All results / Stories / Michael Lee Pope
Furloughed and Waiting
Uncertainty lingers as furloughed workers hope temporary layoffs come to an end.
When Joy Phansond was furloughed from her job as sales coordinator at the Holiday Inn in Old Town, the temporary layoff was initially supposed to last until April 5. Then it was extended to May 5. Then it was extended again until June 5. She suspects that it’ll be extended again until July at least because the hotel business in Alexandria has been slammed by the collapse of tourism, trade shows and conventions.
Killing the Death Penalty
Lawmakers consider bill to abolish capital punishment in Virginia
Virginia has executed people longer than any other state, a tradition that stretches back into colonial days when Captain George Kendall was executed for treason. Over the years, the commonwealth has executed more than 1,300 people. Now, Virginia may be about to join 22 other states that have abolished the death penalty.
Beacon of Groveton May Be a Sign of Things to Come on Richmond Highway
High-end rental units and ground-level retail will be a first-of-its-kind on the corridor.
When the high-end residential units at the Heights at Groveton open next month, Richmond Highway will begin a new chapter in its long history.
Arlington County Hopes Energy Labels Will Change Business-As-Usual Attitude
Pilot program starts with government buildings, then moves on to private buildings.
Buildings in Arlington are about to become green with envy.
Labeling Energy Performance of Public Buildings
Buildings in Arlington are about to become green with envy. A new county program is now installing energy performance labels in the lobby of government buildings, and Arlington officials say they want to expand the program to private buildings. The pilot would be voluntary, potentially attracting companies that want to draw attention to buildings designed for efficiency. In the long run, though, the idea is that people would take a different approach to what kind of information is available to the public.
Beacon for the Future
Urban development may be a sign of things to come on Richmond Highway.
When the high-end residential units at the Heights at Groveton open next month, Richmond Highway will begin a new chapter in its long history.
Panel to Evaluate Middle Schools
School Board creates committee to take a look at reorganization.
Consider the scenario: Two eight-grade students get into a fight in the cafeteria of Hammond Middle School.
Ballston Residents Concerned New Theater Could Become Financial Drain
Will Virginia Square black box become a black hole similar to Artisphere?
When the Arlington County Board approved a new nine-story mixed-use commercial building in Virginia Square earlier this year, it was a deal that seemed too good to be true.
Sealing the Record
House and Senate Democrats disagree on how old convictions should be expunged.
For people haunted by a conviction for felony drug possession or misdemeanor disorderly conduct, a debate now happening in the Virginia General Assembly is one that could have dramatic consequences for finding a place to live or landing a job. Lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow those people to seal their criminal record, expunging old convictions and helping them wipe the slate clean. But Democrats are bitterly divided over how to accomplish that goal.
Living in the Dark
Could you survive without your iPhone? Do you have an evacuation kit? Are you really prepared for the worst?
.
Council Notebook
They fought like cats and dogs. They pounded their fists of the dais at City Hall. On several occasions, they raised their voices at each other.
Alexandria Police Shield Information on Officer-Involved Shooting
Law-enforcement officials use exemption to withhold incident report.
Why did Alexandria police officers kill Taft Sellars?
Council Notebook
Saying Goodbye
Saying Goodbye They fought like cats and dogs. They pounded their fists of the dais at City Hall. On several occasions, they raised their voices at each other.
Business Matters
Alexandria's chief tourism promoter Stephanie Pace Brown is leaving a city her organization calls “Charm-ville.”
Council Notebook
Del Ray is sometimes called “the little neighborhood that could,” a reference to the area’s history as a residential spot for railroad workers at Potomac Yard.
Dedicated Debate Over Streetcars Along Columbia PIke
Streetcar critics not swayed by county study showing benefits of streetcars.
The ongoing saga of the Columbia Pike streetcar gained yet another study last month, but critics say the latest investigation failed to address their concerns.
Budget in Transition
$881 million budget proposal unionizes firefighters, ditches Confederates, maintains tax rate.
Expenditures for the Alexandria Fire Department are expected to grow about 8 percent largely based on unionization of its workforce. The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services is setting aside $60,000 to replace street signs currently celebrating Confederate military officials. And half a million dollars has been set aside in contingent reserves for City Council members to load up the budget with their proposals ahead of the May 3 deadline. But none of those things are likely the first question that will be asked about the budget proposal for fiscal year 2024.
On the Campaign Trail
Politicians are always squeamish about raising their own salaries, especially when the budget season is closely tied to an election.
Business Matters
Death may be one of those unavoidable things. But taxes? That’s another story.
Fiscal Year Follies: Latest Budget Blunder Involves Increased Utility Tax
'Mistake' comes on the heels of 'communication issue.'
Shortly after City Council members approved the budget for fiscal year 2014, they had to reconsider two dedicated sources of revenue that had been spiked despite a lack of consensus among elected officials. Now City Manager Rashad Young has acknowledged a new blunder in revenue collections, a failure to follow all the necessary steps to increase utility taxes.