$81 Million Water FightDear Neighbors: In the interest of time....Here it is!! ////\\\\\////\\\\////\\\\\/////\\\\ Also free! dc.movie: Free movie passes, short movie reviews, and movie discussion. Send an email message to story@intr.net to subscribe. Cheers, '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Inaccuracy I can’t begrudge Capozzi flack Jonathan Beeton airing his campaign’s custom-made Ward 6 poll to dcstory’s 1130 politically active readers. That’s just good spin politics. Beeton, however, steps way over the line in taking a swipe at dcstory itself, arguing that the newsletter’s "ultimate success or demise will be determined by the accuracy of its information." No. 1: dcstory’s "ultimate success" is already fact; there is nothing yet to be determined. No. 2: Its success has very little to do with the accuracy of the information within it. The newsletter is driven by opinion, vignettes, and gripes, all of which provoke feedback that keeps Itell’s email full and subscribers scrolling down. Obviously Beeton didn’t attend the Pizzeria Uno party attended by 70-odd subscribers who drank, talked local stuff, and then bolted one or two blocks for their Cleveland Park homes. Beeton needs a better understanding of what makes this service tick; perhaps he should conduct one of his expert polls. **** $81 Million Water Fight My old boss, former City Council Chair Gil Hahn recently filed a class action suite in DC Superior Court on behalf of all DC water rate payers. The Post noted it, but didn’t explain what it’s about. Hahn’s wants to stop the DC water authority from raising rates until the District pays back $81 million it ‘borrowed from the Water fund over the past several years. Barry used the money to cut his deficits. The suite argues that rate payers anted up for better service, but the city used the money for everything but. Hahn contends that new rates would be double taxation. The city has frequently used such tactics to better its position. For example, not paying vendors or stiffing Metro, or pension payments. For those who don’t know him, Hahn, served an appointed three year term, in the early 70s as the Council’s second chairman. (John Hechinger was first). A Nixon appointee, Hahn was an issue oriented strongly pro Home Rule chairman. His plans to raise taxes on commuter parking were too much for the White House which didn’t reappoint him. Off the council, he brought two major class actions against homeowners’ property tax assessments. The city (surprise) completely screwed up who was assessed when. It also added an extra tax bite to anyone with a new assessment. Hahn’s cases threw out all new assessments for several years. The city fought all the way never admitting its screw ups. Expect the same this time. If you’re interested in joining or just want more information send me an email. **** Someone is planting trees along streets in the District! Who *are* those wonderful folks? I regularly drive across the District via Missouri Ave., and recently noticed that a number of small, pocket sized parks not far from the intersection of Missouri and Georgia Aves. (where the late not so lamented Ibex club was located) have acquired numerous new trees. Then, I noticed the same along Nebraska Ave. near Reno Road. Is this being done by the DC government? Or is there some civic minded group at work here? Whoever is doing it should be applauded for adding some beauty to the city. **** Calvert Street Bikeways I was appalled to read in the Post’s Dr. Gridlock column the other day that, when the current reconstruction project on Calvert Street is completed, motor vehicle traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction (instead of two). The curb lanes are to be reserved for bicycles! A spokesperson for the DC Government said, in essence, that bicyclists in the area lobbied, successfully, for this change. I find it amazing that, at a time when major DC streets are approaching gridlock (at least during peak times), something like this could even be seriously considered, much less implemented. And all to benefit a segment of the commuting public that regularly and routinely violates virtually every traffic regulation on the books. It’s mind boggling! **** Magazines for the Library It has been suggested that citizens take their recent mags to the library after they’ve read them. Great idea. But, tear off the address label before you bring them in. There are some folks who delight in having your subscription rerouted to their address by calling the publication and giving them the subscription number. Truth is stranger than fiction. ***** Aries Keck akeck@aaas.org I noticed that Jill Bogard posted something on behalf of the Friends of the Cleveland Park Library. How could I start (or find) something similar for the Mount Pleasant Library? I’m a library fanatic. I moved to Lamont & Mt. Pleasant St. last week and walk by the library twice a day. I can’t wait to get inside, and I’d love to organize some fundraising for at least some landscaping. Does anyone have any info? **** Daniel Turner tcg@tcg-inc.com I assume that the recent story in the City Paper about Ward 3 being progressively cut off from the rest of the city (i.e., via the ongoing road reconstruction projects on Mass Ave., Calvert St., Military Road, Adams, etc. Actually, the questions I have (living, as I do, right on Calvert Street) are: Why are they repaving it at all, being that they repaved it only 9 years ago? And why on earth are they repaving it in concrete?? That’s *much* more expensive, as I understand it, than using asphalt. And nice marble curbs? What’s going on here? They did the same thing to McGill Terrace, but we figured that had to be because Jack Kent Cooke lived at the end of the street… **** I had a good experience in DC Motor Vehicles Last Friday, my wallet was stolen out of my purse while I was eating lunch at a restaurant downtown. (Reminder to women: don’t hang your purse over the back of your chair, even if you are eating with a friend who is facing you. Keep your purse on your lap.) Of course, my driver’s license was in the wallet, so I had to go to DMV to get a replacement. I got there pretty early, so the line was short. The woman behind the counter efficiently looked me up on the computer and said, "I’ll be happy to replace this one, but did you know that it expires next month? Wouldn’t you like to renew instead?" I was delighted, and I thanked her profusely. It took the edge off of being robbed to know that I would have had to go to DMV next month anyway. **** Missing my home, Admittedly, DC is my home town, so I tend to be defensive, but I nonetheless feel the need to respond to Suzanne Gallagher’s DC-bashing post. First, to address the non-delivery of mail, I personally have moved four times since 1993—three times within DC, and to NY last fall—and my mail has been following me to each location. Second of all, in response to a higher quality of life elsewhere: my beau is from Fargo, ND. Every few months he gets the itch, and starts DC-bashing himself, trying to explain that my life would be so much better in the Great Plains. So I respond to Ms. Gallagher the way I’d respond to him: "Perhaps, but you’d be in Fargo." I’m currently at grad school in NY, and returning to DC is like a real vacation. The people are nicer, the pace is slower, and the traffic isn’t really all that bad in the city itself (no comment about the Beltway). The subway in NY has better hours, but it’s dirty, and it’s completely inaccessible for folks on wheels, or other limited mobility. The bagels are better, but everything else is much more expensive. And as for trees? You have to travel to see them, not just look out the window. **** Barbara Goodman bgoodman@capcity.com On April 1st at 12:50 while we were in our kitchen making lunch, we happened to see some activity on our parking lot. For a second we thought someone was visiting us, but then the car looked too familiar. It was ours and it was moving. A thief had entered a locked ‘91 Chrysler Imperial equipped with an anti-theft device and before our very eyes did a backward U-turn so that the car was perpendicular to the alley and away he sped all within a minute or so. The police came about 10 minutes later to take our report. We couldn’t get a copy of the report until the 9th and were told that we should call the police every few days to see whether the car had been found. I said that I thought they would call us if they had found it, but was told I was wrong. They’re very busy and sometimes a car will be recovered, put on the lot where it may be vandalized and the owner is not notified until there is nothing left to drive home. Almost everyone I have told this story to had a similarly harrowing account to tell me: flatbed trucks are being used to cart away cars; a car was stolen at the Safeway at Piney Branch and Georgia while a customer was loading groceries in it; and on and on. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' dc.queries Carpet Stores Does anyone know any good places to buy carpet, either in DC, Maryland or Virginia? I am looking for a place that has a large selection at reasonable prices. **** Can anyone give me the low-down on registering a bike in DC? I’ve been told to get it done fast. But where? How? How much $? Denis Dison ddison@bna.com ***** Anyone have any clues as to how to get a current residential parking permit? I’ve sent checks 3 times, (each clears) but never receive renewed permit. I keep getting tickets right in front of my own house in Georgetown, (a 2 hr zone without a permit), when I park for just 5 or 10 minutes, i.e., carrying in groceries, or just running in. The policewoman says it doesn’t matter that I’m not there longer than 2 hrs, the reason I get the tix is I have an expired permit on my windshield. That’s absurd. It’s a scam, one more way for dc to make money. (Ps, I’m not good with a razor blade and local gas station will not remove permit). I also got a ticket for having an expired va inspection sticker on windshield even though I live in dc and also have a current dc one (car was leased from va dealer). I now have to keep running to 2d to get 2 wk visitor permits for my car since they refuse to send me a residential one. Karen Feld btwm32a@prodigy.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' dc.events Friday May 2, Housing Opportunities for Women is sponsoring a benefit at Arena Stage, for a performance of Sunday in the Park with George, which is rapidly selling out — anyone interested in a ticket, they begin at $60 apiece, and all are good seats, should contact me, margie siegel. margie siegel masiegel@consultingwomen.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' dc.market Problems in Windows95, Windows 3.1, or DOS? Want to add another hard drive, more memory, or just another peripheral? Mysterious crashes or slowdowns got you miffed? I can help. I’ve got over three years of computer software and hardware technical support experience solving a myriad of problems. Best yet, my rate is only $25/hour, and I do house calls (references are available too). Why put up with it any longer? Robert Whisler rwhisler@sprynet.com (202) 337-4396 ***** World’s Best Elder Care / Child Care Okay, it’s hyperbole. I don’t know if she’s the world’s best, and indeed have never used her for child care (although friends of mine praise her to the skies), but Xiamora saw my mother through her final months, and made those days pleasant and comfortable for her. She is a trained home health aid, her English and French are both excellent, and she is bright and delightful to have around. She is looking for full-time, live-out work. And she has a car! If you need someone you can rely on and trust, who will be as good as you are (and perhaps more patient in a crunch), call her at 301.386.5895, or contact me for more information. Judith Turner judith@turner.net 202.986.3463 ***** New sofa for sale I would like to sell my tuxedo-style Storehouse sleep sofa, which I have had for five months. (It’s too big for my living room.) It’s 7 feet long, 38 inches deep; there is a queen-size bed inside. The upholstery is an off-white 100% cotton with a subtle leaf pattern — very pretty and it’s been treated with fabric sealer and so resists dirt and stains. Also has arm covers. I paid $1700 and will consider all reasonable offers. Call 202-994-6943 for an appointment. Buyers must be able to transport the sofa. Cynthia Harrison harrison@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu **** Clinical social worker seeks to share office space 2 days/week or half time. Preferably near NW Metro station with parking. (202) 966-1556. Judy Hubbard Saul jandrsaul@aol.com ***** Summer Sublet Summer sublet in shared Chevy Chase DC house. Walking distance to Van Ness subway. Air conditioned. $425/month. Available now, or May 1st. Phil, (202) 686-5465 (home/office). Phil Shapiro pshapiro@his.com **** 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. ---------------- For fast, reliable Internet services and cutting edge Websites contact Michael Mann at Internet Interstate mmann@intr.net. Web: http://www.intr.net ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ dc.story—Your Electronic Backfence http://www.dcstory.com Kibitzing by Jeffrey Itell (story@intr.net) Copyright © 1997 by Itell Communications, Inc. All rights reserved |
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