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Photo by James Cullum
Alexandria Mayor Debate
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NBC-4's Julie Carey moderated the debate.
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Justin Wilson
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Mayor Allison Silberberg
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Eileen Cassidy Rivera
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Timekeepers kept the debate on track.
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Former Mayor Bill Euille
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Del. Mark Levine at Alexandria mayoral debate
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Councilman Paul Smedberg at Wednesday night's mayoral debate
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Audience at mayoral debate
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Audience at Alexandria mayoral debate
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Audience members at mayoral debate.
ALL PHOTOS BY JAMES CULLUM
Affordable housing, a proposed hike in the meals tax, pedestrian safety, parking, transportation, police officer pay, sewer fees, education and more issues were front and center Wednesday night during the first debate between incumbent Mayor Allison Silberberg and challenger Vice Mayor Justin Wilson.
The candidates met for their first debate before a packed auditorium Wednesday, May 2 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Community School, 2601 Commonwealth Ave. in Del Ray. The debate, sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association, was moderated by Julie Carey, Virginia Bureau chief for NBC-TV, Channel 4.
The two Democrats will face each other on the ballot on June 12 in the Democratic Party Primary.
Wilson characterized the race as being "two very different visions for our future" and said if elected he intends to "not just talk about our progressive ideals" but invest in education and infrastructure.
Silberberg said the City is "certainly at a crossroads" and that she is fighting for a "livable Alexandria for all of us. I've been moving our City forward while preserving and protecting the City that we love," she said. Silberberg noted that she is most proud, during her tenure, of moving on the plan to update the City's sewers, adding schools renovating libraries, repaving 130 miles of roads and increasing the City's tree canopy.
Wilson said he is most proud of infrastructure improvements that have been made under his leadership, a style he described as building coalitions to move good policy forward. He also said early childhood is a top priority.
Here's a look at some of the hot topics debated:
Pedestrian lighting for Mount Vernon Avenue: Both candidates agreed that more lighting is needed for safety reasons but need to identify how to fund it. Silberberg also advocated for four-way stop signs. Carey mentioned the death in 2016 of Rose Cruz, who was struck by a car while crossing the street at Mount Vernon Avenue and W. Glebe Road.
Alexandria Fire Department: Should the department have moved the EMS ambulance/medic unit from Del Ray's Firehouse 202 on E. Windsor Avenue to Potomac Yard? Both candidates said there should have been more communication with the public about the move ahead of time but also deferred to Fire Chief Robert Dube's decision to improve response times. Silberberg noted though that promises were made to keep the ambulance at the Del Ray station. "It takes time to get across Jeff Davis Highway," she said. Ultimately, she noted, she would like to see the ambulance back in Del Ray.
Parking: Silberberg said she voted to keep parking requirements "as is" for commercial and residential developments. Wilson noted Silberberg was the sole vote against shared parking. The Mayor noted that shared parking was something that could be done without a vote on it.
Helping small businesses: Silberberg said the City needs to continue to look at the permitting process and make sure it's as streamlined as possible. She said she was surprised to hear that the top issue was parking for restaurant owners. She said she was thrilled to hear the Old Town Boutique District to launch a new marketing effort featuring window decals that read "Invest In Your Community."
Wilson said the success of small businesses is the "lifeblood" of Alexandria's neighborhoods. He said while he shepherded zoning reforms to streamline the business permitting process in Alexandria, Silberberg voted against the measure. She said the reforms would have reduced public input. Wilson said that protections were built in to address that. Wilson noted that zoning codes still need to be modernized so local businesses can compete against online competition. Wilson also noted that the City needs to expand regional marketing of the City, especially through Visit Alexandria.
Affordable rental housing: A 1 percent increase in meals tax on the table from 4 percent to 5 percent: "I disagree that this is the appropriate mechanism for affordable housing," Wilson said. He noted that the Mayor voted against several affordable housing projects. Silberberg said if there isn't dedicated funding for affordable housing "it won't make it." An alternative plan she came up with wasn't supported, she said. Zoning authority is the most effective tool in helping create affordable housing, Wilson said.
Education: Carey mentioned Alexandria's many accolades but it's continued challenges with education. Wilson said he proposes to expand early childhood education and addressing the City's "substandard" school facilities. Silberberg said some of the concerns about school infrastructure is being addressed this year.
Metal detectors in schools: Both candidates said they are against adding metal detectors in Alexandria's schools.
Salaries: Starting pay for police officers in Alexandria is about $48,000 per year while Arlington County is at about $53,000: "We need to see this through and make it right," Silberberg said. Wilson said Alexandria is competing with surrounding jurisdictions and a plan he put together will begin to address the issue.
Lights at T.C. Williams High School football field: Wilson is for adding lights; Silberberg is against it.
"We've learned a lot about the history of the school and the land and the neighborhood in recent years," Silberberg said. "It does bear remembering how we got to this point." Wilson said "as we move into 2018 and work to fully leverage our infrastructure I think we need to use it. We can erect lighting that doesn't impact quality of life; I'm willing to compromise and work with the neighbors." Silberberg noted that congestion and traffic would also come with the lights.
Second debate set for May 14
A second debate between the candidates is set for Monday, May 14 from 6-7 p.m. at TC Williams High School Auditorium at 3330 King St. This event is free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. The debate is sponsored by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and will be moderated by Dave Millard, chair of the Chamber Government Relations Committee Millard.
Absentee voting has begun in Alexandria. You can vote in person at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 132 N. Royal Street from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. In addition, this office will be open on Saturday, June 2, and Saturday, June 9 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. for in-person absentee voting. You may also request a ballot by mail. June 5 is the deadline to submit an application to have an absentee ballot mailed to you. Find out more information about absentee voting at: www.alexandriava.gov/elections.
A Blue Virginia poll late last month showed Wilson ahead with 53.72 percent of the vote to Silberberg's 46.28 percent.
