Alexandria Gazette Packet 25 Cents Vol
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Alexandria Gazette Packet 25 Cents Vol. CCXXV, No. 13 Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper April 2, 2009 Facing Down Frustrated Parents Spring School Board candidates Or Fall? respond to questions Three candidates about special education. support keeping By Michael Lee Pope Gazette Packet the May election; s an 8-year-old child, School by Photo two incumbents Board member Charles Wil- son had a problem paying at are undecided. A Michael Lee Pope tention. His mind wandered, By Michael Lee Pope and he couldn’t stayed focused on what his teachers were trying to tell him. So Gazette Packet his school moved him into what Wil- son said was then hortly after the May 2006 known as “the re- Selection for City Council and School Board, Councilman “I didn’t hear tarded class.” But /Gazette Packet one of his teachers Rob Krupicka wrote a letter to the a single new recognized that editor of the Alexandria Gazette idea from Wilson just Packet calling for an end to the needed more di- springtime ritual. Citing the 20 any of the rection and took percent turnout, Krupicka him out of the launched a campaign to move the Candidates for School Board appeared at a forum this week on special- class, clearing the May elections to the more popu- candidates.” education issues. From left to right: Bill Campbell, Mimi Carter, Sheryl way for his career lar November ballot. Even in years — Paul Wilson, Gorsuch, Helen Morris, Scott Newsham, Yvonne Folkerts, Arthur Peabody, in the Army and without presidential elections, Ronnie Campbell and Charles Wilson. member of the eventually a seat November elections bring out Special Education in District C on the “The system is clogged because we have too tistic children increase 92 percent in Alexan- more voters — 46 percent in 2005, Advisory Committe Alexandria School many students competing for resources.” dria over the last six years. School officials 59 percent in 2006 and 29 percent Board. The debate about special education comes are now trying to demonstrate to their state in 2007. “We have too many kids in special at a critical time for Alexandria City Public counterparts in Richmond that the system is “I wouldn’t support presidential education that don’t need to be there,” Schools. Last year, an audit by state officials addressing those areas deemed out of com- or congressional overlap as those said Wilson, who is running for reelec- concluded that Alexandria schools are not pliance as eight incumbent School Board races would overwhelm local is- tion, during a candidates’ forum about meeting the needs of its special-needs popu- members face voters on the campaign trail. sues,” said Krupicka. “But the ar- special-education issues this week. lation — which has seen the number of au- See Facing Parents, Page 24 gument that fall voters are some See Local Focus, Page 4 King Street Still Looking for Right Mix of Retailers businesses in Alexandria,” she national retailers joining them on Retail study points to needed changes in Old Town. said. Alexandria’s main street. “Bigger By Aleksandra Kulczuga flashed a picture of a private jet last year to identify areas for im- is not always bad,” Gibbs reas- The Gazette Packet during his presentation. provement, found that King Street THE CHALLENGE is to identify sured the audience. He added that Gibbs runs Gibbs Planning business is being artificially sup- the elusive mix of national chain big box retailers are increasingly rban planning consultant Group, and is an expert in urban pressed by a confluence of correct- outlets and independent shops adapting their designs to fit into UBob Gibbs explained ex- retail who specializes in redevel- able non-market factors. Gibbs that provides the optimal synergy historic small-town communities. actly how special Alexan- opment and revitalization efforts described that what makes Old for the local community. “There is a strong positive relation- dria is to a packed roomful of lo- in small downtowns and historic Town unique is that its problem is Many independent businesses ship between an anchor and inde cal business owners at the Lyceum districts. He was hired nine a result of supply, not demand, and feel threatened at the prospect of See Right Mix, Page 4 on Thursday, March 19. “I have months ago as an independent that this is a good place to be. Alexandria, VA 22314 VA Alexandria, developers paying me big bucks to third party to help identify oppor- Stephanie Landrum, senior vice St., King 1604 To: ted tell them how to build successful tunities to increase commerce in president of the Alexandria Eco- Reques Service Address communities. We fly all around the the area. nomic Development Partnership, material. Time-sensitive country in private jets looking at Most of the people present at the admitted that the problems Alex- Postmaster: developments, but I always bring forum owned shops along King andria faces are problems that Attention them here and explain that Alex- Street, and were looking for sug- other cities wish they had. “It’s Permit #482 Permit andria is one of the best examples gestions to improve their own true that our status quo is a very VA Alexandria, PAID of successful urban development businesses. The King Street Retail good place to be, but we are con- Postage U.S. in the world,” he declared as he study, commissioned by the city stantly trying to better serve the STD PRSRT www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ April 2-8, 2009 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ April 2-8, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News The Legend Returns Non-profits Learn Together Skeeter Swift will Leadership Exchange hosts social event where make a number non-profits gather and exchange information. of appearances in Alexandria By Emma Gonzalez there was also a table dedicated The Gazette Packet to flyers, cards and contact infor- next month. mation of all the different non- crowd of non-profit rep- profits that attended that night. resentatives gathered Many took advantage and created By Michael Lee Pope AWednesday, March 18, their own packets from all of the Gazette Packet to share information information provided. and find extra help during these Jennifer Styles, a volunteer from native of Alexandria, economic times. Hosted by Alex- Volunteer Alexandria, explained to AHarley “Skeeter” Swift andria Community Trust (ACT), various people the purpose of her was a star basketball Legendary basketball the Alexandria Board Leadership organization. “We’re on the coor- player at George Washington player Skeeter Swift will Exchange sought to connect the dinating committee on ABLE and High School, where he gradu- return to Alexandria for different non-profit organizations I feel like it’s a great opportunity ated in 1965. After that he at- several public in the city. for non-profit organizations to col- tended college at East Tennes- appearances. Jonelle Wallmeyer, ACT execu- laborate with the resources offered see State University, where he tive director, introduced herself to them,” Styles said. played in the Sweet Sixteen in use them. The name of the and the thinking behind the social The event’s purpose was, as 1968. He was later drafted by game is to get your college edu- event, “We have a true backbone Wallmeyer mentioned, to bring the New Orleans Buccaneers in cation. There are too many here. We have had recessions, but the community of Alexandria the American Basketball Asso- young people who are out- we’re here to strengthen. To offer Elizabeth Jones closer. ciation, then by the Milwaukee standing athletes who can play up more opportunities for non Valderrama, Director of Representative of Friends of Bucks in the National Basket- the game but they don’t have a profit organizations that may need Marketing and Special Guest House, Sharon McMichael, ball Association. He now lives job or they are on welfare. that extra help.” She added, “We Projects of OAR. attended the event because of the in Kingsport, Tenn. He will re- When I was playing pro basket- have to be more engaged and in- importance of recruiting volun- turn to Alexandria, when he ball, I was quite active in speak- volved in the community. We can “We are a bit new to the Alexan- teers and giving back to the com- will speak to a group of children ing at basketball camps all over. connect.” dria area so what better way to munity. “All of our organization’s at the Charles Houston Recre- They would listen to me be- Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, an connect with others that want to volunteers are vital. We really have ation Center on April 7; the Op- cause I was honest with them. Alexandria resident and director give to the community?” no money so we have to rely timists at the Belle Haven At the end of four years of bas- of marketing and special projects Valderrama said, “We are always heavily on volunteers. I at least County Club on April 8; and in- ketball in college, you should be for Offender Aid and Restoration looking for recruits and ways of hope it gets people thinking about mates at the Alexandria jail on able to graduate and walk into (OAR), was at the event in hopes connecting with others. It’s about volunteering,” McMichael said. April 9. a place of business and get an of recruiting volunteers and to partnering a getting together as a “Everybody can be involved, it interview or know somebody learn about other non-profits whole.” She added, “We need to does not necessarily have to be a Why are you returning to who can get you in the door.