Alexandria - The Connection Newspapers

35 Pages·2013·4.92 MB·English

Alexandria
Gazette Packet
25 Cents Page 32
Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper May 16, 2013
Uncertainty Haunts
Groundbreaking
Joe Youcha,
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se tuning a Gazette Packet grand scale is needed and why
oui cigar box C school leaders don’t focus on im-
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y guitar. ity leaders and school of proving performance first.
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s ficials are about to break “I will be uneasy donning that
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ot out the ceremonial shov- stupid hat and smiling for the cam-
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P els and turn the earth at Jefferson- eras as we put the shovels in the
Houston School, the long-troubled ground,” said School Board mem-
Making Learning Fun
facility near the King Street Metro ber Bill Campbell, who lives near
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station. Test scores at the school the school. “I don’t think that we
he students chattered and compared have been so bad for so long that are where we need to be yet in
paint colors as they strolled along the- state leaders are about to take over terms of the surety of what this
path at the Winkler Preserve on Fri- the operation even as city taxpay- building needs to look like from a
day, May 10, to launch hand-crafted ers are about to fork over $45 mil- design perspective and what its
model sail boats and play the cigar box guitars lion to demolish the 1970 build- use is going to be.”
they had made over the past semester in their ing and construct a massive new Although the school currently
class through a joint effort by the Alexandria Sea- structure in its place. That’s led has an enrollment of fewer than
port Foundation and Alexandria’s schools. some neighbors in the Parker Gray See Uncertainty, Page 3
“Learning this way works because students are
Space Available
able to see the usefulness of what they’re doing
first-hand,” said Joe Youcha, director of Alexan-
dria Seaport Foundation’s Building to Teach Pro-
gram. Alexandria’s office vacancy rate
Emmet Rosenfeld, coordinator of the Interna-
spikes to historic high;
tional Baccalaureate Middle Years Program for Al-
exandria City Public Schools said, “This educa-
officials blame BRAC.
tional approach combines learning in the class-
room with the real world. It is an authentic expe-
rience for the students and results in better en- By Michael Lee Pope ing data.
gagement, an understanding that knowledge is Gazette Packet “Many of the expiration dates
connected, and requires the commitment and T for the leases just started hitting
persistence necessary to see a job through to frui-
he crush of rush hour traf- last year, and that’s why we are
tion.” Emmet Rosenfeld, coordinator of the
fic at Mark Center is not just now starting to see this spike,”
“This relationship between students, commu- International Baccalaureate Middle
the only headache caused said Stephanie Landrum, senior
nity, schools and the Alexandria Seaport Founda- Years Program, paddles a canoe
by the Base Realignment and Clo- vice president of the Alexandria
tion is so effective,” said teacher Matt Cupples. through the pond to rescue leaky boats.
sure Commission. The 2005 deci- Economic Development Partner-
“The students are learning without even realiz-
sion to move out of dense urban ship. “All that space is coming onto
ing they are.”
spaces into more secure environ- the market, and it’s starting to be
Call 703-549-7078, visit www.alexandria
ments has created a glut of empty reported vacant.”
seaport.org or www.buildingtoteach.com.
offices in Alexandria. According to From Park Center to Summit
— Louise Krafft
the most recent financial report, Center to the Victory Center, Al-
Alexandria now has a 16.2 percent exandria is flush with vacant of-
office vacancy rate — the highest fices that were once home to em
figure since the city began track- See Office, Page 5
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www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 16-22, 2013 ❖ 1
2 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 16-22, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Alexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren
Council Notebook 703-778-9415 or [email protected]
On the Record
It’s official. The Alexandria City Council is against expanding
operations at a hazardous materials facility on the West End of
the city near the Van Dorn Metro station and just a few hundred
feet from Tucker Elementary School. Elected officials unanimously
approved a resolution Tuesday night to formally oppose a per- A
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mit to more than double the daily limit of liquid ethanol that is x
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transferred from railcars to tanker trucks at a facility owned by nd
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Norfolk Southern. ia
“It’s near rail track, Metro track, residences, a school. I mean I D
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just can’t believe that they see this as an ideal site to have that a
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kind of sustained operation,” said Councilman Paul Smedberg. tm
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“And I don’t understand, given all that we went through a couple n
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of years ago, that they would be so politically tone deaf to not o
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approach the city.” P
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Back in 2008, Norfolk Southern began offloading the class 3 a
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hazardous substance from railcars to tanker trucks, a process nin
known as “transloading.” City officials tried to issue a “haul route g
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permit” limiting how many trucks could use city streets, but that n
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effort was struck down in court because railroads enjoy immu- Z
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nity from local regulation. Now council members are hoping that n
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the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will deny g
Norfolk Southern’s permit application on the basis of air quality The 130,000-square-foot facility is designed to attain LEED silver status for environ-
— a dubious argument, but one that city officials are willing to mental sustainability.
fight.
Uncertainty Haunts Groundbreaking
“This is a relatively minor set of emissions, and so it is an up-
hill battle for us,” said City Manager Rashad Young. “They do
not take into account issues of noise or proximity to schools or
From Page 1 enth and eighth grade classes to the school.
residential areas.”
400, the 130,000-square-foot facility approved by “I think it’s ridiculous,” said Bea Porter, whose
City officials are hoping the Virginia Department of Environ-
City Council last year can accommodate 800 — more grandson is in the third grade at Jefferson-Houston.
mental Quality will schedule a public hearing in Alexandria so
than twice the number of students than are currently “That building is going to be too large for the amount
residents who live near the facility can air their concerns.
enrolled at the school. School leaders say the extra of kids that are going to be here.”
Delinquent Reports capacity will give the division some space to accom- Since Morton Sherman was appointed superinten-
modate the crunch at other schools, many of which dent in 2008, test scores at Jefferson-Houston have
What has the Sister Cities Commission been up to lately? Are are already pushing the limits. But parents and fallen even lower. In the last three years, English per-
the members of the Commission for the Arts working hard? What neighborhood residents question the size and scale formance for students with disabilities has slipped
about the Commission for Women? These three groups are among of the new building, especially at a time when per- from 60 percent to 46 percent. In that same period,
the 34 city boards and commissions that have not submitted formance has fallen so low. Math performance for black students has plummeted
annual reports to the City Council. “A lot of energy is being focused on the building from 77 percent to 29 percent. Test scores have been
“We need to know what they are doing,” said Councilman Tim and not as much is being focused on figuring out so low for such a long that Jefferson-Houston is the
Lovain. “This is about accountability.” what the core problems are and addressing them,” only school in Northern Virginia that qualifies for state
Since 2008, the City Council has required that annual reports said Daniel Schuman, who lives across the street takeover under Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell’s
be submitted with annual attendance reports of the council-ap- from the school. “Nobody wants to send their kid to Educational Opportunity Initiative.
pointed boards and commissions. The reports are supposed to a school that’s at the bottom of the bottom in the “In the period since we’ve been discussing a new
summarize activities of the group over the course of the previ- state, and no new school building is going to make building, we’ve seen the steepest declines,” said Leslie
ous year, describe recruitment activities and outline plants for a difference in that kind of problem.” Zupan, president of the Old Town West Civic Asso-
leadership turnover. ciation. “The building is not the cause of the aca-
“We take this seriously,” said Councilman Paul Smedberg. “And THE SCHOOL has been in a tailspin since 1999, demic problems.”
when the Alexandria School Board adopted a redis-
we are looking forward to hearing what they have to say.”
One group, the Building Code Board of Appeals, did not meet. tricting plan that created a racial imbalance at the PERHAPS THE BIGGEST unanswered question is
So there was nothing to report. Some of the groups submit re- school. In one year, the school went from having 50 what will happen to the school next year, when a
ports that could be considered annual reports, such as the exten- percent of its students eligible for free and reduced new board of appointed leaders will take control of
sive budget overview submitted by the Budget and Fiscal Advi- lunch to 77 percent. Since that time, the school’s the school under the Educational Opportunity Initia-
sory Commission. Most of the groups, however, are just failing enrollment had plummeted from 486 in 2000 to 361 tive. The legislation signed by the governor gives
students today — and that’s after adding sixth, sev- See Questions Linger, Page 30
to meet their requirement. City officials say they will remind all
the delinquent groups that council members remain ready, will-
ing and eager to receive their annual reports.
“It’s very difficult,” acknowledged Rose Boyd, executive secre-
tary for boards and commissions. “Hopefully I will prevail.”
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Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. But that doesn’t n demol-
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mean City Hall doesn’t want its fair share. g ished in
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This week, City Council members took action to formally in- ni 1970
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crease the tax on cigarettes — part of the budget approved ear- a when
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lier this month for fiscal year 2014. Instead of hitting up smok- f P Jefferson-
ers for 80 cents a pack, each box of Marlboros will add $1 tax o Houston
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that goes directly to the Alexandria city government. Budget of- n Elemen-
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ficials estimate that will raise an additional $600,000 a year — tm tary
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ºunless smokers decide to quit rather than paying the tax. The a school
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new tax will become effective July 1. De was
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— Michael Lee Pope nd structed.
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www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 16-22, 2013 ❖ 3
Old Town $669,000
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& 2 Full BAs. flooring. Just a 25 min walk from backing to woods
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to Old Town Alexandria with all 3-acre community
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an amazing fully finished lower level and driveway for off-street Hardwoods on all levels .9+ ceilings; Sauna and whirlpool tub in
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1704 Shenandoah Rd. HOLLIN HALL VILLAGE CHARM, UP- 2106 Wakefield Court. Fabulous 6 bedroom, 3.5+.5 bath center hall Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath Bungalow ideally located blocks
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renovated kitchen, warm wood floors, fireplace. Treed, Ideal for entertaining with elegant foyer, exquisite mouldings & wood floors on 2 levels. Foyer entry, spacious living room and formal dining
fenced yard with patio. Minutes to shops, restaurants, G.W. architectural details throughout. Amazing Chef’s kitchen with breakfast room. Family room opens to kitchen with granite breakfast bar, ample counter
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Cindy Baggett 703-593-1418 Leslie Rodriguez 703-400-3010 deck & patio. Christine Garner 703-587-4855 Christine Garner 703-587-4855
4 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 16-22, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
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Office Vacancy Rate Spikes
From Page 1 “We don’t have the commercial add-on tax that they
have in other jurisdictions, and that’s the kind of thing
ployees of the Department of Defense. For the city,
that businesses look at when they are considering
that’s a twin headache. Not only do city residents
where they want to move their organizations.”
have to deal with the traffic problems created by
adding 6,000 new employees to the Washington
ALEXANDRIA IS NOT alone in dealing with a
Headquarters Service at Mark Center, but they also
wealth of unused office space. Other localities in
have to face the economic reality of having a his-
Northern Virginia have also been hit by BRAC, some
toric office vacancy rate — a lack of revenue for City
harder than Alexandria. Arlington County’s office
Hall.
vacancy rate is 17 percent. That’s 6.8 million square
“Even though we just raised the tax rate, it’s still
feet of vacant office space in the county. Crystal City
low in comparison to other jurisdictions,” said Alex-
andria Chamber of Commerce president John Long. See City's Office, Page 30
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 16-22, 2013 ❖ 5
6 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 16-22, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Opposition Heats Up over City’s Plans for Founders Park
City officials to ask council to amend current restrictions. Browand detailed the proposed changes,
which would allow special events of less
than 500 people to be held in Founders Park
By Jeanne Theismann in an area from approximately Quay Street
Gazette Packet to the southern end of the park. Restrictions
T
would include barring the preparation and
he proposed amendment to al- cooking of food onsite and tents exceeding
low special events in Founders 200 square feet. Additionally, no amuse-
Park took center stage at the ment park equipment or inflatables would
May 10 annual meeting of the be allowed.
Founders Park Community Association. “These events would fall into the category
“I can’t believe the city is proposing this,” of ‘awareness activities,’” Browand said.
said one attendee who asked to remain Area residents Howard Bergman and Jim
anonymous. “There should be more respect P Walker spoke out in opposition to the pro-
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for Ellen Pickering, Chuck Hamel and ot posed changes while Ruth McKenty and
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Patricia Golubin for saving this land. The b FPCA president Dave Schubert supported
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park would not exist at all if it weren’t for J the city’s request.
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their efforts back in the ’70s.” a “The city has done a lot to support the
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Held at the Old Dominion Boat Club, n park and we appreciate the efforts to ex-
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more than 85 people showed up to hear an T plain their position,” Schubert said. “But
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update on the waterfront from Department eis FPCA will formally take the position of the
of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities m majority of its members.”
a
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representative Jack Browand and Water- n While no official results have been re-
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front Operations director Eugene Loew. G leased, the majority of attendees at the
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Following a brief update on the status of z sometimes heated meeting clearly opposed
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park maintenance, Browand presented the t the city’s plans to allow special events in
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city’s plans to seek City Council approval to P Founders Park.
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amend the current policy that restricts spe- ck “This is a historic community,” said an-
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cial events in Founders Park. t other resident, who also praised noted en-
“We will be making a presentation to City Founders Park Community Association member Howard Bergman voices vironmentalist Pickering’s efforts to prevent
Council to request that the current policy his opposition to the city’s proposal to allow special events of less than Founders Park from being developed into
prohibiting special events in Founders Park 500 to be held in the south end of Founders Park. Looking on are city high rise residential buildings. “The city
be changed,” Browand said. representatives Eugene Loew and Jack Browand. should have more respect for its citizens.”
Bulletin Board
Email announcements to gazette@ and answer a few short questions. To Contact Jackie Henderson, 703-746-
connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is take the online poll, visit: http:// 4550.
Thursday by noon. Photos welcome. actionalexandria.org/alexandrias- Homebuyer Training Class. 8:30
principles-civic-engagement. For a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Charles Houston
more information on “What’s Next Recreation Center, 905 Wythe St.
POLL
Alexandria,” the City’s Civic Rebuilding Together Alexandria is
Participate in ACTion Alexandria’s Engagement initiative, visit holding a free training class for first-
Civic Engagement Principles www.alexandriava.gov/whatsnext, time homebuyers. Registration
online poll to review the principles contact Carrie Beach at 703-746- required,
4666, or e-mail [email protected] or P
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[email protected]. 703-836-1021. o
Community Yard Sale. 8:30 a.m.-1 to
Phot THURSDAY/MAY 16 pS.tmre.e at ta Nnd. RNo. yFaal iSrftarxe eStt/rMeeatd. iFsorene. by J
o Art/History Waterfront Placing of the Flags. 1-4 p.m. at Ivy e
b Implementation Committee. 7 Hill Cemetery, 2823 King St. All can an
y J p.m. Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial come and help place flags to honor ne
ea Center, 1605 Cameron St. Contact veterans. T
nn Lance Mallamo, Open House. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The he
e [email protected], Alexandria Housing Development is
Th 703-746-4702. Corporation will participate in a man
eisman FRIDAY/MAY 17 rameffegotirorodnpaaobl lloietp ahenon ma hreeosau .is neT hteheve eP.natr,a fdeea toufring /Gazn
n Tourism Marketing Forum. 8:30-10 Homes, hosted by the e
/G a.m. at St. George Gallery, 105 N. Communications Action Network will tte
az Alfred St. Get details on how to feature 17 affordable communities, P
e benefit from small-business highlighting the importance of a
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te P CPRin iCtilaatsivseess. .F Arepep.roved by the cPoomtommuanc iYtiaersd l iikne ATlheex aSntdartiioan. Vaitsit ket
Super Son ac American Heart Association at Global www.housingalexandria.org. Cinco De Mayo Fundraiser
ket Hfoera altnhy oCnoell ewgheo, 2w5a nS.t sQ tuoa bkee rC LPaRne, THROUGH MAY 18
Miles Laboy, 15, shows The Sons of the American Legion raised $2,000 for
certified or needs to renew CPR Diaper Drive. Local volunteers, in
off his Superman dog certification. Cost is $75. Register at conjunction with Northern Virginia the Campagna Center through a Cinco de Mayo
tags in honor of his 703-212-7410 or Family Service, announce Diaper fundraiser and silent auction held May 4 at Post 24
[email protected]. Drive 2013: Help Keep a Baby Dry
father, Alexandria in Old Town. Local sponsors included Alexandria
intended to raise 10,000 diapers to
police officer Peter assist local needy families. The drive Cupcake, Union Street Public House, Murphy’s Irish
SATURDAY/MAY 18
Laboy. Miles accompa- runs through May 18. Financial Pub, Society Fair, Ramparts, The Fish Market, Old
Mental Health Legislation donations are also accepted through
nied his parents, Town Theater, Gadsby’s Tavern, TJ Stones, Hank’s
Discussion. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the drive’s Facebook page:
Suzanne and Peter, to Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. www.facebook.com/DiaperDrive Oyster Bar, Hops Restaurant, Chevy’s, Shoppers Food
a fundraiser and silent Delegate Rob Krupicka will discuss 2013. Public Diaper Drop Locations and Mobile Signz. Campagna Center CEO Tammy
new programs and more. Childcare include: Occasionally Cake - 207
auction benefit for the Mann, second from right, was presented a check on
available. To reserve a childcare spot King St. and 8859 Richmond
Laboy family at the Old e-mail donielle.marshall Highway, Fort Hunt Safeway - May 10 by SAL members Russ Crager, Walter Clarke,
Dominion Boat Club @alexandriava.gov or 703-746-3523. 7900 Fort Hunt Road; St. Aidan’s Douglas Coleman and Sons of the American Legion
Alexandria City Council Public Episcopal Church - 8531 Riverside
May 11. Commander Frank Tobin.
Hearing. 9:30 a.m. City Hall, Road; and Heritage Presbyterian
Council Chamber, 301 King St. Church - 8503 Fort Hunt Road.
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 16-22, 2013 ❖ 7
News
Business Matters
Donley’s New Gig
Former Alexandria Mayor Kerry Donley is looking for a new
gig. Ever since United Bankshares announced that it had entered
into an agreement to acquire all the outstanding stock of Virginia
Bancorp back in January, the writing has been on the wall.
“I’ll be here until the merger is complete, and then I’ll probably P
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be moving on,” said Donley. “I’ve talked to some other banks and o
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a couple of other possibilities, but it’s still four or five months off os
and so it’ll be a dance for a while.” by
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Virginia Commerce first hired Donley, a longtime Crestar employee, o
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back in 1998 when he was still mayor. In 2005, he took a hiatus is
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from banking and politics to serve as the athletic director for T.C. K
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Williams High School. Then, in 2009, he returned to Virginia Com- a
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merce Bank and announced his intention to return to politics — ft
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first considering a run for the House of Delegates before launching a G
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campaign for Alexandria City Council. In May 2009, he won more ze
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votes than any other candidate — earning him the title of vice mayor, te
a position he held before being first elected mayor in 1995. P
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Last year, he did not seek reelection. Now, he’s leaving the bank k
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he’s called home for more than a decade. t
“It’s not ethical for me to commit to another employer while Associates of Keller Williams Realty in Old Town: Patricia Harris, Dominique Zarow,
I’m employed here, so I’ll be hanging out here until the merger, Christina Wood, Nicole McCullar, Berry Freeman, Shane McCullar, Brenda Stone,
which is probably in October,” said Donley. “And then I’ll have Samantha Wood, Teri Welch, Lori Connelly-DeFranco, Renee Gallagher, Michael Yalove,
something lined up shortly after.” Mareen Freeman, Marcia Crumbaugh, Logan Hall, Tre Tucker, Rick Phillips, Sandra
Gehring, Dan Crumbaugh, Carey Gooch, Patricia Daigle, Kerry Ann McFarlane, Nicole
Books Without Bookstores Hamilton, Joe Moreno, Jake Bemisderfer and Rick Tancreto pose for a photo with the
children attending the ALIVE! Child Development Center.
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
Alexandria is currently in an age of wisdom, according to a Giving Where They Live
recent Amazon.com list that ranks the city as the most well-read
city in American. But it’s possible that Alexandria is also in an
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age of foolishness.
Yes, it’s true that the city has a popular children’s bookstore and ssociates of the Old Education of Young Children) ac-
a major chain retailer. It also has a handful of used bookstores. Town Alexandria creditation.
But Alexandria has lacked a general interest independent book- Keller Williams Realty On Thursday, more than 30 vol-
seller since Olsson’s closed in 2008. Then Books-A-Million closed participated in the fifth unteers spent more than eight
in 2011. Now America’s most literate city is bereft of a place to annual RED Day on Thursday, May hours and many thousands of dol-
buy books — creating an opportunity for anyone brave enough to 9. RED Day (Renew, Energize and lars to: replace all of the cots for
consider striking out and creating a new business. Business lead- Donate) was created to unite nap time, replaced eight window
ers say several entrepreneurs have considered the idea of opening Keller Williams Realty offices and air conditioners, replaced all of the
a bookstore in Alexandria, one outfit was looking at opening a associates in an international day light bulbs and globes, installed
store at the northwest corner of Cameron Street and North Royal of service. carpet in all three classrooms and
Street for a while. But that fell through. That leaves a giant un- As part of the RED Day effort, two offices, installed cove base
tapped market — if there’s still a market for hard-copy books, a Keller Williams Realty Old Town, molding throughout, painted the
question that remains unanswered for the time being. Alexandria chose to work with ceilings in all three classrooms,
“Nobody’s been through our doors lately,” said Stephanie ALIVE, INC to improve its Child painted the railings and stairs, pur-
Landrum, vice president of the Alexandria Economic Develop- Development Center at 2723 King chased and installed three white
Catherine Jouet paints the
ment Partnership. “If there’s anybody out there who wants to St. in Alexandria. cabinets (one per classroom), in-
staircase at the entrance to
open an independent bookstore, we will get them in to the Small ALIVE!’s Child Development stalled three pre-made bulletin
the preschool.
Business Development Center and we will help them with their Center, a full-day preschool pro- boards outside of the classrooms,
business plan and we will help them find a good storefront.” gram serving children of low-in- installed a custom bulletin board painted all of the radiators and
come working parents, is one of wall between two classrooms, re- two doors.
Balancing the Burden the 8 percent of preschool pro- placed the two bathroom floors, For more information about RED
grams nationwide to have earned installed three child size toilets, Day, visit www.kw.com/redday
Everybody knows that entrepreneurs hate taxes. That’s why NAEYC (National Association for lowered and moved two of the For more information about
the Alexandria City Council’s recent decision to add four cents to sinks to be child height and added ALIVE, INC, visit www.alive-
the tax rate — a historic increase unparalleled modern history — a second sink to both bathrooms, inc.org
has caused some uneasiness in the business community.
“Our members are taking a deep breath,” said John Long,
president of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. “We have to
really start looking at ways to increase commercial real estate.”
Residential property taxes are the city’s biggest source of in-
come, constituting 32 percent of the money that comes into the
coffers at City Hall. Commercial property taxes, on the other hand,
represent about 26 percent of the city’s revenues. That’s an im-
balance that has plagued the city for years, and candidates for
City Council have promised to work toward creating a better bal-
ance. But the disparity has only grown worse over the course of
the last decade — despite all the talk on the campaign trail. Now
city leaders must figure out how to balance the books next year,
when federal and state revenues are forecast to shrink yet again.
“I always try to look to what I do at home,” said Long. “If I
don’t have enough now for my spending, I try to bring in some
additional income. And the additional income for the city, we
believe, is additional commercial opportunities.”
Mareen Freeman adds a
— Michael Lee Pope
coat of primer to a door in Renee Gallagher and Joe Moreno assemble new book-
the hallway. cases for the three classrooms.
8 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 16-22, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Living Legend
Joe Guiffre: Retired But Still Connected
Responsibility means cluding the Alexandria Chamber of Com-
merce, the Alexandria-Olympic Boys & Girls
taking active role in
Club, Optimist Club of Alexandria Founda-
tion and as a board member of Alexandria
the community.
Center for Employment, a sheltered work-
shop to help those with disabilities find
employment. He chaired the local Ameri-
By Alexandrianews.Org Staff can Cancer Society’s “buckboard”
F
fundraising effort and was involved with
or more than six decades Joe other efforts. He is past president of the
Guiffre has been involved in the Virginia Beer Wholesaler’s Association and
business, civic and religious life served Alexandria well by bringing the Na-
of his community. That’s why he tional Beer Wholesaler’s Association there.
is a 2013 Living Legend of Alexandria. “This made my commute easy when I served
Guiffre still calls Alexandria home but he on their board, Guiffre said.
chooses to spend winters in Florida. “I’m not “I am most proud and edified by the work
P
nearly as involved in activities in Alexan- ho I have done with St. Mary’s Church in Old
t
dria as I used to be,” Guiffre said, speaking o Town where I have served as an extraordi-
by telephone from there. “I’m nearly 80, so by nary minister of Holy Communion and in
S
I am slowing down. Right now I am sitting t many other capacities. I have supported St.
e
with my back to the Gulf of Mexico and sun ve Mary’s School and Bishop Ireton High
n
shining over my shoulder. I am enjoying H School because I believe strongly in Catho-
spending time with my wife, having family a lic education,” Guiffre said.
l
p
visit in Florida and just taking it easy.” e He has received many personal and pro-
r
Everyone who knows him acknowledges so fessional awards: the Jaycees Alexandrian
n
that Guiffre’s relaxation is well-deserved. “If / of the Year in 1975, the Alexandria Cham-
T
you live and work in a community, it is your is ber of Commerce George Washington Lead-
a
r
responsibility to take an active role in the a ership Medal, the United Indians of America
P
life of that community,” he said. “I did as h Outstanding Citizen Award for his efforts
o
much as I could for many years and I sacri- t to restore Jim Thorpe’s gold medals, two
o
ficed a lot of family time. I regret that to g beautification awards from the City of Al-
r
a
some extent, and now I’m enjoying the time p exandria, the Boys Club Medal for Service;
h
I have with my wife, my children and my y the Generations of Giving Award from ACT
“I am most proud and edified by the work I have done with St. Mary’s
grandchildren. I’m still involved, and Alex- for Alexandria, the St. Mary’s Grammar
Church in Old Town....” said Joe Guiffre.
andria is still home.” School Distinguished Alumni Award, the
“I will be back, though. Bishop Loverde has Brent Society recognition for Catholic
approved the formation of a new founda- company. He became president and general forts: Operation Bailout was a flood relief Schools Activities and Alexandria Optimist
tion for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington and manager of that business just six years later program that collected and stored furniture of the Year.
I have agreed to chair that foundation. A ma- in 1963. and other household items for distribution Guiffre retired from Guiffre Distributing
jor feature is that it serves as an ‘umbrella’ “My father died very young and there was to flood victims in Del Ray and Arlandria. Company in 1993. His son, Michael, is now
for donor-advised funds,” Guiffre said. no one else to run the business,” Guiffre said. Zero Litter collected anything that house- the president of the company and Guiffre
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 18, 1933, The Guiffres lived in Falls Church until holds wanted to discard, refrigerators to remained chairman of the board of direc-
Guiffre moved to the Washington area in 1965. “One day my wife and I were talking trash. The city now collects those kinds of tors until last year. His daughter Julie, who
1946. During high school and college he about how nice it would be to live in Alex- things twice a year. A third activity he lives in Old Town, heads up a Bible study
worked in the family business, the Guiffre andria near where I worked,” Guiffre said. chaired, Alexandrians for a Better Commu- group of 150 women at St. Mary’s Church
Distributing Company, which was located “There wasn’t much traffic between Alex- nity, was conceived at an Alexandria Cham- called “Walking With Purpose.”
on North Henry Street in Alexandria. andria and Falls Church at that time. But ber of Commerce meeting. The chamber “I am proud of all of my children, par-
“Like every small, family-owned business, when we moved to our house on Russell was responding to President Reagan’s sug- ticularly the way they are raising their own
I started at the bottom for very little pay Road I was four minutes from my office. gestion that basic needs were best met at children,” Guiffre said. “Two of my children,
and worked my way up,” Guiffre said. “I That was even better.” the local level. The resulting study demon- Teresa and Susan, have adopted two chil-
cleaned offices and bathrooms and un- Over the years Guiffre has served as an strated that Alexandria, through local chari- dren each in addition to having their own.
loaded box cars. My father wanted me to appointed member of several state and lo- ties and city efforts, met the basic needs for There is no greater gift we can give than to
have a very clear understanding of every cal boards and commissions. Governors food, shelter and clothing for the poor. adopt a child who was born into difficult
aspect of the company before I assumed any Mills Godwin and John Dalton appointed circumstances and give that child the love
supervisory role and I did.” him to the Virginia Solid Waste Commis- GUIFFRE ALSO SERVED as chair on the and opportunities he or she might not have
sion. Gov. Charles Robb appointed him as boards of many nonprofit organizations in- had otherwise.”
GUIFFRE EARNED a bachelor’s degree in Northern Virginia’s representative to the
English from Georgetown University. In Virginia Department of Highways Commis-
1954 he married Ann McWilliams of Alex- sion. The Alexandria City Council appointed Old Town Farmers’ Market
andria. They have four children: Teresa, him to serve on the Alexandria Economic
Julie, Michael and Susan. In 1957 Guiffre Development Authority. The City Council Welcomes SNAP/EBT Beneficiaries
accepted a full-time job with his family’s also asked Guiffre to lead two ad hoc ef-
The City of Alexandria’s Old Town Farmers’ tial vitamins and minerals in their home food
Market is participating in the Supplemental supply. This initiative also helps increase the
Living Legends: The Project
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly customer base at the market, creating an addi-
known as food stamps. As a result, SNAP cus- tional source of revenue for the Market vendors.
Living Legends of Alexandria is an ongoing 501(c)(3) photo-documentary project to identify, tomers will be able to use their electronic Implementing the SNAP program at the Old
honor and chronicle the people making current history in Alexandria. The project was conceived in benefits transfer (EBT) cards to purchase fresh Town Farmers’ Market was made possible with
2006 to create an enduring artistic record of the people whose vision and dedication make a positive, fruits, vegetables and other eligible food prod- funding from the U.S. Department of Agricul-
tangible difference to the quality of life in Alexandria. ucts at the market. ture and through partnership with the
Platinum and Gold sponsors this year are the Alexandria Commission for the Arts; Club Managers For every $5 in new SNAP benefits used, the Alexandria Childhood Obesity Action Network.
Association of America; Goodwin House, Inc.; McLaughlin Ryder Investments; Renner & Company, community receives almost double that amount The Old Town Farmer’s Market is located on
CPA, P.C.; the Rotary Club of Alexandria; and SunTrust Bank. in economic activity. Low-income households King Street between N. Royal and N. Fairfax
This is one of a series of profiles that will appear this year. For information, to volunteer, become a participating in SNAP have access to more food Streets, and is open on Saturdays year round
sponsor or nominate a future Legend, visit www.AlexandriaLegends.com or contact nutrients, like proteins, and an array of essen- from 7 a.m. to noon.
[email protected] .
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 16-22, 2013 ❖ 9
Opinion
Alexandria
Gazette Packet
Vote in Spite of Election Fatigue
www.AlexandriaGazette.com
@AlexGazette
An independent, locally owned weekly
newspaper delivered
Primary voting, to homes and businesses.
Published by
Each locality is entitled to one Republican are open (6 a.m. to 7 p.m.).” Local Media Connection LLC
absentee voting,
convention delegate vote per 250 Republican In Alexandria, regular hours for in-person 1606 King Street
votes for governor and president at their last absentee voting are Monday - Friday, from 8 Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Republican convention.
election, so that Fairfax County is entitled to a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Office of Voter Registra- Free digital edition delivered to
your email box. Go to
1,392 delegate votes; Arlington County is en- tion and Elections, 132 North Royal Street,
A connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
titled to 215 delegate votes; Alexandria City is Suite 100, Alexandria. Extended hours for in-
bsentee voting, including “in-per- entitled to 133 delegate votes; the City of person absentee voting are Tuesday, May 28, NEWS DEPARTMENT:
To discuss ideas and concerns,
son” absentee voting, is already Fairfax is entitled to 32 Delegate Votes; Falls and Wednesday, May 29, from 8 a.m. to 7:30
Call: 703-778-9410
underway for the June 11 primary, Church City is entitled to 14 delegate votes. p.m., Monday, June 3 and Tuesday, June 4 from e-mail:
[email protected]
a statewide Democratic party pri- Localities choose up to five times the number 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 8 from
mary for lieutenant governor and attorney gen- of delegates as votes, plus an equal number of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Steven Mauren
Editor, 703-778-9415
eral, plus one delegate race in Northern Vir- alternates. You can also vote absentee by mail. The [email protected]
ginia. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to deadline to request a mailed ballot is June 4,
Michael Lee Pope
Voters in the Democratic primary will Editorial 7 p.m. on June 11. by 5 p.m. Reporter, 703-615-0960
[email protected]
choose between Ralph S. Northam and Absentee voting allows qualified vot- Absentee ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. @MichaelLeePope
Aneesh Chopra for lieutenant gover- ers to participate in upcoming elections on Election Day June 11.
Jeanne Theismann
nor; and between Mark R. Herring and Justin even though they may not be able to go to the Here are some good sources for information 703-778-9436
[email protected]
E. Fairfax for attorney general. polls on Election Day. Absentee voting in per- on upcoming elections:
@TheismannMedia
Because voters do not register by party in son began on April 26. Virginia State Board of Elections, http://
Jon Roetman
Virginia, any voter can vote in the Democratic Most people in Northern Virginia qualify to www.sbe.virginia.gov/, Sports Editor, 703-224-3015
primary, but cannot vote in a Democratic and vote absentee under this provision, although Virginia Public Access Project, http:// [email protected]
@jonroetman
Republican primary on the same day. there are many others: www.vpap.org/candidates?display=state,
Louise Krafft
The Republican party will nominate their “Any person who, in the regular and orderly Alexandria Board of Elections, http://
Photographer
candidates for statewide office in a convention course of his business, profession, or occupa- www.alexandriava.gov/Elections. [email protected]
to be held on May 17-18 in Richmond. Del- tion, will be at his place of work and commut-
egates to the convention were elected by lo- ing to and from his home to his place of work — Mary Kimm, ADVERTISING:
For advertising information
cality in March and April. for 11 or more hours of the 13 that the polls [email protected] e-mail:
[email protected]
Letters to the Editor
Julie Ferrill
Display Advertising, 703-778-9446
More Density Means each and every one is a good Democrat, which to mention more schools to accommodate the [email protected]
means their natural inclination is to spend and burgeoning growth of new students.
Jane Hughes
Higher Taxes
tax. Their varying reasons for taking ever more But there is an exception. It, in turn, creates Display Advertising, 703-778-9448
[email protected]
money from the public is also genuine. a dichotomy. The exception is our City Coun-
To the Editor: They really do want to improve; to provide cil tactic to use density to mitigate the tax bur- Tara Lloyd
I am not surprised by our City Council deci- Display Advertising, 703-778-9447
and to enable residents to have a safer com- den they impose on existing city residents. [email protected]
sion to increase taxes. Given a choice to spend
munity replete with public services galore, not Their notion, best I can make it out, is by cram-
Andrea Smith
or not to spend, they revert to form. After all,
ming more people, structures and automobiles Classified Advertising, 703-778-9411
[email protected]
into Alexandria, there will be more taxpayers;
ergo, more tax revenue. And herein lay the Debbie Funk
National Sales
dichotomy. 703-778-9444
In Support of As density occurs in small ways and large, [email protected]
reducing the quality of life for current residents
Wounded Soldier Publisher
thanks to congested roads, schools, public fa- Jerry Vernon
cilities, neighborhoods, etc, taxes do not go [email protected]
down; they go up. More density may create Editor & Publisher
Mary Kimm
more revenue but nowhere near enough to pay
703-778-9433
for the costly services and facilities, especially [email protected]
@MaryKimm
schools, required to placate new residents.
Our City Council’s pursuit of density in all Editor in Chief
Steven Mauren
its forms is driving up your taxes. More people, Art/Design:
Laurence Foong, John Heinly
cars, structures crammed into the finite space
Production Manager:
called Alexandria is triggering a catch-up need Jean Card
Geovani Flores
for more costly public services. These addi-
ain tional costs are passed on to current residents EMdaitroy rA Ennmee Wrietbuesr:
rt who have to pay more taxes for an ever-di-
a
Jim P miMniys hsoinlugt qiouna:l iAtyp aorft l iffreo.m term limits, get rid CIRCCUirLcAuTlaAIOtninNo n:O 7lMiv0ea3rn-7a7g8e-r9:427
y of the Jim Crow era at-large election format. [email protected]
b
o Instead, enfranchise neighborhoods to elect
t
o someone residing in their community to an A Connection Newspaper
h
P expanded City Council. The process today of The Alexandria Gazette Packet is distributed
weekly to selected homes in the
Runners start off at the Military Officers Association of America giving the most popular members of one po- City of Alexandria.
Wounded Warrior 5K Walk/Run on May 11 to raise funds to assist U.S. litical party the city purse strings is not good Any owners or occupants of premises that do
not wish to receive the paper can notify the
Army Reserve SPC Jay Briseno and his family. Briseno was wounded governance even if they do mean well. publisher by telephone at 703-917-6480 or
by email to
while serving in Iraq, suffering full paralysis and blindness. His injuries [email protected],
and the distributor will be notified to
are so severe they require his family to provide full time care. Azalea Jim Roberts discontinue service.
Charities, Helping a Hero and the Quality of Life Foundation have joined Alexandria
forces to help provide a specialized home for Briseno and his family, but
funds are required to purchase and install the equipment needed to
improve his quality of life.
More Letters, Page 11
10 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 16-22, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com