themail.gif (3487 bytes)

April 11, 2001

To Insure Prompt Service

Dear Big Tippers:

In the last issue, Jean Lawrence wrote about the recycling worker's unsubtle demand for a “holiday gratuity” that, “Isn't it almost like extortion. . . ? You should report it.” We've had different opinions expressed since then, and I'd like to weigh in, as though I were Miss Manners or the Times Magazine Ethicist. Don't tip government workers. Ever. Period. Don't give the trash collector ten dollars so that he won't scatter the trash on your lawn. Don't give the postman ten dollars so that he won't lose your mail. Don't give the building inspector twenty dollars so that he won't look too closely at the code violations. Don't give the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner fifty dollars so that he won't object to your store's application to sell beer. Don't give your Councilmember five hundred or a thousand dollars so that he won't put up roadblocks to your project. Don't give ten thousand dollars to your Mayor's nonprofit organization so that he won't look askance at renewing your company's contracts with the city. These aren't tips, they're bribes; even the small ten dollar contributions are wrong.

Maybe in the old days, in the small towns, things weren't quite as clear. When you knew your mail carrier and chatted with him a couple times a week, the Christmas envelope may have seemed more like a gift to a friend than a bribe to a public employee. Today in DC, it's hard to make that mistake.

Today, the Control Board approved a contract with Greater Southeast Community Hospital. Both the Control Board and the Mayor are keeping the contract secret and have refused to release it. Apparently, they have no confidence that the terms of the contract will withstand public scrutiny.

Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com

###############

Tipping
Peter Luger, lugerpj@georgetown.edu  

It's against the law (a federal offense) to tip a mail carrier or for a mail carrier to accept a tip.

###############

Tipping
Gene Hoffman, eugene_hoffman@yahoo.com

When I was young, my dad would put a bottle of bourbon out every Christmas for the trash and garbage men (separate collections with separate cans in the 50's and early to mid 60's. This gesture ensured the continued structural integrity of his galvanized steel trash and garbage cans. I distinctly remember the guys coming up the alley shouting out “Trashman coming! Trashman coming!” on the last collection day before Christmas, just in case anyone forgot their annual tip/gift. Anyway, my dad thought that these guys had a pretty tough job and a small tip or gift was not too much to ask for.

###############

West Nile Virus
Victoria McKernan, victoriamck@mindspring.com

I am interested in local response to the problem of West Nile Virus, as brought up in the last issue by Marika Torok. While it is certainly a good idea to reduce mosquito breeding areas and keep an eye on the progression of this virus, I wonder, more from a philosophical/moral/ethical perspective, at the sudden interest in mosquito-borne diseases. In 1999, seven New Yorkers died from West Nile. That same year, over two million people, definitely not New Yorkers, died from malaria, a mosquito borne illness that has ravaged the world for centuries. The number of those who simply get horribly sick and permanently disabled is practically uncountable, but WHO estimates roughly half a billion. But malaria, once a significant problem here, has now been virtually eradicated from the United States. So how many of us were concerned with mosquitos before West Nile?

From 1975 to 1997, multinational pharmaceutical companies brought 1,223 medications to market. Of these, only 13 were designed specifically to treat diseases "unique" to the developing world. It is simply a question of profit. Americans choose to spend more money to develop Viagra and anti-anxiety drugs for pet dogs than they do on malaria drugs for the third world. So let's put West Nile Virus in perspective and give some thought to the rest of the world.

###############

Frontiers in History
Mark Richards, Dupont East, mark@bisconti.com  

Today (April 11, 2001) was National History Day. The program in D.C. involved 9th-12th grade students from DC Schools, Public and Charter, presenting research projects-they wrote papers, gave performances, made video documentaries, and created exhibits related to the theme “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.” There was a 100 percent increase in entries in three categories this year. Students presented works about the Black Panther Party, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, end of apartheid in South Africa, women leaders in world democracies, technology, the impact of DNA on solving crime and reducing unfairness in the judicial system, the history of disco, military history, the democracy movement in DC (with photos of statehood, Stand Up, and DC vote events), and many other topics. Students came to the competition today and talked for 15 minutes to the judges about their projects. They had interesting stories! Those judged to be among the best will go on to the national competitions.

Mychalene Giampaoli, Education Director and History Day Coordinator from the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., said that DC does quite well in the nationals, scoring among the highest of 48 participating states. This could make a nice feature story — students pursued their interests and learned something new, presented their findings, have stories to tell, and are doing great things. Three cheers, nice job all participants! For more information, contact: mgiampaoli@hswdc.org.

###############

Praise for DMV
Gregory Diaz, zaidmot@aol.com

I have been known to criticize some aspects of our city's administration. But this time I really must praise the staff of the DMV at its H St. NE location. My wife and I arrived there inexcusably late last Wednesday evening (less than 15 minutes before closing time) to change driver's license addresses and get a new residential parking permit. The staff pitched in without grousing or complaining to get the job done and get us out of there with new licenses and residential permit in hand, even though “the computer” kept crashing, had to be rebooted several times, and kept the entire crew late.

###############

Time to Change
Ed T. Barron, edtb@aol.com

Now that the tuition plan for college bound students from D.C. (the plan which allows students to attend any out-of-state University or college at in-state tuition rates) seems secure it is timely to reconfigure UDC. UDC, with its present curriculums and course offerings is relatively useless for most of those students coming out of the D.C. public schools. A degree from UDC has no credibility in the real world. What is needed is a school that helps students prepare for a real job and a real career.

UDC should reconfigure itself into two parts. The first part should be a remedial school on a Junior College level to prepare students to enter genuine four year universities outside of D.C. The other part of UDC should offer specialized courses in programs (e.g. Health Care, Computer Science) that will lead to viable, good paying jobs. We should stop pouring wasted money into an institution which is not helping the graduates of a failed public school system to move on to the next phase of their lives.

###############

Low Verizons
Todd Trafford, todd_trafford@hotmail.com

Piling on Verizon. I started DSL service with them last fall at $39.95/month (a special promotion). They double billed me for three months and when confronted said they had accidentally registered me twice in their system and would credit me for the three months of double billing (which I had already paid) but that it might take two months for the credit to show on my statement. It has now been three months, and not only have they continued to double bill me, but I have yet to see the credit. It would be one thing if they were providing top notch service, but they aren't.

###############

CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS

Bookfest April 24
Lois M. Kirkpatrick, lois.kirkpartrick@co.fairfax.va.us

Meet Washington Post editor and Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Dirda and 20 other local and nationally-known authors at the Fairfax County Public Library's BookFest April 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kings Park branch in Burke. To sign up for this free program, call 703-978-5600. Following Dirda's remarks, you will have the opportunity to meet visiting authors. For more information, go here: http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/library/cntrbook/events.htm.

###############

Blood Wedding
Robin Larkin, rlarkin@footlightsdc.org

“Blood Wedding” (1933) is one of the true masterpieces of the 20th century, an explosive, rarely performed tragedy of forbidden love written by Spanish playwright Federico Garcia Lorca and translated by American poet and playwright Langston Hughes. On Sunday, May 6, at 2 p.m., Footlights — DC's only modern drama discussion group — will attend “Blood Wedding” at the Washington Shakespeare Co., 601 S. Clark St., Arlington (Pentagon City Metro). Discount tickets are $14 and include a post-show discussion. Mail your check to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Court, Rockville, MD 20852. Call 301-897-9314, E-mail rlarkin@footlightsdc.org, or visit http://www.footlightsdc.org for directions and more information.

###############

Neighborhood Planning Workshop
Chris Shaheen, cmshaheen@earthlink.net

The Office of Planning is sponsoring a Neighborhood Workshop for the Mount Pleasant, Columbia Heights, Pleasant Plains, and Park View neighborhoods on April 28th. This workshop is part of the city's Neighborhood Initiative and will help direct funding priorities in the 2003 budget. Join your neighbors to identify specific projects for the District's 2003 budget at this Neighborhood Planning Workshop, Saturday, April 28, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tubman Elementary School, 3101 13th Street, NW (the corner of 13th and Kenyon Streets). To RSVP or get additional information, contact Vincent Valdes, Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Coordinator at 442-7600.

###############

Tax Day Protest
Ralph Blessing, rblessin@pd.state.gov  

As Tom Berry points out, there has been little discussion in themail of the proposed legislation to relieve DC residents of the federal tax burden. However, it should be noted that DC Vote is sponsoring a Tax Day Protest on April 16 in Upper Senate Park (Constitution Avenue across the street from the Capitol) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. DC residents are encouraged to take copies of their 1040's to burn in protest of our continued taxation without representation.

###############

Higher Achievement
Allison Foster, Higher Achievement, aafoster@aol.com

Higher Achievement, or HAP, provides an after-school academic enrichment program for middle schoolers from underserved areas in and around DC. Students attend the Learning Centers three evenings a week, where they study core curricula in Math, Science, and Technology. Students also choose an elective studio, of which the choices include theater, martial arts, and print making. We have two Centers. The Hines Center is located on Capitol Hill across from Eastern Market. The Chavez Center is located at the Caesar Chavez School, on Florida Avenue, NW, between 13th and 14th Streets. A third Center will open in the Fall.

HAP is now accepting applications for the Summer Academy Program, and for Fall 2001. If your children are in the 5th through 8th grade, and you want to strengthen their study skills and improve their academic performance, call us at 842-5116. If you want to volunteer to mentor a student, please call us to get involved. We are now accepting student and mentor applications for Summer Academy and Fall 2001 Enrollment. Visit our web site at http://www.higherachievement.org.

###############

CLASSIFIEDS -- BUSINESS

DC Neighborhood and Home-Based Businesses May Bid on District Contracts
Arthur H. Jackson Jr., ahjgroup@earthlink.net

There is a perception that only Big Business can provide contracted goods and services to our city's government. However your small mom and pop business may be eligible to become certified as a Small or Local Business to bid on government contracts. And more than $1 billion per year is awarded to small Washington area business by governments. The AHJ Group is an organization that is seeking to increase District-based small business participation in the awarding of Government Contracts. Contracts are awarded to food stores, hair salons, e-commerce retailers, T-shirt printers, couriers, printers, real estate agencies, contractors, and a host of other small business.

In May, the AHJ Group will host a series of workshops on how your small business can bid on government contracts. For registration and reservations, call 508-1059, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

###############

CLASSIFIEDS — VOLUNTEERS

Several Volunteers Needed
Cristobal Covelli, ccovelli1615@juno.com

The ARRIBA Center, a nonprofit organization helping people with physical disabilities in the District of Columbia, seeks volunteers starting right away to perform some light office tasks and assist director, who is blind, for two hours per week. Familiarity with Word, Word Perfect, and Excel would be very helpful. Contact Dr. Cristobal Covelli, Executive Director, 667-3990 or by E-mail, ccovelli1615@juno.com.

###############

CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS

Seeking Restaurant for Private Business Meeting
Jon Katz, jon@markskatz.com 

Please give me your recommendations for a restaurant in Silver Spring, Wheaton, Bethesda, or Rockville that is conducive to a quiet business dinner meeting for 20-30 people. I prefer either a private room or private area. I don't want the prices to be much more than scale of a place like Clyde's.

###############

Wanted, a Good Landlord-Tenant Lawyer
Phil Greene, pgreene@doc.gov 

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good landlord-tenant attorney in DC?

###############

General Contractor?
Andrea Carlson, BintaGay@aol.com 

We need someone (a general contractor?) to do drywall, paint, and maybe some wiring work in our attic. Any suggestions for someone reliable, tidy, and reasonable?

###############

CLASSIFIEDS -- CITY PAPER PREVIEW
Dave Nuttycombe, webmeister@washcp.com

From washingtoncitypaper.com's LOOSE LIPS column, appearing this Friday:
SHELL GAME: District residents must be feeling bamboozled. First the D.C. Council gives them a tax cut. Then it snatches it right back by moving from triennial to annual property assessments (Loose Lips, 3/2). A few councilmembers think the scam stinks.
Led by Ward 4's Adrian Fenty, the lawmakers are trying to set things right by repealing the Tax Parity Act. Passed in 1999, that measure reduced personal income taxes, property taxes, and franchise taxes, and eliminated the “arena fee” for businesses with less than $2 million in annual income. Fenty and his allies -- who include At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson — have been working the halls on the seventh floor at One Judiciary Square. But their proposal has been met with closed doors and pissed-off attitudes.
Read the entire Loose Lips column here: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/lips/lips.html  

From washingtoncitypaper.com's CITY LIGHTS page, here are a few early warnings for upcoming events:
FRIDAY: “The Satellite Sky,” Robert Stone's 1990 film about the space race and the Cold War, at noon at the National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room 105. Free.
SUNDAY: Columbia University art history professor Hillary Ballon discusses “Frank Lloyd Wright in Washington” at 2 p.m. at the National Gallery of Art's East Building Auditorium, 4th and Constitution Ave. NW. Free.
More details and more critics' picks are available online at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/pix/pix.html

###############

themail@dcwatch is an E-mail discussion forum that is published every Wednesday and Sunday. To subscribe, to change E-mail addresses, or to switch between HTML and plain text versions of themail, use the subscription form at http://www.dcwatch.com/themail/subscribe.htm. To unsubscribe, send an E-mail message to themail@dcwatch.com with “unsubscribe” in the subject line. Archives of past messages are available at http://www.dcwatch.com/themail.

All postings should also be submitted to themail@dcwatch.com, and should be about life, government, or politics in the District of Columbia in one way or another. All postings must be signed in order to be printed, and messages should be reasonably short — one or two brief paragraphs would be ideal — so that as many messages as possible can be put into each mailing.


Send mail with questions or comments to webmaster@dcwatch.com
Web site copyright ©DCWatch (ISSN 1546-4296)