For the first time in decades, Alexandrians will go to the polls in November — rather than May — to vote for the Mayor and City Council. Many suspect that the Council changed the election date to coincide with the Presidential race to ensure better (or perhaps more partisan) voter turnout. This fall's local elections promise to be rather more interesting than usual. In 2009, the big news was the Republican Party's promotion of a "plunking" strategy. This technique, which involved casting votes only for the alternative candidates, successfully broke up the complete Democratic hegemony on Council by bringing in Republican Frank Fannon and independent candidate Alicia Hughes. (As a then-federal employee Ms. Hughes could not affiliate with a party due to the provisions of the Hatch Act.)
Last year Democratic Councilman Rob Krupicka announced this was his last term, regardless of whether he won the State Senate race or not. (He didn't, and lost to Adam Ebbin.)
Not surprisingly, former Democratic Council members Tim Lovain and Justin Wilson, who were ousted by the newcomers in 2009, announced they were tossing their hats in the ring for 2012. Originally they seemed to be hoping they could fill Mr. Krupicka's chair and perhaps knock off Ms. Hughes if not Mr. Fannon, whose popularity and long-time family ties to old Alexandria give him an advantage.
However, just last week the challengers were handed another opportunity when Democratic Vice Mayor (and former Mayor) Kerry Donley announced he will not seek another term.
Will it be a shoe-in for Mr. Lovain and Mr. Wilson? Some around town are questioning Mr. Lovain's increasingly vocal calls for streetcars and the high-density development that they will bring in their wake. Is this the key to winning hearts and minds in 2012? As the Growler pointed out after the 2009 election, former Del Ray Citizens Association president Mr. Wilson rather surprisingly did not do as well in his home precincts as either Mr. Donley or Mr. Krupicka. With those contenders removed, will he sweep his own neighborhood and others as well?
Other rumored Democratic candidates include Boyd Walker and Planning Commissioner Donna Fossum, who would undoubtedly hope to capitalize on the West End's dissatisfaction with BRAC, the handling of the Norfolk Southern ethanol issue and underinvestment in general. Newcomers Sean Holihan and Charles Sumpter are also weighing in from the West End. Both are 30 years of age or younger.
No word yet on one intriguing possibility, which is that former Police Chief David Baker will put his name into contention. Mr. Baker attended the Democratic candidate school, but has not confirmed that he will run. Former School Board chairman Arthur Peabody is also rumored to be considering putting himself into the race.
Longtime Council member Del Pepper is seeking election to yet another term, as is Paul Smedberg. After 27 years on Council, many — including some in Democratic circles — privately question whether the 75-year old Ms. Pepper should retire. But only Republican contender Gordon has suggested in print that it was advisable.
In another departure from the past, the Democrats will determine their candidates at a June primary, rather than a caucus.
On the Republican side, former Del Ray Citizens Association board member Scott Gordon has declared he is running. No word on whether former GOP candidate Phil Cefaratti will run again. Can we also expect that Alicia Hughes will formally align with the GOP, now that she has left the federal U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is no longer subject to the Hatch Act?It seems unlikely whether anyone will challenge incumbent Mayor William D. Euille. However, it's been rumored that former Democratic Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald may run against Mr. Euille, probably as an independent. In the last year, Mr. Macdonald has focused almost exclusively on fighting the City's controversial waterfront plan; is this enough to give him broad support across Alexandria and lead him to success? Now that the Council on Saturday approved the waterfront plan, will this give Mr. Macdonald the impetus to finally announce?
So readers, what are your thoughts about the upcoming primary and elections?
9 comments:
All I know is after another railroad job by the council on a local issue that put the concerns of existing citizens behind those of developers and pals of Euille -- the waterfront project, it's not just P-G that would like to see a shakeup in the council.
Given so many issues the city of Alexandria has due to a mostly democratic council, isnt it time to oust folks who have been around forever and let some new people give running the city a try? For the amounts of money we are spending on social services, police and fire protection, schools,etc, there is no reason why our neighborhoods can't be safe, schools the best in the country and the city one of the most attractive to tourists in the country. This is not a rich vs poor issue, haves vs have nots or black vs white. We need to make things happen, improve schools for all, clean up neighborhoods and create a city where all can live in peace and harmony. I don't believe the old school dems want this, so let's show them that we do!
Just what would improving "schools for all" entail? Generally when that term is thrown out, a majority of the student populous is ignored to meet the needs of a student minority. Be careful what you ask for, it may just be occurring within our schools as you type.
I burned out on civic engagement after the Braddock Road and Braddock East charades where I learned that the City only pretends to consider citizen input but really intends to proceed with the plans they have already developed. There was this shocking arrogance that we citizens really didn't understand what was best for our neighborhood. Rather, it was the city planners and consultants, most of whom did NOT live in the neighborhood, who knew best. (My opinon of the planning process was confirmed after the West End and waterfront debacles).
So, I remain convinced that active participation in the civic process, other than a single email to council expressing one's preference, is an utter waste of valuable time.
So...my thoughts on the primary are that it is the only effective form of civic engagement. I therefore plan to use a modified plunking strategy as before, voting for each candidate who did NOT vote to reconcentrate public housing in my neighborhood by approving the new Bland (i.e. no current member but for Fannon and Hughes) and any currently announced candidate (other than Wilson and Lovain). And if nobody challenges Euille, I'll just write someone in again.
I urge the rest of citizenry to use a similar strategy based on whatever issue(s) are most important to them. Just don't vote for the current lot - good riddance, I say. We really need a change.
"Just don't vote for the current lot - good riddance, I say. We really need a change."
When a Vice Mayor who is also a former Mayor then called the bricks and mortar Mayor quits because he has blood pressure problems I have to think Democratic politics seriously sad. Maybe that's because I assume Donley's blood pressure rises every time Euille and the remainder of Council speaks. The problem is one of alternatives. Lovain and Wilson leave me weary. Alicia Hughes remains a mystery and Scott Gordon's letters to the editor give me heartburn. Perhaps I should next plan to talk with Donley in the doctor's office.
We give Fossum and Smedberg credit for solving US Route 1 even if theirs is only a short term solution. Lovain and Wilson contributed nothing that I am aware of so ixne the two of them. Where's the quality?
The Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson Houston just announced he is leaving as of February! This news was proceeded by an astonishing email which should have anyone in our city concerned about the state of affairs within our school system.
http://www.alexandrianews.org/2012/01/acps-cfo-resigns-alleges-hostile-work-environment/
"We give Fossum and Smedberg credit for solving US Route 1"
I agree that Fossum seems good for the neighborhood and she's not an incumbent, so I'll vote for her. But public housing is my biggest issue. It has a way bigger negative impact that just on those who live there and those of us immediately around it. For example, why do you think are schools are so expensive and yet dismal?
Smedberg has mildly criticized Bland, but only on asthetic grounds, not on the basis that it's concentrated public housing.
No Democratic incumbent (or former incumbent) gets my vote UNLESS he or she pledges to abolish 830 and work towards a more effective policy.
Like it or not, Alexandria is one of the few Democrat Cities in Virginia and this is unlikely to change.
The only real hope to improve our City Government is for real change in the local Democratic Party.
People should vote for NEW candidates and reject the Tax raisers like Wilson and Lovain, both of whom have no new ideas other than novel methods of taking your money.
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