Road warriors - Alexandria Times

32 Pages·2013·15.7 MB·English

WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM DECEMBER 5, 2013 | 1
Vol. 9, No. 49 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper DECEMBER 5, 2013
Road warriors
photo/anna harriS
A cyclist heads toward Old Town along King Street. Plans to add bike
lanes to a stretch of the road have angered neighbors and stoked
tensions between cyclists, motorists and pedestrians.
photo/Laura SikeS
Bike-lane debate shifts When the topic popped up
KICKING OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON One-year-old Kailee Klinkel visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus
into high gear on the Beverley Hills listserv,
at Market Square during the Port City’s annual tree-lighting celebration Friday. Sheryll and Jason Klinkel,
a popular Internet-based neigh-
of Alexandria, brought their youngster for a chance to meet the big man and celebrate the approach of
Christmas. For more photos, turn to page 13. By Derrick Perkins borhood forum, it didn’t take
long for the conversation to fo-

City Hall’s suddenly con- cus on where and when cyclists
New superintendent must
troversial plan for adding bike belong on city sidewalks and
lanes to a stretch of King Street roads — and how they ought to
just outside of Old Town threat- behave.
bring stability, parents say ens to reignite the contentious “When I am walking along
debate over cyclists and their minding my own business, I
place in Alexandria. find it rather loathsome when
The roadwork would see a biker comes from behind me
Few turn out for day could be counted on one of three organized this week to bike lanes and sharrows added yelling, ‘On your left!’ ... as if
community forum hand, but those who did show get the community involved on the busy thoroughfare be- I should get out of their way,”
in Del Ray up stressed they wanted a in selecting the successor to tween the intersections of Rus- wrote one member. “I also be-
leader committed to stability. former Superintendent Mor- sell Road and Janneys Lane. lieve they feel more civilized
By erich wagner “With the abrupt departure ton Sherman at Alexandria To make room for the cyclists than the rest of us human beings
of our previous superinten- City Public Schools. Sher- — and improvements aimed at on four wheels and two legs.”
The number of parents dent, we need someone who man, a controversial figure enhancing pedestrian safety — “It is not to tell you to move
who trekked to a community is a peacemaker,” said Debbie within the community, abrupt- the proposal calls for narrow- out of their way, but to let you
forum on the school district’s Altenburg, whose child at- ly retired just days before ing traffic lanes and eliminating know a faster-moving object is
superintendent search Tues- tends Mount Vernon Commu- school began in September. 27 on-street parking spots. approaching you that you may
nity School. “There are still Although a few parents Neighbors, though, largely not see or hear from behind. It
some ruffled feathers.” worried about a dearth of panned the project. And as word is better than not giving a heads-
The forum at George Wash- of the controversy spreads, the
ington Middle School was one SEE acPs | 7 debate grows more heated. SEE Bike lanes | 10
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WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM DECEMBER 5, 2013 | 3
The weekly BrieFing Start The New Year
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Sugar gliders take up
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121
photo/derrick perkinS
Though considered adorable by many, sugar gliders can be a handful, according to officials at the Animal
Welfare League of Alexandria. The local nonprofit just took in seven of the marsupials.
Half-Priced Gift Cards
Officials use surrendered — blessed with a flap of loose While they are hopeful of find-
~Only on Monday, December 9th~
exotic marsupials as flesh that allows for gliding — ing the group a new home,
lesson in pet ownership take flight. Seskey wants the colony to
“They’re pretty unique. serve a second purpose: rais- Buy a $50 gift card for $25
A lot of the times they are an ing awareness within the com-
By Derrick Perkins
Buy a $100 gift card for $50
impulse buy,” he said, stand- munity.

It didn’t take long for Joe ing by the cage that serves as “We want to really edu- Buy a $200 gift card for $100 and so on
Seskey to find himself in a the temporary home for seven cate the public on responsible
furry situation. sugar gliders. “They buy it and pet ownership,” Seskey said.
The retired police sergeant realize they got more than they “Sugar gliders, as an exotic
formally took the reins as Al- bargained for.” pet, they require a tremendous One-Stop Holiday Shopping!
exandria’s top animal control And that’s precisely how amount of care.”
officer early last month. Just the Animal Welfare League of And the animals, considered
a few weeks later and he’s got Alexandria ended up with the invasive, are banned in some
a colony of cute, yet smelly, unusual guests. The sugar glid- localities. While Alexandria
sugar gliders on his hands. ers originally were reported as permits owning sugar gliders, Gift A Growler
The squirrel-like mar- abandoned, but a little sleuth- nearby Fairfax County consid-
supials, native to Australia, ing determined that the man ers them “animal non grata.” Only $25
are popular exotic pets in the who brought them to the shel- “Our message is if you
United States. A quick Google ter’s attention was the colony’s want to consider sugar glid- includes a gift certificate
search on the animal brings up owner. ers, look into your locality,”
for choice of pour.
a bevy of websites devoted to He had taken them from Seskey said. “Call the local
breeding, buying and caring a Woodbridge woman, who animal control office and see
for sugar gliders. could no longer care for them, what they can tell you.”
Though adorable, the po- Seskey said. It wasn’t long be- Seskey also is weighing
121 South Union Street
tentially noisy nocturnal crea- fore the new owner was in a whether Alexandria’s laws
tures are hard to care for and similar situation. need updating when it comes Alexandria, Virginia
breed rapidly, often without Regardless of the circum- to sugar gliders. unionstreetpublichouse.com
any outward signs of preg- stances, the shelter — which “We need laws in place 703.548.1785
nancy, Seskey warned. They accepts surrendered animals to encourage responsible pet
need a lot of space and can — took in the exotic pets. ownership,” he said.
4 DECEMBER 5, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES
criMe
Give the
Gift of AHA this Holiday Season
Ten years later and still no
Provide your parents
suspects in Dunning slaying
with peace of mind.
Just one call is needed
To:M o & mD ad fhoorm trea nmsapionrtteantaionnc,e li,g ht Investigation into still has a detective commit- “Although some similari-
shopping assistance unsolved murder will ted primarily to the case, who ties do exist, we have deter-
and access to a wide continue, chief pledges pores over files, interviews and mined that there is no reason
range of social and re-interviews potential wit- to think that those two [homi-
cultural activities. By erich wagner nesses, and searches for any cides] are connected,” he said.
advances in forensic science Cook said it can be difficult

The approach of the winter that might provide a new clue. to juggle the Dunning case
Contact At Home in Alexandria, (AHA) holidays means many residents “We’re constantly looking with more recent unsolved
www.athomeinalexandria.org
will, once again, remember the and checking for a piece of in- homicides, but the department
Tel. [phone]
Email: [email protected] At Home in Alexandria! shock and pain caused by the formation that we might have has done it.
death of Nancy Dunning, who overlooked to get a new per- “It’s a real challenge, es-
was murdered 10 years ago to- spective,” he said. “We contin- pecially with reduced budgets
day. ue to re-interview people and and staffing,” he said. “But
The Alexandria Police De- try to jog their memories.” we’re working continuously. I
Alexandria Times’ partment held a press confer- The memory of the Dun- don’t think our detectives have
ence Wednesday to reaffirm ning killing is especially poi- had a 40-hour work week in
Cause of the Month its commitment to finding the gnant this year in light of the last five to six years.”
perpetrator. the recent shooting death of As important as keeping re-
“We promised the Dunning transportation planner Ronald sources devoted to the case is
family that we would never Kirby. Many residents have maintaining a positive mindset
put this case on the shelf, that described the two incidents as toward the investigation, he
it would never be a cold case,” eerily similar. said.
said Police Chief Earl Cook. But Cook said investigators “We’ll get there,” Cook
“We continue to try to resolve already compared the cases said. “The moment that we be-
this and get an arrest.” and found no link between the lieve we won’t resolve the case
Cook said the department crimes. is the moment that we lose.”
POlice BeaT
The following incidents occurred between November 25 and December 4.
41 3
The Alexandria Police Youth Camp (APYC)
thefts Drug crimes
is hosting its annual Christmas tree sale
once again this year!
16 9
The APYC is a 60+ year old non-profit organization
owned and managed by the Alexandria Police AssAults Vehicle
Officers whose mission is to provide a scenic thefts
getaway for Alexandria children. The Christmas tree
fundraiser allows us to provide scholarship funds 0 8
so that any child can attend camp, no matter their AssAults with A BreAking &
financial means. DeADly weApon enterings
Where: 110 Callahan Drive, Alexandria VA 2 6
Dates: Nov 30 - Dec 15 seXuAl roBBeries
offenses
times: Weekdays (4PM - 8PM)
& Weekends (10AM - 8PM)
Source: crimereports.com
For more information, please visit www.AlexPYC.org *Editor’s note: Police reports are not considered public information in Virginia. The Alexandria Police
Department is not required to supply the public at large with detailed information on criminal cases.
WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM DECEMBER 5, 2013 | 5
Let’s Make
Ten years later and still no
Banking Fun
suspects in Dunning slaying
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6 DECEMBER 5, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES

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WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM DECEMBER 5, 2013 | 7
ACPS begins superintendent search
acPs of initiatives and programs a lot more people,” he said. tening a lot.” course.
implemented under Sherman “[We] gave a lot of notice ear- Race said that most impor- “We just had a change
FROM | 1
often irked parents and teach- ly over a lot of different chan- tantly, after years of constant agent,” she said. “I think now
quality candidates given the ers. nels. But people know who we change in the classroom, she we need someone to pull the
timing of Sherman’s depar- “The new superintendent are and they don’t hesitate to wants to see the school sys- system together.”
ture, Wayne Harris, a member would need to have a thought- talk to us, so I’m already lis- tem move forward on an even
of the search firm hired by the ful idea of what she or he
school system as well as a for- would like to do, not to go
mer superintendent for Fairfax from ‘Let’s try this’ to ‘Let’s
County and Roanoke, said the try this’ or ‘Let’s try this,’”
timing is actually perfect. said Heather Martin, whose
“We’re at the primetime children go to Mount Vernon
for this,” he said. “This is the Community School. “The
time where sitting superinten- plan can have some wiggle
dents are looking at other op- room for adjustment, but they
portunities, because they have would need to have some idea
to make the decision about of what will be good for our
whether to re-up with their unique population.”
boards.” Aside from establishing
Residents agreed that the stability in the school system,
new superintendent would she said the next superinten-
have to work hard to over- dent must have demonstrated
come a reputation that Alex- success in improving student
“I’ve made a lot Enjoy the Carefree
andria students underperform achievement in a diverse com-
of good friends
compared with surrounding munity.
jurisdictions. “They need experience in since moving to
Lifestyle You Deserve
“It really hurts that one of a system that has had large the Hermitage.”
our schools is one of the low- achievement gaps,” she said. —John Mutchler
est performing in the state,” “Between white students and
said Kristen Race, who has minorities and with free- and Discover why many people like you have come
been a local teacher for 40 reduced-lunch students, we
to call the Hermitage home—the chance to
years, referring to Jefferson- have large gaps.”
experience a new lifestyle with an array of services
Houston School. “A lot has Alexandria School Board
been made of that.” vice chairman William Keat- and amenities. Just ask resident John Mutchler, who
Parents insisted that they ing was disappointed in Tues- appreciates the freedom from home maintenance
wanted an individual with a day’s turnout but remained
and the opportunity to participate in clubs and social
clear and consistent vision hopeful that the search firm’s
activities. Our residents also rave about our superb
for Alexandria City Public other forums, focus groups
Schools, not a maverick that and discussions with stake- dining service, our courteous and helpful staff, and an
would throw different ap- holders will produce a strong overall feeling of caring and security that comes with
proaches at a wall to improve vision for the future.
living at the Hermitage.
student achievement. The slew “I thought there would be
You’ll also gain peace of mind knowing that health
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h
For more information, call 703-797-3814.
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h www.Hermitage-Nova.com
fiLe photo
Parents said at a forum Tuesday that they want a superintendent com-
mitted to stability, compared with the constant change associated with
former Superintendent Morton Sherman (above).
8 DECEMBER 5, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES
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WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM DECEMBER 5, 2013 | 9
Food truck debate keeps rolling on
Talks continue after After receiving a complaint, regulations gave interloping Alexandria as a whole.
health officials crack the Alexandria Health Depart- food trucks an advantage over Despite many people claim- not a
down on offenders ment shut down and fined four brick-and-mortar establish- ing food trucks will find suc-
food trucks lacking permits, ments. Others argued more cess in the Port City, others single
officials said. study was needed before open- remain skeptical. Lori Quill, a
By kaiTlyn schallhOrn restaurant in
According to Dog Mahell, ing the city up to mobile res- task force member, wondered

Food trucks are revving owner of Doug the Food Dude, taurants. if Alexandria is dense enough D.c. has closed
their engines, ready to roll out the trucks serving at the fund- “I personally am not op- to draw the crowds that flock to
in Alexandria despite recent raiser were “under the impres- posed to the food trucks in en- food trucks in Washington. because of food
setbacks. sion that any permit they had tirety; however, prior to open- “From our perspective,
trucks.”
As city officials discuss covered food.” ing the gates to later attempt it takes a mix of all locations
letting food trucks operate in The incident underscored curtailing a runaway beast, to make it work,” said Doug
Alexandria, the popular mo- the ongoing debate regarding all need to clearly understand Povich, chairman of the DC- - che ruddell-Tabisola
bile eateries remain banned on the role of four-wheeled eater- how it will affect business, Maryland-Virginia Food Truck Owner, BBQ Bus
private and public property in ies in Alexandria. That discus- residents, the parking and the Association as well as a mem-
the city, with the exception of sion began in earnest in 2011 city as a whole if the number ber of the city task force.
construction sites. Yet armed when two food trucks served of trucks proposed are per- Povich, who also co-owns
with updated special event up lunch in north Old Town in mitted in [Old Town],” wrote the Red Hook Lobster Pound in D.C. has closed because of
and health code permits, food violation of city code. Meshelle Armstrong, of the Eat DC food truck, said that the food trucks,” Ruddell-Tabisola
trucks can make occasional ap- This year, local officials Good Food Group, in a letter to mobile eateries are really just said. “If anything, food trucks
pearances in the Port City. agreed to set up a task force to City Hall earlier this year. small businesses. are increasing foot traffic.
But making the trip with- examine the issue. The move The city manager’s While there is concern that Food trucks are terrific at dem-
out authorization can be costly. came after city staff floated a 10-member task force met food trucks could hurt local onstrating restaurant viability.”
Several food truck operators proposal to allow food trucks again last month to discuss the brick-and-mortar restaurants, The Alexandria City Coun-
learned that lesson the hard way free reign in much of Alexan- possibility of food trucks in the Che Ruddell-Tabisola, co- cil is expected to review food
when they began cooking up dria, which left local restaura- Del Ray area, but with no resi- owner of the BBQ Bus, thinks truck regulations early next
meals at a West End fundraiser teurs steaming. dents from the neighborhood in the risk is overstated. year, after the task force pres-
earlier in the fall. Many worried the proposed attendance, the focus turned to “Not a single restaurant ents its recommendations.
City council: No real
estate tax hike in ’14
WE BELIEVE
Decision marks start that rather tight restraint of no
of budget season increase in the real estate tax YOU DESERVE A PLAN
rate,” said City Councilor Tim
By Derrick Perkins Lovain. “We had a significant THAT MAKES YOU
increase last year, and I think

As city officials prepare it was made necessary by the HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER.
next year’s budget, they will very strong capital needs that
do so without the possibility of we have, but that rate is now in
That’s why we’re proud to offer Northern Virginia the health
raising real estate and personal place and the additional funds
plan that leads the way in member satisfaction.
property taxes. that we were able to raise ...
That was the decision of [are] just as available to us this A recent study by J.D. Power awarded Kaiser Permanente
the Alexandria City Council year.” “Highest Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans
in the Mid-Atlantic Region, Five Years in a Row.”1
last week, when it kicked off The $628.4 million budget
budget season by presenting for this fiscal year — approved
1 K aiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc., received the highest numerical score among commercial
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10 DECEMBER 5, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES
Bike lanes it and reacting to it.” stretch of road, the loss of approach cyclists have taken, bike lanes and other traffic-
But there is a deeper divide parking spaces and the heavy neighbors like Louise Welch calming elements.
FROM | 1
between those who eschew traffic levels. But he also takes just worry that adding bike Though bike-lane support-
up and startling folks, who motor vehicles and lifelong umbrage at the tactics — and lanes will pose a safety hazard ers outnumbered opponents
might then actually move into drivers who can’t imagine trav- attitudes — of cyclists. — for everyone on that road. at the November 25 meeting,
the bike’s path unknowingly,” eling any other way. More and “The preening activists who Narrowing the congested street more community discussion
replied another. “I suppose that more people are falling into the favor these lanes are in my will make it harder for large is needed, board members ar-
is rather civilized of bikers to former category, Posey said, town, and they will soon come vehicles, she said, and more gued.
try and properly share trails and noting the migration of people to a neighborhood near you dangerous for cyclists. But that doesn’t mean bike
sidewalks. The nerve.” back into the cities, where they if they’re not there already,” “It is just overall danger- lanes are dead. While the board
For those who follow the can get around without cars. Buckley warns. “... Our little ous,” she said. “It’s a main makes recommendations, the
on-again, off-again debate, “In Alexandria, we’ve been squabble illustrates the tactics road, it’s a main city artery, it’s decision ultimately rests with
which last popped up in the a little slow about address- you can expect to see when a state road and they’re not re- Rich Baier, director of trans-
spring and early summer when ing that change,” Posey said. the bike wars reach you. Cy- ally looking at what needs to be portation and environmental
city council overhauled Al- “There is still a tendency to clist commuters may number done to make it safe. They’re services.
exandria’s bicycle laws, the move the cars through. No, we no more than 2 percent of the just saying, ‘Let’s put in bike Welch and other opponents
war of words is nothing new. need to start addressing these adult American population, lanes and see if it works.’” are staying on top of the issue.
Kevin Posey, a member of the folks who don’t want to drive, according to a 2002 report by While bike-lane opponents They want to be involved in the
city’s traffic and parking board, who want to walk or bike.” The Pedestrian and Bicycle In- are portrayed as only caring decision-making process in the
partly chalks it up to an under- There is other evidence of formation Center, but they are about their free on-street park- days and weeks ahead.
standable fear of change. this growing rift — and the the ones who go to city council ing, Welch said the spots serve This marks Welch’s first
“Any time you have change, interest in the debate nation- meetings. They’ll push for the as a buffer when she pulls out foray into what Buckley de-
you have a pushback, and this ally. The strongest, perhaps, kind of “complete streets” pol- of her driveway. And more im- scribed as the “bike wars,” and
change is here to stay,” he said. was an opinion piece by King icy that our city adopted, one portantly, she noted, where do she regrets the issue’s divisive-
“You talk about putting [bike Street resident F.H. Buckley that gives priority to pedestri- people expect contractors and ness. But that doesn’t mean she
lanes] in, and people freak published last month in The ans and cyclists over cars. delivery vans to park? plans on backing down.
out. But once you put them in, Wall Street Journal, putting a “In the abstract, that will The traffic and parking “It’s a bad situation, because
people get used to them and bit of the national spotlight on sound innocuous, but when the board took up the proposal last it’s set up the bikers against the
say it’s not so bad after all. ... the latest round of the debate in time for implementation arrives, week — Posey was unable to residents, and I don’t think any
I’ve been seeing this all over Alexandria. you’ll find yourself losing your attend — recommending the of us want to be angry at each
the country — all over the U.S. Buckley touches upon street parking, street by street, as city move ahead with pedestri- other. But I think we need to
We’re in a transition period many of the issues raised by roads are repaved. And parking an-safety improvements. But stand up in the neighborhood
now. It’s finally reached the opponents of the roadwork: spaces are just the beginning.” board members also said offi- to what we feel is safe and im-
level where people are noticing the few cyclists who use that While Buckley decries the cials should think twice about portant to our lives,” she said.
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