Wasted Opportunity
Dear Wastrals:
The much anticipated showdown between Mayor Williams and the City
Council, the Mayor's testimony to the Council about the Inspector
General's report on his illegal fundraising schemes, fizzled today. It
wasn't the showdown at the OK Corral; it wasn't the thriller in Manila;
and it wouldn't qualify as a playground spat. It didn't even rise to the
level of arched eyebrows over teacakes.
Only Councilmembers Chavous, Catania, and Evans asked hard questions
to elicit solid information about the wrongdoing. They didn't get that
information. Instead, Mayor Williams gave long-winded,
evasive, nonresponsive speeches about his good intentions and high
purposes, and his filibustering ate up the brief time Councilmembers
were each allowed for questioning, so that they didn't have the
opportunity to press for real answers. Councilmembers Cropp, Patterson,
Fenty, and Mendelson tossed softballs, and Councilmember Orange lobbed
marshmallows, to the Mayor, and Councilmember Graham indulged in blatant
sycophantic pandering to him. Graham's opening statement drew several
rounds of applause from the audience, which was packed with city
government employees who had been ordered to attend (during their work
hours and on the taxpayers' dime) to support the Mayor.
Mayor Williams's performance was pathetic, transparently (to use a
favorite word of this administration) slippery and shifty. But today he
got away with it. Orange's final words of the hearing, summing it up,
were appropriate: “It was mild and meek, for the most part.”
Certainly the Council was mild and meek; the Mayor should be emboldened
by at least the temporary impression that he can continue to get away
with skating at and over the edge of ethics.
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
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Nonpartisan Elections for Mayor and Council
Lars Hydle, Larshhydle@aol.com
DC school teacher Tom Briggs is in trouble under federal law because
he ran for City Council, contrary to the federal Hatch Act. Meanwhile,
Mayor Williams is in trouble with his fellow DC Democrats because he
participated in a fundraiser for a Republican Chair of a Congressional
subcommittee with jurisdiction over the District. If our elections for
Mayor and Council were non-partisan, as originally proposed by the House
of Representatives during the Congressional debate over our Home Rule
Charter, Briggs would have been free to run for the Council. And
everyone would have understood that the Mayor was just lobbying for the
District.
DC politics will remain dominated by the Democrats for the
foreseeable future. But federal politics will have an important
Republican component for the foreseeable future. How does the District
benefit from gratuitously confronting and alienating national
Republicans? Dominant party regimes rarely produce good government. In
DC, as in the Democratic South between 1877 and the 1960s, winning the
Democratic primary has been tantamount to victory in the general
election -- except in the at-large Council seat which Democratic
candidates cannot contest. Yet the Council is not run on a partisan
basis, nor could one identify the party of the Mayor or any Council
Member on the basis of his/her record.
So long as these elections are partisan, not only DC public school
teachers but also thousands of federal civil servants who live here are
unable under federal law to run for those offices. The answer is a
Charter Amendment making the elections for Mayor and Council
non-partisan. The September primaries could be open to all with the two
leading vote getters, if none won a majority, contesting the general
election in November.
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The Ongoing Fundraising Scandal
Dorothy Brizill, dorothy@dcwatch.com
Mayor Williams hasn't learned anything from the investigation and
report on his past illegal fundraising schemes. According to the
Inspector General's report, the major consistent theme across all of the
past off-the-books fundraising has been that the money was raised,
either by government employees or by people outside the government, to
pay for government events or for the Mayor's own political purposes, and
that the money was never deposited into official government accounts.
This had two primary advantages: first, the sources and the amount of
money never had to be publicly reported or accounted for, allowing for
secrecy and under-the-table deals; and second, the events could be paid
for while evading government procurement policies and safeguards.
Mayor Williams is still running events this way, and he still claims
to be unable to see anything wrong with it. The Office of Community
Outreach (formerly the Office of Constituent Services) has organized a
series of senior citizens town hall meetings for the Mayor over the past
six week, which are basically indistinguishable from reelection campaign
events. At some Ward events, groups of up to two hundred seniors have
been served full sit-down luncheons, and other unreported expenses, such
as for transportation, have been paid for. The Mayor's office has kept
secret both the sources of the money and the total amount spent. While
claiming that he wants to be “open and transparent” and to report
fully, the Mayor has sent reporters following the story to the Office on
Aging and to a series of Executive Office of the Mayor employees --
Lafayette Barnes, director of the Office of Partnership and Grants
Development; Grace Lopes, Mayor's legal Council; Joy Arnold, the Deputy
Mayor for Community Outreach — who claim they have no information.
Meanwhile, the Mayor continues to protest that if he says an event is
for a public purpose, nobody should raise any questions about how it is
paid for. Read the contentious exchanges at two recent press conferences
at http://www.dcwatch.com/mayor/020424.htm.
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DC Equal Constitutional Rights Amendment
Mark Richards, Dupont East, mark@bisconti.com
The Washington Times Opinion/Editorial section published an
op-ed (April 29, 2002) by Timothy Cooper, Charles Wesley Harris, and
myself, titled, "Implicit statehood: Give the District a new
constitutional status." You can read it at: http://www.washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20020429-75612208.htm.
We hope for a vigorous discussion about the possible remedies to the
injustice DC has lived with for two centuries. We recognize that DC
citizens should consent to whichever remedy is chosen. Here is our Draft
DC Equal Constitutional Rights Amendment text. This text is still under
review; please recognize that this text is for purposes of discussion.
Section 1. All US citizens who are permanent residents of the
District of Columbia shall be treated as residents of a state for all
constitutional intents and purposes, enjoying those same rights, powers
and privileges as the people of the several states, including: The right
equal representation in the House of Representatives. The right to equal
representation in the U.S. Senate. The right to a republican form of
government. The right to all Constitutional powers and privileges. The
right to equal protection. The right to elect equal electors for
President and Vice President.
Section 2. Congress shall limit its power to exercise its “exclusive
legislation” over the District of Columbia under Article 1, Section 8,
paragraph 17 of the constitution to the following geographical areas,
except in the case of a compelling national interest: The National
Capital Service Area (NCSA). All foreign embassies and missions.
Section 3. The Federal Height Act of 1910 shall remain in full force and
effect, subject to the discretion of Congress.
Section 4. General services may be provided to the federal government by
the District of Columbia government on an as needed basis on such terms
as are mutually satisfactory to the parties. Nothing shall prevent the
federal government from compensating the District of Columbia in the
form of a payment in lieu of taxes for revenues foregone as the seat of
national government.
Section 5. The federal government shall continue to hold jurisdiction
over and provide for the District of Columbia's courts and correctional
facilities, as provided for by the Economic and Revitalization Act of
1998, until such time as the District by mutual agreement with Congress
shall pay for and administer these facilities. At such time they shall
come under the exclusive authority of the District of Columbia
government.
Section 6. The 23rd amendment shall be repealed concurrently with the
passage of this amendment.
Section 7. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.
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Tim Cline asked how far he had to move his car to not be guilty of
meter feeding. The correct answer is out of the ward. Meters are
designed for two hour temporary parking, not day long parking. If you
need to stay longer, you need to find a parking garage. Of note on the
question of parking, there are only privately owned parking garages, and
the private owners contribute to the Mayor's and Council's reelection
campaigns to keep it that way. This is another instance where our form
of government dictates the results. If there were more councilmembers to
buy from smaller districts (and at lower salaries) the odds are that the
parking interests could no longer buy it off and prevent the erection of
public parking garages with long term meters.
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Meter Feeding II
Ron Eberhardt, rge1022@aol.com
I do not have an answer for the writer who was given a ticket for
exceeding the two hour limit on a parking meter notwithstanding that he
moved his vehicle to another meter prior to the expiration of the first.
What I do have is a comment. It is totally sad that we live in a
jurisdiction that is obsessively preoccupied with the issuance of
tickets for everything. The Mayor and Council seem to be oblivious to
the fact that such harassment and preoccupation with ticket writing
directly and adversely affects the quality of life for those of us who
live here.
The sadder fact is that their preoccupation is about one thing:
MONEY. Whether parking meters, photo enforced speed traps, missing your
car inspection renewal by one day (additional $15 fine), you name it.
This is surely one of the most punitive cities in the US, and it is
disgusting.
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The Mayor should vote to censure the DC Democratic Party and Ward 8
for their partisan politics stand, taken when the Mayor indicated his
support for someone he likes, Connie Morella, of Montgomery County. We
need to overlook labels and partisan politics when it comes to making
things better in DC. Though not a fan of what Tony Williams has done to
date as mayor, I do applaud his decision to support someone he deems as
a friend of DC.
If anyone is in need of seeing something nice about DC then I urge
them to take a springtime drive, or two, through upper NW DC. A
leisurely drive through Spring Valley and AU Park will dazzle you with
the explosion of flowering trees, plain old huge towering trees, and
azaleas. Throw in the tulips and daffodils and you've got an incredible
vision of spring that is unmatched in any major city that I have
visited. I would find it hard to leave this city after seeing the beauty
of each spring.
While you are taking that drive in NW DC, be sure to make it very
leisurely on Western Avenue. This has become a real cash cow for the
District, as they snare drivers going just over 30 MPH (the speed limit
is only 25 on this four-lane roadway) going both east and west on
Western Avenue between Massachusetts Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue. They
use unmarked cars that photograph your license plate and a record of the
speed you are traveling. Not only do they fine you 50 bucks for the
ticket, you also have to have it notarized before you return it by mail.
A note from your mother would not work.
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Kirsten, I heartily agree with you! (“Loving DC,” April 28) A
longtime Midwesterner, I moved to Bethesda three years ago and just in
February moved into a great brownstone apartment in Dupont. I am loving
this city! I’ve met so many people with such fascinating professions:
An illustrator for the Smithsonian, a fossil curator, a neuroscientist
with NIMH, an earthquake tracker, a suicide sociologist. And it seems
that nearly every day I hear at least three languages spoken in the
Metro or on the sidewalks. Also, it's a great dog city! I live across
from Dog Park, a few blocks from Sweet Licks, the dog-friendly ice cream
shop (which, of course, my dog Widget just loves). There are lots of
caring and interesting organizations to volunteer with — I just signed
on to help Pets-DC, which assists low-income HIV/AIDS patients with pet
supplies and vet care. And oodles of unique social opportunities! My
favorite is Travelers’ Circle, which meets the first Wednesday of the
month at a little Indian restaurant. Fifty or so folks share their
overseas adventures and love of the planet with stories and an
occasional song. And if you want to get really happy, check out any
night at the oh-so friendly Club Chaos on 17th — total exuberance! I
just don’t seem to face the hassles that so many of you complain
about, with the DMV and city services, etc., maybe because I ditched my
car and don’t own a house. I sure am here to stay, and I’m so glad I
finally found a true home in DC.
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CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
Music of the Arab Peoples at Benning Library
on May 4
Mathew Davies, mathew.davies@verizon.net
This week CHIME invites you to listen to and learn about the music of
the Arab peoples in an interactive presentation by music educator and
performer Grant Chamberlain at Benning Public Library, 3925 Benning
Road, NE (near Minnesota Avenue), Saturday. May 4, 2-3 p.m. Free. For
directions, call the library at 724-4787. You will get a sense of the
diversity of the music and cultures of the Middle East as well as
characteristic similarities. Grant will demonstrate the basic sounds and
forms of Arab music, explain when and why music is performed and what
instruments are used, and give a basic overview of the history of music,
both secular and religious, in the Middle East. The audience can try its
hand at playing some of the instruments. This is the sixteenth of the 19
free programs for all ages scheduled this season in CHIME’s series
“Music Around the World” at four DC neighborhood public libraries.
For the complete schedule, visit our website at http://www.chime-dc.org.
Grant Chamberlain received his Master of Music degree in Australia,
studied Arabic at Birzeit University in the West Bank, and taught at the
National Conservatory of Music in Jerusalem. He has also taught music as
a volunteer in a Palestinian refugee camp, a primary school in Ramallah
and at a Peace Center in the Muslim quarter of the Old City. While in
Ramallah, he participated in an Israeli-Palestinian jazz band. He is a
professional saxophonist, but since moving to Washington last year, has
focused on introducing young children to music from around the world at
local schools and centers, including the Levine School, Wolftrap, the
World Bank Child Center, the Congressional School of Virginia and the
Oneness Family School. He has also taught at Walker-Jones public school
as a CHIME volunteer.
CHIME (Community Help in Music Education) is a volunteer organization
that promotes and provides music education for DCPS schoolchildren,
during and outside of school. In addition to our library series, we
recruit and place qualified volunteer music instructors in classes
during and outside of school; collect and distribute instruments in good
repair to schools; train teachers; have a Music Mentors program in
partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters; and conduct an advocacy
campaign to put standards-based music education in the required
curriculum of DCPS elementary school — as it used to be! For more
information about our May 4 program, CHIME, or how you can help, E-mail info@chime-dc.org;
phone 232-2731; website: http://www.chime-dc.org.
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CLASSIFIEDS — FOR SALE
Twin Bed for Sale
Matthew Kessler, matthew@stand.org
Solid oak twin bed with Serta Sleeper mattress for sale. Solid oak
box frame, bookshelf headboard with two cabinets and two underside
drawers with brass handles. Excellent condition. $200 or best offer. You
pick-up and haul. Contact Matthew at matthew@stand.org
or 744-1163.
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CLASSIFIEDS — DONATIONS
Whistleblower Alliance Fund
Madeleine Fletcher, madfletcher@hotmail.com
The Government Accountability Project (GAP) has said about my
whistleblower lawsuit against DC Department of Health and its Director
Dr. Ivan Walks: “This is a very important test case because the
District's law is the state of the art for whistleblower protection
rights in the United States. The public interest in the waste and
mismanagement she exposed at the DC School's food warehouse is
compelling. The facts reveal blatant, cynical retaliation. If Dr.
Fletcher cannot prevail, it will prove that the bureaucratic power of
self-preservation and unaccountability is indeed stronger than the rule
of law — there's a fundamental credibility issue for the Mayor and the
District Council in this case.”
However, legal costs are now over $15,000 and will at least double
before the trial is over. I am asking for help to continue this lawsuit.
In the event of a settlement or judgment in my favor, I pledge to match
all donations towards my legal costs and contribute the total amount
(your donation and its match) to GAP's Whistleblower Alliance Fund, with
the provision that it be used for the defense of DC whistleblowers who
lose their jobs and cannot afford legal representation. For information
on my lawsuit, please read an article in The Common Denominator at: http://www.thecommondenominator.com/081301_news3.html.
Please send your tax-deductible donations to: Government Accountability
Project, 1612 K Street, NW, #400 Washington, DC 20006. Please make
checks out to “Government Accountability Project” and specify
“Fletcher WB Alliance Fund” in the memo line.
Presently, GAP is able to offer dedicated public servants first-rate
legal representation in their moments of crisis, but it does not have
the funds to cover many of the critical expenses involved in any
sustained legal battle. On the other hand, the District's attorneys have
unlimited resources to throw at (usually unemployed) workers trying to
defend themselves. Former GAP clients created the Whistleblower Alliance
Fund as a special fund set-aside for whistleblowers in need. The Fund
has a separate bank account from GAP's general funds to ensure that the
needed financial support will be available whenever needed. The funds
will directly pay the costs of courageous employees who cannot cover
costs as they are incurred. And your donation will be a gift that keeps
on giving. With the legal awards that come with victory, GAP will be
able to ensure that the wrongdoing employer reimburses the Fund in full.
In this way your donation and its match will return to the Fund for even
more cases. Given GAP's successful track record over the years, I hope
you view this as a solid investment for the future!
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