Alexandria residents urge council to preserve programs
By: David Sherfinski
Examiner Staff Writer
October 20, 2009
Alexandria residents made impassioned pleas to preserve city programs and services during a Saturday public hearing on the fiscal 2011 budget.
Cuts are likely however, according to Mayor William D. "Bill" Euille, who said the city would probably endure budget difficulties for the next couple of years.
"Everything is on the table," he said. "Nothing is sacred."
Still, residents made emotional pleas for programs like the Untouchables youth mentoring program, which seeks to curb drug use among the city's young people.
Carlton Miller, who's served as a mentor in the program, said the last time he stood before so many people to talk was in 1991. That group, though, was a jury in Alexandria — Miller said he was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
He received treatment for his drug problem in the Alexandria jail through the city's Community Services Board, he said, and is now a law-abiding citizen with full voting rights.
More than one speaker said they would be open to paying more taxes to preserve services. In a recent community survey, 55 percent of residents polled said they would be willing to pay "reasonably more" in taxes to help the city achieve its strategic goals.
Fay Slotnik, executive director of the Parent Leadership Training Institute, took it a step further, asking the council to raise taxes to a level that would preserve the quality of life for all Alexandria residents.
Despite the hearing's often-serious tone, it did not go without a bit of pomp.
"These hearings are like my birthdays," said Sherry Brown, vice president of the Alexandria Arts Forum. "They come around too often, and they aren't that much fun."
She said the forum was planning an event for fall 2010 to raise funds for art grants and hoped the city would match the funds.
Costumed folk then made their way up to the dais to greet the council members on behalf of the arts.
dsherfinski@washingtonexaminer.com
