Justin Wilson | ALXnow

Alexandria Tells Financially Crippled Metro to Keep Buses Running in West End

Published October 22, 2020 at 2:30PM

Alexandria is opposed to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s plan to eliminate bus routes in the West End to the Pentagon, and has asked the transit system to reconsider its proposed service changes.

“These are difficult times for all transit agencies and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is facing a dire financial crisis,” Mayor Justin Wilson wrote on Facebook. “While cuts are necessary, we have provided input to ensure that Alexandria’s most vulnerable populations do not lose mobility and that as ridership returns, service should return.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 21, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Says People Will Suffer Without Unemployment Insurance Program Extension — “”We’re making a deeply fundamental mistake not reauthorizing all our unemployment insurance programs. When we take the money away, that’s what’s been propping up consumer spending and the ability of people to get by.” [Twitter]

City Opens Additional Locations for Absentee Voting — “Absentee voting will be available at the Charles Beatley Library (5005 Duke St.) from October 23 through October 31, except Sundays. Absentee voting will also be available at Minnie Howard School (3801 W. Braddock Rd.) and George Washington Middle School (1005 Mt. Vernon Ave.), on Saturdays, October 24 and 31, only. All three locations will have ballot drop boxes available during voting hours, which vary according to the list below.” [City of Alexandria]

News

Governor Northam Unveils First-Ever Zero-Emission Electric DASH Buses in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published October 19, 2020 at 5:05PM

Governor Ralph Northam (center) and local politicians at the unveiling of zero emission electric buses in Alexandria, October 19, 2020. (Photo by Eli Wilson)

Governor Ralph Northam and Virginia Transportation Secretary Shannon Valentine were in Alexandria on Monday to help unveil a team of new zero emission DASH electric buses.

The new battery electric buses were so quiet that they could hardly be heard running during their unveiling outside City Hall. DASH has committed to having an electric-only fleet by 2035.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 19, 2020 at 9:00AM

Drug Take Back Day is October 24 — “Safely dispose of your unused and expired medicines during Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop off locations will be available at APD Headquarters, Fire Station 210, and the Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray.” [Twitter]

Council Approves Real Estate Tax Deferral — “Yesterday Council approved a resolution providing for a ‘hardship deferral’ option for payment of Alexandria’s second half real estate tax payment. Upon request, this allows an individual taxpayer to defer payment of the November 16th payment until March 1.” [Twitter]

News

City: Eviction Prevention Task Force Will Help Impacted Residents

By James Cullum

Published October 9, 2020 at 3:45PM | Updated October 9, 2020 at 4:33PM

Alexandria has formed a multi-agency Eviction Prevention Task Force with the goal of lowering evictions and helping impacted residents.

“There have been nearly 20K unemployment claims in Alexandria since the beginning of the pandemic,” tweeted Mayor Justin Wilson. “Keeping our residents housed during this uniquely challenging time has required partnership and new collaboration. More work is required.”

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 5, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Denounces Trump’s Sunday Drive-By — “Why did they approve it? What precautions were taken? Who else did they interact with? The continuing lack of transparency from the White House is unsustainable and dangerous.” [Twitter]

Mayor Congratulates After Successful Flu Clinic — “Thanks to our Health Dept, @AlexandriaVAPD @AlexandriaVAFD @AlexVASheriff & our Medical Reserve Corps volunteers for administering another 962 flu vaccines today (1,802 at 2 clinics) in an extremely well-organized operation. Get vaccinated, Alexandria!” [Twitter]

News

Mayor: City Must Redouble Efforts to Catch Dangerous Criminals, Get Weapons Off Streets

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2020 at 1:15PM | Updated October 1, 2020 at 1:48PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

In response to the city’s second murder, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson said the city must redouble its efforts to “get these dangerous criminals and their weapons off our streets.”

“I am saddened to hear that another Alexandria neighborhood has experienced this horrific violence,” Wilson told ALXnow. “I know that our Police Department is working around the clock to bring the perpetrator of this homicide to justice and I have every confidence they will be successful. I keep the victim and his family in my thoughts during this extraordinarily difficult time.”

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 28, 2020 at 9:00AM

Gov. Ralph Northam and First Lady Test Positive For COVID-19 — “Gov. Ralph Northam and his wife, Pamela, have both tested positive for COVID-19, according to a Sept. 25 news release from the governor’s office.” [Alex Times]

Beyer Says Trump is Taking Dramatic Steps Toward Abolishing Obamacare — “No Supreme Court nominee has ever been confirmed so close to the election. Why are Senate Republicans in such a hurry to break their 2016 promises? They want the Court to side with Trump, strike down the Affordable Care Act, and wreck your healthcare. The case hits in November.” [Twitter]

News

VIDEO: Justice Ginsburg Honored in Candlelight Vigil in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2020 at 10:30AM

Hundreds of people honored Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Old Town last night (Thursday).

Ginsburg passed away at the age of 87 on September 18. She served on the court for 27 years.

News

Racial and Social Equity Training Plan for City Staff Taking Shape in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 23, 2020 at 4:00PM

The Alexandria City Council is expected to receive a city council resolution on race and social equity by the end of the year, and will receive recommendations on making the city’s diversity/inclusion statement more racially explicit.

“We’re thinking in working through how to draft a resolution as specific to race and social equity for Council’s adoption,” Jaqueline Tucker, the city’s racial and social equity officer, told Council on Tuesday night.

News

Mayor: Alexandria’s Tax Revenue Hard Hit by Coronavirus

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2020 at 1:15PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s consumption-based tax revenue took a 34% hit from February to July, according to a city monthly financial report.

Mayor Justin Wilson revealed the revenue loss on Facebook by posting a report showing the cumulative impact on consumer spending in calendar years 2019 and 2020.