Florence King
Candidate
for
for
~ Alexandria City Council ~
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
rodneybranche@yahoo.com
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Copa: Where are you from?
Florence: I was born and raised in the state of Virginia. I am a fifth generation Virginian. My great great great maternal grandmother was a slave on George Washington’s Plantation in Mount Vernon. She was emancipated in 1812 by General George Washington and gave birth to my great great grandfather who was born free on George Washington’s plantation. My paternal grandfather fought in the civil war as a union soldier and a member of the US Colored troops. I have lived in the independent City of Alexandria and have operated my business for thirty years. |
Seal of the City of Alexandria, Virginia
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Which schools have you attended?
Florence: I attended Drew Smith Elementary School and Luther Jackson High School in Fairfax County. I earned my Bachelor of Arts Degree from George Mason University where I majored in sociology and minored in business administration. I also attended Howard University School of Business and also obtained my CHFC which is the credentials of Chartered Financial Consultant Copa: Who were the people that influenced you the most in your life?
Florence: My parents were my biggest influence. They raised me up in a spiritual and peaceful environment. All of my nine siblings went off to college seeking a higher education. The principles and core values my parents instilled in us have followed me into adulthood. |
Copa: At what time did you discover that you had a special way with working with people?
Florence: I have always been a people person which is a quality I was born with. I get an added amount of satisfaction when I engage and interact with people along with my ability to rectify a difficult situation. My common sense approach of persuasion has turned other people’s opinion around simply because I talk through a problem and listen to another person’s viewpoint which allows me to make an informed decision pertaining to that particular plight.
Florence: I have always been a people person which is a quality I was born with. I get an added amount of satisfaction when I engage and interact with people along with my ability to rectify a difficult situation. My common sense approach of persuasion has turned other people’s opinion around simply because I talk through a problem and listen to another person’s viewpoint which allows me to make an informed decision pertaining to that particular plight.
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Copa: Why are you running for Councilwoman?
Florence: Over the years while living in the city of Alexandria, like so many countries outside the United States and now within the within the United States, our American Society is rapidly turning into a nation of the “Have and Have Nots.” Alexandria is no different; they are pushing out our middle class. The housing crisis is one of the strategic processes the establishment is using to get rid of our middle class citizens. Living a comfortable lifestyle in this city is no longer sustainable. We have eliminated the majority of our affordable housing and have replaced them with housing that start at seven figures. I am running for office to put a stop to pushing out our residents some of which have lived here as long as fifty and sixty years. We have turn this city into high density living and rapid growth, while the majority of our middle class have no other choice but to move out. I am running to stop the mass flight. I am running as an independent because I want to bring balance back to the city council and put a halt to the flight of our middle class citizens in the city of Alexandria.
Florence: Over the years while living in the city of Alexandria, like so many countries outside the United States and now within the within the United States, our American Society is rapidly turning into a nation of the “Have and Have Nots.” Alexandria is no different; they are pushing out our middle class. The housing crisis is one of the strategic processes the establishment is using to get rid of our middle class citizens. Living a comfortable lifestyle in this city is no longer sustainable. We have eliminated the majority of our affordable housing and have replaced them with housing that start at seven figures. I am running for office to put a stop to pushing out our residents some of which have lived here as long as fifty and sixty years. We have turn this city into high density living and rapid growth, while the majority of our middle class have no other choice but to move out. I am running to stop the mass flight. I am running as an independent because I want to bring balance back to the city council and put a halt to the flight of our middle class citizens in the city of Alexandria.
Copa: What is your platform?
Florence: My platform is Economic Development, the Older Adult Citizen, Alternative Housing, Public Safety and Women and Children. When it comes to economic development I want to encourage the promotion of small businesses and simplify the intake process for small businesses entering our city.
Florence: My platform is Economic Development, the Older Adult Citizen, Alternative Housing, Public Safety and Women and Children. When it comes to economic development I want to encourage the promotion of small businesses and simplify the intake process for small businesses entering our city.
Copa: Why is communication so important for everyone?
Florence: Good communication is so important to everyone because an informed group of people is a group of people who can make sound decisions for themselves. If we are trying to empower our at risk or vulnerable communities, yet in their next breath they are not receiving communications from the very programs that were designed for them. Something is clearly wrong. This type of communication gap is appalling. These innocent people don’t have representation , the average person don’t have any idea that these programs exist These programs are not being utilized by people on the poverty level but people who are serving on boards and position of power, who inform their friends and love ones about the benefits of these programs. We have to understand that the communication is so one sided; they are quick to spout out about all of these glorious programs designed to enhanced their lives and encouraging a better quality of life, however, no one know about. Our city needs transparency and more community engagement.
Florence: Good communication is so important to everyone because an informed group of people is a group of people who can make sound decisions for themselves. If we are trying to empower our at risk or vulnerable communities, yet in their next breath they are not receiving communications from the very programs that were designed for them. Something is clearly wrong. This type of communication gap is appalling. These innocent people don’t have representation , the average person don’t have any idea that these programs exist These programs are not being utilized by people on the poverty level but people who are serving on boards and position of power, who inform their friends and love ones about the benefits of these programs. We have to understand that the communication is so one sided; they are quick to spout out about all of these glorious programs designed to enhanced their lives and encouraging a better quality of life, however, no one know about. Our city needs transparency and more community engagement.
Copa: How do you plan on helping businesses in Alexandria?
Florence: I have seen so many small towns in which businesses have not had the support of their cities or municipalities and they start closing their doors one after another and before you know it, that town becomes a ghost town. Our businesses are important. They add life,
vitality, stability, and revenue to a city. They boost the economy tremendously by hiring our local citizens and providing services in our own backyard.
As a small business owner in the city of Alexandria for 30 years, I have serviced clients from all walks of life and income levels. My business empowers our community by providing investment advisory services, credit management and financial literacy classes to the general public. Local small businesses are the heartbeat of our city. The task of registering a new business is cumbersome and comes with too many moving parts. I would like to simplify the process to encourage new businesses to operate in our city. It is important for business owners to join organizations like the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, Old Town Business Connect, the Eisenhower Valley Partnership, the West End Business Association and Rotary Club of Alexandria Central to name a few. Problems can be resolved through these entities by the power of networking, collaboration, legislative agendas to influence public policy pertaining to businesses. I would like to bring all these concepts to the city along with my financial background and expertise.
Florence: I have seen so many small towns in which businesses have not had the support of their cities or municipalities and they start closing their doors one after another and before you know it, that town becomes a ghost town. Our businesses are important. They add life,
vitality, stability, and revenue to a city. They boost the economy tremendously by hiring our local citizens and providing services in our own backyard.
As a small business owner in the city of Alexandria for 30 years, I have serviced clients from all walks of life and income levels. My business empowers our community by providing investment advisory services, credit management and financial literacy classes to the general public. Local small businesses are the heartbeat of our city. The task of registering a new business is cumbersome and comes with too many moving parts. I would like to simplify the process to encourage new businesses to operate in our city. It is important for business owners to join organizations like the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, Old Town Business Connect, the Eisenhower Valley Partnership, the West End Business Association and Rotary Club of Alexandria Central to name a few. Problems can be resolved through these entities by the power of networking, collaboration, legislative agendas to influence public policy pertaining to businesses. I would like to bring all these concepts to the city along with my financial background and expertise.
Copa: What does the future hold for Florence King and the City of Alexandria, Virginia?
Florence: If elected, I want my future to line up with my passion and desire to make a difference in the city of Alexandria. I’m not running for city council as a stepping stone into a higher political office outside of the city.
Florence: If elected, I want my future to line up with my passion and desire to make a difference in the city of Alexandria. I’m not running for city council as a stepping stone into a higher political office outside of the city.
