The Politics of Revitalization Frederick Hopes to Make Route 1 a Wedge Issue Against Puller
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Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper October 6, 2011 Blessing of Pets Elected Officials Rally To Save Pavilions National Park Service to “start all over again.” By Ed Simmons, Jr. ful this time the National Park Ser- The Gazette vice will get it right and respect the wishes of the community and ort Hunt Park’s picnic pa- local elected officials.” vilions may not be The furor began at a public Fdoomed after all now meeting Sept. 21 held at Fort Hunt that the National Park Park when officials of the National Service has stated it’s heeding a Park Service proposed tearing public outcry to save them. down four of the park’s five picnic “I believe,” said U.S. Rep. Gerry pavilions and building a visitors Connolly on Monday, “that the center focused on the park’s his- Bob Blair brought in a National Park Service has ex- tory, particularly its use in World box of some of his most pressed a willingness to start all War II as an interrogation center recent Box Turtle over again. It’s very clear that the for Axis POWs. Attending residents hatchlings to be blessed. community doesn’t support tear- were appalled. ing down the pavilions. I’m hope- See Park Planning, Page 4 The Politics of Revitalization Frederick hopes to make Route 1 a wedge issue against Puller. At St. James’ Episcopal Church’s celebration of the Feast By Michael Lee Pope of St. Francis of Assisi, Gilly gets a blessing from Rector The Gazette Ruth Walsh as Peg Iber watches on Sunday, Oct. 2. Sara Thompson talks to andidates have been talk- Culotte and Lobo, two Cing about revitalizing the double yellow headed Route 1 corridor for a Amazon parrots. generation, and yet little seems to have been accomplished. The road seems more gridlocked now than it’s ever been, and supporters for Puller Frederick mixed-use development were crushed when a new Wal-Mart was lack of progress along the corridor constructed at King’s Crossing. a wedge issue, blaming state Sen. Now, as the November election ap- Toddy Puller (D-36) for the lack proaches, revitalization may be of action. In an interview this emerging as a wedge issue in one week, Puller shot back that of the hottest campaigns in North- Frederick is an ineffective leader ern Virginia. who doesn’t understand the pro Republican challenger Jeff Frederick is hoping to make the See Revitalization, Page 5 Marsalla Magruder’s dog 10/7/11 Allison Jones’s Patton, a Winston. home in Requested material. French bulldog, listens as Time-sensitive St. James’ Rector Ruth Postmaster: Pat Rowell strokes Bess, Walsh begins the Litany for Photos by Louise Krafft/ Attention Permit #482 Permit her dog whom she Animals. The Gazette VA Alexandria, PAID adopted from the shelter. Postage U.S. PRSRT STD PRSRT www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ October 6-12, 2011 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ October 6-12, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette Editor Steven Mauren News 703-778-9415 or [email protected] Jennifer Mills tries pinning up the flap of a tent to allow shoppers to pass through more easily during the rainy morning. Michele Wise of Island Foot displays a number of her Melody Moore and one of Gianna Varca shows a few custom-designed shoes and her “Delectable Illumina- of her custom-made Bottle Exploring Belle View sandals at the fair. tions” dessert candles. Cap magnets. Arts And Craft Fair aturday’s rainfall did not keep the artisans or visi- Stors away from the an- nual fair at Belle View. Lo- cal craftspeople, artisans and au- thors set up tents and warmed themselves with warm drinks and lively conversation. The fair will be held again this fall on Oct. 15 in the commons area. “Ruby and Baby” author Photo by Louise Krafft/ Mary Jane O’Loughlin. The Gazette A new book “Ruby and Baby” by local author Mary Jane O’Loughlin, a story of an African elephant and a cat living in River Towers is now on sale. For more Seamstress and instructor Kendra Miller Bonnie J. Cote moves a few of her hand- information visit of Sew Creatively Mine Studio displays made God’s Eye’s closer into the center of www.rubyandbaby.com one of her custom designed shoulder the tent to keep them out of the rain. bags. Crime Report Activities reported by the Mt. Vernon police department through Sept. 30. 8600 block of Richmond Highway. Wallet stolen from business. ROBBERY store, located at 7704 Richmond 8200 block of Glyn St. License plate Coffee table stolen from business. 8200 block of Roxbury Drive. A man robbed a woman at Highway, just before midnight on stolen from vehicle. 6600 block of Richmond Highway. iPod, money, stamps, bookbag knifepoint in the 7800 block of Wednesday, Sept. 28. A 39-year-old 2400 block of Huntington Park Cell phone stolen from business. and identification stolen from Belford Drive around 12:30 a.m. male of the 7800 block of Belford Drive. License plate stolen from 6600 block of Richmond Highway. vehicle. on Friday, Sept. 23. The suspect Drive in Alexandria was taken to jail vehicle. Food and beverages stolen from 3300 block of Southgate Drive. stole the victim’s purse. He was and charged with burglary and 3100 block of Lockheed Blvd. Beer business. Gold coins stolen from residence. described as black, between 20 trespassing. stolen from business. 7300 block of Richmond Highway. Telegraph Road/Interstate 95. and 30 years old, about 5 feet 3 3800 block of Mariposa Place. Camera stolen from business. Construction material stolen from inches tall and 170 pounds, with Bicycle stolen from business. 7400 block of Richmond Highway. construction site. a muscular build. He had a bald LARCENIES 1800 block of Old Richmond Auto parts stolen from business. head and was wearing a black 1600 block of Belle View Blvd. Highway. Tires stolen from vehicle. 7600 block of Richmond Highway. hoodie and blue jeans. The victim Cologne stolen from business. Richmond Highway/Old Mill Computer stolen from vehicle VEHICLE THEFTS did not require medical attention. 5800 block of Cameron Run Road. Wallet stolen from vehicle. 7700 block of Richmond Highway. 7700 block of Condor Court. Terrace. Radio and cell phone 5900 block of Richmond Highway. iPad stolen from business 1996 Nissan Sentra. stolen from vehicle. Cash stolen from business. 7900 block of Richmond Highway. 2500 block of Parkers Lane. BURGLARY/ ARREST 2800 block of Fairhaven Ave. 6000 block of Richmond Highway. Headphones stolen from business 2003 Lexus. Police arrested a man for Jewelry and ironing board stolen Stereo stolen from vehicle. 8200 block of Richmond Highway. 3300 block of Southgate Drive. burglarizing the Sport Zone from residence. 6000 block of Richmond Highway. Steak stolen from business. 1992 Honda Civic. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ October 6-12, 2011 ❖ 3 News Park Planning Starts Over From Page 1 Del. Scott Surovell raised an alarm, noti- fying Connolly, U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, and U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner. Wrote Surovell on his “Dixie Pig” Blog: “I oppose the demolition of the picnic pavillions. Fort Hunt Park is a valued com- munity asset used by thousands of my con- stituents.” Contacted Oct. 4, Jon James, assistant su- perintendent at the NPS, said, “What we’re going to do is go back and come up with a couple more alternatives that are more bal- anced in terms of the pavilions.” He noted that the deadline for public comments has Photo by Ed Simmons, Jr./The Gazette been extended 30 days to Nov. 6, and that The National Park Service is coming up with new another public meeting will be held, most alternatives that preserve pavilions. likely in January. In a Sept. 28 letter to the NPS, Connolly and Mount “I’m happy that the National Park Service has lis- Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland addressed tened to our community,” he said by phone Monday, the issue of preserving the pavilions while express- “and I’m hopeful that a new proposal will reflect the ing support for the building of an interpretative trail input of the Mount Vernon community.” and reducing the nonpermeable paving, which ben- Also commenting, Moran said, “The Park Service efits the Chesapeake Bay. They also went beyond should establish the historical center in a way that park issues to address problems with the Mount strives to add value to the park while minimizing loss Vernon bike path, calling for its widening and elimi- of its current use.” nating sharp turns. Meanwhile, state Sen. Toddy Puller questioned the Surovell said he has so far collected 52 public com- expense. ments on his blog, running “98 percent opposed to “I can’t imagine the federal government paying tearing down pavilions.” He’s going to forward them money to do whatever they want to do in Fort Hunt to the NPS, which has already received over 70 com- Park when they don’t have the money to do essential ments. services,” she said. 4 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ October 6-12, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Jeff Frederick says Toddy Puller hasn’t done enough for revitaliza- tion; Puller says Frederick doesn’t under- stand the process. Photo by Michael Lee Pope/ The Gazette The Politics of Revitalization From Page 1 Belvoir, adding additional strain to the corridor. Both candidates say the additional workers offer an op- cess. In the end, voters will have the final say when portunity jumpstart the revitalization process, al- they head to the polls this fall.