City Council Incumbents Challenged

5 Republicans Seek To Oust Democrats

Alexandria voters will choose among five incumbents and six challengers vying for seats on the six-member City Council in municipal elections May 2.

Five members of the all-Democrat council are seeking reelection: Vice Mayor Redella S. "Del" Pepper and Ludwig P. Gaines, Rob Krupicka, Andrew H. Macdonald and Paul Smedberg.

Mayor William D. Euille (D) is unopposed for his second term.

In dozens of meet-and-greets and neighborhood forums over the past several weeks, the challengers have said the rise in real estate taxes is the biggest concern among city residents. As home values in the city have soared in recent years, the average residential tax bill has more than doubled, from about $2,000 in 2000 to $4,462 this year, according to city records.

"The defining issue in this race is property taxes. We've been hearing about it from everyone -- from fixed income to the middle class," said Townsend A. Van Fleet, a lobbyist and one of five Republicans in the race. He is joined by School Board member Kenneth L. Foran, restaurateur Pat Troy, mortgage broker Craig S. Miller and Bernard D. Schulz, an administrator at American University.

The Democratic newcomer to the race -- transportation lobbyist Timothy B. Lovain -- has also emphasized his commitment to fiscal responsibility. He cited his experience as chairman of the city's citizen budget advisory committee as one reason voters should elect him.

He advocated holding the line on spending by containing health-care costs and reducing administrative positions in the school system.

Political insiders are watching the race to see whether residents' gripes about rising property taxes will translate into votes for Republicans in a city that has long been a Democratic stronghold. Alexandrians voted 71 percent to elect Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) last year.

Some Republicans have tried to capitalize on voter discontent by backing a proposal by a vocal citizens group that advocates holding city spending growth to 3 percent.

Van Fleet advocates a system-wide performance review for the city and cuts in the school system's budget that might be needed after completion of a governor's performance review.

Foran has portrayed himself as the only proven Republican in the race, the "balanced, reasoned alternative" to the Democratic council. He has endeavored to distance himself from School Superintendent Rebecca L. Perry, whose drunken-driving arrest divided residents and board members. Foran said he was opposed to giving Perry a pay raise and criticized her administration as being top-heavy.

Troy, who owns a restaurant-pub in Old Town, has been one of the most entertaining fixtures on the campaign trail, resolutely speaking his mind about city spending and other matters. "This is a disaster!" Troy is fond of saying.