(Updated 3:20 p.m.) Ahead of the new City Council being installed in January, the current body is scheduled to take another look at the city’s ethics pledge.
The Mayor and City Council make a pledge when being sworn in to abide by a somewhat nebulous one-page code of conduct. The pledge was a point of contention when it was introduced by then-Mayor Allison Silberberg, who fought tooth-and-nail to get the pledge passed.
Much of the pledge language is somewhat vague, such as a requirement of “fostering an ethical culture.” Silberberg lamented at the time that the final version of the pledge approved by the City Council was a more stripped-down version of what she’d originally envisioned.
The original plan from Silberberg was to include an Ethics Commission, a greater emphasis on transparency, and more stringent requirements on disclosure and recusal, but she clashed with then-Vice Mayor Justin Wilson and others on the dais including City Council member John Chapman.
The docket for the Saturday, Dec. 18, meeting says the City Council will review the effectiveness of the pledge.
The code of conduct, in its entirety, is:
Recognizing that persons holding public office have been given a public trust and that the
stewardship of such office demands that performance be at the highest level of ethical
and moral conduct, the Alexandria City Council adopts this Code of Ethics and Conduct.
To honor the public trust and serve with integrity, civility, and impartiality, the Mayor,
members of City Council, and appointed officials will:
- Provide the highest quality of service to the public, acting in a way that is
conscientious, diligent, and transparent.- Perform the functions of the office with integrity, avoiding any improper use or
influence of the office.- Not act on a matter in which a conflict of interest exists, and be diligent in
avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest by disclosing same and
acting in accord with the principles underlying this Code.- Behave in a manner that inspires public confidence.
- Treat the public, city staff, and fellow public officials with professionalism,
courtesy, and respect.- Serve the public interest by upholding the letter and the spirit of City,
Commonwealth, and Federal statutes, regulations, and policies.To provide leadership in sustaining an ethical culture in Alexandria, the Mayor and
members of City Council will:
- Participate in a professional development activity on ethical leadership
that could include a class, workshop, conference or as part of a Council
retreat at least once per year.- Engage, at least once per year, in community dialogue of ethics in
governance via activities such as:
- Leading a class at a local school;
- Facilitating discussion at a community association or group;
- Communicate to all boards and commissions the importance of ethics in
conducting city business.- Include in a public hearing once a year a review of the effectiveness of this
code of ethics and conduct and to present an annual ethical leadership
award.- Ensure that the City website is updated with listings of relevant ethics
materials to engage the Alexandria public.The Mayor and members of City Council will work together to implement and monitor
this Code of Ethics and Conduct and make changes as needed.
Recent Stories
Monarch Montessori School located in the heart of Del Ray is enrolling children 6 weeks to 6 years of age for our half day and full day program.
Our hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday-Friday. Monarch Montessori School is open year round, with intermittent breaks.
Children engage in self-directed, self-initiated activities under the guidance of a trained Montessori teacher. Classroom sizes range from 8-12 students. Our robust curriculum includes botany, sensorial activities, the social graces, culture, math, science, practical life, geography, music appreciation and language arts.
You’ll get half off of the registration fee when you register and begin care with us before April 30, 2023.

Press Release:
EDBS Dental Billing Solutions is pleased to announce that it has achieved compliance with the federally mandated standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) through the use of Compliancy Group’s proprietary HIPAA methodology, The Guard® compliance tracking software, and HIPAA Seal of Compliance®.
The HIPAA Seal of Compliance is issued to organizations that have implemented an effective HIPAA compliance program through the use of The Guard, Compliancy Group’s proprietary compliance tracking solution.
Clients and patients are becoming more aware of the requirements of HIPAA compliance and how the regulation protects their personal information. Forward-thinking providers like EDBS Dental Billing Solutions choose the HIPAA Seal of Compliance to differentiate their services.
Del Ray Dog Fest & Yappy Hour
The 1st Annual Del Ray Dog Fest is a fun outdoor event that will include dog-centered activities, dog menu items, live music, vendors and food on Sunday, April 2 from 11am- 3pm at the George Washington Middle School parking lot.