Letter: Maintain Vigilance
Jack Lichtenstein [Letter, “Matter of Humanity”] takes to task my critique of Del. David Englin’s use of “baby” to describe a fetus. He hopes that “no amount of social engineering by big government and its enthusiasts will cause us … to check our humanity at the door.”
Letter: Spring Cleaning In Alexandria
Spring begins on March 20 and many in Alexandria will find themselves in the yearly act of cleaning a house from top to bottom, a traditional act that helps to keep everyone accountable.
Letter: Transportation Commission’s Role?
Unfortunately, the March 7 monthly meeting of the obscure Alexandria Transportation Commission wasn’t covered by cable TV as is done for sessions of the City Council — but perhaps it should have been.
Letter: City’s Vision Is Practical
Mr. Robert Pringle [Letter, “Vision-based Planning”] recently responded to my March 7 letter. His comments show a very different view than mine. Addressing his concerns is appropriate.
Column: “Early Results Show Stable Disease”
There’s five words e-mailed from my oncologist that I can live with (Duh!). Certainly better than the previous nine words e-mailed eight weeks ago regarding my then current CT Scan: “Scan results show progression. We’ll talk more on Friday.”
Editorial: So Hard to Imagine?
Poor families face challenges that officials and many of the rest of us have trouble envisioning.
The Commonwealth of Virginia and even Northern Virginia includes many poor families and individuals. But officials seem to have trouble wrapping their brains around some of the difficulties this can cause.
Letter: Fiscally Prudent?
I am concerned by efforts to portray cuts to the state's safety net by the legislature as fiscally prudent while not harming Virginians with low incomes.
Letter: Serving Constituents
I find it fascinating that Mr. H. Jay Spiegel appears to have just discovered that Del. Scott Surovell votes (gasp!) left-of-center in the House. Even more entertaining is the implication that, after winning the election with almost 60 percent of the vote, he pulled a Romney-like switcheroo on our “somewhat moderate politically” district.
Letter: Standing Up For What’s Right
The bills that didn't pass listed by H. Jay Spiegel ("Truly Representative?" March 1-7, 2012) made me proud to have a delegate who is brave enough to depart from the "mainstream" in Richmond.
Letter: MVHS Crew Tag Day a Success
The Mount Vernon High School Crew Team would like to thank the local community for their continued support to our athletic program
Letter: Legislation Does Hurt the Poor
In last week’s Gazette, Jay McConville objects that the front page story, "New Laws Attack Poor" (Feb. 16-22, 2012) is filled with the assertion that "legislation promoting good financial stewardship … is an attack on the poor."
Letter: Reasonable, Not Radical
In the March 1 edition of the Mount Vernon Gazette, Jay Speigel criticized Del. Scott Surovell's support for a Republican Delegate's legislation to automatically restore the voting rights of nonviolent ex-felons.
Column: Two Surovell Bills Become Law; State Budget Stalls
Governor McDonnell signed two of my bills into law on Feb. 29. One clarifies that when a person files an action for child custody, child support or spousal support, any powers of attorney between the parties would automatically terminate.
Column: Budget Stand Is About People
Democrats in Virginia’s State Senate voted down the Republican budget last week. Although this move is being used to label Democrats as obstructionists, the real story is much more complex. Senate Democrats are fighting to save important quality of life issues for the people of Virginia, not for political gain!
Column: Protecting Residents in Tax, Road Debates
Congress finally has acted to ensure payroll tax relief for 170 million individuals and families through the rest of 2012. This additional tax relief is critical for maintaining the momentum of the economic recovery, and Northern Virginians will realize an average savings of $2,000 per household.