Defending Home Rule
Dear Defenders:
Another memorandum to the defenders of home rule: if you believe that
citizens of DC are full citizens of the United States and should have
all the rights of other citizens, you have to defend that principle
consistently and advocate the equality of DC residents all the time. You
can't abandon the cause of our equality when it conflicts with your
other political causes. On January 14, District Court Judge Reggie
Walton wrote a truly appalling opinion in the case of Seegars et al.
v. Ashcroft & Williams. Over a month ago, Paul Wilson wrote to
themail decrying this decision (“Some US Citizens Are More Equal than
Others,” January 18), but Wilson's message didn't garner any support.
Much of Walton's opinion is conventional, in that he advocates the
well-known but controversial modern line of legal interpretation of the
Second Amendment that is hostile to individual rights. Walton turns the
Second Amendment into a nullity by interpreting it as granting no
individual right to own weapons, but only as granting a right to be
armed to those who must be armed as members of state militias. But
Walton goes further when he agrees with the argument made by DC's
Corporation Counsel, representing Mayor Williams, that DC citizens do
not have any Second Amendment rights at all. “The Second Amendment
does not apply to the District of Columbia,” Walton wrote, and he was
led to this decision by our own mayor and Corporation Counsel, who
argued against our Constitutional rights and our coverage by the Bill of
Rights, who argued in their brief that we do not and should not enjoy
the rights of other citizens.
Senator Orin Hatch is now supporting a bill in the Senate that would
repeal the DC handgun ban, as Bell Clement points out below. Delegate
Eleanor Holmes Norton, the mayor, other city officials, and the usual DC
voting rights groups are protesting Senator Hatch's bill as an
outrageous intrusion on the rights of DC citizens. But Del. Norton and
the voting rights groups raised no protest against Walton's court
decision that deprived DC citizens of the protection of the Second
Amendment. To them, seemingly, the cause of eliminating gun ownership is
so important that the Constitutional rights and equality of DC citizens
should be sacrificed for it.
Home rule groups are also abandoning their opposition to
Congressional interference in DC's government in the case of Mayor
Williams's ongoing attempt to eliminate the power of the elected Board
of Education and take over the schools. Mayor Williams's current bill to
destroy the school board (http://www.dcwatch.com/council15/15-723.htm),
if it were passed by the city council, would require a Home Rule Charter
Amendment before it would go into effect, just as his elimination of
half the elected seats on the board required a Charter Amendment. The
Charter can be amended only by a vote of the citizens or by a vote of
the Congress. Mayor Williams is currently pretending that he doesn't
think this power grab would require a Charter amendment. But Williams
actually understands that his school plan can't pass in the city council
and can't get a majority vote in an open election. So his
representatives, led by his Deputy Chief of Staff Gregory McCarthy, are
lobbying Congress to get it to pass a Charter Amendment itself. Williams
wants Congress to impose his takeover on the city. But the home rule and
voting rights organizations are not lobbying Congress in opposition to
William's plan. Their reaction to this affront is not outrage and
opposition, but silence and acquiescence. Why should Congress believe
that DC citizens are serious about their political rights, when the most
vocal advocates of home rule and equal citizenship are silent in the
face of Walton's and Williams's negations of them?
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
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DC Parking Meter Rates
Gabe Goldberg, gabe@gabegold.com
Has DC covertly doubled parking rates? I parked on a block where I
usually park, fed the meter, found that I was adding time at half the
expected rate. Instead of thirty minutes per quarter I got fifteen. Of
course, the meter label promised the rate I expected. And of course, I
wouldn't be surprised if DC doubled the rate but didn't update the
labels. Was this simply a rapacious meter or have rates gone up?
And a related question, when do alternate-side-of-street rules return
to life after winter vacation?
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Controlling DC’s Libraries
Dorothy Brizill, dorothy@dcwatch.com
At this Tuesday's legislative session, the city council will consider
the nominations of Myrna Yvette Peralta, John W. Hill, and Richard H.
Levy (http://www.dcwatch.com/council15/15-667.htm,
http://www.dcwatch.com/council15/15-668.htm,
and http://www.dcwatch.com/council15/15-669)
to the DC Board of Library Trustees to replace Drake M. Wilson,
Alexander M. Padro, and Michael Scott Carowitz, respectively. The
nine-member Board of Trustees is the governing entity that oversees the
operation of DC's public libraries.
Mayor Williams's replacement of these three trustees is the start of
his effort to pack the board with people who share his vision for the
libraries. That vision isn't based on improved library holdings or
services, but on getting current library real estate holdings into the
hands of favored real estate developers. One of Mayor Williams's
nominees, Richard Levy, himself a prominent real estate developer, was
the person who first approached Andy Altman, the Director of the Office
of Planning, with the idea that the Martin Luther King central library
be incorporated into any new building on the site of the old convention
center. This would free up the library's current distinguished building
(designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe) for sale and demolition or
redevelopment by a private developer. Altman, in turn, recognized the
political value of turning other library sites close to Metro stations
(for example, Cleveland Park, Tenleytown, Foggy Bottom) into development
opportunities. Both Padro and Wilson have been hardworking,
conscientious members of the Board. But their attempts to rally the
library trustees to protect library sites angered the administration.
An indication of how nasty the fight for control of DC's public
libraries has become was the confirmation hearing that was held for
these three nominees. At a February 9 oversight hearing of the Council's
Committee on Education, Libraries, and Recreation, Chairman Kevin
Chavous announced that the confirmation hearing would be held on
February 19 at 11 a.m. However, several members of the Friends of the
DCPL planned to testify against the nominees and to support Padro and
Wilson. On Tuesday, February 17, the DC Public Library posted on its web
site a notice that the confirmation hearing was rescheduled for March 1,
and Friends of DCPL sent an E-mail to its members about the
rescheduling. However, both dates and times proved false. Without any
public notice, Chavous scheduled the confirmation hearing for February
19 at 9:00 a.m., before any public witnesses would show up. Only the
nominees were informed of the time change; none of the public witnesses
who had planned to testify knew when the hearing would take place; and
Chavous was the only councilmember who showed up for the hearing.
###############
Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way
David Fleiss, dfleiss@pipeline.com
According to an article in last week's Post, “District
residents whose homes have lead service lines should flush their taps
for 10 minutes to protect against high levels of lead in drinking water.
. . .” (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53170-2004Feb18.html).
Short of digging up the pipes, how does one find out whether her/his
house has lead service lines? (Please don't suggest calling WASA; they
have lost all credibility on this matter.)
And speaking of lead-ers, where is this city's alleged leadership
while its residents are being threatened with toxic water coming through
their taps?
###############
A discussion with a WASA engineer clarified the significance of those
“first draw” and “second draw” lead content readings, e.g., 84
and 680 ppb on my block. The “first draw” measures the lead put in
the water by your own house plumbing; the “second draw” measures the
contribution of the (often lead) service connector, the pipe connecting
your house to the water main.
The “first draw” is the first water out of the faucet after hours
of disuse. That first liter of water has been sitting in roughly the ten
feet of pipe adjacent to the faucet, far from the service connector, and
its lead content represents lead from your own plumbing. Many of us have
copper plumbing assembled before 1986, when lead solder was banned, and
it's not surprising to have high lead levels from our own plumbing. For
the “second draw,” one is supposed to wait until a temperature
change indicates water drawn from outside the house. This is water that
has been sitting overnight in the service connector, running between
your exterior wall and the water main. In my case, that's about 30 feet
of pipe, holding more than a gallon of water. Yes, that's where the lead
is, and that's where the highest reading is expected. As my WASA
engineer said, that's supposed to be the “worst case” lead level.
It's no surprise that people with lead service connectors get enormous
readings, such as this block's 680 ppb, from the “second draw.”
After that connector is emptied, one should get nearly lead-free
water, fresh from the main. Unfortunately the testing protocol does not
provide for a “third draw,” which would confirm low levels, and
which no doubt would reduce the level of fright and fear.
###############
The Mayor Dilutes Democracy with Lead
Melody R. Webb, melodywebb@lobbyline.com
Once again D.C. democracy supporters have an opportunity to impact
full democracy for D.C. on an issue that doesn't appear related to D.C.
democracy but very much is. If the Mayor is not pushed to appropriately
address this public health emergency relating to lead in water on his
own, the very visible hand of Congress will once again intermeddle in
local D.C. affairs. As much as we correctly make the argument that the
way we run our affairs locally should have no bearing on our right to
full democracy, it really does. The Mayor's poor response to the water
issue shines an ugly spotlight on the nation's capitol, where the Mayor
has been trying to get attention from the nation for DC's lack of full
democracy.
As supporters of democracy we ought to exercise our civic
responsibility to speak out on behalf of the health of our city's
pregnant women, infants and children because it is in everyone's
interests to protect the welfare of our most vulnerable citizens. Once
Congress gets involved in this, they will use it as an excuse to delay,
yet again, progress on a Tom Davis voting rights bill, as well as other
measures in the D.C. democracy hopper. In addition to pushing for real
action with the Mayor and the Council, we can tell Congress how to help
with this matter. Using the structural deficit as a rationale, we can
advise Congress to help D.C. fund sensible public health measures to
reduce the effects of lead exposure, such as a program of free filters
and water for the needy, an aggressive public education campaign, and
cash assistance for in-home lead plumbing replacement.
###############
The current problem with contaminated water presents Mayor Anthony
Williams with the greatest political crisis of his career. And due to
the same problem the city's financial leaders — the Federal City
Council — face the derailment of their plan to revitalize the city.
The city's government and its business leaders are counting on
attracting 100,000 upper-middle class residents to spark a renaissance
of Washington, D.C., and solve its fiscal problems. So far they've
succeeded. In the past four years thousands of affluent people have
moved into the District. They have already discovered that the police
don't protect them and that the schools don't teach. Now they are
discovering that their water is undrinkable.
Despite his rhetoric about improving the standards of DC's schools,
fighting crime and so forth, Williams has long since abandoned any
attempts at reforming the city's dysfunctional agencies. True to form he
has no intention of improving the quality of the city's drinking water.
Replacing the contaminated water pipes would take years and cost $4 or
$5 billion that the city doesn't want to spend.
What's left? Smoke and mirrors. In a few months WASA and the city
government will conduct some more tests and will find that by some
miracle that the lead levels had gone down dramatically. EPA will accept
this lie. The media will accept the lie. The business community will
accept the lie. The longtime residents of Washington D.C. are so beaten
down by years of lousy service that the problem of lead in the water
probably won't matter to them. This means that the city's renaissance
and the political future of our city's mayor depend on the reaction of
the newcomers. Will they stay or will they leave in droves? I think
they'll leave.
###############
Amend the Amendment
Mark David Richards, Dupont East, mark@bisconti.com
President Bush has proposed the passage of a Constitutional
amendment, the purpose of which will gain little support in the
District. Perhaps other Congressional members should offer an
alternative DC Equality Amendment that will make District citizens equal
to citizens of states. Now that would be a worthy amendment for a
president to offer.
###############
Apple Computer Store in DC
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com
Apple Computer will soon be opening another store in our area, this
time in the Montgomery Mall, in North Bethesda. While it would it be
great to have an Apple store right in DC — for both sales and repairs
— it's important to realize these stores are still in the learning
phase of how to operate. (See http://www.his.com/pshapiro/productdemos.html.)
Once Apple learns how to run a store, it would be awesome to have a
store right in DC.
###############
Residents Working to Make DC Smokefree
Angela Bradbery, Citizens for Smokefree Workplaces, angela@smokefreedc.org
The push to protect all workers, including those in bars and
restaurants, from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke continues. In
late January, Sharlene Kranz, a longtime DC resident whose husband died
from lung cancer caused by exposure to secondhand smoke, filed the
paperwork to put an initiative on the ballot that would require all
workplaces in DC to be smokefree. She is treasurer of Citizens for
Smokefree Workplaces, a committee of DC residents who are dedicated to
putting this issue on the November 2 ballot. Making DC smokefree would
have major positive health implications. Secondhand smoke causes lung
cancer, heart disease and has been linked to serious respiratory
ailments.
We have had two hearings before the city’s Board of Elections and
Ethics and hope to have petition forms soon. We will need lots of help
gathering the 18,000-plus signatures needed! To join our effort, please
send an E-mail to volunteers@smokefree-yes.com
or send us a message using our volunteer form. Please tell us your name,
phone number and what you’re interested in doing: gathering
signatures, raising money, doing data entry, distributing information at
community events, or making phone calls.
###############
From my gun-control activist brother on the West Coast — does
everybody know about this? “The gun industry immunity bill (S.1805) is
currently being debated in the US Senate and a repeal of the DC Handgun
Ban (S.1414) is likely going to be offered as an amendment to the
immunity bill. We need to get the word out that we want to keep our
nation's capitol safe by preserving the DC Handgun Ban. If you have any
questions, please call Jill Ward at 408-0061, ext. 103, or Keith Apple
at 408-0061, ext. 105.”
###############
New Leadership Is Needed
Tim Criscione, timcdm1@aol.com
In response to Wanda Morsell's comments titled “The Forgotten
Component of DCPS: The Front-Line Folks,” [themail, February 25] I
think she is right. Parents, teachers, students, and citizens need to
start raising hell. But if we want change in the DCPS system, then we
need to go a step further than just attending meetings or hearings; we
need new leadership. If the DCPS system is really getting worse, then
doesn't that mean the current leadership on the School Board is
ineffective? For years we've been hearing about how bad DC schools are
and now it appears that violence is increasing, so why do we continue to
allow the same leaders to run the system? It's time for fresh blood and
fresh ideas to run our school board. I don't think the mayor's
appointing an oversight committee to run the schools is a good idea
either, because nothing has gotten better under his watch and he seems
to only pay attention when something bad happens. It's time to take the
schools back and put the system into the hands of the parents, students,
teachers, and community!
###############
Ed Barron is right that raising Metro fares is a bad idea. (For those
who indulge in the fantasy that fares should cover costs, I recommend a
few hours reading a good microeconomics text and learning about the cost
structures of “natural monopolies” to find out why this just doesn't
work.) But it's not because the folks at Metro haven't figured it out.
They are stuck. Without reliable funding from local jurisdictions,
the money has to come from somewhere. Suburban governments, who view
Metro as little more than an efficient way to extract tax dollars from
the District, aren't going to fund it adequately. Thanks to Rep. Istook
using Metro as a way to gain political points, they have to pay for
legal fees to deal with lawsuits over what ads they run. Metro officials
can't change the hand they've been dealt, and are thus stuck trying to
keep the system from falling apart rather than creating a world-class
transit system. They're stuck trying to hold the system together with
duct tape and a prayer.
###############
Ed T. Barron wrote, “Public transportation systems will never be
profitable. They are a public service and should be treated as such. . .
. Instead of raising fares the folks at Metro should try lowering
fares.”
The folks at Metro get their money from the dozen-or-whatever local
jurisdictions that pay for Metro. Metro doesn't print (or even borrow, I
think) it. Local governments are hurting for money and it's unlikely
they'll all agree to further subsidize Metro even if Ed is right. Metro
is in a bind: stuck with aging/neglected infrastructure and increasing
operating costs. They're balancing what to skimp on while actually
trying to run a transit system. I suspect that they can't run a deficit
and they can't demand money from their impoverished paymasters. So they
raise fares to pay bills. And yes, that's likely not optimal, likely
drives away some riders. It's nice — not to mention easy — for Ed to
suggest what they should do; more productive — though harder — would
be his explaining how they should do it in the real world.
###############
Racist Language in themail
Jean Pfaelzer, pfaelzer@udel.edu
I am concerned about the ad for a mason, entitled “Masonry” [themail,
February 25], that says the job is “too big for Jose and the boys.”
This is stereotypical and racist language. I don't think you should run
ads with such language. There are many talented and licensed Latino
contractors, and, as we know, many white licensed contractors hire (and
underpay and do not provide health care) for undocumented workers.
Please check your ads for such derogatory language. The Latino,
Mexican-American, and South American population is a huge part of our
community, including our family, and we really resent the image.
[Sorry, but themail is an open forum, though most often a
surprisingly polite one, and I'm not that quick to take offense, even
when I'm accused of tolerating racism. — Gary Imhoff]
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
DC Public Library Events, March 2-6
Debra Truhart, debra.truhart@dc.gov
Monday, March 1, 12:00 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial
Library, 901 G Street, NW, Room A-5. Deaf entrepreneurs, a lecture and
discussion with two deaf or hard of hearing persons who share their
experiences on starting and owning successful businesses: Bernard Brown,
professor, Department of Business, Gallaudet University and former CEO
and Master Builder for Connecticut, Inc. and Jim MacFadden, president
and CEO, MacFadden and Associates. Public contact: 727-2145 (TTY and
Voice). Tuesday, March 1, 6:30 p.m., Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330
7th Street, NE. Capitol Hill Mystery Book Club. Enjoy a good mystery! A
lively group discussion of a book each month. Copies of the current book
are available at the library. Public contact: 698-3320.
Tuesday, March 2, 10:30 a.m., Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial
Library, Room A-5. D.C. Public Library and Metro ROAR (Reach Out and
Read) have partnered to celebrate Dr. Seuss Birthday in a really big
way. Former Congresswoman Patricia S. Schroeder, president and chief
executive officer of the Association of American Publishers (AAP), will
read a Dr. Seuss book to children gathered in the Children’s Room of
the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. The District of Columbia’s
own Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton is participating as a guest
reader as well. The National Education Association sponsors Read Across
America Day to focus on how important it is to motivate children to
read. Petworth Neighborhood Library, 4200 Kansas Avenue, NW, will also
have special "Seussian" stories, activities and party fun to
celebrate the 100th Birthday of Dr. Seuss. Public contact: 727-1248.
Tuesday, March 2, 12:00 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Library,
Main Lobby. Lecture and book signing by Eric Hughes, author of The
Third Burden: My True Story of Defeating Discrimination in the Workplace.
The author tells his story about the two workplace discrimination cases
he won against the federal government. He also offers practical
strategies for winning cases. Public contact: 727-1211. Tuesday, March
2, 7:00 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, Room A-5. The
African American History and Culture Lecture Series presents a lecture
on "Blood and Sand: Iraq and the Politics of Modern
Colonialism" presented by C.R. Gibbs, author lecturer and historian
of the African Diaspora. Gibbs is the founder of the African History and
Culture Lecture Series, which began in 1989 at the Francis A. Gregory
Neighborhood Library. Public contact: 727-1211. Tuesday, March 2, 7:00
p.m., Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library, 3160 16th Street, NW. Blood,
Bread, and Poetry, a look at women as agents of social change through
discussion, poetry and songs with Yael Flushberg and Sarah Browning.
Public contact: 671-0200.
Wednesday, March 3, 1:00 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial
Library. Poetry Read Here! D.C. Public Library staff will read their
favorite poems on the first Wednesday of each month. Public contact:
727-1281. Wednesday, March 3, 6:00 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Memorial Library, Main Lobby. Dorothy I. Height, chair and president
emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, will discuss her memoir Open
Wide the Freedom Gates. Height has devoted her life to the struggle
for civil rights and furthering the progress of African American women.
Public contact: 727-1211. Thursday, March 4, 12:00 p.m., Martin Luther
King, Jr., Memorial Library. Pianist Ralitza Patcheva and cellist Vasily
Popov perform their monthly recital of chamber music. This performance
will feature the music of Tchaikovsky, Chappell, Cassado and Granados.
Bring your lunch! Public contact: 727-1281. Thursday, March 4, 2:30
p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Library, Room 221. The book Haroun
and the Sea by Salman Rushdie will be discussed. Bring several poems
to read for discussion. Public contact: 727-1281.
###############
Talking History with JEB Location Change,
March 6
John Olinger, jolinger@dmggroup.com
Due to unanticipated interest, The Rainbow History Project's Talking
History Chat, “Talking History with JEB (Joan E. Biren),” has been
moved to the Whitman Walker Clinic, 1407 S Street, NW. The time (1:00
p.m.) and date (Saturday, March 6) remain the same. For additional
information, call 907-9007.
###############
Techno Rodeo 2004, March 13
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com
For the past couple of years some visionary folks in the
Shaw/Columbia Heights/U Street neighborhoods having been organizing an
annual "Techno Rodeo" event, showcasing creativity of local
youth in the fields of digital arts. This year's event will be taking
places at the Reeves Center, 14th and U Streets, NW, on Saturday, March
13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Further info at http://www.technorodeo.com.
Some background info about the origins of the Techo Rodeo can be found
at http://shorterlink.com/?9Q0O97.
Kudos to Shireen Mitchell, Rich Jaeggi, Jessica Alvarez, Lawrence Guyot,
and many others for making this annual event such a success. Stop by if
you have a chance. If you think this kind of thing has value, thanks for
helping spread the word. There is still time to volunteer for this
year's event (and plan for future events.)
###############
Internet Commons Congress, March 24-25
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com
The Internet Commons Congress is a two-day no-cost conference being
held in the auditorium of the Shady Grove campus of the University of
Maryland, March 24-25. The Internet Commons Congress provides a venue
for users of the commons to educate each other, discuss ways of
expanding the reach of the Internet as a commons, and organize
resistance to the tendency of public and private interests to assert
dominion over the Internet commons. Registration is free. See http://www.internationalunity.org.
This conference will have wireless Internet access. Directions to the
conference site are at http://www.shadygrove.umd.edu/conference/howtogethere.php.
###############
Washington Storytellers Theater proudly presents Southern Exposure.
In a lively mix of stories and song, noted historian Dr. Rex Ellis takes
us down South for his unique look at the American experience. Rex Ellis
has been a storyteller for over twenty years. Although not a freelance
teller, he is among the most popular storytellers in the field. He is
currently the Vice President of the Historic Area at the Colonial
Williamsburg Foundation. Prior to that, he was Curator and Chair of the
Division of Cultural History at the National Museum of American History.
Dr. Ellis has published two books, Beneath the Blazing Sun and With
a Banjo On My Knee, a history of the banjo in America. Westmoreland
Congregational Church, 1 Westmoreland Circle at Massachusetts Avenue,
NW, Saturday, March 28, at 8 p.m. Ticket price $12 ($10 seniors and
students, $9 for WST members). Purchase at the door or in advance by
calling 301-891-1129.
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CLASSIFIEDS — HOUSING
Fifty-one-year-old divorced professional and adorable cocker spaniel
seek sleeping room with kitchen privileges. Both quiet, nonsmoking,
toilet trained. 703-519-7772 (home and office).
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CLASSIFIEDS — WANTED
Does anyone want to give away or sell a camcorder/video camera and a
still camera/digital camera?
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CLASSIFIEDS — HELP WANTED
Resources for Inner City Children needs someone to come in one day
per week from 9 a.m.-noon to help keep us organized. No special skills
are required other than good organization, although knowledge of
nonprofits is helpful.
###############
Part Time Office Administrator for ANC
Julie Olson, office@anc6b.org
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B seeks a part-time
community-oriented office administrator/executive director. The
administrator will aid the ANC and commissioners in the execution of
their duties including drafting letters, contacting government
officials, maintaining financial records, preparing reports,
representing the ANC before government agencies, meeting support, and
various clerical and office duties. $15-$20 per hour, depending on
qualifications. Flexible day and evening hours (some evenings required,
usually Tuesdays).
Qualifications: basic office skills, must be organized and efficient.
BA degree or equivalent experience. Experience in grassroots community
organizations preferred. Preference given to ANC 6B residents. Send
resume and cover letter to Julie Olson, Chair, ANC 6B, 921 Pennsylvania
Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003. E-mail: office@anc6b.org.
###############
ACLU-NCA Seeks Paralegal
Art Spitzer, artspitzer@aol.com
The ACLU of the National Capital Area seeks a full-time paralegal
beginning in the spring of 2004. The ACLU of the National Capital Area (http://www.aclu-nca.org)
is the local office of the American Civil Liberties Union for
Washington, D.C, and its Maryland suburbs. The American Civil Liberties
Union (http://www.aclu.org) is the
nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to protecting civil
liberties and civil rights for all Americans, including freedom of
speech, freedom of religion, freedom from discrimination, privacy, and
freedom from police brutality. The paralegal works under the supervision
of the Legal Director and staff attorneys, assisting with incoming
requests for legal help, investigating selected complaints, interviewing
clients and witnesses, gathering evidence and records from many sources,
recommending action, and responding in writing to requests for ACLU
assistance. Additional responsibilities include research, proofreading
and cite-checking in ongoing legal cases and legislative matters,
maintaining Legal Department files, responding to telephone inquiries,
and other assignments at the request of the Legal Director and staff
attorneys.
Some familiarity with legal concepts and materials and computer
databases is useful, but no prior legal or paralegal training or
experience is required. Applicants must be willing to work hard and
learn, must be well-organized and attentive to detail, must be able to
handle many tasks at once, must work well under pressure and meet
deadlines, and must care about the quality of the work they produce.
Applicants should have strong research and writing skills, computer
literacy, a good telephone manner, and the ability to work well with
others. Willingness to travel around the city and suburbs as necessary
for the work is important; a car is not required but is helpful. Spanish
language skills are a definite plus. Applicants should be committed to
assisting the ACLU in protecting everyone’s civil liberties and civil
rights, which may sometimes include working on controversial issues or
on behalf of unpopular clients. Applicants must be willing to make a
two-year commitment to the job. In return we offer a rich learning
experience, meaningful work, a broad exposure to the world of civil
liberties and civil rights, and a stimulating, diverse, collegial office
atmosphere. Compensation is based upon qualifications, and includes the
standard ACLU benefits package.
To apply, submit a package of five items: 1) a letter explaining your
interest in the position, 2) a current resume, 3) a transcript (need not
be official) from the highest educational institution you have attended,
4) the names and telephone numbers of two references, and 5) a
nonfiction writing sample, to Ms. Gena Chieco, ACLU of the National
Capital Area, 1400 20th Street, NW, Suite 119, 20036-5920. Review of
applications will begin in early March; we hope to make a selection by
early April. Applications received after March 19 will be considered but
may be at a disadvantage. Ideally the new paralegal will begin work on
April 19, 2004, although this date is not inflexible.
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