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July 5, 1997

Squishy Numbers

Dear Neighbors:

Control Board Chair Andrew ("It wasn’t me who shot Wallace") Brimmer and Chief Financial Officer Anthony Williams are duking it out on the pages of the Washington Post over funding sources for a police raise. Brimmer says Williams gave the Authority incorrect information. Williams says it won’t happen again. As fights go, this one isn’t exactly Tyson-Holyfield — unless we get into some serious ear nibbling.

I have no insight into how this snafu occurred. But my DC Council stint provides some insight. Brimmer has far too few troops, Williams has far too big a plate (or not a big enough plate), and the budgeting and expenditure situation in the District is still in disarray. The major shocker is that the District doesn’t really budget to the program level. (Please allow me to generalize because I’d be asleep way before you if I laid out all the evidence out in detail.) The federally approved budget provides so much money for a department like the Police but there is no real control over how that money is spent among programs. The Mayor’s budget doesn’t even generally include program and function budget information. These numbers come bubbling up like miscellaneous micreants from the accountants, program officials, and budgeteers in each agency. Asking anyone of them a simple question like how much did you spend on "the Supercan program" could take days of research. The garbage information trickles up to the aggregate (read garbage heap) level, where the big girls and boys make decisions based on what the bureaucracy has provided. Given the amount of squishy information put forward by the bureaucracy, I can easily understand how the main players could misplay a few million for police raises.

This dispute may have had nothing to do with bad staff work by mid level managers. But I’ll bet my bottom tax dollar that others will. My guess is that it will take years to wrestle this bureaucracy under control. Squishy numbers are a mayor’s best friend. Sharon Pratt Kelly opened up the budget goody bag for reelection, spending who knows what money for all sorts of visible improvements. There’s no reason that even with everyone looking over his shoulder, Mayor Barry won’t do the same. What’s a poor bureaucrat supposed to do when placed between Rock Creek Park and a hard place.

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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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The Return of IL Duce
Jeff Porten porten@sprynet.com

Way back in the pre-Internet days (or rather, back when only dweebs like me used it), I ran a BBS in Philadelphia for four years. Since that makes me a self-appointed expert on the issue of moderation, I’ll toss in my two cents. Rule One was, this is *my* sandbox and these are *my* toys. My computer, my software, my sweat equity. Therefore, I did what I damn well pleased. When a posting showed up that I didn’t like, I nixed it. When I got wind that some e-mail was flying about that was inappropriate, I popped into the "private" e-mail, read it all, and made sure that everyone was playing by my rules. The result? People got pissed, and people sometimes got vociferously pissed in the public forums. Like Jeff, I allowed the public discussion to remain public in order to make the board a better place — but keep in mind that if Jeff feels like we’re bitching and moaning too much, he’s got the right to not publish. This is his sandbox.

Personally, having signed onto and signed off of more discussion lists than I can count, I’ve seen that dc.story has the highest ratio of good talk to blabber of just about any list I’ve seen (and *certainly* of any list dedicated to DC issues — perused the dc hierarchy on USENET recently?). That takes tons of work, most of it invisible. The implicit rule here is that we can all sign off at any time; meanwhile, Jeff works (as I did with Pugwash) to make sure that the *content* here is good enough to make us want to stay. Considering the number of times that I’ve seen people here quoted in print media, and the number of discussions that have been created, I think we’ve got a damn fine electronic community here. Like all others, this one is a benevolent dictatorship — let’s not increase Jeff’s workload and tsoris by trying to pretend it’s a democracy. It’s not, nor should it be. I for one do not want to see our Fearless Leader throw up his hands and just tell us to make our own forum — only at that point will some people recognize how valuable this electronic space is.

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Glorious Leader/Messrs. Barron & Blessing
Rick Prescott RPRESCOT@aol.com

Jeff, I participate in several moderated, serious discussion groups and the editorial/censorship/moderation issues you discussed in the last dc.story have also appeared these forums. Moderating is not easy and the points you made were well taken. However, you need to find that balance point where no single poster is singled out for blame or praise and all entries are encouraged. If you need to err (and error is inevitable), you should err on the side of openness and inclusion. I also suggest you minimize micro editing of submissions. I don’t see this done very much in other lists. Usually a piece is either accepted or rejected without comment.

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dc.story Format and Content
Ed T. Barron edtb@aol.com

The question of purpose and content of our forum, dc.story, has been raised. Before I offer some thoughts, let me begin by saying the task of coordinating the dc.story is a difficult and time consuming job. If it were not so difficult then OGL would not be drawing a big paycheck to do the job (JOKE!). As the author and editor of two monthly web pages (replete with photos), I have a benchmark on both the time and the difficulty of coordinating an online forum. I also send and answer about twenty e-mail messages each day. It takes a lot of time. If one has to earn a living while trying to maintain an on-line periodical, it can be a real challenge. As for what an e-zine means to me I offer the following:

* It’s a place to learn what concerned folks are thinking.

* It’s a place to let off some steam and to find out who else is in the same boat.

* It’s a place to come up with ideas and suggestions on how to make things better.

As long as inputs express ideas and opinions in a reasonably concise manner (without impropriety) the inputs should be presented, verbatim, to educate, inform, or stimulate the Net Buddies. It would be great to see more of the readers stimulated to respond. It’s wonderful to see passion about our city and even more wonderful to see some reactions with creative ideas responding to things that bother us. If a complaint can be matched to some ideas on how to fix a problem then much is gained by all. The ultimate will be to translate ideas into unified proposals to make the right things happen and (gasp) take action. Now, I’m not talking about storming out of Pizzeria Uno one Tuesday night (in a somewhat anaesthesized stupor) to link arms and block traffic on Connecticut Avenue. But, maybe, one day, a gang of us will visit an ANC meeting with a genuine proposal that could fix a problem in our neighborhood, and then volunteer to help carry it out. That’s what this forum can do.

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Job Performance
Bill Rice ricebill@aol.com

Jeff, as a writer and editor who has dealt with editors and writers for a long a time, I completely agree with you and commend your job performance. Editing is absolutely necessary if this thing is too work. In deed, you’re a little too permissive. Messages would be read more if they were shorter.

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American On-Line
Mike Mann mmann@intr.net

Some biased thoughts on American On-Line’s limited email capacity. Most people be passively censored by the inept nature of AOL and their inability to post long messages. I think not. We also cannot read the thoughts of AOL subscribers if their modems are constantly busy. Rise up against your digital dictator.

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Rock Creek Parkway
Damian Buckley debuckley@aol.com

I am surprised that nobody has written about the proposed changes to Rock Creek Park. Changes include complete closing of the park and return to a natural forest to leaving it as it is. There have been a couple of Open Houses sponsored by the National Park Service and they have asked for participation. In flyers handed out on Rock Creek parkway recently the NPS gave four methods of communicating with them:

Via their Internet homepage: http://www.nps.gov/rocr/gmpnewsletter3/form.htm or leave voice mail comments at 202-282-1008 or request a newsletter by calling 202-282-1063 or send a letter to:

Rock Creek Park Planning Process 3545 Williamsburg Lane NW Washington DC 20008

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More Rock Creek Ramblings
Ted Gest 76710.2450@compuserve.com

Thanks to Jamie Treworgy for the recent post about the National Park Service’s website on alternate ideas for Rock Creek Park. I scanned through the material, and was struck by the lack of an articulated problem. Yes, there’s more traffic than there used to be, but no apparent pollution problems and minimal noise problems. A Post editorial properly dismissed the exercise as being oblivious to the real problems that would result if rush hour traffic through the park were curtailed (in terms of clogging other arteries). Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but I detect a tone that commuting through the park is an invalid way to enjoy it; that only biking, jogging, strolling, picnicking count. I’m biased because I’m a commuter, but I think the fact that drivers can enjoy a park commute is a plus. Surely there must be ways—such as the sensible one Treworgy suggests of reserving "reverse commuting" lanes for bikers—to make driving through the park compatible with its other uses. Anyone have similar or different perspectives on the way the Park Service is going about this?

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Woodrow Wilson International Center
Michelle Granson wwcem200@sivm.si.edu

Please be aware that Congress has taken the first steps to slash the budget (by 83%) of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the official memorial to former president Wilson. This may prove to be a fatal blow to the Center. To find out more about the Wilson Center and its plight, please refer to our home page at wwics.si.edu. The direct link to the article concerning the budget appropriations is http://wwics.si.edu/whatsnew/news.html. Thank you for your support and interest of this worthwhile institution.

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Two Answers, One Message
Steph "Radio is for when you’re in the car, books are for when you’re in your house" Faul steph@clark.net

1. The person who was not allowed to take out books from the D.C. library needs to do two things: First, apply for a new library card. Change one letter of your name if you have to. Second, get a Montgomery County library card — they’ll give one to anyone who has a valid area card. The Montgomery County catalogue is on line, so you can not only discover if they have the book you want, you can see which library has it on the shelf.

2. What’s all the fuss about jazz on WDCU? The posting about how WPFW only has jazz Sunday nights is in error; it’s Wednesday and it was playing jazz this evening. What I’ll *really* miss about WDCU is the blues and doo-wop programming, which is not duplicated *anywhere*. I’d miss Ernest White, too, but since I got a day job I never hear him any more.

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Fishing
Ed T. Barron edtb@aol.com

Hizzoner the Mayor is fishing for votes in all the wrong places. His appearance in the Fourth of July Pallisades Parade is a follow up to his meeting to snatch the MacArthur Theater from the entrepreneurial jaws of CVS. Too little, too late. Barry thinks he can improve upon his showing of about 7% of the votes in Georgetown and the Pallisades. I wouldn’t bet on it any more than I would bet he would get more than the few votes he got in AU Park last election. If I remember correctly you could count all his AU Park votes without taking off one shoe. The campaign begins.

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DC Public Library
David Sobelsohn dsobelso@capaccess.org

There was a suggestion that I should have used one of the recent library town meetings, or that I should write to Molly Raphael, the library’s acting director, to bring up my difficulty renewing a library book. Actually I did speak to Molly Raphael about the problem, just before the start of the recent SW branch town meeting. The meeting attracted about 6 library patrons besides me & didn’t get to patron questions & complaints until at least an hour after the scheduled starting time, after various library staff each made 5-10 minute presentations. Fortunately, I was able to talk to Raphael during the 25 minutes or so after the scheduled starting time that the meeting was delayed while we waited for more library patrons to arrive. Raphael understood my problem renewing the book & asked the library’s technical director to look into it. What I fear she didn’t understand was my bewilderment at the circuitous route required by the SW branch whenever I ask for a book on the shelf at another branch. SW staff insist I call the other branch myself to request a transfer to the SW branch, then call the SW branch myself until the book is in. Why can’t I just walk into my local library, ask for a book in the system, then go home & wait until the branch calls to tell me it’s arrived? Molly Raphael’s e-mail address: mraphael@rapgroup.com; she’s out of town until July 14.

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WDCU
Francine Krasowska madrobin@ix.netcom.com

Zinnia says, "Five years ago WPFW was a viable alternative to WDCU but its drive time and evening programing has degenerated into Reggae, salsa, world beat, African music, etc. none of which is jazz."

Hey, hey, hold on just a g====n minute! "Degenerated?" You’re entitled to prefer jazz, but some of us LIKE reggae, salsa, world beat, African music, etc. WPFW’s programming reflects the tastes — and the donations — of its listeners. If they shell out to keep the airwaves full of music from the mother countries, and the jazz faction is not heard from, that’s pretty clear feedback.

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dc.queries

Inexpensive Summer Rental Needed

For young female Spanish exchange student , at least through August; group house or with a family, low-cost or no-cost even better.

Patty Friedman 202-232-3449 pfriedma@smtp.aed.org

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dc.events

Top Rated Wines Under $10 Winetasting

Washington Tasting Society’s grand opening event is Thursday, July, 17th, 6:30-8:30 P.M. at Vivace Erotica Restaurant, 2311 M St., NW, Washington, D.C. This event is designed for the beginner to intermediate wine enthusiast who is interested in learning how to purchase top quality wines at reasonable prices (in fact, all these wines retail for less than $10, and are often better quality than wines twice the price!). We will sample 7 or 8 top rated wines chosen according to a Washington Post Column by Ben Giliberti and the Wine Spectator magazine. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Member and Nonmember cost is $25. Please RSVP for this event via email, as space is limited.

Charlie Adler adlerparty@aol.com

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The American Jewish Committee hosts the following 2 events this summer:

Wednesday, July 16 at 7 pm. The Swiss event not to miss — Swiss Banks and the Holocaust — will take place on Wed, July 16 at 7 PM at the offices of the American Jewish Committee. Featured speakers are: Andy Baker, AJC director of European Affairs; Gregg Rickman with Sen. D’Amato’s office; and Marilyn Henry of the Jerusalem Post. The cover charge is $7, and includes a light dinner. Positive RSVP’s are required to Vera at the AJC at 202/785-4200. The AJC is located at 1156 15th Street, 12th floor. Nearest metro: Farragut North or McPherson Square.

Lynne Mersfelder lmersfelder@ocean.nos.noaa.gov

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dc.market

Rejuvenate Your Yard And Deck

Let Pete create beautiful outdoor space for your home. Watering systems; expert maintenance; flower, shrub, bulb bed installation; outdoor lighting repair and installation; water garden repair and installation. References available; free consultation.

Rejuvenate Your Deck: Let Pete create beautiful deck/balcony space for your home. Cleaning/staining wood decks; container trees, shrubs, flowers, and water gardens; lights; container watering systems; wall-mounted window boxes and hanging baskets.

Philip Walker gardens@gowebway.com

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For Sale

Two bedroom sets from Ethan Allen (designs: Brentwood and Beehive). Each set includes 2 twin beds with mattresses and box springs, 1 dresser, and 1 night table. One of the sets also includes a mirror; both sets in excellent condition. Price $1,000 and $1,150, respectively.

Maria Clara daSilva (202) 966-7351 mdasilva@imf.org

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For Sale

Kenmore washer and dryer (electric) approx. 5 yrs. old. Both work and are yours for $300 if you can pick them up from my garage (on alley). (202) 363-2064.

Liz Spurgin Beegle1@aol.com

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Internet end user training and web site development! Contact the Goldray Consulting Group.

Harold Goldstein dcbiker@goldray.com

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Computer

I have a 486 w/ 8 megs of RAM, and 28.8 U.S. Robotics modem. It is in top notch condition, great for surfing the internet, playing games, and word processing. comes w/ speakers, monitor, and valuable software. $450 or best offer.

Jeff Knight ab325i@aol.com

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Do you live in Mt. Pleasant (or actually anywhere else) and need to store stuff? I’ve got garbage space for rent. It’s accessible only by coded entry, perfect for cars or other stuff like a canoe.

Also, I have extra tickets for the Foo Fighters show at the 9:30 Club next week. Interested?

Aries Keck akeck@nasw.org

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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

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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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