Mirant News

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The September 2005 Edition of Krupicka Council News

Dear Fellow Alexandrians,

I hope you had a chance to relax a bit over the summer. We are gearing up for what will be a busy legislative year for the City Council. On deck: implementing a new process aimed to tighten the budget, long-term transportation planning, making the city safer for pedestrians, improving preschool opportunities in the city, enhancing available workforce housing for teachers, police officers, firefighters and other members of our community and much more.

The terrible images of Katrina will be hard to ignore as we press forward.  Katrina put a spotlight on a number of enormous national challenges.  It clearly highlighted the weaknesses in our emergency systems.  Council is going to take a new look at city and regional emergency plans.  In particular Katrina highlighted the problems of poverty and infrastructure in our country.  People without cars couldn't flee the hurricane.  People without savings accounts didn't have money to spend on hotels or gas, so they didn't leave.  People with means, by and large, had a much better opportunity to evacuate than those without. In almost the same instant Katrina hit, new statistics came out indicating our national poverty rate had climbed again for the fourth year in a row up to 12.7% --- over 37 million Americans in poverty. 

Alexandria is a community with an enormous heart.  I am confident we will do all we can to help the Katrina victims.  I also hope it doesn't stop there.  We need more creativity and an open dialogue about poverty in our country.  We have to take a hard look at ourselves and work to ensure that people of all backgrounds have honest opportunities to take care of themselves.  In Alexandria, we work hard to encourage responsibility and to create opportunities for long term individual success.  In light of Katrina and the national poverty numbers we need to think even more about how we do that.  Alexandria won't solve the problems of poverty by itself.  But we are a creative community and we can share our ideas far and wide.  That can have an enormous impact.

SEE INFORMATION BELOW FOR INFORMATION ABOUT A 5K RUN THAT WILL HELP KATRINA VICTIMS.

See you around town,

Rob

(Some of you are receiving this newsletter for the first time.  I periodically send out updates on various policy issues and events happening in the city.  I don’t want to spam you, so if you would like to be removed, just send e-mail to Newsletter@Krupicka.com and say "remove". If you or others want to be added to the list, send a message to the same address with "Add Krupicka List" in the subject line.)

** HELP NOW -- City Response to Katrina**

Please tell everybody you know to participate in the Gulf Coast Relief Run.  This Alexandria-based 5k event is both a walk and run. Sat. Sept. 17, 9-10 - Oronoco Bay Park.  Sign up for the race in person at Pacers on King Street or on the website at www.gulfcoastreliefrun.com

You can also volunteer to help by calling Pacers at 703-836-1463.  Let’s get as many people involved as we can.  This is a great place for us to focus our energies.

There are many, many other ways we can support the nationwide response to the tragedy of Katrina.  The City has created a list of suggested groups to support on its web site. http://alexandriava.gov/katrina.html

You can help ensure Alexandria is prepared by joining the Community Emergency Response Team, otherwise known as CERT.  Find out more at: http://www.alexandriava.gov/fire/cert.html

You can also help by participating in the Be Ready Alexandria campaign to ensure every household is prepared in case of an emergency.  http://alexandriava.gov/city/citizencorps/bereadyalexandria.html

** Pedestrian Safety Update and Request for Help **

A number of you regularly contact me about pedestrian safety issues.  It is always great to hear from you as your input helps us move Alexandria closer to being a community where walking is always convenient and always safe. Many of you know that Virginia has one of the least pedestrian-friendly laws in the country.  The onus for safety when you cross at an intersection is on the walker not the driver.  We are going to work to change that.  If we want to live in a community where people can walk to the store, or to a park or to work, we need to have laws that ensure the safety of our pedestrians.

A number of jurisdictions in Northern Virginia plan to ask the legislature to enhance pedestrian rights so that motorists have a responsibility to stop for people when they cross the street.  If you are interested in helping us with this effort, please let me know.  We are particularly looking for local and state organizations that will pass resolutions and encourage their lawmakers to support this effort.  If you or somebody you know is able to help, please contact me.

**Historic Preservation: What do you think?**

Historic properties contribute enormously to our city's character. Over the decade, a number of Alexandria properties will reach their 100-year birthdays.  Some of these are in historic districts, others are not.  A number of buildings will qualify for historic preservation protections provided they meet certain criteria and are designated by the City Council.  Most of us agree that Alexandria’s history and architecture help to define our community.  Some would also say that we should be thoughtful about what we preserve and that, to thrive, a city has to adapt and evolve as community circumstances change.  What is the right balance of historic and new?  Is every building worthy of protecting, no matter what?  Where do property rights fit in? What is the best way for today's Alexandria to distinguish itself for future generations while also preserving our past?  As we begin to take a new look at some our city’s historic properties I am interested in your thoughts.  What does historic preservation mean to you?  Send me a message with your thoughts.

**A Greener and More Energy Efficient Alexandria**

Since I was elected to Council I have been working to increase and promote the use of energy and water efficient building approaches.  These techniques, which have been used in Europe for a long time and are being aggressively promoted in cities like Chicago, have been shown to save substantial money over the long term life of a facility, primarily through lower power bills. Alexandria has come a long way in the last two years.  The new health department building has a green roof -- a vegetative rooftop that keeps the building cool in the summer and limits storm water run-off.  The new TC Williams High School will use these "green building" approaches like green roofs, water conservation and the use of natural light for classrooms. The new Duncan library will use many of these techniques as well.  And we are seeing more and more use of these technologies as part of private development as well.  All of this has the potential to improve our water quality, reduce our energy use and make Alexandria a more environmentally sustainable city.  More about city efforts at: http://dockets.alexandriava.gov/fy05/062805rm/di30.pdf

Read more about national green building efforts: http://www.usgbc.org/

**A NEW Duncan Library**

Located one mile south of its temporary site, Duncan's permanent home, 2501 Commonwealth Ave., which is being expanded by 5,000 square feet, will reopen by mid-September.  The expanded Duncan Branch will include a naturally lit adult reading area, one of the City of Alexandria’s first green roofs, an enlarged children's area, and an additional entrance from Commonwealth Avenue.  The branch’s renovation and extension were designed by the Del Ray architectural firm Larson/Koenig.

This project has been in the works for a long time and the community is understandably very happy to see it finished. The Alexandria Library and the Friends of the Duncan Branch Library will host the Duncan Branch’s Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 11 am following the City's Walk to Fight Breast Cancer event.  Activities that will take place during the ceremony include stories for children and author readings.

** Help New Small Businesses Open in Alexandria **

If you have a chance on Friday, go welcome two new small businesses to Alexandria.  These creative shops will bring new energy and creativity to our city.  We thank them for making Alexandria home.

Barbara Wollan's shop BW Art, Antiques & Collectibles Grand Opening Friday, September 16, 2005 from 5:00-9:00 PM at 108 North Fayette Street (703-518-8464)

Nancy Deitchman's shop Imperfections Grand Opening Friday, September 16, 2005 from 5:00-9:00 PM at 1210 King Street (703-837-1670)

**Notice for Non-Profits Looking For Grant Opportunities**

The Women for Wise Giving of Alexandria Giving Circle calls for applications for its 2005 grants cycle.  They are looking for emerging organizations that serve the Alexandria community.  You are encouraged to apply.  Funding amounts are up to $5,000.  Deadline for receipt of application is October 1.  For more information or an application, contact Karen Grane at KGrane@foley.com or Cathy Dee at CatherineEDee@aol.com.

** A Night Out **

Empowered Women International – A Woman’s Story Gallery opens the Fall Artists Series with Experiments in Immediacy: Improvisations Around Original Themes, a Piano Concert Benefit featuring artist: Salvatore Lupica. The even takes place Saturday, September 24, 6:30-8:45 PM at the Lyceum, Alexandria's History Museum on 201 S. Washington St. in Old Town Alexandria. Ticket: $25/person. The event's contributions support EWI entrepreneurial training to provide business knowledge and a network of support to skilled immigrant and refugee women artists and artisans. To reserve tickets email Marga at: cfripp@aol.com, or call her at 301-693-1346.

**Sign UP for eNews**

Did you know you can be kept up to date on City events, public notices, crime reports and other events through e-mail?  Alexandria's eNews service is a great way to keep up to date on City Happenings.  Sign-up at http://enews.alexandriava.gov/subscribe.php

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