To the Editor:
Six years ago, my friend and vice mayor of Alexandria, Allison Silberberg, published a thought-provoking book, “Visionaries in Our Midst: Ordinary People who are Changing Our World.” Allison’s book is an inspiring collection of essays about 18 individuals who identified critical needs in their communities and responded with courage and conviction. In short, her book is about “catalysts” — those rare individuals who innovate, work to build a better life for others and discover what is possible when individuals stand up for one another.
It’s ironic that Allison exemplifies the very people she wrote about in her book and whom she now represents as vice mayor. Allison has been that catalyst — a force for change in our diverse community who has the courage to stand up for things she believes are right, even when she’s laughed at or threatened. She has no problem going against the grain for what she believes is right for our entire city, not just a select few.
I’ve known Allison for more than 30 years. We met at American University where we both studied at the School of International Service. We’ve been friends ever since. I supported Allison’s campaign for City Council three years ago and I am honored to support Allison’s campaign for Mayor of Alexandria.
In our midst, I see a visionary who will make tough choices about development that benefit all Alexandrians. As a former teacher and educator, she will steadfastly support our public schools and the resources needed to service a growing student population.
Our city is undergoing rapid change and we have tough choices to make.
We can choose the past.
We can choose the present.
Or we can choose the future.
I choose Alison Silberberg for our city’s future.
Eileen Cassidy Rivera
The writer is a former School Board member for Alexandria City Public Schools.