Thoughts, Issues, Ideas and Activities

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INCLUDE "SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL" IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

School is back in session, and if you are a parent like me, you greeted it with mixed emotions-welcoming the return to a "predictable" schedule but lamenting the end of the extra, carefree time with your children. We greet this new school year with optimism, and this fall, we can be particularly optimistic about an opportunity to plan for an initiative that has the possibility to improve the health of your children, your community, and the environment-Safe Routes to School. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national initiative intended to enable and encourage children to walk or bicycle to school. Bringing walking and biking to school back into the mainstream can have a huge impact on fuel costs and the health of our children...

Accountability

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

If the poor communication and oversight of the ethanol facility opening teaches us anything, it’s that accountability and openness must be higher priorities for the City Council. We can’t ask city staff for greater openness and accountability if we don’t ask it of ourselves. While we have a lot to be proud of in Alexandria, the Council can do more to ensure we have an open and accountable government that works closely with its citizens.

Green Steps Forward

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Alexandria expanded its use of clean energy and its recycling services over the summer. Both were projects pushed by Rob in the last city budget.

Stuck in traffic

Sunday, September 7, 2008

As did many Virginians, my frustration with traffic hit a high point early this summer when our General Assembly failed, once again, to address our State’s lack of support for either existing or needed transportation infrastructure. And with our growing budget shortfalls, traffic is going to get much worse as projects get canceled due to a lack of funding. There were efforts to pay for transportation by taking funding from schools, public safety and health. Those, thankfully, were stopped. And there were signs of real leadership from some in the State Senate and the House of Delegates who tried to develop new funding sources, but, alas, no progress.

Back to School

Sunday, September 7, 2008

In Alexandria, hundreds of new students have entered kindergarten. They, and their parents, are tense with excitement for what lies ahead. But some children will be ready to take full advantage of what their schools have to offer, and others will not. Through no fault of their own, some will be much better prepared for school than others.

June Krupicka Council News

Friday, June 13, 2008

Rob's June Council Newsletter. In this issue: Enhancing Pre-K in Alexandria, Safe Routes to School, Working Towards Metro at Potomac Yard, Alexandria's Face Book Page, Community Health Assessment, The Re-Birth of a Book Store, Election Reform Debate, A Successful Soccer Team

May 2008 Krupicka Council News

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

My May 2008 Council Newsletter is complete. In it, I review the recently completed budget, a number of education and environmental initiatives as well as other Alexandria events. -- Rob

Krupicka Council News

Friday, March 21, 2008

The budget came out last month. High inflation and a slow down in the economy means that we have a number of issues to review. I will write more about this below; we are looking at a number of significant service cuts and other challenges. Fortunately, we started streamlining and belt-tightening a few years ago. We have audited a number of city departments to find savings and to make sure programs are being run efficiently. We also have new budget procedures that give the community greater insight into our spending. In this issue: 1) A Top 50 Green City And Eco-City Update 2) Budget 3) Credit Cards and Online Enrollment Begins 4) Arlandria Neighborhood Health Services Celebrates 10 Years 5) Freedman's Cemetery Design Competition is Open 6) Jackson 20: Great New Restaurant And read on to learn how Rob met his wife Lisa...

Pedestrian Safety Bill Moving...but not there yet

Monday, February 18, 2008

Two years ago we won on in the State Senate and failed by a small number of votes in the House of Delegates to update VA's pedestrian laws so cars had to stop for pedestrians in cross-walks. This year we are even closer, but are not there yet.

Draft City Budget Released

Monday, February 18, 2008

The City Budget is out. Revenues are slower than predicted and there are millions of cuts for the Council to review.