For Immediate ReleaseFor More Information, Contact
March 8, 2007
PIO#
Steve Mason, Director of Communications, at 703.838.4300
Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300


Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille Appoints Committee
To Review City’s Election Process

Mayor William D. Euille has appointed seven City residents to a committee to review the election process for Mayor, City Council and the School Board. 

The Alexandria Election Process Review Committee will examine and make recommendations on possible options to:

  • move City elections from May to November; 
  • create staggered terms for Council and the School Board; and  
  • revise Council and School Board compensation, based upon comparability with other jurisdictions in the region. 

“Several members of the City Council and other citizens have suggested the City should look at the possibility of restructuring City elections to promote greater interest and involvement,” said Mayor Euille.  “A distinguished group of community leaders has agreed to serve on this committee.  I know they will consider the options thoroughly and provide substantive recommendations that will guide further discussions on the subject.” 

Since 1973, the Alexandria City Charter has provided for Mayoral and City Council elections to be held every three years on the second Tuesday in May.  School Board elections have been held on the same schedule since 1994.  The Constitution and Code of Virginia allow cities such as Alexandria to hold elections for Mayor, City Council and the School Board in May or November.  Terms of office can run up to four years in length.  The Code specifies that elections and terms for School Board members must be the same as those for City Council. 

The appointed members of the Election Process Review Committee are: 

Robert L. Calhoun, Attorney of Counsel with Redmon, Peyton & Braswell, L.L.P, is a former Member of the Senate of Virginia and former Vice Mayor and Member of the Alexandria City Council.  He is currently a member of the Virginia State Senate Ethics Advisory Committee and the Virginia Code Commission and serves on the boards of the Northern Virginia Community College Foundation, Alexandria Community Trust and Scholarship Fund of Alexandria. 

Christopher M. Campagna, Partner and Co-Founder of Tartan Properties, a commercial real estate firm, is a member of the Historic Alexandria Foundation Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Business Leadership Council of the Campagna Center and is Chairman of the Alexandria Third Century Corporation and St. Anthony’s Scholarship Foundation. 

Lynwood Campbell, a certified public accountant, served as Finance Officer for the Military District of Washington and also worked for Price Waterhouse and the Office of Thrift Supervision.  Mr. Campbell, a leader in Alexandria’s African-American community, also served three terms on the Alexandria School Board and two terms on the City’s Human Rights Commission. 

William C. “Bill” Cleveland, a former Vice Mayor and Member of the Alexandria City Council, is a retired U.S. Capitol Police Officer and serves on the boards of the Northern Virginia Community College Educational Foundation, Offender Aid and Restoration, Northern Virginia Health Foundation, Community Lodgings, Inc. and The Untouchables, Inc. 

Iris Henley, President of Henley Associates, a business consulting firm, is a member of the Alexandria Commission on Employment and serves on the board of the nonprofit Automobile Training Institute of Alexandria. 

Anna Leider, President of Octameron Associates, an Alexandria college planning firm, is Vice Chair of the Alexandria Electoral Board and Treasurer of Alexandria Community Rowing. 

Becky Davies, a former aide to former Virginia State Senator Robert L. Calhoun, is a board member of the League of Women Voters and Agenda: Alexandria. 

The Election Process Review Committee will report its recommendations to the Mayor and Council no later than June 30, 2007. 


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