Letter to the Editor: Still an Idea Worth Pursuing
To the Editor: On Feb. 6, my letter in the Gazette made the suggestion that the county and state should recycle all of the sand we find in our street gutters that was spread to improve traction for vehicles during snowy weather. My letter apparently struck a nerve with my down-the-street neighbor Paul Siegel who replied in last week's Gazette. Mr. Siegel sarcastically characterized my suggestion as the "independent invention of recommended Action C1-2 in Chapter IV of the Little Hunting Creek Watershed Management Plan of 2004" that was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2005. He conceded that, 9 years later, recommended Action C1-2 has not been acted upon.
Obituary: Richard Alan DeMello
On Feb. 11, 2014, Richard died at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was a loving husband for 42 years of Sharon (Henault) DeMello; loving father of Shawna Dillon (James Dillon); cherished member of the Henault family; a friend to so many. Richard is survived by a brother, Leon and a sister, Karen DeMello. Richard was an electronics engineer in communications for the Department of Defense, Navy.
Winter Fun
Families, children, and teens took full advantage of the snow. Some took this time to build snow men in front of their homes. While others engaged in the other activities. A local mother and son chose to go sledding together.
Winter Landscapes
White Oaks Park in Alexandria offered quiet reflection after the snowstorm hit the area last week. Fallen leaves float in the ice-covered water. White Oaks Park is in the wooded area of Alexandria on Devonshire Road.
Editorial: Fundamental Freedom To Choose To Marry
Virginia is historically slow in extending rights.
In 1967, Virginia was one of 16 states that banned interracial marriage and had criminal penalties for violators. Mildred Jeter, an African-American woman, and Richard Loving a white man, married in 1958, were convicted and banished from living in Virginia for 25 years to avoid serving a one-year prison sentence. On June 12, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Loving v. Virginia, overturned the convictions of Mildred and Richard Loving, declaring the ban on interracial marriage unconstitutional.
Until Further Notice
Not to state the obvious (which I readily admit I do), but to be given a terminal diagnosis: stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer, along with a rather disappointing prognosis: "13 months to two years" is a challenging set of extremely unexpected (given my immediate family’s medical history) circumstances. I don’t want to say that I live under a dark cloud – because I don’t like the negative implication or reaction it conjures, but I definitely feel as if I have a metaphorical sword of Damocles hanging over my head; which I only refer to as an-out-of-context Three Stooges reference wherein a non-Stooge was innocently standing under a pie which Moe had thrown to the ceiling and there it stuck, hanging precariously over the character’s head. Now I still don’t know the proper historical context of the sword of Damocles, I only know the Three Stooges version, but there was some imminent danger involved (not death, mind you), but rather a falling pie which ultimately landed flush on the character’s face as she looked up to make further inquiries. Nevertheless, pie issues/references notwithstanding, having seen my oncologist today while being infused and receiving a big smile/ "you’re going great"/thumbs-up set of gestures/reactions while reclining in my Barcalounger with a chemotherapy I.V. dripping medicine into my right arm, is the kind of super-positive feedback with which I can live. Along with my every-three-week pre-chemotherapy lab work and my every-three-month CT Scan followed by my every-three-month face-to-face appointment with my oncologist, this is how I roll. Worrying about upcoming tests, waiting anxiously for results, trying not to anticipate good, bad or indifferent; living day to day and trying to appreciate my good fortune and the unexpected above-average quality of life with which I’ve been blessed – for a terminal cancer patient, that is.
How Red Is the 10th District?
Wolf’s retirement sparks crowded political stage as both parties vie for coveted Congressional seat.
U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf’s announcement in December that he would not seek reelection to an 18th term in Congress came as a surprise to both Republicans and Democrats. Wolf’s retirement notice instantly set off a feeding frenzy among politicians maneuvering to gain the Northern Virginia Congressional seat.
Envisioning a Launch Pad for Young Adults
Paws4people develops pilot for former foster children, others.
Imagine if in your childhood, it was normal for a social worker to show up unexpectedly, hand you a big black garbage bag and tell you to pack your things.
Obituary: Peter C. Williams
Peter Carrington Williams, a prominent attorney and director of community service projects for the Alexandria Rotary Club, died suddenly Feb. 13 while helping a neighbor clear snow from a driveway on Collingwood Road. He was 67.
Commentary:Budget Debate Begins
This week in Richmond brought some surprises, good news and some frustration. First the good news. On Sunday, the House and Senate announced their budgets signaling the beginning of budget negotiations. Senator Puller was able to secure language to prioritize funding for preliminary engineering and environmental studies necessary to continue the U.S. 1 Multimodal Transit Analysis Study. I am hopeful we can keep that in the final budget once the negotiations begin. Second, the Senate budget amendments also proposed some Senate Republicans’ alternative way to provide insurance coverage to low income Virginians using a “revenue recovery fund” instead of an outright Medicaid expansion. There is some bipartisan support for expanding coverage, but it is not clear if there are enough votes to get legislation through the House of Delegates.
Commentary: Funding Successes in Senate
On Sunday, Jan. 16 the Senate Finance Committee presented its biennial budget for 2014-2015. In a year of fiscal constraints, projected revenue shortfalls and deep partisan divides in the legislature, I have to commend my fellow senators for coming up with a budget that balances policy initiatives, pre-existing responsibilities and financial reality. I was proud to be appointed to three subcommittees of the Finance Committee: General Government & Technology, Health and Human Resources, and Transportation.
Schools’ Band Director Honored
Jane Morgan, the band director at Stratford Landing Elementary School and Waynewood Elementary School, has been named the 2013-14 Elementary Band Director of the Year by the Fairfax County Band Directors Association. Morgan has been teaching band at Stratford Landing since 1999, and said she has learned a great deal from her students. It is her students that have brought her the most joy in her position, Morgan said. “It’s great to see what the kids accomplish and how far they go,” Morgan said. “They just keep me fresh every day.” Morgan has also taught middle and high school students.
Oratorical Winner: Jacob Atagi
Jacob Atagi, is the winner of this year's American Legion Post 24 Oratorical Contest. A freshman at West Potomac High School, Atagi represented Post 24 at the 17th District American Legion Oratorical Contest Jan. 25 at McLean Post 270.
Honoring George Washington
Mount Vernon was visited by many Monday all hoping to honor General George Washington. Members of the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry’s Old Guard fired a 21 gun salute in honor of Gen. George Washington on Monday morning at the Mount Vernon Estate. Gov. Terry McAuliffe was in attendance at the Monday morning wreath laying at Washington's tomb in Mount Vernon.
Editorial: Fundamental Freedom To Choose To Marry
Virginia is historically slow in extending rights.
In 1967, Virginia was one of 16 states that banned interracial marriage and had criminal penalties for violators. Mildred Jeter, an African-American woman, and Richard Loving a white man, married in 1958, were convicted and banished from living in Virginia for 25 years to avoid serving a one-year prison sentence
Letter: Correcting Error on Mental Health Services
Fairfax County serving more people now.
A Feb. 11 editorial by Mary Kimm, referencing reporting by Michael Pope, makes an incorrect assertion that our services to people with mental illness in Fairfax County have been “dramatically cut back.”
Richmond Report: Ethics Reform Falls Short
An ethics reform package passed the Virginia Senate on Monday. Unfortunately, the bill lacks teeth and is only a small step toward restoring public confidence in state government.
UCM Marks 45th Anniversary
Organization will increase outreach this year
Many people think of United Community Ministries as just a food bank and a thrift store, executive director Shirley Marshall said. “That is all they know about us. A lot of what we are trying to do this year, on our 45th anniversary, is say, there’s a little more to us than that actually,” Marshall said. As UCM marks its 45th anniversary, Marshall said the organization is increasing outreach efforts to make sure they are known in the community.
MVCCA Lists 2013 Actions
The Mount Vernon Council of Citizens Associations released the following summary of their work in 2013. Standing committees of the council that provided the substantive work on a given issue are shown in italics. Source: mvcca@listserve.com
Thirty Travel to Richmond
VIC Raises Issues of the Poor
Calling for expanded mental health services and greater access to Medicaid for the most vulnerable in the Mount Vernon community, a 30-member delegation from VIC traveled to Richmond, Feb. 6, to speak with area legislators.