Column: Haven’t I Learned Anything?
I’m not going to beat myself up too badly; after all, I do have terminal cancer. However, I am disappointed in my behavior of late, especially as it relates to my status as a still-active (thank God!) cancer patient/survivor undergoing treatment.
Letter: Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay and Dyke Marsh
To the Editor: Anyone who spends a few minutes examining scientific texts, journals, papers or historical literature on the natural history of the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed can recognize that these once great ecosystems are mere remnants of what they once were. The Potomac watershed covers four states and D.C. It is over 400 miles long and is 11 miles wide where it flows into the bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed (the area of land that drains into the Bay) is 64,000 square miles and has 11,600 miles of tidal shoreline, including tidal wetlands and islands. The watershed encompasses parts of six states: Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as Washington D.C. The problems in the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay are magnified by their scope which is a reason why they are "most endangered." Unfortunately there will always be those people, who are operating at a very superficial level, who demand that everything scientific be both dumbed-down and rigorously argued to them.
Letter: MVCCA’s Success
To the Editor: Last week, Martin Tillett attacked me for mentioning (without any elaboration) in my prior letter that the MVCCA supports the proposed off-leash dog area (OLDA) at Westgrove Park. Mr. Tillett noted my numerous prior letters that have been critical of the MVCCA. What Mr. Tillett didn't mention that I have consistently supported the principle of the MVCCA and have reserved my criticism for its recent leadership and the way it typically conducts business. My position in these regards is unchanged. In the case of the debate concerning the proposed OLDA, in fact, the MVCCA operated in a manner closer to appropriate than usual.
Letter: Reaffirming American Dream
To the Editor: I recently attended a Patrick Murray event in the Mount Vernon area. Murray is back a second time, running to represent the 8th congressional district in Virginia. With his new campaign comes more emphasis on responsible government spending and job creation.
Letter: Tax-Funded Political Recap?
To the Editor: I recently received a two-page typewritten letter with an attachment on official Virginia seal stationary from Delegate Surovell titled “Delegate Scott A. Surovell’s General Assembly Session Recap.” This letter was paid by taxpayers at a cost of $4,107.75.
Letter: Saluting Fallen Heroes
To the Editor: Memorial Day is about more than summer road trips and mattress sales.
Editorial: Surviving through Summer
Helping teens.
It is that time again, the time from proms to graduation, and all the celebrations that come with it. It's lovely to think, from a distance, that this is a happy and uncomplicated time for teens as the school year winds down, many look forward to college in the fall and a summer of internships or other interesting activities.
Column: Off Topic, Almost
If only it were that simple. And as much I’d like to turn the cancer switch off, finding that switch has proven to be extremely challenging.
Poetry: Memorial Day
in the shopping center at I Love Nails the window
Must Consider The Source
To the Editor: As a devoted fan of the Mount Vernon Gazette, I was disappointed at the May 17 editorial, “Most Endangered?”. That piece merely parroted unsubstantiated claims by American Rivers, Inc., that the Potomac River has somehow shot to the top of the list of the nation’s most endangered rivers, and urged readers to join that group’s fight to keep Congress from reining in the EPA.
Unfair Advantage?
To the Editor: On May 17, Mr. H. Jay Spiegel goes through his listing of people and organizations supporting the off leash dog park or OLDA at Westgrove Park. “Those in support of the OLDA proposal include the MVCCA.” I find it ironic that Mr. Spiegel has for the past several years devoted much time and attention writing editorials in this paper making claims that the MVCCA does not represent the broad consensus of the majority of the citizens of the district. Just this past March he wrote “the MVCCA does not represent the Mount Vernon community. It only represents the small percentage of residents whose neighborhood associations are MVCCA members. At that, insofar as community association representatives do not vote in accordance with the consensus of their respective communities, the MVCCA doesn't even represent them.
Room for Many Views
To the Editor: My letter in the May 10 Gazette expressed my strong support for a plan, proposed by the National Park Service (NPS), to restore 30 acres of Dyke Marsh, including construction of a promontory wall to dissipate forces generated by tidal surges. I went a step further, advocating additional filling of a few more acres north of the wall to assure that the goal of dissipating those forces will be achieved. I also expressed my opposition to other NPS proposals that would include filling 130 or 180 acres of the Potomac River, respectively, because those proposals would destroy a year-round habitat for fish and result in the closure of Belle Haven Marina.
Sign Blight On Route 1
To the Editor: Someone should sue VDOT for not enforcing its own laws. Yes, there is a law on the books that forbids commercial or other advertising signs along Virginia roads (unless they get permission to do so). The fine is $100 for each sign. If one drives along the Route 1 Corridor from the intersection of I-495/Fort Hunt Road south until Walmart (near where the new Costco will go) there are at least 50 or more signs. Let's do the math: 50 times $100 = $5000. I know VDOT doesn't have the manpower to keep up, but they could hire a firm which would be paid out of the fines — make it a revenue-sharing deal. Win-win for everyone — our community, VDOT and the contractor. In the end, these illegal signs are a blight along this stretch of road that continuously strives to improve. You don't see these signs put up along road in Great Falls or McLean — why should Route 1 or anywhere?
Don’t Text And Drive
To the Editor: We are Cadette Girls Scouts from Carl Sandburg Middle School and Walt Whitman Middle School and want to alert the community to an issue that is important to us: The dangers of cell phone use while driving. We will be driving in just a few short years and think it is important that the roads are as safe as possible. We urge drivers today to make a commitment to not text or use any handheld device while driving. We also hope that our law makers will support a law that bans drivers from talking, texting, or using handheld devices while driving. We have made this commitment ourselves for when we will be new drivers. We also have produced car bumper magnets to promote “Keep Both Eyes on the Road, Don’t Text and Drive.”
Editorial: Remembering on Memorial Day
Time to honor, also time to ensure proper care of veterans.
In February, Brig. Gen. Terence J. Hildner, 49, of Fairfax, was the highest ranking military officer to die in the war on terror.