the Editor: Delegate Ken Plum (D-36) tries to make the argument for expanded Medicaid rolls (“Contrasting Views,” Reston Connection, May 7-13, 2014), touting “free” government money, but inhibits rational argument with his inability to resist cheap partisan invective.
No, I’m Not a Parent; I Just Act Like One
I’m not a biological mother, an adoptive mother, a stepmother or a foster mother. But I have experienced some of the joys and heartbreaks of motherhood.
Be Selective on Food Truck Sites
To the Editor: The City of Alexandria is about to entertain the idea of food trucks. We can look at the issue from two perspectives. First, setting up a food truck is far cheaper to set up than a regular restaurant. By some accounts, it is around 15 percent of the cost of setting up a regular restaurant, and as such, a way for people who really have a desire but not means to enter the market.
Column: What Price Business?
Last month Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Virginia will participate in the Business Incentives Initiative, a joint project of The Pew Charitable Trusts (PEW) and the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) and six other states (Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Oklahoma and Tennessee) to “reform economic development incentive reporting policies and practices.” While millions of dollars are spent on tax incentives and grants to lure business to Virginia each year, there is no evidence that the programs are actually working as intended. There is a national debate across the country about the necessity and value of tax incentives to encourage economic development.