Amazing Coinkydinks
Dear Unbelievers:
Yesterday, Washingtonians were treated to a sterling example of how
“faith-based initiatives” will work. The US Department of Housing
and Urban Development and the DC Government held a press conference to
announce that HUD will sell three hundred homes in DC, with a total
appraised value of more than $14 million, to the Church Association for
Community Services (CACS), a faith-based nonprofit organization. CACS
will get a fifty-percent discount on the sale of the houses, and it will
be given the purchase and renovation funding from a variety of public
and private sources (http://www.dcwatch.com/issues/cacs.htm).
CACS describes its purpose as “to improve the quality of affordable
housing, to enhance the quality of life of its members and the
community, and to be the catalyst for economic development across
targeted areas of the city.”
In pursuit of those goals, as we know through the reporting of Tom
Sherwood at WRC-TV and Yolanda Woodlee in the Washington Post, over
the past two year the nonpolitical, nonprofit CACS paid about $200,000
for the Mayor's political and personal expenses, including about $2,000
for a driver to chauffeur the Mayor's mother, about $20,000 for the
Mayor's reception for the Congressional Black Caucus, tens of thousands
of dollars to fund the Mayor's prayer breakfast, and about $60,000 to
underwrite the costs of the Mayor's trips to the Democratic and
Republican party conventions.
The Mayor and HUD want it strictly understood that there was no
political quid pro quo, that the noncompetitive, sole-source
contract with CACS was awarded solely on its merits and not as any
political payback. It was all, as the Three Stooges would say, an
“amazing coinkydinks.” Now we know the meaning of a faith-based
initiative — it takes a real leap of faith to believe that.
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
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Hear ye! Hear ye! Just received a notice from the DC Office of Tax
and Revenue that I thought worthy of sharing. It says that "the
District of Columbia will offer a 'Sales Tax Holiday' from August 3
through August 12, 2001. The Sales Tax Holiday provides for an exemption
from the 5.75% sales tax for footwear, clothing and school supplies, on
each item costing less than $101.00, purchased during the holiday
period." Shoppers, toe your marks.
On the same subject, it's probably of little interest to DC shoppers
that DC businesses pay your sales tax in one lump sum, on the 20th of
each month. In other words, all sales tax collected in June must be paid
by July 20. But what should be important to DC shoppers, and all DC
residents, for that matter, is that many businesses that timely paid
their January sales tax on February 20 did not have their checks entered
into the DC computer system and deposited until May! Yes, Aunt Gertrude,
it took three months to enter those checks; all the while DC lost
interest on that money. And to top it off, those businesses were
assessed an erroneous 20 percent penalty of the total amount due, plus
interest at 18 per cent per annum. Hey, the penalty and interest can be
corrected with a few phone calls and an investment in time, but the lost
interest to DC is no laughing matter. Either some folks had better start
doing their jobs or heads should roll. Listening Mr. Mayor?
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If any entomologists happen to be strolling across the Duke Ellington
Bridge, would you kindly check out and report back on some interesting
spiders? There are quite a lot of them in the bushes just outside the
bars in the northwest corner of the bridge, the side nearest Connecticut
Avenue. Their webs are actually small domes, approximately six inches in
diameter. The spiders are light brown, with no distinctive markings,
with a body diameter of about 1 mm. and leg span of perhaps 3-4 mm. They
appear to hang out in the center of the dome, but did not respond with
much interest to the sudden wriggling of a trapped insect.
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Good Samaritan (Crimespotter) Needed
Lavonda Kay Broadnax, lbor@loc.gov
My father is 83. He recently moved to my house in DC from Ohio. His
car was stolen from the mechanic (8th Street, NE) who was to adjust it
so it could pass the D.C. emission test. The car has very special
sentimental value to my Dad. He purchased it new in 1976 and has
maintained it in mint condition for 25 years. It is a four door 1976
Ford-LTD. It is yellow/gold (the color of mustard) with the same color
vinyl roof. DC tags “BE 3589.” My family and I have searched and
searched for it, but to no avail. If there is a “Good Samaritan” out
there who spots it, either call the DC Police 727-1010 or E-mail me, Lbor@loc.gov.
You can not imagine the joy it would bring to my Dad to get his car
back.
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Chandra Levy
Kerry Jo Richards, kjr1@yahoo.com
In response to Gary's question about Chandra Levy and the MPD's
investigation, I believe this is a VERY local issue. I'm a 28-year-old
woman who lives in Bethesda. I recently moved out from DC to get a cheap
apartment. But my girlfriends and I find ourselves inextricably drawn to
this case; we can't get enough information about it. This literally
could be us. But something about this whole scenario strikes us as odd
— this 24-year-old girl, living alone in the District? Most of the
23-27-year-old women I know have a roommate or two. Heck, some of us had
five! And we haven't heard any interviews from friends. Where were the
girlfriends who knew what her daily schedules were? They should know
where she ate lunch, how often she worked out and how she was giddy
about this “boyfriend.” These oddities are incongruous with my
friends' lives as 24-year-olds in the city.
I'm not sure how much we can really know about the way the police
have handled the investigation. We only see what the press reports, and
how does that really reflect what is truly going on in the
investigation? In most minds, Ramsey has no choice but to continue down
that road. It seems to me that Chief Ramsey is keeping the investigation
close to the vest, as he should. Heck, the problem with missing persons
is that there is really no crime, at least until there is some kind of
proof that something untoward has occurred.
Watching John Walsh from America's Most Wanted the other morning on
Meet the Press, I found he made a good point about the thousands of
missing women who go missing every year in the US without the national
press helping in the search. Chandra is getting resources well above and
beyond the norm. And the fact that the Congressman lied for several
weeks threw things off kilter; even if he isn't involved, he's thrown
the investigation into a tailspin. He, by default, becomes the chief
suspect This one strikes a little too close to home for me and my
friends. I'm eager to find out exactly what really happened.
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Chandra Levy Is Missing from the District
Mark Richards, Dupont East, mark@bisconti.com
Californian Chandra Levy is missing from the District, and a lot of
people here wish she would be found alive. Few have suggested a District
citizen has anything to do with this tragedy. Her parents, friends, and
family must feel horrible. Nobody can understand how they feel. Our own
parents, friends, and family might even worry about our safety when they
hear reports of this loss or fear, or that she is but one of many. My
mom said she heard from the media that the D.C. police department is the
worst in the nation, thanks to former Mayor Marion Barry. I don’t
agree with that, though I know D.C. is far from perfect. I heard a news
report with someone saying that, “Since Congress pays for everything
in D.C., including the police, they treat Congress differently than they
do others — with kid gloves.” Though D.C. pays for its own way,
including police, there is probably some truth to the kid gloves point.
But whatever we want to say, Chandra Levy is still missing from the
District. A lot of people wonder about the relationship between Ms. Levy
and the Congressman from that conservative Democratic district in
California. If it weren't for the Congressman, DCMPD would probably not
be giving this level of attention to Ms. Levy -- others with missing
family members must wish they would get the same. The people living in
the building where the Representative from California has a condo, in
Adams Morgan, are tired of having national media cameras focused on
their door 24-7. Phone calls. Spotlight. They whisper amongst
themselves. Some District citizens have tried to use the focus of the
news media to convey their issues, which the nation media regularly
ignore. For example, someone placed Taxation without Representation
signs in the front windows of the building. I don't know if the lurking
cameramen captured the message with Mr. Condit emerging from his
temporary home, but I did enjoy the signs. Others gave media reports about the issues that weren't being
covered within a short range of the building, or wrote about the lousy
record of DCMPD in solving bizarre cases . . . my goodness, the
spotlight is on, and the MPD is riding horses and combing the forest and
parks . . . people will learn that we have forests and horses. Maybe
we'll see an episode related to this on “The District.” I have heard
quite a few District voices speaking about this subject from various
perspectives, but most remain rather cautious but interested. Maybe this
says something about D.C.'s culture — a lot of interested but cautious
people.
###############
So what do you want from Chief Ramsey? Chandra Levy is, until a body
is found or she calls home, just a missing person. If she has been
killed, as increasingly seems likely, there isn't any particular reason
to think her body is in DC other than that she was last seen here. The
sad reality is that people go missing every day and are often only found
by some off-trail hikers or someone out walking their dog. Far more
disturbing is that in the nearly daily murders in DC (in which a body is
found), only about one third are ever solved. That is the disturbing
reality. The conviction rate is another matter. Even in high-profile
murders such as Eric Plunket at Gallaudet, the police completely bungled
the investigation under the killer struck again and then confessed. That
is a bungled case that will cost the city millions in lawsuits.
###############
Chief Ramsey
Glenn Marcus, Dupont Circle, glennbalto@yahoo.com
Among Chief Ramsey's media image problems is that he looks very
similar to the police chief in the TV series The Simpson. Being a dead
ringer for a familiar caricature cannot help. Unlike his other problems,
though, this one is beyond his control.
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DC Police Playing Poorly in Arizona
Jean Lawrence, JKeLLaw@aol.com
As a former long-time resident of DC, I have been following this case
more than the average Arizonan (probably), but here the coverage has
been perfunctory — many references to Clinton, whom they never tire of
bashing. The other day the Arizona Republic ran a cartoon (from a
national source) showing the police as a Keystone cop riding a tiny
bike. Me? I tend to go along with John Walsh, who thinks it might be a
street crime related to two other abductions. Condit plays here as sort
of a not too bright, womanizing, wussy wimp; hard to imagine him luring
her someplace and killing her. I do love all the references to his
“power,” though. Hey, there are hundreds of congressmen in
Washington.
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Beating Up on the MPD
Ron Linton, rmlch@erols.com
There are enough things to beat up on the MPD about without
misunderstanding the handling of the Levy case. It's an adult missing
person case, not a crime. if a Congressman were not involved it would
have been a flash before our eyes and the detectives would have drudged
along on it looking for clues without anyone paying attention until
something broke.. Have they handled it perfectly? I don't know. I
haven't any information but what has been in the papers, and few others
have either. So it's specious to judge the Department's handling of it
since we know the media's bent to nonsense.
###############
I for one am not looking forward to reading anything that your
solicitation of opinions re: Levy/Condit is likely to dredge up, Gary. I
am disappointed that you would open the floor to a topic that is already
receiving too much news coverage. Please don't send me those issues of
themail, or just plain unsubscribe me, and I'll re-subscribe in a couple
of months when the blowhards have gotten this out of their collective
system.
###############
When I subscribed to themail many moons ago, I really enjoyed the
(mostly) informative pieces of news under one listserv. And the cranky
types (Ed) were few and largely tolerable. But themail has turned into
the “Aches and Pains” club of DC, and it's now an E-version of the
Rush Limbaugh show — nag, nag, nag. True, DC is not perfect, but it is
getting better, far better than themail nags and wags suggest. And who
needs the whining?
Far from being informative, themail now is a load of mud pies,
railing at bad city management. And the CEO of themail, Gary, is not
sufficiently competent to enforce (and the chatty contributors seem
unwilling to follow) the single known rule of themail: keep the posts
short, and to the point. My second (and last) post to themail will be
one word: unsubscribe. Have a happy.
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Washington Album: A Pictorial History of
the Nation’s Capital
Mark David Richards, Dupont East, mark@bisconti.com
Bob Levey and Jane Freundel Levey spoke at the Women’s National
Democratic Club on Tuesday, July 17th, presenting their new pictorial
history of Washington, published by The Washington Post. They are
dynamic speakers, and though I haven’t read their book from
cover-to-cover yet (got it at the talk), I have no doubt that this book
is well researched, documented, and written. The pictures are wonderful.
I highly recommend this book. You’ll probably want to give copies to
friends. (And I’m not on commission, either.)
In answer to a question about D.C. gaining political rights, Bob
Levey noted that he doesn’t think D.C. will achieve statehood, and he
thinks — from a political point of view without necessarily liking it
— retrocession into Maryland is by far more likely. I personally feel
knots in my stomach at the thought of D.C. accepting — or having to
accept — either partial/unequal political rights (say, a vote in the
House but not equality in the Senate or other Constitutional rights
enjoyed by citizens living in states) OR retrocession. For some reason,
I just can’t imagine myself a Marylander — without moving, I could
suddenly be located in a Maryland county, in the same state of two of my
siblings. And to gain a vote in the House only, which could gain some
Republican support, would probably result in D.C. unbolting the license
plates and that would be the end of the “no vote in Congress”
discussion for another century, but it wouldn’t solve the issue of
local autonomy or budgetary control. But the District’s status is
undecided and these events could occur, they are certainly options. What
level of support is needed in D.C. to consider a remedy acceptable —
majoritarian, or some level of consensus? Should D.C. “accept what it
can get,” as a step along the way (such as a vote in the House only),
or should D.C. wait until it can get what it wants (currently expressed
as statehood by majoritarian vote). In the meantime, D.C. could build
local and maybe regional consensus, and national awareness… But is it
possible that D.C. could ever agree on what remedy it needs and wants to
the point people would work together? Puerto Rico and Quebec are still
trying to figure out their status questions, so we’re not alone. Which
remedy would contribute most to good local government — socially,
politically, culturally, and economically? How should we modify the
current budget review process in Congress as a step along the way to
local autonomy? More questions than answers.
###############
Jeffrey Hops, jeffhops@yahoo.com,
mentioned some good points about housing. Of course it's true that in
the most desirable areas, such as Adams-Morgan, that supply is not
great. However, if you want to try other areas of the city that might
have "location defects" such as public safety issues, there is
supply. My neighborhood is one. It has the best transportation access in
the city (by Union Station, close to National Airport, I-395 and NY
Avenue/BW Parkway and another Metro station is being built, great bus
lines) and it's close to most areas of the city except upper Northwest.
It's not always the safest area, but my mortgage is definitely
affordable.
2. The Center for Neighborhood Technology (www.cnt.org)
in Chicago has piloted something they call a “Location Efficient
Mortgage,” which takes into account living by and using public
transportation rather than owning and using a car. With the LEM, lenders
will go higher than the traditional 33% of income in making loans —
allowing for more money. It would be great to get such a loan program
for DC — if anything just to further the idea of making sensible
transportation decisions when buying a home.
3. DC is still a great place to get additional loan support though
the city HPAP program. I didn't qualify back when I bought (and was
married) but lower income people would. And there is that first time
buyers credit, and things like FHA mortgages (which I have). But it's
true, such programs won't go too far in trying to buy in places like
Dupont Circle or Georgetown or Chevy Chase.
One can become more aware of public safety issues ahead of time by
reading Elijah Anderson's “Code of the Streets.” It's available as
an Atlantic Monthly article at http://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/interviews/ba990818.htm
(the book's first chapter, describing Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia,
sounds just like my H Street.)
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CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
Sierra Club Bike Tour 7/21
Wanda Bubriski, wbubriski@yahoo.com
The Sierra Club announces the Anacostia Waterfront Bicycle Tour,
Saturday, July 21, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., from RFK Stadium to
Anacostia Park. Join us for the third tour in this season's Anacostia
Waterfront series sponsored by Sierra Club's Restore the Core campaign.
This loop, the sequel to last month's bike tour, focuses on the northern
portion of the Waterfront, including RFK Stadium, Kingman Park and River
Terrace neighborhoods, Kingman and Heritage Islands, and Anacostia Park,
with a stop at the Aquatic Education Center. Community leaders will
speak about the history of the area, environmental issues, and
opportunities for revitalization. Newcomers are welcome!
Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Stadium-Armory Metro (Blue/Orange Lines), at
19th and Independence, SE exit. Free. Helmets required. Rain or shine.
For more information: contact Wanda at 232-6113 or wbubriski@yahoo.com
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“The Andersonville Trial,” now playing at Arlington's American
Century Theater, dramatizes the world's first war-crimes trial. It took
place right here in DC just after the Civil War and provided the only
precedent for Nuremberg. The Washington Post has called this
production “thoughtful” and “intense.” Through Footlights, DC's
only drama-discussion group, I've organized a group discount for “The
Andersonville Trial” for the Saturday matinee, 2:30 p.m., July 28,
followed by dinner at a great Chinese restaurant nearby. Tickets are
only $17 and include a post-show discussion. To order tickets, get
directions, or to arrange carpooling, E-mail rlarkin@footlightsdc.org
or call 301-897-9314.
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CLASSIFIEDS — HOUSING
Room a Few Days a Month
Ric Kirby, uggProds@aol.com
I am looking for a room in a house or apartment to rent for a few
days out of the month. I am self-employed, living in Rehoboth, and
occasionally need to come into DC for meetings. As I will not have
guests, I will not need access to a kitchen (other than to refrigerate
an item or two and possibly a coffee maker) or any other part of the
house except a bathroom. I anticipate staying in DC four to six times
per month. Contact me at uggProds@aol.com.
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CLASSIFIEDS — VOLUNTEERS
Silver Spring, Maryland, Oral History Project
Jerry A. McCoy, sshistory@yahoo.com
The Silver Spring Historical Society is seeking individuals who would
like to participate in the Silver Spring, Maryland, Oral History
Project. Society President Jerry A. McCoy wishes to interview current or
former residents who have memories of life in and around downtown Silver
Spring prior to 1955. If you would like to participate or know of
someone who would be a good candidate, contact McCoy at 301-565-2519 or sshistory@yahoo.com.
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Bancroft Elementary School Knitting Program
Peg Blechman, blechman@access-board.gov
The Knitting Program, an education outreach program of the Potomac
Craftsmen's Guild, finished a very successful school year at Bancroft!
The third graders learned how to knit and knit little stuffed animals
— a chick, a cat, and a frog. The fourth graders knit multi-colored
bags for their recorders. The very last day of school, the Knitting
Teacher gave the third and fourth grade students their knitting needles
and a ball of yarn to use during the summer. The students immediately
started casting on stitches and knitting! It was a joy to see. Thanks to
the generosity of Abe Pollin and contributions from individuals in the
community, the salary of the Knitting Teacher has been paid. We're
already planning to expand the Knitting Program for the one third/fourth
grade class to cover the entire school year starting in the fall. Many
thanks for your interest and support,
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Wanted: Homes for Exchange Students
Mindy Gill, mindyj33@hotmail.com
Council Exchanges is looking to place students in the Washington, DC,
area. Council Exchanges was formed in 1947, and is a nonprofit,
non-governmental organization dedicated to helping people gain
understanding, acquire knowledge and develop skills for living in a
globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Council is a
worldwide leader in international and educational exchange working with
over a thousand educational institutions and over a million students a
year. The Council Exchanges USA High School Program is an academic home
stay program that begins yearly at the end of August. It brings students
from all over the world to the US for a five or ten month stay with an
American host family. USA High School participants must demonstrate the
skills, motivation and maturity that are crucial to their success in the
program. There is no better way to learn about a different culture than
to live, study and become a member of a new community! The students are
coming soon and are excited to be here and meet their new families! They
come to you from all over the world. For more information please contact
your local coordinator for the DC area:
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CLASSIFIEDS — FOR SALE
1987 Subaru GL. 2-door hatchback (great for hauling stuff). Has
122,000 miles. White, automatic, AC. Good condition. $1100 or best
offer.
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CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS
Can anyone recommend a web hosting company? I am presently using
Verio, but since they were bought out their service has gone downhill. I
keep getting canned messages from their dingbats asking if my E-mail is
still unclepaul@aol.com, and I
keep telling them that no, it's not.
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Old Film Restoration and Transfer
Aaron Lloyd, wayama@bellatlantic.net
I have a question about resources in the DC area to deal with
historical films. I have some motion picture film from 1930 that my
grandfather took, and I want to take it to a skilled expert who can
transfer the images from 1930's era 16 mm. film to VCR film. I am even
ambitious enough to want to take the video and put it onto a DVD, if
that is possible. I am not sure who knows how to do this in the area (of
course the National Archives or Library of Congress does, but I am
thinking of private individuals or companies). Does anyone have
experience in this area or can recommend someone who does?
P.S. It is 1930's 16 millimeter film. The box says “Kodak Safety
Film for use in the Cine-Kodak and other cameras using 16 mm. Cine-Kodak
Film.” It also says “100 feet” and “(30.48 meters)”.
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CLASSIFIEDS — CITY PAPER PREVIEW
Dave Nuttycombe, webmeister@washcp.com
SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS? This may be remembered as the summer kids'
baseball lost its innocence. There are allegations that several teams in
the District are raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars while using
government recreation centers and equipment, without providing any
direct financial contribution to the city's Department of Parks and
Recreation (DPR). Some residents are complaining about the arrangement,
and they have asked the city's inspector general to look into the
matter.
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:
THURSDAY: Michael Capuzzo reads from his new book, Close to Shore: A
True Story of Terror in an Age of Innocence, at 7 p.m. at Olsson's
Books and Records, 1200 F St. NW. Free.
TO AUG. 26: Washington Theater Festival, at Source Theater, 1835 14th
St. NW. $15
More details and more critics' picks are available online at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/pix/pix.html
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