By Joe Demshar, Alexandria (File photo)

To the editor:
There have been numerous comments in recent weeks regarding Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg’s experience. In my opinion, she possesses the experience, wisdom, humility and compassion to be a wonderful mayor and lead us into a new era. Silberberg’s ability to listen with an open mind, as opposed to coming to the table with preconceived ideas, is refreshing and needed.

It takes wisdom and experience to realize that listening to your constituents is a better long term leadership strategy than believing your intelligence and ideas are superior to those of your constituents.

At a recent city council debate, a couple of comments solidified what I believe is the problem with the current administration with the exception of the vice mayor. One city councilor made a comment that I’ll paraphrase as: “We know things that you don’t,” directed to a fairly well educated audience including several PhDs, a Harvard MBA and an astrophysicist, as well as numerous engineers, lawyers and successful business people.

Another councilor on several occasions spoke loudly that the challengers were wrong, misinformed and just didn’t understand. Maybe he was right factually, but his approach was arrogant, and — regardless of the facts — he failed to see the truth in the issues being raised. Budgets, regardless of capital or operations, need to be funded by revenue. Interest on capital expenses erode what revenue is available for required services, so no matter how accurately you can describe it, the concept remains that we have a problem. In regard to housing affordability, those who raise the issue are more correct that those who place their heads in the sand of facts.

Silberberg truly cares about this city and can set an agenda of caring, thoughtfulness and listening that I believe is sorely needed. That level of maturity and wisdom is why I am supporting Allison Silberberg on November 3.