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March 9, 1997

Senator Faircloth Speaks

Dear Neighbors:

It sometimes seems District residents would rather keep banging their head against a wall rather than open the door by turning the knob.

Many in town are in a snit about Senator Faircloth’s intemperate remarks—I think, in part, because he spoke the truth and folks don’t want to hear it. The facts about home rule. The District is ruled by the federal government. The Post, in another attempt to imply Faircloth is racist—drop the euphemisms and just spit it out, OK!—says that’s a strict constructionist interpretation. Actually, the constitution is quite clear on the matter. Read Article I, section 17. Moreover, the federal government continues to have an abiding interest in ruling its roost for its own needs, wants, and desires. In fact, being larger and a bigger part of the economy, it may have even a greater need than it did when the provision was first debated.

The constitution is silent on voting representation for District residents and there is voting precedent. Try not to confuse congressional representation—which can be successfully argued as a right—versus self-government, which legally is a privilege rather than a right. You may think self-government is a right morally, but to make it legal you need to do two things—convince America to make it a right and convince the federal government that the District’s "right" of self-rule is more important than Uncle Fed’s desire to run the affairs of its city. In other words, keep banging your head against a wall.

That said, it’s entirely appropriate that District residents govern themselves to the point where Uncle Sam says ouch. In other words, take full advantage of every privilege you can wrest from the capitol scoundrels. That might mean having to be purer than Caesar’s wife. That’s the burden of living in this city. Of course, we’ve been living like Caligula, but that’s another story.…

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Council Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation February 28, 1997

Excerpts from an exchange between Councilmember Patterson and General Becton during oversight hearing on FY 96 and FY 97 budgets.

Councilmember Kathy Patterson:

Before I launch into questions I would like to make an observation, prompted by a press account today and also by some of the testimony earlier today in the chamber.… You, General Becton, General Williams, Mr. MacLaury if he’s watching, and all your colleagues are now working in a public environment. And that means a great deal. This is not Brookings, this is not Ford Motor, and this is not even the U.S. Army, with all due respect to those organizations. It is not always a tidy thing to be working in the public sector.You have elected officials to contend with, for example, who feel we can say and do as we please because we have earned it by virtue of the electoral process. You have citizens to work with, you have parents to work with. Frankly, it is chilling to me to have heard a major parent advocacy group say that they have had to resort to Freedom of Information Act inquiries in order to get public information from the public schools. I would simply say to Parents United, please share your request with me and I will make that same request and not go through FOIA processes, and go through subpoenas if I have to because that is my job and I am responsible to the public.

It is real important that we all recognize who we work for. I know that the chief executive officer and the emergency trustees report to the control board. I know that the control board reports to the Congress. But in a very real way, if we do not recognize that we all also work for committed residents of the District of Columbia, for committed parents — if you don’t realize that you also work for the stakeholders, then you are going to fail. And we and other parents will be here two years down the road, three years down the road looking for another leadership model for the D.C. Public Schools. And children will again have been failed.

This is a first major televised hearing where you have testified on financial matters, and I want us all to be communicating candidly and openly with one another.

---- General Becton: I understand what you are saying,. I should point out that in my case and also in General Williams’ case, both of us have worked for public activities subsequent to the U.S. Army. I have been responsible as a university president to not only the public but to parents, to students, to the state. I have also been responsible as a public servant to the federal government, and I understand that. As you know I am also a parent of five youngsters who went to D.C. schools.

As far as requesting or relying on FOIA to get information, we are open and we are available to talk with the public. We are available to talk with the Council, and have talked with the Council. We are available to talk with the school board members. I think we have gone what may be beyond what some may have expected of us, and we intend to keep that up. We recognize that the public are the stakeholders, and we will do everything we can to maintain that relationship.

We want to see a system that is worthy of world class status, come June of the year 2000. It is very important to us that when we turn it over it is a system that continues going and not what we found when we took over when we came on 15 November of last year.

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Also free! dc.movie: Free movie passes, short movie reviews, and movie discussion. Send an email message to story@intr.net to subscribe.

Cheers,
Jeffrey Itell

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"Launch" Faircloth
Kent Jeffreys KJeffreys@aol.com

Do conservatives not realize how awful they appear when they say things like "If that bothers you, you should move" ?I know that I am stretching things a bit here (if only slightly) when I point out that rich white conservatives from the South have been saying that since the Emancipation Proclamation. Prior to that, they would hang you if tried to move.

The sad fact is that conservatives believe in local tyranny — Rep. Dick Armey is another prominent Republican who has suggested moving if you don’t like the rules conservatives impose. Of course, this makes constitutional protection of civil liberties a bit difficult, but then, that’s something else they don’t like.

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James McCaskill jmccaski@clark.net

You must realize that Sen. Faircloth is up for re-election next year and already faces tough opposition. What he says is for his voter consumption. One must begin running early and, as Sen. Helms found out, running against the District is popular.

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Home Rule or Clique Rule

Richard Levine RL44W@NIH.GOV

For those who chafe at Sen. Faircloth’s words, let me remind them of the Solar King’s remark to white voters: " Get used to it!" Home rule is a euphemism employed by those who profit from it! Meanwhile most of us suffer. I applaud any and all efforts to dismantle the district government and provide suffering residents with the basic services their inflated tax dollars should provide.

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Our City or a Federal City?
Tom Berry tom@berrybest.com

I, too, read the Post’s article about Sen. Faircloth and was a bit peeved at some of his comments. His suggestion to those who don’t like the fact that this is a "federal" city to move is a bit preposterous. Most folks in this city probably can’t afford to move and those who can would prefer to stay here because their house is a home, not a throw-away possession. However, I thought his basic logic was on the sound side. He was right in the fact that this is a federal city. And he should be applauded for wanting to treat it as such. Congress should take full possession of Washington, the sooner the better. Then there would be no more reason for a control board, no more oversight (if it could ever be called that) of our bumbling elected leaders and Congress would have us living in Wonderland happily ever after.

If this was truly a federal city run by Congress, then we would be treated as we should be: no taxation without representation. We would be non-tax-paying citizens living in a Congressionally created utopia with little crime, paved streets, smiling residents and happy, monied tourists. But Congress won’t let that last sentence become a reality. Why? It’s in its best interest to let the citizens pretend they are fully enfranchised and to continue to make believe they have their own elected officials who work in their best interest. An inept local government takes the heat off Congress, the official rubber stamper of all oversight of DC government. But if Senator Faircloth is serious about his ideas for DC, I’m all for it; it certainly looks better than what we got and it puts the heat right where it belongs...on Congress.

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Political or Police Initiative?
Randy Wells wellsr@guvax.georgetown.edunlikely event

Oh yes! The MPD has identified my neighborhood as amongst the 7 most heinous locales in the city. Hooray!

But wait, judging from the (all too boring) police reports each month at our civic association, with the occasional murder but often none, I wonder: where are all those 400+ murders are taking place if not in our own little caldron of crime? Strikes my skeptical side that this initiative is still mainly political, not policy. There must be some rather unsafe areas getting bumped from the chief’s hit list for lack of clout.

Oh well, I think Soulsby’s just being set up to be fired by the Mayor in time for his election campaign (or alternatively, in the that the Chief succeeds, being the Mayor’s best campaign credit).

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Homestead Exemptions
Lorie Leavy lleavy@email.usps.gov

After spending half a day trying to get through on 727-5380, which leads into an infinite voice-mail loop, I called a D.C. government operator and was given a number for "the director’s office" (727-6020). I don’t know whether this is the director of the Real Property Tax Administration or the higher-level Office of Tax and Revenue, but the important thing is that someone answered and promised to convey my name and property information to the Real Property Tax Service Center. She said I’d be getting a call from them in two or three days. As this is now day two, I have a sneaking suspicion a second call may be needed...perhaps to Mr. Williams’ office.

In my situation, they revoked my homestead exemption even though I returned my form last fall in a perfectly timely manner. Guess the lesson here is to treat every written transaction with the D.C. government as a potential piece of evidence. At a minimum, everything should be xeroxed.

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DC Real Property Taxes
Mary Lou Fahey mfahey@TEI.ORG

I got through to the number listed in the paper for correcting the omission of the homestead exemption on your DC property tax bills. Believe it or not, I got a real live person, who told me that if I wanted the property tax bill corrected, I should come down in person. He did not take down any information. When I mentioned the Post article, he said that the corrected bills will be sent out in two weeks. He kept asking me if I had filed the property tax exemption form. (I had.) But he would not tell me if I was one of the persons who would be getting a corrected bill.

I then called Kathy Patterson’s office. The folks there were impressive. They called the Director’s office and called me back to say that I could do this over the phone. I recounted the above conversation. They then said they were faxing a list of people who needed corrected bills over to the revenue office and my name would be on it.

My suggestion is skip the DC Revenue Office and go straight to the Ward 3 office. Make sure you have your square and lot number with you when you call.

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Africa and DC
Erika Williams ewilliam@nas.edu

S. Gerard commented that DC is seeming more and more like some places in Africa. I had the opportunity to spend a week in Senegal a couple weeks ago, and when I was there, I kept thinking, "This is just like D.C.!" —sad state of education, crazy bureaucracy, unsafe drinking water, trash in the streets, huge difference between the rich and the poor, and a small middle class. Obviously we’re better off here in a lot of ways, but the similarities do make one think.

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Recycling and Trees
Ralph Blessing la3@ciesnet.cies.org

In spite of the Post’s dour treatment of the city’s recycling mess in today’s (March 5) Metro section, it is still possible for DC residents to have curbside recycling. Eagle Recycling, the same folks whose contract the city seems to have screwed up, will pick up the usual items on a weekly basis for a fee of $5 per household per month. It needs to be coordinated by block or clusters of blocks with one person collecting the fees. Contact Eagle at 291-0200.

On another "green" topic, does anyone know who was responsible for planting all of the street trees on Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown and up toward Glover Park? Was it, by chance, the city? Or did one of the G’town community groups pull it off? Either way, it sounds like a success story worth sharing with folks in other parts of town where tree boxes sit vacant.

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dc.queries

A few weeks ago someone posted a notice about a beginning Spanish class, and the contact address given was returned to me as undeliverable. I’m looking for a beginning Spanish class, mostly to learn conversational Spanish, and would appreciate any leads and suggestions readers have.

Margie Siegel masiegel@consultingwomen.com

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I am interested in any written materials which DC Story readers might have regarding the operation of Washington’s wonderful "local government: the ANCs. I am particularly interested in cites (or copies if you have them) of more in-depth pieces from any local publications (City Paper, Washington Post, Washington Times, InTowner, etc.). Also, references to any government audits or reports, or public court documents or papers, or legal suits, on the ANCs in general, or particular ANCs, would be appreciated. Please contact me if you have information or references, or if you have an interest in the general subject and would like to help do the research.

Randy Wells wellsr@guvax.georgetown.edu

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dc.events

"The Winter’s Tale"

The Doubting Thomas Players will perform William Shakespeare’s "The Winter’s Tale," on March 14th and 15th at 7:30pm, and March 16th at 2:30pm, at 1772 Church Street NW. Suggested donation, $5. For information, call 202-332-0607.

Ellen Compton-Tejera eacompto@erols.com

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Footlights—The Modern Drama Discussion Group

Join us to discuss plays from the modern theater! On Tuesday March 18, we will discuss the Pulitzer Prize winning play "J.B.," by American poet Archibald MacLeish. Our meeting begins at 7:30 (after dinner at 6:30), at Luna Books, 1633 P St., NW. It’s free! For reservations or further information call David Sobelsohn at 202-484-8303.

David Sobelsohn dsobelso@counsel.com

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Internet In Schools

Janney Elementary School (Wisconsin and Albemarle) needs volunteers for its Net Day on March 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The aim is to wire all classrooms in order to network computers in the school and to connect them to the Internet. It’s part of a nationwide volunteer program that is wiring schools across the country. No technical experience is needed. Volunteers will drill holes, pull wires, tote ladders, or serve food to fellow workers. Tools and instructions will be provided. To volunteer for a shift, send e-mail to Kenncoll@erols.com.

Susan Price prices@worldnet.att.net

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Dinner Discussion Series - Reconciliating Religion in Relationships

March 19, @ 7:30, Dr. Phillips and a panel of family psychologists discuss . Enjoy a dinner of Cuban foods, great conversation and intellectual debate. The cost for this unsurpassed program is a mere $11.00. Magen David is located at 11418 Old Georgetown Rd, three blocks from the White Flint Metro station. Please call 301-770-6818 to RSVP or inquire further of the program.

Sandy Barsky sandy.barsky@GSA.Gov

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Mount Pleasant Clean-Up

Please mark your calendar for another mount pleasant neighborhood clean-up. This is a twice annual effort to clean up areas adjacent to rock creek park. Saturday, march 22, 9:00 am - 12:00 PM. Adams mill road & Harvard street Adams mill road & klingle road. Please bring trash cans, wheelbarrows, trash bags, rakes, shovels, gloves, etc.

Gordon Glaza gglaza@aba.com

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dc.market

Friendly Macintosh Help

Friendly Macintosh help offered to individuals, families, organizations, and businesses. House calls and phone support. http://www.his.com/~pshapiro/dc.story/announce1c.html/

Phil Shapiro pshapiro@his.com (202) 686-5465

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Need Elder or Child Care?

Last year Xiomara took care of my mother when she was ill; later she helped with my father-in-law. Now she’s caring for the house and grandchild of a friend of mine. But even though she has her own car, she’d like a job in DC or Maryland rather than Virginia. So if you want an absolute treasure for elder care or child care and light housework — full time only — call me for a reference at (202) 986-3463 or call her directly at (301) 386-5694. She is the perfect person to care for someone important to you.

Judith Turner judith@turner.net

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PFLAG Mother’s Day Gifts

PFLAG is offering you a chance to show your mother how much you appreciate her love. This gift includes the quarterly PFLAG newsletter, the PFLAGpole, a heart and triangle purple lapel pin; your choice of either Our Daughters and Sons or Journey To Gratitude (two of PFLAG’s own great publications), a special Mother’s Day membership certificate identifying YOU as the giver, and more. Orders can be handled over the phone (202) 638-4200, via email (Eharris@pflag.org) and by fax (202) 638-0243. Memberships take 2-3 weeks for delivery and cost $50.

Ellen Harris Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Eharris@PFLAG.org

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Tax Preparation

Don’t pay more than you have to for the preparation of your taxes. Henson’s Tax Service with over 30 years experience, located in District Heights & Upper Marlboro, MD. can save you money. Call 301-735-7222 (day or evening) for more info.

James Henson henson1@erols.com

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Computers

Buying one shouldn’t be so scary. Setting one up shouldn’t be so scary. Getting on the Internet shouldn’t be so scary.

Jeffrey Itell Story@intr.net 202.244.4163

dc.story is a discussion group. The opinions stated are the sole responsibility of the authors. dc.story does not verify the information provided by readers.

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For fast, reliable Internet services and cutting edge Websites contact Michael Mann at Internet Interstate mmann@intr.net. Web: http://www.intr.net

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Copyright © 1997 by Itell Communications, Inc. All rights reserved


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