To the editor:

There are three candidates in the Democratic mayoral primary, but the real choice is to pick among two.

1. You are happy with Alexandria’s current governance, whereby City Council and the mayor “know” what’s best for residents, and are often dismissive of their voiced concerns. In which case, you can continue business as usual with either incumbent Vice Mayor Amy Jackson or incumbent Councilor Alyia Gaskins.

2. You would like a change, preferring the city’s governance to be more responsive and transparent to constituents. In which case, political newcomer Steven Peterson offers a refreshing alternative.

During the fracas over the proposed Monumental Sports & Entertainment arena at Potomac Yard, the name of the late Democratic Mayor Patsy Ticer was often invoked by arena opponents in a tone of nostalgic reverence. I see in Steven Peterson a possible reincarnation of Patsy Ticer, who with her husband, Jack, had deep roots in Alexandria and understood what made the city special.

-Walter Nicklin,

Alexandria