To the Editor:
City Council did not crown itself with glory at its Sept. 12 meeting.
Council heard over four hours of testimony over the proposed demolition of the Ramsey Homes in the Parker Gray District. The testimony was — at times — emotional and passionate. Also striking were the number of young, highly articulate residents from the area who spoke of their fondness for the neighborhood and their strong desire to maintain the Ramsey Homes as an integral part of African-American history. Those citizens who spoke to council — many for the first time — are just the kind of new residents this city should encourage to participate in the public process.
However, the testimony of the citizens were met with overwhelming scorn by none other than Assistant City Attorney Chris Spera, who dismissed the citizens’ testimony as “hours of gobbledygook.” He characterized the speakers as providing “amateur testimony,” he went on to say, adding there was also “some very heartfelt testimony and sincere testimony with actual qualified people.”
His disdainful remarks were left unchallenged for several minutes by City Council, until Councilman Smedberg admonished Mr. Spera. “Be careful about how you categorize people’s testimony. Not everyone can or should have a Ph.D. in something to make their testimony to be of value.”
The Assistant City Attorney issued a non-apology: “I apologize if my duration of stay (sic) up here expressed with some frustration but the fact remains many people testified off the cuff though there were also some comments from the heart,” he repeated.
Most people learn in elementary school that an apology which starts as “I apologize, but ...” means they really aren’t apologizing.
Alexandria prides itself in having enacted Principles of Civic Engagement, and speakers are reminded of this fact when they fill out their speaker’s forms. “It is the purpose of this policy to ensure all members of the Alexandria community, regardless of station or circumstance, shall have the opportunity to express their views on matters of public policy and that their views are given fair and respectful consideration.”
Encouraging civic engagement hardly is assisted by rude characterizations of the speakers themselves by the council’s legal advisor. While Councilman Smedberg defended the citizenry, his remarks were ignored by the mayor, who did not object to the intemperance of Mr. Spera’s statement.
Perhaps it is time to look again at the city’s policy of Civil Engagement and ensure that it includes language to the effect that city employees are to be respectful of all citizens and whatever it is they have to say, at all times. Characterizing the testimony of citizens as gobbledygook is rude, unprofessional, and shows a fundamental disdain for the citizens who pay Mr. Spera’s salary. The City Attorney’s office owes all speakers an apology, and one that doesn’t start with “I apologize, but ….”
Yvonne Callahan
President, Old Town Civic Association
Bert Ely
Vice President, Old Town Civic Association