City Council | ALXnow

Councilwoman Amy Jackson Argues With School Board Over MacArthur Elementary Construction Schedule

Published March 4, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated March 4, 2021 at 10:09PM

City Councilwoman Amy Jackson in front of Douglas MacArthur Elementary School. (Image via Facebook)

Alexandria City Councilwoman Amy Jackson argued with members of the School Board and Alexandria City Public Schools staff at a budget meeting last night (Wednesday) over construction of the new Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.

Jackson, who is running for reelection, lambasted the school system earlier this week on Facebook with a one minute video. In the video, Jackson stands outside MacArthur wearing a face mask with the words “Your Vote Matters” printed on it, raises her left hand questioningly and then says: “March 1, 2021. Almost a year and no construction has started at MacArthur. When is it going to happen?”

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 3, 2021 at 9:00AM

Inside and outside of Vola's in Old Town (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria to Get Johnson & Johnson Vaccines Next Week — On Saturday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. Adding a third vaccine to Alexandria’s pandemic response is significant and will ultimately mean that more vaccines are available to protect more people… Johnson & Johnson vaccines will become available in Alexandra starting later this week.” [City of Alexandria]

Beyer, Kaine Introduce ‘The Cost of Police Misconduct Act’ — “Most Americans have no idea how much cities and counties they live in spend on police misconduct because cases are often settled in secret. The Cost of Police Misconduct Act would make these costs public, which we hope and believe would help save lives.” [Twitter]

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Meronne Teklu Enters City Council Race

By James Cullum

Published March 1, 2021 at 4:35PM

Meronne Teklu, a management consultant at Deloitte, has entered the race for the Alexandria City Council.

“I believe it’s up to each of us to hold our elected officials accountable in enacting long-term change. I’m running to help connect marginalized and underrepresented communities with our Alexandria City leadership,” Teklu announced on Facebook.

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West End Business Association Announces Interview Series with City Council Candidates

By Vernon Miles

Published March 1, 2021 at 1:30PM

Alexandria Councilman Canek Aguirre

In the build up to the June 8th primary, the West End Business Association has announced that it will host a series of interviews with candidates to discuss how they plan to support the city’s West End.

The first in the series, an interview with incumbent City Council member Canek Aguirre, is scheduled for Thursday, March 4 from 1-2 p.m. The discussion will be hosted by Paul Friedman, WEBA government relations chair.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published February 26, 2021 at 9:00AM

Independent Investigation Clears ALX Chamber CEO of Wrongdoing — “The Chamber will be immediately scheduling workplace professionalism training for all staff and Chamber leadership and the Chamber’s Code of Conduct will be updated and clearly communicated to staff and members.” [Alexandria Living]

Beyer Votes ‘YES’ as House Passes Equality Act — “The House just passed the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ Americans from discrimination in the workplace, in housing, in receiving health care, and more. I voted YES; this is the final vote:” [Twitter]

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Alexandria Figuring Out How to Spend Anticipated Federal Stimulus Funds

By James Cullum

Published February 25, 2021 at 3:30PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

As Congress deliberates approval of a $1.9 trillion stimulus package, Alexandria is trying to figure out how it will spend its share.

Alexandria is anticipating $26 million to $34 million, depending on the final plan. The $1.9 trillion stimulus proposal includes $350 billion for local governments.

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Alyia Gaskins: City Council Candidate Pushes for More Public Access to City Decisions

By Vernon Miles

Published February 25, 2021 at 11:30AM | Updated February 25, 2021 at 12:18PM

Over the next few weeks, ALXnow will be interviewing the various candidates for City Council participating in the Democratic Primary on June 8.

In a City Council race with some controversial entries: Alyia Gaskins’ candidacy is almost conventional in comparison.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published February 25, 2021 at 9:00AM

Virginia Rolls Back Some Restrictions on Dining, Outdoor Gatherings — Effective Mar. 1, Virginians will be able to buy and drink alcohol at restaurants, food courts, breweries, distilleries, and wineries until they are required to close at midnight. The changes to the current executive order come amid declining rates of hospitalizations and infections and rising vaccination rates in the Commonwealth, Northam said during a press conference this morning (Wednesday).” [Reston Now]

Alexandria Black History Museum Launches Online Exhibition — “Following George Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020, the Alexandria Black History Museum (ABHM) requested that Alexandria residents share their thoughts, artwork, and more. ABHM wanted to document the Alexandria community’s response of this tragic event and preserve it for future generations. An online exhibition featuring the items received so far launched recently on the Historic Alexandria Online portal. The items collectively are called the Black Lives Remembered Collection.” [Zebra]

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Agenda Alexandria Budget Discussion Turns Wary Eye to Future Tax Rate Balance

By Vernon Miles

Published February 24, 2021 at 3:50PM | Updated February 24, 2021 at 4:07PM

In the latest Agenda Alexandria conversation, local business and civic leaders came together to discuss the highs and lows of the recently proposed City Manager’s budget.

The budget included a proposed tax rate reduction, but City Council candidate Bill Rosssello challenged the overly sunny narrative about the reduction.

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Patrick Moran, Son of Former Congressman Jim Moran, is Running for City Council

By James Cullum

Published February 22, 2021 at 4:30PM | Updated April 15, 2026 at 12:03PM

An earlier version of this article referred to a court case against Patrick Moran, but the case has been sealed in D.C. court.

Earlier: Patrick Moran, son of former Northern Virginia Congressman and Alexandria Mayor Jim Moran, announced Saturday that he is running for City Council.

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City Council Unanimously Approves Controversial Heritage Project

By Vernon Miles

Published February 22, 2021 at 3:45PM

A long public hearing — and extended public debate in online forums and city meetings — over the controversial Heritage project ended with an unanimous vote approving the project.

Many on the City Council expressed reservations, including issues of size, increased traffic and additional burden on schools. Ultimately, however, the addition of new affordable housing units was an offer the Council felt it couldn’t refuse.