After the Control Board

Dear Controllees:

There are two separate issues that I'd like to get your opinions about. The first is what your experience was of the Control Board period: what did the Control Board do, good and bad, that affected your life in DC? Did it improve the government services that you received, from the routine things like trash pickup and street paving to the fundamental things like the public schools and police and fire service? Did it improve the city's finances, or just have the luck to exist during good financial times? Did it diminish democracy more than our own elected officials have done on their own?

The second issue is what you think should come next. Do you think that the government of DC would be improved with less oversight from the federal government, or do you think that the DC government needs even more oversight? Do you think DC is out of the financial woods?

Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com

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Ding Dong, the Wicked Witch is Dead! The Post-Control Period
Mark Richards, Dupont East, mark@bisconti.com

Thinking of the end of the Control Board as a symbolic body, that little song ran through my head. DC has been through a lot since 1995, and sometimes it does one good to make a toast to the end of a whole historic period. Indeed, the Congress allowed the CB to shut itself down. The Control Period was humiliating in that it represented both local incompetence and powerlessness. Many of the people who were on the Control Board are District leaders whose work I admire, but sitting on the CB must have been a controversial decision. Despite the desire for just getting on with things, I’d like to see some analysis of the CB’s record, a performance evaluation. And, it would be interesting to read forthright analyses by individual CB leaders about what DC did or should have learned, and ideas for a new phase in which DC completely changes the current structural arrangement to level this playing field, a Post-Control Period. Congress owes something to those who served on the CB, because they deflected a lot of anger and frustration some of us felt at the erosion of Home Fool. Jabeen Bhatti of The Washington Times wrote a good article about the end of the Control Board today: “Officials hope independence is permanent,” http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20010930-89514040.htm

Thinking about the Post-Control Period, Colbert King explained some interesting history related to how DC came to have the current badly flawed arrangement, the Diggs-Natcher deal. He gave some good advice to Congress that every DC elected official should be able to support: “Congress should get out of the municipal government business, shut down those redundant D.C. oversight panels, make the staff get real jobs and put those federal tax dollars to some good use.” See “Democracy for the District, Too,” http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43827-2001Sep29.html. Now is the time for DC’s leaders to get on the same page and ask Congress for a new structural arrangement that more effectively meets both federal and DC needs and levels the playing field for DC so we can build our economy. And, now is certainly the time for the Senate to clean off the rest of the riders tagged onto DC’s bill, and to solve the problem created by the Diggs-Natcher compromise 28 years ago. We need Expanded Home Rule (elementary forms of democracy) on our way to bigger and better things.

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The State of the District’s (and the Mayor’s) Health
Dorothy Brizill, dorothy@dcwatch.com

In recent weeks, questions have been raised about the District's health, or its state of emergency preparedness, as well as about Mayor Williams's personal health. Quietly whispered questions about Mayor Williams's health have escalated into openly stated concerns as he has repeatedly missed or rescheduled meetings and events because of illness. Three recent examples include the Mayor's last-minute cancellation of his regularly scheduled “Ask the Mayor” radio interview on WTOP-FM on July 26 because of what was called a migraine headache; his being at home with an undisclosed illness on the morning of September 11, when the terrorist attacks occurred; his inability to donate blood and his lateness for a meeting with community and neighborhood newspapers on September 20 because of another unspecified illness. Other recent incidents are known, but it is not possible to determine the full impact of the Mayor's health on his schedule because very little of his schedule is ever made public. It does appear that he has been debilitatingly sick at least one or two days a week for the past several weeks.

Worry about the Mayor's health is well founded, both because he is not backed up by a competent and seasoned staff that can function well in his absence and because the District has had a history of elected leaders whose undisclosed health problems had severe impacts on city government — John Wilson, Dave Clarke, and Marion Barry. The president, vice president, and most governors release at least a summary of their medical records. Some in the press, including those at the neighborhood press meeting on September 20, are now requesting a more complete disclosure from the Mayor. That request has been ignored so far, but when legitimate questions are raised about the health of our elected officials, DC residents and taxpayers have a right to know.

Questions also remain about the District's health. Duncan Spencer writes about Washington's reaction to the terrorist crisis in his current “Hillscape” column in The Hill newspaper  (http://www.thehill.com/092601/hillscape.shtm):  “While New York struggled with a far worse crisis . . . New York also triumphed. . . . Washington, on the other hand, lay passive.” Spencer says, “When finally last Monday D.C. Mayor Tony Williams got around to planting a few flags around the city, it was too late. The yellow tape had taken over, binding Washington tight.”

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First Reagan National Closure, Now Street Closings
Ron Eberhardt, RGE1022@aol.com

It is indisputable that security nationwide is of the highest importance. The events of September 11 illustrated for the nation that even where adequate procedures were in place they were not followed. Federal law enforcement and intelligence may have seriously failed us. How we as a free and democratic-loving nation respond to protect our citizens from further attack will define both the success of the barbarous acts and our way of life into the foreseeable future.

Our leaders are saying the right things, i.e., return to our normal lives, travel, spend money, etc. However, those words are at odds with the actions of those charged with responding to the attack. Initially closing Reagan National was prudent. More then two weeks have passed since the attack. Those responsible should have by now implemented reasonable security procedures to safely reopen the only airport in America still closed. I worry that some think that Reagan National's closure will go the way of the closing of Pennsylvania Avenue. That is, wait long enough and it will become permanent. Moment by moment, decision by decision we slowly lose our freedoms and our way of life.

Now, we learn that there are considerations to close Independence and Constitution Avenues near the US Capitol. A completely nonsensical, illogical, and wrong-headed response. It is not trite to say in doing these things the terrorists win. They do! Israel is held out as an example of a nation constantly under threat of terrorist attack. Israelis live in constant fear, are surrounded by troops and heavily armed police and subjected to massive surveillance and security stops. That is not what the U. S. should become -- not ever. Traveling extensively worldwide, I have seen for two decades throughout Europe and Asia similar scenes -- airplanes being met by heavily armed militia as a matter of normal course. We must not allow this incident or future threats to guide us to such a place in history. America, must remain the bright

shining beacon of hope, freedom, and democracy. To act otherwise will make meaningless the sacrifice of so many over the history of our country to not only preserve these basic values of life for our land but to rescue from tyranny and maniacal murders others throughout the world. Let us lead by example, govern by reasonableness, and live free!

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Latest Embarrassment, DC vs. Montgomery County
Phil Carney, philnopus@erols.com

Talked with a retired friend who has just completed a temporary “fill in” job helping an international nonprofit to schedule appointments for foreign professionals to meet with and learn from their American counterparts. For example, a foreign police officer working with juveniles wanted to meet with the equivalent officers in MPD. But this is DC. After repeated attempts and no response from MPD or from any of the other DC agencies contacted, my friend contacted Montgomery County. County officials were responsive, cooperative, professional, and did meet with and help their foreign counterparts.

The DC government says, “Improvements are being made,” but from my perspective, I don’t see improvements. The above is just one more embarrassment for us DC residents and you can add it to my list of what I don’t see being done in an acceptable and professional manner.

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DC’s Hospitality and Tourism Industry after 9/11
Joan Eisenstodt, jeisen@aol.com

One of the hats I wear professionally is as moderator for a hospitality/meetings industry listserv (www.mim.com.) Many of the "Listers" in the DC area have met twice in the last two weeks to talk about the impact of the 9/11 terrorist events on our industry, and in particular in our community.

As everyone on themail has, I am sure, read, the terrorist acts of 9/11, closing of DCA, companies' policies to not allow travel to DC, and the resulting cancellation of meetings have resulted in massive layoffs in the hotels and in other related industries. Our industry is working to revive the local economy and to encourage our clients to continue to hold DC meetings. We are fighting a battle since many Fed. Government agencies have canceled meetings and are not allowing travel to DC from other areas.

The devastation on many will be felt in a very short time. On behalf of our industry, I encourage you to attend meetings, hold meetings, and support our local hospitality economy.

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Not Fancy, But Near Opening
Ed T. Barron, edtb@aol.com

The grand opening of City Bagel in the former Sutton Place location on Massachusetts Avenue and 49th Street, NW, may soon be at hand. It's not very fancy inside but it seats more than 70 patrons on small tables and wooden chairs with another six upholstered arm chairs available. There's even a small upright piano in the as-yet-unopened store. The piano may be there for amateur entertainers to do their stuff.

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Norton and Williams Are Shooting from the Hip
Mike Fasano, mfasano@fasanoassociates.com

As the tragic events of September 11 have made clear, we are incredibly vulnerable to terrorist hijacking of our commercial planes. No one knows what terrorists might do next, but common sense tells us that the District of Columbia and New York City will remain prime targets. The ability of terrorists to repeat the events of the 11th will depend on security at our airports and the proximity of our airports to the prime targets. It is folly to think that in two weeks the FAA has gotten airport security to where it needs to be. Thus we need to be particularly mindful of the proximity of our airports to the likely targets; and none could be more proximate than National Airport.

Notwithstanding the fact that two of the hijacked planes came from Dulles Airport, I would have to think that it would be easier to hit DC from an airport virtually at ground zero than from Dulles. But that should be a question for the security experts to decide, not local politicians. For Mayor Williams and Delegate Norton to call for the reopening of National Airport at this time and without having all the facts is in my view irresponsible and quite possibly stupid. The closing of National Airport clearly has and will have an impact on our local economy. But there are bigger issues at stake here. As a resident of the District, I would prefer to see National closed until it is 100 percent clear that the FAA has gotten its act together.

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Tornado Warnings
Diane Lee Schulz, cobra@tidalwave.net

Being from Kansas, I am used to having sirens sound when a tornado warning has been issued or a funnel sighted. Is that a policy here? Do we have alert sirens in the District? Do they ever test them? What about during an eminent attack? We also had civil alert sirens in my town that sounded different than the tornado sirens that meant an attack was coming. In light of the past few weeks, it would be reassuring to have a warning system that would not involve having a radio or TV on.

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Re: Special Education by Patricia Chittams
Diane Lee Schulz, cobra@tidalwave.net

Unfortunately, Patricia's problems with the bus system and transportation of special education students was a battle I fought for the past four years to no avail. The only reason I am no longer fighting it is that my son has graduated and is off at college. Each year we began by trying to use the bus. I would make calls to the parent center, to the bus dispatch office, and to the superintendent of the year. Then I would give up and drive my son to school. We did get bus tokens and Metro cards for his return home but from the Lab School to our house in Mount Pleasant was an hour and half ordeal with a bus, Metro, and bus ride. Finally, he was old enough and coordinated enough to drive himself. For any of the driving, I was never reimbursed, despite filling out numerous applications and forms. We were denied the transportation allotment last year because I had already withdrawn my son from the bus route before I applied and was told because I was driving him already, I wouldn't save the District any money!

After reading an article about the special ed transportation cost overrun, I figured that if I sent my son to in a taxi everyday round trip, that it would be cheaper than what they were spending on the unreliable bus system. I still think that might be a viable solution. The children would get to school on time and it would support the local economy while saving the school district money. This problem has been dragging on for way too long, and I don't know how to make it better as long as we have the same old people in charge at the school district. Even law suits have not made progress. The only saving grace is that I am out of it at last but I do “feel your pain” and join you in condemning the District's special education busing program.

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Unmarked Cars and Cameras, Too
Ed T. Barron, edtb@aol.com

In response to the posting that police in D.C. could not use hidden police cars to monitor speeders, one need only to drive across Western Avenue and exceed the 25 MPH limit by more than five miles per hour. They will soon find a speeding ticket in the mail with a photo of the back end of their automobile (with a blow up of the license plate). The pictures are taken by unmarked cars legally parked on the south side of Western Avenue between Westmoreland Circle and Connecticut Avenue.

You have the option to contest the ticket if you were not driving, but you have to get the person driving the car to acknowledge that they were driving. In any event, the ticket must be returned with cash or check and also be notarized by the person driving the car. You can also claim that your car was stolen and appear in traffic court with proof that the vehicle was stolen. So much for the illegality of unmarked or hidden police cars.

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Clarification of “Shame on Park Police”
Ron Eberhardt, RGE1022@aol.com

Given the response to what I wrote about the U. S. Park Police running a radar trap near the Kennedy Center the Sunday following the attack, I believe a clarifying point is necessary. I was NOT stopped nor ticketed. I simply strongly disagree with the priority of ticket writing over protection of people and monuments and the lack of police understanding about the emotions most of us are/were experiencing.

On a totally different matter, I absolutely concur with Taylor Simons that the 25-MPH speed limit in that area is absurd -- as speed limits are often without rhyme or reason on many District streets and highways. Given the police preoccupation with speeding tickets, now using cameras, one could almost assert some intention on placing unreasonably low speed limits, only to be easily violated, generating mega bucks for Lockheed-Martin and the D. C. Government. But, that is another story for another time.

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CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS

Fair Budget Coalition Meeting Time Correction
Susie Cambria, scambria@dckids.org

The Fair Budget Coalition meeting on October 3 is in the morning, from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., not in the evening as stated in the 9/26 edition of themail. The meeting will be held on the 6th floor at 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW (Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless). The agenda is: 1) Developing the FBC agenda for FY 2003, 2) update on the FY 2002 budget, and 3) other updates. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Questions? Call Patty Mullahy Fugere, 872-8958.

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AIDS Benefit
Susan Flinn, susan@oxygenate.com

Music is a common medium for addressing the beauty, promise, and peace of creation. The upcoming Foundry United Methodist Church's “Concert for Life” offers a way to acknowledge those who educate, prevent and care for people living with HIV/AIDS. This year's concert — “Songs of Sweetness and Strength: Music of Peace“ — acknowledges and honors those who work on HIV/AIDS education/prevention, and who care for people living with HIV/AIDS. Each year, Foundry United Methodist Church renews its dedication in finding solutions and providing support. Our contributions and dedication have steadily increased over the past eight years. Join us this year as we are inspired by music of sweetness and strength.

This year's concert benefits Metro TeenAIDS, Children's National Medical Center: Project CHAMP, Whitman Walker Clinic: Max Robinson Center, African AIDS Commission of the United Methodist Church (Baltimore-Washington Conference), Bethesda Orphanage House of Soweto, South Africa.

The 9th Annual Concert for Life will be held on Friday, October 5, at 8:00 p.m., with the concert reception beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Concert is held at the Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th Street, NW. For more information, (including information on free parking) please contact the Church at concertforlife@foundryumc.org or 332-4010, ext. 606.

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CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS

Brick Stairway Repair
Joshua Kranzberg, jkranzberg@hotmail.com

My front steps are coming apart. Can anyone suggest a reliable company/person that can repair a brick stairway and sidewalk?

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Traffic Signal Problems
Faith Williams, faithmw@yahoo.com

Who do I get in touch with about a street light problem? There are two light poles on the NW corner of Connecticut and McKinley, and one has somehow become turned so that it is misleading. It seems to me like an accident waiting to happen.

[I recommended calling 672-2610. Does anyone have a better number? — Gary Imhoff]

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