This is a critical election in Alexandria’s history with very important decisions at stake. As long-term residents of Alexandria who have served on many commissions and organization serving our city, we believe that Alexandrians are very lucky to have Mayor Allison Silberberg as our mayor. For her ability, competence, leadership and achievements in the last two and a half years, she received the endorsements of both Democrats for a Better Alexandria and Alexandrians for Better City Government.
Mayor Silberberg has been a tireless champion of ethics reform, affordable housing, excellence in city schools, historic preservation, and rational development; and has tackled a range of complicated policy and infrastructure issues that have plagued the city for decades including:
Taxes: Mayor Silberberg has followed the policy that challenges must be addressed in a measured, deliberate fashion that does not overload residents and businesses with oppressive tax burdens. This past year she supported a moderate tax increase as proposed by the city manager and cast the lone vote against the tax rate of 5.7 cents per $100 of assessed value proposed by Justin Wilson, almost twice as great, and passed by the City Council. This tax added approximately $356 a year extra to the average household’s bill.
Opposed the Business Improvement District: listening to the majority of the local business community who were against this tax.
Citizen Input: Mayor Silberberg goes out of her way to listen and meet with people hosting frequent Mayor on Your Corner meetings and instituting one day a month for citizens to meet with her unscheduled. She was the only vote against limitation of the open mic at City Council meetings which allowed all citizens a time honored tradition to express their opinions at City Council meetings.
Thoughtful and Appropriate Development: Mayor Silberberg has pursued policies that support development that fits in and is to scale in protection of Alexandria neighborhoods and quality of life whether it be for Old Town, Del Ray, Parker Gray, Potomac Yard, Northridge, West End and the Eisenhower corridor.
Historic Preservation: She has emphasized that support of preservation of Alexandria’s important historic heritage is both good for business and good for stewardship of our history. The success of her policy is demonstrated by Alexandria’s being named by Money magazine the #1 Best U.S. Travel Destination 2018 because Alexandria’s “quality, cost, and value come together to provide a terrific travel experience.”
If you believe in a mayor who listens and pursues thoughtful and intelligent policies, we ask that you stand by her and cast your vote in the June 12 primary for Mayor Allison Silberberg — a vote for the good of Alexandria.
Nancy and Danny Smith
Alexandria