Alexandria Times Vol. 15, No. 24 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper. JUNE 13, 2019 Greg Parks School board adopts FY2020 budget nominated Funding allocated to gram budget on June 6. local and federal sources. “There were some real- renovations, special The FY2020 combined This year’s budget pro- ly difficult conversations for clerk education, custodians funds budget, also known as cess was a first for Meagan that all of us had behind the operating budget, totals Alderton, Jacinta Greene, the scenes,” Suarez said at BY CODY MELLO-KLEIN $286,415,016, an increase of Michelle Rief, Chris Suarez the meeting. “This was very of court $10,991,952, or 3.9 percent, and Heather Thornton, all much a group effort to get to Opponent Ben Ortiz School board members from FY2019. The majority of whom were elected in No- the point where we could do loses by 894 votes voted unanimously to ap- of ACPS’ revenues, about vember. right by the 20 custodians, prove Superintendent Dr. $231.7 million, came from At the school board’s where we could add a lot of BY CODY MELLO-KLEIN Gregory Hutchings’ fiscal the city’s FY2020 budget, June 6 budget adoption [full-time positions] to sup- year 2020 combined funds which city council adopted meeting, several members port special education, to Greg Parks won Alexan- budget and FY2020-2029 on May 1, while the remain- said the process hadn’t been dria’s Democratic clerk of Capital Improvement Pro- ing funds came from state, easy. SEE BUDGET | 14 court nomination during Tuesday’s primary by 894 votes, according to the Vir- ginia Department of Elec- tions’ unofficial results. VT Innovation Campus relocates With all 31 precincts re- porting, Parks took 4,192 votes – 55.97 percent – Grad school to have larger site next to SEE PRIMARY | 12 Metro BY MISSY SCHROTT INSIDE The Virginia Tech Inno- vation Campus coming to Alexandria will be located on a much larger site than the one announced last fall, Virginia Tech President Tim Sands announced Monday PHOTO/MARK BRISCOE Alexandria Aces morning. The campus will now be Aces kick off summer located in Potomac Yard on season with 0-6 record. the east side of Route 1, adja- Page 17 cent to the planned Potomac Yard Metro Station. As part Affordable Housing of a 65-acre mixed-use de- City loan helps AHDC velopment district, it will be acquire 20-unit apartment twice the size of the original complex. RENDERING/VIRGINIA TECH Page 6 SEE CAMPUS | 9 A rendering of the future Virginia Tech Innovation Campus. 2 | JUNE 13, 2019 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Exclusive to our clients, Compass Unlock your Concierge fronts the cost of services to prepare your home for market, from staging to cosmetic improvements and more, allowing you to sell your home home’s potential faster and for more money. compass.com/concierge Home must qualify under Compass Concierge guidelines. Compass is a licensed real estate brokerage that abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 106 N. Lee Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 703.277.2152 WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM JUNE 13, 2019 | 3 WEEKLY BRIEFING Fire Chief Robert Dubé retires Dog Walkers • Pet Sitters Alexandria Fire Chief his many contributions at Robert Dubé is retiring ef- the helm of the Alexan- fective July 3, according to a dria Fire Department,” City news release. Manager Mark Jinks said in Dubé, who has served a statement. “His accom- as the city’s fire chief since plishments have provided 2014, will be replaced in the critical support for Alexan- interim by Corey Smedley, dria’s firefighters and EMS JOIN the city’s assistant fire chief providers, helping them OUR of administration. protect our community and “It has been one of the its excellent quality of life. TEAM! honors of my professional PHOTO/CITY OF ALEXANDRIA We wish him all the best for Robert Dubé (left) and Corey career to lead this great de- Smedley (right). a well-earned retirement.” partment and its dedicated Smedley has served in the members,” Dubé said in a Dubé has worked in fire city department since 2015 Apply online at statement. “I thank them service for 40 years, and and was previously the dep- www.PassionatelyPets.com/About/Employment.php for the amazing work they was a first responder at the uty chief of Prince George’s do every day to help keep Pentagon after the Sept. County’s fire department. our community safe, and I 11, 2001 attacks. During He will serve as acting fire am confident that our cur- his tenure as the city’s fire chief beginning July 3. The rent leadership and pas- chief, he helped the fire de- city will name a permanent sionate team of firefight- partment secure $5 million chief following a national ers and EMS providers will in funding to help paramed- search process, Craig Fifer, continue this department’s ic training, according to the the city’s director of com- proud 153-year tradition of release. munications, said. service.” “I thank Chief Dubé for - [email protected] ACPS teachers named Champions of Children Three Alexandria City Public Schools staffers won awards for “establishing life-changing services for the children and families,” 1411 H Street Alexandria, VA 22307 according to a news release. Fredy Martinez, Leigh $1,350,000 LaPaglia and Michael Dig- 6 Bedrooms | 6.5 Baths | 3-Car Garage gins received the 2019 Champions of Children award from the city’s Chil- The confluence of Old Town charm, traditional dren, Youth and Families farmhouse appeal and modern amenities. Collaborative Commission This impressive residence features a professional kitchen for their work supporting equipped with commercial grade stainless appliances, includ- children, according to the ing a six-burner gas stove with pot filler, KitchenAid built-in refrigeration, and beverage station with wine chiller. Exquisite release. coffered ceilings frame the main level family room with gas fire- Martinez, ACPS’ sub- place, while a double set of French doors open to the covered stance abuse prevention co- PHOTO/ACPS slate patio. This is truly an elegant home thoughtfully designed ordinator, was recognized From left to right: Martinez, Diggins, LaPaglia. for both executive-level entertaining and modern family living. for his work in improving the school system’s drug was nominated for her work release. Brad Wisley education and intervention in creating food and cloth- “Social work can be Wisley, Greco & Associates efforts, according to the re- ing drives in the city, which such a hidden profession. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty lease. had a 40 percent participa- WGASellsHomes.com | 703.658.1600 LaPaglia, a social worker, tion rate, according to the SEE ACPS | 4 4 | JUNE 13, 2019 ALEXANDRIA TIMES WEEKLY BRIEFING ACPS FROM | 3 Hammond Middle School, “Being recognized is a earned the award for his bonus. It really motivates It’s awesome for people to holistic approach to educa- me more to continue doing recognize the work. At the tion, encouraging students what I do,” Diggins said in a same time, it is a team ef- to learn beyond the test, statement. Meet Mara Benner fort,” LaPaglia said in a according to the release. He The awards were pre- at Well Ray! statement. is an ACPS alumnus, having sented at city hall Wednes- Diggins, the dean of graduated from T.C. Wil- day night at 6:30 p.m. Attend her free Reiki-Energy Introduction students at Francis C. liams in 1990. - [email protected] Session at 10 a.m. or meet her at the Four Direction Wellness exhibit booth. Amazon announces employee donation Well Ray Festival matching for Alexandria nonprofits Saturday, June 22 • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Del Ray Amazon will match em- in the areas around its two In addition to the do- ployee donations to 20 se- headquarters, according to nation matching program, 703-776-0102 • www.fourdirectionswellness.com lect nonprofits in the D.C. the news release. Amazon will also be making and Seattle areas, including Among the 20 nonprof- an initial $3 million dona- three Alexandria nonprof- its, employees can donate to tion to the Arlington Com- its, the company announced three Alexandria nonprofits: munity Foundation, accord- in a news release on Tues- Carpenter’s Shelter, Com- ing to the news release. The day. munity Lodgings and Wes- ACF maintains and creates From June 11 to Sept. ley Housing Development affordable housing options 30, Amazon will match em- Corporation. All three or- for families and veteran in ployee donations of up to ganizations aim to address Arlington. ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK $5 million to organizations homelessness and housing - cmelloklein that seek to address home- affordability in Alexandria @alextimes.com lessness and housing issues and Northern Virginia. Crowne Plaza holds liquidation sale Crowne Plaza Old Town approved plans to convert flat screen TVs, commercial on North Fairfax Street is the property into a devel- kitchen equipment, ice ma- holding a liquidation sale opment with a residential chines, fitness equipment, for 28 days beginning on building, townhouses and a china, linens, microwaves, June 13, according to a news theater space. refrigerators, serving piec- release. In preparation for con- es, stack chairs, alarm The hotel is being rede- struction, National Con- clocks and Keurig coffee veloped as part of a new arts tent Liquidators is helping makers, according to the re- ~~ Canine Special Health Needs Care ~ ~ ~ DelightfulExtra patience may Compositebe required to adopt DogFlash.