October Krupicka Council News

Welcome to the October 2005 Edition of Krupicka Council News.

In this issue:

** Transportation Planning Update**

** Unfunded Mandate Watch **

** Question of the Day -- What Makes a City Great?**

** Smoke Free in Alexandria**

** Finding a Lasting Way to Preserve Our History**

** Business Spotlight -- EZ Auctioning**

** You're Invited -- Neighborhood Halloween Party**

** Calendar**

Dear Neighbor:

There has been a lot of talk about conservation lately.  With fuel prices rising, everybody is looking for ways to conserve.  I am trying to ride my bike more.  The city is asking staff to cut back on fuel consumption.  I have written about sustainable development a few times in the past.  An important motivation for this approach is energy and water conservation.  As fuel prices rise, there are even greater opportunities for savings from well insulated, energy efficient homes and buildings.  What are you doing to conserve? A few suggestions can be found online:  http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc.mhtml?i=110&;s=fuel

Last weekend my wife and I went away for our wedding anniversary.  We spent the weekend near the Blue Ridge and were struck by the number of sub-divisions that are getting closer and closer to Virginia's state parks and farms. We stopped by a friend's farm.  Cliff manages a sustainable farm called Mt.Vernon Farm. (http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M8605)  He is raising cattle, chickens, pigs and lamb without chemicals or processed foods.  The end product is healthier for us, uses less energy to produce and is also better for water conservation.  He is trying hard to create a business model that will help preserve farm lands in Virginia. Cliff is interested in starting a buying club in Alexandria.  If you are interested in having a monthly shipment of products from a sustainable farm, let me know and I will put you in touch with him or you can contact them directly at mtvfarm@verizon.net.

As always, let me know what is on your mind.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Rob

(If you or others want to be added to the newsletter list, send a message to newsletter@krupicka.com with "Add Krupicka List" in the subject line.)

**Transportation Planning Update**

A lot of efforts are underway to improve the transportation infrastructure in Alexandria.  With the growth in our region, cut through traffic continues and will continue to clog our streets.  Over 60% of the traffic on most arterial roadways is cut-through. Council frequently receives messages from people outside of Alexandria asking us to make it easier for them to travel through the city.  While we can't eliminate congestion, or regional traffic, we are working hard to balance commuters traveling east west with those traveling north to south and to emphasis travel convenience for those living and doing business in Alexandria.  A few highlights of ongoing efforts:

      1) The Ad Hoc Transportation Task Force has recommended an approach to address regional and city traffic along the Route One corridor.  They recommend the creation of a dedicated right of way for mass transit through Potomac Yard.  The route would connect the Pentagon and areas of Arlington to the North to the Braddock Road Metro to the south. This concept will come to the Planning Commission and City Council in the next few months.  Similar concepts will likely be discussed as part of the Van Dorn and Landmark area planning efforts.  Transit can move more people than an equivalent amount of road space. The goal is to make transit a travel choice for users that is comparable to the automobile when it comes to cost, convenience and availability

      2) The city is moving forward with plans to expand the DASH bus facility so that we can expand the bus fleet and provide more convenient, neighborhood, service throughout the city.  As a part of this effort future bus acquisitions are likely to include smaller, neighborhood-friendly, buses.

      3) Efforts are presently underway to ensure the traffic speed in every school zone in the city is appropriate for the safety of children.  Speed limits near schools are being modified and flashing lights installed to remind motorists that children are present.

      4) The City is working to expand Zip and Flex Car services so that people have the option to own fewer cars and take advantage of these car sharing services when they need them.  This is particularly attractive for the 17% of the population that uses mass transit on a regular basis.

      5) The City is enhancing its fiber optic network in order to improve traffic flow and monitoring.  Grants obtained by Congressman Moran are helping to fund a good portion of this work.  These efforts are planned for Rt. 1, Old Town, Duke Street and other areas of the city. 

      6) Upcoming plans include a significant traffic signal synchronization effort throughout major portions of the city.

      7) The city has increased its funding for road and pot-hole repair in order to upgrade our many worn out streets.

If you are interested in more information on any of these or other efforts, please let me know.

** Unfunded Mandate Watch **

I may make this a regular feature.  It seems either the federal government or the state are regularly creating new, unfunded, mandates for local government. These mandates may be well intended, but without funding support, they are simply passing the buck. Do you know of any that you want me to mention in the future?

1) Congress recently passed new Head Start legislation that increases testing and certification standards for Head Start programs.  On the surface, that is a good thing.  Higher quality and training standards have merit.  However, Congress has not included funding to pay for these higher standards.  Teachers with degrees cost more than those without.  Higher demand for preschool teachers with degrees will likely increase competition and drive up salaries for those individuals.  Without Federal help, who do you think will get left paying for these new requirements?

2) Congress is presently debating some needed changes to Medicaid law that would reform some long standing administrative issues in the program.  An unintended consequence of these efforts would essentially eliminate funding for rehabilitation programs.  20 years ago the State of Virginia started closing state-wide mental health centers and pushed rehabilitation and other programs to local government.  Of course, they did that without providing all of the funds to do the job.  Now, we have the Feds closing down funding for rehabilitation.  Who do you think gets left with the costs?

**Question of the Day – What Makes a City Great?**

I have been reading Joel Kotkin’s book "The City" over the last few months.  It is a global history of cities.  In it, Kotkin seeks to identify the primary features that make a city "great."  He talks about the role of commerce, of religious institutions, of government and community focus. Have you read it?  What do you think?  More generally, what characteristics do you think make a city great?

**Smoke Free in Alexandria**

Councilman Gaines and Councilwoman Woodson have been working with city staff to promote a smoke-free Alexandria.  73 Restaurants have signed up for this voluntary program.  Alexandria is fortunate to have a number of thoughtful business owners that see this as a benefit to their business and to community health. For a list of restaurants, go to www.alexhealth.com or www.vasmokefreedining.com.

**Finding a Lasting Way to Preserve Our History**

Recently, a number of city residents have been talking about what we can do to preserve the many historic buildings and properties controlled by the city.  Nationally, repair and maintenance for historic buildings is on decline.  It is increasingly difficult to find funds or support to preserve these important buildings. Alexandria’s historic buildings are in need of major repairs.  The Historic Alexandria Resource Commission and the Historic Alexandria Foundation are working together to come up with creative solutions for the long-term success of these buildings; they are talking about building an endowment, trying to get historic properties to generate more income and much more.  To learn more, http://oha.ci.alexandria.va.us/

They have created an excellent video that chronicles the challenges facing our historic properties.  I encourage you or groups you are affiliated with to view it.  I am sure you will hear more about these efforts in the coming months.

Future conversations will also include new methods to identify and protect historic structures.

Contact Ellen Stanton if you are interested in more information on these efforts: aberdeen@peoplepc.com

**Business Spotlight -- EZ Auctioning**

ezAuctioning  provides eBay consignment services to Alexandria area residents, businesses and not-for-profit organizations who want top-dollar for their valuables but do not wish to sell on eBay themselves.  ezAuctioning accepts items valued at $50 or more, then sells their client's valuables on eBay.  The final selling process, and thus the clients, are benefited by the combination of ezAuctioning's detailed item listings, professional photographs, expert shipping and excellent selling reputation (as determined by eBay users). In addition, ezAuctioning offers services such as setting up fundraising events for not-for-profit organizations where the organization's member can drop off unwanted valuables they would like to donate.  They also help their clients get top-dollar for unwanted valuables in the liquidation of estates and business liquidation.  This is a community-spirited and high energy new company that adds to Alexandria's innovative business scene.

Location:   110 S. West St., Alexandria 22314

            (703) 842-7541

            www.ezAuctioning.com

Co-Owners:        Geremy Gersh, Carrie Ruggles, Wes Jamison

**You're Invited -- Neighborhood Halloween Party**

It is that time of year again.  The Krupicka Family is hosting its annual family Halloween party on Sunday, October 30^th.  Crafts for kids, the famous potato bar, smoke machine, S'Mores and much more.  Costumes are strongly encouraged.  The party starts after the Del Ray Halloween Parade.  4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  We'd love to have you.  Please RSVP to Krupicka@aol.com so we know how many to expect. 

Location:  409 E Alexandria Avenue

**Calendar**

Saturday, October 15th -- Budget Public Hearing - Council Public Meeting on October 15th.  Meeting starts at 9:30 AM at City Hall

Saturday, October 22 - City Tree Sale - Great Trees at Great Prices. The City's Urban Forestry Steering Committee (created by Councilman Macdonald and myself) will hold a City Tree Sale on Saturday, October 22, 2005 at the Fort Ward Park parking lot, 4301 West Braddock Road, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tree Stewards will be available at the sale to consult on tree choice and care.  The trees are the same varieties the City plants -- hardy and successful in this area -- in five gallon containers.  The bargain tree varieties include shade trees and ornamentals ($30) and an evergreen ($40).  Citizens can purchase from available stock at the sale, or reserve their trees - no deposit necessary - by leaving their order by by e-mailing it to jerry.dieruf@alexandriava.gov or calling it in to 703-838-5040 ext. 451 (Jerry Dieruf) and leaving a message.  Reserved trees not picked up by 10:00 will be released for sale to others.

Saturday, October 22 -- DUNCAN RE-OPENING CELEBRATION  11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

11am - 12noon: "Meet & Greet" and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Euille. 12 - 12:30pm: Story Time with Nelson Cuellar (English and Español, ages 3 and up). 12 - 1pm: Dog training demo by Laura Sharkey of WOOFS! (Demo located outside). 12:30 - 1:15pm: Bob Brown’s Puppets presents "Monster Madness" (Ages 3 and up). 1:15 - 2:00pm: Reading by Mary Quattlebaum, author of Grover G. Graham and Me. Free copies of her book given to children attending (Ages 7 and up). 2:00 - 2:30pm: Story Time by musician/storyteller, Barbara Effron (All ages). 2:30pm - 3pm: Journal-Making Workshop with Jane Harrington, author of Lucy's Cool and Totally True E-Journal. Free copies of Harrington's book given to children attending (Ages 7 and up). Live Music: The Irish Breakfast Band, Jovenes Unidos de Alexandria Dancers, Peruvian Dancers, and The Mykle Lyons Trio. Food Sales By: Caboose Cafe and Bakery; Taqueria Poblano, and St. Elmo's Coffee Pub Visit our adult interest information tables including book clubs, literary groups, tutoring programs, memoir writing, Friends of the Library, and community outreach groups. For more information, contact Mark Schwartz for more information: E-Mail: mschwartz@alexandria.lib.va.us

Sunday, October 30 – George Washington Middle School 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.  Carpenter's Shelter, Northern Virginia’s largest homeless shelter, will host its 2nd Annual Community Walk to End Family Homelessness.  Their goal is to have hundreds of walkers and raise $50,000 -- allowing Carpenter’s Shelter to be more than just a roof to more than 1,300 homeless and formerly homeless children, families and adults each year.

Saturday, November 5th – Community Meeting on Universal Access to Preschool will be held from 1 - 4:30 PM in the GW Middle School Library

2:11:44 PM