The Growler hopes readers are enjoying this beautiful Labor Day holiday weekend.
All in all, it's been a great summer for the neighborhood. As the Cranky One observed earlier, houses are selling briskly, battered properties are being foreclosed and restored to respectable life, and the corner of Queen and Fayette has never been this peaceful in years. Hunter-Miller Park now truly belong to families and children.
For that, we owe a debt of thanks to the Alexandria Police Department, and to former Chief David Baker who listened to our concerns and took effective action. We hope that the new Chief, Earl Cook, will do the same.
It would be comforting to think that the City is finally on our side. However, the battle for autonomy and respect will have to continue. There are still power players in Alexandria who wish to impose their stale vision on our community.
For those browsing the Web over the weekend, check out a new article in the latest edition of the Old Town Crier, written by Parker-Gray resident and local historian Sarah Becker. Her column this month is about the 100th anniversary of the nation's first planning conference, but has a few pointed observations about planning in our community.
168 comments:
Wow – folks, click on the link and read the article! It took a couple of reads but it explains very well why things are the way they are in Parker Gray.
It makes me wonder - is the “community” that raised our current mayor and police chief still here, unchanged, a generation later?
My vehicle got keyed twice last week and I watched an older black man last night rooting through everyones recyclables on Fayette st.
Friday night, my friend and I watched one guy on a bike pedal up and down the street looking into every car. When we walked outside the guy on the bike whistled to his 3 buddies on the corner of the street and everyone split. Awesome.
Unfortunately I think it is going to get worse before it gets better.
"It makes me wonder - is the “community” that raised our current mayor and police chief still here, unchanged, a generation later?"
"My vehicle got keyed twice last week...."
If the neighborhood is everything it was forty years ago, and it's so wonderful, it makes no sense that the Mayor lives far away from the neighborhood he grew up in. And does Melvin Miller live in Parker Gray?
That Old Town Crier article was right on.
People that suffered under segregation that could later move out left decades ago, yet the City continues to plan for the past based on very old memories.
"it makes no sense that the Mayor lives far away from the neighborhood he grew up in. And does Melvin Miller live in Parker Gray?"
Heck they dont even visit. The Mayor has a PO box at the post office though so I am sure he knows the real deal he just chooses to hit the IGNORE button.
"People that suffered under segregation that could later move out left decades ago, yet the City continues to plan for the past based on very old memories."
And then we hear at City meetings how they need more money and economic development is a "priority". Anyone who has ever been to the Braddock Metro has trouble believing that statement.
I might be in the minority, but in my perception, crime was down this summer around Adkins and the metro specifically compared to those in the past. I am basing this on nothing more than what I saw and I have a front seat to Adkins. There weren't as many throngs of teens out late at night either. But I haven't looked at the crime data so maybe I just wasn't awake at the right times.
I guess my point is that we need to be careful not to always use the same complaints even if things improve. Our complaints have less legitamcy if crime trends are actually going in the other direction.
Speaking of houses being improved, Adkins was the proud recipient of new roofs just a week ago. This after getting new windows last summer. While I'm glad they are being kept up, that they are spending the money on improvements such as these only confirms the fact that Adkins won't be going anywhere for a long while.
The corner of Queen & Fayette has been quite, but the boys didn't move far. They now loiter in front of the chinese carryout and the corner of Queen & Henry St.
I avoid route 1 on my daily dog walks due to traffic and am glad to see the park is being used more. I guess I'm just trying to point out that the old problems of yesterday is now someone elses problem today, and only a block away.
"I guess my point is that we need to be careful not to always use the same complaints even if things improve. Our complaints have less legitamcy if crime trends are actually going in the other direction."
HUH?
Sorry, Bud. I'll report what I see even if it's the same thing over and over again. If it happened, it's legitimate.
And if it's continuing to happen, then the authorities need to know about it, and so do my neighbors.
"...crime was down this summer around Adkins and the metro specifically compared to those in the past....I guess my point is that we need to be careful not to always use the same complaints even if things improve."
Hmmm, sounds like the old "shut up, it's better than it was in the old days" argument.
The police response has been quite good the last couple of years. Ya know why? They were responding to calls for service and citizen complaints. Duh.
Or maybe you just don't want the cops to stick around.
Economic development is a priority yet they aren't dispersing Adkins.
Given the lack of accountability of Miller's ARHA, for what it cost to put up a roof they could probably buy a foreclosed home for one of their needy families.
"Given the lack of accountability of Miller's ARHA, for what it cost to put up a roof they could probably buy a foreclosed home for one of their needy families."
I've always wondered about this. While a huge percentage of Alexandria's residents are subsidized relative to our population, overall, the actual numbers are not that huge. Is the ARHA administration really using its resources efficiently? For example, they appear to have HQ or staff buildings in at least two locations (one a huge brick building a block from the water in Old Town, and the other a large building near Generous Georges). Do they really need that much space for staff? Shouldn't the City force an accounting before loaning them millions of dollars? Given ARHA's demonstrable failures over the past years, I'd say it's time to start demanding some accountability. Growler, would this type of info be available through a FOIA request?
The Growler continues to astonish me with story links. Would it surprise the Growler, given the bear's interest in the city's Fair Share Housing Policy, to know that the Plan or Policy predates the blog's 1999 reference?
In 1972 City Council adopted the Council of Governments Fair Share Housing Plan as its own. The policy states that “over concentrations of low and moderate income housing should be avoided.” Source material includes the city of Alexandria's September 1976 Analysis of City Conditions and Government Trends, page IV-9, as well as interviews with members of Council from the period.
I'm relatively new here and I don't have kids so maybe someone can explain to me why the City hasn't redeveloped Jefferson Houston. From what I've read here, it's underattended and poorly performing.
Pretty much every time I drive by, I can't believe that there is this suburban style school, with a parking lot, large playground, and large lawn, a couple of blocks from the King Street Metro.
Given the City's love of high density development around metro and its budget crunch, wouldn't it make more sense to sell that property to a developer and relocate those students to an existing school? From what I've heard, there are other Alexandria schools which are under capacity. What gives? Is this related to the neighborhood's history?
"From what I've heard, there are other Alexandria schools which are under capacity. What gives? Is this related to the neighborhood's history?
"
Of course, in my short time here I have learned that every decision in Parker Gray and the Inner City is shrouded in race politics, the exact point of Beckers article.
The sad thing is that the people who suffer most from racial politics are low-income African Americans, but the apologists and sycophants dont care about that outcome; so long as they "keep it real" thats all that matters.
"It makes me wonder - is the “community” that raised our current mayor and police chief still here, unchanged, a generation later?
"
That community is gone now and forever, because no matter how hard the Mayor tries you cannot do artificial social engineering and ask people to ignore the truth and reality that stares them in the face everyday.
"I might be in the minority, but in my perception, crime was down this summer around Adkins and the metro specifically compared to those in the past."
Your perception is true but look at the cause. Crime is down due to the massive police presence in and around the Adkins project and the Metro area. When you have bike cops in Adkins, an officer living there, officers parking constantly at the warehouses and in the post office, metro cops, and an officer stationed at the 7-11 every weekend, the chances of crime go down.
But then the government has the gall to say "we need more money". Well having to pay for a battalion size police force in 1 neighborhood of the City kind of does that to your budget....
"Or maybe you just don't want the cops to stick around."
I actually struggle with the massive police presence not because it doesnt help me feel safer but because its not the best thing to promote "economic development" and "walkable, livable neighborhoods" to have such an outwardly strong police presence.
It makes people who dont live here believe that you live in a crime-ridden neighborhood.
"I actually struggle with the massive police presence not because it doesnt help me feel safer but because its not the best thing to promote 'economic development' and 'walkable, livable neighborhoods' to have such an outwardly strong police presence."
Oh my, no! In fact, there was a post on the blog that said some taxis now refuse to pick up fares in the neighborhood because of the Siddaqui murder.
"It makes people who dont live here believe that you live in a crime-ridden neighborhood."
And that's what it would be if the cops weren't around. Thank heaven for the Alexandria P.D.!
"It makes people who dont live here believe that you live in a crime-ridden neighborhood."
Police or no police people who live in Alexandria already believe that. You should see some of the funny stuff people say about the Inner City who live in other parts of town.
"I actually struggle with the massive police presence "
I don't struggle with it at all, I embrace it. In fact our neighborhood should probably sponsor a dinner at La Piazza to thank the APD officers who keep the crime rate as low as it is.
As far as being the "best thing to promote 'economic development' and 'walkable, livable neighborhoods" I would take a police presence over a drug dealer, mugger or even the teenage thug wanna-be/gonna-be any day.
I can't even believe that after the two recent murders anyone is actually concerned what the police presence might say about this neighborhood, that shipped has sailed.
"The sad thing is that the people who suffer most from racial politics are low-income African Americans, but the apologists and sycophants dont care about that outcome; so long as they 'keep it real' thats all that matters."
It's ironic that certain powerful people in the city who once suffered through segregation themselves now restrict the opportunities of others.
"Is the ARHA administration really using its resources efficiently?"
ARHA does what it wants and answers to practically no one. Council tried to bring the board in line last year and then backed down at a later meeting.
This is off topic, but I thought other neighbors might have some inside knowledge they'd be willing to share.
Has anyone who rides metro noticed the delays between Braddock Road and National Airport. I thought perhaps the closings over the holiday weekend would take care of things, but this week has been more of the same ridiculousness. The trains either come to a complete stop or inch along the section of the track near Potomac Yard. What gives? Has anyone else had this experience?
"You should see some of the funny stuff people say about the Inner City who live in other parts of town."
And you listen to the NIMBYs?
"Has anyone who rides metro noticed the delays between Braddock Road and National Airport. I thought perhaps the closings over the holiday weekend would take care of things, but this week has been more of the same ridiculousness."
See http://unsuckdcmetro.blogspot.com/2009/09/why-blueyellow-lines-delays.html
"See http://unsuckdcmetro.blogspot.com/2009/09/why-blueyellow-lines-delays.html"
Thank you, thank you!! It's nice to know I'm not alone in my metro misery.
Speaking of metro and the incompetency of our mayor, get a load of this article from Washington Business Journal:
"Metro has given preliminary approval to sell an Arlington bus garage to the Shooshan Co. for its Founders Square project.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority will sell the 4.12-acre parcel for about $25 million.
Metro’s board of directors is expected to give the sale final approval at its Sept. 24 meeting. The agency moved about 100 Metrobuses out of the Ballston bus garage to a new bus facility at West Ox Road in Fairfax County in March.
Founders Square will deliver 362 residential units in two towers, 650,000 square feet of office space and 26,900 square feet of ground-floor retail."
So let me get this straight. (1) Our mayor sits on the metro board; and (2) he claims that one of his main goals as mayor is to close the Pendleton St bus barn.
Yet, Arlington comes in first again.... Yay, Mayor Euille!!! Keep the buses rumbling through our neighborhood!!
"Pretty much every time I drive by, I can't believe that there is this suburban style school, with a parking lot, large playground, and large lawn, a couple of blocks from the King Street Metro."
On a related note, is there an update on the proposed Potomac Yard Landbay swap with George Washington Middle School to move the athletic fields to the landbay and move the commercial/residential density to where the field currently are?
A swap of Del Ray open space for high density will happen in your dreams. At most, if they ever get a light bulb moment, they might allow something low density & residential.
Mayor, Council and planners will go to any lengths to keep high density away from Del Ray.
"And then we hear at City meetings how they need more money and economic development is a 'priority'. Anyone who has ever been to the Braddock Metro has trouble believing that statement."
The challenge still goes unanswered: if you really need money, and you don't make race-based decisions, prove it - build "360 degrees around Metro."
But doesn't the city's poor history of planning go beyond just the inner city and race issues? Look at the waterfront. It's an embarrassment when compared to just about any other waterfront I've ever been to. Why has it taken so long to redevelop the waterfront? Just like every other development project, what takes Arlington a couple of years to get done takes Alexandria DECADES.
But doesn't the city's poor history of planning go beyond just the inner city and race issues?
Actually its just competence and credibility. We lack competent leaders and the leaders we have lack credibility.
Race has little to do with it because race is kept alive as an issue solely to prevent people from seeing our leaders in Alexandria lack competence and credibility.
"I can't even believe that after the two recent murders anyone is actually concerned what the police presence might say about this neighborhood, that shipped has sailed."
Try selling your house, opening a business, inviting friends over, or walking around at night with sirens blaring every 2 hours and massive 10 car responses to the same tired locations.
"Why has it taken so long to redevelop the waterfront? "
NIMBYism also plays a role there, as it does in our part of town.
We have weak leaders that dont stand up to the activists who scream and yell about their pet issues. A certain group of waterfront residents vehemently opposes waterfront redevelopment.
" ... what takes Arlington a couple of years to get done takes Alexandria DECADES."
Arlington's goal is accomplishment
Alexandria's goal is process.
The mayor's answer to any problem is a meeting to talk about it or a task force to discuss it.
But we are better off that nothing is accomplished given the leadership's limited vision.
"
Arlington's goal is accomplishment
Alexandria's goal is process.
The mayor's answer to any problem is a meeting to talk about it or a task force to discuss it.
But we are better off that nothing is accomplished given the leadership's limited vision."
You basically captured the problem with our planning and zoning department and many other City problems.
What a great line; Arlington is focused on accomplishment, Alexandria is focused on process.
"Race has little to do with it because race is kept alive as an issue solely to prevent people from seeing our leaders in Alexandria lack competence and credibility."
The funny thing about race in our City and how it is used:
I would much prefer Fenty, Leggett, or Tejeda running our city over Mayor Euielle. They would be able to get things done and you certainly dont see Fenty or Leggett stooping to racial identity politics to "make things the way they were".
As usual Sarah Becker just gets it and says what most people already know and feel.
Our city plans for a future based on restoring some glorified vision of the past.
No wonder we are getting nowhere. They act like Alexandria Crossing is an "accomplishment".
"As usual Sarah Becker just gets it"
She's definitely got courage! Some ARHA supporters have been known to hit reporters for less. What's the city's old expression? Council would rather drink Clorox than be called racist? The screamers know what game they play.
"What's the city's old expression? Council would rather drink Clorox than be called racist?"
Not that I am especially forgiving but Euille's agenda is mostly misplaced. He'd rather study it than deal with it. Rumor has it Chief Cook is being considered for an ARHA Board position. Hope not as he needs to remain above the fray. Miller and the DPC have already thrown him a party.
Here's my impression. Euille seems to mean well, but he's just simple. He genuinely seems surprised when people mock him for his idiotic statements, such as over the sex shop. And he doesn't seem to get why we are all so freakin tired of him and his feel-good-but-mean-nothing programs while the City loses out to Arlington's superior planning and operation and its underprivileged residents fall deeper and deeper into permanent poverty.
Does anyone know what the new plans are for Payne St Apartments? They are obviously not tearing down the warehouse anytime soon. Workers have been doing something inside for months now and just recently I saw that they are building walls and windows where some of the internal garage doors are. What type of businesses are going to be moving back in?
I'm just bummed that the last remaining development project that we thought still had life now appears to be dead as well.
"Rumor has it Chief Cook is being considered for an ARHA Board position. Hope not as he needs to remain above the fray. Miller and the DPC have already thrown him a party."
The DPC is a mens only group? Cook and Miller belong to it anyway? Cook gets appointed as Chief because his childhood friend the Mayor says so, instead of opening up a proper job search? Anyone have a problem with this?
Looks like the old boys club is alive and well.
"The DPC is a mens only group? Cook and Miller belong to it anyway? Cook gets appointed as Chief because his childhood friend the Mayor says so, instead of opening up a proper job search? "
No siree bob! Don't go putting the Mayor for life and Chief Cook in the same boat. The Chief's impressive history and unimpeachable record speaks for itself. You should be proud that he has worked hard and earned his spot.
Why would anyone want a job search conducted with the possibility of getting some bozo who has no idea about how the City is run or it's mistakes of the past.
The man has been quoted as saying that he will stick to the way the department was being run under Baker, and in my book (and especially on my block) that is nothing but good news for all of us.
Unless I'm missing something here, how do others feel about this? Didn't Baker give us more results in the 3 years he was at the helm than Samarra did in his last 5?
I'm an open minded person and would love to hear others feedback on this. If you know something that I don't and make a good argument, I'll be the first one to change my thoughts and admit I am wrong.
What says you?
Today's Gazette has a front page article about a "crime wave" in Old Town and I couldn't help but indulge in a bit of schedenfraude.
Perhaps now that the thugs have discovered that the Old Town folks have much better stuff than we here in the Inner City do, they'll move on and start robbing them instead. And if they continue to bother the Old Towners, perhaps they will FINALLY wake up and join us in our fight to stop dumping money in the black hole that is ARHA and put pressure on politicians to appoint judges who might actually sentence these thugs to prison.
I'm relatively new here and I don't have kids so maybe someone can explain to me why the City hasn't redeveloped Jefferson Houston. From what I've read here, it's underattended and poorly performing.
WOW! How about helping the school, which is loved by the parents & children who go there, instead of thinking it's worth more knocked-down then to keep for the children of our neighborhood. This is what drives me crazy, why are people so quick to judge a school they have never been in, never met the teachers or Principal.....Why do you think so many have opted out? It's because they believe the "playground politics" instead of checking it out themselves. This gossip is harmful! If you hear that a school needs help, why don't you help instead of complain??? Hillary is right, it takes a village.
"Perhaps now that the thugs have discovered that the Old Town folks have much better stuff than we here in the Inner City do, they'll move on and start robbing them instead."
I understand the point that your driving at, but I do believe you could have worded this better. I truly don't believe that anyone would want to see anyone else to be a victim of a crime to help their own agenda.
That being said, Old Towner's cries for help do hold more weight than ours do.
From the article:
"Some residents say they would like to see more uniformed police officers walking the beat. They say the presence of uniformed officers walking the streets of Old Town Alexandria would send a message to criminals throughout the region that the city is a difficult place for criminals. Considering the rash of breaking-and-entering cases reported in the last month, they say, this message has yet to reach criminals throughout the region that might travel to Alexandria in an effort to commit crime.
"I think we should be seeing a little more prevention and deterrence from the Police Department," said Linda Couture, a member of the Old Town Civic Association board who lives on Duke Street. "Criminals in Prince George’s County and the District of Columbia need to get the word that Alexandria is a place where cops are on the beat."
Totally agreed, and it goes double for P-G. If this stuff goes unchecked, it's not going to stop.
"This gossip is harmful! If you hear that a school needs help, why don't you help instead of complain??? Hillary is right, it takes a village."
Sorry, it's not gossip. The school's statistics speak for themselves. It's the only school to fail No Child. And while a village may help, what it really takes is a parent. Which many of those students at J-H unfortunately have in name only. If we really want to help, I submit that we decentralize the public housing and send those poor kids to a school where they have a fighting chance at breaking the cycle of poverty.
"I understand the point that your driving at, but I do believe you could have worded this better. I truly don't believe that anyone would want to see anyone else to be a victim of a crime to help their own agenda"
You're absolutely right. But it's frustrating when we've been screaming about this for years and they've not been listening. It drives me batty that people only listen when it affects them personally.
"Redevelopment and Housing Authority - two vacancies for citizen members. The Authority meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Approximately six hours per month are required of Commissioners."
Who among the complainers wants to step up to the plate and apply? God forbid former planning commissioner Hoben becomes one.
"Why do you think so many have opted out? It's because they believe the "playground politics" instead of checking it out themselves."
More Campbell criticism? The school has not had a good principal for years. PTA President Luby worked hard to defeat the 1999 redistricting plan and was forever savaged for her effort. The arts focus was dumb never funded and the grade 6-8 initiative not much smarter. Is anyone surprised the proposed 6th grade curriculum is less than that offered elsewhere? We have no want to expose our children to the chaos. Remind me again, why is this school a white parent's responsibility?
"If we really want to help, I submit that we decentralize the public housing and send those poor kids to a school where they have a fighting chance at breaking the cycle of poverty."
A screaming AMEN!
"Unless I'm missing something here, how do others feel about this? Didn't Baker give us more results in the 3 years he was at the helm than Samarra did in his last 5?"
I think Baker did give us better results by giving us more cops. The downside to that is the effect that having more cops has on our neighborhood, and the "containment" effect. Samarra just talked containement, Baker actually contains problems.
"Who among the complainers wants to step up to the plate and apply?"
Surely, you jest. We don't stand a chance. Those slots are preordained.
"This gossip is harmful! If you hear that a school needs help, why don't you help instead of complain???"
Not to ask the obvious, but how can I help?
Have a child? Send them there regardless of the obvious problems that arent "gossip"? You think people cant read facts and dont see what they say about GW and JH?
Sticking your head in the sand is not "building a village". To build a village, everyone has to be honest about the cause and effects of what goes on in the village, and has to play by the same rules and law.
It seems the commenter is demanding action from those who dont send their kids to school. I would argue thats not the problem, the problem is that those who do send their kids to that school are getting taken to "school" by City leadership that gives them the shaft but arent really doing much about it.
"Perhaps now that the thugs have discovered that the Old Town folks have much better stuff than we here in the Inner City do, they'll move on and start robbing them instead."
Its one of two things; either troublemakers are coming over from PG county because they dont fear consequence or the push out effect is happening; i.e. the massive police presence in the Inner City and PG is causing criminals to search for easier targets.
Now lets compare how Council responds to Old Town compared to how they respond to the Inner City. I would expect all the ARHA sycophants and apologists to demand the same response for both neighborhoods, but I wont hold my breath.
"This is what drives me crazy, why are people so quick to judge a school they have never been in, never met the teachers or Principal.....Why do you think so many have opted out? It's because they believe the "playground politics" instead of checking it out themselves."
Check what out? Never been in what? You sound like Jimmy Carter reaching for the race card. Do you not think external factors beyond "playground politics" play a role? Like how many curse words your kid might hear walking to school, the crime rate around JH, the fact that the City council doesnt give squat about the situations at JH and GW, the abnormal ACPS truancy rate, etc...
Need we go on? Its not "politics", its the inability of apologists to confront facts and offer innovative solutions that causes people to ignore JH, GW, ARHA, etc....
"
"Some residents say they would like to see more uniformed police officers walking the beat. They say the presence of uniformed officers walking the streets of Old Town Alexandria would send a message to criminals throughout the region that the city is a difficult place for criminals. Considering the rash of breaking-and-entering cases reported in the last month, they say, this message has yet to reach criminals throughout the region that might travel to Alexandria in an effort to commit crime."
Judging by the problems in the Inner City, why would any criminal get a "message"? Perhaps the message they are getting is that Alexandria is soft on crime.
"Who among the complainers wants to step up to the plate and apply? God forbid former planning commissioner Hoben becomes one."
Complainers? Why would you want to sit on the board and listen to Melvin Miller's propaganda? What use would that serve?
If you want to participate in a rigged sham please be my guest.
Change from within is your comeback right? Yeah, good luck changing ARHA. Priest listens and understands, but too many of the appointees have the same tired viewpoint and ideas.
"Remind me again, why is this school a white parent's responsibility?"
Exactly, why should I send my child to a school that the City and ACPS dont care about?
Heck, why should I have a child in Alexandria if my public school options for his young life are JH and GW?
And where are the African American parents? Your children are being sent to unaccredited schools with high truancy rates and high rates of violence and live in environments that are toxic to their social and economic well being, yet no one says a word. Never any complaints to ARHA at least; it seems the rage is against the feds and ACPS.
"Surely, you jest. We don't stand a chance. Those slots are preordained."
That's right talk yourself out of an application and bitch on the blog. Get you butt in gear and lobby for the job.
"Remind me again, why is this school a white parent's responsibility?"
The school is not a white parent's responsibility it is the city's responsibility. JH students are 1999 rejects poor things! George Mason parents didn't want the ruffians so they were sent back here. Why? So white families would feel comfortable putting their kids back in GM. Until the city deals with the political underpinnings JH kids don't have a prayer. Miller and his sidekick could demand change. Do they? Hell no. They are content to build warehouses and call it doing good. It is all a race game.
When does this crap end? I can get behind the generic significance of The Memorial Pool. But otherwise the new CH Center is supposed to be inviting to all. In Alexandria diversity relates only to Martin Luther Euille's black buds not hispanics or others like us.
City of Alexandria Schedules Public Hearing on the Naming
of Charles Houston Recreation Center’s Gymnasium and Pool
September 18, 2009
The City of Alexandria invites residents to a public hearing to review and receive comment on a proposal to name the Charles Houston Recreation Center gymnasium and pool in honor of African Americans in Alexandria who, from 1920 to 1965, played a significant role in the struggle for equal educational opportunity. The public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St.
The recently rebuilt and rededicated recreation center is located in the Parker-Gray District, an area rich in history. The center stands on the site of the original Parker-Gray School, constructed in 1920 to replace two older African American elementary schools. The new school was named for John F. Parker and Sarah Gray, principals of the earlier schools. The Charles Houston Recreation Center is named for the famed civil rights lawyer, Charles Hamilton Houston. Houston spearheaded the effort to improve the quality of education for African Americans in Alexandria, which eventually led to the building of the City's first high school for African Americans, the Parker-Gray High School, in 1950.
Current and former City residents, many of whom attended the Parker-Gray schools, formed an Ad Hoc Naming Committee, whose purpose is to honor African Americans central to the history of Alexandria by naming locations in the Charles Houston Recreation Center. The purpose of the public hearing is to view a presentation developed by City staff and the Charles Houston Ad Hoc Naming Committee outlining the naming process, to present the proposed names of the center’s gymnasium and pool, and to receive public comment. The public hearing is the first step in the naming process.
The Ad Hoc Naming Committee proposes:
* That the gymnasium be named the “Johnson-Siebert Gymnasium” in honor of two men who served the City’s African American youth. Louis R. Johnson, Parker-Gray High School coach and athletic director, produced some of the best teams and athletes in the Commonwealth of Virginia over a 20-year career. Morris R. Siebert, one of Johnson’s star players, was a World War II veteran, Pentagon employee, and City Recreation employee who provided guidance and mentoring to youth in the Parker-Gray community for more than two decades.
* That the pool be named “The Memorial Pool” in honor of African American youth who drowned in the Potomac River and local creeks during segregation, when they were not permitted to use the City pool on Cameron Street because of their race.
Individuals unable to attend the public meeting may view the Ad Hoc Naming Committee’s presentation after September 30 by visiting www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation. Written comments may be submitted to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Attention: Jack Browand, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314, or e-mail jack.browand@alexandriava.gov. The deadline to submit written comments is Tuesday, October 6.
"Why? So white families would feel comfortable putting their kids back in GM."
This reads like a cheap novel. The ARHA vice chairman lives in the George Mason school district so is
Mr. Ring the fox who guards Melvin Miller's hen house? Builds human filing cabinets to keep black kids out of his Republican neighborhood? So much for plunking and Lincoln Republicans.
Why do we think this former School Board member an architect of the 1999 school districting plan was responding in part to Ms. Becker's column?
Civics 101: Another Year, Another Council
Print Print
(Friday) September 18, 2009
Rodger Digilio
September 17, 2009
Last May the voters of Alexandria made some major changes in City Council. Three of the former members are no longer there. A Council composed of seven Democrats has been replaced by one composed of five Democrats, one Republican and an independent who ran with considerable Republican support. It is fair to ask why and to look ahead to see what may be expected from the new membership.
Much of the chatter after the election blamed the low turnout on complacency, poor electioneering by the Democrats, or the economy which had soured voters against incumbents. I do not think that was the case. The fact is that the previous council had lost touch with the electorate and allowed some things perceived as bad to happen. The Ethanol Transloading Facility by Cameron Station and the BRAC office buildings in the former Winkler owned property are obvious. So was the disrespectful treatment of Mel Miller in his bid for reappointment to ARHA.
When citizens are disenchanted with their leaders in a true democracy, they often respond by not voting. They can’t bring themselves to vote for the other party but they can bring themselves to stay away from the polls. Looking at turnout, members of the black community and west enders seem absent in large numbers and the Democrats, the usual beneficiaries of these constituencies, suffered.
Moreover, the previous council prided itself on creating award winning plans. That is all well and good but voters are really not interested in plans, most of which never happen anyway. They are interested in what directly effects them. Something that could go boom in the night trumps any amount of planning.
Seen in this context, the election results are more easy to explain. The two members of council who were defeated were the newest and were only identified with the past council in the minds of voters. Both of them appeared as supporters of planning and less involved in the nitty gritty of day to day decisions. In retrospect, they were easy targets.
What does the new membership of council mean for the future? Council actions at the early meetings have provided good clues. First and foremost the election of Kerry Donley will return council to a focus on the here and now. This was evident in the discussion on the Beauregard Small Area Plan. Vice Mayor Donley correctly pointed out that the leisurely schedule presented by the Planning Director would cause the plan to be adopted after the new BRAC installation opened. As a result, the schedule will be accelerated.
There has not been an opportunity to judge the new members on budget. In this area, however, it is not clear that there will be much difference. The previous council supported the city manager’s efforts to cut the budget. It is likely to be more difficult this year. Despite the campaign rhetoric, there are no obvious areas for saving or sources for new revenue. The easy cuts have been done over the past 2 years. This year will involve more pain and, if large tax increases are to be avoided, a major effort to remove from the budget items that are not directed to the core of service of each agency and the schools.
The three years ahead should be substantially different from the three that are past. This council already has indicated that it will be involved in the details. Given the nature of the city and problems confronting it, that is as it should be.
"So was the disrespectful treatment of Mel Miller in his bid for reappointment to ARHA."
Um, no. I plunked because they unanimously voted to reappoint him, despite ARHAs abysmal performance.
"disrespectful treatment of Mel Miller in his bid for reappointment to ARHA."
Give me a break. The SOB is a slumlord whose tenants terrorize us every day.
"Moreover, the previous council prided itself on creating award winning plans."
One thing I certainly agree with, although this is more a bureaucracy problem and not specific to the Council.
"So was the disrespectful treatment of Mel Miller in his bid for reappointment to ARHA."
Actually I think it was the overly respectful and completely cowardly approach to the ARHA reappointment that turned off a portion of the electorate.
There is NO WAY my daughter is heading to JH next year for kindergarten. Why should I put her through a failed social experiment. Why should I have her sit next to kids that swear regulary and whose parents yell at the lifeguards at the Durant pool for attempting to correct a behavior that violates pool rules. My property taxes (via land assessment) have gone up thousands in the last two years. It might be financially worthwhile to take the hit in the name of getting a good education at our neighborhood school but it's not. Despite the small improvements made in playgrounds and other rec programs. the IC is not that great for families... It is ideal for single people or childless couples. It is feasible for parents with dual incomes that can afford the 3+ bedroom home in PG that will cost over $700,000. They of course have to leave two-thirds of child rearing to nannies or day care. We can't afford to send our kids to private school as well. Homes in the IC are too small and it is very difficult to expand your property to necessitate the space needed. The equation for our neighborhoods is a recipe for annual failure. We will be moving to Alexandria in Fairfax county.
"IC is not that great for families... It is ideal for single people or childless couples."
Completely agree, I respect many who try but based on what I have seen and heard, as soon as my wife is ready for kids we are leaving.
"IC is not that great for families... It is ideal for single people or childless couples."
"Completely agree, I respect many who try but based on what I have seen and heard, as soon as my wife is ready for kids we are leaving."
Part of me thinks the Council prefers it this way. Childless couples and singles contribute big bucks to city coffers (via real estate, restaurant, and sales taxes) but consume far far few resources than families with children.
The way things are now, the Council and mayor can use this tax money to keep their ARHA feel good projects. They can spew their caring diverse community crap, but by containing the ARHA kids largely to J-H, they can avoid pissing off the large parent vote in the other sections of the city.
"If we really want to help, I submit that we decentralize the public housing and send those poor kids to a school where they have a fighting chance at breaking the cycle of poverty."
NEVER in a million years would Mayor or Council go along with that!
"Um, no. I plunked because they unanimously voted to reappoint him, despite ARHAs abysmal performance."
I came outside one morning to find someone had entered my yard and turned my candidate's election sign upside down! He was one of the council members who reappointed Miller to ARHA.
"Childless couples and singles contribute big bucks to city coffers (via real estate, restaurant, and sales taxes) but consume far far few resources than families with children."
I wouldnt be so sure. Many young professionals I know actually dont even "generate" restaurant or sales taxes because they dont spend money in Alexandria; I always hear about them going to DC or Arlington.
My fear is that the City has so alienated and frustrated young professionals that the city could make its already poor reputation among the younger generation even worse.
"It drives me batty that people only listen when it affects them personally."
Or when they get mugged, assaulted or robbed.
Or when they read in the Gazette about the latest IC/PG crime and wonder how that could possibly happen to a good student.
I dont blame the student though, I blame the system that allows this to go on and on.
""Surely, you jest. We don't stand a chance. Those slots are preordained."
That's right talk yourself out of an application and bitch on the blog. Get you butt in gear and lobby for the job."
To what? Be Ring and Miller's do boy? To listen to the Res 830 propaganda?
As soon as a citizen speaks out on that board about whats going on, trust me, they will be summarily dismissed or removed. There is no room for dissent or alternative thinking on the ARHA board.
Where the hell is Peter? He was supposed to be someone that at least questioned Melvin Miller.
Wow, so the Mayor finally got around to naming a pool in honor of all the African American historical events in our area.
I am sure Samuel Madden and Charles Houston would just love the fact that they are getting a pool named after them in an area of the City still surrounded by 1950's style public housing and inhabited by residents who seem to have been walled off by the City from any social or economic opportunity.
"Houston spearheaded the effort to improve the quality of education for African Americans in Alexandria, which eventually led to the building of the City's first high school for African Americans, the Parker-Gray High School, in 1950."
I can only imagine what Charles Houston would think about JH and GW in their current state, and the overall progress of African American educational achievement in Alexandria.
""If we really want to help, I submit that we decentralize the public housing and send those poor kids to a school where they have a fighting chance at breaking the cycle of poverty.""
Do you really think Rosemont or Delray would go for that?
From my understanding, ACPS doesnt even discuss deconcentration as a possible solution to the problems at JH and GW. Its just not allowed to be brought up.
"The way things are now, the Council and mayor can use this tax money to keep their ARHA feel good projects. They can spew their caring diverse community crap, but by containing the ARHA kids largely to J-H, they can avoid pissing off the large parent vote in the other sections of the city."
One of the critical points the Growler has left unsaid is that prior to the 1999 school redistricting plan yes public housing was concentrated but at least the public housing children were divided among the city's several schools. Then George Mason parents complained that public housing children contributed to the decline of education at GM. The blogger who asked if Mr. Ring now has ulterior motives may be right. If Alicia Hughes is really interested in children's issues it a question she should ask him forthrightly. Anyway the 1999 plan ended school integration as this neighborhood knew it. We now have the unsatisfactory of both concentrated public housing and concentrated elementary school. Mrs. Luby and Ferdinand Day were among the tee-shirted protesters who picketed the school board meeting. The Board's mainly the central district's conclusion: "some neighborhoods have to remain poor."
"Where the hell is Peter?"
From what we've heard Peter has left the Board under the guise of a job change. In truth he was frustrated because the board was mostly under the control of two people. If Ring is encouraging the rumored Hoben appointment we are doomed! From the above comments I'd say we need to take a closer look at Ring's overall politics ask him why he continues to screw little black children. Telling the press Bland was a cash cow still grates. Especially when cash is NOT being used for the purchase of new land. Without new land there can be no dispersal.
---The Board's mainly the central district's conclusion: "some neighborhoods have to remain poor."
And then the mayor wonders why no one believes the fiction of the Braddock Metro plan and Braddock East plan. Its the subject of much joking now to drive by the pink warehouse. I now call it "The Hamer House"
"Mrs. Luby and Ferdinand Day were among the tee-shirted protesters who picketed the school board meeting. The Board's mainly the central district's conclusion: "some neighborhoods have to remain poor."
This town sucks! If I am following the conversation at least connecting the dots the central school district screwed this neighborhood in 1999 a lady named Eberwein was on the school board then Ring managed her Council campaign school types were happy but she made people mad over a dog park was defeated for reelection and returned to the school board hired Superintendent Morton Sherman with instructions to protect the George Mason school district and amscrs.
It's the only school to fail No Child.
Hello.. this is what I mean about gossip... we are NOT the only school to fail AYP! Check your statistics before spreading this rumor!
"The school has not had a good principal for years. Remind me again, why is this school a white parent's responsibility?"
The school does have a GREAT Principal... she has been there for 4 years.
This school is everyone's responsiblity, and yes, white people send their kids to Jefferson-Houston!!!!!
This link shows the ACPS report card for AYP
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/titleone/ayp-facts.pdf
If there are any PG residents out there who are applying for the ARHA Board openings, please let it be known here. I'd be happy to send an email to council supporting your candidacy. I think it's important for this neighborhood to have a voice on ARHA since we are the neighborhood most affected by it. Thanks.
"The school does have a GREAT Principal... she has been there for 4 years."
For those who support Ms. Graves exactly what has this principal accomplished? Please don't tell me it is AYP. Please don't tell me it is IB as the program is in its earliest phase. Please don't tell me it is a change in the physical facility. Please don't tell me it is civil student behavior or parental involvement of the many.
"Telling the press Bland was a cash cow still grates. Especially when cash is NOT being used for the purchase of new land. Without new land there can be no dispersal."
Is the city still searching for or have they found the last of the needed off-site units?
The Growler has heard nothing about the status of the City's search for a site for the 16 units being off-sited from Bland which cannot be squeezed onto the Glebe Park site.
"This link shows the ACPS report card for AYP"
Yikes! TC Williams isn't looking so good either. Overall it seems the AYP scores have gone backwards. At what point is the scorecard a reflection not of the principals but the superintendent?
"The Growler has heard nothing about the status of the City's search for a site for the 16 units being off-sited from Bland which cannot be squeezed onto the Glebe Park site."
The Growler, as usual, isn't paying attention. There's been a lot of work on the 16 units.
http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2009/08/alexandrias-eisenhower-project-close-to.html
"One of the conditions for final approval requires the developer to work with the City and the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) to consider providing 16 public housing replacement units, rather than the proposed affordable units."
"For those who support Ms. Graves exactly what has this principal accomplished?"
She STAYED! And she is committed to the students.
"Yikes! TC Williams isn't looking so good either. Overall it seems the AYP scores have gone backwards. At what point is the scorecard a reflection not of the principals but the superintendent?"
We can't blame Dr. Sherman, he's only been here a little over a year. I think the "Perry years" can take some blame. How about the PARENTS!!!! Prepare your children for school! (Although people who read this already do.) The question is how to get Parents to do their job!
"http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2009/08/alexandrias-eisenhower-project-close-to.html"
Wow - that is GREAT news! All I can say is it's ABOUT FREAKIN TIME the City started making developers in Eisenhower (and hopefully now Potomac Yard, the West End, etc.) accept some of PGs concentrated public housing units. Let's see more of this ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"The Growler, as usual, isn't paying attention. There's been a lot of work on the 16 units...to consider... providing 16 public housing replacement units,"
Um, pissy! Me thinks the key words are "to consider." In truth 16 units is a mere drop in the bucket when compared with the overall need but we who nearby will take any and all concessions. Let us know when your news can be considered fact.
"then Ring managed her Council campaign"
In the interest of accuracy I think it was Peter Smealie (sp?) who managed Eberwein's Council campaign.
Heads up, Growler readers - here is the text of an email sent to members of the Old Town Civic Association.
"The spate of burglaries in Old Town Alexandria reported in the Gazette continues unabated. The most recent breaking and entering occurred over the past weekend (September 18-20) once again while the occupants were away. This time the home was entered by forcing the front door, therefore, the police assume it likely happened during dark hours.
The burglar or burglars took personal items from the residence, including silverware, jewelry and clothing, as well as money. It is not known what if any signs the owners left outside indicating their absence. The criminals are obviously smart when it comes to finding out who is out of town.
In order to prevent this criminal behavior as well as catch the thief or thieves, it is imperative that ALL Old Town Residents become the eyes and ears and report any and all activity that appears out of the norm. These reports made to the police should be immediate and little concern given to their importance. Clues can be added up to become answers.
To keep this from happening to you and others, everyone should install and leave on lights outside their homes—front and back. Criminals like to work in the dark. It is especially important that you tell your neighbors when you are going to be away and ask them to take in all fliers, newspapers, door hangers, telephone books, etc. Please do this even if the neighbor forgets to ask you. And, finally, to be on the safe side given Internet hackers, be careful of what information you send via email, etc.
OTCA "
"The Growler, as usual, isn't paying attention."
You're kidding, right?
"We can't blame Dr. Sherman, he's only been here a little over a year. I think the "Perry years" can take some blame."
How utterly petty! No wonder those of us with grown children want nothing to do with school board politics now. I work with numbers every day and judging performance using your timeline it seems Perry's last year was better than Sherman's first. You need to abandon partisan politics and refine your message. Our children deserve more than you seem able to give.
For those who are concerned,here are some Links of Interest about Jefferson-Houston From the ACPS web page and a couple of my thoughts about the school:
See this report which explains how benchmarks are measured for achievement goals of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)but note that the chart on this report was preliminary:
Estimated AYP Adjusted Pass Rates for School Year 2007-08
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/mes/sol/2008soladjustedayp.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions About Jefferson-Houston
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/houston/faq.php
Preliminary AYP Summary Fact Sheet: 2006-07 – 2009-10 (created: 08/12/09)
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/titleone/ayp-facts.pdf
since AYP ratings are based on overall achievement and achievement by student subgroups in reading and mathematics & student subgroups include students with disabilities, English language
learners, economically disadvantaged students and three racial/ethnic groups (white, African-American, and Hispanic), it would be interesting to know what the results are for the J-H subgroups
I was unable to find a chart listing demographics of each individual school, but here are Student Demographics for ACPS system (you can compare to J-H demographics listed at the J-H FAQ link)
• Black: 40.0%
• Hispanic: 25.3%
• White: 24.5%
• Asian Pacific: 6.7%
• Native American: 0.3%
• Unspecified: 3.2%
• Countries of birth: 128
• Native languages: 75
Special Education: 34% (includes preschool students)
• Eligible for free or reduced price meals: 50%
• Receiving talented and gifted services: 12.2%
• Students requiring English as a Second Language (ESL) services: 21.4%
I'd be curious if the neighborhood supports keeping J-H in its current location. I don't know much about this issue, but it seems insanity to me that this is such a piece of valuable land which is being so poorly used. What are the pros of keeping it?
"I don't know much about this issue, but it seems insanity to me that this is such a piece of valuable land which is being so poorly used. What are the pros of keeping it?"
This is a school for children, not a way to make revenue for one of the richest cities in the U.S.!
School is a safe haven for children, especially those who come from disfunctional homes. It NEEDS to stay in the neighborhood that it services! It is not the childrens fault that the zoning is so messed-up! Yes, we have 85% free/reduced lunch. I bet if you look, no other school has as many low-income housing in their district! Imagine that, Parker-Gray screwed again. These are children who are capable of learning and need the extra help. Being a title-one school gives us the extra help needed for the kids.
I hate to think that some people believe that a school is worth more closed, than open.... WOW... that just blows my mind!
"I'd be curious if the neighborhood supports keeping J-H in its current location. I don't know much about this issue, but it seems insanity to me that this is such a piece of valuable land which is being so poorly used. What are the pros of keeping it?"
You could say the same thing about Adkins. In neither case does the majority of the neighborhood support their current usage. And as you can see, ACPS, ARHA, and the City Council dont care. They would rather just complain that they need more money.
"I hate to think that some people believe that a school is worth more closed, than open.... WOW... that just blows my mind!"?
I think what people think is that ACPS and City Council clearly dont give a crap about JH, GW, public housing reform, etc... so why should anyone else care?
You elect City leaders and Board members that dont care and then demand that others help at JH while the City begs for more cash.
Huh, how does your logic make any sense? The children would be better served existing in an environment where a majority of the parents and the bureaucracy actually give a damn
"School is a safe haven for children, especially those who come from disfunctional homes."
You are making the classic argument of trying to act like JH is "safe" without considering the social and economic environment these kids grow up in, as if school is meant to be a "Green Zone"
As long as these children come home to toxic environments in which to grow up, no amount of money at JH will help them.
The argument of those who want to shut down JH is that if the City is just not going to care about deconcentration of poverty, why prolong the agony of JH?
"These are children who are capable of learning and need the extra help. "
who also grow up in poor environments due to ARHA.
You overrate the capability of learning; I have watched what happens to the "smart" kids in Adkins, how they get picked on, their books get vandalized or stolen, beat up, etc...
Try learning in that environment.
"It is not the childrens fault that the zoning is so messed-up! Yes, we have 85% free/reduced lunch. I bet if you look, no other school has as many low-income housing in their district"
Exactly. So explain to me why it wouldn't be better for these kids to be moved to a more successful school, where 85% of them are not low income. Wouldn't they get a better education? We could even build a brand new school with the money received from selling that land to a developer. Wouldn't everyone win that way? Please, I'm just trying to understand the benefit of keeping J-H in its current form in the neighborhood.
"I hate to think that some people believe that a school is worth more closed, than open.... WOW... that just blows my mind!"
What's Mother Superior's line in the Sound of Music? When a door closes a window opens? Closing the school would afford us the opportunity to redistribute the student body in a more advantageous manner one that is more academically advantageous to neighborhood children. This idea that public housing is a community and that the public housing residents should be contained en masse is yesterday's news.
I think keeping the school in the same location is important for it to be a part of the community... a "safe haven" for the kids and parents. We are trying to do more after-school programs to keep kids occupied and off the streets. If the area was re-zoned, we could still keep the school in our community and "share" the low-income kids among all the schools. Although I believe that people in other schools would flip-out if that happened! I just urge parents to make an informed decision on their own and not to always believe what they hear about a school from outside sources. My husband and I are both teachers/administrators. We visited many schools, talked with many principals before we decided to send our kids to the school we are zoned for.... Jefferson-Houston. We are very pleased with what goes on IN THE SCHOOL. Around the school... what can I say...we have lived here 15 years and do our best to correct kids on language etc... but it's just one step at a time for us.
"a "safe haven" for the kids and parents. We are trying to do more after-school programs to keep kids occupied and off the streets."
Snooze! The last thing I am interested in is funding a safe haven program for parents. How many more tax dollars will that cost us? My husband and I attended the July civic association meeting and when the Mayor and Chief Baker asked us to appreciate the fact that we receive more police services than any other city neighborhood I almost screamed. Why do we as taxpayers continue to underwrite neighborhood dysfunction? We need to solve the problem not indulge it.
Keep in mind that the city wide (east end)white preschool students are included are also included in the demographics:
What are the demographics of Jefferson-Houston?
The stats below include students under 5 and also those in the citywide special education program:
African American: 66%
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native American: 1%
Hispanic: 13%
White: 16%
Unspecified: 3%
Free and Reduced Lunch: 81%
ESL: 6%
Mobility Rate: 34% last year, this year is still TBD
Special Education: 34% (includes preschool students)
"we have lived here 15 years and do our best to correct kids on language etc... but it's just one step at a time for us."
Here here, I praise you guys for sticking with the idea of the schools principles. I can honestly say, I can not mirror your example with my child.
I will work double time to send her to private school and teach her that what they see at our local playground is not the norm. I will not shield her from the diversity of her school which has more than enough. The difference between the two you ask? Parents that care about their kids.
"I will not shield her from the diversity of her school which has more than enough. The difference between the two you ask? Parents that care about their kids."
Oh please. A little diversity but not "too much"? I am not the poster to whom the above barb was directed. Our family is fortunate enough to have the ability to make choices. We choose to send our kids to ACPS. One reason is so that they will not turn out like you."
"Please, I'm just trying to understand the benefit of keeping J-H in its current form in the neighborhood.
"
There is no benefit. It seems to be kept alive for the same reason our decaying public housing projects are kept alive; racial politics.
Prior to the 1999 school re-districting, a group of citizen activists formed a group called the Fairness in Education Coalition. The group was made up of leaders in the black community and progressive white PTA members from several east end schools. We picketed the school board vote on re-districting, wearing teeshirts printed with NO MORE RE-SEGREGATION. It certainly appears now that Jefferson-Houston was the victim of re-districting because its demographics show segregation.
Segregation is not a healthy atmosphere for low-income minority children. The school is an impossible situation for teachers, staff and students. Just imagine the difference of teaching a class where 85% of students are eligible for free and reduced price meals (accepted indicator of poverty) versus a class in a school with 30% of students eligible for free and reduced price meals. All schools in the Central Distict have enrollments below 30% of children receiving free & reduced price meals.
The re-districting has had a negative effect on our neighborhood. I've seen many young families move as their children become school age. It is unfortunate for all children in the Jefferson-Houston district that they are expected to succeed under impossible circumstances.
These are 08 percentages (the 09 numbers may be different)of students eligible for free and reduced price lunch at Alexandria City Elementary Schools. Note that the schools with higher percentages are the same schools not making AYP.
Lyles-Crouch 25.3%
Charles Barrett 26.1%
Douglas MacArthur 26.6%
George Mason 27.8%
Maury 42.7%
James Polk 48.1%
John Adams 56.4%
Mount Vernon 64.1%
Cora Kelly 71.5%
Samuel Tucker 54.6%
Patrick Henry 66.8%
William Ramsay 63.7%
Jefferson-Houston 81.2%
I am not all that familiar with the Old Town Crier but the story is well done. Someone set the bar high including the improving quality of blog debate.
"A little diversity but not "too much"
I didn't make the original observation, but that reply is pathetic. I don't think anyone living in Parker Gray is against diversity (although we are told that we are racists often enough, maybe we are starting to believe it). I am sorry if I don't want to send my children to a school that is at best a "safe haven" for children who's parents think next weekend's football game is more important that the last book their child read or that littering is acceptable, forget about the myriad of other problems including drunkenness and fighting. That is not the diversity I am looking for. I am also not looking for the diversity I find present on the playground of JH by current students and alumni. I would rather walk the extra 1/2 mile and go to a park in Del Ray then subject my children to the obscenities, vulgarity and violence that is brought to the JH playground. The preschool my children currently go to is very diverse, whether you look at the teachers, the students or the parents. However ALL the parents are involved in the school and are very interested in what their children are doing. To think my children might have to leave an environment like that where respect, equality and education are basic premises to attend JH is not an option. I am glad (and somewhat astonished) that there are people who choose to send their children to JH, especially now that you are able to opt out. I have met the teachers at JH and Ms. Graves and I applaud their enthusiasm and professionalism , however I believe the city has demographically set them up for failure. Teachers can't educate children without parent involvement and support and my children's education and future is too important to gamble on a social experiment and that they might get by at JH (lets not even discuss GW and TCW). The city government should be ashamed that JH can't make AYP and probably never will. Of course the city government should be ashamed of the many things that contribute to JHs failure, but don't seem to give a damn. Until the voters in Alexandra start to demand change things will remain as they are and private schools and moving companies that service the Parker Gray neighborhood will flourish. However as long as the city government is able to contain public housing in PG I don't see much chance for meaningful change, especially with the unspoken threat of moving public housing into other neighborhoods. Call it NIMBYism or survival instinct, no one else want to inherit our problems.
The City claimed that the demolition of Bland would begin in November 2009. I'm skeptical, as there are still families living in the units slated for demolition. So, out of curiousity, I checked the Permit tracker to see if there had been any permits filed.
As it turns out, it appears that permit application were filed for Bland, but the city denied them!! So much for the new culture of making it easier for people to navigate the City's ridiculous permitting process!!!! At least the City appears to be an equal opportunity obstructionist, as it denies its own projects!!!
"I attended the July civic association meeting and when the Mayor and Chief Baker asked us to appreciate the fact that we receive more police services than any other city neighborhood I almost screamed."
Are you kiddin' me? The Mayor works to contain the City's problems in PG and then expects residents to be grateful for getting police protection?
Un-believable!
When ranked in order the picture is clear. Old Town's Lyles Crouch elementary school a formerly segregated Jim Crow black-only elementary school has only a quarter of its children on free and reduced lunches. Change is possible ...
Jefferson-Houston 81.2%
Cora Kelly 71.5%
Patrick Henry 66.8%
Mount Vernon 64.1%
William Ramsay 63.7%
John Adams 56.4%
Samuel Tucker 54.6%
"Oh please. A little diversity but not "too much"? I am not the poster to whom the above barb was directed. Our family is fortunate enough to have the ability to make choices. We choose to send our kids to ACPS. One reason is so that they will not turn out like you.""
Sadly you seem to believe the housing projects and its dysfunctional behavior is "diversity". Thats the mistake so many of you make with your children. Thats not true diversity, and thats not the African American community of Alexandria.
You are entitled to send your kids to ACPS or wherever you want but stop trying to desperately guilt people into having kids or sending them to JH or GW. People have eyes and ears and arent that stupid.
"Teachers can't educate children without parent involvement and support and my children's education and future is too important to gamble on a social experiment"
Exactly, and the segregation of the poor in JH creates an even worse environment for learning because Ms. Graves and others are forced to battle socioeconomic problems that their children suffer from every day.
Meanwhile ACPS and Council hold hearings, prepare nice Powerpoints, and talk a lot, but in the end they do nothing.
A parent sees that and makes the choice not to send their child into the meatgrinder of JH and GW. Why some parents believe this is unsupportive of JH is beyond me. I dont support JH because I dont believe what ACPS, ARHA and the City Council are doing in Parker Gray is right. and sadly, they know what they are doing is wrong but they just dont care.
---Are you kiddin' me? The Mayor works to contain the City's problems in PG and then expects residents to be grateful for getting police protection?
Yet another reason why many in the IC dont trust him, believe him, or think he has any competence.
You think Fenty or Leggett or Tejeda would pull that crap.
"The City claimed that the demolition of Bland would begin in November 2009. I'm skeptical, as there are still families living in the units slated for demolition. So, out of curiousity, I checked the Permit tracker to see if there had been any permits filed.
"
I believe this like I believe Harris Teeter is on its way, Adkins will be redeveloped in "10 to 15 years" and the City will soon have a "world class public housing authority".
Expect the worst and hope for average; thats the motto of our City government.
"When ranked in order the picture is clear. Old Town's Lyles Crouch elementary school a formerly segregated Jim Crow black-only elementary school has only a quarter of its children on free and reduced lunches. Change is possible ..."
With Jefferson-Houston's enrollment of over 80% of children living in poverty, has anyone considered a law suit? I thought separate but equal went out with Brown v. the Board of Education.
These are 08 percentages (the 09 numbers may be different)of students eligible for free and reduced price lunch at Alexandria City Elementary Schools. Note that the schools with higher percentages are the same schools not making AYP.
Lyles-Crouch 25.3%
Charles Barrett 26.1%
Douglas MacArthur 26.6%
George Mason 27.8%
Maury 42.7%
James Polk 48.1%
John Adams 56.4%
Mount Vernon 64.1%
Cora Kelly 71.5%
Samuel Tucker 54.6%
Patrick Henry 66.8%
William Ramsay 63.7%
Jefferson-Houston 81.2%
"Oh please. A little diversity but not "too much"? I am not the poster to whom the above barb was directed. Our family is fortunate enough to have the ability to make choices. We choose to send our kids to ACPS. One reason is so that they will not turn out like you.""
A successful father who is looking out for the best interest of his only child.
Your right, Mr. or Mrs. Apologist, you would rather have your children grow up like you.
A typical lemming who buys into all the city official's lies and racist segregation policies. Open your eyes please and read the writing on the wall.
Re: Jefferson Houston and ARHA properties. You all should go see the film The Providence Effect, the story of a school in a much worse environment than Alexandria, where every single child graduates and goes to a 4 year college. The bottom line? If you expect folks to work hard, they will.
I really feel like we are doing a grave disservice to the kids of J-H and their parents. No, we should say, it's NOT ok to choose not to work and expect others to subsidize your housing. No, it's NOT ok to choose to get pregnant and bring a child into this world even though you don't care to have a job, education, etc. And, no, it's not OK to fail to set an example to your children. You should expect much more from yourselves and your children.
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I really feel like we are doing a grave disservice to the kids of J-H and their parents. No, we should say, it's NOT ok to choose not to work and expect others to subsidize your housing. No, it's NOT ok to choose to get pregnant and bring a child into this world even though you don't care to have a job, education, etc. And, no, it's not OK to fail to set an example to your children. You should expect much more from yourselves and your children."
I can imagine the words you just cited coming out of Melvin Miller's mouth. Of course, I can only imagine this heavily intoxicated, as its so out of the Twilight Zone for the ARHA chairman to even think ideas like this.
"And, no, it's not OK to fail to set an example to your children. You should expect much more from yourselves and your children."
Basically you are telling disadvantaged children from mostly dysfunctional families that they have to work twice as hard to pull even with the city's definition of black mediocrity. Level the playing field reallocate public housing improve the school situation and give a normally hard working black child the chance to excel. By your rules a disadvantaged black child has to be exceptional just to pull even with his George Mason peers.
Growler, I thought this article might interest readers, as it covers this exact topic people argue about when it comes to resegregation (in 2 parts)
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/OpEd-Contributor/Affordable-housing-laws-aren_t-stopping-segregation-8283445-60672707.html
Affluent New York City suburb Westchester County recently agreed to spend more than $50 million to build or acquire 750 affordable housing units in order to help desegregate some of its almost entirely white towns and villages. It only did so because it had been sued. In February, a federal court determined that Westchester had taken virtually no action to fulfill its promise to use millions of dollars in federal Community Development Block Grant money to further fair housing. The level of residential racial segregation in the United States is pronounced. Of the 50 U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest black populations, all show a moderate to high level of segregation. Westchester is unusually high. Decades of government-sanctioned practices are responsible. In the early part of the 20th century, zoning laws that prohibited blacks from living in white areas were commonplace. When those were struck down by the Supreme Court, white communities turned to racially restrictive covenants. These covenants were legally enforceable until 1948 and continued in informal practice for years after that. At the same time, popular federal lending programs used overt racial formulas to refuse mortgage loans for homes in minority neighborhoods. Deprived of access to credit, housing prices in these communities plummeted while white suburbs thrived. In rural parts of the South and Midwest, all-white "Sundown Towns" posted signs warning blacks to get out before dark. After the passage of fair housing and fair lending laws in the late 1960s, municipalities turned to more subtle tactics.
Instead of relying explicitly on race, they exploited the "wealth gap" that decades of discrimination had created between black and white families. Zoning boards imposed minimum square footage, setbacks, and acreage requirements on homes in white areas, and limited the construction of smaller homes and apartment buildings to neighborhoods with larger concentrations of minorities. As a result, many black households who were leaving rentals or severely underpriced homes in the center cities were unable to move into wealthy white communities. One of the most effective ways to desegregate an all-white area is to create affordable housing opportunities there. This is generally what recipients of Community Development Block Grants are expected to do with at least a portion of the funds. Local governments often resist doing so, fearing the ire of affluent white citizens who refuse to allow racial and economic diversity in "their" neighborhoods. Westchester, for example, limited most of its affordable housing to areas with higher concentrations of minorities, and built very little in its wealthy white communities. This isn't about public or Section 8 housing. Affordable housing simply means that households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income won't have to spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. In Westchester this amounts to a monthly rent or mortgage of roughly $1,500 -- hardly slum prices. Based on the number of moderate to highly segregated communities out there and the number of municipalities that take CDBG funds (more than 1,200), it is likely that many have been merely paying lip service to the program's fair housing requirements. Communities may choose to ignore the effects of generations of racialized housing policies. But they can't do so while taking federal money based on the explicit promise that they will use it to help correct this toxic legacy. Westchester is a warning that this isn't just a moral failing. It's illegal fraud. Rigel Oliveri is an associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Law, where she teaches fair housing. She served for five years as a trial lawyer in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, Housing and Civil Enforcement Section.
"Basically you are telling disadvantaged children from mostly dysfunctional families that they have to work twice as hard to pull even with the city's definition of black mediocrity."
I think what they are really saying is disadvantaged children in Alexandria continue to grow up in dysfunctional environments and no one seems to care.
We dont have 10-15 years to wait on Adkins Melvin Miller. Thats a whole generation of kids who are going to slip into the abyss so you can hold onto a 90 unit quota.
How does that make any sense?
It seems like children at JH are just pawns in a battle between those who would wish to gentrify the neighborhood more and those who want to hold onto some for of racial purity or past.
Frankly I see fault in both sides but I really see fault in a city that is creating this mess and doing little to stop it from affecting the lives of both sides.
And in the middle, kids whose lives get wrecked because they are subject to the "soft bigotry of low expectations"
Are readers aware that Melvin Miller formerly served on the Alexandria School Board (when it was still an appointed body) from 1986 to 1993, serving as chair from 1990 to 1992?
And that apparently he was one of the few African-American leaders in Alexandria who didn't speak out on the 1999 school redistricting which essentially resegregated Alexandria schools?
"Basically you are telling disadvantaged children from mostly dysfunctional families that they have to work twice as hard to pull even with the city's definition of black mediocrity."
Right now, an ARHA child who goes to J-H DOES have to work harder to achieve because we, as a City, have SCREWED him by providing him with a crappy home environment and a subpar education. This is unfair to the child and we can absolutely do better.
And, speaking of unfairness, is it true that 50% of ARHA residents are unemployed?? Are they all disabled? Its unfair to hardworking Alexandrians to cough up tax money to house and care for people who CHOOSE not to work, even though they're perfectly capable of doing so. Working (or searching for work) should be mandatory for all able bodied ARHA residents. It is an absolute outrage (not to mention stupid public policy) to provide lifelong free or substantially subsizided housing to people who CHOOSE not to work.
"And that apparently he was one of the few African-American leaders in Alexandria who didn't speak out on the 1999 school redistricting which essentially resegregated Alexandria schools?"
The rumor is that Melvin Miller was school Superintendent Berg's consultant paid or otherwise when the school board passed the 1999 redistricting plan. Can anyone provide proof of Miller's involvement?
"those who would wish to gentrify the neighborhood"
if by gentrify you mean improve the school, stop the littering, improve the language and behavior exhibited at the playgrounds then I am guess I am trying to gentrify the neighborhood ... or more likely follow the path of others and move away when my children approach school age.
"Sadly you seem to believe the housing projects and its dysfunctional behavior is "diversity"."
Well said/written, but that also seems to be the city's definition of diversity.
"The bottom line? If you expect folks to work hard, they will."
I think we expect folks to work hard, the question is do the parents of many of the children who attend J-H expect them to excel or value education.
The Providence Effect is laudable, but requires that parent's demand that their children excel academically and that is generally the missing ingredient. It is also why many parents in PG send their children to private school or opt out of J-H.
Why didn't Melvin Miller speak out over the resegregation of Alexandria's schools in 1999?
I hope it works out, I really do. But you know what? We're moving. Falls Church or Alexandria. I don't want to and I love my home in PG but that's a small sacrifice to make to get my kids into a decent school system. I admire the teachers at JH who are trying to make a difference and wish them well, but in the end, you gotta do whats best for you. Unfortunately for us, that means good bye Parker Gray.
"we, as a City, have SCREWED him by providing him with a crappy home environment and a subpar education. "
What do we owe our disavantaged?
who provides the home environment?
education is provided by the state. if the school is not up to standard then one may opt out and attend a school that does meet standards.
Do the kids from Bland attend Jefferson Houston? If so, won't many of them be moved to a new (and hopefully better) school when Bland is redeveloped? Where will they go?
Let the Growler pose another question in the school debate:
Given that enrollment at JH last year was only around 200 pupils, if the school were closed or repurposed those 200 students could be split up among the other 12 elementary schools in Alexandria. That would mean only 16 JH students per school, and only 2 or 3 per each grade level. That can't have such a tremendous impact on the other schools and their test scores.
"Given that enrollment at JH last year was only around 200 pupils"
REALLY?? Why the heck is that school still open? I can only assume that since parents can opt out now, enrollment won't be surging anytime soon. What must it cost to maintain that building, never mind the lost opportunity costs of all of that underused land?? I don't think the city's scarce resources are being used very intelligently here.
"Given that enrollment at JH last year was only around 200 pupils, if the school were closed or repurposed those 200 students could be split up among the other 12 elementary schools in Alexandria. That would mean only 16 JH students per school, and only 2 or 3 per each grade level. That can't have such a tremendous impact on the other schools and their test scores."
Growler:
It's a little more complicated than the solution which you suggest. First, the school system tries to place students in schools as close as possible to their homes. This is particularly important for low-income families who often do not own cars. You just can't send a child to a school in the west end for the convenience of filling an empty seat. Second, splitting up siblings would be an issue in sending the J-H population to other schools. Third, we need to know where the empty seats are in the ACPS elementary schools. I once saw a report re: this on the ACPS web site - but I don't seem to be able to relocate it today. Some schools are full or very close to full & some do have some empty seats. Fourth, J-H houses a special ed preschool which serves half the city (I think the other is located at John Adams). Also, there are usually kids who attend the Head-Start located at J-H that attend the special ed preschool for half of each school day. Relocating the preschool would probably require constructon (smaller toliets, at least) at another school.
I do agree that closing the school is probably the best idea if room can be located at nearby schools. I also think there is some extra room at both GW & TC - maybe the preschool classes could move to one of those facilities. There is a headstart on the GW grounds. I believe that the kids living at Bland do go to J-H, they were at George Mason before the 1999 re-districting. It would be interesting to know if they will be relocated during construction.
Neighbors should express their concerns to ACPS School Board Members, ACPS Staff & City Council members.
"Given that enrollment at JH last year was only around 200 pupils,.."
ONLY TWO HUNDRED PUPILS IN JH??
WHY are my taxes supporting a school with only 200 students?
WHY is such school with such a low number of pupils not (a) a flaming success or (b) sold or repurposed?
"I hope it works out, I really do. But you know what? We're moving."
The school debate has become hopelessly unproductive. Selling your home is not the answer. Do what many of us mothers do and opt for the lottery. Trust me, Lyles Crouch is one of the better scoring schools and the walk to and from now is part of my 10,000 steps. Otherwise school buses make door to door deliveries. Think practically while I impolitely tell The Growler to move the debate along. Let's start the school year with optimism!
"The school debate has become hopelessly unproductive. Selling your home is not the answer. Do what many of us mothers do and opt for the lottery. Trust me, Lyles Crouch is one of the better scoring schools and the walk to and from now is part of my 10,000 steps. Otherwise school buses make door to door deliveries. Think practically while I impolitely tell The Growler to move the debate along. Let's start the school year with optimism!"
The ACPS lottery no longer includes Lyles-Crouch. My understanding is that, due to their curriculum and approach, they have to have small class sizes. Without taking any out-of-district students they are full-up. That is too bad as that seems to be a good school. The housing prices in that area are out of reach for the working and middle classes.
To folks making the decision on whether to stay or go I would again say that there are some very good private schools in the area, and most of these do not have high tuition. They also, in my limited experience, seem to provide a learning environment that is not available at any public school, even those with high test scores and solid reputations.
The poverty measure at J-H (81%) is, in my mind, one of the major factors hindering improvement at the school. Even if all of the families in the district who are in the socio-economic groups that typically opt-out of Jefferson Houston decided to send their kids there, I don't think that that measure would get much below 70%. My guess is that the poverty measure at any school needs to be below 50% in order to establish an environment conducive to academic success. That said, I am neither an educator nor a sociologist, so I could be off the mark.
I also don't believe that the board or administration is willing to entertain thoughts of redistricting, absent some as-yet-unforeseen precipitating event.
"[closing the school] a little more complicated than the solution which you suggest."
Hrrmph! If a school in another part of Alexandria had only 200 students in a school meant for many more, there would be many reasons stated why it SHOULD and CAN be closed.
Reminds me of the time a room-mate and I bought a house. (One of us is black.) We had more than enough saved for a solid down payment and two high-paying careers but were told so many times by so many agents why we could NEVER be able to buy a house.
They were wrong.
"The housing prices in that area are out of reach for the working and middle classes.
To folks making the decision on whether to stay or go I would again say that there are some very good private schools in the area, and most of these do not have high tuition."
Housing prices are not the critical variable. If you can budget for a house plus private tuition you can budget for a house only in the Lyles Crouch neighborhood. The political question is why given the schools integration history did the city again permit the resegregation of its schools? The annoying question is why given the city's race based school decision do they now blame whites for JH's failure? Most discrimination cases are settled either by ballot or in court.
"Housing prices are not the critical variable."
Housing IS a critical variable because of the overconcentration of public housing generally.
"Most discrimination cases are settled either by ballot or in court."
The fact that two Republicans came in first and second in the November elections intrigues because I wonder how independent of Miller and Ring they really are. Fannon's Beasley Square vote tells us he can think tough thoughts but Hughes remains a mystery. Although Hughes ran as an independent she seems to have a lot of Republican IOUs. Yes, I blame the public housing debacle on the Republicans or at least their fair share of the blame. I just read the post explaining that the city's Fair Share policy originated 37 years ago or in 1972.
"To folks making the decision on whether to stay or go I would again say that there are some very good private schools in the area, and most of these do not have high tuition.""
The problem is not the school. The problem is that the environment many of these kids grow up in creates the problems at JH. Thats why the redistricting would never work; parents in other parts of town know where these kids come from and how little direction and guidance they have, and dont want any part of it.
Its racism and nimbyism plain and simple, but our African American Mayor and African American housing authority chairman dont seem to care.
"Yes, I blame the public housing debacle on the Republicans or at least their fair share of the blame."
Huh, why? I would blame the City's Democrats for failing to execute their own Task Force policy despite having absolute power for most of the decade.
"Huh, why?"
Trust me I live among it and I can outcrank the Growler. If the city can justify Bland using the dilution theory return maybe 130 public housing units to Bland when completed arguing the likelihood of improved resident conduct based on the newly created class mix then why can't a selected number of JH public housing students now be reassigned to George Mason and diluted there? Why? Former republican member of Council Connie Ring among others. The arguments are so disjointed here and elsewhere that the final answer eludes. Miller and Ring need to show this neighborhood a comprehensive long range ARHA plan one consistent with the Fair Share policy as written and start buying the additional land needed to oss site now. Acquiring 16 new units is nothing.
"Miller and Ring need to show this neighborhood a comprehensive long range ARHA plan..."
Neither is on the ballot. It is Democrat Mayor and Democrat-controlled City Council that are on the ballot. They are responsible to taxpayers for what happens. They are the ones I can do something about. They are the ones who have done nothing and were voted in to do something. And if they can't, then I will vote them OUT and give someone else a chance.
Im done with do-nothing incumbents.
"Miller and Ring need to show this neighborhood a comprehensive long range ARHA plan..."
Exempt from term limits both have agreed to function as fiduciaries. They need to show us ARHA can do something other than manage poorly and annoy.
"Miller and Ring need to show this neighborhood a comprehensive long range ARHA plan one consistent with the Fair Share policy as written and start buying the additional land needed to oss site now"
You have as much chance of seeing that as you do seeing a grocery store in our neighborhood.
On a lighter note, the Old Town Burglar has been caught, apparently near the Old Town West apartments.
It will be interesting to hear if the City actually talks more about this case than they did the Horton case.
" The difference between the two you ask? Parents that care about their kids."
Wow, what a low-blow.... I would hope that while you are working double-time to send your child to a private school that you find time (in-between jobs, of course) to teach your child about compassion, caring, and not to judge others by their income. That way when they enter the real world, they will be prepared for dealing with all types of people and not become SNOBS.
Regarding the "snobs" comment, there is actually a measurable statistic about parental caring and that is the the strength of the Jefferson-Houston PTA.
The Growler understands that with about 200 pupils enrolled the PTA at Jefferson-Houston has typically had only a handful of members -- perhaps fewer than a dozen.
Some of these members now and in the past have not even had children currently enrolled in Jefferson-Houston. They took up the cause of the PTA because they had young children that would soon be school age and wanted to do all they could to help JH before they were forced to make the critical decision.
JH's PTA leaders have tried every technique under the sun to recruit and involve parents of current JH students and appear to have had little success in growing the organization.
Not every parent has the time to be involved with PTA, particularly if they are juggling more than one job. But participation this low is telling since it is one of the markers of a strong school to have an active PTA that can work for the benefit of all pupils as well as advocate for the school.
"teach your child about compassion, caring, and not to judge others by their income."
We can try, but apparently your definition is to expose them to the social dysfunction of the ARHA housing projects, as if that is true diversity.
Also, please forward your missive to Delray and Rosemont for consumption.
"That way when they enter the real world, they will be prepared for dealing with all types of people and not become SNOBS."
Here we go, when apologists run out of facts they move on to emotion.
Living near Bland does not prepare you for dealing with all types of people. It creates negative stereotypes and reactions that are harmful to a childs development. If I see and grow up in social and economic disaster, I will see and hear certain things that dont represent "the real world" but the actual social and economic disaster being perpetrated.
If its wrong to want to keep a child away from a state-created disaster, then I dont want to be right.
So exposing your child to foul language, misbehavior, assaults, bad parenting, and total lack of educational commitment is diversity, according to the Alexandria Diversity Police?
Got it, I will add that to notes, including "What You Are Allowed to Say about Housing Authority Chairman", "How to Coddle Residents Politically Correctly", and "Where The Police Hot Spots Are"
"Here we go, when apologists run out of facts they move on to emotion."
Or race. Race baiting I've decided is a cover for ARHA's social and economic failure.
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