To the Editor:
Twelve years a mayor, and what has this incumbent wrought?
1.) Sewage, raw untreated sewage, dumped into the Potomac River when rainfall overwhelms the century-old combined sewer and storm water system in Parker Gray and Old Town areas. Only now, in 2015, has the planning stage begun, under orders from the Virginia DEQ.
However, the Pendleton Street sewage outflow is not included in these initial plans, and will continue to foul Oronoco Bay, the floating docks at the T.C. Williams Boat House, and all along the river past the "World Class Waterfront" this mayor plans to build.
$400 million to solve this environmental disaster will most certainly be exceeded, and yet the mayor seldom mentions this huge capital expense project's impact on future city budgets.
A King Street Trolley and bicycle "sharrows" on city roadways do not warrant the mayor calling himself an environmentalist while City Hall toilets flow directly into the Potomac when it happens to be raining.
2.) Children denied access to recreation facilities due to increased fees presents opportunities for gang recruitment and will contribute to an increase in crime. A $5 fee at the Jerome "Buddy" Ford Nature Center prevents neighboring Beauregard children from participating — $5 will buy a gallon of milk needed by the family.
A $2 fee for one child plus $3 for the accompanying adult on a hot summer's day at city pools may as well tell a child that they are barred from the facility. The "Financial Assistance Policy" has forms to complete and documentation to provide, which if approved, grants a family a 40-50 percent discount. Children from dysfunctional families who are most at risk are not be able to participate. But dogs swim free at summer's end.
Reduced funding for city recreational programs results in only two facilities open to teens after the others close at 6 p.m. Only Charles Houston and Ramsay centers are open until 9 p.m. weekdays and until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. A true gang prevention program starts at the well-staffed, open neighborhood recreation centers; not the courthouse and juvenile detention facility.
Only a hypocritical mayor would vote for increased recreation fees, shortened hours and reductions in staff, and still say our children's future is a priority.
3.) The city's 2016 budget proposed eliminating property tax breaks for low-income senior citizens, and only a large, loud outcry across the city caused this property tax relief provision to continue. A similar Affordable Home Ownership Preservation program for low-income residents was discontinued in 2009, and there's been no proposal from the mayor to reinstate it.
Eliminating property tax breaks for low-income residents to balance the city budget makes one question the mayor's self-touted support for affordable housing.
For true environmental, child-friendly and affordable housing policies in our city, elect Mayor Allison Silberberg and Wood, Van Fleet, Bailey and Chapman for City Council on Nov 3.
Maria Wildes
Alexandria