Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-25
ounciI'sCIosed
Work Sessions
Hit by EwaId

night strongly criticized the
Councils current practice %
holding closed work sessions. 3"
Councilman John Ewald. who
had a sharp exchange with
Mayor Leroy S. Bendheim during
a Council meeting. told a Star
reporter after the meeting that
he very definitely" was against
the closed meetings.
The exchange was set OF dur
ling discussion Of a request by
the Chamber of Commerce that
the Council appropriate $3.50 for
10 memberships for city employees
in the chamber.
What has the chamber ever
done for the City Of Alexan-
dria?" Mr.. Ewald asked.
Mr.. Bendheim said the ques-
ton was foolish" and should
never have been made "by a
councilman in public"
Refuses Gag
Il refuse to be gagged" Mr..
Ewald responded. II expect to
continue to ask questions wheth-
er you think they are foolish
or not. Maybe I should have
asked it at one Of your work
sessions he added.
Mr.. Ewald offered a motion
that the city contribute the same
amount for memberships in the
Rotary, Kiwanis. Lions and other
clubs.
How about including the
League of Women Voters?" Mr..
Bendheim asked.
A motion to appropriate the
funds for the Chamber died after
a 3-to-3 vote was recorded.
Mr.. Ewald told q Star reporter
later he has walked out" on a
couple Of closed work sessions,
which were inaugurated by
Mayor Bendheim after the new
Council took Office last July.
i don't think city business
should be carried on behind
closed DOORS" Mr.. Ewald said.
Board Powers CurtaiIed
Two matters discussed in
CLOSED sessions within the last
two weeks came up at last
nights meeting.
1t was disclosed that the Coun-
ell had informally agreed to strip
the Traffic and Parking Board
OF its administrative and legisla-
tive powers during q session
January II between the two
boards. The action had been
suggested previously by City
Manager Ira F. Willard.
Final action was delayed last
might to enable the city manager
to bring in concrete recommen-
dations which can be adopted
in ordinance form. There was
no public discussion on the
merits Of the move.
A letter from City School Supt.
#. C. Williams revealed that
Council and the school board had
discussed critical overcrowd-
ing" Of downtown Negro schools
during another closed session
January IL,
Mr.. Williams letter asked that
the Council assure financial
backing so that plans can be
drawn for replacing Lyles Crouch
Elementary School and for i'm
proving Charles Houston Ele-
mentary School. The letter
noted that lit developed In our
discussion Cat the closed SESSION.
that there might be some short
delay In arriving at a conclu-
sion as far as money to be pro-
vided for the proposed new bond
issue is concerned"
School Bonds Held Out
The unsettled school situation
in Virginia has prompted city
Officials to remove school bonds
from an issue being sold today
for other city improvements.
Council approved the request
providing the new Lyles Crouch
School is located on its present
site.
In another matter related to
public discussion of city affairs,
the Council assured the Straw
berry Hill Citizens Association
that the proposed budget for
1867 would be released in
ample time for study and dis
tcussion by the citizens.
Councilman Ewald said he
lfavors a series of budget hear
Iings in various sections of the
city rather than the usual one
hearing held in the Council
chamber. Councilmen said they
would discuss the suggestion
whnn Mr. WILLARD v,rn.a.,&. 49,