To the Editor:
I am writing to share my personal views in support of Kerry Donley for mayor on June 9.
My main concern is transportation. In strong-property-rights Virginia, developers are adding housing whether we like it or not. As a result, we need to add capacity and that means transit. It also means sidewalks and bike lanes to get people to transit stops. All three mayoral candidates know this, but the two who are presently in office have been sitting by as progress has slowed to a crawl. Kerry Donley has a proven record and is ready to lead.
At present, we seem to be looking backward instead of forward. On the planned West End Transitway, bicycles will be shoved onto sidewalks with pedestrians instead of being allocated space on the street. Sidewalk biking is old-fashioned and dangerous. In the Potomac Yard Metro Station design, pedestrian and bike pathways have not been deconflicted, and bike parking is not yet in the plans. Getting people to transit adds capacity to our transportation work. Without safer streets, citizens will stay in their cars and our roads will be gridlocked.
On the main issue for the election, getting more businesses into Alexandria, all three candidates are in favor. It is Donley, however, who will push hard and has the experience to make progress. He also has a specific idea for interim big-box retail in the Eisenhower West plan. This will create economic activity sooner rather than later.
We need a mayor with new ideas who will act instead of talk. We need Donley for mayor.
Jonathan Krall
Alexandria