Alexandria Gazette Packet 25 Cents Vol. CCXXVI, No. 19 Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper May 13, 2010 Transforming T.C. Call Off the Fireworks High school gets new principal as it Tight economy prompts nonprofits to examine creates vision for the future. their priorities and thin their calendars. By Michael Lee Pope model, and I’m Gazette Packet By Michael Lee Pope convinced that’s Gazette Packet why we made uring her second year as [adequate yearly principal at Seneca Valley progress].” emember the Water- D High School in Students with Suzanne front Festival? You Germantown, Md., Suzanne disabilities pose Maxey know, that annual R Maxey decided to do something one of the biggest event that’s hap- radical. Instead of segregating all challenges at T.C. Williams, where pened every year since 1981? the students with disabilities into students in this category consis- The one that involves entertain- special education classes, she de- tently have the lowest pass rates ment and fireworks the week- cided to integrate them with the of any group. But that’s only one end before Father’s Day? The general population. The idea was of the challenges. Students with one you’re still saving your left- a departure from the “self-con- economic disadvantages haven’t over beer tickets for? Well for- tained model” that was currently met federal standards in math for get about it. The Red Cross has in place at the school. Soon the last three years. Pass rates for cancelled the Waterfront Festi- enough, the school was meeting students with a limited grasp of val this year, and it’s doubtful federal standards under No Child the English language have been the festival will ever return. Left Behind and Maxey was receiv- falling for the last three years. And “We had to ask ourselves if ing recognition for turning around one out of five Hispanic students putting on a party was the best a troubled high school. will drop out before graduating. use of our time and money,” “We all have disabilities. I’m ter- Ultimately, the biggest challenge said Lissette Bishins, executive Photo by Photo rible at math, but I love the hu- facing T.C. Williams is the unflat- director of the Alexandria manities,” said Maxey, who was tering designation it was granted Chapter of the American Red recently named as the next princi- by the Virginia Department of Edu- Cross. “We decided that re- Louise Krafft Louise pal of T.C. Williams High School. cation in March: “persistently low sponding to a fire in the middle “I’m a big believer in the inclusion See High School, Page 7 of the night was a far better use of our resources.” The Waterfront Festival is the latest casualty of nonprofits /Gazette Packet A Choice for GOP across America scaling back black-tie affairs, golf tourna- ments and catered luncheons. Two Republicans vying to take on Part of the reduction is tied to the weak economy, which has Jim Moran in November. put a damper on the ability of By Michael Lee Pope tail-oriented lawyer who helped wealthy benefactors and corpo- The Red Cross Waterfront Festival, a longtime tradition, The Gazette prosecute the “war on terror” in rate sponsors. Nonprofit lead- has been cancelled. George W. Bush’s Justice Depart- ers in Alexandria say spending hen Republicans in the ment? Either way, beating Moran lavish amount of money while Meanwhile, the Waterfront Festi- of the Alexandria Chapter of the 8th Congressional Dis- would be a very difficult challenge investing staff time and volun- val has been struggling for years. American Red Cross. “Ulti- W trict head to the polls for either Republican who emerges teer resources doesn’t always fit It might have a good year here and mately, it was unwise to rely on next month, they’ll face a stark from the June 8 primary. into a nonprofit organization’s there, as in 2005 when the Red good weather so the organiza- choice for which candidate they “For candidates facing an en- mission. Cross raked in about $190,000 in tion could fund a year’s worth want to see take on 10-term in- trenched incumbent like Jim “Events are a great way to profits. But other years weren’t as of services.” cumbent Democrat Jim Moran. Do Moran, the easiest path to victory make money — if they make stellar. The festival made a net Bishins said the Red Cross they want a conservative military is scandal or retirement,” said money,” said Karen Hughes, profit of $23,000 in 1998 and considered saving money by veteran with a background in di- Isaac Wood, assistant director of president of the Campagna $40,000 in 2003. On a good year, hosting part of the Waterfront plomacy? Or do they want a de- See Two, Page 32 Center. “We’re actually making it would bring in 15,000 people. Festival at National Harbor but more money now that we’ve But sometimes rain would keep ultimately abandoned the idea 22314 VA Alexandria, cancelled some events because people away, which is what hap- when it became evident that it St., King 1604 To: ted the overhead was so high.” pened during the last two years of wouldn’t save that much money Reques Service Address material. the event. and it would eat up just as Time-sensitive LAST YEAR, the Campagna “It was with a great deal of sad- much time. The festival cost Postmaster: Center cancelled the 36-year- ness that we made this decision about $250,000 for entertain- Attention old Toast to Alexandria. It also because we recognize it’s become ment, permits, security, fire #482 Permit Alexandria, VA Alexandria, ditched the annual gala for- part of the fabric of the city,” said PAID See Nonprofits, Postage U.S. merly known as the Angel Ball. Andrew Rosenberg, vice chairman Page 32 STD PRSRT www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 13-19, 2010 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 13-19, 2010 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren 703-778-9415 or [email protected] Council Notebook News Going Statewide Councilwoman Alicia Hughes has some ideas for saving money in Virginia, and she’s about to share them with the Com- mission on Government Reform and Restructuring. Last week, Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell appointed Hughes as a mem- ber of the commission whose members will come up with recom- mendations to eliminate ineffective services and maximize effi- ciency in government. “It seems to me that growth of government is synonymous with excessive growth into the wallets of citizens,” said Hughes. “Growth that I’m generally against in the absence of extraordi- nary need and public benefit.” Hughes said she’ll use her position on the commission to advo- cate for several specific proposals she said will save money and make government more efficient. One would be the privatization Julie Porter, Jim Clark and Rodney CNA staff: Alice Brown, Susan Adams and of the state-owned liquor stores, a major campaign promise of Scruggs. Laura De Pasquale. the Republican governor. Another would be increasing transpar- ency of reporting costs associated with enforcing state and fed- eral mandates. Hughes would also like to see the creation of pub- lic-private partnerships to maintain state parks. And then there’s Gala for Scholarship Fund the issue of how much money goes to consultants. “I don’t think that will surprise anybody in Alexandria,” said The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria hosted its 24th Annual Anniver- Hughes, who led an unsuccessful effort earlier this month to strip sary Spring Gala at the mark Hilton Hotel on May 8. $7.5 million from the city’s budget for consultants. “This is money going into a black hole.” Dogfight Approaching Everybody knows Alexandria is a dog town. That’s why city leaders are bracing for a new round of controversy over a new ordinance introduced by Vice Mayor Kerry Donley at the re- quest of the Animal Welfare League. The text of the proposed ordinance would make it unlawful to tether a dog for more than one hour a day. Donley said the pur- pose of the ordinance was directed at people who chain their dogs outside all day without food or water, and that the lan- guage in the ordinance was adapted from similar rules adopted in major cities across America. During a discussion of the ordi- nance Tuesday night, some of the council members expressed some skepticism. “If this ends up passing, it’s going to put a lot of burden on our animal-control division and maybe our police department,” pre- Stanley Taylor, T.C. Williams principal William Photos by Louise Krafft/Gazette dicted Councilman Frank Fannon. “People will all of a sudden Clemdaniels and Sheriff Dana Lawhorne. Libby and Bruce Johnson. become vigilantes for the dogs.” The new controversy joins a long list of red-hot dog debates from the past, one of which administrative aide Sharon Annear Portrait of Success recalled after the meeting Tuesday night. It involved a “pooper- scooper” ordinance that required dog owners, well, to take care Zohra Atmar: Senior of business. During one marathon public hearing, Annear recalled, a prac- Consultant for World Culture tical joker entered the name Alfred Arf on the list of speakers to weigh in on the issue. When Mayor Charles Beatley called ohra Atmar’s mother carried her into Paki- the name, a poodle ran up the aisle toward the dais. Zstan as a baby to escape the conflict in Af- “It brought the house down,” said Annear.