Subject: SHA endorsement of Joanne Tomasello

Letter to:

Mayor and City Council
City Hall
Alexandria, VA

Re: Endorsement of Joanne Tomasello for appointment to the Planning Commission

Dear Mayor and City Council,

On September 23, 2003, City Council will vote to appoint a member of the Planning Commission to fill a vacancy. At its September 16, 2003, meeting, Seminary Hill Association, Inc. (SHA) evaluated each applicant for the vacancy on the Alexandria Planning Commission. As explained below, after careful review, SHA endorses Joanne Tomasello for the position and urges you to support her application with your vote.

SHA recognizes the importance of the Planning Commission to our community and quality of life. Any member of Planning Commission should have the experience, temperament, and judgment to serve on the Planning Commission. While there were several strong candidates for the position, SHA believes Ms. Joanne Tomasello is the best qualified and most highly prepared of the candidates. Ms. Tomasello has served our community for many years on some very sensitive issues, is highly knowledgeable on the planning challenges we face as a community, and has provided strong leadership and keen insights in each instance. In addition, she will bring a fresh perspective to the Planning Commission and we are confident that she will serve our community well. For these reasons, SHA endorses Ms. Joanne Tomasello as the appointee to the Planning Commission.

Sincerely,

Frank Putzu
President, Seminary Hill Association, Inc