Alexandria Times Vol. 15, No. 12 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper. MARCH 21, 2019 Poultry proposal deferred PHOTO/CODY MELLO-KLEIN Ed Semonian has served as a circuit court clerk since 1979. Court clerk steps down after 40 years Ed Semonian reflects was to serve two eight-year PHOTO/CODY MELLO-KLEIN on career, legacy terms. That plan was only The proposed chicken slaughterhouse would be located at 3225 Colvin St. The one-story building and future off by 24 years. is 7,250 square feet and is surrounded by a mixture of industrial and commercial uses, including Semonian is finally re- several pet care facilities. BY CODY MELLO-KLEIN tiring again – after 40 years as Alexandria’s clerk of the Short-handed council live butcher shop that would ALSO FROM When Ed Semonian first court. refuses to approve be operated by DC Poultry COUNCIL: ran for the circuit court For Alexandria’s lawyers, halal butcher shop Market, a nationwide halal clerk’s office in 1979, he did ministers, law enforcement meat operation also known Pay-by-phone so reluctantly. He had re- officials and residents, Se- BY MISSY SCHROTT as Saba Live Poultry. Cus- parking pilot tired after working for years monian, 86, has been a tomers would choose their as a lawyer and legal coun- City council deferred a chickens from a windowless made permanent sel. The plan, if he won, SEE SEMONIAN | 9 decision on whether to ap- holding room, then wait on Page 5 prove a live poultry butcher the premises for the chick- shop on Colvin Street to its ens to be killed and prepared New waterfront INSIDE next legislative session, de- for them to take home. restaurants at spite it being one of the most The halal meat prepa- Tying the Knot Seniors anticipated and controver- ration method is governed Robinson Landing Julie and Eric Black’s Nominations are sial topics discussed at Sat- by Islamic law and de- get the go-ahead love story began open for Excellence urday’s public hearing. signed to guarantee the Page 13 in a yoga studio. in Aging Awards. The proposed business is Page 15 Page 23 a halal poultry market and SEE POULTRY | 14 SENIOR LIVING At Ashby Ponds and Greenspring, we offer more than just senior living—we offer stylish living! WITH Call 1-800-746-1459 for your free brochure or to schedule a personal tour. 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Washington St., Suite 100, – Warren Buffett, Alexandria, VA 22314 $699,500 Alexandria Chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 703-836-1464 5 BR 6 BA ©2018 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. ® Equal Housing Opportunity. WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM MARCH 21, 2019 | 3 WEEKLY BRIEFING T.C. students strive to CURE the environment In early 2018, a group of practices throughout Alex- can do to preserve the en- T.C. Williams High School andria City Public Schools. vironment, according to a students established Com- Their most recent project in- news release. The assembly munity United for Renew- volves working with ACPS to featured Claire Gould, a rep- able Energy, a student-run install LED lighting at T.C. resentative from the Climate environmental organization Williams. Reality Project. that advocates for sustain- On March 14, CURE’s To keep up with CURE’s ability. founders, Kenneth Warren mission, visit communityu- Since then, the students and Riley Casagrande, host- nitedforrenewableenergy. behind the organization ed an assembly about the com. To help finance their have been working to imple- progress of climate change, goals, please visit www.go- ment recycling and other en- why sustainability is im- fundme.com/be-the-cure. vironmental sustainability portant and what citizens [email protected] Alexandria Library launches All Alexandria Reads The Alexandria Library dria Reads begin March 23 is kicking off its All Alex- and run through April and andria Reads program with May at various Alexandria the featured title “It’s All Library branches. The pro- Relative: Adventures Up gram kicks off Saturday at and Down the Family Tree” the James M. Duncan Jr. by A.J. Jacobs, according to Branch Library with a mov- RACHMANINOFF a news release. ie screening by Alexandria All Alexandria Reads is Oddball Cinema of “Cold designed to create shared Comfort Farm,” an offbeat experiences through read- film with family-oriented Piano Concerto No. 3 ing, according to the Alex- themes. andria Library website. This Visit alexlibrary.org/aar year, events and discussions for listings of other All Al- will relate to the theme “It’s exandria Reads events. All Relative.” -mschrott@ Events for All Alexan- alextimes.com BOOK COVER/AMAZON Council eliminates vehicle April 6, 2019 @ 8pm windshield decals April 7, 2019 @ 3pm City council voted unan- The decals Season imously to eliminate the on Old Town requirement that vehicle residents’ Finale! James Ross, Music Director owners display a windshield cars current- ly indicate Marianna Prjevalskaya, Pianist decal at its public hearing on payment of Saturday. the personal Before the vote, the de- property Also featuring music by Reznicek and Schumann cals had been used to indi- tax. The city cate payment of the person- council elim- ADULT: $20-$80 • STUDENT: $10 • YOUTH: $5 al property tax. Currently, inated the the fee associated with the requirement decal is still effective. to display them. (703) 548-0885 • www.alexsym.org SEE DECALS | 4 FILE PHOTO 4 | MARCH 21, 2019 ALEXANDRIA TIMES WEEKLY BRIEFING THETHE CREMATION GARDENS CREMATION GARDENS DECALS FROM | 3 rate from $5 to $5.56, so that in a statement. “This change AT IIVYVY HHILLILL CEMETERY if council decides to elimi- will improve efficiency and However, Mayor Justin Wil- nate the decal fee, they could customer service, and it gives son has indicated that coun- increase personal property vehicle owners one less thing cil may eliminate the fee and taxes and the city would re- to worry about.” raise the personal property main revenue neutral. Council will have a series tax rate during the budget “Eliminating decals is an- of budget work sessions and process. other example of how Alex- hearings leading up to its Last week, council in- andria is making smart use scheduled budget adoption creased the maximum ve- of technology to better serve on May 1. hicle personal property tax our community,” Wilson said [email protected] Four new gardensIVYHILLCEMETERY.NET set in 22 acres of natural beauty for paying William Chesley retires after 38 tribute to a loved one. Ground burial sites also available. Keeping Alexandria’s703.549.7413 heritage since 1856 years in parks and rec 2823 King Street, Alexandria William Chesley, deputy pin Park Recreation Center | 2823 KING ST. ALEXANDRIA, VA 22302 703.549.7413 director of recreation ser- director; sports, pools and | www.ivyhillcemetery.net [email protected] vices for the Department of physical fitness division Recreation, Parks & Cultur- chief; centers, playgrounds al Activities, is retiring after and youth sports division 38 years with the City of Al- chief and recreation services exandria. division deputy director. During his time with There will be a celebra- ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK Alexandria parks and rec, tion of his retirement and Chesley held the positions public service Friday from of Mount Vernon Recre- 2 to 5 p.m. at Lee Center at ation Center director; youth 1108 Jefferson St. sports director; Chinqua- [email protected] COURTESY PHOTO CRIME Pankaj Bhasin murder trial begins The trial for Pankaj Bha- Jackson was a werewolf, ac- office determined the cause sin of New Jersey, the man cording to NBC Washington. of death to be several blunt accused of killing Alexandria Due to the alleged mental ill- and sharp force injuries. ~ The Wonderful Twos ~ resident Bradford Jackson in ness, the defense is arguing Moments after, Bhasin was an Old Town business on July that Bhasin is not guilty by found naked in a car nearby 2-year-old Bailey~~ Canine has Special the bestHealth Needs smile; Care wants ~ ~ to spread it to everyone.Extra patience From mayhis goofy be required antics to adopthis high-energy Flash. At 13, 2018, began this week. reason of insanity. and arrested in the killing, escapades,agePuppies 4, he thisis require energetic, Staffordshire surgery and sometimes. needs terrier encouragement “Sarah’sis sure toFund” make to Defense lawyers claimed Jackson, 65, was found according to NBC Washing- provides Shelteryou petsslow laugh. with down. needed procedures. this week that mental illness dead inside Window Uni- ton. was a factor in the killing, verse on King Street on July The trial is ongoing.