Alexandria — To the Editor:
For the first time in the history of Alexandria, the election for Mayor and City Council will be on the November 2012 ballot. There are many issues that will shape the future of Alexandria in the next five to 10 years, i.e., the proposed waterfront development; proposed metro station at Potomac Yard; the Beauergard Small Area Plan in the far west end of Alexandria; BRAC-133 and the probable loss of two major employers located at the Mark Center/BRAC-133 site, the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) and the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), affordable housing; transportation issues and how Alexandria taxpayers are going to pay for all of these proposed plans. This year incumbent Mayor Bill Euille is being challenged by Andrew MacDonald, who is running as an Independent. To date, Mayor Euille has refused to debate Mr. MacDonald in a one-on-one debate. Alexandria residents need to hear from both Mayor Euille and Mr. MacDonald regarding the major development and spending issues facing our city. I for one do not understand why Mayor Euille is afraid to debate Mr. MacDonald or if there were another candidate challenging Mayor Euille.
Alexandria residents deserve to hear from both Mayor Euille and Mr. MacDonald in order to ask questions regarding the future of Alexandria. Let's hope that Mayor Euille will step up to the plate, do the right thing and agree to at least one debate if not two one-on-one debates before the November 2012 election.
Annabelle Fisher
Alexandria