The Dems went at each other because the way the format was set up for voting for the mayoral candidates for an endorsement had been changed.

Ordinarily the Democrats could vote at any time during the forum, however, this time the invitational letter was understood that a qualifying voter had to sit though the entire forum.

Harsh words were exchanged, "bitches" and "your mama" were among the heated verbal exchange between the president and one of the members.

About 150 people from all over the city attended. The expectation was that Councilmember Kevin Chavous, candidate, would get the endorsement, but, no one received 60% of the votes, the requirement for an endorsement.

Chavous had only a few more votes than Anthony Williams. The other candidates were no where in the running.

The set up was similar to "Show Time" at the Apollo, whoever had the most supporters in the audience usually won.

When a final count was done and it was announced there would be no endorsement Williams shouted, "Yes!"

The contenders were Arrington Dixon (D), on Shannon Pl., SE, Linda Moody (D), on Bellevue St., SE, and Sandra "SS" Seegars (I), on & Savannah St., SE.

However, Arrington's signatures were challenged, and he did not have enough to get on the ballot. He is appealing.

The seats of David Catania and Hilda Mason will be open.

In the primary on Sept. 15 you must vote within your party, but in the general election on Nov. 3 you do not have to vote within your party, you can vote for anyone in any party.

Dixon was on the Council before, he took a hiatus, and has decided to get back in the mix. Last years special election was his to lose, and he did.

Dixon was beat out by Catania, 29 year old Republican.

Dixon mailed letters, in May, to seek the voters' opinions, as to whether he should run again. Shortly thereafter he decided he would run.

Moody, Ward 8 Board of Education representative, has decided to spread her wings and run for one of the at-large Council seats.

She is supported by Ward 8 City Councilmember Sandy Allen,

Moody said she stands on her record as a school board member, and can bring the same accomplishments to the Council.

Seegars (I), activist and publisher of "One Page At A Time" Newsletter, said as a citizen she has rooted out more corruption, waste and abuse than the entire Council.

As a councilmember, not only can she remove high paid, non-performing employees, but she will be able to vote on who gets the top positions. She believes that until all leadership is at minimal, adequate, the city will not shape-up.

Many department heads are inept, so much so that some of them have been dismissed, but not by the councilmember.

Each of the aforementioned councilmembers are now running for mayor. Many people ask where were they as the city crumpled.

As a mere citizen, Seegars, who is now a candidate for City Council At-large, has gotten rid of several department heads. It appeared that the mayor and Council were approving shady characters, and Seegars was getting rid of them.

Seegars said, "If I could see something wrong with Wheelan, Roberson, Crawford and former Police Chief Larry Soulsby, surely the councilmembers should have. I helped to get rid of three of them. I'm still working on Crawford. As councilmember I will be able to vote decent, qualified personnel in place; not just rubber stamp the mayor's choices."

Usually only the 6 most recognizable candidates are invited to participate in the forums, leaving out the majority.

The Ward 8 Dems invited all 12 of the Democrats; 8 showed up. (The forum was held before their signatures were due. Only 7 Democrats turned in enough signatures to get on the Sept. 15 primary ballot.)

Th e questions from the audience were usually directed to Chavous, Brazil, Evans, Williams, and Gildenhorn.

Some of the questions included statements that criticized the performance of the candidates who are now councilmembers, and the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

They wanted to know how could Williams, successfully, make a transition from CFO to mayor.

Gildenhorn thanked the Ward 8 Dems for inviting him and complimented them on having the best forum, thus far.

Brazil arrived late, and rudely, left early.

As the chairman of the Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation, Chavous had to defend himself when asked why he sent his children to private school instead of public school, with an attitude, he said it was a decision he and his wife made.

As to a prison in the District, they all said yes. As to a prison in Ward 8, they all said no.

Evans was asked questions about former Police Chief Soulsby. He admitted he let Soulsby stay around too long.

Evans and Williams were drilled about approving the costly, limited space, Mt. Vernon site for the new convention center.

Chavous and Williams were the front runners. However, neither were able to get 60% of the votes for an endorsement.

The candidates usually pack the forums with their supporters, each forum usually have many of the same faces.

Chavous vows to improve the public school system.

Brazil proudly proclaims how he is not to blame for the District's failing financial situation because he was the lone councilmember who voted against the demented budget presented to them.

Evans claims that once he came to the realization that Soulsby was not forthright, he will now do a superb job overseeing the Judiciary Committee.

Williams stands on his record of fixing the budget, and swears he will do the same for the entire District government.

Gildenhorn makes it clear that he is not a politician. (The definition he is referring to is "one who seeks personal or partisan gain, often by cunning or dishonest means.") He said his success in business will aid him in making the District government a success, because he is people oriented.

John Gloster (S) is a new comer, who resides in Ward 8. He is up on the issues that the average citizen is concerned about. He emphasizes the importance of a good education, and keeping UDC opened and improving its functions.

As of July 5 it seemed Gildenhorn and Gloster had a more rounded platform, whereas they included all classes, and paid a little more attention to the less fortunate residents, trying to bring them up to a better standard of living, that would only enhance the city.

Until the underprivileged is upgraded with upward mobility, not uprooted by the upper-class, the city will continue to be downtrodden, because the city is no better than its undermost resident.

The less than adequate wards complain the most, get the least, and vote less.

All of these candidates will be on the ballot in the primary election on Sept. 15. One from each party will be elected to go on the ballot on Nov. 3 for the general election.

The general election will also include Independents, Board of Education candidates, and Advisory Neighborhood Commission candidates.

In the primary a voter must choose a candidate in the same party, but in the general election a voter does not have to vote within the same party, they may vote for whomever they decide, regardless of the party affiliation.

With so many candidates you must remember to read the front and back sides of each ballot.

The mayor's office is the executive branch. The Council is the legislative branch. The Mayor can be compared to the President, and the Council can be compared to Congress.

The mayor is responsible for the day to day functions in the city, i.e., street cleaning, grass cutting, tree trimming, trash pickup, snow removal, safe streets, health care delivery, programs for the youth and seniors, jobs, businesses, etc.

The Council writes, introduces, votes on, passes or rejects laws. The Council is the lawmaker.

The mayor appoints/hires department heads, commissioners and board members.

The mayor gets a budget proposal from the individual agencies.

A primary election is held every two years so the major parties, Democrat, Republican, DC Statehood and Umoja, can nominate their candidates for the ballot in the general election.

A general election is held every two years to elect individuals to public office.

Independents and minor parties bypass the primary process, including the voting, and are placed directly to the general election ballot.

In the primary a voter must vote for a candidate in the same party in which he/she is registered. However, in the general election a voter can vote for any one in any party.

Seegars was invited by the Palisades Citizens Association because of her participation last year when she was doing the recall on Mayor Barry.

Ward 3 was so disappointed when Barry won the mayor's seat in 1994 that they tried to convert back to Maryland.

This year Barry did not attend. The parade was after he announced that he would not seek another term for mayor.

The Ward 3 residents and Barry did not have to pretend any longer to like each other.

When the parade viewers heard Seegars was the one who led the recall effort last year, against Barry, they gave extra loud cheers.

The drivers complained that replacing a cab at six years was unfair. That was one of the reasons the cabbies initiated a recall on Barry.

In the mist of the recall Barry abandoned that notion, and quickly picked up another. In Title 31 he added an age limit to cab companies. Cabs can not be older than eight years old.

This law will hurt the cab company owners, that will end up costing the drivers who rent cabs more money.

There has been a law passed that requires drivers to take an eight hour refresher course at UDC before they can get their two year license, and each driver has to pay $100.

Some of the drivers said they paid in cash and got a receipt that appeared irregular.

With the recent rash of criminal activity, and jail time for a former employee, the drivers who have paid for the course are wondering where their cash is really going.

After the reports were given, a hearing was held on reciprocity (a driver from MD and VA can work in DC without requiring the same fees and licenses that are imposed upon DC cabbies).

They were there trying to regulate the District's law that would continue the reciprocity that benefits them, but harms the District cabbies, because the courtesy is not returned to the District drivers. Louis Richardson, vice president of DC Professional Taxi Cab Drivers Association (DCPTD), and Harry Silverman, DC Taxi Cab Commission member, testified about the corruption of the outer state cab companies.

The DCTC is under the strict authority of the mayor, and a commission, appointed by the mayor, and passed by a majority of the Council.

The FBI, MPD Internal Affairs, and Office of the Inspector General successfully prosecuted a former employee, Ronald Stokes. He was found guilty of nine counts that included bribery.

So far this year a taxicab driver overcharged a passenger $88; 1,600 cabs had to be re-inspected because they were buying stickers illegally; and several inspectors were arrested for accepting bribes from drivers to let their failed taxis pass.

The DCPTCD has been meeting with different law enforcement agencies to try to bring some resolve to the injustices committed on the taxicab drivers.

With the arrest and conviction of Stokes earlier this year DCPTCD feels they are finally getting a handle on the taxicab industry.

About five insurance companies have a monopoly on coverage for all cabs in the District. At-large Councilmember David Catania has stepped in to assist the cabbies in getting just treatment.

Catania wrote to interim commissioner of the Dept. of Insurance and Securities Regulation, Patrick Kelly. He wants to know why only five companies cover cabbies, why the significant premium increase since 1995, and why high premiums are being paid for minimal coverage.

The driver is not covered at all. A passenger rides at his/her own risk, with a $25,000 maximum coverage.

Michael was the director of AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power (ACT UP); ran for president in 1992 and 1996; strong critic of President Clinton for not keeping his promises to fight AIDS; and ran for the Ward 6 Council seat.

Michael led the campaign, Initiative 57 and Initiative 59, Medical Marijuana. 57 fell short by about 800 signatures. He immediately reinstituted 59, and began gathering signatures again.

Michael deterioration seemed to have happened over night. While he was hospitalized, his partner, Wayne Turner took over the initiative.

Michael's funeral was held on Pennsylvania Ave. NW, in front of the White House. There was no interference by the White House security or the Metropolitan Police.

The media attendance was so heavy that it almost out numbered the 100 or so who attended the funeral.

They gathered at Freedom Plaza, 13 and Pa. Ave. NW, and walked, rolling the casket, a half a mile to the White House.

In an unrelated, yet related, AIDS story, Clinton administration said needle exchange programs can help curb the AIDS epidemic, but refuses to allow federal money to be spent on a needle exchange program.

Barnett was told that 2.1 million tickets worth $49 million was written last year.

Barnett told the ticket writers, "Your job is the fair regulation of parking, it is not giving tickets."

In Barras' source notes she made it clear that Barry had agreed to an interview, but later declined. She said any quotes from Barry were from previous interviews or statements.

In the pass Congress shot the bill down. Maryland and Virginia lawmakers objected.

Councilmember Jack Evans voted "no" to the residency requirement at first, but later changed his mind and voted yes.

Councilmembers Ambrose (D-Ward 6) and Patterson (D-Ward 3) voted no.

Congress did not pass the bill, again.

Shelton has been a strong advocate for a training center, for years. He spoke out against the public school system when they slapped the vocational training in the DC Public Schools.

Shelton has chosen the name, International Vocational Training Institute, for the school.

Shelton's plans for the school includes a Charter School, vocational training, entrepreneurial development, parenting skills, day care, community arts and crafts, theater, hospitality industry training, culinary arts training, and computer technology.

Shelton believes a training center of this magnitude will give people something else to do besides getting in trouble or getting murdered.

For information or to get involved with this project contact Cardell Shelton 202-562-4399

James Bunn, businessman, Don Matthews, businessman, O.V. Johnson, ANC Chairperson, Linda Moody, Ward 8 school board member and City Council At-Large candidate, Raheem Jenkins, founder of Righteous Men Coalition, and Karen Szulgit, Ward 6 activist, were there.

The money that will be spent an the new convention center will affect the entire city, but, initially, the Ward 8 group could not see how it would affect them directly, therefore they seemed reluctant to get involved.

By the end of the meeting Bunn and Jenkins said they would help whenever possible. Johnson was under the impression that it was too late to do anything to stop it, ergo, he was in support of the new center in Shaw.

Moody wanted to hear the other side of the story, from the Washington Convention Center Authority. She said if it was simply a matter of using a larger site, there shouldn't be a problem in changing from Mount Vernon Square to the Union Station North site.

The City Council voted 8:5 to finance the project for Mount Vernon Square. The Control Board voted to approve the Council's budget, and Congress is in the midst of finalizing it too.

Despite the various meetings with the Council, Control Board and Congress, the bill is almost final.

The councilmembers who voted against the Shaw sight were David Catania, Sharon Ambrose, Kathy Patterson, Kevin Chavous and Hilda Mason.

The yeses were Linda Cropp, Charlene Drew Jarvis, Harold Brazil, Harry Thomas, Sandy Allen, Jack Evans, Carol Schwartz and Frank Smith.

The objections to Mount Vernon Square include not enough space, in ten years it will be too small, destruction of the historic Shaw community, no parking, heavy traffic in a residential area, additional taxes from businesses, it will benefit the hotel and restaurant associations more than the District, a genuine concern about who will really get the jabs, Union Station North is more suitable, noise and pollution from buses and trucks, and no maximum price, which is demanded by law.

The Shaw Coalition will be filing a class action law suit against the Washington Convention Center Authority and the Council because they continued to collect taxes for two years even though the law forbade them to do so; when it was brought to their attention the Council wrote another law that they thought would excuse them from breaking the first law.

Ward 8 is full of talent. If a talent scout were to go to Ward 8 he would select Joyce Scott as the next star.

As a performer Scott uses her first name, "Rowena."

A standing room only crowd turned out to see her perform at the Players Lounge, in May. Her back up band was Jim Bennet and Unique Creation Band and Show, with Lady Mary.

The band has a song out, "What's Goad For the Goose is Good For the Gander."

The group consist of a drummer, 2 key boards, bass guitar, acoustics and lead guitar.

Rowena dazzled the crowd in a leopard print jump suit.

James Curtis provided the buffet style lay out, served on the outdoor patio, that included salads, cold cut platter, venison, chicken, fish, hot dogs, ham, rice, cabbage, macaroni salad, rolls, hoagies, pie, cake, and punch.

Many Ward 8 'movers and shakers' were there.

Rowena performed her rendition of "Love Makes a Woman," "Tonight's the Night to Make Me Your Woman," "Dr. Feelgood," "I'll Take You in There," "I'll Always Love You," "Respect," and "Proud Mary."

The price for an evening of elegance was only $10 and $15.

Many of Rowena's friends said as long as they have known her, they did not know she could sing. She got several standing ovations. Once her set was over most of the people left, although the band had another set to play.

The band's leader Jim Bennet sang "Booty Call," as Phillip Pannell was the Fred Astair of the dance Booty Call.

Dean was ejected from the IBEX by the club's security. Shortly thereafter Gibson was shot as he sat in his marked cruiser. Dean contends he was not the killer.

Gibson's death reopened the question of the need for the death penalty in the District. This time it'll be proposed for the killing of a law enforcement officer.

Styles and former HUD employee, I. Toni Thomas, have teamed up to help David Gilmore, Court appointed Housing receiver, to dislocate Frederick Douglas and Stanton Dwelling public housing residents.

The plan is to combine the two developments.

The tenants will be given vouchers for relocation, the present tenants will be given first right of re-entry. A four year development plan has been discussed for the completion.

The stipulation for re-entry is a "Return Policy." The "Return Policy" means the present tenants who are in good standings can return.

A tenant and former resident council president said the policy will deny most of the tenants from re-entry, because many of them are not in good standing, they have been late on their rent, and involved in criminal activities, mainly drugs.

Styles and Thomas are telling the tenants everything they want to hear. Things like low finance rates, fund assistance, minority contracts, grants, training, and cooperative businesses. They are feeding them and throwing parties for them.

The meetings and parties are usually held at Turner Elementary or Johnson Junior High School, with food and drinks.

Parties are held for the tenants, with food and drinks, are smoke screens to take their minds off of reality, and to soften the blow to the majority of the tenants who will not be returning to the redeveloped community.

Frederick Douglas and Stanton Dwellings are not the first developments in Ward 8 to be uprooted, and families dislocated.

The plan appears to be to move the poor and underprivileged residents out of the city.

Sheridan Terrace, Valley Green, Ridgecrest, and Parkland are among the complexes that gave tenants hope, until they were moved out, and a switch of plans were made, and most of the previous tenants were never to return.

Parts of Parkland is still vacant. Valley Green will break ground in August, for it's new homes. Sheridan Terrace is still leveled. Ridgecrest is being replaced with $100,000+ homes.

The poor and underprivileged have no recourse against big businesses, rich uncaring landlords, or David Gilmore, Court appointed receiver, and god over the public housing.

At the onset of the meeting a group of angry citizens held a protest in front of 1 Judiciary Square, against a prison being built in the District; Ward 8.

The cross section of citizens got a little rowdy as the meeting progressed.

During one outburst Barry told the group to "just chill."

Margaret Moore, director of Dept. of Corrections, councilmembers Sandy Allen, Frank Smith, Jack Evans and Hilda Mason were present.

The economic, social and historical aspects of a prison in Ward 8 was discussed. Linda Moody, City Council at-large candidate and chairperson of the "Prison Fact Finding Task Force," gave a long speech on the history of prisons.

Some attenders complained of the lengthy speech.

Moody beckoned one of her fellow task force members, James Bunn, to join her in the front; he refused.

Joyce Scott, songstress and activist, was for the prison being built in Ward 8. She said if it was there it could be regulated better; rehabilitation of the inmates can be observed closely; and there would be an assurance of decent and proper treatment.

Eugene D. Kinlow, is against the Ward 8 location for the prison. He has led protests, and has spoken out at many hearings against the proposed Ward 8 prison site at Blue Plains.

At the mayor's meeting he made it clear that Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) is buying off anyone of significance, who would probably stand against the Ward 8 site if CCA's money was not involved.

Kinlow also made reference to the jobs that would be brought to Ward 8, "Yes, it will bring jobs to Ward 8, but it won't create jobs for Ward 8 residents. Only 30% of the employees at Lorton are District residents, anyway."

Kinlow said it, loudly and clearly, that Ward 8 residents are being dumped on.

"One Page At A Time" received a plan by B & L Consultants, dated Jan. 15, 1998, that was written to be presented to CCA. The plan stipulates various programs that should be implemented by CCA that would serve the community better if the prison is built in Ward 8.

B & L Consultants are James Bunn and William Lockridge.

B & L's plan outline field operation/outreach, lobby operations, business operations, administrative and analysis, and advisors.

The field operation and outreach will gather support for a correctional facility from family members of inmates, unions, and contractors with DC correctional facilities; they will educate various established groups on benefits of a correctional facility in DC; and develop a distribution center to educate District residents; and a letter and telephone bank operation to lobby ANC, City Council, and Congress.

Administrative and analysis units will be responsible for the day to day operation and coordination of all issues.

B & L also had an outline that would give CCA an overview of an economic development plan for the Ward 8 community to review, that includes creation of a business equity fund to invest in start up businesses; micro-loan programs; building contractors fund to help minority contractors with bonding, insurance and material cost; business assistance program; commercial facade renovation program; home improvement loans as low as 3%; after school programs; job training programs; and job training and entrepreneur programs for ex-offenders and welfare recipients.

B & L's proposal has been ignored.

A court order required all tuition payments be made by the 25 of each month.

School officials said they were waiting on a Medicare reimbursement.

School administrator said the lack of funds came after school officials shorted the special ed program by $32 million.

The voucher bill would provide poor parents of about 2,000 public school students up to $3,200 each to pay tuition at private and parochial schools.

Clinton said, "The program would pay for a few selected students to attend private schools. We must strengthen our public schools, not abandon them."

When councilmembers Sharon Ambrose and Kathy Patterson perused the proposed school cuts they planned to insert language forbidding school officials to increase class size; cut pre-kindergarten or full-day kindergarten programs; or eliminate guidance counselors or librarians.

DC School Superintendent Arlene Ackerman said there will be no reduction in early education programs or librarians.

In June Ackerman started laying off about one in four employees, 175 in central administrators and staff.

Her plan to root out suburban students who attend DC schools can ultimately decrease class sizes.

The seven points focus is:

Their vision is to make the public school system exemplary by the year 2000. STARTING NOW!

AND

Value First has developed a partnership with Birney and Moten Elementary school teachers to help perfect youths academically and socially.

With the proper funding, they are trying to infuse this system in every school. Many schools are standing in line for the program to reach their schools.

A grant proposal was submitted to the U S Dept. of Education, but was declined.

Part of the program is reciting the Value Code, which takes about 90 seconds. It includes the following key words, with a descriptive sentences: HONESTY, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, SELF-CONTROL, HARD WORK, SELF- RESPECT, CONCERN FOR OTHERS, TOLERANCE, COOPERATION, FAIRNESS, FORGIVENESS, COURAGE, AND SELF-KNOWLEDGE.

Critics claim that privately funded school voucher programs rescue some children while forsaking others, and that the focus should remain on public schools, so they work for all children.

His goal is to make a difference in how all students are treated, and to improve their educational habitat.