To the Editor:
I never want to let the facts get in the way of a good story, but one cannot just make stuff up to denigrate someone with whom you disagree. So, in response to the letter from Mr. MacDonald ["A Lack of Leadership," Gazette Packet, Jan. 25]:
- I am not retired. I have lived in Alexandria all my life, and for the past 30 years my office has been in Old Town. I have no plans to ever leave the city where I live and work.
- I did not "come in from Nantucket" to attend the Council hearing. I have been to Nantucket once in my life about 20 years ago. It was nice. I came to the Council meeting from the exotic location of Seminary Ridge. It took me 12 minutes, but traffic was heavy.
- The fact that the tax burden on homeowners has risen moderately in recent years is precisely the point I was trying to make. Because of the decision by the Council on which I served to approve the Patent and Trademark Office at Carlyle, we were able to create a source of revenue that will continue for decades and reduce the reliance on individual real estate taxes. The carefully-planned, long-term development of Alexandria's waterfront will create another important economic resource for Alexandria and result in a waterfront that all can enjoy.
Everyone in Alexandria should be grateful to Mayor Euille, Vice Mayor Donley, and Councilmembers Krupicka, Pepper and Smedberg for having the courage and perspective to make a decision, albeit difficult, that will ultimately benefit all of Alexandria.
David G. Speck
Alexandria