Sell-Out Crowd Attends Roast for Outgoing Alexandria Mayor 

Alexandra, VA – The jokes flew Dec. 15 at Toasts, Roasts, and Gratitude, a tribute to outgoing Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. Beginning in 2007, Wilson served eight years on the City Council, three as vice mayor, before ascending to the top spot in 2018. Wilson did not seek re-election for a third term as mayor. He will be succeeded by City Councilwoman Alyia Gaskins. 

About 200 elected officials, city and community leaders, friends, family, and well-wishers came together on the rainy night to bid their mayor farewell. Guests mingled at the brand new ABOVE Alx Community, an attractive wraparound rooftop venue with a sweeping view of Old Town in the Atrium building at 277 South Washington Street. 

The emcees wasted no time getting the roast started as they jokingly raked the mayor over the coals.  

Co-host Michelle Millben pinpointed the mayor’s strong work ethic. “No one works harder than Justin Wilson,” she began. She revealed that the mayor’s wife, Alex Crawford-Batt, quietly sneaked Millben photos of the family’s vacations abroad.  

”Justin almost missed African elephants walking past his vehicle, because he was working on a city manager letter. We have a photo of Justin on a plane, writing out some budget memos while flying.” 

One of the mayor’s regular features is the Council Connection, a monthly newsletter that he sends out to his many subscribers. 

“We thought it would be fitting to read from one of Justin’s monthly newsletters,” co-host Clark Mercer intoned as the crowd erupted in laughter. “It goes on forever. When you get this thing, you have a decision to make. Do you read Justin’s newsletter, or do  you watch the trilogy of Lord of the Rings?” 

Three elected officials took turns jabbing the mayor but also offered gratitude for his many years in public service. That newsletter, though, was the butt of several jokes. 

“Justin has tried to give me advice on writing. And really, you know just how much the city loves his monthly dissertations,” City Councilwoman and Mayor-Elect Alyia Gaskins deadpanned. “And it got to the point where every time somebody sends him a note that says, ‘Oh, Mayor Wilson, this newsletter is great, amazing, you’re wonderful.’ Because he’s so humble, he forwards it with an FYI. So I just want to say, FYI, I offered you an internship.” 

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay is Wilson’s counterpart in that neighboring county. The two have known each other since their college days and are close friends. McKay read a proclamation that he admitted he could never offer officially in government chambers. He called Wilson Alexandria’s “resident data geek, ensuring every decision came with ample graphs, metrics, and pivot tables.”  McKay took the audience back to the pandemic days when Wilson ran the city from his home. 

“Whereas during the pandemic, Mayor Wilson turned his bedroom into Alexandria’s policy command center, where he mastered Twitter diplomacy and late-night sub-Tweets, likely in Star Wars pajamas.”  

Mayor Wilson has a lively social media presence, documenting his family’s escapades to his legion of followers. 

“And whereas his creative parenting approach of calling his children Kid One and Kid Two, straight out of a Dr. Seuss book should have earned him at least one visit from CPS,” McKay continued as the crowd nodded and burst into applause. 

Have you been to outdoor city Christmas tree lightings or New Year’s countdowns or a dedication of a new park? Then you’ll remember Justin Wilson’s trademark greeting, as he belts out HELLO, ALEXANDRIA!!! 

“How loud is Justin?” Host Millben began a joke. “Justin’s so loud, even the microphones at City Hall have filed a noise complaint. Justin’s so loud that when he orders coffee at St. Elmo’s, they change the name to Please Stop. Justin’s so loud that even the potholes in our city say hey, we heard you the first time.”  

Gaskins carried that theme as she took the stage. 

“It’s so good to be with you tonight as we honor Mayor Wilson, and we talk about his legacy and the impact he’s had on his community or our community. Before I go on, though, I just want to be clear. Everyone can hear me, right? Okay. So there’s ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO STAND UP HERE AND SHOUT HELLO, ALEXANDRIA!!!” 

Congressman Don Beyer recalled meeting Wilson for the first time. Wilson was 13 years old and handing out campaign literature at a voting precinct.  

“I don’t remember that he had hair. But I want to confess I’ve never read War and Peace. I’ve always had it; I figured someday I’m going to be in the hospital with a broken leg for two or three weeks. I will read War and Peace and all of Justin’s newsletters.” 

All kidding aside, Beyer went on to laud Justin Wilson. “When I try to explain to people why it’s Alexandria City High School, AC rather than DC, I say we’re just saving it, saving the name for somebody that really deserves it. And when we figure out who that is… “

Next came the highlight of the evening. It was the mayor’s turn to take center stage, one of his last appearances as his days as the city’s chief wind down. 

Wilson belted out that familiar greeting, GOOD EVENING, ALEXANDRIA!!! He thanked his family, admitting half the room was filled with them. “The other half, you were just making sure I leave office. Just wanted to verify and make sure I’m actually going to be done.”  He nodded towards his Fairfax County counterpart. “Jeff, thanks for coming. I appreciate that you wanted to get dinner at a place that has passable restaurants.” McKay shot back, “I’ll send you my parking ticket.”  

The mayor looked out at the crowd gathered to celebrate his years in office. “Thanks to all of you for being here, all of you. Someone sent me a text today and they said they couldn’t make it. They said, ‘Sorry, I can’t make it to your mayoral funeral.’ “ 

Wilson talked of the early days of his marriage. “I thought we should live in Fairfax County, where it’s cheaper,” the mayor confessed. But his wife insisted on Alexandria. Turning to McKay, the mayor quipped, “Sometimes you can’t sell an inferior product, Jeff.” 

Growing serious, Wilson thanked the large crowd in the room. 

It’s been such an honor and incredible privilege to work with you on so many different things. We have done incredible things in this community and it’s not me, it’s all of us together. We’ve worked together to do incredible things, to build schools, to make it easier to get around our community. To develop new parks, all the things that we’ve done together, it’s been all of us working together and that’s what makes this job so much fun.

Emcee Michelle Millben wrapped up the program. “We’re so grateful for your friendship. We’ve called you councilman, we’ve called you vice mayor, we’ve called you mayor. And now, as a private citizen, we’ll look forward to calling you our Bald Buddy,” she bantered, handing the mayor a mini head shaver. 

The event took in over $15,000. All proceeds support ALIVE! and Carpenter’s Shelter. 

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