Potholes and Rats Invade themail
Dear Neighbors:
Back to basic maintenance. The postings this week are a good reminder that
most of our complaints about city government are about basic services and maintenance
issues. We can't blame just the City Council and Mayor for this. Of course, they're
responsible for having allowed our city and the Department of Public Works to deteriorate
to this condition, but the Control Board and Chief Management Officer haven't made any
visible efforts to improve DPW, either. At least that's my experience. Has anyone seen any
evidence to the contrary — any road repairs done efficiently and in a timely manner,
any alleys being cleaned and repaired on a routine basis, any calls for service being
answered — at all? If you did get work out of Public Works, how did you manage it,
aside from having Camille Cates Barnett move on your block?
Maintenance issues abound in themail, too. I haven't received any
complaints about the HTML version of themail, so it must be working. If you have a recent
version of most common E-mail programs, you can get themail with colored, larger-type
headings, so that it's easier to scan and read. You can switch between plain text and HTML
versions of themail by using the subscription form at http://www.dcwatch.com/themail/subscribe.htm
The archives of themail are complete for 1995, 1997, and 1998 to date, and
I'm filling in 1996. You can get to the archives at http://www.dcwatch.com/themail , and you can
search them using the search form at
http://www.dcwatch.com/themail/search.htm
. The maintenance issue here is that Stephanie Faul has told me that she thinks the
background pattern for themail archives is ugly and distracting. I think it's subtle and
attractive. Let me know what you think. I'll accept the majority vote — probably.
Some interesting events in the classifieds; be sure to check them out.
Sincerely,
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
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The moderator mentions that Marion Barry has been the master of Race
politics and the most responsible for the decay of the city. This is true, but is Mayor
Barry just a reflection of a decayed DC political culture? Washington is a city with
intense demographic problems. Is Tony Williams going to be molded by these same forces
into being Marion Junior? Sharon Kelly just locked herself in her office for 4 years while
the city festered. What will happen to Williams? Tony Williams has acquired the Barry
political operators, Rock Newman et al. Will we see a Mayor Williams in powder blue
jogging suits at 3 am and taking 40 suitcases to Africa?
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Ralph Blesssing is absolutely correct in his view that the selection of
streets for repair in DC defies any logic. This has been the case for years. I've
attempted to question such luminaries as former Councilman Jim Nathanson and have pursued
this issue all the way up to Dr. Gridlock, but have heard no cogent explanations. No one
seems able to explain how seemingly illogical priorities are set for road construction.
On-the-site inspections don't seem to be part of the equation. Further, perfectly good
sidewalks get massive repairs along with the decent road surfaces, while nearby streets
are a disgrace. Other current examples of unneeded construction are at Utah Avenue and
Quebec Streets, N.W., as well as several streets in Kalorama, and I could cite many others
in recent years. We all could cite the streets that SHOULD have been repaired instead
(start with most of Woodley Road from Cathedral to Wisconsin, and Porter Street from 34th
to Connecticut). Kathy Patterson, are you listening?
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About those Park Road Repairs
Rob Fleming (rfleming@dclink.com)
The Mount Pleasant community has been trying to get Park Road rebuilt, not
just repaved, for some time. Park Road is one of those very old roads (like Military Road)
that was built for horses, and doesn't have the underpinnings to carry cars, much less
buses. Houses shake and plaster cracks when the busses go by, and it's worse when they hit
a pothole. And although there are certainly worse roads, Park did have its share of
potholes. On top of that, MCI laid a major fiber optic trunk down the north side of the
road and did a bad patch job. Finally, many of the homes along Park Road had lead water
service pipes, so those are being replaced as well. All of that being said, the community
had asked for repairs on Park Road for a long time and nothing happened. The week we
learned that Camille Barnett was moving into the neighborhood, DPW was out there cleaning
out the storm drains and looking over the street with an eye to repaving it. It may be no
coincidence that there were some good, earthquake producing potholes right in front of the
CMO's house. But bottom line: the road carries a lot of traffic and was weaker below the
surface than it looked.
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Park Road Road Construction
James Treworgy, jamie@treworgy.com
The Park Road construction was described in the Mt. Pleasant Forum
(7/31/98) . The issue is much more significant than the quality of the road surface; Park
Road has never had a bed and as a result the houses which line it suffer serious
vibrations from trucks and busses going by. It is going to be completely excavated and
redone with an 8" road bed. At the same time the city will be replacing lead water
supply lines to houses along the block and replacing deteriorated streetlights.
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The Pied Piper Isn't in North Lincoln Park
John Olinger, North Lincoln Park, jolinger@downey-chandler.com
Those of us on the northeast fringes of Capitol Hill have been fighting
the rat problem for the past six months at least. Two mild winters have been kind to the
rat population which has grown by leaps and bounds. The feral cats which prowl the area's
alleys have disappeared (perhaps the victims of the rat poison that residents have been
spreading). [One unexpected benefit of the war against the rats is that people no longer
open their doors and let their dogs run free to foul neighborhood after a pure bred
miniature schnauzer was paralyzed after eating the poison.] There are at least two houses
where rats are teeming in the trash-filled backyards. It doesn't help that many put their
trash out in plastic bags, not garbage cans. And the problem is compounded by the fact
that at least once a week (we have twice weekly trash collections) the trash trucks either
come through a day late or in the early evening of the pickup day. We have tried
unsuccessfully to get the city to help. Some hired their own exterminators after the rats
got into their homes. One neighbor's rear brick courtyard collapsed because of rats
burrowing underneath. My wooden fence has been chewed through as has a railroad tie
bulkhead in my rear garden. So, if the folks in Spring Valley find the Pied Piper, we'd
appreciate it if you would send him along to North Lincoln Park (sans your rats) when he
is finished.
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CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS AND CLASSES
Free Concert
E. James Lieberman, ejl@gwu.edu
Free, in DC, The Friday Morning Music Club orchestra, Silvia Alimena,
Conductor. Sept. 29, Tuesday noon, Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G. St. NW. Johannes
Brahms, No. 2 in D, Liebeslieder Waltzes. Free Free Free
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Friends of Chevy Chase DC Library book sale
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com
The Friends of Chevy Chase DC Library will be having their annual book
sale on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 am to 3 pm, outside the library. 5625 Connecticut Ave.
(at Connecticut Ave. and McKinley St. NW.) Jazz band from 11 am to 2 pm. Includes cookie
sale from noon on. Accessible from the L2 bus from Van Ness/UDC subway stop. Several
thousand books in all varieties of categories. All proceeds benefit the Chevy Chase DC
library. Volunteers needed to help sort books and help on the day of the sale. Further
info from Suzanne Hurwitz, President, 202-244-4809. Website at: http://www.erols.com/chevchas/friends
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Roof-Top Gala Party, Sponsored by The Center For
Jewish Professionals
Jeffrey Itell, story@intr.net
Join Jewish professionals from ages 20 to 39 for a Roof-Top Gala Party.
This Monday, September 28, at the Embassy Row Hilton Hotel rooftop (2015 Massachusetts
Avenue NW, one Block from Dupont Circle Metro). Easy on street parking if you arrive at
6:20 p.m. before parking becomes legal at 6:30. Garage parking available in building.
(Special rate: $5) In case of rain it will be held inside the Hilton Ballroom. Hors
d'oeuvres will be served. $15 cash at the door. Questions? Contact CtrForJP@aol.com or
call 202 966-6003.
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Graffiti Paint Out!
Paul Williams, pkesleyw@aol.com
September 26 is this month's designated graffiti paint-out day in the
Cardozo-Shaw neighborhood. If you can participate, send me a message, Chuck Baxter at
CBaxter67@aol.com or phone 232-7921. We meet at 8:30 at 914 Westminster St, between 10 and
11th, S and T, N.W. I have the paint, supplies, and locations. We usually paint for one or
two hours and can cover a lot of sites in that time. People and families living anywhere
are welcome! Its a fun even for older children, and a great way to explore DC!
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Washington Tasting Society, Mid - Sept./Oct.
Calendar of Events
Charlie Adler, cadler@dgs.dgsys.com
FRANCE VS. CALIFORNIA WINE SHOWDOWN
1) Tues. Sept. 22nd- "Great Wines of South America," Argentina and Chile",
Tues. Sept. 22nd, 7:00-9:00 PM, National Press Club, 529 14th St. ("F" St.), NW,
(13th floor), Washington, DC, $38
2) Tues. Sept. 29th- "France vs. California Blind Tasting Showdown," 7:00-9:00
PM, National Press Club, 529 14th St. ("F" St.), NW, (13th floor), Washington,
DC, $45
3) Wed. Oct. 14th- "Wine Dinner at I Matti Restaurant," 6:30-7:00 PM Sparkling
Wine Reception, 7:00-9:00 PM Dinner, I Matti Restaurant, 2436 18th St., NW, Adams Morgan,
DC, $70, tax and tip inclusive, Valet Parking Available
4) Tues. Oct. 20th- "Wine Basics 101," National Press Club, 529 14th St.
("F" St.), NW, (13th floor), Washington, DC, $35
INTERESTED IN A PRIVATE WINE TASTING OR WINE DINNER EVENT?
Michael Franz, wine columnist for the Washington Post, can entertain groups from 30 -
1000, we take care of all the arrangements, just call (202)333-8992.
RESERVATIONS: RSVP at (202)333-5588 or email:
wine@tastedc.com, or the Reservation Form at our Web Page at http://www.tastedc.com/reservations.html
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Fall 1998 Classes at One World Media Center
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com
One World Media Center, a new nonprofit video and multimedia center in the
Adams Morgan neighborhood of DC, has announced its fall lineup of classes. If you're
interested in learning video shooting, video editing, video digitizing or intermediate web
page design, you might find exactly what you're looking for at One World. Details about
the Fall 1998 class schedule can be found on the One World web page, under the section:
"At OneWorld." Most class fees are less than $100. http://www.owmc.org
2390 Champlain St. NW. (Part of the Washington City Paper Building, but separate street
level entrance. Fully wheelchair accessible.)
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CLASSIFIEDS — FOR SALE
1999 Entertainment Book for PAW
Stacey Patmore, spatmore@nas.edu
The Partnership for Animal Welfare (PAW), a 501(c3) all-volunteer
nonprofit dog and cat rescue group, is selling 1999 Entertainment Books as a fund raiser
for our vet bills. Books are available for VA/DC, MD/DC, and Baltimore and books for other
cities can be ordered. The books contain coupons for area restaurants, theaters, car
washes, dry cleaners, airlines, Crown gas, car rentals, etc., etc. Price: $35. Call Stacey
Patmore, spatmore@nas.edu, (301) 572-4PAW
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CLASSIFIEDS — NANNY TO SHARE
Family in Chevy Chase, MD, with 14-month old daughter has a terrific nanny
to share. She is legal, speaks good English and drives. Ideally looking for a family with
part-time needs: either after school care, or 2-3 days/week of full-day care. Please call
Nancy to discuss the possibility. Weekdays 202-508-9466, eves/weekends 301-215-6674
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CLASSIFIEDS — FREE TO GOOD HOME
First of all, thanks to everyone who entered. We had many fine guesses,
and in a way, everyone who played is a winner. But in another, more accurate way, the
winner is David LaPoint. He guessed 427; the actual number was 416. Great job, David! I
want to extend thanks to Gary for allowing me to conduct this contest via the mailing
list, and also to WFQX, 99.3 FM in Winchester, from whom I won the tickets. I'll be
thinking of you all as I enjoy my weekend in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
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