Alexandria Blizzard of Spending - The Connection Newspapers

35 Pages·2014·4.46 MB·English

Alexandria
SSpprriinngg FFuunn
Gazette Packet
Pages 3, 20-27
25 Cents
Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper March 27, 2014
Blizzard of Spending
Polar vortex sends P
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financial chill through b
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local governments. ic
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By Michael Lee Pope L
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T Gazette Packet e P
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p
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he unusually hard winter has created a /
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blizzard of spending for local govern- h
e
ments across Northern Virginia — burst- C
o
ing through budgeted amounts for snow n
n
removal and treating roads, leaving a lasting legacy ec
Ph of potholes that will be plaguing roads this spring. tio
o n
to Officials at the Virginia Department of Transporta- Potholes on North Pitt Street in Old
by tion say they spent $175 million on snow removal Town Alexandria.
V this winter, more than twice as much than they were
e
ro planning to spend. And that’s just for starters. cost will become much greater,” said Frank Shafroth,
nic “This is going to be a much worse pothole season director of the Center for State and Local Govern-
a B than in years past,” said Jennifer McCord, spokes- ment Leadership. “Waiting longer means they have
ru woman for VDOT. “We’ve been filling them, basically, to dig up the road bed, which is way more expensive
n
o since the winter started.” than filling a pothole.”
/
G Alexandria spent $1.6 million on snow control.
a
ze That’s more than twice the amount city officials set POTHOLES FORM when roads experience mois-
t
t aside in the budget, which was $836,000. And Ar- ture and then a rapid freeze and thaw. Moisture gets
e
P lington officials say they’ve already spent more than into cracks in the road, which undermines the road
a
ck $2 million even though they had budgeted only $1.1 surface. Then traffic pummels the already under-
e
t million. Local governments across the region will be mined road surface over and over until the cracks
Spring like a Ninja
forced to dip into their contingency funds to deal become larger and larger. Over time the cracks start
with the record amounts of snow dumped on North- to peel away as pieces of asphalt fly away. When that
Bella Herbert, from Alexandria, jumps off of one of
ern Virginia this year. happens over and over, the cracks start to grow larger
the urban vaults during an afternoon group exercise “If they don’t deal with these potholes quickly, the See Polar Vortex, Page 30
at Urban Evolution in Alexandria. More photos, page
26. Boat Club Votes To Move
Suspended Animation
Under city’s threat of using eminent domain,
Old Dominion Boat Club to move one block south.
New superintendent hopes to cut
By Michael Lee Pope Boat Club owned the property, and “I think a lot of the members of
the numbers of suspensions in half. Gazette Packet many members wanted to keep it. the club, myself included, thought
W Even after city officials openly that after 90 years we’d like to stay
By Michael Lee Pope themselves caught up in the disci- hen city leaders un- threatened to take it using the there,” said Richard Banchoff,
Gazette Packet plinary system. veiled their grand power of eminent domain, many president of the Boat Club. “But I
L “A lot of our suspensions are plans for revitalizing members wanted to stay. But when think everybody realizes that we
ess than a month into of multiple suspensions of the same the waterfront at the end of 2010, more than 400 members cast a wouldn’t be making this move if
fice, new Alexandria City students,” said Crawley. “So the members of the Old Dominion ballot over the weekend, a solid the city didn’t want to put a park
Public Schools Superinten- question becomes how do we dis- Boat Club were surprised to see a majority voted to take the city’s where our parking lot is.”
dent Alvin Crawley is taking on the rupt that to make sure that stu- public plaza where their parking offer to move to the site of the old Lawyers will still need to ham-
challenge of reducing the number dents are engaged in school and lot and boat launch is currently Beachcomber Restaurant at the mer out a final contract. And Boat
of suspensions by half. Crawley learning and they are not out of located. Drawings included with foot of Prince Street. See Boat Club, Page 17
identified the issue as one of his school.” the draft version of the waterfront
goals the night School Board mem- In the next six months, School plan included a plaza known as 41322 AV ,airdnaxelA
bers hired him to lead the division. Board members plan to lay out a Fitzgerald Square, complete with ,.tS gniK 4061 :oT
detseuqeR ecivreS sserddA
Now, a month into office, the city’s plan for how the division will ad- a large water feature that could be
.lairetam
new superintendent is already dress the issue as part of their stra- used for ice skating in the winter. evitisnes-emiT
putting together a strategy to re- tegic plan. Chairwoman Karen There was only one problem. :retsamtsoP
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duce the overall number of sus- Graf says she wants to align pro- The city did not own this par-
pensions and find a way to address grams and efforts aimed at reduc- ticular piece of property, located 284# timreP
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the disproportionate number of ing suspensions with the goal of at a prominent spot at the foot of DIAP
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black male students who find See Crawley, Page 30 King Street. The Old Dominion DTS TRSRP
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ March 27 - April 2, 2014 ❖ 1
2 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ March 27 - April 2, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Spring Fun
Alexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren
703-778-9415 or [email protected]
State of the Art
Organizations make 2014 a year to celebrate.
By Jeanne Theismann
Gazette Packet
I
t was 100 years ago this summer, be-
fore the first stone was put in place for
the Lincoln Memorial and World War I P
h
was still on the horizon, that two en- o
t
trepreneurial entertainers named B. o
s
Hammil Reed and R. A. Steele opened the c
o
doors to The Richmond Theatre, a facility n
t
r
intended to provide “movie pictures, bowl- ibThe Old Town Theatre will cel-
u
ing allies and billiards” to residents of Al- teebrate its 100th anniversary in
d
exandria. The Torpedo Factory Art Center first opened 40 years ago. 2014.
Now known as The Old Town Theatre,
the historic venue on King Street leads a
list of more than 16 arts organizations cel-
ebrating milestone anniversaries in 2014.
“I started working on my masters in arts Ph
o
administration back in 2009,” said Robin t
o
Parker, a member of the Alexandria Arts b
y
Forum. “Throughout the course of my stud- K
ies, Alexandria was often a topic of conver- ia
W
sation and an example of what a rich arts
a
r
environment means to a community. Alex- n
e
andria is an example of how the arts can r
Maestro Kim Allen Kluge leads the
benefit a society on every level, from en-
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra,
riching culture to increasing economic de- The Art League will celebrate 60
which is celebrating its 70th sea- Alexandria’s Washington Balalaika
velopment.” years in 2014.
son. Society turns 25.
In 1934, a group of residents formed The
Little Theatre of Alexandria, now consid- dria Arts Forum,” Parker said. “I was aston-
ered the oldest continuously operating the- ished to learn about the vast array of arts credible choral groups like The Alexandria
ater in the Washington, D.C. area. LTA organizations that Alexandria has to offer. Singers and the Alexandria Choral Society
alumni include Academy Award winner From classical music like the Alexandria and even a Russian Balalaika orchestra,
Marcia Gay Harden and Dermot Mulroney. Symphony Orchestra, the Washington Met- there is something for everyone here.”
“It was through my volunteer work with ropolitan Philharmonic Association, Eclipse Other arts organizations celebrating mile-
LTA that I first began attending the Alexan- Chamber Orchestra and QuinTango to in- stones in 2014 include the Alexandria Sym-
phony Orchestra, which debuted 70 years
ago, The Art League, which is turning 60,
The Little and the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Asso-
Theatre of ciation, which celebrates its Golden anni-
Alexandria has versary later this year.
been entertain- “It’s exciting to see how the arts in Alex-
The Athenaeum is home to the 50-
ing audiences andria is available for all ages to partici-
year-old Northern Virginia Fine
for 80 years. pate,” said Parker, who applauded Arts on
Arts Association.
the Horizon for young children, Mount
Vernon Community Children’s Theater for
teens, and LTA, Port City Playhouse and
More
MetroStage for award-winning regional the-
Spring Fun, ater.
Pages 20-24 Rounding out the list of organizations
celebrating milestone anniversaries are the
Torpedo Factory Art Center (40 years),
MetroStage (30 years), Alexandria Commis-
sion for the Arts (30 years), Washington
Balalaika Society (25 years), First Night
Alexandria (20 years), Choreographers Col-
laboration Project (15 years), Durant Arts
Center (10 years), Arts in City Hall (10
years), the Performing Arts Center at Epis-
P
hcopal High School (10 years), Art on the
o
toHorizon (5 years) and the Youth Arts Festi-
byval (5 years). Ph
Jea “Alexandria even has its own hand bell oto
nchoir — the Virginia Bronze,” Parker added. b
n y
e T“Add to that the absolutely amazing visual Jo
harts at The Torpedo Factory Arts Center, Del h
e n
ismRay Artisans and The Art League. The list B
a o
nis astounding. We are so lucky to have such r
nincredible arts in our own backyard.” dn
Carolyn Griffin, shown with Broad- e
r
The Choreographers Collaboration way legend Maurice Hines, For a complete list of Alexandria Arts cel- First Night Alexandria first wel-
Project celebrates its 15th anniver- founded MetroStage Theatre 30 ebrations taking place in 2014, visit comed in the New Year 20 years
sary in 2014. years ago. www.visitalexandriava.com. ago.
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ March 27 - April 2, 2014 ❖ 3
OPEN SUNDAY, APRIL 6 • 1-4
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UNDER CONTRACT 703-819-1964 Upper School. Christine Garner 703-587-4855 Greg & Joni Koons 703-209-7678
4 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ March 27 - April 2, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Obituary
Elsie Taylor Jordan Dies at 87 www.partnersinrealestate.com
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“She was not afraid to Visit Our Homes just South of Old Town this Sunday
mourn community speak truth to power and
South on G.W. Parkway from Old Town, Right on Tulane, follow PARTNERS signs
she worked tirelessly in the
activist and leader. community,” said Jenkins. 4 7209
By Sydney Kashiwagi joIinn etdh e t1h9e7 0As leMxsa. nEdlrsiiae O P ED ANY 1- Re$g8e3n5t, 0D0r0ive
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Gazette Packet Sheriff’s Department where U •Incredible Curb
S
E she started working as a Appeal & Landscape
•Exterior Irrigation
lsie Taylor Jordan (Ms. Elsie) died peacefully matron and then as an ad-
System •Extensive
at the age of 87 surrounded by her family at ministrative deputy sheriff. Elsie Taylor Hardscape and
the Birmingham Green long-term care facil- Ms. Elsie played a crucial Jordan at her Custom Plantings
ity in Manassas on Feb. 7, 2014. role in making sure the niece Adrianne •Master Suite
Addition includes
A native Alexandrian, she is remembered the most workforce at the Alexandria Jewell’s 50th Sitting/Dressing Area,
for her active role in bringing the Alexandria com- Sheriff’s Department repre- birthday celebra- Walk-In Closet and Expanded Bath •Formal Living and Dining Rooms – Foyer Entry
munity together and being a firm believer in the city’s sented the demographics of tion in 1997. and Interior Vestibule •Lovely Paneled Family Room adjacent to Open Remodeled
youth. She was a lifelong member of the Ebenezer the city. And Ms. Elsie also Kitchen •Extensive Hardwoods on Both Levels •Three Masonry Fireplaces
Baptist Church where she co-founded a group called helped to stop a prison break during her time at the 1318 4
tahne a Gvoids pcehluierrcsh t hsiantg merin hisetresreeldf. tMhrso. uEglshie s ohneglp, eadn do rwgaas- ShCehriifeff’ sD Deeppuatryt mofe ntht.e Alexandria Sheriff’s Depart- GaDterwivoeod O P ED ANY 1-
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nize the Youth Church, which gave Ebenezer Baptist ment Clarke Stearns remembers when Ms. Elsie first $869,000 U
S
Church youth prominent positions within the orga- hired him over 31 years ago. Stearns says that Ms. •Unique, Pristine
nization such as junior deacons, youth ministers and Elsie was his mentor and hired most of the Offering in Popular
Villamay •Elevated
youth pastors. department’s current staff, which has made the Al-
Lot w/Terrific Curb
“My mother was a community activist and was in- exandria Sheriff’s Department what it is today. Appeal •Bright, Open
strumental in helping the youth of the city, said Min- In the 1980s Ms. Elsie fought against drug addi- Formal Rooms
ister Becky Jenkins. “She made sure the city reflected tion in Alexandria and helped established the city’s w/Bamboo Floors
•Spacious Kitchen
the demographics of the city.” first Methadone program at the Alexandria Health
w/Loads of Counters and Breakfast Bay •The Ultimate Family Room featuring
Ms. Elsie’s career in community service began in Department. She was a witness to the effects of crack
Coffered Ceiling and Unique Raised-Hearth Corner Fireplace •Three Magnificently
the late 1960s when she joined the Hopkins House in her community, and worked with Republican state Remodeled Full Baths •Four Generous Bedrooms •Two Masonry Fireplaces
Association where she worked as a social worker and Sen. Wiley Mitchell to petition for more drug reha- •Extensive Exterior Hardscape w/Slate Patio All in Mint, Move-in Condition!
helped to give food, shelter and healthcare to the bilitation programs as an alternative solution to jail. 4 6910
pcieaotipolne sohfe Acrleexaatendd trhiae. CArtu nthche BHuonpckhi nPsr oHgroaumse, wAhssicoh- Iante 1 S9p8e9c,i aMl sC. oEmlsmiei ttteeseti ofine dA ignin fgro anbto ouft tthhee Uef.fSe.c Stse nof- O P ED ANY 1- ParkD rTievrerace
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helped to care for Alexandria’s senior citizens. Crunch the city’s crack endemic on senior citizens who were U $719,000
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Bunch took the elderly grocery shopping, to doctor being forced to care for their crack born grandchil- •Unique Rambler in
appointments and provided them with lunch and dren. Popular Westgrove
•Beautiful, Treed
activities. Ms. Elsie’s Crunch Bunch Program contin- If any violence stuck the city, the Alexandria Po-
Lot looks to
ues today. lice Department did not hesitate to call on Ms. Elsie. Potomac River
Lucretia Martin, a long-time friend and Hopkins She worked with the police department to co-found •Generous Formal
House Association colleague of Ms. Elsie, says that the Community Action Team — CAT. The CAT pro- Rooms •Main Level
Ms. Elsie was like a second mother to the people in gram worked alongside the police department to ease Hardwood Floors •Freshly Painted, Eat-in Kitchen w/Breakfast Area •Unique
Raised-Hearth Stone Fireplace in Family Room •Three Masonry Fireplaces
the Alexandria community and at the Hopkins House violence in the city, and helped to keep the youth
and Three Remodeled Full Baths •Four generous Bedrooms •Whole House
Association. out of trouble and off the streets. Generator •Extensive Exterior Landscape/Plantings with Deck •Main Level
“She was just amazing, she was there for the people Ms. Elsie received numerous community awards Garage for One-Level Living!
and dedicated to the people,” said Martin. “She took for her work in Alexandria such as the Medal of Valor 7120 4
efovoedry aonnde ucnlodtehri nhge,r sahrem w aansd jumsat dae rseumrea rpkeaobpllee pheard- fCrhoumr cthhe T Aerlerexlal nAdwriaar dPo flriocem D tehpea Nrtamtieonnta al nAds stohcei aMtiaorny ParkD rTievrerace O P ED ANY 1-
son.” of Blacks in Criminal Justice. On Ms. Elsie’s 60th $850,000 U N
S
Ms. Elsie’s devotion to the Alexandria community birthday, the City of Alexandria did a proclamation •Elevated Corner
spanned outside of work. Ms. Elsie’s children and declaring that day as the Elsie Jordan Taylor Day. Lot on Almost
One-Half Acre
former colleagues remember her as one of the most Ms. Elsie was a devoted mother, grandmother,
•Expansive, Open
outspoken people in Alexandria who could help settle spouse, aunt and sister who leaves behind one son,
Kitchen with
any dispute. Geoffrey C. Thomas and five daughters, Minister Adjacent Family
When the riots from the assassination of Dr. Mar- Becky Mays Jenkins, Liz Dixon, Kim Smith Roberson, Room •Glass
tin Luther King in the 1960s spilled into Alexandria, Polly L. Green and Sandy Taylor Hawkins; 21 grand- Sunroom/Breakfast Room at Rear Elevation •New Hardwood Floors in
Formal Living and Dining Rooms •Light-filled Recreation Room with
the city police had a difficult time to keep people at children, 30 great grandchildren and two great-great
Raised Hearth Fireplace •Four Spacious Bedrooms – Three Full Baths
ease. Jenkins’s recalls the police giving her mother a grandchildren; one brother, Deacon William Char-
•Brick and Block Construction – Full Masonry Fireplaces •Beautiful
bullhorn that she used to get the rioters’ attention ity; one sister, Marjorie Burts; and was predeceased in-ground Pool – Manicured Grounds
and sent them home before more rioting could con- by her oldest daughter Vernie Wanzer. 4
N 1- 128 Gretna Green Court
P E 6, $825,000
O L
RI •Three-Level Town House with Two Master
P
Police Arrest Man in Malicious Wounding A Suites •Updated Granite and Stainless Eat-
in Kitchen •Step-Down Formal Living
Room with Fireplace and French Doors to
The Alexandria Police Department is investigat- threatening injuries. Investigation revealed the vic-
Beautiful Custom Deck •Hardwood Floors
ing a malicious wounding that occurred in the 2500 tim knew the suspect. A 44-year-old Alexandria on Main and Upper Levels •Lower Level
block of N. Van Dorn Street on Wednesday, March man was charged with malicious wounding. He is Includes Family Room with Fireplace,
19. Police responded to a report of a stabbing at being held without bond. Custom Built-ins, Wet Bar, Third Bedroom,
approximately 5 a.m. Upon arrival, officers located The Alexandria Police Department asks that and Full Bath Dir.: I-395 to Duke St.
an adult male victim suffering from stab wounds. anyone with information about this incident call East, Right on Pickett, Right on Valley
He was transported to a local hospital with life- Det. Irv Ellman at 703-746-6830. Forge, Left on Gretna Green Court
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ March 27 - April 2, 2014 ❖ 5
People
Creating a Bridge to Employment
ServiceSource assists We will be closing on our new Capitol
Area Disability Resource Center (DRC) in
people with a range Oakton sometime in April,” Guzik said. “We
will be breaking ground in June or July and
of disabilities. operational in December 2014. It will al-
low ServiceSource to support even more
By Ashley Claire Simpson people in a customized new facility that also
Gazette Packet serves as a community resource for indi-
W
viduals with disabilities and their families,
hen Harry Louque looks out community businesses and partner organi-
the window of his Old zations.”
Town, Alexandria home, he
can see the Masonic Temple THE SERVICESOURCE MISSION is to
in clear view. The U.S. Marine Corps and empower people with setbacks, no matter
Army veteran has come a long way from how impossible everyday life may seem
his Fayetteville, N.C. house, which just a few when they first become involved with the
years ago he often was scared to leave. Porganization.
h
Louque suffered from post-traumatic stress o “At ServiceSource, we are committed to
t
disorder and other injuries after being oexceptional service and support for indi-
C
Medevac’d out of Iraq in 2007. oviduals with disabilities and, to me, part of
n
He said he has transformed his life since tthat is challenging employees to strive for
r
returning stateside in 2007. He attributes ibexcellence while instilling a ‘Can-Do’ atti-
u
his turnaround to ServiceSource, a non- tetude,” Marquez said.
d
profit organization that provides a range of Veteran Harry Louque of Alexandria credits ServiceSource with turning It worked for Louque. A separate non-
support and opportunities for people with his life around though its Warrior Bridge Program. profit, SourceAmerica, awarded him with
a broad spectrum of disabilities, including their 2013 Regional Evelyne Villnes Award,
a program for wounded veterans. through some things, that he could excel find meaningful jobs. It was then called which recognized him for transitioning from
ServiceSource programs provide rehabilita- and that the sky was the limit,” said Fairfax Opportunities Unlimited and grew work on an AbilityOne contract to his cur-
tion, housing, training, employment and Marquez, contract closeout manager at the into an AbilityOne authorized provider, giv- rent full time employment with the National
other support services for the disabled. ServiceSource North Carolina Regional Of- ing it federal access to federal contracts. Industries for the Blind.
Louque was part of ServiceSource’s War- fice. Finally, in 2001, the organization merged Louque said he is still close to
rior Bridge Program, which provides em- Louque said he was in a dark place be- with ServiceSource, a non-profit organiza- ServiceSource, and hopes to have the same
ployment opportunities to wounded veter- fore he began contract work with tion in Fayetteville, N.C. impact on other veterans that his mentor
ans as they readjust to civilian life. He be- ServiceSource. He spent four years in the Guzik said the organization has contin- and colleagues did on him. He is now a
came involved in 2011, when a Wounded Marine Corps and six years in the Army, ued to grow over the past 10 years, playing mentor for the Warrior Bridge program,
Warrior Program advocate introduced him from which he was medically retired in a major role in employing wounded veter- which he said saved his life.
to the non-profit organization. 2009. ans and people with other disabilities “Other situations, I would have easily
“I had an advocate, who helped veterans “I was medevac’d in early August 2007, around the Washington D.C. metropolitan been terminated,” Louque said. “They never
reintegrate into the workforce,” Louque and over of the period of the next couple of area. really gave up on me and I came out a much
said. “He partnered me up with years, I started to have some pretty obvi- “ServiceSource provides a range of cus- different person on the back side of it. It
ServiceSource down in North Carolina in a ous emotional issues, physical and emo- tomized programs for individuals with dis- was really the key for me to turning my
government contract closeout position. I tional,” Louque said. “Really, for two years abilities and their families, employers and entire life around. It was the difference be-
was responsible for making sure everything there, I almost didn’t leave my house. It was corporate partners,” Guzik said. “Since tween suicide and a productive life.”
was closed out on hundreds of government a really tough time.” 2008, ServiceSource has helped to facilitate Once someone who was intermittently
contracts.” He said everyone he worked with, includ- a 36 percent increase in the number of housebound, Louque found himself moving
Louque said he benefitted from the War- ing his mentor, had a keen understanding people with disabilities employed and a 15 hundreds of miles away from Fayetteville,
rior Bridge program and the staff’s under- of his journey because they were all veter- percent increase in the number of people to a place where he had no existing friends
standing and patience with him during this ans. Being able to relate to everyone around served.” or family.
transition. him made all the difference to Louque, who She added that the organization is in the “I was really nervous about coming up
“I had a horrible attendance the first six served in combat tours in both Kuwait and process of building a Disability Resource here,” Louque said. “I did not know a single
months that I was there,” Louque said. “I Iraq. Center in the Washington D.C. area. soul, so it was a really big deal for me.”
would show up for work for a day or so “Working with other veterans was the
and then they wouldn’t hear from me for a key,” Louque said. “We were able to relate
couple of days because I was in my house to each other and talk to each other in a Charles ‘Tony’ Gee Joins LLA Board
hiding out, afraid to leave. Luckily, with the way most would not understand. Working W
kind of program it was, it was especially only with veterans was huge. I didn’t trust hen Charles “Tony” Gee’s ap- couraging other local
tailored to help guys in my situation.” anyone else to begin with.” pointment to the Living Leg- businesses to get started
It was a rough first six months, but in less ends of Alexandria board of and to grow. While at his
than two years he improved so much that SERVICESOURCE has regional offices and directors was announced, LLA President King Street location, he
he was presented with a job offer he programs in eight states, including Virginia, Pam St. Clair told the board, “When Tony helped organize 84 Alex-
couldn’t resist. Last summer, he was hired and the District of Columbia. Every year, was called to say he had been selected as andria business owners
by National Industries for the Blind in Al- more than 15,700 people with disabilities a 2014 Living Legend he said ‘Thank you’ and became the founding
Gee
exandria, the company that managed the benefit from ServiceSource. in his first breath and ‘How can I help?’ president of the Old
contract he worked on through “ServiceSource directly employs more in the second.” Town Business Association. Throughout
ServiceSource. than 1,500 individuals on government and Gee was a pioneering African Ameri- his years as an Alexandria businessman,
Louque’s boss, Chris Marquez, at commercial affirmative employment con- can business leader during a period of Gee found time to pursue the study of
ServiceSource never doubted his ability to tracts, making us one of the largest employ- profound social change in Alexandria and religion. He became a Baptist minister
succeed. ers of people with disabilities nationwide,” played a critical role in the development and served three congregations for more
“Harry had some challenges adjusting to said Teresa Guzik of ServiceSource. of lower King Street. At the same time than 30 years, including four years as
civilian employment at first but I also knew ServiceSource began in 1971, when a that he was building his own business, pastor of the Third Baptist Church in Al-
that he was very capable and highly intelli- group of parents formed an organization to the Snack Bar Restaurant, Gee was en- exandria.
gent and that if I could help him work help their adult children with disabilities
6 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ March 27 - April 2, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ March 27 - April 2, 2014 ❖ 7
News
Council Notebook
Shutdown Spectre
The federal government has a long and storied history of shut-
ting down. Just last year, for example, members of Congress could
not agree on a budget. That led to a partial government shut-
Gov. Terry
down during the heat of a campaign for governor, timing that
McAuliffe,
Republicans say harmed their candidate. Now another shutdown
ANHSI Board
is looming. This time in the commonwealth.
Chair Keith
“My guess is that the Democrats will blink first,” said Stephen
Hearle, and
Farnsworth, political science professor at the University of Mary
ANHSI Medi-
Washington. “If Republicans in the House of Delegates today in-
cal Director
dividually come to some kind of agreement with the governor,
Basim Khan
they will be primaried and they will likely be defeated in just
listen to
about every district that a Republican now holds.”
patients’
Here in Alexandria, city leaders are concerned about what
stories at a
might happen if the two sides are unable to come to an agree-
Medicaid
ment and state money is unavailable for schools or mental-health
expansion
services. Democrats campaigned on expanding Medicaid to
roundtable in
400,000 Virginians as part of President Barack Obama’s Afford-
Arlington.
able Care Act. But Republicans are dead set against it, leading to
a seemingly intractable impasse. During Tuesday’s City Council
meeting, Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille said if the Alexandria gov- Photo by
ernment can compromise with the Old Dominion Boat Club, any- Janelle Germanos
The Connection
thing is possible.
“Hopefully, they’ll come together like we’ve done over the wa-
terfront,” said Euille. “I’m sure it won’t take them 40 years to do
it.”
Sequestration Lingers McAuliffe Talks Medicaid Expansion
Speaking of government shutdowns, budget officials are still
trying to figure out all the consequences from last year. Earlier
Patients share stories at much.
this month, City Manager Rashad Young explained the full im-
Woynicz said he is also unable to make it to the
pact of sequestration has yet to be determined.
Medicaid expansion University of Virginia Medical center to receive spe-
“The city has set aside $1 million in fund balance to compen-
cialized treatment.
sate for potential short-term revenue reductions related to se-
roundtable. “I really put off what could be an oncological is-
questration,” Young wrote in his monthly financial report. “If
sue for about a year,” Woynicz said.
revenues continue to fall short of estimates, it may be necessary
Lori Piper worked as a business executive until five
to make up any additional shortfalls with expenditure reduc- By Janelle Germanos years ago when she was diagnosed with several auto-
tions.” The Connection immune diseases. After she went through chemo-
J therapy and her conditioned worsened, she had to
Feeling Blue
ust a few days before the Virginia General As- quit her job.
sembly convened in a special session in Rich- “Chemotherapy made me much worse. I lost my
Don’t adjust your television set. Your tube is not on the fritz.
mond to decide on the budget and the possi- job and I was not able to work after that. I became
Council members were, in fact, looking a little more blue than
bility of Medicaid expansion, Gov. Terry McAuliffe homeless and my mother died while I was home-
normal when they met this week. It was on purpose.
met with patients of Alexandria Neighborhood Health less,” Piper said.
The mayor initially joked that the dark clothing would ward
Services in Arlington, as they shared with him how Piper needs to see an oncologist at UVA, but can’t
off the evil spirit of bad weather.
Medicaid expansion would change their lives for the afford to go.
But then he explained that the monochromatic hijinks were in
better. “There are days when I don’t have enough money
honor of Wear Blue Day on April 9 during National Child Abuse
“The idea that we could not cover the 400,000 Vir- to eat,” she said. “ANSHI clinic is my only care. Thank
Prevention Month.
ginians and provide quality care to me is morally God for them, or I wouldn’t have any medical care.”
This week’s council meeting was the last before the April 9
unacceptable,” McAuliffe said. “I take this very seri- McAuliffe said that if Medicaid expansion doesn’t
event, so the elected officials decided that they would take a
ously.” go through, medical centers at the University of Vir-
preemptive strike at the fashion statement.
At the roundtable, McAuliffe said he hopes to get ginia and Virginia Commonwealth University will
“This is all across Virginia,” said Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg.
the special session of the General Assembly over face cutbacks.
“It’s to raise awareness about child abuse and prevention of child
quickly. The governor announced Monday that he “That’s why I’m so passionate about this topic,”
abuse — that it does take place and sometimes we just don’t see
has proposed a two-year pilot program for Medicaid McAuliffe said.
it.”
that has been approved by the federal government. Virginia House Republicans are opposed to Med-
After the meeting, council members posed for a formal por-
McAuliffe told patients and administrators of Al- icaid expansion. At the discussion on Thursday,
trait of members wearing all blue. Other participants are encour-
exandria Neighborhood Health Services, Inc. that McAuliffe said he wishes Republicans would sit down
aged to take photos and share them on SCAN’s Facebook Page or
Medicaid expansion will happen this year. and listen to patients’ stories.
tweet them with the hashtag #wearbluedayva.
Patients of the Alexandria clinic feel that Medicaid “Every day we wait, it’s another $5.2 million that
expansion cannot come soon enough. we are giving up,” McAuliffe said.
Underground Alexandria
Ted Woynicz, a veteran with PTSD, told McAuliffe McAuliffe has spent the last two weeks before the
that due to his health problems, he is unable to work. reconvening of the General Assembly to tour Virginia
The $7.4 million effort to construct a pedestrian tunnel con-
He also cannot afford the treatment that would make and talk to patients who would be impacted by Med-
necting the King Street Metro station to Union Station is barrel-
him better. icaid expansion.
ing down the tracks at full steam ahead. Councilman Paul
Because they cannot afford primary care, many “Hearing your stories brings, I think, tears to
Smedberg announced Tuesday that an agreement has been struck
Virginians such as Woynicz use the emergency room everyone’s eyes in this room,” McAuliffe said.
between the Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak.
for health care. Now, Woynicz is afraid to go due to Attendees of the roundtable discussion also in-
“It’s a big step forward,” said Smedberg.
the high costs. cluded some members of the Virginia General As-
The tunnel is intended to improve pedestrian access, handi-
“It’s a really scary thing when you’re afraid now sembly, including Sen. George Barker (D-39) and
capped accessibility and upgrade the eastern VRE Amtrak plat-
even to take yourself to the emergency room,” Delegates Bob Brink (D-48) and Charniele Herring
form. Construction is expected to be completed next year.
Woynicz said. (D-46).
According to McAuliffe, Medicaid expansion will “I’m lucky. I have health insurance. But it shouldn’t
— Michael Lee Pope
allow more people to receive primary care and pre- be a matter of luck. It should be a matter of our state’s
vent people from going to the emergency room as priorities,” said Herring.
8 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ March 27 - April 2, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Bulletin Board
Email announcements to gazette@ “Why Right-Sized Parking Matters:
connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is National and Regional Best Practices,
Thursday by noon. Photos welcome. Local Level Implementation, Impacts
& Community Benefits.” to launch
the City’s Parking Standards for New
BOOK COLLECTION SITES Development Projects Study. Visit
The Titan Expo Used Book Sale www.alexandriava.gov/Planning.
needs books (all ages, fiction, non-
fiction, hard- and paperback, no TUESDAY/APRIL 1
textbooks), CDs, DVDs and
audiobooks as well as board games Application Deadline. Apply for the
and puzzles. Collection boxes are Westminster Community Grant
located at: program, which helps Northern
❖ T.C. Williams main campus main Virginia area charitable
office at 3330 King St. organizations. Certified tax exempt
❖ T.C. Williams Minnie Howard Campus charitable organizations in Northern
main office at 3801 W. Braddock Virginia are eligible to apply. For
Road application information, go to
❖ YMCA at 420 E. Monroe St. www.wpc-alex.org/local/
❖ Chinquapin Recreation Center at 3210 community_grant.htm or contact
King St. Priscilla Goodwin at
❖ Fairlington Community Center, 3308 [email protected].
S. Stafford St.
WEDNESDAY/APRIL 2
THROUGH FRIDAY/JUNE 20 Combat Financial Fraud. 9:30 a.m.
Adult Sports Activities. 8 a.m.-2 at Ernst Cultural Center, NOVA
p.m., Monday through Friday at Community College, Annandale
Witter Recreational Fields and Ben Campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike,
Brenman Soccer Field, and 3-7 p.m., Annandale. The Lifetime Learning
at Eugene Simpson Soccer Fields. Institute of Northern Virginia
The City of Alexandria Department of Speaker’s Forum presents Nora Dowd
Recreation, Parks and Cultural Eisenhower who will discuss the
Activities offers a variety of ways for complicated financial decisions about
adults ages 18 and older to get active retirement, home equity, long-term
this spring. Visit, alexandriava.gov/ care, and financial care taking
RecreationCenters, alexandriava.gov/ responsibilities for seniors. Free.
Recreation, email Garage parking is $2 per hour. Call
[email protected] or call 703-503-0600.
703-746-5402. Meeting. 6 p.m. at City Hall, 301 King
St., Room 2000, Alexandria. The
Royal Street Bus Garage Ad hoc
FRIDAY/MARCH 28 Advisory Committee will hold its
Women’s Leadership Forum. 8:30- third meeting. The Committee will
11:30 a.m. at The Athenaeum, 210 review draft design principles related
Prince St. Hear stories from women to street level character, open space
leaders. There will be a panel and connections and building scale and
sponsors. $55/member; $75/ transitions. Call 703-746-3813 or
nonmember. Visit email jessica.mcvary@
lyris.newtarget.com/t/17411/56884/ alexandriava.gov.
2320/58/ to register.
WEDNESDAY/APRIL 2
SATURDAY/MARCH 29 Presentation. 7 p.m. at Beatley
FOAA Annual Meeting. 10 a.m. at Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Dr.
the Alexandria Archaeology Hassan Yemer, Professor, Strayer
Museum, 105 N. Union Street, University will discuss his insights in
#327. The FOAA Annual Meeting & “Leading Strategically: New Thinking
Election of the Friends of Alexandria for Entrepreneurs, Organizations,
Archaeology Board of Directors and Your Personal Life.” Visit
followed by the first board meeting www.alexandria.lib.va.us or call 703-
at which time the officers will be 746-1751.
selected. The Annual Meeting and
Election is open to the general public. THURSDAY/APRIL 3
Any FOAA member in good standing
is eligible to vote, but must be City Manager’s Public Budget
present to do so. Call 703-746-4399. Presentation. 6:30 p.m., at the
Housing Expo. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Lee Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke
High School, 6540 Franconia Road, Street, Alexandria. City Manager
Springfield. Anyone looking for an Rashad M. Young will host a public
affordable place to live in Northern presentation of his proposed Fiscal
Virginia should plan to visit the 2014 Year 2015 Budget. Free. Visit
Northern Virginia Housing Expo alexandriava.gov/Budget.
which will feature workshop and
exhibits designed to educate MONDAY/APRIL 7
attendees about location options,
being prepared for buying or renting, Town Hall. 7:30 p.m.at St. Elmo’s
understanding and improving credit Coffee Pub. Del. Rob Krupicka will
scores, improving energy efficiency hold a post-session legislative wrap-
and more. Visit up. Free. E-mail
www.NoVaHousingExpo.org. [email protected] or
call 571-357-4762 with any
questions.
MONDAY/MARCH 31
Annual Salute to Women Awards. TUESDAY/APRIL 8
6 .m. at U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office, 600 Dulany St. Each year, the Retirement Planning. 7 p.m., located
Alexandria Commission for Women in the large meeting room at the
celebrates Alexandria’s outstanding Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke
women, men, and youth who have Street, Alexandria. Bryan Riley, a
made a significant impact on women financial advisor for Ameriprise,
and girls in Alexandria. This year’s presents, “Plan for Retirement:
networking reception and awards Challenge Your Concerns and Take
ceremony will be celebrating both the Control.” Call, 703-746-1751.
40th anniversary of the Alexandria
Commission for Women and the WEDNESDAY/APRIL 9
legacy of Vola Lawson. $65, proceeds
benefit Alexandria’s Sexual Assault Online Fundraiser. ACT for
Program and other women’s Alexandria is hosting Spring2ACTion,
initiatives. Visit a 24-hour online giving competition
www.alexwomen.com for more. to raise money for local nonprofits.
Expert Panel Session. 7 p.m. at the
See Bulletin, Page 25
Lyceum, 201 S Washington Street.
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ March 27 - April 2, 2014 ❖ 9
Opinion
Alexandria
Gazette Packet
Local Government should be
www.AlexandriaGazette.com
Challenging Budgets
@AlexGazette
able to access income taxes
An independent, locally owned weekly
newspaper delivered
to give relief on real estate taxes. to homes and businesses.
N Published by
Local Media Connection LLC
orthern Virginia governments are erty values have increased this year, and local percentage of money that returns to Northern 1606 King Street
facing shortfalls in the classic governments are also considering increases in Virginia is debated, but it is definitely small. Alexandria, Virginia 22314
budget sense: projected revenues the property tax rate, meaning homeowners Localities should have the ability to add a pig- Free digital edition delivered to
your email box. Go to
are less than last year’s expendi- will pay more in taxes. gyback tax to the state income tax in order to
connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
tures plus increases in costs. Fairfax County Real Estate Assessments in- provide needed and expected services while
Alexandria City Manager Rashad Young creased 5.8 percent for single family homes, giving relief to homeowners. NEWS DEPARTMENT:
To discuss ideas and concerns,
Young: “This is the seventh straight year of 8.4 percent for townhouses and 10.5 percent Anyone familiar with the political process in Call: 703-778-9410
budgetary challenges, where the cost of cur- for condos. In Arlington, property values grew Virginia knows that this is a pipe dream with e-mail:
[email protected]
rent services and previous commitments ex- about 5.8 percent this year. That includes essentially zero chance. It would have to pass
Steven Mauren
ceeds our revenue growth.” His proposed bud- single-family houses and townhouses, which the Virginia General Assembly. Nevertheless,
Editor, 703-778-9415
get includes $190.6 million for Alex- went up 6.2 percent, as well as condo- it makes no sense for Northern Virginia to pay [email protected]
andria City Public Schools, a 2.62 per- miniums, which went up 5.9 percent. income taxes to the state without being able Michael Lee Pope
Editorial Reporter, 703-615-0960
cent increase over FY2014 but $2.5 In Alexandria, residential assessments to benefit.
[email protected]
million less than requested by the Al- increased 4.8 percent. Meanwhile, Arlington FY 2015 tax rate pub- @MichaelLeePope
exandria School Board. But just because a home is worth more this lic hearing is March 27 at 7 p.m. More on Jeanne Theismann
703-778-9436
Fairfax County Chairman of the Board of year than last year doesn’t actually put any Arlington’s budget: http://
[email protected]
Supervisors Sharon Bulova: “This will be a very more money in anyone’s pocket. The increases countyboard.arlingtonva.us/budget/ @TheismannMedia
challenging budget.” Fairfax County Public are mostly modest and necessary in an area Fairfax County’s public hearings, all in the Jon Roetman
Sports Editor, 703-224-3015
Schools Superintendent Karen Garza proposed that prides itself on providing an exceptional board auditorium at the government center:
[email protected]
an increase of 5.7 percent, $98 million more quality of life and thriving business environ- Effective Tax Rate Hearing 3 p.m., April 8, @jonroetman
than the schools requested last year, but su- ment. Employment and jobs are also strong in 2014; Budget Public Hearing 6 p.m., April 8; Steve Artley
Cartoonist
pervisors have said to expect an increase of 2 Northern Virginia, with unemployment at 3.7 3 p.m., April 9; 3 p.m., April 10. More on
[email protected]
percent. percent in Fairfax, 4.1 percent in Alexandria Fairfax County Budget, http://
Fairfax County, along with Arlington and and 3.2 percent in Arlington. Northern Virginia www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/ ADVERTISING:
For advertising information
Alexandria, is wrestling with how to fund in- is the economic engine of Virginia. The over- For more on Alexandria’s budget https:// e-mail:
creasing financial requests from schools, in- all unemployment rate in Virginia is 5 percent, www.alexandriava.gov/budget/info/ [email protected]
creasing needs for human services and provid- with these statistics from the Bureau of Labor default.aspx?id=75641. Julie Ferrill
Display Advertising, 703-778-9446
ing a safety net, and many other areas of local Statistics. These rates are far below the na- A favorite guideline on testimony at budget
[email protected]
budgets. tional rate. hearings comes in Arlington: “Repetitious tes-
Tara Lloyd
In Virginia, localities are allowed few areas But state income tax, paid disproportionately timony is discouraged.” Good luck with that. Display Advertising, 703-778-9447
of revenue, and local budgets are funded pri- by workers in Northern Virginia, are collected — Mary Kimm [email protected]
marily through real estate property taxes. Prop- by the state for the state budget. The exact [email protected] Kristin Janeiro
Display Advertising, 703-778-9448
[email protected]
Letters to the Editor
Andrea Smith
Classified Advertising, 703-778-9411
Beware Becoming Old Town must be a walkable city, something preted as anything but placing pedestrian [email protected]
it seemed to emphasize a few years ago but safety, and pedestrian access, second to bicycle Debbie Funk
National Sales
Pedestrian Unfriendly now has taken a back seat to other interests. It traffic? 703-778-9444
is evident that Old Town residents have com- Clearly Old Town must come to grips over [email protected]
To the Editor: plained about bicyclists not stopping at stop bicycle traffic, both because it is a fact of life
Publisher
The subject of managing bicycle traffic in Old signs and not yielding to pedestrians, and in the city and because City Council has deter- Jerry Vernon
[email protected]
Town is a complex one, but a key element is added to this peril is the recent declaration by mined we should be a “bicycle friendly” city.
the effect of such traffic on the quality of life City Council that bicycles may travel on the The concern to us is that in accomplishing this Editor & Publisher
Mary Kimm
for residents. city sidewalks. How can all of this be inter- Old Town will become a city unfriendly and 703-778-9433
[email protected]
unsafe for pedestrians.
@MaryKimm
A year ago Alexandria had proposed mak-
Editor in Chief
ing Union Street a bicycle corridor. This made Steven Mauren
sense as the Mount Vernon trail leads onto Photography:
John Bordner, Deb Cobb,
Union Street at both ends of Old Town. Now
Craig Sterbutzel
there is talk of a “Bicycle Boulevard” along Art/Design:
Laurence Foong, John Heinly
Royal Street. Why has this changed?
Production Manager:
Royal is a particularly bad choice for such a Geovani Flores
boulevard. A bicycle boulevard is intended to Editor Emeritus:
Mary Anne Weber
offer bicyclists a route less traveled by auto-
mobiles and trucks to reduce the riders’ expo-
CIRCULATION: 703-778-9426
sure to exhaust fumes and to avoid competing Circulation Manager:
Ann Oliver
with the motorized vehicles as well as not com-
[email protected]
pete with pedestrian traffic. Such a boulevard
should feature minimal amounts of vehicles A Connection Newspaper
St and cross traffic. Royal Street, by contrast, car- The Alexandria Gazette Packet is distributed
e weekly to selected homes in the
ve ries a significant traffic load during the morn- City of Alexandria.
n G ing rush with the St. Mary’s school cars, the Annoyt owwisnhe rtso orre coecicvue ptahne tps aopf eprr ceamni sneos ttihfya tt hdeo
. A private and public school buses, Dash buses publisher by telebpyh oemnea ailt t7o03-917-6480 or
rt and the cars stopping at Safeway, collectively [email protected],
l and the distributor will be notified to
ey making challenges for pedestrians. Commuter discontinue service.
/G car traffic crosses Royal at several points as
a
z does pedestrian traffic in the form of school
e
tt children walking to the schools in the area:
e
P Lyles-Crouch, St. Mary’s and St. Paul’s. The
a
c
k
e See Letters, Page 11
t
10 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ March 27 - April 2, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com