Issues

Economic Development

As we face tighter and tighter budgetary constraints, Alexandria must concentrate on what has made it in the past a thriving City — economic development and job creation. We must do this while maintaining our historic attention to essential City services - public safety and public education.

• Restore balance to Alexandria’s tax base, which is tilted towards residential taxpayers.
• Make tough fiscal decisions while continuing to concentrate attention and resources to the issues essential to local government, namely public safety and public education.
• Develop specific action plans to promote quality, appropriate commercial development, focused on taking advantage of our infrastructure like Metro rail, Metro bus and DASH.
• Future development plans must include pursuit of businesses which are a good fit for Alexandria and concentrated in areas suited for commercial development. Our success in expanding our tax base is critical to future funding of police, fire, public education and other vital services.
• Other priorities must include the completion of a new master plan for Landmark Mall, and the establishment of future-oriented growth policies that stress Alexandria’s many advantages - our location, our historic character and tourism - as we seek to market the city to benefit our small businesses.

City Budget & Government Reform

Alexandria faces a tough financial future. The national economic stress has already begun to affect the City’s financial condition, and we won’t see the end of the challenges for some time. I’m running for City Council because I have a proven history of making tough and effective financial decisions with an eye for both the City’s short-term needs and it’s long-term financial health.

During my previous years on City Council and as Mayor, I confronted many difficult issues and helped resolve them to the benefit of Alexandria

• Attracted the Patent and Trademark Office to Alexandria
• Resolved the longstanding matters relating to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
• Finalized the zoning and master plan for Potomac Yard
• Led the redevelopment of the Samuel Madden Homes
• Pushed for construction of Tucker School, the City’s first new elementary school in 35 years
• Oversaw the construction of the Beatley Central Library
• Commenced the construction of the new T.C Williams High School

Public Safety

Transportation

As the former chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, I am highly sensitive to the transportation challenges facing our region. As Alexandria Mayor, I worked tirelessly to resolve the longstanding matters relating to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge replacement, the fruits of which we are beginning to enjoy today.

Education