Alexandria Politics

Alexandria Politics

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Alexandria: On the Night Shift with City Police

Searching Alexandria’s nooks and crannies with the police.

Over his 10 years in Alexandria, Officer Mark Blackwell has come to know just about every dark corner of Alexandria. Before he turns his patrol car down an alleyway around midnight on May 28, he flicks off his headlights and the car creeps forward.

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Alexandria: Final Mayoral Debate

Final Mayoral Debate ends on a civil note.

Attendees to the June 2 Democratic Primary Debate, one week before the primary, hoping to see sparks fly between the mayoral candidates may have left disappointed.

Alexandria: Clear Frontrunner in Mayoral Fundraising Race

While the race for the Democratic primary in Alexandria’s mayoral election remains hotly contested, incumbent William Euille remains the clear winner in terms of fundraising.

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Alexandria: What’s Next For Patrick Henry?

Schools and Parks Department proposals each stalled by the other.

Alexandria Public Schools’ plans to rebuild Patrick Henry Elementary School around the location of the current site have hit a snag.

The Fight for the 45th

Democratic primary candidates vying to replace Delegate Krupicka lay out campaign priorities.

As with most candidates in a primary, the Democrats campaigning to replace Robert Krupicka as delegate for Virginia’s 45th District which includes parts of Alexandria, Arlington and Mount Vernon, don’t vary greatly in their positions on political issues. Where these candidates do vary is their experience and priorities.

Alexandria: City Council Passes Budget

After two months of City Council work sessions and public hearings, the council voted to approve the budget with little of the debate that had defined previous meetings.

Landrum To Lead Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) named Stephanie Landrum as president and CEO of the organization on Thursday, April 30. Landrum had been serving as acting president and CEO since former President and CEO Val Hawkins stepped down in March. Landrum has worked at AEDP for 10 years and previously served as the organization’s vice president.

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Alexandria: Long-Term Budget Plan Lacks Numbers

Long Range Educational Facilities Plan faces scrutiny for budget omissions.

The Long Range Educational Facilities Plan includes extensive information on new enrollment projections for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and a list of proposed changes, additions, and new schools to fight current and projected overcrowding in the school system. What current drafts of the Long Range Educational Facilities Plan don’t include is the price tag.

Alexandria: Mistrial and Missed Trial

Just down the hall from each other, there were major developments in two Alexandria murder trials on April 23.

Alexandria: Mayoral Standoff

First debate in race for mayor focuses on failing infrastructure.

Differences between incumbent Mayor William Euille, current Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg, and former Mayor Kerry Donley emerged during a debate as the three took turns directing blame for Alexandria’s current problems on each of the other two during the first mayoral debate. The debate, held in Douglas MacArthur Elementary School on April 23, primarily focused around issues of parking and city infrastructure.The shifting blame became most apparent during the candidates’ discussions on BRAC-133.

Alexandria: Add/Delete Budget Drama

Council members spar over last minute additions.

A preliminary discussion of the City Council’s Add/Deletes from the budget led to a heated exchange between council members during their April 28 meeting.

Alexandria Mayoral Standoff

First debate in race for mayor focuses on failing infrastructure.

Differences between incumbent Mayor William Euille, current Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg, and former Mayor Kerry Donley emerged during a debate as the three took turns directing blame for Alexandria’s current problems on each of the other two during the first mayoral debate.

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Not Enough Progress Made on Affordable Housing in Alexandria

Alexandria Needs Assessment finds affordable housing severely lacking.

The 2010 City Council Strategic Plan laid out seven main goals for the city’s long-term development. Goal number one was to “achieve a net increase in the number of dedicated affordable rental and ownership units in the city by 2015.”

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Alexandria: Battle of Robinson Terminal South Ends

Council approval yields compromises amidst unyielding opposition.

In a 5-1 vote, the City Council approved EYA’s redevelopment of Robinson Terminal South. In many ways, the City Council public hearing on April 18 was largely a repeat of the April 9 Planning Commission and a number of committee hearings before that. Many of the same voices from the audience voiced the same concerns or showed the same support.

Citizens Divided over Development’s Impact

While earlier meetings on the Robinson Terminal South Development tended to primarily pit local citizens against city staff and representatives from EYA, the developer, the proposal of four special use permits for the development drew a mix of reactions at the April 9 Planning Commission Special Public Hearing. After a presentation explaining the changes made to the site, the public responded with some in favor of the proposed buildings, some opposed, and many expressing opinions somewhere in between. Following the public discussion, the Planning Commission ultimately voted unanimously to approve the special use permits for the site.

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