Is School Out?Dear Neighbors: What about those school cuts? I hear through the grapevine (in the Roma's Garden) that the Control Board wants to ultimately cut $100 million from DCPS. Do we have an overfunded school district or one that is so strapped for money that it can't fix it's boilers? I've got to write a story about this so I'd like to know what you think. Jeffrey Itell '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Schools The Ad Hoc parents Coalition for DC Schools has been distributing yard signs that implore the Control Board to not destroy the public school system any further...or this house will be "FOR SALE." Signs are available from the Murch Home and School Association. There was good press on several evening news programs (Channels 4, 7 and 8). We're expecting coverage by the Post tomorrow also. The gist of the message for the Control Board is that the school system is currently teetering on the brink. Can the School Board and Superintendent still do more to make the schools efficient? Absolutely!... but in the interim, the cuts being demanded by the Control Board are already jeopardizing the quality of education our children are getting. We are used to dealing with incompetence in the District bureaucracy and can overlook it. We can live with potholes if necessary. But for us to sacrifice our children's future is a sacrifice we just can not make. Every day we learn of yet another family calling it quits and moving out of the District. With them goes even more of the tax base. If the Control Board thinks balancing the budget is tough now, let them try it with no taxes from the middle class. There are about 40,000 families with children in District schools. Imagine the impact of an out-migration of those proportions. Steve Gresham 70621.3357@compuserve.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Schools DC spends more per student then virtually any school system in the United states, estimates are approximately 13K per student. Montgomery by comparison spends 10K per student. Baltimore is spending 8K per student. (If memory serves). In response to this kind of public investment, the public gets 2/3rds of the school buildings failing fire code, Life threatening bathrooms, virtually no books or periodicals and heat problems. If the money is not getting spent on the bureaucracy then it is being directly stolen. It certainly is not spent on the students. The DC school population has fallen almost 50%, yet few schools have closed and few positions terminated, instead the schools have served as yet another jobs program for Mayor-for-life Barry. Cutting funding is the only way to force change. increasing funding only rewards incompetence. Pat prb@clark.net '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Public/Private Partnerships Councilmember Kathy Patterson has asked for our thoughts about public/private partnerships for the fire/police department (3/5 issue). While I'm all in favor of citizens rallying around a problem and offering to help solve it, rather than gripe about it, I hate to think that the District government has gotten itself in so deep that the only hope we residents have to ensure our safety is to dig in our pockets to buy what we should be able to expect in return for our taxes. I think community fund-raising for special needs, such as a hi-tech piece of equipment or a series of safety seminars for the community is a great idea. But are we talking about making citizens feel they need to contribute to a local fire or police department fund to ensure that an emergency call to 911 will be answered promptly or to ensure that a truck with the basic equipment be available to come to their homes if they go up flames? This sounds more like a private bankroll of a public duty. Maybe if I felt that the District was holding up its end and managing our tax dollars responsibly (or at least moving in that direction at a speed faster than glacial), I'd be happy to support such a partnership. Until I start to see some changes in the way the city's being run, I'd worry that our city leaders (Ms. Patterson included) would jump all over an offer of private assistance and come to rely on such support as a way to shirk their own responsibility to provide what any honest, tax-paying citizen in this country should be able to rely upon. Caroline Staff cstaff@nas.edu '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Public/Private Partnerships
The Bethesda Urban partnership, IMO is a very successful PPP. It's not very democratic, but they do make the trains run on time ;-) prb@clark.net '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Private/Public Partnerships Does the fact that Council member Patterson proposed forming public/private partnerships to fund various parts of DC government mean she has abandoned all efforts to have the DC Council prioritize needs and cut low priority items? Or will she continue to fight for this type of action but merely thinks it is futile and citizens will have to fund what they want? I urge her to not give up and offer her my support. It would take an incredible amount of evidence for me to believe that the city of Washington can not survive on $5 BILLION dollars per year (I bet this is bigger than the entire state budgets of most states in the US). If our elected leaders will not act, then citizens must. A possible solution. Can the citizens vote to dedicate tax dollars to certain city functions? This is not the optimal way to govern because it prohibits maximum flexibility, but in a city where leaders will not act and continue to spend in an irresponsible manner, it may be an appropriate solution. What are the obstacles to voting to dedicate taxes to police and libraries? Sam Le Blanc SAMIV@aol.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Parks I would like to add a different perspective the recent article on the proposed renovation of the Ft. Reno athletic fields. I'm a soccer official who spends most of my time reffing games for the competitive "travel" clubs. These clubs from all over Virginia (as far away as Winchester), Maryland (as far away as Donaldsonville), and DC play "home and home" games with teams in their division. The DC fields are in horrible shape and pathetically maintained. As an aside, Ft. Reno is so bad, the travel leagues won't even use it. I've worked on that field and its nothing but rocks and dirt. Consequently, all the Virginia and Maryland parents make comments about the condition of the fields and generally hate having to come to the District to play. While you might think that this is of little consequence beyond civic pride, it actually has real economic consequences for the city. As many of you know, soccer is very big in this area and very often tournaments are hosted in the area. These tournaments draw literally hundreds of teams from throughout the United States to Northern Virginia. All of these teams have around 18 players with a full complement of coaches and parents. All of these people require hotel rooms and restaraunts in which to sleep and eat. NONE of that money comes into the District. Because there are no suitable fields in the city (aside from the Mall, which is not sufficient to host a tournament), no tournaments are held here. The Ft. Reno renovation certainly won't change this situation, but this is yet another example of the economic consequences of the city's failure to provide adequate facilities. Tracy Greer Pooh2525@aol.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Retrocession Okay, just one comment (my 2.2 cents worth) on Thomas Mathes' interesting statement on retrocession. I live in NW, but am not a long time resident, so I haven't really formed a personal opinion. My question is this: While we are up in arms as to whether or not it would benefit us to retrocede in some form, what possible benefit would there be to Maryland in absorbing us? And has anyone even bothered to investigate whether or not Maryland even wants a piece of us in the first place? If there are answers to these questions, I'd sure like to know. However, all this rhetoric seems to be awful one-sided, as in how can we get statehood in some form to our benefit. The decision cannot be only ours to make. David J. Meyer joerugby@cais.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Retrocession Interesting comment on the federal taxes break for District residents (Thomas Matthes). I'm outraged that we have taxation without representation, and it never seems to get seriously mentioned by any politicians. When I have issues to bring up with a senator or rep, I use my native Texas representation (even though I didn't vote for them, at least they might do something). Is there really a chance that the District will have federal tax exemption or reduction in the future? It does seem like business would love it and the idea of then annexing to Maryland is a good one. What are the realistic chances? Also, I do think that the Hatch solution is fine on the surface, but probably a can of worms, and yet another example of the residents being taxed to death and not having anything to say about it. And, I'd love to get Comedy Central. Also, Nick at Nite's new channel--TV Land. A. Sanford scdi@his.com ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Property Taxes I have studied property taxes through our neighborhood (Wakefield - near Tenley Circle) in recent years and offer this factual explanation to many of you wondering why your assessments are behaving as they are (there will always be some exceptions...). The assessment office looks at sales in individual neighborhoods and calculates the ratio of sales price to prior assessed value on these sold homes. They then apply this ratio to ALL homes in the neighborhood, indiscriminately. Problem? The home that has had the 6-digit addition and sold for 40% more than assessed value. When weighted with three other sales at assessed value of non-improved homes you get an average "increase" in value of 10% which will be applied to ALL homes in the neighborhood, leaving the improved home well under-assessed and all others 10% over. Similarly, if someone sells that house down the street that's seen no improvements since the 50's for well under assessed value, everyone in the neighborhood will get the benefit of being treated as though they are behind the times. [By the way, the obvious errors in this do little for you in an appeal. A couple years ago I took pictures to an appeal to highlight differences in my home vs others. The board cut off my discussion agreeing the improved homes were obviously worth more than mine. They subsequently reduced my assessment 5%, leaving my assessment HIGHER than that of the improved homes!] The bigger problem is that over the past 4-5 years I have corresponded with the Dept of Finance, the Mayor's office, and the Council (even testified before the Council at a hearing regarding the Dept of Finance), and at best get a response that "accuracy of assessments is a classic problem"! I have not been to the library to check on the latest assessments, but I certainly have no reason to expect this year is any different that the past several... (or Kathy, can you honestly tell me things are different this year?) Brian Nielsen 76605.3533@compuserve.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Property Taxes Ha! I don't think you're right about the property taxes. We got a raise in our taxes despite the fact that we live next to an abandoned house (which we've been trying to get the DC government to deal with for 6 (!) years now. Of course, we plan to contest the raise. We were absolutely flabbergasted when we saw it. Rona Mendelsohn Mendelsohnr.NSIAD@GAO.gov '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' City Life Three cheers for the reader sick of all the bellyaching about DC. It has its financial problems, and they need solving. The best of the Story's messages are about how to do that. But why not start a string on "What's Great About DC"? My candidate: The wonderful running. When they close Beach Drive, the Park is spectacular. And running down the Park to the Mall, around the Capitol and Memorials and back to NW has to be one of the best runs in urban America. Spring is coming (I'm told), so let's all try to write "what's Great" or maybe "Who's Doing Something Great" in DC. Jonathan Abram jlabram@aol.com jla@hh3.hhlaw.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Potholes At the February 12 meeting of ANC-3F, Gary Burch, head of planning for DC DPW indicated that one should call the "Pothole Hotline" for problems such as those pointed out on 36th between Fessenden and Nevada. Mr. Burch also indicated that most of the work was being done on federal roads with federal funds due to <pregnant pause and can you guess what's coming next...> "a lack of funds!" Contacting your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner is another source of information. If smalcolm@erols.com wants to voice more concern about the situation, perhaps he/she should come to the next meeting of ANC-3F where Financial Control Board member Stephen Harlan will be speaking on Monday, March 18 at 7:30 pm. steve gresham 70621.3357@compuserve.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Potholes It is interesting that you mention the hole on the corner of Garfield and Connecticut. I have almost fallen in a number of times. The sad thing is I think it has been there for at least 3 years. I guess I thought since it was so huge (and on the way to the zoo) it would be fixed quickly...(an assumption made by the midwest in me). Also, I miss having The Wiz in Cleveland Park. It was nice to be able to run in when I really HAD to have a new cd. Oh well. Kris Hoeschler khoeschl@hr.house.gov '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Potholes It can't be complicated to repair potholes. Why can't we have a program for high school kids to do this under supervision? A sort of Spring Jobs program. Jon Goldstein jon_goldstein@ios.doi.gov [The big cost for pothole repair are trucks, materials, and equipment. jeff] '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Merchants FYI, H&H has moved to a new location on the west side of Wisc. Ave, north of Toojay's (Mel Krupin's). I noticed their sign on the door of a small office building next to a building containing the Brazilian military attaches office. Rick Prescott RPRESCOT@EMAIL.USPS.GOV '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Merchants Does anyone know what plans are in store for the old Lad Mills Exxon Station at the corner of Wisconsin & Q St. in Georgetown. The rumor is that it has been bought by a bank but which bank and what the new owners want to do with it is unknown. Robert Levine rilevine@cpcug.org '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Cable Television District Cablevision is owned by TCI, a mega-cable-conglomerate out of Colorado (TeleCommunications, Inc.--owned primarily by John Malone). Perhaps that has something to do with why we don't get specialty stations owned by Turner, such as the Chicago superstation, Turner Classic Movies, Comedy Central, etc. A. Sanford scdi@his.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Cable Television re: Greg Jones's "Is the DC cable TV operation the worst..." DC's cable system is actually not the worst. It may not be the best, but it's unclear if -any- system in the nation deserves that title (all but 50 of the nation's 11,000 or so franchisees are monopolies in their regions of service). The average urban American cable system carries 65 channels. The DC system carries 16 broadcast channels, 29 basic cable networks, 7 premium channels, 9 political, educational and government channels (referred to as the "PEG" group), and 4 pay-per-view channels, for a total of 65. Average. And since cable rates were regulated in 1992, federally mandated benchmarks have been in place to set rates, so you can rest assured that your bill is pretty close to whatever the national average is. As for the "PEG" group, those channels actually cost the cable system money, because they're free of advertising (though the franchisee reaps political capital). You might not like the programming as a whole (I'm not sure anybody does), but keep in mind that the system has to select a line-up that is the most appealing to the greatest number of people, resulting in a rather bland mix of channels. The DC franchisee is Robert Johnson, the man behind BET, and he originally won the franchise in part through his ties to Mayor Barry. TCI of Denver (owner of 1,242 systems nationwide, reaching 19.9% of cable households) eventually purchased a controlling interest. As far as the future of both rates and competition, almost anything could happen. My guess is that rates will jump when cable systems are first allowed to raise them in the wake of the new bill, but that the spectre of real competition from both digital satellite systems (the 18" dishes you've read about) and the phone companies will force the cable systems to act. This is probably 2 to 4 years down the road. Next big worry: that the cable companies will try to raise your rates to subsidize their expansion into phone and data transmission. Steve Higgins schiggins@cbs.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Cable Television A buddy of mine used to be in the network cabling business. He had one competitor on bids who used to be this complete clueless bozo. However because he was certified as a *(a) business and in tight with marion barry, he would win a number of DC Govt jobs and then sub them out to my buddy. One day this guy won the DC cable TV franchise. I knew then DC Cablevision would not be a quality service. I would suggest that if you are unhappy with DC Cablevision, which is likely unless you have an unrequited love for Council hearings, that a $700 investment in a 18" DBS sat TV dish will prove to be very rewarding. 500 channels, No DC Government nonsense, responsible installers (You can do it yourself), it works inside and is high quality.... Pat prb@clark.net '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' dc.market I just thought i'd try the new and modern way of announcing a gorgeous, new listing MIKKELSON house on rittenhouse street NW - 3327 to be exact - asking price $410,000. - great for entertaining - huge deck, hot tub - the works - we've had many happy years here, wedding on deck - as well as 50th and 60th birthday bashes and would love someone to start enjoying this - we're off to san diego to enjoy kids and hopefully grandkids and of course the west coast - no fear of snow - but new fears of earthquakes. Judy Schreiber 102754.3341@compuserve.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' The End For fast, reliable internet service, contact Michael Mann at Interstate Internet (mmann@intr.net). <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jeffrey Itell Publisher: dc.story Your Electronic Backfence Story@intr.net <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> |
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