To the Editor:
I have been proud of the leadership by the City of Alexandria on environmental issues. Since the adoption of the Eco-City Charter in 2008, the council has made great progress in making Alexandria a more sustainable community and reducing our impact.
Since the adoption of the city’s Open Space Plan in 2003, the city has preserved well over 100 acres of open space in every corner of our city. That is precisely why Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg’s record on issues of environmental protection and stewardship is so concerning.
In 2013, Vice Mayor Silberberg was the only member of council to reject a developer contribution of over 44 acres of new open space by opposing the Beauregard Small Area Plan.
During the 2013 budget process, Vice Mayor Silberberg was the only member of council to propose de-funding Capital BikeShare, a wildly successful regional public/private partnership that helps bridge the gap for residents who rely on transit to get around our community.
During the 2014 budget process, Vice Mayor Silberberg was the only member of council to propose de-funding the city’s very successful food waste composting program. The program, which is now two years old, has diverted thousands of tons of food waste and turned it into mulch. She even stood in the way of an expansion of the blue public space recycling bins around the city.
Improving our land, water and air is an important priority of our City Council, and I expect a mayor to lead Alexandria to the forefront on this issue; not one that stands in the way. That's why I am writing in Mayor Bill Euille.
Glenn Klaus
Alexandria