Evening star., 1947-08-11
BudweskyiUrges
Buying ofSites
BySchoo| Board
Resigned Alexandra
Manager Defends His
Own Record in Matter

sHsS
Own Record in Matter
Former Alexandria City Manager
Carl Budwesky suggested today that
In the future negotiations for the
purchase Of school sites be handled
by the city School Board rather
than the council or city manager.
His suggestion was contained In
q report on the delay in acquisition
Of school sites. Before his resigna-
ton on August /, Mr., Budwesky
was ordered to submit a report on
the school site situation to the
council.
The school site controversy first
hared about six months ago when
the Alexandria Parent Teacher As
sociation, led by its president, Mrs.
Thomas M. Jones, jr., demanded
action on the site purchases that
were first contemplated in 1912.
Says Accusations Are Wrong.
In his letter of resignation, Mr..
Budwesky said he had been wrong
fully" accused in the matter of the
school sites. He was referring to
charges at the last council session
he attended that he had taken no
steps to buy the sites although he
was authorized to do so three or
four years ago.
my first order to acquire prop
erty for school purposes was on
April 2s, 1912. when I was ordered
to acquire the square north Of
Maury School for additional play
ground space, which, as everybody
knows, was promptly DONE" his re-
port states.
At the same time, according to
Mr.. Budwesky, he was ordered to
obtain prices on property near the
Parker-Gray School for enlarge
ment of the playground area.
However. the square was inn
proved bv IS or 16 houses and the
whole square would be required to
make the project worth while" his
report says.
He said his verbal report at this
time to the council indicated the
cost of this property was "far in
excess of what the great majority
of the Council felt could be af-
forded at that time"
Next Order Described.
my next order and authority to
purchase any property for school
purposes was on February 10, 1916,
when I was directed to acquire the
square bounded by First, Second.
Pitt and Royal streets as the site
for the Northeast Elementary
School. I was also directed
to negotiate for the aquisition OF
the square bounded by Madison
Montgomery, Patrick and Alfred
streets; the square bounded by
Montgomery, First, Alfred and Co.
lumbus-three squares in all, as "a
site for a new colored high school
My instructions were to acquire
the site for the Northeast Ele-
mentary School first. I proceeded
as far as I could 60 on the first
assignment by May, 1916, and on
tks second by July, 1046," the re-
port states.
Mr.. Budwesky denied that he had
been either dilatory or negligent
in the matter of negotiations for
the purchase of property desired
for school purposes" and added
that he most emphatically dis
avowed the totally unwarranted
conclusion that am responsible
for one dollar of additional site
costs to the city. On the contrary,
think I did good job and that
my recommendation as we patient
ly worked on the matter of site
selection were sound"
Communications Listed.
Mr. Budwesky lists in detail
communications in school price
matters among the Council, the
School Board and himself. In
several instances, he emphasizes,
the Council held over for future
consideration" steps toward pur-
chases of all the school sites.
His report also emphasizes that
while he was on many occasions
ordered to look into the possibility
Of acquiring certain properties,
actual authorization for him to
purchase land did not come until
February. 1916, with the exception
Of the 1912 purchase of land near
Maury.
In his report, Mr.. Budwesky
lists prices offered for the desired
land along with prices sought by
the owners.
He asserted that during the
many conferences between the
Council and the School Board, diff
ferences of opinion arose over the
proposed new school"
Climax Of Series of Rows.
ut was while I was still in Florida
that an attack was made upon me
with reference to these matters. I
believe the records show they were
not justified, but nevertheless, the
council appointed the School Site
Committee to handle these matters.
Since my return in April, 1s47, 1
have done nothing on school sites
except to advise with one or two
members of the committee when
asked by them" the report states.
Mr.. Budwesky said his report to
the council was to be accompanied
by all correspondence dealing with
the matter that is on file in his
offce.
Mr.. Budwesky's resignation cli-
NAKED a series of rows among city
department heads and the city
council. He told the councilmen
when he quit that he would report
on the school sites in time for the
councils August meeting tomor-
row night.
Hyafisvi|Ie Woman Hurt
l. Iu,.. E.a n,,as....