Letter: Liberty’s Disgrace
To the Editor: As Governor of Massachusetts, Romney signed same-sex marriage into law, though it will be instructive to note that he was under absolutely no obligation to do so.
Letter: Exchange Student’s Appreciation
To the Editor: Hi, my name is Elena Dreim¸ller and I am an exchange student from Germany.
Letter: Help Save Woodlawn Stables
If the currently favored plan to “improve” Route 1 wins approval, it will destroy Woodlawn Stables. That breaks my heart.
Letter: Where Is County’s Accountability?
The Virginia Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability (CCPA) is a pro-police grassroots citizen activist organization that is dedicated to making our community a better and safer place for all of its citizens.
Column: Route 1 Transit Study Moves Forward
In 2011, I introduced and got passed a bill to initiate and fund the Route 1 Transit Study in both Fairfax and Prince William counties.
Column: Honoring EMS Partners in Healthcare
They are the first responders and the first link in the chain of survival when an emergency strikes.
Editorial: Reminders to Press Ahead for Housing
Spring discussion on hypothermia shelters could help preparations for winter.
In February, 2007, 59-year-old Robert Bruce Miller was found dead outdoors in Chantilly. Miller was homeless, known to businesses and residents in the area. He died of hypothermia, exposure to the cold.
Column: News That’s Fit To Print
As our Publisher and fellow cancer survivor, Mary Kimm, e-mailed back to me last week: “Who knew ‘stable’ could be so exciting?”
Opinion: Poetry Submissions
The following poems, submitted because April is National Poetry Month, are from Mount Vernon resident John J. Finerty.
Commentary: New State Budget Misses the Mark
I voted against the final state budget last week because it fails to address our needs and reflects badly-skewed priorities. It was an eventful two days in Richmond.
Opinion: Will Virginia’s Health Care Improve Without Better Data?
The answer is “no.” The Virginia Health Reform Initiative Advisory Council (created by Governor McDonnell) stated the case for change in its 2010 report. “Virginia’s overall quality of care is average, with strengths in cardiac care, hospital care generally, and home health. Weaknesses in Virginia’s quality rankings include nursing home care, diabetes care, and maternal and child health. Specifically, Virginia ranks 41st in the nation in breast cancer death rates, and 35th in infant mortality. None of these statistics measure up to Virginia ranking sixth, nationwide, in median family income.”
Letter: Adverse Actions Have Consequences
To the Editor: Martin Tillett understandably wants to avoid having the downfall of the proposed Kings Crossing Town Center as his legacy in the civic arena. In prior letters to the Gazette, I've explained the role the Spring Bank Community Association (SBCA) played, under the leadership of Mr. Tillett and SBCA President David Dale in the demise of Kings Crossing (see my letter in the August 13, 2009 Gazette) and the resulting development of a Wal-Mart store on the property.
Letter: A Meeting Without Answers
To the Editor: Sunday April 22, at St. Stephens UMC in Burke, Fairfax County officials and elected supervisors (including Board Chair Sharon Bulova) met with over 200 volunteers from 36 church-based hypothermia shelters to ease our anxieties. We have heard rumor that the fire marshal has determined that 18 of these churches will not be able to open and operate their “hypothermia” ministry next year as they had in the past. This puts the hundreds of homeless individuals who use these facilities at risk of frostbite, hypothermia and death.
Letter: Another Done Deal
It is no surprise to the residents of the Beauregard section of the West End that the Mayor/council and city staff are once again pulling another “done deal” in our neighborhood and that the push for a major redevelopment in this area is a result of the BRAC-133 and loss of property tax dollars.
Letter: City Can’t Subsidize Rents
There have been recent discussions in Alexandria about whether the city should purchase apartment complexes and convert them to subsidized affordable housing units.