We want to keep Alexandria moving forward. By keeping the average residential tax bill flat for the last three years and carefully trimming the city government, the City Council has made large strides in improving the city budget. Given the dramatic rise in human needs in Alexandria, staff reductions in the city government and schools, rising foreclosures, an increase in empty storefronts as well as a large backlog of critical community infrastructure projects, we, the undersigned, believe it is time for smart investments in our community. We support raising the average residential tax bill by three dollars a week (the price of a nice coffee) in order to 1) invest in those most at risk, 2) help the city buy or prevent foreclosures on properties or evictions from homes, 3) help support critical community nonprofit work, 4) make some investments in our aging infrastructure (parks, recreation, schools and transportation) and 5) help work with property owners and businesses to keep storefronts open and office space full. $3 dollars per household per week makes sense for a successful Alexandria. Even with this increase there will be millions of cuts to city programs and efforts -- this does not eliminate the need for cuts, it only focuses on investing in some critical areas to keep our community successful. As the tax rate will be determined on April 18, 2009, this petition will be submitted electronically by April 15th to the Mayor and all members of City Council. It will also be sent by email and hand carried to the Office of the City Clerk. We hope that you will support this effort by adding your signature to those below.