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May 18, 2007   Dear Friend and Neighbor:   The sudden resignation of Vice Mayor Andrew MacDonald has thrust the City into an accelerated Special Election. After numerous conversations with friends, neighbors, local business owners and people throughout the community who share my concern about the issues our city and its residents will be facing over the next fifteen or twenty years, I have decided to seek the Democratic nomination as a candidate for the Alexandria City Council in the July, 2007 election. This has not been an easy decision and I do not underestimate the dedication, effort and personal sacrifice that lie ahead. I am, along with my family, prepared for the challenge and with your help I know that I can make a difference.   From the time I moved to Alexandria over 20 years ago, I have been active in government and civic affairs. I have served the City as a member of a number of important committees including the City’s Budget Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee (BFAAC), Chair of the Information Technology Commission, member of the Council of Governments (COG) Aviation Policy Committee and other citizen work groups. I love this city and I have the desire, discipline and dedication to serve it as a member of the City Council. As in the past, the important issues that continue to face us include the maintenance of a sound fiscal policy, improvements in education, affordable housing, traffic congestion, preservation of open space, and the challenges of balancing growth, economic development and the impact upon the taxpayer. Additionally, we must address the needs of our senior population and families of diverse nationalities and ethnic backgrounds.   My professional experience and community involvement uniquely qualify me to help address these needs. Many of you may recall that I initially sought the Democratic nomination in the 2003 City Council Election. As much as I thought I knew at that time about our City’s operation, needs, wants and desires, I have learned much more in the interim; and thanks to my participation in the Leadership Alexandria program, I have learned more about the City and more about myself.   The issues that face us are complex and may not be resolved easily or quickly. It is time to ask the right questions, seek truthful answers, and take the necessary actions to preserve and improve the “quality of life” that we seek to maintain. A balanced and reasoned approach is the course that we must set for ourselves. “Moving Alexandria Forward” is my goal and the theme of my campaign and with your support we can help shape our city’s future.   If you share my concerns and my vision I will need your help. The first hurdle is to ensure that I receive the Democratic nomination to be the Party’s candidate that will result from the Alexandria Democratic Party Caucus that will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at Minnie Howard School from noon to 10:00 P.M. If you are a registered Alexandria voter, I need your vote. Better yet, bring ten friends who share our vision and ask them to support me with their vote as well!   Secondly, a successful campaign costs money and it costs more with every election. A measure of the kind of Council member I will be is how I manage my campaign, and I intend to run a very cost effective one. I hope that my vision of Alexandria, my experience in preparing for this effort, and my lifelong commitment to public service will earn your support. Whether you are a registered voter or just a concerned citizen, if you share my concerns and my vision for Alexandria, and if we are to succeed, I need your help.   I also need your help in spreading the word of my candidacy. Let your friends and neighbors know that I have a vision, that I am concerned about Alexandria’s future, that I have the discipline to do the job and I will run a campaign that will be successful. If you can host a coffee, reception, discussion group or other event I would welcome your support. Similarly, if you want to participate as part of our team we can use your help in fundraising, volunteer coordination, mailings, literature handouts and getting people to the June 9, 2007 Caucus and the July 17, 2007 election. Please do not hesitate to forward this e-mail to your friends and neighbors. I have also enclosed some information about my qualifications and campaign opportunities for volunteers. Together we can work towards “Moving Alexandria Forward” into the future.   I thank you for your support and I look forward to an energized and positive campaign!   Sincerely,   Mark S. Feldheim