To the editor: As a Boy Scout, I have learned to love the outdoors and nature; and the importance of trees for our environment. So I was excited to hear that our city is an “Eco-City,” but I was disappointed to learn that our city’s tree canopy is declining. There are a few essential things that everyone can do in order to protect and increase our city’s tree canopy. The most important thing everyone can do to help our city’s tree canopy is protect the trees it already has. For example, if you are a homeowner and have a tree, you should try to protect it! Also, the City of Alexandria has a no ..read more

By John T. Chapman As a fourth-generation Alexandrian, my connections to this city run deep. As a person who believes strongly in acts of service, my service to my hometown is an imperative Ido not take lightly. For these reasons I have served this city, my community and its residents with a smile on my face for the past 11 years. My time on Council has allowed me to use my experience, my unique perspective and my leadership skills to provide real results for the people of Alexandria – and I’m just getting started. It is with that mindset that I am asking for your support this coming primary ..read more

By Melanie Kay-Wyatt, Ed.D The stress that comes with trying to do your best, juggle a busy workload, be popular and achieve success can be daunting. And yes, this can take a toll both mentally and physically. Perhaps that is why this month we observe both Mental Health Awareness Month and National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, because one aspect of our health affects the other. While our students and staff may be generations apart, both face the challenges that come with learning, teaching and living. Add to that, nothing is really private anymore. This is an era when our triumphs and t ..read more

Alexandria Times staff received nine awards from the Virginia Press Association awards banquet held Saturday night at the Omni in Charlottesville. The awards total included five first place finishes, one second place and three third place awards. In addition, Times Art Director Jessica Kim won first place overall for advertising design among all of Virginia’s weekly papers for work completed in 2023. Kim also received first place awards for her ad design in the medical/ healthcare, home and garden and small space ads categories. She won an additional third place award for her ad in the lifest ..read more

By Jonathan Huskey I love living in Alexandria. My wife and I moved here 12 years ago, from Arlington, to raise our family. From then on, life has been pretty sweet – and it helps that I have the Dairy Godmother down The Avenue in Del Ray. Pretty normal life. Wife, two kids, right down to the extremely cute dog. I didn’t plan to seek a seat on the City Council. Ultimately, I joined the race because I felt the Potomac Yard arena was a threat to our city. While I am the only City Council candidate who actively opposed the arena, I wasn’t alone. With thousands of others, I organized and stood up ..read more

To the editor: As an undecided voter, I attended the Democratic mayor’s debate last week held in the Alexandria City High School auditorium. I respect both Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and City Councilor Alyia Gaskins for putting themselves out there and running, but I left feeling that neither candidate represents my concerns. The following analysis is based on what I heard. My goal in writing is to encourage others to weigh in and help those of us who are undecided by telling me what I am missing. Alyia, a relative newcomer to the city, is an impressive public speaker but many of her words rang h ..read more

A union with no office in Alexandria, or all of Virginia for that matter, and no clear operational presence in our city is attempting to influence our local election for mayor and City Council. Unite Here’s political action committee has sent paid workers into Alexandria armed with thick, glossy door placards endorsing a slate of seven candidates for mayor and Council. Why? Why are they spending thousands of dollars on behalf of current Councilor Alyia Gaskins along with four incumbent councilors and two newcomers? Why is it so important to them that this slate, rather than, say, the exact op ..read more

By Josh Hwang In high school athletics, some individuals stand out not just for their skills on the field, but for their dedication, leadership and passion for the game. At Episcopal High School, one athlete comes to mind: Emily Garrard, a soccer player from Atlanta. After four years at Episcopal, Garrard will be moving on to Dartmouth College to continue her soccer career. From a young age, soccer has been more than just a sport for her. She started her competitive soccer journey at the age of seven, inspired by her sister and father; but it wasn’t until her high school years at Episcopal th ..read more

By Alexander Fernandez and Denise DunbarAlexandria Journalism Project For several weeks, residents across Alexandria have been opening their front doors to find placards on the knobs endorsing a slate of seven candidates for mayor and City Council. Strangers have been sighted going door-to-door placing the placards in neighborhoods ranging from Old Town to Seminary Ridge. Fine print at the bottom of the handsome navy blue door hanger identifies Workers Vote and unitehere.org/about-unite-here-pacs as funders for the placards, which endorse the slate of current Councilor Alyia Gaskins for mayor ..read more

By Caitlyn Meisnercmeisner@alextimes.com On May 1, City Council unanimously approved a revised fiscal year 2025 operating budget, including a 2.5-cent increase in the real estate tax rate to $1.135 and additional funding toward Alexandria City Public Schools. The $926.4 million operating budget is a nearly 5% increase from the fiscal year 2024 approved operating budget of $884.3 million. This is also an increase from City Manager Jim Parajon’s proposed operating budget of $911.3 million.  Parajon did not propose an increase in the real estate tax rate, but shortly after his February prop ..read more