By Glenn Klaus, Alexandria (File photo)

To the editor:
I have been proud of the leadership by the City of Alexandria on environmental issues. Since the adoption of the Eco-City charter in 2008, city council has made great progress in making Alexandria a more sustainable community and reducing our environmental impact.

Since the adoption of the city’s open space plan in 2003, the city has preserved well over 100 acres of open space in every corner of Alexandria. That is precisely why Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg’s record on issues of environmental protection and stewardship is so concerning.

In 2013, Silberberg was the only member of council to reject a developer contribution of over 44 acres of new open space by opposing the Beauregard small area plan.

During the 2013 budget process, Silberberg was the only city councilor to propose defunding Capital Bikeshare, a wildly successful public private partnership that helps bridge the gap for residents who rely on transit to get around our community.

During the 2014 budget process, she was the only city councilor to propose defunding the city’s successful food waste composting program. The program, which is now two years old, has diverted thousands of tons of food waste and turned it into mulch. She even stood in the way of an expansion of the blue public space recycling bins around the city.

I expect a mayor to lead Alexandria to the forefront on environmental issues; not one that stands in the way. That’s why I am writing in Mayor Bill Euille.