3 Outgoing Alexandria City Council Members Honored

ALEXANDRIA, VA — City Council issued proclamations honoring three outgoing members at the last legislative meeting of the term Tuesday.

Tuesday's meeting was packed full of items for City Council to consider, including scenarios for the future of the Torpedo Factory Art Center. But before many of the agenda items, proclamations were introduced to recognize Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Councilwoman Redella "Del" Pepper, and Councilman Mohamed "Mo" Seifeldein.

Pepper is retiring after 36 years of service on City Council. The other two are first-term members not seeking another term — Bennett-Parker was elected to the 45th House of Delegates District seat and Seifeldein, also a lawyer, is not running for reelection.

Seifeldein, first elected in 2018, previously announced he would not run for reelection or run for mayor. He was the first Sudanese immigrant elected to City Council and led efforts to approve a community police review board, secure legal funds for undocumented immigrants and more.

"You've worked very hard to bring a voice to folks whose voices are not often heard on our dais, and we are very appreciative of all the work that you've done," said Mayor Justin Wilson. "You have made sure that you advocated for the issues that you are passionate about and made progress on those issues," said Mayor Justin Wilson.

Fellow council members echoed the mayor's remarks before approving the proclamation.

"I always tell people philosophically you and I are most aligned here on this Council," said Councilman Canek Aguirre. "You will be dearly missed but I appreciate everything that you brought to the council in the last three years."

"We like to think of ourselves as a progressive city, but you have consistently in these last three years pushed us to make sure that is reflective in our policies," said Councilman John Taylor Chapman.

Bennett-Parker, first elected in 2018, was the youngest woman ever elected to Alexandria City Council. She is also a co-leader of Together We Bake, a nonprofit providing a job training and development program for underserved women. Bennett-Parker did not run for reelection while running for the 45th House of Delegates District seat. Bennett-Parker defeated incumbent Del. Mark Levine in the Democratic primary and Republican J.D. Maddox in the general election.

The proclamation acknowledged her work to help women in need through nonprofit work and extensive research on public policy on City Council.

"We have always appreciated your service on this dais," said Wilson. "You do your homework, which for me is number one in the book, and I always appreciate when people take the time, and I know you do take the time to study every single issue inside and out."

"I think we all hope to have an advocate in Richmond that understands us and understands what we go through, and I'm super excited to have you in that position," said Chapman.

Pepper recognized Bennett-Parker for being the youngest woman elected to City Council.

"We really appreciated the deep research that you did on so many projects. That was really helpful," said Pepper.

"You are a phenomenal woman and a phenomenal councilwoman and you're going to be a phenomenal delegate in Richmond, and we can't wait to work with you when you're in that role," added Councilwoman Amy Jackson, who will become vice mayor in the new term.

Pepper has been the longest-serving member of the current City Council with 13 terms. First elected in 1985, she served terms as vice mayor from 1996 to 1997, 2003 to 2006, and 2007 to 2009. Before joining City Council, she became an aide to then-Mayor Charles Beatley in 1979.

"There [are] not many things in this city that doesn't show the imprint of Del's leadership in 36 and a half years," said Wilson. "There are not many issues that she has not mastered and led on. There are not many things that we can say that have occurred that she has not been a part of over my entire lifetime."

Pepper got a special proclamation reading from Town Crier Benjamin Fiore-Walker as well as a key to the city. The proclamations from the town crier and City Council highlighted her advocacy for the West End as well as the Potomac Yard Metro and Landmark Mall redevelopment projects. She has also served numerous appointments over decades.

Chapman, a native Alexandrian, highlighted the ways Pepper's actions have helped his family, from funding for the Quaker Hill community and support for DASH Bus to youth employment programs that helped him get his first job. He also acknowledged her work to ensure Washington's football team wouldn't relocate their stadium to Alexandria.

"There are others like me that owe a huge debt of gratitude to you," said Chapman. "It's our honor to be able to be up here with you."

Bennett-Parker says she plans to take a framed yard sign of Pepper's to her House of Delegates office in Richmond as a reminder of her leadership.

"It truly has been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside of you," said Bennett-Parker. "You have taught me so much and been such an inspiration."

"Having you to look up to as a young girl in your position was huge in the mid-80s," said Jackson, who grew up in Alexandria. "Women were not working in your position like they are now. You have always been a role model, and you will be missed."

New City Council members joining in the new term are Alyia Gaskins, Sarah Bagley and Kirk McPike. The installation ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Jan. 3 at Alexandria City High School. The city will also gain a new city manager, James Parajon, effective Jan. 18.