Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-31
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Hin Alexandra 10
lScoId Mayor
Council Members
liked by Demands
TO Gust Manager

Irked by Demands
TO Gust Manager
A special meeting Of the Alex
andria City Council has been
called by four of its members
to scold Mayor Marshall J. Bey-
erley for demanding replace
ment of City Manager Ira VII
lard and for other recent public
statements he has made.
The meeting is set for $3.50
pm. Friday in the Council cham
Der. Mr.. Willard sent all Coun-
Gil members notices of the meet
ing yesterday after it was called
by Vice Mayor Leroy Bendheim.
Councilman John Ewald. Cosiri-
Gilman Dave Haddock and Courl-
Gilman Frank Mann.
Any two Council members may
call a special meeting. The Alex
andria Council has seven mem
bers, including Mayor Beverley.
The four members who called
the meeting said they did not
consult with Councilmen Daniel
O'F7aherty and James M. Dun
can. jr.
Statements Stand, He Says.
Mayor Beverley received no.
tice of the meeting with his Gus
tomary aplomb. He said his
statement about the need for o
new city manager still stands
land so do those other state
ments they're mad about, espe-
cially my comments on the
Wharton survey"
Both Mr.. Willard and the cur
rent city government survey by
the Wharton Institute at the
University Of Pennsylvania were
critized by the Mayor earlier this
week. The survey was authorized
by a majority of the council over
Mayor Beverley's objections. Mr..
Willard originally recommended
the survey. ~
Mr.. Bendheim declared that
the idea of a special meeting
originated when the four coun-
cilmen who called it got together
to discuss Mayor Beverley's re-
cent dismissal of the council
housing committee. Mr.. Bend
helm was chairman Of the COM
mittee. He was not reappointed
to the mayors new housing COM
mittee. III
The old committee had recon-
mended approval Of the contro-
versial commercial redevelop-
ment plan for q blighted area
along Prince street. A majority
of the new committee members
are known opponents of the
Prince street redevelopment idea.
Tells Of Numerous Calls.
Councilman Haddock said he
favored the special meeting be-
cause he had received numerous
telephone calls from people who
were upset over the Mayors re-
cent statements about Mr.. Will
lard. and about replacement OF
the Housing Committee, ~.
Every one I talk to feels he's
taking too much into his own
hands-and taking advantage Of
the councils summer recess by
exceeding his authority" said
Mr.. Haddock.
More than a year ago, q
majority of the council gave a
vote of no confidence to Mr..
Willard In his first run-in with
Mayor Beverley. A resolution
publicly censuring the Mayor
was adopted by the council in
January.
Won't BE Gagged.
But Mayor Beverly wants IL
known that he isn't about to be
gagged. &
Being elected by the citizens
of Alexandria, I feel 1t is my duty
at any time to discuss in the
open, public matters that con-
Germ the people of this city. Un-
fortunately. every one cannot
come to council meetings-but
they can read the newspapers.
IF I failed to keep the people
informed I would be neglectipg
my duty. / promised that when
I was elected"
Council members denied that
they had any idea of starting
proceedings to remove Mr.. Bev-
erly from Office.
That's not a bad idea.
though" laughed Councilman
Haddock. But we're not even
seriously considering it."