Commentary: Session Midpoint: Twelve Bills Marching On
As we approach the midpoint of this session, I have more good news. Twelve of my bills have passed the House, are poised to pass, or are causing changes:
Commentary: Seven Bills To ‘Crossover’
The 2014 Session continues to roll along with new excitement every day — we’ve tackled issues as diverse as ethics reform and hunting on Sundays. I’ve been proud to support my good friends Senators Creigh Deeds and George Barker in their campaign to bring reforms to the mental health system in Virginia and bring much needed help to those suffering without a way to get the help they need.
Letter to the Editor: ACPS CIP
To the Editor: Alexandrians should be skeptical of the 2015-2024 Capital Improvement Program budget approved by the Alexandria School Board on Feb. 6. The board proposes to spend over $18 million of taxpayer money to fund the school system’s constantly changing capital priorities and the rationale is often questionable.
Letter to the Editor: The Music Plays On
Dedicated to Ruthann Lodato Do not stand and weep at her grave Tho’ tears fall down our cheeks in a hush As come the memories that we save Flowing through us in a rush
Letter to the Editor: Tree Light Fund Reaches Goal
To the Editor: I am very pleased to announce that the tree lights on King Street will remain on this next coming spring as we have matched the contingency Council, led by Del Pepper, set aside to use for this purpose. They set aside $13,500. We had to match 1/2 of that by early in March 2014 to keep the lights on through June 2014. All of the money has been deposited with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Letter to the Editor: Safer for All Users
To the Editor: I am writing in response to the “Neighborhood” “Taylor Run” item in the Feb. 6 edition of The Alexandria Gazette Packet. I am a resident of Alexandria, living in the affected area — my home is one block off the at-issue stretch of King Street. I use this part of King Street as an automobile driver, a bicycle commuter, and a pedestrian, frequently walking to the King Street Metro Station or to Old Town.
Letter to the Editor: Business As Usual
At City Council's meeting on Saturday, Jan. 25, council voted to uphold the resolutions for "What's Next Alexandria Civic Engagement" process and use these "tools" in order to foster better communication between city hall and Alexandria residents.
Letter to the Editor: Speak Up To Save Park
t appears that few Alexandrians are aware of the drastic changes planned for Chinquapin Park and Recreation Center. There is $17.5M in the city budget for 2014-2018 to build an indoor 50m Olympic size swimming pool at Chinquapin, while keeping the existing pool for recreational use.
Letter: Fully Fund Our Schools
To the Editor
Letter: On Racial and Social Equality
To the Editor
It Takes a Village
The article in the Great Falls Connection [“Going Dark?” January 22-28, 2014] hit home with me. I remember the 1984 Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department Fourth of July Fireworks on the field behind the Great Falls Post Office -- the last fireworks held in the Great Falls town centre. The neighboring Hickory Vale farm was being developed with new homes, and it was no longer safe to shoot off the fireworks display there. The skies remained dark on the Fourth of July in Great Falls until 1996, when I was a member of the “Save the Farm” organization at the Turner farm.
Letter to the Editor: Why Not Recycle Sand and Salt?
To the Editor: I was pleased to read Mr. Spiegel’s independent invention of recommended Action C1-2 in Chapter IV of the Little Hunting Creek Watershed Management Plan of 2004.
Letter to the Editor: Retail's Role in Quality of Life
To the Editor: Our quality of life, even in Potomac, continues to deteriorate as yet another retailer folds. The most recent victim was the closing of Toys Unique after 20 years in the Village.
An Unexpected Present
Not that I minded it in the least (in fact, I appreciated it in the most), but I received my first senior discount the other day. I was fast-fooding at my local Roy Rogers restaurant when the unexpected kindness occurred. Considering that I’m not at the age yet when such discounts are typically available, I certainly did not (do not) presume that my appearance somehow reflects an age which I am not. In truth, I don’t believe it does. So even though I didn’t ask for the age-related discount, I was offered/given it nonetheless. As the cashier tallied my bill, she then spoke the price and adjusted it downward 10 percent for my surprise "senior" discount. On hearing the lower price and the reason for it, I immediately responded: "Oh, you’re giving senior discounts to people over 40?" To which she replied, while looking me directly in the eye: "No. Over 30." Laughing at her quick-thinking quip, I thanked her again for the discount and commended her on her excellent answer/customer service.
