Alexandria Gazette Packet

36 Pages·2016·4.62 MB·English

Alexandria
Gazette Packet
Page 23
25 Cents
Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper September 22, 2016
Paving the Way
The Battle Without End
For Stormwater Fee
20 feet of space and 127 years of controversy.
New fee for residential and
By Vernon Miles commercial properties to be
Gazette Packet
O based on permeability.
ne hundred and
twenty-seven years
ago, the Rev. G.H. By Vernon Miles $50 to $60 million, with the en-
Norton thought the Gazette Packet tire cost of projects not already in
I
Appomattox Confederate development being covered by the
statue would help close the t might be time to plant fee.
wounds of the Civil War. some more trees and green “The stormwater utility fee is
“May all hatred and strife be up the home. A new based on the impervious areas of
buried in their graves,” Norton stormwater service fee pro- the home, [which creates] in-
said, as recorded in the Alex- posed by city staff could be directly creased stormwater runoff,” said
andria Gazette at the time of tied to the permeability of residen- Jesse Maines, water quality com-
the statue’s dedication in 1889. tial and commercial properties. pliance specialist for the city. “You
“May the memory of our de- The fee is the proposed solution pave, you pay.”
parted heroes inspire us with to an unfunded mandate by the Maines said the fees will be
patriotic devotion.” state requiring one quarter of the based on GIS collected data, which
Over a century later, at the city retrofitted for stormwater is automatically updated every
Sept. 17 City Council meeting, treatment by 2028. two years. According to Maines,
it was clear that some strife on The city is moving in five-year there will be ways to have the fee
both sides hadn’t been very cycles. The current reduced. Fee struc-
deeply buried. In 2015, the City cycle, phase one, “You pave, ture and reductions
Council voted to establish the only requires a five will be detailed in a
Ad Hoc Advisory Group on percent reduction you pay.” report in the com-
Confederate Memorials and in stormwater run- ing months.
Street Names. The group rec- off. In 2018, Alex- — Jesse Maines, According to
ommended that the andria enters phase Water Quality Skrabak, all resi-
Appomattox statue on South two, which requires dential properties
Compliance Specialist,
Washington Street should re- a 35 percent reduc- that fall into one of
City of Alexandria
main in place with efforts made tion. three general cat-
to add context nearby, to re- According to Wil- egories will be
name Jefferson Davis highway, liam Skrabak, director of Environ- charged the same unless otherwise
and not to change the names Photo by Jeanne Theismann/Gazette Packet mental Quality, the city is so far granted reductions. Residential
of streets named after Confed- Ray Deakins protests Sept. 21 the decision of Alexan- exceeding its current goals with a properties are divided into condo-
erates unless petitioned under dria City Council to petition the Virginia General As- 20 percent reduction. To meet the miniums, townhouses, typical
the existing process. But in a se- sembly for permission to remove the Appomattox second and third cycle goals, the single family homes, and large
ries of unanimous votes, the statue from the intersection of Prince and Washington city will be undergoing a variety single family homes greater than
council moved to not only streets. A local contractor, Deakins is frustrated by of environmental changes to assist 2,800 square feet.
adopt the changes recom- council’s decision to ignore a task force recommenda- with stormwater runoff. These According to Yon Lambert,
mended by the advisory group, tion to let the statue remain in place but with added changes include retrofitting lakes Alexandria’s director of Transpor-
but to go one step further. The historical context. The statue of the Confederate soldier and ponds across the city, setting tation and Environmental Ser-
City Council will ask the state is located on the spot where an Alexandria regiment new guidelines for streets with vices, the service fee is intended
legislature for permission to mustered to retreat from the city in 1861. It was bioretention capabilities, and in- to replace the half cent tax in-
move the Appomattox statue to erected in 1889 and is inscribed with the names of vesting in green roofs as part of crease for stormwater manage-
the side of the street, on a grass local soldiers who died fighting for the South. the Old Town North plan. ment, though whether or not to
plot in front of The Lyceum. Skrabak says the environmental
The success of this petition is unlikely. zero percent.” improvements are expected to cost See ‘You Pay,’ Page 33
“I’m skeptical that we could pass legislation to A law passed through the General Assembly in
move it unless the Daughters of the Confederacy 1998 prohibited local governments from alter-
[who maintains the statue] are involved,” said ing monuments to wars and veterans. However,
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state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30). “There would be the City Council of Danville removed a Confed- ,.tS gniK 4061 :oT
skepticism about moving it from a place of promi- erate flag from a historic site and the ruling in a detseuqeR ecivreS sserddA
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nence. A case would have to be made about why resulting lawsuit at the circuit court said that the
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this is different, and I don’t know that there’s a law only applied to monuments and statues built :retsamtsoP
case that could convince my colleagues in the after the law was passed. In response, a bill noitnettA
House of Delegates. Even with the Daughters of 284# timreP
the Confederacy, it’s unlikely. I’d say it’s close to See Controversy, Page 30 AV ,aDirIdAnPaxelA
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www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ September 22-28, 2016 ❖ 1
2 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ September 22-28, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Alexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren
703-778-9415 or [email protected]
Last Stop
Sandy Modell retires from DASH.
By Vernon Miles
Gazette Packet
T
hirty-two years after she started
driving buses part time in
Harrisonburg in college, Sandy
Modell is retiring from her po-
sition as CEO and general manager of
DASH, the Alexandria transit company. For
28 years, Modell led DASH through mas-
sive expansions. Since Modell started, the
company has grown from one million pas-
sengers on 17 buses to four million passen-
P
gers across 85 buses. ho
t
“You get diesel in your blood,” said o
s
Modell. “The more I helped people out as a b
y
bus driver, the more I realized how impor- V
e
tant mass transit is.” rn
o
After working to reform Harrisonburg’s n
bus system, in 1984 Alexandria hired M
il
Modell to help start its new DASH bus ser- e
s
/
vice. When she came onboard, Modell said G
a
the main problem she saw was that most of z
e
t
the routes ran through Braddock Road and t
e
Old Town. Getting from Del Ray to Land- P
a
mark Mall or the hospital in the West End ck
e
was an all-day affair. t
Sandy Modell, CEO and general manager
of DASHModell says one of her first priori-
ties was to move the city’s transportation
hub to the more central King Street to al-
low for more direct routes between the dif-
ferent areas of the city. From left: Shah Shafiq, Sandy Modell, Cyril “Kojo” DASH bus in repairs at the facilities headquarters off
“For over 30 years, Sandy [Modell] has During, and Mercer Crowder. of Duke Street.
been the energetic force behind the growth
of DASH,” said Paul Abramson, chair of Al- We have a team approach here, we’re like a body wants to ing a canine
exandria Transit Company board of direc- big family.” be a heavy duty academy, and
tors. “DASH started In recent years, mechanic or do when I look at
as a small system and Modell says the that kind of my age and the
“For over 30 years, Sandy
is now a very impor- biggest problem work now. future, I don’t
tant service to the [Modell] has been the has been lack of We’re just not know that I
city. She has estab- funding. Increased making me- could expend
lished very strong re- energetic force behind congestion has chanics and that energy
lationships and been forced DASH to drivers any- into opening
an advocate for the growth of DASH … add more buses more.” up a brick and
DASH, not only with just to stay on Modell says mortar location
She really helped create a
city officials but also schedule, but bud- the negative in another five
with the community. get cuts have made perception of years.”
very affordable, safe, and
She really helped cre- it increasingly dif- work as a me- As the city
ate a very affordable, ficult to keep up chanic or a bus looks for a re-
reliable transit system for
safe, and reliable with demand. driver is a placement for
transit system for this this city.” “We’re three shame, because Modell, she
city.” years behind in our she says it’s an says her succes-
Abramson said — Paul Abramson, Chair, Alexandria long range plan,” exciting time in sor will need to
Modell’s friendly said Modell. “We the industry. be innovative
Transit Company Board of Directors.
work environment still have some “There’s all to address
comes from being routes where we’re kinds of new growing de-
very involved with the employees and be- only running one bus every half hour. You’re technology on mand with
ing well connected with them. Around the going to miss a lot of people. There’s a bud- these buses,” tighter bud-
DASH office, Modell seems to know every get shortfall in the city, so we’re competing said Modell. “I gets.
driver and mechanic, quickly engaging them with all the other urgent needs, like schools drove buses in “DASH needs
Sandy Modell, CEO and general manager
conversations about their life and ambi- and mental health care. Unfortunately, giv- m day with no someone will-
of DASH
tions. Modell takes great pride in the fact ing to one means another is losing out. My power steering ing to look at
that most of the supervisors and adminis- hope is dedicated funding for DASH and the or air conditioning. Now, they talk to you, challenges as
trators, like Modell, started out as bus driv- Metro.” and we’re going to have real-time bus in- opportunities, who reaches out to the com-
ers or mechanics. Modell says one of the other major chal- formation before I leave.” munity and likes to talk to customers,” said
“We are a unique system here,” said lenges in recent years has been hiring and Modell is retiring to launch the Holistic Modell. “I would tell that person: go to civic
Modell. “Most of our supervisors have come retaining good drivers. Hound Academy, a school that aims to teach associations and business meetings. Stay
up through the ranks. There can be a ten- “Without a driver, that bus won’t leave dogs and their owners about positive rein- alert for new technology. Be good to your
dency for people’s heads to swell, but we the garage,” Modell said. “The baby forcement and how to integrate training employees; if you treat them right they’ll
want them to remember where they came boomers are retiring. Where are the new into everyday life. be better to the customers. We have a great
from. I want them to encourage and coach. drivers and mechanics coming from? No- “It’s been my vision and dream of open- thing going here. Don’t mess it up.”
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ September 22-28, 2016 ❖ 3
News
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Service Dogs Take a Plunge
Every year the Northern Virginia Park Authority has Dog Days at all of its water parks
when they are closing for the season. On Saturday, Sept. 10, local dogs from Canine
Partners for Life enjoyed an afternoon of swimming at Great Waves Water Park on
Eisenhower Avenue.
Toni Popkin and her dog
Gina Tatum and her dog Muzzy (a seizure alert dog). Bud. “Our dogs change our
“We’re very lucky to have our pups,” she said. lives,” she said.
Canine Partners
for Life, based out
of Cochranville,
Pa., is a nationally
growing organiza-
tion. The dogs
help with mobility,
get phones, open
refrigerators, pick
up dropped items,
pay for things on
behalf of their
owners, and detect
health or behavior
changes. They
must complete a
two-year training
period, and have
to be paired with a
703.915.8845
specific person,
[email protected] matching the dog’s
skills with the
person’s needs.
4 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ September 22-28, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Bulletin Board
Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date, time,
location, description and contact for event: phone, email and/or website. Photos and
artwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.
Alexandria. The programs pair men can select from four colors: lime, skills-based conversation practice Mental Wellness: For You or
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
and women with youth in need of magenta, teal and white. classes to adults who wish to learn Someone You Know.” September is
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is positive adult role models, to help Replacement cards are free through how to read, write, and speak Virginia Senior Mental Health Month.
seeking volunteers to participate in a support and guide youth in making Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016. After that, English. Classes are available in Hear from local experts that
free, non-profit program, offered in healthy choices and succeeding in replacement cards will be $2. During Alexandria, Annandale, Falls Church, depression is not a normal part of
conjunction with the IRS, that school and in life. Visit the month, visit a different library Herndon, Lorton, and Springfield. aging and learn about help that is
provides tax filing assistance to www.spaceofherown.org and and collect a sticker. Visit four of the Call the Literacy Council at 703-575- available and effective techniques for
people of low- and middle-income, www.spaceofhisown.org. For more six branches, and be eligible to 7900 or visit www.lcnv.org/students/ treatment. The event is free with
with special attention paid to those information on how to become a receive giveaways and prizes. Visit class-schedule. light refreshments. Go to
aged 60-plus. Training will be SOHO mentor, contact Sarah www.alexandria.lib.va.us or contact Car Free Day 2016. Taking the pledge seniorservicesalex.org to register.
available in December and January to Maroney at Anton Murray at 703-746-1770. to go car free or car-lite Braddock Implementation
help taxpayers Feb. 1-April 18, 2017. [email protected] or automatically makes you eligible to Advisory Group Meeting. 6 p.m.
Visit www.aarp.org/taxaide. phone at 703-746-4687. win great prizes such as Capital at the Charles Houston Recreation
THROUGH SEPT. 22
Mentors Wanted. Two creative Bikeshare annual memberships, Center, 901 Wythe St., Seniors
programs that help transform the Fall 2016 Classes. The Literacy SmarTrip Cards loaded with fare, Room. The Braddock Implementation
LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH
lives of Alexandria’s preteens are Council of Northern Virginia (LCNV) retail and restaurant gift cards. Visit Advisory Group welcomes
seeking volunteer mentors. SOHO, The Alexandria Library will be is currently offering beginning level www.CarFreeMetroDC.org for more. community members to attend and
which stands for “Space of Her Own,” celebrating Library Card Sign-Up English language and literacy, Caring for Mental Wellness. 10- participate. Open House on Ramsey
and “Space of His Own,” serves Month with the launch of its newly writing, family learning program for 11:30 a.m. at Charles Houston Senior
See Bulletin, Page 15
vulnerable fifth graders in designed library cards. Customers parents and their children, and free Center, 901 Wythe St. “Caring for
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ September 22-28, 2016 ❖ 5
People
Stetanova’s Secret: Plenty of Coffee
By Shirley Ruhe
Gazette Packet
K
remena Stetanova opens the Caboose Cafe
and Bakery on Mt. Vernon in Del Ray Mon-
day and Thursday and leaves at 2:30 p.m.
Other days are regular hours. “Well first I
turn on the lights and make sure there is plenty of
coffee. That’s the biggest thing, then put out the
muffins.” At King Street Art Festival
Stetanova says for the first hour and a half people
are getting caffeinated as they are driving to work. The 14th Annual Alexandria King Street Art Festival
P
You can’t run out of coffee. “Maybe they get a muf- h was held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17-18.
o
fin; chocolate chip is the favorite, or maybe an apple to
s
turnover or a bacon burrito. Almost anything you b
y
see around here we bake ourselves at night.” She S
h
says sometimes the school children from the elemen- ir
l
tary school across the street grab a muffin for break- ey
fast or something for their lunchbox or they come Ru On white
h
after school for a snack. e pedestals,
/
People The door opens and Nathan Giordano Ga some of the
walks to the counter and orders an af- ze glass and
At Work t
ternoon coffee. He says he lives in Del te acrylic sculp-
Ray, close enough to walk, and likes to Pa tures by Will
c
come in for the breakfast sandwich, avocado and ke Grant of
tomato on a croissant with egg. Kremena Stetanova, licensed food man- t Bradenton, Fla.
Stetanova says it is time to call and check her
ager at Caboose Cafe and Bakery on Mount
wholesale bread accounts. “They order every day.”
Vernon Avenue, says this is a very neigh-
She asks, “What time did you say, 10?”
borhood place and she knows many of the
Two shelves behind the counter are stacked with
regulars and what they will order. Photos by Richard
multi-grain bread, baguettes, pain de campagne and
Mumford/Gazette
sourdough. “My favorite is the ciabatta, especially dren to the planetarium tonight. Did you know that Packet
the bellefonte sandwich.” Stetanova says, “We de- T.C. Williams opens up its planetarium to the public
liver every morning — bread only. But the whole once a month?” She says her 10-year old daughter
menu can be ordered takeout.” and twin 8-year old sons are “dying to come here.
Stetanova was born in Bulgaria but came to Sometimes if her husband doesn’t want to make
America in 1999. “It was tough times.” She says, “Oh breakfast they stop in to see what mommy is doing.”
I got started, I have always loved serving and mak- The menu in this Ethiopian-run family restaurant
ing food. It is a very rewarding experience.” Her uncle highlights vegan Ethiopian entrees followed by Ethio-
used to own a restaurant in Bulgaria and she worked pian meat entrees and then a number of American
with him in high school and through college. “Well, standards. She says a customer favorite is the beef
I really started by emptying ashtrays.” Now she is a alitchar described as chunks of beef with carrots,
licensed food manager at the Caboose Cafe location potatoes and turmeric. The postman stops in to drop
in Del Ray. off a large box which turns out to be new stainless
The phone rings and Stetanova says, “I can work a steel carafes to hold cream for the coffee. The post-
little late until 4:30 but I have tickets for my chil- man is replaced at the counter by Andrew Cohen,
who works up the road and estimates he has been
coming here for 10 years. “Everything here is great.”
Today it’s a southwest salad. A customer returns her
plate from a table outside. “Baba chicken pita — my
fav.” Stetanova says,
“It’s pretty slow right Artist Garry Childs of Rougemont, N.C., with his
now.” display of pottery.
Stetanova says this
is a real neighborhood
restaurant. The man
with the bright flow-
ered shirt in the corner
has been coming for
about 23 years. He or-
ders the soups and
likes it because they
make their own bread
and it is a real family
thing. Stetanova says, Kremena Statanova
“We have the most checks her regular
amazing customers bread orders mid-
and most are regulars. afternoon. She says
We know them by Caboose Cafe bakes
Andrew Cohen stops by the Caboose Cafe name and what they their own bread at Paul Kosek of Alexandria makes a purchase of a
regularly for lunch since his work is just will order. See I knew night in the kitchen in pixelated Lincoln print from artist Cat Clausen of
down the way. He says everything is great he is having the lentil back and delivers it Dwight, Ill.
but finally settles on a Southwest Salad. soup today.” the next morning.
6 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ September 22-28, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ September 22-28, 2016 ❖ 7
News
‘A Labor of Love’
Historic Homes Tour celebrates 75 years.
By Jeanne Theismann “There are so many great stories behind these
Gazette Packet homes,” said tour committee member Roberta
T
Stevens.
he Dr. William Brown House, considered In 1969, the Dr. Brown House was purchased by
one of Old Town’s most prominent and Frank and Betty Wright, founders of the Wright to
historic homes, will be one of six homes Read literacy nonprofit.
featured Sept. 24 in the 75th annual His- “The executors of Betty Wright’s estate have been
toric Alexandria Homes Tour benefitting the Twig very generous in opening their home to the tour,”
Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital. Fuller said. “The Wrights were devoted to preserv-
“We have six unbelievable homes this year,” said ing the history of this home.”
co-chair Elizabeth Wilmot. “The owners of these The Historic Alexandria Homes Tour is a self-
homes have generously stepped up to make our 75th guided walking tour and is easily navigated over sev-
anniversary tour special.” eral blocks in Old Town. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Wilmot calls the tour “a labor of love” for Twig will be open as a rest stop on the tour, with donuts
members and has been working with co-chair Terry donated by Sugar Shack Donuts. The tour will take
Fuller throughout the summer organizing the tour place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and tickets are avail-
as well as the Diamond Jubilee fundraiser, sched- able online or at The Twig Thrift Shop, 106 N. Co- The Dr. William Brown House, on land once owned by
uled for Sept. 23 at Jack Taylor’s Alexandria Toyota. lumbus St. George Washington’s brother Augustine, is one of six Old
“We couldn’t do this without donors like Jack Tay- The Diamond Jubilee Party is also open to the pub- Town homes featured in the 75th Anniversary Historic
lor,” added Wilmot. “And all proceeds from the tour lic. It will be held Sept. 23 from 6-9 p.m. at Jack Alexandria Homes Tour Sept. 24. Tickets are available
and Jubilee fundraiser will go towards the Twig’s $1 Taylor’s Toyota, 3750 Jefferson Davis Highway. Tick- online at www.thetwig.org and proceeds will benefit the
million pledge for renovations to Inova’s Cardiovas- ets are available online. Twig Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital.
cular Intensive Care Unit.” “What you see on this tour is the evolution of Al-
The Dr. Brown House, located at 212 S. Lee St., is exandria,” Stevens added. “Learning the stories be-
on land once owned by George Washington’s brother hind these homes you can see how the city has
Augustine. Brown was a close friend of Washington’s changed from its early years and the turn of the cen-
and his uncle, Dr. Gustavus Brown, attended to the tury.” For more information or to purchase tickets,
President during his last illness. visit www.TheTwig.org.
Photo by Jeanne Theismann
Gazette Packet
Terry Fuller and Elizabeth
Wilmot, co-chairs of the 75th
anniversary Historic Alexan-
dria Homes Tour, are joined
by committee members
Roberta Stevens and Cindy
Golubin Aug. 24 to prepare
for the upcoming tour and The two-story family room with Palladian windows was
Diamond Jubilee fundraiser added by in 1992.
benefitting Inova Alexandria
Hospital.
The gardens are
situated on an
adjacent lot pur-
chased by Dr. Will-
iam Brown in 1790.
Photos
Contributed The old kitchen was added in the 1820s and retains its
original crane, andirons and bake oven manufactured by
the Baltimore firm of Henry Reip and Sons.
A Waterford chande-
lier hangs above a
Biggs reproduction
Federal table in the
dining room.
The living room fea-
tures a circa 1765
Gainsborough armchair
along with rare col-
lectibles and artwork.
8 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ September 22-28, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ September 22-28, 2016 ❖ 9
Opinion
Alexandria
Gazette Packet
Patriotic Spending: Investing in Community
www.AlexandriaGazette.com
@AlexGazette
An independent, locally owned weekly
By Timothy Wong dollar that you spend What nonprofits and charities in the area do newspaper delivered
to homes and businesses.
W ACT for Alexandria is benefiting our is help improve the lives of American families. Published by
neighbors What is more patriotic than focusing Local Media Connection LLC
e often align spending based on directly. Ev- on aiding and assisting current and 1606 King Street
Commentary Alexandria, Virginia 22314
our personal interests and well- ery cent of future generations? The report also
being, without necessarily every dollar shows: Homelessness is just a small Free digital edition delivered to
your email box. Go to
thinking about impacting our is either being uti- portion of what nonprofits in the human ser- connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
community. That’s where patriotic spending lized on programs vices sector are tackling, 17 percent to be pre-
come in to play. Patriotic spending is the utili- that affect the com- cise. Twenty percent goes towards child de- NEWS DEPARTMENT:
[email protected]
zation of personal assets to benefit our com- munities we live in, velopment and elementary education, 7 per-
munity, cities, and inevitably our country. What as well as paying cent towards family services, and another 17 Steven Mauren
Editor, 703-778-9415
it means to spend patriotically is to focus ex- wages for our neigh- percent for youth development. The last 39 per- [email protected]
pendable income in a way that directly influ- bors, friends, and relatives. Money is power- cent goes towards garnering support for physi-
Vernon Miles
ences and benefits our country. ful, and empowers individuals to become stake cal and mental disabilities, workforce devel- Reporter, 757-472-3435
[email protected]
We are faced with American corporations holders for activities and causes they care most opment, health and mental services, second-
who often times offshore manufacturing, tech about. ary and adult education as well as other perti- Jeanne Theismann
[email protected]
support, and other aspects of their value sup- The report: “Return on Investment: Alexan- nent concerns. @TheismannMedia
ply chain. Reliance on other countries to help dria Nonprofit Impact Report” delves into just Contributing to local nonprofits is not only
Steve Artley
us meet bottom lines is not patriotic. Money is how important this region is for philanthropic a means to donate your money, but it also in- Cartoonist
[email protected]
being invested in countries where labor laws work in the Commonwealth, as well as how vests it in a way which directly impacts our
are less stringent, and “sweat shops” are a nonprofits divide their efforts based on differ- immediate surroundings. The work that
ADVERTISING:
cheaper means of meeting production de- ent community demands. “Alexandria is a key nonprofits and charities do fills in the gaps For advertising information
mands. According to Reuters.com, currently driver of nonprofit activity in the Common- where government and corporations are least [email protected]
703-778-9431
large corporations hold close to wealth of Virginia.” This rich and diverse city effective. Ultimately we’re left with a choice
Debbie Funk
$2,100,000,000,000 in other countries to avoid has a broad range of needs, and many oppor- on how we spend our well-deserved assets. Just
Disply Advertising/National Sales
U.S. taxation. tunities financially to address them. This is part remember that to spend patriotically is to in- 703-778-9444
[email protected]
A means to spend patriotically is through of what leads to “Northern Virginia account- vest in our community.
local nonprofits. Unlike big corporations, lo- ing for 39 percent of the state’s nonprofit ac- Julie Ferrill
Display Advertising, 703-927-1364
cal nonprofits are a way to ensure that every tivity.” Timothy Wong is the marketing and communica- [email protected]
tions intern at ACT for Alexandria.
Tara Lloyd
Letters to the Editor
Display Advertising, 703-740-7128
[email protected]
History’s fied know anything about served as Secretary of War under called on him to be their leader — Andrea Smith
Classified Advertising, 703-778-9411
Jefferson Davis? President Buchanan. While a sena- so after much angst, he resigned [email protected]
Lessons In case you don’t, here is a little tor, he authored several bills that his seat in the U.S. Senate, and David Griffin
background: he graduated from helped the Union, including one became President of the Confed- Marketing Assistant
703-778-9431
To the Editor: West Point in 1828 (where he that started the Soldiers Home in erate States. He would later call it [email protected]
An open letter to Mayor Allison would forge strong relationships Washington, D.C. that serves in- the saddest day of his life.
Silberberg. with future generals who fought digent veterans to this day. Davis None of Davis’ achievements or Publisher
Your council voted unanimously Jerry Vernon
on both sides of the Civil War), also served as President of the his sadness for leaving the Senate 703-549-0004
to approve changing the name of
served as an officer in the Mexi- Confederate States. It is written to take the role of President of the [email protected]
Jefferson Davis Highway. Do you,
can American War, was elected to that he did not want or campaign Confederacy or the fact that he Editor & Publisher
your council or anyone who testi- Congress (both Houses), and for this office. This new “nation” owned slaves to work his planta- Mary Kimm
[email protected]
tion in his home state of Missis- @MaryKimm
sippi can excuse his actions. Most Editor in Chief
of us in today’s world (including Steven Mauren
Art/Design:
me) find the concept of owning Laurence Foong, John Heinly
another human deplorable, espe- Production Manager:
Geovani Flores
cially as we look back with our
Editor Emeritus:
21st century glasses. I do however Mary Anne Weber
feel it is possible to be proud of
one’s southern heritage while at CIRCULATION: 703-778-9427
the same time denouncing the in- Circulation Manager:
Ann Oliver
humane practice of slavery. [email protected]
I also read that you suggested
the name be changed to Patrick A Connection Newspaper
Henry Highway. While Mr. Henry The Alexandria Gazette Packet is distributed
was a framer of the United States weekly to selected homes in the
City of Alexandria.
and an eloquent speaker — most Any owners or occupants of premises that
do not wish to receive the paper can notify
known for his “give me liberty or the publisher by telephone at 703-778-9426
give me death” speech, this man or by email to
[email protected],
of liberty also owned slaves, and and the distributor will be notified to
believed fervently in a limited fed- discontinue service.
S eral government. These two men
t
e
v had very similar views, and histo-
e
A rians suggest that Patrick Henry
r
tl and other Founding Fathers would
e
y/ have most likely been on the side
G
a of the Confederacy.
z
et My point is that if we look deep
t
e P enough into our past, we are likely
a find something deplorable about
c
ke See Letters, Page 11
t
10 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ September 22-28, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com