The Growler was amused to read two quite different press accounts of the recent dedication of the new Charles Houston Center, which the Cranky One attended.From the Alexandria Gazette Packet, we had a typical Michael Lee Pope article on the ceremony, focusing on the Mayor's State of the City address but adding an extended wallow in the past. (When will he get over the romance of Parker-Gray?)
But the Alexandria Times's David Sachs weighed in with a much different perspective, questioning the expenditure of funds and the perceived neglect of the West End.
What's your take on the story?
63 comments:
The Charles Houston Center looks good. The Patrick Henry Center deserves the same upgrade that Charles Houston got. It should happen sooner rather than later.
I'd like to see both reporters spend an hour one night at the game room at the Charles Houston Rec Center and write about it.
Unless rec center staff start doing their job, the majority of people who want to bring their kids to enjoy the facility will be run off by the behavior of very few.
I have never in my life heard children use the kind of language constantly thrown around in that room. The most disgusting language you can imagine. It was truly saddening. And yes, I know kids play rough, curse, blow off steam and thats one thing. This was quite another.
Zero adult oversight in a City run facility is an accident waiting to happen.
Staff just walked by when one child had another on the floor with a pool cue across his neck while calling him a racist term and refering to having sex with his mother...I'm sure they were just playing around but should we have to expose our kids to that??
"I have never in my life heard children use the kind of language constantly thrown around in that room."
We had the same experience. It's appalling. I'm going to stick with the YMCA.
"Unless rec center staff start doing their job, the majority of people who want to bring their kids to enjoy the facility will be run off by the behavior of very few."
If it's like the homeless who hang at Barrett Library. Staff does nothing when cell phones ring and loud conversations begin. I never understood why a code for conduct cannot be posted and enforced. Actually I am delighted the city spent bundles on a neighborhood facility. Finally we are getting some cash thrown our way. However if only the dregs are comfortable using it then the gain is zero. Surely the ACLU does not object to a posted code of conduct.
Did anyone bring the bad behavior to staffs attention? What was done? A standard must be set at the begining. If staff doesn't act on it, complain to William Cheasle. If they still won't take action, cc city council.
David did a great story, and I won't quibble with that. Perhaps it was a touch on the romantic side, but I have to admit that I was struck by the reversal-of-fortune angle of omega becoming alpha. Perhaps it would have been more typical to point out the $24,000 video, which stole the show last year ... http://connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=312421&paper=59&cat=104
I'm wondering why neither local paper did a story on the Mayor's failure to pay his parking fees or take public transportation, even though he is on the Metro board.
Two thoughts--
Perhaps the Mayor could start taking the metro from Braddock Road and parking his car there. Then he could ride the train and see all the after-hour sights and sounds across the street, maybe he could even pick up a drink for the road from the 7-11 and really get an education--further evidence of his Blingness, according to the Post, he didn't think he had to pay (for parking).
2nd--
Did anyone also happen to see the "editorial" by the Times staff that also appeared last week? There was so much wrong with it I couldn't figure out where to begin.
Perhaps with the excessive property taxes that have been paid since 2001 by taxpayers in the Parker Gray neighborhood on our homes--some of the highest % increases, year-over- year, in the city. This in no way excuses the cost overruns--thanks I am sure to city pols and staff looking the other way or not paying attention. However, the Center redevelopment does at least provide some repayment to all we have endured at the hands of a city that still maintains that this neighborhood is the dumping ground for the city’s failed low-income housing policy.
The idea raised by the Times Staff that we should be concerned that this area is "being redeveloped away from low income residents" is ludicrous. This neighborhood is primarily made up of middle-class homeowners with incomes near and above $100,000 annually--and I will believe the redevelopment when I see it—for now it exists only on paper.
Further, does the Times staff really suggest that community centers are city investments designed primarily for low-income residents. Excuse me? Would the same be said for centers in what are considered more affluent areas of the city? Is Chinquapin designed primarily for low-income residents?
I too tried to patronize the old community center, since it was only a block away. Taking my kids to the old playground required waiting until the older f-bomb dropping kids weren't playing. Indoors, we were asked to leave several times because we were invading on the time for "teenagers" to use the facilities--which was empty at the time.
I had hoped for something better with the new facility and I still do. I think it is going to take aggressive action however by homeowners and other neighborhoods to demand a certain level of staffing and accountability at the facility. $15 million is a lot to spend on an under-utilized center.
As a parent, I don't think that kids of a certain age should be in community center unsupervised and I also think older children require us to teach them how to behave in public spaces if their behavior is inappropriate, that is the basis of “it takes a village.” All communities—Black, White, Latino, share this experience, it’s a shame we have been scared away from correcting other people's children when their behavior warrants redress.
Our View | City Officials Have Some Questions to Answer
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 2009
By Times Staff
We find this final tally an affront to the taxpayers of Alexandria.
On Saturday, Mayor Bill Euille gave his State of the City address in the gleaming new Charles Houston recreation center. City officials from the mayor to Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Kirk Kincannon all talked of how proud they are of Alexandria’s newest recreation center. No one present mentioned the elephant in the room: the colossal failure of planning and oversight that allowed a project approved in 2003 with a budget of $4.2 million to somehow spiral out of control to a staggering final cost of $15.3 million.
We find this final tally an affront to the taxpayers of Alexandria. Further, we believe that city officials need to clear up a number of concerns. First, why did the city commission a 10-year Parks and Recreation needs assessment in 2001, then not stick to the recommendations that were adopted in 2003 stemming from that report? Those recommendations called for renovation of both the Charles Houston and Patrick Henry centers.
Also, how did a project that was approved at $4.2 million wind up costing almost four times that much? Just as important, why was it deemed acceptable to delay indefinitely the renovation at Patrick Henry, which is in a part of town with fewer available recreation resources?
In addition, given that the gymnasium at the old Charles Houston was perfectly serviceable — and that there are two other community gymnasiums within one mile (Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center on Jefferson Street and the Boys and Girls Club at the intersection of Payne and Princess streets) — why was a decision not made to simply add a wing of classroom space to the existing Charles Houston structure rather than raze and completely rebuild?
Finally, are those responsible for these decisions and overruns going to be held accountable for their actions and (lack of) oversight? This question is especially relevant given the economic times we face. Alexandrians need to be able to trust their officials to make responsible, balanced choices as extremely difficult decisions loom. We generally view Alexandria’s elected officials as both capable and well-intentioned, which makes this excessive cost overrun even more glaring.
In every spending decision that a city makes, tradeoffs are made. The first tradeoff is to take hard-earned money out of taxpayers’ pockets to fund projects and services that are supposed to be for the public good. The second tradeoff is in choosing to fund one project or service over another. In choosing to pour such a disproportionate amount of city resources into one project, in the one part of the city that least needs it — the East End — city officials showed a surprising lack of judgment.
So, Alexandrians are left with a glittering new Charles Houston recreation center in an area of the city that is being redeveloped away from low-income residents, a Patrick Henry recreation center that sorely needs more space, a total lack of facilities in the Landmark area, and city officials who have some questions to answer.
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"However if only the dregs are comfortable using it then the gain is zero."
"I think it is going to take aggressive action however by homeowners and other neighborhoods to demand a certain level of staffing and accountability at the facility."
Yes, I agree with both of these posters. The behavior of some of the unsupervised children at the new rec center is unacceptable, if not downright appalling.
Where are their parents? In the absence of parents, where are the staff?
I think we all need to stop turning a blind eye to this behavior and make it clear to staff that the neighborhood won't tolerate such behavior at the community center - it's supposed to be for all of us.
Does anyone know if there is a website describing the activities available at the new Rec center? I've searched and can't find anything. I noticed cardio equipment through the windows and am curious about the availability, in addition to the chances for adults to participate in other activities like playing basketball, etc.
The Times writer seems completely out of touch with reality. Whether it cost 4 million, 15 million, or 4 billion, that center serves a very specific purpose that is invaluable in our community.
It provides services for low-income children and residents. Since the West End seems to never give a hoot for the plight of low-income residents in the City, perhaps they need to be educated to understand that Centers like these exist to provide a place and outlet for at-risk youth and adults to have services that take them off the street and keep them out of trouble.
Since the Times writer probably has never set foot within a 1 mile radius of Wythe Street at night, he doesnt understand that Centers like these are appreciated by the local residents as a place to help youth who want to succeed in life to have a place to go that insulates them from the surrounding environment.
Does that mean we as residents cant use the Center? Frankly, to me, I could care less. As long as this Center exists to provide services to local low-income residents to keep them from causing trouble, then I am all for it.
"I'd like to see both reporters spend an hour one night at the game room at the Charles Houston Rec Center and write about it.
"
They would never do it. Its like the requests to Council to come out and see the neighborhood at night in the summertime. None of them respond or care to respond. Instead we get the farce of Mayors walks. Will the Mayor walk the Spa Court this year at 10 PM?
"e Patrick Henry Center deserves the same upgrade that Charles Houston got. It should happen sooner rather than later."
With what money? Please identify a revenue source.
"The idea raised by the Times Staff that we should be concerned that this area is "being redeveloped away from low income residents" is ludicrous. "
obviously all copies of the Braddock East and Braddock Metro plans must have already been burned by Planning Staff then. Apparently the Times author cant read and doesnt understand that 2/3 of those currently being provided public housing will have new residences built for them in the exact spot where they currently reside.
These kinds of articles are so sickening because they expose the level of complete ignorance among many in the City, who seem to have little no no clue what goes on. The writer should stick to writing the daily hit piece against Norfolk Southern, lingerie stores, and Virginia Paving.
Someone was asking about programs at Charles Houston, and it just happens that Recreation & Parks has just released its new program guide.
Click below to downloaded the file.
http://tinyurl.com/bg335c
"They would never do it. Its like the requests to Council to come out and see the neighborhood at night in the summertime. None of them respond or care to respond. Instead we get the farce of Mayors walks. Will the Mayor walk the Spa Court this year at 10 PM?"
Not necessarily true. The other day when I was out running I saw Councilman Wilson drive past the Spa Court during prime Loitering Hours. Whether he was just passing through, performing the requested due diligence, or looking to score an eight-ball I cannot say. But he did go by the Spa Court.
"As long as this Center exists to provide services to local low-income residents to keep them from causing trouble, then I am all for it."
I honestly can't tell if this entire post was tongue in cheek or not.
All I can say is I disagree with the sentiment that the rest of us (ie those NOT "at risk" from perpetual (res 830) exposure to chronic unemployment, poverty, drug addiction, homelessness etc) should not expect to use and enjoy the Houston Rec Center in peace.
"perhaps they need to be educated to understand that Centers like these exist to provide a place and outlet for at-risk youth and adults to have services that take them off the street and keep them out of trouble."
I find that kind of sentiment frustrating as well. As long as we continue to concentrate Alexandria's underclass in one area, things will never change. They all live together, go to school together, and now will spend leisure together at the same facility.
If we truly want to help people overcome poverty, we need to integrate our public housing into the community at large. Providing a facility with a pool table is not the answer. Especially since it sounds as if there is inadequate adult supervision there.
"Since the West End seems to never give a hoot for the plight of low-income residents in the City..."
Has this anonymous poster ever been to the West End? With the exception of Cameron Station and most of Brookville-Seminary/Seminary Hill, the West End is arguably "low-income" -- meaning, lower than the Alexandria average. The recent Landmark/Van-Dorn study recognized this, indicating that existing affordable housing needed to be preserved, but that new affordable housing did not need to be built. So an assertion that West-Enders do not care about the plight of those with "low-income" is simply ludicrous.
There is a very significant amount of so-called "low-income" housing at Foxchase right next to the well-used Patrick Henry center. However, a budget-bloated Houston center gets built, and Patrick Henry gets ignored. Not only should Patrick Henry be improved, but an additional center needs to be built to serve the large amount of affordable housing in the Van Dorn corridor. An Alexandria facilities map makes it painfully obvious that the West End is woefully underserved compared to the Old Town/Parker Gray area.
So why did Houston get built, and Patrick Henry (indefinitely) delayed? I agree completely with the Times assessment:
"In choosing to pour such a disproportionate amount of city resources into one project, in the one part of the city that least needs it — the East End — city officials showed a surprising lack of judgment.
So, Alexandrians are left with a glittering new Charles Houston recreation center in an area of the city that is being redeveloped away from low-income residents, a Patrick Henry recreation center that sorely needs more space, a total lack of facilities in the Landmark area, and city officials who have some questions to answer."
I am definitely not trying to spur an East/West debate here -- this just looks really bad -- kind of like the granting of decreases in City fees to a non-profit on which a certain Mayor sits on the board and plays basketball...
I think the city should take advantage of the Charles Houston Rec Center site and use it for other neighborhood activities. Farmer's market, art fairs, community theater, concerts, etc. This part of town desperately needs a community gathering place. One where all members of the community can gather. Everyone benefits when the walls are broken down.
As for the rec center's actual purpose, more than anything, it needs black adult males serving as mentors, advisors, and leaders. Just roaming the place being the rock for these kids. It is very maddening to hear that that the kids are largely unsupervised right now. That's the last thing they need.
"a place to help youth who want to succeed in life to have a place to go that insulates them from the surrounding environment."
Perhaps rather than building a recreation center to insulate the youth from the 'surrounding environment', which is an artificial construct of the city and ARHA, the problem of the surrounding environment should be addressed through dispersing the public housing and diluting the 'surrounding environment'. For the center to become a surrogate parent for these at risk children it would need either an additional, ongoing and large influx of money, presumably from the government, to hire counselors, coaches and mentors or a massive volunteer effort from the community e.g. the "black adult males" another commenter mentioned.
One productive, pardon the pun, thing the center might consider doing is handing out birth control or housing a Planned Parenthood center to keep these at risk children from becoming teen parents of future at risk children.
People don't want to walk thru Bland to get to the Metro to go to work, I can't imagine sufficient numbers of people will show up there to buy organic apples at a farmer's market. Truly a great goal. But we aren't even close as things stand. Perception is reality.
"Since the Times writer probably has never set foot within a 1 mile radius of Wythe Street at night, he doesnt understand that Centers like these are appreciated by the local residents as a place to help youth who want to succeed in life to have a place to go that insulates them from the surrounding environment."
I believe the article I wrote touched on the disparity between the attention given to the East End and West End rec centers, not a derision of the Charles Houston center's individual potential, quality or necessity in the area.
As a lifelong Alexandrian who grew up in the public school system with friends in all corners of the city, Wythe Street is one of many streets I have walked, both night and day. Did this experience influence the article I wrote? Perhaps not, as the theme was more fiscally oriented.
I am aware that ample community input was gathered before the plan was realized. The focus was on the uneven allocation of the money (despite the plan to improve both Houston and Henry rec centers), not whether the Parker-Gray area deserved the center.
Comments always appreciated at alextimes.com or dsachs@alextimes.com.
I really do see the point of the Times article.
Even though I live less than a block from the new rec center, if it had been up to me, I would have redone the Patrick Henry facility instead.
Despite some neighbors complaints, the City has actually lavished money on this area. Unfortunately, the money is spent largely on ameloriating the effects of concentrated poverty, not improving the neighborhood. For example, the city spends for increased police and social services, trash pick up, etc. And up until recently, they were housing their recently released at the Travelodge. Way to patronize the neighborhood businesses!!!
Now, they've built a $15 million facility which will be used largely by ARHA residents, because the rest of us won't patronize it regularly in light of the ugly behavior of the other users.
So, again, the non ARHA residents have not benefited from the City's spending in the neighborhood.
I really think they could have gotten a better return on their investment at Patrick Henry. Our school budget vis a vis student performance shows that you can't solve a problem by throwing money at it.
Dave,
Your article makes a good point, no question about it. Too bad that one-liner about Parker-Gray got in the way of your message.
The notion that Parker-Gray is "an area of the city that is being redeveloped away from low-income residents" typifies what I usually read and hear from Alexandrians who apparently have bought into P-G's undeserved reputation as some kind of slum.
In the late twentieth century P-G was segregated by law - forcing some Alexandria residents to live in one part of the City, regardless of their profession or income, be they lawyers, doctors, teachers, or bums. This is what P-G is like now, except that segregation is reputed to be behind us.
Unfortunately City government and people who don't live here don't get it. Sadly, we have more than our share of problem areas and murders. But we residents continue to be lawyers, doctors, teachers, and bums. (Heck, a cop and his family used to own a home on the next block.) Everyone brings something to the table to make Parker-Gray a far richer living experience than anyone elsewhere could possibly imagine.
If you're a lifelong resident of Alexandria, perhaps its time to come see Parker Gray as it really is rather than cling to your childhood memories. You might find your perspective has changed.
"And up until recently, they were housing their recently released at the Travelodge. Way to patronize the neighborhood businesses!!!"
Uhh, I though we were told that the the States DOC that was doing that and not our City. Anyone else remember this?
A waste of money in challenging Times.
Not a surprise that the Gazzette's lips are firmly attached to the collective backside of City Council.
Feel the love!
I completely agree with many posts that the new rec center needs volunteers and a mentorship program for the children that may visit regularly. However, I wanted to mention that last night I was running by about 8 PM heading north on RT 1 last night and looked in the big windows of the new rec center. There is a lovely fitness room that was being used by a few women, different ages/races/sizes/shapes/etc. and a number of teenage boys using the basketball court in the adjacent area. While I will admit that I have not yet ventured inside, based on what I saw last night I will this weekend.
Perhaps there is a part of the new center that residents of the surrounding neighborhoods can use.
I have contacted a few members of the city council to ask whether there will be a mentorship program in place but the sad reality at the moment, if anyone has read the budget, is that some very important progams and positions may be eliminated. I think the liklihood of funding to upgrade the remaining rec centers will be a challenge in the next couple years.
"I have contacted a few members of the city council to ask whether there will be a mentorship program in place but the sad reality at the moment, if anyone has read the budget, is that some very important progams and positions may be eliminated."
One word - volunteer
And frankly, if I had any type of flexibility in my job I would be there in a flash. Unfortunately, I do not. So thanks for that feedback.
Oh lovely.....
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=326625&paper=59&cat=104
The narrative begins at 5:45 p.m. the afternoon before the murder, when Siddiqi clocked in to work driving Cab 82. Yellow Cab records indicate Siddiqi picked up two dispatched fares and three side-of-the-road pickups that evening, culminating in a dispatch call for 300 block of Buchanan Street behind Jefferson Village at 11:37 p.m. Electronic records show Siddiqi turned on his fare meter at 11:45 p.m. and never turned it off. He was murdered less than a minute later.
"The person [who made the dispatch call] provided the name of White," said Kyle Summers, general manager of Yellow Cab.
About a half-hour later, Alexandria Sgt. Daniel Briel was patrolling the area as the result of a recent rash of robberies. About 20 minutes after midnight, he came across Cab 82, with its headlights on, parked in a suspicious manner. As Briel approached the vehicle, he testified in court last week, the vehicle seen unoccupied. But when he pulled up next to the car he could see what had happened.
BALLISTICS EVIDENCE collected at the crime scene showed the entrance wound on the right side of Siddiqi’s head between his right eye and right ear. A 0.45-caliber cartridge casing was found on the floorboard of the taxicab. Crime-scene investigators conducted hair-and-fiber lift from the vehicle and identified eight distinct fingerprints on the car.
Detectives tracked down the phone number that had placed the dispatch call that evening, eventually identifying a cell phone as listed to the ownership of Joshua Moore. Telephone records show that Moore’s phone had been in contact that evening with another cell phone listed to the ownership of Jamal Berry. Detective Durkin also testified that text messages between Berry and Chappell showed them to have access to a 0.45-calibur handgun. Police investigators eventually concluded that the three worked together the night of the murder to steal $60 and a cell phone from Siddiqi.
"They met up at Braddock Metro and split the money," Durkin testified in court last week, describing his interviews with the three suspects.
Here's another article Growler readers may enjoy. Looks as if our Council members courageously decided to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to ARHA.
ARHA Ordinance Tabled
In January, Councilman Rob Krupicka recommended reducing the size of the ARHA Board from nine members to seven and, “asking all current members to reapply for their positions.” On Tuesday night, he made a motion to table the ordinance that would have allowed Council to move forward with that action, thus avoiding a public hearing that would have been contentious.
“ARHA is moving in the right direction under Roy Priest and Melvin Miller’s leadership and, while I believe that there should be a public discussion about public housing in Alexandria, I do not believe that it is necessary to move forward with this ordinance at this time,” Krupicka said.
The discussion about reducing the size of the ARHA Board arose when Miller reapplied for his position on the Board and Council did not appoint anyone to fill that spot. Ultimately, after protests from members of the ARHA Board and residents of public housing, Council rescinded their action and appointed Miller to a third four-year term. The ARHA Board re-elected him as chairman, as well.
Since Council proposed the ordinance, Council and the ARHA Board have met twice and the ARHA Board has held a retreat. “We have established priorities in accordance with our discussions with Council and are already moving ahead with structural changes in accordance with directions from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,” Miller said. “We have made significant changes at ARHA and are making others, and that’s what I understand Council wants us to do.”
Krupicka asked that there be a “public discussion” later this spring and said that Council would make a specific announcement soon.
Does anybody have any idea what happened on Sat morning (around 3:00 am) near the intersection of Pendleton and Columbus?
We got woken up by someone screaming "They're trying to kill me!!" Etc. Etc. We called 911, but obviously so did everyone else because it just rang and rang. The police showed up shortly after that.
I was wondering what happened. domestic? Drug induced hallucinations?
""They met up at Braddock Metro and split the money," Durkin testified in court last week, describing his interviews with the three suspects.
"
Do the cops have any idea whatsoever what these 3 gentlemen were doing in Parker Gray? Why were they here in the first place? I understand they called the cab from near Jefferson Village. What were they doing there?
“Do the cops have any idea whatsoever what these 3 gentlemen were doing in Parker Gray? Why were they here in the first place? I understand they called the cab from near Jefferson Village. What were they doing there?”
Court records indicate Jamal Berry lived with his mother on Colonial Avenue, where one of the search warrants was executed. And although Akeem Chappell’s arrest warrant is not a public document school records indicate he has been enrolled with Alexandria City Public Schools since September 1994.
"Court records indicate Jamal Berry lived with his mother on Colonial Avenue, where one of the search warrants was executed. And although Akeem Chappell’s arrest warrant is not a public document school records indicate he has been enrolled with Alexandria City Public Schools since September 1994."
Mr. Pope, we thank you for sharing your research but should someone not also ask why the perpetrators chose this neighborhood to commit their crime. A neighborhood affiliation past or present, existence of the lightly traveled road, or maybe something else? Obviously it was premeditated at least in part. From your story a previously unnoted tragedy: the stated value of the cab driver's life.
"Court records indicate Jamal Berry lived with his mother on Colonial Avenue, where one of the search warrants was executed. "
Colonial Avenue is nowhere near Jefferson Village. Why was Jamal Berry and Akeem Chappell anywhere near Jefferson Village if they didnt live there?
"but should someone not also ask why the perpetrators chose this neighborhood to commit their crime."
OMG - please don't make me slam my head against the keyboard. Isn't it obvious?? They LIVE here. This is what we've been screaming about for YEARS.
Criminals commit crimes where they are most familiar - their own neighborhoods, those they grew up in, those their friends live in, etc. Just like in this murder case.
Research consisently shows that most offenses are crimes of opportunity. Criminals are not rocket scientists, despite what you might see on TV.
This is why the city MUST disperse the ARHA properties. Even though these murderers were not from the ARHA properties, they did live in the area. (i.e. home of concentrated poverty - why do you think the City moved all the ARHA properties here in the first place????)
The Bottom line: If you concentrate all the poverty and dysfunction in one area, that's where the crime will be.
This is an excerpt from the Feb 09 ARHA Board Meeting Minutes....
"The suspect involved in the shooting of a cab driver is the son of a public housing resident and a member of the resident’s household. ARHA is taking action to address this."
Per HUD guidelines, crime in ARHA properties should not exceed the surrounding communities by more than 20%.
"The suspect involved in the shooting of a cab driver is the son of a public housing resident and a member of the resident’s household. ARHA is taking action to address this."
What actions, exactly, are they taking to address this? Please excuse me if I'm skeptical. I can't even get an ARHA person to return my calls.
Presumably ARHA will exercise the "one strike, you're out" regulation for the family of the suspect if he is convicted of a felony like homicide.
More to the point, what happened to the family of Darrell Watson, the 18-year old Chatham Square resident who was convicted of killing two men and leaving their bodies on N. Patrick Street in 2007? Can anyone confirm his family was evicted?
"More to the point, what happened to the family of Darrell Watson, the 18-year old Chatham Square resident who was convicted of killing two men and leaving their bodies on N. Patrick Street in 2007? Can anyone confirm his family was evicted?"
This is a very good point, Growler. The other thing I wonder is whether there is any oversight as to who is actually living in the units. Although I understand every resident must be listed on the lease, I'd be shocked if there were any "spot checks" of this. What is going to happen is that people are going to stop listing their thug grandsons on the leases so they won't lose their apartments when the grandson gets locked up. Perhaps this is why there are so many "visitors" the ARHA people keep referring to....
Would it be possible to have the ARHA people come to the next civic association meeting to explain their rules and how they police them?
"Would it be possible to have the ARHA people come to the next civic association meeting to explain their rules and how they police them?"
My understanding from previous ARHA discussions is that spot checks are coordinated through the ARHA Director of Housing Operations, and they are conducted during morning and evening hours (the time most likely for all residents to be home)
In your reference to a "thug grandson", its hard to spot check that if the grandson is only coming late at night to visit or loitering on corners.
Of course, the Director of Housing Operations was just arrested for trying to buy marijuana in PG county, so she must have been doing a heckuva job.
Mary Ish was the former director of Housing Operations for ARHA, and the vice president of the Chatham Square HOA. She always took the ARHA side of things in disputes with Chatham Square homeowners. Curiously enough, she was very non-responsive to Chatham Square ARHA tenants, many of whom gave up trying to contact ARHA with their complaints.
In a bit of irony, she was arrested for marijuana possesion in the fall and susequently resigned from ARHA. She definitely stood in the way of progress, and apparently even butted heads with Roy Priest (who is very easy going and has taken a number of steps to improve the management of ARHA and the condition of the properties)
Correction for the previous posters so that you can google the correct name, it's "Marye Ish".
I don't know what the police are doing, but in the last week or so, I have noticed an increase of unmarked cars with cops putting handcuffs on people and taking them away.
I'm seeing a lot of police activity on N. Payne St. and N. Fayette St.
Anyone know if our cries for extra assistance as of late were actually heard and paid attention too?
If they can do something a little more with loiters near the park, I would be really elated.
SCA
Believe it or not, ARHA came to mind in watching the news about the AIG executive bonuses.
To me, it's kind of the same principle. In both cases, we're sending scarce tax dollars to people we hope will do the right thing with it, without adequate strings attached or adequate oversight.
Although the intention was good, in both cases, we've ended up with a mess. Only in the case of ARHA, we end up housing murders. For free, apparently. Did any of those murders have a job???
I saw some shady activity going on in Sarge's yesterday afternoon. A couple of guys were in the just inside the door of the restaurant and there were a bunch of people on the corner and probably a line of 4 or 5 looking to get inside of the door of Sarge's. It was really strange.
"in Sarge's yesterday afternoon" Sarge was there. I saw him outside talking to the crowd.
"I don't know what the police are doing, but in the last week or so, I have noticed an increase of unmarked cars with cops putting handcuffs on people and taking them away.
I'm seeing a lot of police activity on N. Payne St. and N. Fayette St. "
There were drug dealers in the open last night (~6pm) at the corner of Payne and Oronoco. Why on earth would people choose that particular corner to sell drugs? I think there were arrests which were prompt.
""in Sarge's yesterday afternoon" Sarge was there. I saw him outside talking to the crowd".
I saw him there that day too, he was apparently showing the place to people who were interested in renting it out according to one individual who is out there everyday and willing to talk to me.
"If they can do something a little more with loiters near the park, I would be really elated. "
Yesterday around 6 pm, I observed 4 undercover cops speaking with a local loiterer at the Spa Court. I think they gave him a ticket because when I was walking past with my dogs I saw him signing something the cop handed to him.
Is it really true that Smile Market is griping about not being able to sell booze?
Teetotaler Smile
For many businesses struggling to make ends meet as the local economy continues to sag, the thought of dealing with bureaucrats at City Hall is a source of endless anxiety. Take Smile Market, the Parker Gray grocery store located at the corner of Queen and Henry streets that was once occupied by Sykes Auto Parts. Owner Asegedech Kelecha wanted to open a restaurant in the market, but she found herself in the middle of a zoning firestorm when she applied for a permit to sell alcohol in November.
"The history of this neighborhood teaches us that when alcohol is served, we residents are subjected to public drunkenness, urination in our alley and on our properties, littering of alcohol containers, vandalism and threats to our pets," wrote neighbor Claire Lison in a letter opposing all alcohol sales at the location.
In late November, Kelecha signed a memorandum of understanding with Inner City Civic Association President Leslie Zupan agreeing that Smile Market would never request approval for off-premise alcohol sales, which are sometimes referred to as carryout sales. But then Kelecha tried to cancel the memorandum before giving in to the pressure and withdrawing her request to sell alcohol at all on Feb. 19. Last weekend, City Council members approved her special-use permit to open an alcohol-free restaurant in the market.
"I’m very frustrated with this process," said Kelecha. "I may apply for on-premise again at some point in the future if I can stay in business. For now it looks like I’m failing because business is very slow."
Your business is failing because you are selling products no one wants at a price no one wants, not because you can't sell booze. If booze was allowed there, Spa court would have the same mess we have in other parts of Parker Gray, where liquor bottles and cans are all over the place.
"If booze was allowed there, Spa court would have the same mess we have in other parts of Parker Gray, where liquor bottles and cans are all over the place."
I don't live in that area, but you all have my full support. You all have enough problems - I can only imagine the trouble if they started selling booze there...
Is it true that the new pool at the Charles Houston Rec center is restricted to people 13 years of age or younger and their parents? Seriously???????????
"Is it true that the new pool at the Charles Houston Rec center is restricted to people 13 years of age or younger and their parents?"
Yes, this seems to be one of four "mini pools" in the city. http://alexandriava.gov/recreation/info/default.aspx?id=12478#outdoor_mini_pools
The website says:
"Each Neighborhood pool has a shallow water depth of 3-5 feet. The Neighborhood Pools are small pools, able to accommodate a maximum of 45 guests at any given time. Due to limited size, the Neighborhood Pools are restricted to Alexandria residents 13 years of age and younger. Parents are welcome to accompany their children. Admission is free."
"Neighborhood Pools are restricted to Alexandria residents 13 years of age and younger"
Well if this age rule is enforced in the same manner that the height restriction (or pretty much any other rule) is enforced in the training pool at Old Town Pool ("A separate training pool is available for children up to 42 inches in height") it is nothing to worry about.
The city prefers that adult swimmers pay to swim at Chincquapin and during the summer the large pools at Warwick and Old Town. Its been so long since we had a working pool at Charles Houston I have no idea if adults used the pool.
"Due to limited size, the Neighborhood Pools are restricted to Alexandria residents 13 years of age and younger"
Well, ok. Then the larger pools should be adult only.
I could care less about that pool. Judging by some of the behavior that kids got away with at Old Town pool, there is no way I would want to use a pool where every 5th word is an F bomb and people leave trash all over the place.
It's an odd shape pool that's almost a "U" shape with half of it being a beach entry. I think it might be ideally designed for handicap use. It's very small. I doubt teenagers would be very interested in this pool.
Here's my f-bomb! Growler, either tell people you're bored, vacationing or get a new topic. There's an election ongoing for godsakes!
I share a lot of the concerns and complaints expressed on this board. But I do want to speak up about positive experiences as well.
I am an adult with no kids. In the summer I enjoy going to the Old Town pool about twice a month or so by myself (my husband is not much of a swimmer). I have been pleasantly surprised how clean and under control the pool area is. Kids are almost always polite to me and keep their roughhousing to a minimum and splashing away from adults. Kids respect the adult swim. I think it's very well run and I have never heard an F bomb. I even brought my 8 year old cousin to the pool one day with me and he had a blast. I had no reason to worry about potty mouths, everything was great. I think the staf should be commended for running a tight ship.
I for one am thrilled about the new Rec Center. I would never have gone to the old one but have been regularly using the beautiful new workout room in the mornings. The place is well-equipped, clean, and welcoming.
Likewise, I am looking forward to bringing my two young children to the free pool this summer.
Thank you Alexandria for building this.
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