HHHoooSSppmmmrriinngg 220e0ee1144LLLiiifffeeeSSStttyyyllleee e e l d y t i S s n e I if L e m Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper March 13, 2014 o wLwowc.Caoln Mneecdtiioan CNeownsnpaepcertsi.oconm LLC H Moonulnitn Vee ranto nw Gwawzet.cteo n❖ n HeocmteiLoinfenSetywles Spaprpienrg s2.0c1o4m ❖ 1 A Debt to Society Local governments use debt as a tool to build for the future. By Michael Lee Pope ing economy that will enable them The Gazette to pay off the debt.” P h B Fairfax County has the largest o to ack in the 1920s, Harry debt by far, almost $4 billion. But by Byrd became governor of Fairfax also has more people than J Virginia on what he called any of the other jurisdictions. So a n e a “pay-as-you-go” platform. Byrd the county’s per capita debt bur- l le had an almost pathological hatred den is actually lower than Arling- G of debt, fueled in part by mount- ton or Alexandria. Financial re- e r m ing debt problems of his family’s ports show that local governments a n business. Now, almost a century across Northern Virginia have o /s later, leaders across Northern Vir- been taking on increasing debt in T h ginia have a very different view recent years, and some believe e G about the role debt should play in that trend might accelerate in the a z balancing the books. Local govern- near future. Because Congress is e tt ments across Virginia have taken considering eliminating some ex- e A view from the top of the landfill in Lorton. If the new application is approved, on more than $8 billion in debt. emptions for income tax on mu- the landfill will operate until 2040 and will be home to a green energy triangle. “Some jurisdictions are having nicipal bonds, local governments to be more careful with their debt might consider taking on larger Green Energy Or Closed Landfill load as they are small and have a amounts of debt in the near future weak real estate base,” said to take advantage of lower inter- Stephen Fuller, director of the Cen- est rates. Community members, thority not reversed its commitment, we wouldn’t ter for Regional Analysis at George “There are some clouds gather- be sitting here today. It’s that simple.” Mason University. “Others see that ing on the horizon that will impose stakeholders debate According to Bill Lecos, who is working on be- having high quality infrastructure significantly greater increases in half of the EnviroSolutions’ green energy proposal, is the best way to support a grow- See Local, Page 20 future of Lorton Landfill. liability was the main issue at stake. Mr. Horejsi “ESI is not equipped to manage the liabilities associated with people mountain biking down the By Janelle Germanos property,” Lecos said. O The Gazette In 2010, when it was clear to him that the park Goes to Richmond was out of the question, Mehan said he went to n Thursday, the Fairfax County Plan- the South County Federation to discuss possible ning Commission is set to make a In the fight for social justice alternative uses for the landfill. recommendation to the Board of “I also talked about the fact that we had just Supervisors on whether with patience and persistence. gone through a horrific recession. For the con- EnviroSolutions should be permitted to continue struction industry, it was a depression, not a re- the operation of the Lorton Landfill until 2040. cession. I told them we would By Victoria Ross for the socially disadvantaged. Along with this operation not be able to fill up the site by The Gazette Part Mr. Smith Goes to Washing- comes a green energy park “Not all renewable the time it was set to close,” E ton, part Don Quixote tilting at that proponents say will push Mehan said. very year, dozens of high- windmills, Horejsi is regarded by Fairfax County forward in energies are suitable Around this time, priced lobbyists descend on many lawmakers as a man of con- terms of renewable energy. EnviroSolutions was ap- Virginia’s state capitol. viction and persistence. But many opposed to the for every site. We proached by a Washington Gas Some tantalize with promises of Those traits often give him the application, including some representative about putting business investment and jobs; oth- credibility other lobbyists lack, members of the South support renewable wind farms on the landfill. ers represent important campaign when his idealistic — and some- County Federation, believe energy, but this “As these conversations were contributors, while some say they times naïve — pleas for social jus- that promises were broken in going on, there was also a can deliver votes from key con- tice collide with more powerful the past. These feelings stem needs to be done in county effort to identify where stituencies. and persuasive agendas. from a previous application there were public-private part- They are often joined by Vienna And like Jefferson Smith — the in which EnviroSolutions was the right way and in nerships available and how resident John Horejsi, 71, who of- character played by Jimmy to build a park on the land- that could positively impact the fers legislators, a simple, singular Stewart in Frank Capra’s timeless fill after it closed in 2019. the right places.” county’s sustainability goals,” opportunity: to do the right thing See Fightingh, Page 18 EnviroSolutions says that Lecos said. The green energy due to liability issues, they — Catherine Ledec, Friends of components include three wind are unable to take ownership Huntley Meadows Park turbines, three acres of solar 41/41/3 of the park. emoh ni detseuqeR panels, geothermal infrastruc- .lairetam “We were required to build ture, and methane conversion. evitisnes-emiT the park. The park authority would own the land, :retsamtsoP and we would not be part of that,” said Conrad noitnettA SOUTH COUNTY FEDERATION members, Mehan, EnviroSolutions’ director of government 284# timreP AV ,airdnaxelA relations. “At the end of the day, had the park au- See Green Energy, Page 19 DIAP egatsoP .S.U DTS TRSRP www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 13-19, 2014 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 13-19, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Mount Vernon Gazette Editor Steven Mauren 703-778-9415 or [email protected] Fairfax County detective, Sex Trafficking in Our Backyard trafficking victim testify at Congressional hearing. By Janelle Germanos The Gazette S ince its creation in October 2013, the human trafficking unit of the Fairfax County Police Department has received over 70 tips and leads about human trafficking in Northern Vir- ginia. “Fifty-two percent of those leads involve juvenile sex trafficking cases,” said Detec- tive William Woolf, lead investigator of the Fairfax County Police Department’s human trafficking unit, at a House Commerce-Jus- P h tice-Science Appropriations subcommittee o t o on Feb. 26. s b In his testimony, Woolf addressed the y A need for stricter penalties on those respon- l e sible for human trafficking and the ways x M Fairfax County is addressing trafficking. c V “We’ve taken on a very victim-centered eig approach. Our number one priority is re- U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) speaks at a forum on human trafficking at h covering these young people from these ter- the McLean Community Center in May. Wolf is chair of the House Com- rible situations. The problem with that is it merce-Justice-Science Appropriations subcommittee, which hosted a is extremely resource intensive,” Woolf said. hearing on human trafficking on Feb. 26. Detective Bill Woolf and Del. Bar- bara Comstock (R-34) speak about THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNIT is human trafficking at the McLean taking a three-pronged approach of educa- worked day and night, leaving Vu respon- raped by her trafficker in front of her home. Community Center in May. Woolf tion and awareness, prevention and inter- sible for her younger siblings but with little “At this point I had finally had enough. testified at a sex trafficking hear- vention to reduce trafficking in Northern supervision. At just 15 years old, I was ready to give up ing on Capitol Hill on Feb. 26. Virginia. “I was free to go on dates with this charm- on life,” Vu said. “This particular crime is something that ing, older boy. I was searching for some- Vu was hospitalized after the rape, and affects all communities. It’s a crime that Since 2011, 42 defendants have been thing in life and he looked like the answer, was soon sent to Northern Virginia based does not discriminate on race, ethnicity, prosecuted for trafficking related crimes in filling my loneliness and my young heart’s Youth For Tomorrow, 3,000 miles from her gender, socioeconomic class-it’s something Northern Virginia, Detective Woolf said, the desire for love and romance. But I soon home. that has the potential of touching each and Underground Gangster Crips case being one learned though that he was a ‘wolf in She is now advocate and advisor to Youth every community and each in every state of the more notable cases. sheep’s clothing,’ who intended on turning for Tomorrow and Shared Hope Interna- here in the United States,” he said. In this case, female adults and juveniles me into a product to be devoured,” she said. tional, also located in Northern Virginia. Woolf said that a nation-wide anti-traf- were being trafficked for more than six For some time, Vu said it seemed her Woolf said that more resident treatment ficking awareness campaign is necessary to years in Northern Virginia by Crips gang dreams had come true. centers are needed across the country, as prevent this crime. Fairfax County recently members. The gang used Facebook and “He said he loved me and wanted to survivors such as Vu have to travel nearly launched the “Just Ask” Prevention Project, local malls, bus stops and metro stations to marry me; he bought nice things for me and 3,000 miles to receive the treatment they which includes a website and is intended recruit young girls. The gang members ad- took me out to clubs and places I could need. to increase awareness of sex trafficking in vertised the girls on the streets, as well as never go to without him,” Vu said. “How- According to Woolf, judges are often go- the area. through Backpage.com. ever, in just a few months he demanded a ing below the federal sentencing guidelines Fairfax County Public Schools recently In 2013, an Atlanta man pleaded guilty return—I was sent to perform in a strip club. in trafficking cases. adopted a sex trafficking awareness curricu- to trafficking underage girls in Virginia and I resisted, but he said he was in a financial “They are oftentimes just imposing the lum, the first of its kind, for students in several other states. According to court jam and he needed my help, and so it be- mandatory minimums as provided by the grades six through twelfth. Woolf said pro- documents, the girls were sold for sex at gan. I began skipping school and dancing statute, when the guidelines suggest much grams like this are needed throughout the several hotels in the Northern Virginia area, in the strip clubs.” higher penalties for this type of criminal United States to prevent trafficking. including Homestead Studio Suites in Ster- Vu was soon forced to begin selling her- conduct,” he said. Sex traffickers also use Facebook and ling, Aloft Hotel in Ashburn, and the Holi- self for sex. Her trafficker threw her out into There is also a need for federal legisla- Twitter to lure victims in, Woolf said. day Inn Express, Washington Dulles the streets on a cold night, telling her she tion addressing the demand side, Woolf U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10), chairman Marriott Suites, and the Hyatt House Ho- could either make money or freeze. said. “There are individuals out there that of the subcommittee, said that internet tel, all located in Herndon. After hours of being in the cold, Vu gave are purchasing sex from our children, and pages such as Backpage.com are used to in. these individuals need to be punished or advertise commercial sex, including in Win- HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR and “In desperation, I finally accepted one and we at least need the tools to be able to ad- chester, Va., which is part of Wolf’s district. advocate Stephanie Vu testified at the hear- climbed into the car. The moment changed dress that as well, particularly when their “How do the people who own ing, providing a glimpse into the life of my life forever. There were three men that actions are affecting interstate commerce,” Backpage.com live with themselves? How someone who has been sold for sex. night; at the end of it I couldn’t stop vomit- Woolf said. The Virginia General Assembly do they honestly live with themselves?” “At the age of 12, I was chosen. I was in- ing,” she said. has addressed legislation dealing with sex Wolf said at the hearing. vited to a party and there I met a hand- Vu continued to be trafficked, and soon trafficking this session, including HB 235, Wolf, who has been working for several some older boy who took a lot of interest in faced depression and took drugs and alco- which has passed both the house and sen- years to combat sex trafficking and raise me. Although flattered, I never thought I hol to deal with the pain. She was arrested ate. The bill, introduced by Delegate Rob awareness of this crime, said that as long would see him again,” Vu said. one night and sent home after being recog- Bell (R-Albemarle), would place convicted as Backpage.com continues to operate, traf- However, she did see him again-nearly nized as a missing child. Although she was sex solicitors on Virginia’s online registry ficking will continue to be an issue. everywhere she went. sent home, she returned to her trafficker. of sex offenders. “I have personally written the Attorney “In my 12-year-old mind, I was convinced After being arrested again and sent to Those looking for more information and General several times over the last two years this was fate and soon began intentionally juvenile detention, Vu’s probation officer prevention tools for sex trafficking can visit urging the department to prosecute meeting him every chance I had,” Vu said. suspected Vu was a victim of trafficking. Justaskva.org. Backpage.com and similar sites,” Wolf said. Vu’s father was deployed, and her mother After returning home, she was brutally www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 13-19, 2014 ❖ 3 OPEN SUNDAY 1–4 OPEN SUNDAY 1–4 Alexandria $1,350,000 Del Ray/Mt. Ida $989,000 Manassas $510,000 4201 Ormond Ave. Stately custom built 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath brick colonial with 3113 Russell Road. Beautifully renovated and expanded home with 4 bedrooms, 10797 Monocacy Way. Beautiful 4 year old brick front 2+ approximately 6,000 sq. ft. of well designed living space. Three finished levels 3 baths and off street parking. Living room with fireplace and dining room that car garage home backing to woods. Open interior with with 3 fireplaces. NEW Gourmet kitchen, NEW Master bath and attached 2-car opens to a Great Room with gourmet kitchen, breakfast room and family room with lower level rec room, guest room with full bath. 4 Bedrooms garage. Expansive fenced yard with manicured lawns, mature landscaping, patio, gas fireplace. Upper level with 4 bedrooms including the Owner’s suite with upper level and 3.5 total baths. Area of many community hot tub and large shed. Blocks to Alexandria Hospital and St. Stephens St. Agnes vaulted ceilings, luxury bath and 2 walk-ins. Main level study and lower level amenities. Only 17 miles to Quantico and 15 miles to Upper School. Christine Garner 703-587-4855 recreation room.Christine Garner 703-587-4855 Potomac Mills.Mary Smith 703-660-6345 Alexandria $437,000 499 Cameron Station Blvd. Gorgeous 2-lvl town house-style condo in lovely Cameron Station provides loads of modern updates. 2 BR/2.5 BA w/bamboo floors, renovated baths, updated kitchen, new Alexandria $3,400 Alexandria $529,000 tile, carpeting & much 1904 Leo Lane. Available April 1st. Beautiful open kitchen/ more! Garage + 6903 Lamp Post Ln. Close To Metro! This 5 BR/3 BA living/dining area. Huge center island bar that opens into the detached home on private drive in Stoneybrooke is the living and dining room. Cozy family room with wood burning assigned parking. definition of perfection! Upgrades galore including fireplace. Ample storage rooms in lower level, large play Shuttle to Metro. hardwood floors, remodeled baths, fresh paint, new carpet room, laundry/mud room with washer dryer. Fully fenced yard Erika Carroll & more. Spectacular kitchen w/premium maple cabinetry, with gated drive, gazebo and shed. granite, SS appliances & ceramic tile. Maren Seubert 703-835-2580 703-568-7376 Erika Carroll 703-568-7376 Old Town Greens Alexandria $560,000 $599,000 1601 B Potomac 6311 Chaucer Lane. Greens Dr. New Listing! Just Listed! This 4-level, One Light to D.C.! OVER 3,400 sq. ft. former 1,700 SQ. FEET. 3 model town house has it Bedrooms, 2.5 full all. Unique features baths, vaulted ceilings, include an elevator, all 3 beautiful wood floors. bedrooms have baths, Many upgrades, huge huge family room with master bath with wet bar, 2 gas fireplaces, Jacuzzi tub. Private sun OPEN SUNDAY 1–4 office/hobby room and deck and patio off of Alexandria $990,000 storage galore. French kitchen, attached and sliding glass doors 8271 Media Street. Must See! Stunning, new construction in garage, swimming pool Sunny View area of Alexandria. 6 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths, 5,200 and lighted tennis open to quiet patio and sq feet of living space. Huge 3rd level bonus room with Media courts. so much more! suite built in. 2 master bdrms; gourmet kitchen, all state-of-the- Gary Chute Nancie Williams art with granite and KitchenAid. Lovely neighborhood. Short distance to Mount Vernon High School and G.W. Pkwy. 703-371-9926 703-608-6959 Leslie Atkinson 703-967-1471 Old Town Old Town $719,900 $1,145,000 917 Lee Street. Welcome 211 South Royal to this fully renovated, 3- Street. Wonderfully level, solidly built, brick preserved circa 1890 home. Rich & warm wood residence in heart of flooring, 2 fireplaces, and sensational eat-in kitchen town. Sensational will delight you. Well high ceilings, designed & implemented, handsome moldings the 2005 renovation & large patio garden OPEN SUNDAY 1-4 includes masterfully crafted offering expansion Alexandria $475,000 built-ins on every level. 2.5 potential. 3 BRs, 2.5 5904 Mount Eagle Dr. Unit 1118. Single-family feel with convenience baths were installed, of condo living. Views of Potomac River, National Harbor fireworks and lighting upgraded & laundry BAs, abounding with the changing of the seasons. 3 BR/2 BA, garage space and 1,695 sq. ft. Amenities include 35+ acres, indoor and outdoor pools, café, shuttle bus, moved upstairs. charm. new Nova Pro-Bounce tennis courts, bowling alley and more. Financially Diann Hicks Diann Hicks stable condo with $4.8M reserves w/$20M investment in infrastructure over the last 8 years. Virtual tour @ 5904mounteagledr1118.com 703-628-2440 703-628-2440 Cindy Baggett & Leslie Rodriguez 703-593-1418 4 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 13-19, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Rex Reiley RE/MAX Allegiance 703-768-7730 [email protected] N Y Alex./Mt. Vernon Terrace P E D A $619,900 O N 5108 Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy U S Stunning 5 BR, 3 BA brick Cape, remodeled from top to bottom on an absolutely spectacular .53 acre lot. Updated kit & baths with beau- tiful family rm addition across the back opening to a beautiful deck. P Refinished hdwd flrs, replacement h windows, fully finished w/o base- o t ment to a huge patio overlooking o expansive fenced back yard. An C amazing setting – 5 minutes to Ft. Belvoir, 20 mins to Old Town & 30 o mins to Ntl Airport – Gorgeous, Gorgeous Home! n tr Alexandria City ib u Cameron Station $712,500 t ed 5242 Tancreti Lane The Mount Vernon Athletic Club recently held a check presentation ceremony with Cameron Station’s finest offering! Inova representatives. The annual Swing for Pink event at MTVAC earned more than Beautiful 4 level brick townhome, end unit, with 2 car garage. Gorgeous $13,000. From left are Aaron Volbrecht, general manager of Mount Vernon Athletic upgrades throughout and meticulously Club; Mary M. Myers, executive director, Inova Alexandria and Mt. Vernon Founda- maintained. Spacious, open floor-plan, tions; Ellen McMichael, 2013 Swing for Pink co-chair; Lori Powell, regional manager gourmet kitchen with granite and SS, Inova Mt. Vernon Foundation; Sharon Timmons, member of Mount Vernon Athletic high ceilings, hardwood floors, beautiful bathrooms, Trex decking, dual zone Club, and Maggie Britvec, Mount Vernon Athletic Club outreach director and 2013 HVAC, etc. It’s a 10! Fabulous location inside the Beltway, close to Old Town, Swing for Pink co-chair. Pentagon, National Airport, and D.C. Community shuttle to nearby Metro. Health Club Raises $13,000 for Reseach N Y Alex./Mt. Zephyr $499,900 M P E D A 8529 Richmond Ave O N Large beautifully updated 4BR, 2.5 ount Vernon Athletic Club hosted its 8th More than 125 local tennis players raised their U S BA Split w/large spacious 2 car Annual Swing for Pink Charity fundraiser racquets for the cause. The evening consisted of garage. Updated kit w/cherry cabi- and raised $13,774 for breast cancer re- round robin tennis, a silent auction, dinner and a nets & Corian counters. 2.5 search, education, screening, and treatment at the Pro exhibition. The annual Swing for Pink event was updated baths w/12” ceramic tile floors & newer vanities & mirrors. Breast Cancer Care Institute at Inova Mount Vernon founded by owner Joan Van Metre, and has raised Replacement double pane windows and Alexandria Cancer Center. over $98,000 since 2006. throughout plus lovely screened porch overlooking large landscaped backyard with beautiful privacy fence. 5 minutes to Ft. Belvoir, 15 to Old Town, 25 mins to Ntl Airport – Short Sale – In great condition, Super Buy. N Y Alex./Riverwood $744,900 P E D A 3713 Riverwood Road O N U Fabulous 5 BR, 3.5 BA Colonial in S prestigious river front community of Riverwood. 3 finished levels, updated & expanded kitchen w/plenty of storage – large sun room addition with wrap-around deck overlooking a beautiful, fenced bkyd. 425 SF of storage below sun room – remodeled baths – finished walk-out lower level w/2 BRs, rec room, den and full bath. 5 minutes to Ft. Belvoir, 15 mins to Old Town, Alex, 25/30 mins to Pentagon/D.C. R T Alex./Riverside Estates $609,900 E C D A 8310 Cherry Valley Lane N R U N T Large spectacular 4BR/3BA O Split w/2 car garage and C 3100 sq ft. with a 640 sq ft addition adds an expanded MBR/MBA suite. Beautifully updated kitchen & baths. Updated HVAC system, hot water heater and replace- ment windows. Professional office below the expanded MBR. This house will cater to your every need. R T Alex./HollinHall Village E C D A $419,900 U N N T R 1704 Jamestown Road O Beautiful home, loaded w/charm, on C a quiet cul-de-sac. Hdwd floors, new furnace and newer windows. Side addition adds separate Din Rm or office. Adorable kitchen w/granite & new appliances. Sun Rm/Fam Rm in back w/vaulted ceiling, skylights & cozy breakfast nook. Lovely fenced bkyd w/brick patio & shed. Local shops and restaurants. Walk to pool. WAYNEWOOD ELEM! 8 mins to Old Town, 12 mins to Ntl Airport (N), or Ft. Belvoir (S)- 20 mins to Pentagon/D.C. For more information: www.RexReiley.com Each Office Independently Owned and Operated www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 13-19, 2014 ❖ 5 6 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 13-19, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 13-19, 2014 ❖ 7 News P h o t o s b y L o u is e K r a f f t / T h e G a z e t t e Mary Ellis Fannon, Dave Hawkins, Donnan Wintermute, Ellis Duncan and Daniel Fannon gather at the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra gala on Saturday, March 8, at The Westin. Katherine Molnar with Jennifer, Fran and Keith Vaughan. Gala master of ceremonies Gant 27th annual symphony ball honor- Maestro Kim Allen Kluge joins ASO U.S. Rep. Jim Moran and Don Beyer Redmon and auctioneer Shawn ary chairs Marcia and David Speck board of trustees president Ronal talk before dinner at the gala on McLaughlin discuss details of the pose for a photo with Megan Butler and his wife Martha Lloyd. Saturday evening. live auction items. Beyer. Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 70 Years Themes: Community, accessibility and connection. By Veronica Bruno The Gazette T he Alexandria Symphony Or- Jane Ring is congratulated by chestra is celebrating its 70th Cassie McLaughlin after her hus- anniversary this year by ex- band Connie wins the bidding on panding its outreach efforts. item #4 in the live auction. Begun as an amateur orchestra, the ASO has become one of the premiere arts orga- nizations in the area. Under the baton of Maestro Kim Allen Kluge for 26 years, the organization has Auctioneer Shawn McLaughlin encourages Connie Ring to up his bid for become greatly community-focused. The item #4, a catered dinner by Beth Hamed of “Thyme and Place” in the ASO will be performing a series of educa- home of Ted and Claire Schwab featuring a performance by Kim Allen tional concerts throughout the season. They Kluge. With Ring are Lee and Ted Ellett. have several educational partnerships with schools and more mentoring programs are in the works. There are also efforts to expand the school in the season will take place on March 29 Margaret Gullen with Joan and “I consider myself a mentor first, then a and mentorship outreach programs. “The at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Hall, March John Renner. musician,” said Kluge. There are three school programs next season are a vision 30 at Vienna Presbyterian Church, and a themes that will usher in a new era: Com- affordable student pricing they offer for for the future,” said Kluge. “They are a way season finale concert on May 17 at the munity, accessibility and connection. “I have their concerts, Kluge has announced that of giving back to the community.” Schlesinger venue in partnership with the a deep-seeded need to connect with their season will also include a new Family The ASO will hold an El Sistema work- National Gallery of Art. There’s also a people,” he added. Concert Series at the George Washington shop with the John Adams Elementary chance to see them in the annual Alexan- The ASO has several partnership initia- Masonic National Memorial; the concerts School beginning March 24, a program de- dria City Birthday Celebration, at Oronoco tives throughout the metropolitan area, in- will be in a location that is metro- and signed to enrich the lives of disadvantaged Bay Park, a free community event. cluding a mentorship program through shuttle-accessible as well as within walk- children through systemic instruction. The For more information on the Alexandria Alexandria’s public schools and a hands-on ing distance to Old Town Alexandria and workshop will culminate in a student con- Symphony Orchestra, call 703-548-0885 or Children’s Art Festival. In addition to the the neighborhood of Delray. cert on March 28. Other upcoming concerts visit www.Alexsym.org. 8 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 13-19, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com People P h o t o C o n t r ib u t e d Award Winners Cub Scout winners of the Pinewood Derby include, from left, Ty Veatch, Grant Seiffert, Joshua Sentner and Jeb Veatch. Mark Sentner is the leader. Fine Feathered Friend Is Guest of Honor S kittles, the candy-colored Conure in residence at Spring Hills Mount Vernon Assisted Living and Memory Care, was the guest of honor last month, as the senior community celebrated the first C o birthday of its in-house “bird therapist” in u r festive fashion, with cake, balloons and lots te s of photos. Their fine feathered friend, which y o loves to be handled by strangers, kissed on f S its downy tummy and is great at playing pr ball, lives among the residents full time. ing “Skittles is a Pineapple-Green-Cheeked H il Conure, and I selected that breed because l s it’s small and isn’t very loud,” said Carolyn M o Ko, director of Resident Care at Spring Hills u n and the key supervisor of Skittles’ care. Ko, t V who is the personal “parent” of five tropi- er n cal birds in her home, knew this breed of o n bird could be successfully trained to have a Spring Hills Mount Vernon resident therapeutic role with seniors. Lucy Reed greets the guest of Skittles spends most of her waking time honor at the first birthday of outside the cage and greets everyone from Skittles, the candy-colored Conure a playground in the hallway. Skittles also who serves as the resident “bird loves to travel on the shoulders of staff therapist” at her community. members as they make their rounds. Spring Hills Mount Vernon Assisted Liv- Green Way. For more information, visit ing Community provides assisted living and www.springhillsmountvernon.com or call memory care. It is located at 3709 Shannons 703-650-0779. Military Notes Email military achievemnt announcements to dria. He is a 2008 graduate of Mount Vernon High [email protected]. Photos are School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 2012 from welcome. Chowan University, Murfreesboro, N.C. SN Christopher Graves, 23, of Alexandria, is Air Force Airman Nathaniel T. Runyon an ice rescue expert assigned to Coast Guard Sta- graduated from basic military training at Joint Base tion Burlington, Vt. He has been stationed there the San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. two-and-three-quarters years he has been in the Runyon is the son of Shelly and Daniel Runyon. He Coast Guard. His best Coast Guard experience, he is a 2011 graduate of Lansing High School, Lan- says: “Dewatering a boat moments before it would sing, Kansas. have down-flooded and sank with a family of six on board.” Air Force Airman Brandon A. Daniel gradu- ated from basic military training at Joint Base San Army Spec. Raimond Kwarteng has gradu- Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. Daniel is ated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard the son of Emmeth and Barbara Daniel of Alexan- Wood, Waynesville, Mo. Kwarteng is the son of dria. He is a 2008 graduate of Mount Vernon High Sam Kwarteng and Felicia Owusu, both of Alexan- School. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 13-19, 2014 ❖ 9 Opinion Voting Against Virginia? www.MountVernonGazette.com @MtVernonGazette An independent, locally owned weekly Local proponents of expanding health coverage for poor people newspaper delivered to homes and businesses. Published by have a point about those in the General Assembly voting against it. Local Media Connection LLC W 1606 King Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 hen Delegates Scott Surovell, ians who didn’t vote for Gov. Terry McAuliffe. said Ebbin. “Real people would be helped.” Charniele Herring and Rob Expanding health care for poor individuals That includes working families and more than Free digital edition delivered to Krupicka, along with Sen. and families who so far have been cut out of 12,000 veterans. Ebbin related the story of a your email box. Go to connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe Adam Ebbin got together to health care reform by the General Assembly’s taxi driver from his district who had a stroke make the case for expanding Medicaid in refusal would create more than in his 40s. With no insurance, Mount Vernon NEWS DEPARTMENT: Virginia, they brought slide presentations, Editorial 30,000 new jobs, hundreds of jobs in Inova Hospital covered his acute treatment and To discuss ideas and concerns, charts, spreadsheets, poll results and every district in the state. It would recovery. But without insurance, his access to Call: 703-778-9410 e-mail: more. bring in $5 million in Federal dollars rehabilitation was limited and as a result, his [email protected] It is a compelling argument that expanding every day, $1.8 billion a year. It would save lifetime expectations are likely limited. Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act is not the General Fund $285 million over the bian- Saying no to $5 million a day is, in fact, vot- Steven Mauren Editor, 703-778-9415 only good for the health of working poor Vir- nual budget, money that could be spent on edu- ing against Virginia. [email protected] ginians, it’s good for the health of Virginia’s cation, mental health and other critical priori- economy. What’s more, polls show that Virgin- ties. — Mary Kimm, Michael Lee Pope Reporter, 703-615-0960 ians support expanding Medicaid, even Virgin- “Real people are suffering because of this,” [email protected] [email protected] @MichaelLeePope State Budget Still Unfinished Jeanne Theismann 703-778-9436 [email protected] @TheismannMedia By Adam Ebbin vide care for up to 400,000 Senate Democrats are not alone — the Gov- Jon Roetman State Senator (D-30) low-income Virginians. Re- ernor, House Democrats (and at least one Sports Editor, 703-224-3015 T publicans in the House of House Republican), the state Chamber of Com- [email protected] he General Assembly’s 60-day legisla- Delegates will not budge, merce, hospitals, and clinics have all signaled @jonroetman tive session adjourned on Saturday despite the Senate’s re- their strong support to provide health cover- without a completed budget for the peated efforts to compro- age to these hardworking Virginians. The ADVERTISING: new fiscal year starting July 1. The Governor mise. Democrats strongly House of Delegates has provided no alterna- For advertising information e-mail: is expected to call for a special session begin- preferred traditional Med- tive plan. [email protected] ning March 24 to work towards a new two- icaid expansion but com- Expansion will create an estimated 30,000 year budget. It is not unusual for a special ses- promised with Senate Re- healthcare jobs for the state, averaging 389 Julie Ferrill Display Advertising, 703-778-9446 sion to be called to complete publicans to support Marketplace Virginia, new jobs and $23.6 million in new Medicaid [email protected] work on the state’s budget; which will cover the same population as tradi- spending in each of the top 20 House Republi- Richmond there have been five instances tional expansion but through private health in- can districts. Helen Walutes Display Advertising, 703-224-3028 Report since 1998 where the General surance plans. We have made changes to ad- If we don’t pass Marketplace Virginia, those [email protected] Assembly was at least a month dress opponents’ concerns, including cost shar- jobs will not be created and that money will late in finalizing a budget. ing, work search and audit requirements. We be sent to other states. From both a moral and Andrea Smith Classified Advertising, 703-778-9411 That being said, we want to complete this work have even included a provision to automati- fiscal perspective, this is too important an op- [email protected] as soon as possible. cally terminate Marketplace Virginia if the fed- portunity for us to pass up. The ongoing dispute centers around Market- eral government pays anything less than what Republican Sen. Dick Black of Loudoun went Debbie Funk National Sales place Virginia, the Senate’s bipartisan plan to it has promised, which is 100 percent for the so far as to claim the 400,000 Virginians eli- 703-778-9444 accept federal health expansion funds to pro- first three years and 90 percent thereafter. gible for coverage would be “added to the [email protected] welfare rolls” and suggested that the uninsured could simply visit emergency rooms for care. Publisher Jerry Vernon To dismiss Marketplace Virginia as welfare is [email protected] not only untrue but does a great disservice to the hardworking Virginians who finally find Editor & Publisher Mary Kimm themselves on the cusp of being eligible for 703-778-9433 health insurance coverage. [email protected] These uninsured individuals are not just an @MaryKimm abstract number — these are real people, a Editor in Chief majority of them living in working families, and Steven Mauren they include more than 25,000 veterans and Photography: Deb Cobb, Craig Sterbutzel their spouses. Art/Design: Ph Marketplace Virginia, using the private Laurence Foong, John Heinly ot healthcare system, would primarily benefit the Production Manager: o Geovani Flores b working poor. A family of four with a total in- y R come up to $32,913 would qualify. e CIRCULATION: 703-778-9426 n The regular session may have adjourned but Circulation Manager: é e R our work is not done until we have a budget Ann Oliver u that accepts federal funding to help our fellow [email protected] g g les See In Richmond, Page 30 A Connection Newspaper / T h e G Correction a z e tt In last week’s Gazette, the letter “Divided e Snapshot MVCCA,” contained a typographical error. Spe- cial Exemption Amendment should have read Canada goose looks for food along George Washington Memorial Parkway. Special Exception Amendment. 10 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 13-19, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com