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WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM MARCH 21, 2013 | 1 Vol. 9, No. 12 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper MARCH 21, 2013 Emergency Water under the bridge responders warn of brain drain Increased benefit costs squeeze firefighters, police BY MELISSA QUINN Larry Lee’s career as a first responder in Alexandria began many years ago, but for the first time, the city’s budget issues have him grappling with the idea of early retirement. He started working in the city as a police officer in 1987, back when Alexandria may not have been the best place to raise a family. Drug use ran rampant, PHOTO/DERRICK PERKINS Longtime city resident Bert Ely has become the unofficial spokesman for residents against the water- he said, and it wasn’t uncom- front redevelopment plan. He has helped organize resident-led lawsuits against the city as well as formed mon for Lee to find himself re- Friends of the Alexandria Waterfront with Mark Mueller. sponding to stabbings or work- PHOTO/DERRICK PERKINS ing in the middle of a riot. The city’s historic waterfront is poised for redevelopment after the city council reapproved zoning and density changes along the shoreline. In 1998, Lee joined the fire Officials hope the move will short-circuit litigation surrounding the controversial waterfront plan. department, where he has re- City council reapproves hoping a supermajority would dozens from speaking out mained ever since. He expanded redevelopment plan accept the changes. Vice May- against the redevelopment Before me, his duties by signing on as the vice president of Alexandria or Allison Silberberg, who roadmap during Saturday’s generations BY DERRICK PERKINS campaigned against the plan, public hearing. Firefighters Inc., advocating for cast the sole dissenting vote. Since its inception, the before me, this fellow firefighters and first re- Hoping to sidestep years The most serious challenge plan has served as a flash was a working sponders. of litigation, the city council to the plan — led by residents point in the community, waterfront.We are He’s served the Port City for overwhelmingly reapproved opposed to increased density particularly in Old Town. 25 years, gone through as many zoning and density changes and the prospect of two wa- Officials hope to lever- moving away from budget cycles and seen hun- along the Potomac shoreline terfront hotels — is based on age developer dollars for that, that working dreds of colleagues come and Saturday, but critics say the 6-1 a last-minute protest petition, public amenities while waterfront. We are go. But for the first time since 1987, Lee will take home less vote could lead to a new round which arguably requires a su- creating a more vibrant moving toward of legal battles. permajority of city councilors waterfront and allowing this year than in years past — Though the waterfront plan to pass the controversial rede- for flood mitigation ef- a destination about $1,800 less. passed with a 5-2 vote more velopment blueprint. Officials forts. Opponents worry waterfront.” Lee’s story is common among city employees who face than a year ago, Mayor Bill have framed the revote as a increased density will mar -John Chapman Euille brought the land use is- way to address those residents’ City Councilor sue back before city council, concerns, but that didn’t stop SEE WATERFRONT | 10 SEE BENEFITS | 11 HOBIE & Monk: it’s TIME TO PUT THE PHONE DOWN - PAGE 6 2 | MARCH 21, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Christine Roland Garner I Sell More Because I Do More! Celebrating 25 Years Since 1988 NOW....The Perfect Time To Sell OLD TOWN DEL RAY ROSEMONT $685,000 $717,000 UNDERUNDER CONTRACTCONTRACT BEVERLY HILLS ROSEMONT THE ECLIPSE $974,900 $759,900 $539,000 UNDERUNDER UNDERUNDER UNDERUNDER CONTRACTCONTRACT CONTRACTCONTRACT CONTRACTCONTRACT What did Christine do that you found most valuable? “Christine went above and “You were with us the “She had a professional team of associates beyond and more than entire time guiding us from landscapers, stagers, painters etc. I exceeded our expectations.” through the process.” was certain my house was ready to sell!” My Priorities Are Simple...They’re Yours! For additional information & Photos, Go To: www.ChristineGarner.com WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM MARCH 21, 2013 | 3 THE WEEKLY BRIEFING Spring cleaning is a breeze with... Local fencer fights her way to championship Olde Town Fencing Club’s Sixteen women from Diane Ferguson took home across the country competed gold in the U.S. Fencing Asso- for the category’s top prize. ciation’s North American Cup New York City’s Margaret earlier this month in Nevada. Fagan and Washington state’s Ferguson earned the award Rachel Brown tied for bronze. save $20 O competing in the women’s foil Though a Rockville resi- Your 1st Cleaning veteran 40-49 category. She dent, Ferguson has fenced $ $20 O entered the mid-March tour- with the Old Town group for 40 Your 3rd Cleaning nament as a No.6 seed, club decades. Another member, New Clients Only. officials said. Wayne Bowman, placed 12th Promo: AT-0413 Exp. 4/30/13 ASK ABOUT After winning her initial in a field of 32 in the men’s Carpet, Duct three matches — 10-4, 10-2 epee veteran 60-69 group. COURTESY PHOTO and Window and 10-5 — Ferguson beat Diane Ferguson (right) poses with 703-823-1726 Cleaning too! Connecticut’s Bonnie Hen- Olde Town Fencing Club coach nig 10-4 in the champion- -Times staff Jun Liang-Smith after winning the ship round. gold at the North American Cup. Set Yourself Free Private school employee faces criminal charges from pre-packaged banking after allegedly stealing school property at your current bank A former Bishop Ireton back as far as a year. typically used by engineers employee was arrested last “The Bishop Ireton com- and maintenance staff, such week and charged with mis- munity and the diocese put as pneumatic hammers, said using school property on mul- their trust in Mr. Cortese, school spokeswoman Mary tiple occasions. and it appears that he repaid Kelly. Though the equipment Anthony “Tony” Cortese, that trust by stealing from is usually available at local who worked as the school’s the school,” said Diocesan hardware stores, they can be chief engineer, had been un- Finance Officer Timothy R. very expensive, she said. der investigation by the Alex- Cotnoir. “While we are grati- Cortese was fired after the andria Police Department for fied that this situation was allegations surfaced. Any sto- several weeks. Bishop Ireton uncovered, it is nevertheless len equipment not recovered and the Catholic Diocese of dispiriting to find evidence from Cortese would be cov- There has never been a better time to make Arlington — Cortese’s em- suggesting that a member of ered by insurance funds, dio- John Marshall Bank your bank. We offer ployers — worked in conjunc- the staff engaged in system- cese officials said. no-nonsense, personalized service to our area’s tion with police after learning atic and sustained fraud and that the engineer likely sold theft against the school.” business, government contracting and commercial school property and equip- Officials at Bishop Ireton -Melissa Quinn real estate enterprises. It’s no wonder we are one ment for private gain, going believe Cortese sold tools of the fastest-growing banks in the region, well-capitalized, and ready to help your business. Call us today at 703 - 894 - 3157 and take flight to hassle-free banking. Eight arrested for driving under the influence The Alexandria Police De- to deter and apprehend motor- tions, and officers checked to partment stopped 81 vehicles ists driving under the influence. ensure their abilities had not and made eight arrests after In addition to those arrested, been impaired by alcohol or conducting a roaming driving police issued 45 summonses drugs. while intoxicated effort on St. for various traffic offenses. Six officers and one emer- Patrick’s Day. Police, who announced gency communications techni- The campaign, which oc- plans to step up enforcement cian took part in the effort. Member curred from 8 p.m. March 17 to the week prior, stopped drivers JohnMarshallBank.com 6 a.m. March 18, was designed who committed traffic infrac- -Melissa Quinn 4 | MARCH 21, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES New, Lower CRIME Auto Loan Rates Police target local businesses that sell alcohol to minors Alexandria police clamped erages using their legal — and The consequences of selling down on stores illegally selling underage — identification. alcohol to an underage custom- Get up to spirits to minors after launching If the informant was able to er include having a business’s 125% a citywide alcohol awareness purchase alcohol, waiting of- ABC license revoked and a fine financing! campaign for local business ficers entered the business and of up to $2,000. In addition, an New & Used Rates owners and employees. charged the employee. Of the employee in the state of Virgin- As Low As Officers visited businesses 40 businesses checked, six ar- ia who sells alcohol to a minor Apply online at cofcu.org throughout the city last week rests were made. The employ- faces a year in jail and a $2,500 or call (855) GO COFCU to speak with employee. A few ees worked at the following fine. days later, confidential infor- stores: Harris Teeter, two Giant 49% mants, between the ages of 18 food stores, two 7-Eleven con- APR Rates effective 3/18/2013 and subject to change. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Other rates and terms apply. Rates include ½% discount and 20, visited businesses and venience stores and 24 Hour -Melissa Quinn for checking bundle and automatic payment. Membership eligibility required.1 See cofcu.org.

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