Council Establishes Ethics Study Group
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Vol. 12, No. 5 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper FEBRUARY 4, 2016 Officials come to Council establishes grips with toll of ethics study group blizzard Ad hoc code of conduct review committee unanimously approved by councilors BY CHRIS TEALE point candidates with expertise applicable to Alexandria. City councilors voted unan- in the field of government After the resolution received imously to create a group to transparency and eth- unanimous approval, study local ethics issues at its ics. Silberberg praised city public hearing last weekend, Under the reso- councilors for their fulfilling one of Mayor Allison lution proposed by work on the issue. Silberberg’s major campaign Vice Mayor Justin “I want to thank my pledges less than a month after Wilson, the group will colleagues for joining she took office. present a draft code of me in this endeavor and Council created an ad hoc conduct and an ethics pledge coming forward with their sug- code of conduct review com- for council at its April 12 leg- gestions,” she said. “I think the mittee, to be made up of nine islative meeting. It will review public knows how I feel about PHOTOS/DENISE DUNBAR members. Seven will be ap- the reports by Democratic Gov. considering the option of an eth- In the week following the historic blizzard that hit Alexandria begin- ning January 22, residents have had to contend with large mounds pointed by city councilors — Terry McAuliffe’s commission ics advisory committee in terms of snow on sidewalks and in streets after plows cleared the right of with Silberberg’s appointee to on integrity and public confi- of a study group, but this is a way. Officials are still tabulating the total cost of the storm to city act as its chief. City Manager dence in state government to huge start, a huge step forward, government and the economy. Mark Jinks will make the other see if any of that group’s state- Cost to city could be in storm, from the 80 trucks and two selections and likely ap- wide findings in Virginia are SEE ETHICS | 6 the millions snow plows used to clear streets BY ERICH WAGNER and salt roads to emergency ser- More than a week after the vices and lost productivity. But last street in Alexandria was the storm likely has busted the A sign of deemed passable by emergency initial $800,000 set aside in this vehicles following the bliz- year’s budget for snow events. zard that dumped nearly two “It’s probably in the mil- the times feet of snow on the Port lions, although we don’t have Council bans all non- City, city leaders are an exact amount yet,” governmental signs from still surveying the Fifer said. “We have an public rights of way storm’s effects. $800,000 snow budget, BY CHRIS TEALE A winter storm but there’s room in the A decision by the U.S. Su- hovered over the fund balance set aside preme Court concerning the D.C. region from for snow and weather town of Gilbert, Ariz., has had January 22 until early contingencies. Obviously, implications in Alexandria, January 24, shutting down we’d prefer to get re- as city council voted 5-2 last most roads for several days. imbursement on any- weekend to ban all non-gov- Local government was closed thing we can [from state ernmental signs from the pub- until January 27, and Alexan- and federal emergency lic right of way. medians. Mayor Allison FILE PHOTO dria City Public Schools were agencies].” The decision includes ban- Silberberg and City Coun- Political signs will no longer be closed until January 29. In the days fol- ning signs placed on King cilor John Chapman were permitted in public rights of way after city council voted to ban City spokesman Craig Fifer lowing the storm, Street to advertise bus- the two dissenting votes. them in light of the recent U.S. said Tuesday officials still are inesses and political Supreme Court decision “Reed examining the total cost of the SEE BLIZZARD | 7 campaign signs on street SEE SIGNS | 7 v. Town of Gilbert.” PHIL VASSAR BRINGS A HOT PIANO TO THE BIRCHMERE -PAGE 10 2 FEBRUARY 4, 2016 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Christine Roland Garner I Sell More Because I Do More! SINCE 1988 The time to sell is now. Let me put my 28 years of experience to work for you! OLD TOWN ROSEMONT SEMINARY RIDGE $1,725,000 $1,649,000 $1,090,500 SOLD SOLD Historic home fully restored on “Captains Row”, Custom Arts & Crafts home built in 2009 just Gorgeous updated home backing to just 1 block from the river and King Street! blocks from METRO, shops and restaurants! parkland on a quiet cul de sac! 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 full baths, 2 replaces, random width wood oors 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths with 3 nished levels and over 4300 sq. ft. 5 bedroom (4 upper), 4.5 baths with over 3800 sq. ft. of living space. and custom built-ins. Spacious lower level with tall ceilings. of living space. Chef ’s kitchen with adjoining family room, gas Gourmet kitchen, Great room with replace & access to large screened replace, Master suite with luxury bath, huge lower level recreation porch. Huge walk-out lower level with recreation room, guest suite Roof top deck and beautiful garden with patio and Koi pond. room and guest suite. Fenced yard with patio and o street parking. and bonus room. Large fenced yard with patio & manicured lawn. BRADDOCK HEIGHTS OLD TOWN LONG BRANCH ESTATES $875,000 $759,900 $475,000 Enjoy Old Town living in a 5 year old DETACHED home just a couple of blocks from Metro! 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, rich in architectural detail with tall ceilings, beautiful moldings and built-ins. Gourmet Fabulous renovation and expansion kitchen with center Gorgeous home on 1/2 acre convenient to with contemporary flare! island and adjoining Historic Downtown Fredericksburg and 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx. 2100 sq. ft. of living space on 2 levels. Open family room with gas University of Mary Washington! oor plan with tall ceilings, abundant windows and rich hardwood oors. replace. Deep fenced 5 bedrooms, (3 main, 1 upper, 1 lower), 4.5 baths, 3 nished levels with Living room with replace, kitchen with heated oors, SS appliances & yard with patio and deck. loads of builder upgrades. Vaulted ceilings, custom built-ins, open oor plan granite counters and beautiful baths with Travertine marble. Fenced yard. and plenty of room for all! Wired for telecommuting with 2 home o ces. Christine Garner (703) 587-4855 My Priorities Are Simple...They’re Yours! For additional information & Photos, Go to: www.ChristineGarner.com WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM FEBRUARY 4, 2016 | 3 THE WEEKLY BRIEFING ROAMFEST ‘16 ROCKS THE BIRCHMERE Information at www.washingtonbirthday.net Eat at 53 of the finest restaurants and take the Cherry Challenge from January 28 through February 11, Walk with Washington. See places associated with the General in Alexandria; every Sunday in February, March in (or view) the largest (and oldest) parade celebrating George Washington’s birth in the U.S.A., Run in the oldest 10-K in Alexandria & Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Alexandria Fire Department, PHOTO/SUSAN MIRANDA See a live Revolutionary War Battle, Dance at a Ball, 10 local bands comprised of Rock of Ages Music Co. music students rocked a sold out Birchmere Attend a Symposium, Hear a lecture, and have tea... Music Hall Monday, after their original January 24 date was snowed out. A total of 46 musicians George Washington Lives ... in Alexandria! aged between 10 and 21 brought the house down with stellar sets of music based on hits from art- ists ranging from the White Stripes, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Beck, Led Zeppelin, Foo Fight- ers and many more. ROAM was founded by Alexandria native John Patrick, a professional musician and recording artist, and is a music center located in Del Ray. It affords students the opportunity to perform live at professional venues. ROAMfest continues to sell out each performance, which takes place every six months. Monday’s ROAMFest culminated with the most tenured group — Brunch Vil- lage, comprised of the center’s first students — performing LCD Soundsystem’s “All My Friends” with all of their ROAM friends onstage. Alfred Street Baptist Church pastor to receive NAACP award Friday Alfred Street Baptist Church preached in the U.S. George that we are doing at Alfred DRAMATIC announced Monday that pastor Zimmerman was acquitted in Street Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, the death of Trayvon Martin. “I’m extremely proud to lead a biblical scholar and orator, “I am so very humbled and a congregation that is so blessed will receive the 2016 NAACP grateful for this honor and rec- to be in a position to make an Chairman’s Image Award Fri- ognition; however, I know that impact on the lives of others as day night in Los Angeles during this award is a true testament to well as to be an agent of change.” the presentation of the NAACP all of the members, volunteers, The NAACP Image Awards Image Awards. staff and leadership who work celebrate the accomplishments Wesley led community pro- hard every day to achieve excel- of people of color in the fields of test marches following a New lence at Alfred Street Baptist television, music, literature and York grand jury’s decision not Church,” Wesley said in a state- film and also honors individuals to indict in the death of Eric ment. “This recognition by the or groups who promote social Garner.