Letter: Climate Change
An Existential Threat
To the Editor: It would be difficult to overstate the importance of the president’s bold new plan to cope with climate change, through maximum use of his executive authority to by-pass GOP obstructionism.
Editorial: Share Wisdom With Newcomers and Others
Almanac’s Newcomers and Community Guide publishes in late August.
Our Newcomers and Community Guides, Insider's Editions, will publish the last week of August. What tips do you have for someone getting to know your community? We're hoping to share the places, activities, events, organizations and volunteer opportunities your neighbors might not know about.
Opinion: City Council vs. Women’s Health Centers
There’s something I learned in college that has always stuck with me: Political theory is not formed in a vacuum. How we see the world is informed by the times we have lived through. I’m a native of Virginia and most of my life has now been lived here in Fairfax. I’ve made it my home and raised my children here.
Editorial: More Than Disclosure Needed for Virginia
Time for limits on campaign contributions as well.
At least until after November’s election, most candidates in Virginia seem to think that there should be some reform to Virginia’s campaign finance and disclosure rules. At least it seems likely that most will support expanding disclosure rules to require disclosure of gifts to immediate family members as well as candidates/officials.
Letter to the Editor: Taxes and Fees Keep Rising
Last Saturday as I was leaving the parking lot under City Hall, I noticed a sign outlining the new parking fee structure for that lot. Over the years I have recommended to a number of potential “Old Town” visitors that this lot was the most economical and convenient parking venue in “Old Town.” Well, that’s changed. The hourly parking rate has increased from $2 to $2.50, and the maximum rate for hourly parkers entering after 5 p.m. increased from $2 to $4. In addition, the employee monthly parking rate increased from $25 to $30 at the Pitt-Oronoco surface lot and $75 to $90 at all other city parking facilities.
To the Editor: Unjustified Comparison
There is a strong temptation to suspect that today’s NSA leaker Edward Snowden and yesteryear’s Alexandria Gazette editor Edgar Snowden, who took his paper underground rather than cooperate with the U.S. military’s occupation, might be blood relations. If so, notwithstanding the Constitution’s idealistic prohibition of “corruption of blood,” disloyalty to the United States might be hereditary.
Editorial: Pet Centre View
The Pet Centre View will publish July 24. Send us your photos by July 18.
To the Editor: Memories from Landmark Mall
I enjoyed reading Michael Lee Pope’s article on the situation at Landmark Mall (“Winds of Change at Landmark, Once Thriving Mall Braces for Development,” Alexandria Gazette Packet, June 27). It was good that he provided some historical background on the grand opening of Landmark in 1965 and its heyday as an outdoor mall in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.
Letter: Taxes and Fees Keep Rising
To the Editor: Last Saturday as I was leaving the parking lot under City Hall, I noticed a sign outlining the new parking fee structure for that lot.
Letter: Challenging Bicyclists
To the Editor: The Alexandria City Council recently adopted a new bicycle ordinance allowing bicycles on the sidewalks.
Letter to the Editor: Ready For Flight
As of the date of publication, the two osprey chicks in the Little Hunting Creek OspreyCam nest are over 50 days old. As reported by the Georgian Bay Osprey Society (http://www.gbosprey.ca/About.html), osprey chicks typically begin flying at 50-60 days, so we are about to witness their first aerial efforts.
Letter: Citizen’s Review Board Needed
To the Editor: Regarding your report on Commonwealth Attorney Randy Sengel's findings into the shooting of Taft Sellers [Alexandria Gazette Packet, July 4]: It seems to be straightforward enough, but it causes me to question whether one local law enforcement official (the commonwealth attorney) should be investigating the fatal shooting of a citizen by other local law enforcement officials (Alexandria police officers).
Letter to the Editor: A Reputation For Safety
To the Editor: In Michael Pope's recent article, “Bike to the Future,” there was a comment about "younger and less confident bicyclists, who wanted to avoid getting run over by a DASH bus."
Commentary: Voting Rights Need Protection
The Supreme Court had an historic week recently with major decisions on gay marriage, immigration and voting. I am particularly concerned about the decision that I believe does major damage to the Voting Rights Act.
Letter: Concerts on the Green: Impossible to Enjoy
We could not agree more with Jan Heginbotham about the Concerts on the Green having become impossible to enjoy [“Concerts on the Green: Bad Habits on Display,” Great Falls Connection, June 26-July 2, 2013].