Letter: Best to Continue Moran's Reform Legacy
To the Editor
Letter: Neighborhood
Taylor Run
Friends and relatives of the late Beverly Beidler gathered for a celebration of her life at Everly-Wheatley on Saturday, April 26. The entire congregation sang “Oh Shenandoah,” “We Shall Overcome,” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” Grandchildren Brad and Mariah Simonton spoke, and Mariah read a poem.
Letter: Committed, Despite State
To the Editor: My partner of 20 years and I are getting married next month in Maryland because Virginia, of course, does not allow same-sex marriage. For non-resident marriage applications, Maryland allows us to appear before a Clerk of the Circuit Court where we reside to affirm, under oath, that the information we provide on the application (names, Social Security numbers, address, etc.) is true.
Letter: How Did This Get Approved?
To the Editor: I want to apologize to the residents of Alexandria who live around the new Jefferson-Houston School currently under construction. I did nothing to help prevent the building of that school. I live in Old Town but not near the school and didn't pay much attention to the plans.
Letter: Budget Hurts Senior Citizens
To the Editor: The new city budget will hinder the people most in need and bring dismay to our city residents and the communities throughout the city.
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor: I urge my fellow Alexandrians to contribute generously to help fund the Alexandria Police Memorial honoring 18 Alexandria police officers who have given their lives in the performance of duty. The memorial will be located in a publicly accessible area in front of the new Alexandria Police Department Headquarters building on Wheeler Avenue.
Letter: Appalled by Cell Tower
I am writing in support of Susan Gaertner's perspective on the cell tower issue in Burke Centre [“Cell Tower Challenged in Burke,” Burke Connection, April 24-30, 2014]. Granting that reception may be a problem with some carriers in some parts of Burke, it does not seem to me that, based on the Conservancy's governing documents, it is the Board of Trustee's responsibility to improve cell phone service for residents; nor do the Trustees clearly have the legal authority to lease our Open Space, including land at our five community centers, to a commercial vendor such as AT&T for the purpose of erecting a cell tower. Furthermore, such a lease would violate our Easement of Enjoyment in the Common Areas per Article IV, Section 2 of the Burke Centre Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions.
Father and Son "Twogether"
As a born, bread and buttered Bostonian (Newton Centre, a suburb, to be specific), one of my enduring and genetic passions has been to live and die (figuratively speaking; this is not a cancer column) for The Boston Red Sox. My father sold concessions at Fenway Park (the stadium home of the Bosox since 1912), during the Depression when he was a little boy (not yet an adolescent even). He was nicknamed "Beezo," (his given name was Benet, although he was always called Barry) so he could gain full acceptance to a local knothole gang. Named after the wooden planks which surrounded the old Braves Field in Boston (a National League team called Boston its home as well back in the day), the kids ("gangs") would stand and peer through the knotholes in the wooden planks which otherwise blocked their view. It was a privilege and an honor for my father to be so connected to the game this way. He grew up loving baseball, and as a parent, he passed his love of the game on to me – and my brother.
Editorial: Trending in the Right Direction
Commitment to ending homelessness shows progress, but more affordable housing is needed.
On one night in late January, local jurisdictions in our area fanned out to count the number of people who were literally homeless. Fairfax County released its numbers last week; Arlington and Alexandria will do so in the near future. In Fairfax County, the commitment in 2010 to end homelessness in 10 years has resulted in significant progress, even in the wake of the great recession. The number of people literally homeless decreased by a third from 2008 to 2014, from 1,835 to 1,225 counted this year. Many non-profit organizations have partnered to prevent homelessness one family or individual at a time for those on the brink and to house chronically homeless individuals. There is so much still to be done.
Letter: More Taxing And Spending
To the Editor
Letter: Prescription for Good Governance
To the Editor: Despite being one of the wealthiest communities in the country, Montgomery County is not exempt from poverty. Many residents lack the means to obtain health insurance and/or medical care.
For Congressional Candidates, No Common Ground on Common Core
Democrats in Virginia's 8th Congressional District divided on national education standards.
Should American schools share national standards? That's a question that divides the 10 Democrats seeking to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8), who is retiring after 24 years in the House of Representatives. During a recent candidates forum, the Democrats were asked if they support the Common Core State Standards Initiative, two candidates said they disagreed and eight candidates said they agreed.
Reston Farmers Market Opens With SNAP Saturday, May 3
Independent Progressive
Question: What is the surest sign that spring has finally arrived? Answer: The Reston Farmers Market opens this Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center. The Market is back, stronger than ever: 27 of the 28 farmer-vendors return for the 2014 season, along with the problem-solving volunteers from the Fairfax Master Gardeners. And, there are some interesting and important additions. In the off-season, Market volunteers (Fran and I) recruited rancher and author, Forrest Pritchard of Smith Meadows Farm. Mr. Pritchard wrote best-selling “Gaining Ground,” the story of converting his traditional family farm into a wholly grass-fed operation. His farm adds to an already strong offering of quality meats in Reston. Smith Meadows also brings home-made pastas to the Market, to go with existing offerings including: the only fresh seafood stand in a County market; four quality bakeries; an impressive selection of fruits and veggies—including Sunnyside’s organics and Potomac’s ecoganics; fine goat and cow cheeses; honey; Virginia Vistas’ always flowering plants; and Kettle Corn.
Lisa Merkel for Mayor
To the Editor: I am very pleased to endorse Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel for re-election on May 6. I am proud of what Lisa has accomplished in her first term as Mayor, working hard on the issues that are important to Herndon residents. Lisa has accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments. Whether it be making infrastructure improvements, attracting new businesses, improving access to transportation, upgrading technological services, or fighting for our schools, Lisa has been able to bridge the gap between talking about making improvements and actually setting the wheels of action in motion.
Local Students Write Poetry and Reap Reward
To the Editor: Perhaps when your school is named for a famous poet, a flair for rhythmic verse comes naturally. This appears to be the case for students attending Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston.