Vol. 12, No. 1 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper JANUARY 7, 2016 Changing of the guard Silberberg rolls out ethics proposal Work group would bring of ethics and come back to city proposal to council this council at the end of March with spring a proposal to implement an eth- BY ERICH WAGNER ics pledge for elected officials, Mayor Allison Silberberg establish an ethics code and wasted no time before setting come up with the functions and her agenda for Alexandria fol- structure of a permanent ethics lowing her swearing in Mon- advisory commission. day night, announcing a plan to “We have many city commis- strengthen ethics rules govern- sions, including a beautification ing local elected officials. commission, but we don’t have In her speech following be- an ethics advisory commission,” ing installed as mayor and in a she wrote. “The employees of letter to the Times, Silberberg our city sign an ethics pledge. said she wants a transparency PHOTO/CHRIS TEALE study group to examine issues SEE ETHICS | 6 Mayor Allison Silberberg takes the oath of office from Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk Ed Simonian (not pictured) Monday night. City Councilors Tim Lovain (left) and John Chapman (right) look on at the ceremony hosted at the auditorium of T.C. Williams High School. New city council sworn in, good and faithful servant of heed the concerns of residents. Allison Silberberg begins this Alexandria community,” Silberberg echoed that first term as mayor Chapman told Euille dur- spirit of cooperation and lis- BY CHRIS TEALE ing his remarks after being tening to the public in her There was a distinct sense sworn in, his voice faltering remarks after being officially of the new replacing the old with emotion. sworn in by Alexandria Cir- Monday night in the audito- Euille, meanwhile, thanked cuit Court Clerk Ed Semo- rium of T.C. Williams High residents for their support, hav- nian. She repeated calls from School as the new city council ing grown up in the city before the campaign trail to establish was officially installed, to be getting involved in politics. He an ethics advisory commis- led by new Mayor Allison Sil- spoke of looking out of his of- sion and a desire to have the berberg in her first term. fice window at City Hall onto issue studied and brought to And while the majority of Market Square, a place where council in the spring, saying her colleagues — Vice Mayor slaves once were sold, and that the commission would Justin Wilson and city coun- being proud of serving as the be something future residents cilors John Chapman, Tim city’s first black mayor. would be grateful for. Lovain, Del Pepper and Paul “It goes to show you that “City Hall can never be Smedberg — were re-elected Alexandria has had a lot of separate from the people, be- from the previous term along- history, and the fact that I have cause City Hall is the people,” side first-term City Councilor been able to serve as mayor she said. Willie Bailey, the sense of his- says a lot,” he said. The new mayor added that tory was palpable as the city Euille went on to advise the she will continue her popular PHOTO/JENNIFER POWELL bade farewell to former Mayor new council to work together “Council on Your Corner,” a SPARKING THE NEW YEAR Thousands of people watch Bill Euille, who is leaving of- in tackling the tough decisions monthly event to engage with the fireworks along the Potomac River waterfront on New Year's fice after 12 years in the city’s that lie ahead, and not to duck residents, only it will be re- Eve as part of the annual First Night Alexandria celebration. top job and 21 on council. any of them. He also said they Events were held across the Port City, in Old Town, Del Ray and on the West End to celebrate the beginning of 2016. “Thank you for being a must be good listeners and SEE COUNCIL | 6 IRETON FALLS SHORT OF WOODSON UPSET -PAGE 10 2 JANUARY 7, 2016 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Christine Roland Garner I Sell More Because I Do More! Since 1988 Celebrating 28 Years The time to sell is now. Let me put my knowledge and experience to work for you! DEL RAY QUAKER RIDGE ROSEMONT ROSEMONT SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD $1,010,000 $1,175,000 $885,000 $750,000 OLD TOWN OLD TOWN OLD TOWN ROSEMONT SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD $1,120,000 $985,000 $1,050,000 $999,000 DEL RAY ROSEMONT DEL RAY COLLEGE PARK SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD $1,605,000 $1,040,000 $805,000 $999,950 DEL RAY DEL RAY OLD TOWN DEL RAY SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD $1,095,000 $894,888 $599,000 $1,035,000 Christine Garner (703) 587-4855 For additional information & Photos, Go to: www.ChristineGarner.com WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM JANUARY 7, 2016 | 3 THE WEEKLY BRIEFING Why Not? toy store to close after 53 years Having been open for ed that current owner Kate tions to cease operations in more than half a century at Schlabach said Why Not? recent times. Late last year, 200 King St., boutique toy could not compete with on- Bradlee Shoe Repair, Mon- store Why Not? is set to close line retailers, adding that roe’s and Mancini’s all closed in February. she has known people come down, while Old Town furni- The store sells toys, into the store, take a photo of ture stores Decorium and Eu- games and clothing for chil- an item with a view to going ropean Country Living both St. Anselm’s Abbey School. dren across two floors, and home and finding it on the shut up shop recently. Bridal . Where a rigorous curriculum keeps students challenged. announced the closure on its Internet. boutique Hannelore’s also re- Where a warm community encourages every boy to be himself. official Facebook page on Why Not? is one of a num- cently announced its closure Where sports, arts, and clubs give rise to confident leaders. January 2. ber of venerable Alexandria after more than 30 years. Where Benedictine tradition grounds values and inspires faith. NBC Washington report- retail and restaurant institu- - Chris Teale Where Bright Boys Become Exceptional Men. Grades 6-12 | 40-Acre D.C. Campus | www.saintanselms.org City honors Martin Luther King Jr. Open House: January 10, 1:00 - 3:00 pm with 43rd memorial program The life, work and legacy Make it Happen!” and will former D.C. Mayor Sharon of Martin Luther King Jr. will be presented by the Martin Pratt Kelly will give the key- ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK be honored in a community Luther King, Jr., Memorial note address. program on January 15 at 7:30 Planning Committee. Mayor For more information on the p.m. at Third Baptist Church, Allison Silberberg will give program, contact Cheryl Law- 917 Princess St. remarks, there will be music rence at cheryl.lawrence@alex- The program is called by the Metropolitan Wash- andriava.gov or 703-746-5419. “Our World, His Dream! ington Baha’i’ Chorale, and - Chris Teale Martin Luther King Jr. poster exhibition announced From January 18 through gles and journeys to reach ception to follow in the Vola February 29, the city’s an- Alexandria, perhaps from Lawson Lobby from 2:15 to nual poster exhibition and another country or situation. 3:00 p.m. program from Alexandria This year’s theme was “Jour- The Martin Luther King City Public Schools students neys: Your road to Alexan- Jr. Poster Exhibition started ~ The Perfect Pet ~ honoring the memory and dria,” with students instructed as a contest in 1990, and was is one companionable kitty and a legacy of Martin Luther King to answer the question, “How created by the Alexandria Bonnie favorite~ Canine at the shelter. Health Because Care ~ she is Jr. will be on view in the Vola did you come to Alexandria?” Society for the Preserva- Lawson Lobby of City Hall. Students who participated tion of Black Heritage, Inc. Puppiesdeclawed require she surgery makes sometimes. a good “Sarah’shouse Fund”cat. The 2016 exhibition will will be recognized on Janu- to highlight the art work of provides Shelter pets with needed procedures. Bonnie is content among the hustle and bustle display students’ illustrations ary 18 in council chambers ACPS students. This puppy will soon undergo an operation to repair of children and pets (including dogs) and likes of their own family’s strug- from 1 to 2:15 p.m., with a re- - Chris Teale “pulmonic stenosis”, with donations from Alexandrians. to take naps on the couch when not in action. Your five-dollar donation adds to Sarah’s Fund and We’re Transforming the Classroom Experience. OURtogether ANIMAL with contributions SHELTER W ofEL others,COMES ensures VISIT thatOR S FOR DAILmedicalY INTE RcareAC TIis OthereN W whenITH S needed.WEET ANIMALS Standing desks COME LEARN HOW AT STOP BY 4101 Eisenhower Avenue, call us at FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SARAH’S FUND, PLEASE CALL and ergonomic AN OPEN HOUSE: 703-746-4774703-746-4774, OR VISIT orUS visitAT WWW. www.alexandriaanimals.orgALEXANDRIAANIMALS.ORG/DONATE stools enhance Jan. 8 student learning. Jan. 12 THANKTHANK YOYOUU Visit www.acdsnet.org for The Alexandria Animal Shelter’s Pet of the times and details or call to Week is sponsored by Diann Hicks, finding homes for pets and humans, alike. schedule a tour 703.837.1303 www.diannhicks.com K–8 . Coed . Nonsectarian 2400 Russell Road Alexandria, VA 22301 4 JANUARY| MAY 7, 20157, 2016 ALEXANDRIAALEXANDRIA TIMES TIMES In Your CRIME CRIME BurkeInmates and honored Herbert for educational Bank branch achievements on Times East Alexandria Monroe Sheriff Dana Avenue robbed Lawhorne and deputies con- The Alexandria Times Photo Contest gratulatedThe Burke inmates and at Herbertthe city an undisclosed amount of cash, Bankjail last at week306 E.for Monroetheir success Ave.- leaving behind his device.