March Newsletter

March 2005

Dear Friends,

Budget season officially starts next Tuesday when Council receives the City Manager’s budget proposal.  Understandably, many residents have expressed concerns about taxes.  Rising property assessments over the last few years have put pressure on all of us.  We will be looking at the budget closely in order to provide residents with the greatest possible tax relief, including expanding our disabled, senior-citizen and low-income tax relief programs. Your participation in this process can help us work through the budget and City priorities.

Civic involvement and participation is the main topic for my newsletter this month.  Alexandria benefits from your involvement.  The budget process is just one example.  We need your ideas, insights, and opinions.  The more people participate in our community, the better we can address our challenges and improve our City.  So take a look at the opportunities below.  I look forward to your continued, and hopefully increased, civic involvement.

Sincerely,

Rob

P.S. – As always, I look forward to hearing from you.  Send along your thoughts and ideas.

(if you or others want to be added to the newsletter list, send a message to Newsletter@Krupicka.com the same address with “Add Krupicka List” in the subject line.)

** Leadership Alexandria Will Help You Get Involved

Leadership Alexandria is a City leadership training program sponsored by The Chamber of Commerce.  The selection criteria require that participants: 

.     Live or work in the City of Alexandria for at least one year or submit a statement of relevance indicating their connection to Alexandria

.     Are 21 years of age or older

.     Have decision-making responsibility within their business

.     Show evidence of leadership in their workplace, community or both

.     Are willing to commit the required time to Leadership Alexandria

.     Are committed to utilizing their leadership skills and knowledge for the long-term benefit of Alexandria

More information on the web at www.alexchamber.com/leadershipalexandria/index.htm

** Take Part in the New Citizens Academy

Councilwoman Woodson conceived of this idea a few years ago.  The Citizens Academy will focus on how the City of Alexandria works, the various departments, how to get involved, etc.  Council approved the plan for the program last month.  The inaugural class will begin to meet in late April.  The Academy is open to residents over the age of 18.  Representatives of businesses in the City are also welcome. 

The curriculum will be presented in two hour sessions every Thursday night for 8 weeks.  The first class is expected to start on April 28th and the graduation is expected to take place on June 28th.

Councilmembers can submit up to three names.  We won’t be able to include everybody that wants to attend, but we will keep track of the responses so we can plan for future classes as well.  

If you are interested, send me e-mail at Rob@Krupicka.com and share a few thoughts about why you want to get more involved in the City.  I will be looking for creativity and/or unique thoughts or view-points --- I only get to nominate three. 

** Follow the Budget Process

Even thought the budget is one of the most important things done by City-Council, few residents seem to participate and follow the budget process.  All of the meetings are open to the public and all of the documents are available online.  Your insights would be appreciated. The front page of the City web site has a link to the budget planning area for the City. All appropriate documents and meeting dates are available for you. 

www.alexandriava.gov/city/mgmt_budget/mgmt_home.html

** Participate in Community Planning

In the next few months the City will work on a new Braddock Road community plan and a Van Dorn/Landmark community plan. These planning efforts could benefit greatly from your input.

Find out more about planning efforts at http://www.alexandriava.gov/planningandzoning/

** Join a Board or Commission

www.alexandriava.gov/city/boards_comm/vacancies.html   Each month there are vacancies on City Boards and Commissions.  Sometimes you have to apply more than once to get appointed, but perseverance often pays off.  Keep trying and make sure to let members of Council know that you have applied – an e-mail, or phone call can make a difference.

** Zoning Seminar

The City has been working over the last year with the Federation of Civic Associations to create a zoning seminar.  Land use is one the most challenging and complicated areas of local government. This seminar will provide the basics of Virginia and Alexandria zoning laws, the land use strategy of the City and more.  Class dates have not been set, yet, but keep your eyes open as they should be coming soon.

** Spirit of the Community – Monthly Small Business Profile

In the spirit of community involvement, the owner of this month's business, Christopher St. Pierre, was also actively involved in establishing the West End Business Association in 2004.  He now serves as its inaugural President.  Alexandria’s unique shopping attractions were enhanced in 2001 when Chris opened Authentically Amish, a retail furniture store offering a wide selection of home furnishings and accessories handmade by Amish craftsmen.  Selections include dining room tables, chairs, bedroom suites, hutches and buffets, armoires, occasional tables, computer and writing desks, entertainment centers and bookcases.  The typical styles of furniture employed by the Amish are Mission, Shaker and Traditional; however, Authentically Amish also carries pieces that are unique and more associated with the Amish traditions and lifestyle.  They also offer quilted items, Amish dolls, Amish toys, Amish cookbooks, Hex signs and other decorative items.  Please stop by Authentically Amish to see another example why Alexandria is such a unique shopping destination.

Business:  Authentically Amish, LLC

Location:   4609 Duke Street., Alexandria 22304 (Foxchase Shopping Center)

            (703) 212-9890

            www.authenticallyamish.com

Owner:      Christopher St. Pierre     stpierrechris@aol.com

** Help our Local Fire Fighters

We are blessed with dedicated and professional fire fighters in Alexandria.  Just last month our excellent water rescue crew saved the life of a helicopter accident victim.  They are always there to look after us. Sometimes the Firefighters need our help too. The Alexandria Fire Department created the Helping Hands Relief Fund to aid firefighters and their families in difficult times.  When tragic events occur, there isn’t time for red tape, just for help.  You can participate by going to   www.afdlocal2141.org and clicking on the helping hands link.

** Red Light Update

Thank you to the many people that shared their views on the Red-Light camera laws.  I also want to thank the many of you that wrote to the leaders in Richmond.  So, what happened?  The good news is that the State Senate found a way to give the House of Delegates one more shot at the legislation.  The House of Delegates declined to follow the Senate’s lead.  The House of Delegates never took a floor vote on this legislation; it always found a way to die in committee or through another parliamentary maneuver.  Red-light cameras will go away this summer, unless the Governor finds a way (unlikely) to get the House of Delegates to reconsider.

We have a lot of work to do to make our streets safe and we need the help of lawmakers in Richmond.  In Virginia, for example, pedestrians do not have a clear right of way at cross walks.  We have been trying to change that law for a number of years.  I can’t say how many times I have seem parents with kids standing in the middle of the road as a car drove right past them, inches from the family.  New laws and more education are needed.  All of us need to keep working on this.

3:35:12 PM    

Early Childhood Development Makes all the Difference

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with a coalition of national partners, recently launched a public awareness campaign to help parents learn more about the importance of measuring their child's social and emotional progress in the first few years of life. The campaign, "Learn the Signs. Act Early," is designed to educate parents about early childhood development, including potential early warning signs of autism and other developmental disabilities.  Check out the new website for information in English and Spanish, www.cdc.gov/actearly or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4656).

2:03:27 PM