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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear members of the Greater Alexandria Chapter of the NFB,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope all those who attended the 2017 NFB national convention in Orlando have had a chance to recover and catch up on some sleep. I look forward to hearing some of your stories at our next meeting to be held Thursday, July 27, at 7:00pm. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our guest at this meeting will be vice mayor Justin Williams. He has asked, and I think it is a good idea, to forward a few sample questions to him prior to our meeting so that he can best prepare to discuss with the chapter our concerns. Bonnie O’Day, who has arranged for this visit, offers a few suggestions below, but I invite the entire chapter to submit some questions they would like to ask, and I will compile and give them to Bonnie to forward to vice mayor Williams. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This is a very unique opportunity for our chapter to introduce the NFB and the concerns of the blind community to one of Alexandria’s political leaders, so I encourage as many of you as possible to send me questions, but more importantly, to attend our meeting. Let’s show vice mayor Williams how strong this movement is!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here are some sample questions from Bonnie:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>1. Vision Zero: What is it and how will it improve safety for pedestrians?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>2. Transit: What is the funding status of Metro, Dash, and DOT paratransit? Are there any plans for expansion or changes in the future?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>3. Internet: What is the status of bids for additional Internet providers in Alexandria? Will there be competition among providers anytime soon?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>4. Waterfront: What is the plan to expand the Alexandria Waterfront? (This is less important than the other three items)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please send me your questions or comments by the end of the day on Monday, July 24. Of course we will allow for spontaneous questions during the meeting, but it would be good to have a few things for the vice mayor to consider prior to arrival. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I will send a full meeting agenda on Monday, July 24, along with the usual reminders about times, places, and directions… Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions prior to the meeting. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I look forward to seeing everyone next Thursday!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Brian M<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President, Greater Alexandria Chapter of the NFB of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>you at the meeting <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>