An Open Memorandum to District Residents

The Ward 7 Story

Part IV, The Council Candidate (1992)
The Mayoral Candidate (1998)
Deja Vu

In a feature article, Washington City Paper, August 28, 1998, "Kevin Can Wait" by Jonetta Rose Barras, she states "As a mayoral candidate, Kevin Chavous has been diligent, outspoken and full of ideas. As a Councilmember, he's been none of the above.

To that Ward 7 residents can respond "Deja Vu!" Ironically, Tuesday, September 15, 1992 was Election Day and Chavous had campaigned for Ward 7 Councilman with the same style and fervor under the slogan, "Chavous for Change".

This is a wake up call!

Check the Record:

1992 (Then) Candidate Chavous for Council
Promises, Promises !!!

1. Linkages — Bringing low-income housing to neighborhoods in Ward 7
2. Relief from unreasonable tax assessments.
3. Enterprise zones — Development/Revitalization (Seven Target Areas)
4. Constituent Services Office in Ward 7
5. UDC Satellite Campus in Ward 7.
6. One-sex Schools (all male, all female)
7. Parent/Student/Teacher Forums
8. Community Policing
9. Self-determination for the District

Chavous /Candidate for Mayor
1998 (Now)
Facts, Facts!!!

1. No linkages; Housing in Ward 7 is at an all-time low level
2. No tax relief for homeowners
3. No enterprise zones, development or revitalization; Continued Deterioration in all areas
4. No Constituent Services Office in Ward 7
5. No UDC Satellite Campus in Ward 7
6. No one-sex schools/closed, abandoned, neglected, school buildings, Woodson Jr. High, Kelly Miller, Richardson, Weatherless Elementary Schools
7. No forums organized by Chavous; Delayed school openings/ Lack of insight, foresight, oversight
8. What did happen to Community Policing?
9. Weakened Home Rule / Appointed Control Board, Chief Management Officer, Board of Trustees for DC Public Schools Why? Why???

Conclusion

The record is clear; whatever change has occurred has been not for better, but for worse. As the article reports, "On the campaign trail, Chavous is smooth and savvy enough to dance around responsibility for the schools, fudge his attendance record, and convince skeptics that he has rid Ward 7 of cronyism. However, Chavous will have less luck covering up the most damning evidence of his council tenure; the state of his ward".

Two overriding questions must be answered as we near this most critical mayoral election on September 15, 1998:

1. For what has the City paid Kevin P Chavous almost a half-million dollars over the past five-and-one half years?

2. How can Chavous possibly expect to be given the opportunity to perpetrate the same "broken promises" trail on the entire City that he has inflicted upon Ward 7? Answer these for yourself, yours, and the City.

Paid for by Individual Citizens of Ward 7