DC StoryDear Neighbors: I'm delivering a big package today (lot's of good thoughts below) and to a whole bunch of new subscribers. With the help of the Washington Post and those of you passing on dc.story, we broke the 500 subscriber barrier, picking up affiliates in new parts of the city. For new subscribers: classified advertising, event listing, and web page pointers are free. Just send them in and keep them to a paragraph in length. If you missed the CyberSurfing column in the Style section today, I'll quote just a wee bit from it: >Unlike the much-hyped attempts by on-line services to make the Net look more like your neighborhood—for instance, America Online's modem-clogging "Digital City Washington"—dc.story actually feels like home.
Mom will yet again be proud. Also, despite chastisement about allowing the conversation straying too far from the District, I chose to include a couple of Pat Buchanan comments--all favorable, of course. Cheers, Jeffrey Itell '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' City Government
I do not believe this for one minute. I also do not agree with you that the Control Board has accomplished anything or that Tony is a Tiger. The so-called Control Board has let city agencies continue to spend whatever they want, since it cannot enforce its decrees. The mayor's only plan is to keep as many perks of office as possible. If forced to cut, he will cut the police to fund subsidies for his friends, who will funnel the money back to him eventually. The City Council, including our Ward 3 representative, are afraid or unwilling to exercise the powers they have constructively. I think a lot of people are being conned here. I hope you are not one of them. If this is a poll, count me for ending home rule at once. Eventually, devolution to Maryland should be considered. ralph martin rdm@storchbrenner.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' City Government
Of course not. What are you on drugs? It's more likely Marion Barry is again on drugs then that he would actually cut the jobs of his political base. He is no doubt engaged in some sleight of hand trick where, vacant jobs will be cut, departments will be re-organized creating phantom cuts and certain individuals will be moved to contract positions creating phantom savings. This is the mayor who told people in Ward 3 to "Get over it" when he was re-elected. Do you expect that suddenly he has had an epiphany and engaged in a conversion to the cause of good government and budget balancing? He will issue some paper plan in hopes of getting an emergency $300 million dollar loan from the treasury and then figure when the squeeze gets on that Newt and Bill would rather cough up more money until after the general election then risk riots in DC in august. pat prb@clark.net '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' City Government Who can tell -- the mayor has a long history of delivering messages that he has decided somebody wants to hear, so it really doesn't matter what he says. It takes years to destroy credibility (and Barry has done a great job on this) and it takes years to get credibility back. What matters is what the city government does. If you want to run a contest, why not a contest to develop a list of specific city government actions that would show signs that the government is getting a grip. For example, installation of an upgraded financial management system that actually allows the city to produce good numbers would be a sign of hope. Heck, even beginning procurement of such a system would be a sign of hope. It's just not a very sexy story. Or how about the government finding the technology to repair potholes in conditions other than warmth and dryness. (Dry out the potholes with flamethrowers!) There's been only a few days in February that potholes could be successfully filled using the city's current technology, so you can't really blame the crews for working one day in five. Dolan (?) did a very interesting series of articles for the City Paper on how the city is run down where the rubber meets the road. It covered things like the people who maintain runways at National. And ultimately, that's were changes to the city government will show themselves to citizens. Carl Dahlke cdahlke@kauai.mitre.org '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Restaurants Regarding new restaurants -- Dock Street Brew Pub is an established tradition in Philly. The place was one of my favorites when I was a campus denizen, which unfortunately was back before I could afford to eat there regularly. The prices are cheap to moderate for folks with salaries, though. They have a dozen different home brews on tap (which are very different from the stuff you can buy in bottles or at Uno's), and the fries are famous. I strongly recommend that DC denizens make the trip at least once. Perhaps we can relocate Home Alone some week? Jeff Porten jeffporten@aol.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Recycling Re-sorting the Recyclables (Again) Sorry gang, but the notion that presorted recyclables are picked up at the curb and thrown into a standard garbage truck, compacted and mashed together, and then re-sorted once the truck finishes its rounds . . . well, it just doesn't make sense. At the very least, paper should be kept separate from glass, plastic, and metal items. My strong suspicion (which I admit I have no solid evidence to back up) is that the city is going through the motions of a recycling program to meet the demands of a court-imposed order. My hunch is that it all ends up in a landfill, nicely scrunched together. I'd love to be proved wrong on this, but until some enterprising reporter from City Paper or the Post actually trails some trucks to their destination, we may never know. Once again, I renew an old suggestion: A container-deposit program that encourages consumers to return their empties. My guess is that entrepreneurial folks would still be happy to pick up empty deposit returns at the curb, and raise some cash for themselves or their favorite cause. Stan Wellborn SWELLBORN@BROOK.EDU '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Crime Is it my imagination, or is violent crime (i.e., armed robbery) on the increase in NW DC? Today's District Weekly section of the Post reported robberies in a number of surprising -- and alarming -- places (e.g., 43rd and Jennifer; a parking lot around the 3500 block of Nebraska (AU?); 4200 block of Connecticut; and inside a grocery store in the 5600 block of Connecticut (Safeway? Magruders?)). These reports come only a few days after a mid-afternoon break-in of a house on our (very quiet) street directly across from us. This morning my spouse, a lifelong DC resident, started talking about moving to Montgomerty County. While I doubt that will happen any time soon, the fact that the conversation took place is by itself remarkable. Greg Jones GMon6612@aol.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Crime I checked on the rumor of the return of the steak knife mugger (I believe I am actually the source for you of this rumor). The police say this is not the case. A couple of robberies did occur in Woodley Park with a knife but the MO was not that of our very own Steak Knife Mugger. The police believe these recent incidents were isolated crimes. Sam Le Blanc SAMIV@aol.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Mayor Having become a new reader, I like the stories and the letters. One asked about who will be running for mayor in the future. This unfortunately ignores the election this year (Sept. 1996) where Ward 2, 4, 7, 8 and two at-large positions are up. I am planning to run for the at-large seat currently held by John Ray and will be decided in the Sept. 10th Democratic Primary. John Ray will not seek reelection, so it will be an open seat. For those who don't know me, I live in Ward 6 and went to grad school at American University (MPA 1980) and formally lived in NW. As U. S.(Statehood) Representative, I was elected citywide in 1994. For more information, please contact me at my email address or call me at 202/544-0821. John Capozzi C1assoc@aol.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Taxes I probably shouldn't go public with a story that makes me look like such a financial basket case, but I think you should know (if you don't already) what you are dealing with when you deal with the DC Income Tax folks. I lost my largest client unexpectedly at the end of 1994 and had a problem paying all my 1994 taxes (totaling $15K, DC and federal). I simply didn't have the money. I called the District about a payment plan, and after tacking on $700 penalties, they told me I had to pay $1100 a month for the next three months or they would put a lien on me and "take away my credit cards." I had no idea where I would get the money, but I agreed to the plan. With the help of the angels, my mother, and friends, etc., I managed to make the first two payments on time. The last one isn't due until March 15. BUT THEY PUT A LIEN ON ME ANYWAY. When I finally reached someone (which took 2 hours), they said, "Oh, we must have made a mistake. We'll take the lien off." Then they added that I would probably want to try to get the credit bureaus to take the lien off "as soon as possible." How am I supposed to do that? They didn't know. Any ideas, anyone? Also--why weren't my payments posted? Why would I be anywhere in the computer owing the full amount? I may not be able to ask these questions today because I heard on the news last night that the mayor was closing the government again. I don't even know if that happened. What really frosts me in light of this situation is that I have learned that only 10% of the people in DC pay any taxes at all. Jeff says it's even fewer than one in ten. Allowing for children and the poor, that means we are paying most of the taxes in this ward. I have lived in DC for 34 years, weathered being a victim of a 42-point felony (4 perps never caught), and have defended this city against all comers. But no more. This joint is circling the drain. Come June, I am moving myself, my family, and my business across the country. Will you visit me in Phoenix? Jean Lawrence JKelLaw@aol.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Taxes I guess I didn't notice when DC sent out its most property tax assessments for 1996; however, I did yesterday, when I received the bill for the first installment, due in March. I see that, according to the DC Government, my house and lot are worth 3% more than they were last year at this time. Yet, this flies in the face of what has been happening in the real world in terms of sales in my neighborhood. While it would not be accurate to say that property values are plummeting, it would certainly be fair to say they are, at the very best, holding steady or drifting slowly downward. My guess is that DC views this as an easy way to increase taxes without having to go through the Council. In my case, the actual increase amounts to about $100 for 6-months. I don't have the time or will to fight over that amount (which is probably what they count on). However, I estimate that DC has assessed my residence at about $50K more than I could realistically hope to get if I put it on the market. Any thoughts? Greg Jones GMon6612@aol.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Buchanan Responding to criticism about his personnel, Buchanan today announced that "There is no room for bigots, homophobes, anti-semites or racists in this campaign.... "All those positions were filled months ago." RALPH A. BLESSING la3@ciesnet.cies.org '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Potholes [But first a word about Buchanan] Dorothy Gilliam, though not one of my favorite columnists, was pretty much on target Saturday in pointing out the mainstream media's double standard when it comes to P. Buchanan and Louie Farrakhan. While Farrakhan is threatened with congressional investigations for his often offensive behavior, Buchanan is more usually treated as a crusty old curmudgeon who would have been right at home in The Odd Couple. Every time Farrakhan opens his mouth, you can expect the usual chorus demanding that "responsible black leaders" denounce his ravings. When, I wonder, will we hear those same voices asking "responsible Catholic (or Irish-American) leaders" to do likewise in response to Buchanan's utterings? As for the pothole situation, it's hard to sympathize with the city's plight when crews that could be filling potholes are doing longer term reconstruction projects on the fault lines on major thoroughfares. No doubt, those cracks in the asphalt should be repaired before they develop into more serious problems, such as potholes (!), but what about the potholes we already have. It would almost be admirable (not to mention shocking) that the city is actually dealing with a potential problem in advance were it not for the fact that immediate needs are being overlooked. Southbound 16th St. between the Rock Creek Golf Course entrance and Carter Barron is a perfect example. A Post article a few days ago accurately described that minefield, which nonetheless was not enough of a priority to merit "prompt" (i.e., a month after the blizzard) attention. Meanwhile, road crews spent 2-3 days a couple weeks ago doing preventive surgery on the northbound lanes. Ditto Connecticut Avenue near Van Ness. One more example, it seems, of why our problems are not necessarily budget-related, but rather the result of poor management. Ralph Blessing la3@ciesnet.cies.org '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Parking Did I hear right that as part of the city budget being put together, making all kinds of across the board cuts, that they are going to ADD 22 parking enforcement pseudocops? As someone who has seen the complete randomness of the current parking officials, I think we should all be concerned with having 22 more of these folks walking the streets, meting out their own form of justice (and taxation). Might not 22 more REAL cops on the beat be more useful to the District's quality of life (I think they can issue the random parking ticket or two as well, along with their other responsibilities)? I. Kenny '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Bad ASCII Art I found the man's fashion decision making schematic very funny. However, I must protest the gross generalization that only men work in this fashion. My own mother (who will remain nameless to protect her identity) quite proudly regaled her children with how she recycled clothes while in college. She kept two piles of clothes in her room. The supply pile and the discard pile. When she undressed she placed all of her clothes in the discard pile. When she ran out of clothes in that pile, she would turn the pile over and rename it the supply pile and begin wearing those clothes. A new discard pile would be started. She would not allow her children to do this however. She claimed we were not old enough. Sam Le Blanc SAMIV@aol.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' dc.market COMMERCIAL SPACE WANTED TO RENT Our literary agency is looking for new space to rent in the Cleveland Park area. We need between 600-1,000 square feet, and are keenly interested in being within walking distance of Connecticut or Wisconsin's Avenue. If you have space to rent, please call me at 202-363-7410. Bill Adler, Jr. badler@cis.compuserve.com. ***************************************** NEED A BROCHURE? Direct mailing? Marketing advice? Big company background and experience, merciful prices. Jean Lawrence, (202) 362-8585, (202) 537-2980 (Fax). Free consultation. Or email me at JKELLAW@AOL.COM. ***************************************** For Sale: 5331 Nevada Ave., NW, in Chevy Chase, DC. $335,000 Spacious four bedroom center hall colonial, including sunny third floor bedroom retreat with 3 skylights, three bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths on the second floor, and first floor living room with fireplace, dining room with window seat, den with skylight, and eat-in kitchen. Garage and driveway. For sale by owner. Agents welcome -- will co-op. Please contact Ross Delston, 202-362-2260. rdelston@counsel.com. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' The End <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jeffrey Itell Publisher: dc.story Tel: 202.244.4163 P.O. Box 11260 Fax: 202.362.1501 Washington, D.C. 20008-0460 Your Electronic Backfence Story@intr.net <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> |
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