Politics
Dear Politics Watchers:
It's a little over two weeks to the primary election; we're in the
home stretch. Please, simulate enthusiasm.
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
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The at-large council race remains the one to watch this year. Harry
Thomas, Jr., is the son of the late, former Ward 5 councilmember Harry
Thomas, and in 2002 he himself ran for the Ward 5 seat against current
incumber Vincent Orange. Last Monday, August 23, at the Ward 5 Democrats
meeting, Orange announced his support for Thomas' run for the council
— this time as an independent candidate for an at-large seat. In his
remarks, Orange blasted at-large Councilmember Carol Schwartz for what
he termed her opposition to Ward Five economic development — by which
he meant her opposition to trash transfer stations and a slots emporium
in the Ward. Orange also railed against “that white city council,”
and indicated that Thomas's candidacy would be the start of an effort
for blacks to take council seats back from whites. Thomas, Jr.,
continues to be an at-large member of the Democratic State Committee,
although he changed his party registration from Democrat to independent
in order to pick up petition sheets that very Monday to run at-large.
Although Orange and Thomas handed out blank petition sheets at the
Democratic ward meeting, it wasn't clear how they expected to get the
3,000 petition signatures required for citywide independent and minor
party candidates in the two days before the filing deadline last
Wednesday.
For weeks, gambling promoters had been searching for a candidate to
fund to run against Schwartz because of her vocal opposition to the
slots casino proposal. On Wednesday, Vicky Wilcher, the treasurer of the
Citizens Committee for Video Lottery Terminals, showed up at the Board
of Elections with a stack of petitions to turn in for Thomas, but Thomas
himself never showed. He claimed that he had collected 2,500 signatures
in two days, but was short of the 3,000 required.
The sleeper races this political season have been the two nonpartisan
Board of Education seats that will be on the November ballot. Mayor
Williams hopes to further his continuing goal to take over DCPS, one way
or another, by getting his candidates elected to these seats. Julie
Mikuta, the District One (Wards 1 and 2) incumbent member of the school
board, was supported by Williams in her first race but gained his
disfavor by speaking openly of his noninvolvement and disinterest and
education matters and by opposing his plan to take over school
governance. Lobbyist Max Brown, Williams's former Deputy Chief of Staff
and Counsel to the Mayor, and still a close advisor and ally, picked up
petitions to run against Mikuta on August 13, but he also failed to
file. In District Two (Wards 3 and 4), incumbent Dwight Singleton is
being challenged by Victor Reinoso, who, as the public education policy
person on the staff of the Federal City Council for the past several
years, has supported vouchers, charter schools, and the mayor's takeover
of school governance. Singleton is also being opposed by Hugh Allen, who
has been active with the Congress of PTA's, and who has the support of
Councilmembers Patterson and Mendelson.
For those political junkies who are already looking forward to the
2006 mayor's race, the likelihood that Williams won't run again has
encouraged a large field to consider throwing their hats into the ring.
The candidates who are most likely to run are A. Scott Bolden, Michael
Brown (who already has an exploratory committee), Michael Rogers, and
councilmembers Jack Evans, Adrian Fenty, and Vincent Orange. Evans and
Fenty have practically no opposition in this year's council races, but
are raising substantial amounts of money that they can devote to a
future race. Potential candidates include Marie Johns and four other
councilmembers, Harold Brazil, David Catania, Kevin Chavous, and Linda
Cropp.
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DC Council At Large Race
Kristen Barden, Kristen@afj.org
I attended the debate at St. Columba’s Church on Monday night and
was pleasantly surprised. I had been leaning toward Kwame Brown but I’ve
changed my mind and will be voting for Sam Brooks. I refuse to vote for
Harold Brazil because I think his ethics are atrocious. Frankly he
should be disbarred for misrepresenting his private law practice
clients. I didn’t know much about Sam Brooks before the debate but Sam
was the only one who had done his homework before that debate. Now,
granted, some of the panelist’s questions were rather “academic”
— which urban development/urban renewal author was their favorite?
Yes, that is a tricky question, but Sam’s answers across the board
were more thoughtful, more knowledgeable and frankly more sincere. He is
young but I think he will work his tail off for the city. Kwame seems
too resigned and not quite enough of a “fighter.”
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Absentee Voter? Brazil!
Ed Dixon, Georgetown Reservoir, jedxn@erols.com
Kwame Brown must be a real threat to Harold Brazil. Now I'm getting
expensive mailings that attack Kwame Brown on his voting record. It's
strange that Brazil would enter territory that has consistently been one
of his weak spots. Election after election, Brazil has been attacked for
his missed votes as a paid (more than $90,000) at-large representative
on the DC council.
The lines in the latest Brazil mailer read: “How can he represent
us when he doesn't even vote with us?” Council candidate Phil
Mendelson wrote in themail in 1996: “But voters have a right to expect
their legislators to attend meetings and vote. I will. Brazil doesn't.
While he talks tough about crime, public works, and the budget, he's
missed about half of the Judiciary Committee markups and all but one of
the Public Works Committee meetings over the past year. Recently he also
missed three fourths of the votes in committee on next year's budget.
When pension reform came up in July, he denounced the Control Board and
then walked out before the vote.” Another line in the mailer reads:
“People who care about our city vote in our elections." But from
Loose Lip's Biographies in the City Paper: " [Brazil] has
ducked tough issues and missed many council issues.”
This forum has discussed the necessity of a citizen to vote in an
election. It has also discussed lackluster legislators. No one suggested
that Brazil vote when he lived in Ohio before migrating to DC. Clearly,
one must assume Brazil is not suggesting that Brown should have voted in
a DC election illegally. But if a councilmember gets paid more than
$90,000 a year by taxpayers to vote (locally and legally) on the DC
council, one would think he would.
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No DC Taxes for Baseball Voter Guide
Susie Cambria, scambria@dckids.org
The No DC Taxes for Baseball Campaign has just released its voter
guide for the 2004 elections. It is currently available in PDF by
E-mail. For a copy, E-mail scambria@dckids.org.
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The Campaign has prepared posters for those wanting to express their
opposition to public financing of a baseball stadium. The posters will
work in your window or yard. To order copies, contact pierre@dcfpi.org.
Include your address and the number of posters you want.
###############
Washington Times
Laughs over “Boss Jack” Evans
Ed Delaney, profeddel@yahoo.com
The Times finally picks up on the Evans bravado and lampoons
it by calling him “Boss Jack,” adding that he "apparently
thinks he is Richard Daley or some other old political boss who actually
runs this city." Also included is this gem: "The reality is
that they have no plans to build a ballpark next to RFK because there is
no way that District businesses are going to be willing to pay a
proposed gross receipts tax — nearly half of the proposed financing
— for a ballpark they hardly will get enough benefit from. That gross
receipts tax will only fly if the District can build the ballpark at one
of the other proposed locations where some benefit will be seen —
someplace that will draw people to the city not just to watch baseball
but to eat, shop and stay. The proposed RFK site doesn't deliver that
and, according to Mark Tuohey, chairman of the D.C. Sports &
Entertainment Commission, is not under consideration. 'We're not going
to build a stadium at RFK,' he said. 'It will be a downtown site.'” http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20040829-124439-1839r.htm.
Someone remind me again how plopping a monolithic stadium in the
southwest waterfront on top of I-395 at the carefully-maintained gateway
to the city is going to ignite commerce and activity at a place that
already has thriving business and residential communities by anyone‘s
measure. And while Eckington and Navy Yard (which apparently find
themselves under the downtown umbrella, if only for purposes of selling
a stadium) can indeed benefit from improved development, it will not
benefit the city to have that development come in the form of the MCI
Center-type office/restaurant development that a ballpark would be
designed to engender. I mean, how many nightlife spots and entertainment
buildups does the city need? The District has already maxed out on the
benefits of that type of development, specifically by putting that arena
in a place where existing businesses and office space suited that
specific kind of development. That well is dry.
Also, this continual pushing of the boundaries of downtown for the
sake of a handful of private businessmen who want somewhere to plop down
their moneymaking developments too often comes at the price of pushing
out existing neighborhoods and businesses to do it. The District only
has so much land within its boundaries, and how far can downtown be
pushed into northeast and southeast without pushing people out of the
District altogether, many of them those who can least afford being
uprooted? If this is the price of putting a stadium downtown, it is
ludicrous for the DCSEC to refuse considering the RFK Stadium site at
this point given its current use, as it was to pass on the idea of
renovating the stadium itself for the purpose. If they're going to be so
picky on a site because it doesn't suit their personal agenda, can take
a pass on baseball altogether and thus help to stop the war on existing
businesses and residents via gentrification, at least on this front?
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Using Wireless Laptops at the Public Library
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com
If you'd like to use your wireless laptop at a public library in the
DC area, you can now do so at the Central Library, in Arlington, http://www.arlingtonva.us/lib/.
This library is walking distance from the Virginia Square/GMU and
Ballston subway stops on the Orange Line. (About three blocks from the
Virginia Square stop and about four blocks from Ballston subway stop, as
I recall.) The benefit of wireless Internet at a public library extends
far beyond the benefit to the wireless laptop users. The benefit accrues
to those persons who do not have Internet access at home who use the
public library for this vital purpose. Those persons now do not have to
compete as much for the Internet stations at the library. They don't
need to feel as crowded out.
It's helpful to point out that public libraries in the DC area have
reciprocity, so if you hold a library card from any DC area library, you
can sign out materials from any DC area library system. Much as I am
proud of Arlington's wireless Internet access, I tend to use the Fairfax
public libraries for the depth of their book and video collection. I use
the DC public libraries for the quality of their librarians. Every
person and every entity has some great strength. If you look for it, you
will find it (added to my blog at http://teachme.blogspot.com).
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Odin the Assessor
Fred Sternburg, Toofred@aol.com
Since embarking on his series of columns in The Washington Times
in May, chronicling the mayor's and the National Capital Revitalization
Corporation's eminent domain abuse of Skyland Shopping Center, Tom
Knott, who has only owned his house in Washington, DC, for approximately
four months, has been: 1) fined by the DC Government for having his
grass too high (never mind it was on DC government's property and mostly
on his neighbor's side, who by the way, was not fined) (http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20040804-100025-1838r.htm);
2) forced to wait seven weeks for his first trash pickup (http://insider.washingtontimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20040818-100545-7146r);
3) subjected to a property tax hike of $1,800.00.
Coincidence? Read Wednesday's column by Tom on the latest house call
he received from a DC government employee: http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20040825-105254-8561r.htm.
###############
To see a glimmer of hope in that abyss called the Washington Post,
read Chris Schroeder's book review of Dan Gillmor's new book, "We
the Media," http://shorterlink.com/?CRV11D.
Chris Schroeder is the vice president, strategy, for the Washington
Post. The fact that this newspaper has any strategy at all is news
to me.
We the Media is a book about grassroots journalism by the people and
for the people. You can buy the book in physical form or read it at no
cost on the Internet from the book's web site (and blog) at http://wethemedia.oreilly.com/.
The link to read the book online is at the top left of the site --
("Online book.")
Does Chris Schroeder, the vice president of strategy for the Washington
Post, subscribe to themail@dcwatch.com to better understand the
nature of citizen journalism in this city? We'll soon find out. Maybe he
gets it, and he gets it. I fear he gets it, but doesn't get it.
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Look Inside, Not Outside
Ed T. Barron, edtb@aoldotcom
School Superintendent Janey has made a good show of looking at the
leaking roofs and exteriors needing repairs at some of the Districts'
schools. The problem with education of our students, Mr. Janey, is not
on the outside of the schools, it is on the inside, in the classrooms
and in the offices of school administrators. If Mr. Janey wants to fix
the poor education problems he will have to act much more like Tarzan
than Janey.
A good beginning would be to spend about three months finding out who
the really good school principals are and who in the administration
offices are truly hard working and dedicated professionals. Then begin
the replacement process. Toss out those who cannot lead and who will not
adapt to a major reform program that will result in a better education
program for DC's students. Then work with those who will lead the school
system out of its morass to put together a viable long-term plan to
change the way things are being done in the classrooms. This will
require a major hiring program to recruit the best classroom teachers
and better school principals. Only with this kind of effort will Mr.
Janey be a successful DC school superintendent.
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The Real Positions of the Fiscal Policy
Institute
Ed Lazere, lazere@dcfpi.org
This summer, the DC Fiscal Policy Institute issued an analysis
showing that income inequality is wider in DC than in any other major US
city (http://www.dcfpi.org/7-22-04pov.htm).
Earlier this year, DCFPI engaged in the debate on property tax relief.
Warren Gorlick misrepresented our research and recommendations on both,
so I feel the need to respond.
On income inequality, we found that incomes at the top of the
District's income spectrum are higher than in nearly every city, while
incomes for the lowest-income families were lower than in most major
cities. This results in an unusually large gap between high-income and
low-income residents. We also found that the income gap has widened
because incomes have grown at the top while incomes have been stagnant
for our neediest households. The analysis noted that it is good news
that the District is attractive to high-income residents, but it is a
problem that incomes remain very low and stagnant for those at the
bottom of the income distribution, and we recommended steps that could
be taken to lift their incomes, such as raising DC's minimum wage and
targeting economic development programs in low-income neighborhoods.
On property tax relief, Gorlick states that DCFPI supports regressive
taxes because we opposed a 10 percent cap on property tax increases for
homeowners. That is just silly. We issued a report earlier this year
(http://www.dcfpi.org/4-20-04tax.htm) highlighting the fact that DC's
tax system is regressive. Moreover, we opposed the 10 percent cap
specifically because our research showed it was regressive — that it
would have provided the most relief to owners of the most valuable
homes. (For various property tax analyses, go to http://www.dcfpi.org/tax.htm)
We proposed a variety of alternatives that would provide tax relief in a
more progressive manner, such as lowering the tax rate, increasing the
homestead deduction, or imposing a cap but limiting it to homes below a
certain value. DCFPI also took action earlier this year when we
discovered that a new property tax relief program, the “lower-income,
long-term homeowner's tax credit,” was not being implemented. Thanks
to our work, the credit is up and running and available to lower-income
DC homeowners. Call 727-4829 for more information.
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Re election poll workers not being allowed to campaign for candidates
in partisan elections [themail, August 25]: I believe that may come from
some aspect or interpretation of the Hatch Act which prohibits city
employees as well as federal employees from actively soliciting votes or
money in a partisan political campaign, and these poll workers may be
considered city employees.
###############
I am writing this as a certified urban planner with thirty years'
experience in the profession (the first twenty of it in District
government service.) Gary has it exactly right about the Anacostia
Waterfront Initiative [themail, August 25]. But those of us who have
major concerns, never mind outright objections, to the key parts of this
Pharoahnic planning exercise should be under no illusions about the
long, arduous, hard work ahead of us if we are to have any significant
ameliorating influence on the final project(s). Pretend Marble-Man
Williams just chased us off at Dunkirk: if you are serious about
actually having a Waterfront revitalization for the people, then —
like Big Winnie back in 1941 — I have nothing to offer you but (years
of) blood, tears, toil, and sweat. Take it from a veteran of the
original urban renewal wars.
###############
You are right about the heavy-handed arrogance of the Office of
Planning and the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development in their top-down
planning. As for eminent domain legal issues, the DC Bar Real Estate and
Land Use Section is having a session on this on September 23. The
greatest supporter on the DC Council for all these developments
including eminent domain, Harold Brazil, is running for his at-large
seat as a Democrat in the primary in early September. If you have a
point of view about these issues, that is the time to express it.
###############
Where Have All the Bongos Gone?
Mindy Moretti, mindymoretti@yahoo.com
Having worked for the zoo accrediting association and living within
earshot of and running through the National Zoo each morning, I'm rarely
one to defend the place. That being said, the Zoo is in the process of a
major expansion/renovation called the Asia Trail. This new exhibit area
will feature a bigger, better home for the elephants, the pandas, the
tapirs, the sloth bears, etc. A lot of animals had to be relocated
during this process. Many are at the CRC (Conservation Research Center)
out in Virginia and others have been loaned to various zoos throughout
the country.
This is not the say that the Zoo hasn't killed its fair share of
animals, but in this instance, something good is on the way.
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CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
All D.C. public libraries will be closed September 4 through 6.
During the week of August 30 through September 3, all neighborhood
libraries will operate on a Monday to Friday schedule, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. The Children’s Division of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Library will close for renovations from Tuesday, September 7. through
Sunday, October 3. Limited temporary children’s service will be
available in Room A-9, located on the A-Level of the Library. The hours
will be Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday,
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and closed on Sunday. The Division will reopen
on Monday, October 4. The Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Library
resumes Sunday hours of service on Sunday, September 12.
Capital construction program: Hess Construction and Grimm + Parker
Architects will hold community meetings to present new library designs
for the Anacostia, Benning, Tenley-Friendship and Watha T. Daniel/Shaw
neighborhood libraries. The project architect will present the library
designs in three stages of completion: 30 percent in September, 70
percent in November and 100 percent in January. This schedule will allow
for public comment at each stage of completion. All 30 percent design
community meetings will begin at 7 p.m. as follows: September 22 at
Watha T. Daniel/Shaw, September 23 at Benning, September 27 at Anacostia,
and September 28 at Tenley-Friendship. Public contact: Anacostia:
698-1190, Benning: 724-1186, Tenley-Friendship: 282-3090, and Watha T.
Daniel/Shaw: 671-0212.
Wednesday, September 1, 1:00 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial
Library, 901 G Street, NW, 2nd Floor East Lobby. Poetry Read Here! DC
Public Library staff will read their favorite poems. Public contact:
727-1281.
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National Building Museum Events, September 5
Brie Hensold, bhenhold@nbm.org
Sunday, September 5, 1:00-3:00 p.m. The Rural Studio. This film
celebrates the work of architect Samuel Mockbee and the students of
Auburn University’s Rural Studio as they re-imagine the meaning of
architecture by striving to meld professional achievement with social
change. The film chronicles the extraordinary work of the student
architects as they attempt to rebuild the social and physical landscape
of a long-neglected rural community. This film complements the
exhibition Samuel Mockbee and the Rural Studio: Community Architecture,
which closes to the public the following day. Free. Registration not
required.
Sunday, September 5, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Crazy Construction for Kids!
World-renowned architect Frank Gehry uses stainless steel and titanium
to create buildings that surprise, excite, and delight those who
experience them. Families examine Gehry’s creations around the world
before constructing extraordinary designs with shiny
"building" materials. Presented in conjunction with the
exhibition Symphony in Steel: Ironworkers and the Walt Disney Concert
Hall. $4 per building. Drop-in program. Appropriate for all ages.
Both events at the National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW,
between 4th and 5th Streets, across the street from the Judiciary Square
Metro (Red Line). Wheelchair access is available through the G Street
entrance.
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Democratic State Committee Endorsement Forum,
September 14
Dorinda White, dorinda@rindimedia.com
The D.C. Democratic State Committee (DCDSC) will conduct an
endorsement forum for the purposes of determining candidate endorsement
for the D.C. Democratic Primary to be held on September 14, 2004. The
forum will cover the Congressional Delegate, the At-Large, Ward Two,
Ward Four, Ward Seven, and Ward Eight Members of the Council, the
National Committeewoman and National Committeeman, and the Shadow
Representative. All Democratic candidates, as certified by the D.C.
Board of Elections, for these elections, have been invited to attend the
forum and to speak. Candidates will have an opportunity to speak and
respond to a question and answer period for each contested race. There
will be an endorsement vote for each election. In order to receive the
endorsement of the DCDSC, a candidate will have to receive at least
sixty percent for the votes cast in that race. The DCDSC plans to
promote the winning slate by making a contribution to the winners or by
promoting them in radio, TV, or print ads, robo-calls and phone banking
efforts. The endorsement forum will take place at 1301 K St., NW, Reed
Smith, East Tower/Penthouse at 7 p.m. Please RSVP to Ernie McNair at 202
414-9318 or Rocky at 202 554-8790. You may also E-mail me, dorinda@rindimedia.com
for more info.
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CLASSIFIEDS — HELP WANTED
We are looking for a full-time nanny for our three-year old daughter.
Our ideal nanny would be available until 7 p.m. and have some
flexibility to stay late some evenings — but would have most mornings
off until 11:50 a.m., when our daughter finishes preschool. Car is not
necessary, since we live just a few blocks from both the Van Ness and
Cleveland Park Metros and our preschool is also within walking distance.
Of course, we want the basics — someone who is loving, energetic,
reliable, and legal.
If you or someone you know would be interested in this position,
please call 986-9431 at your convenience.
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The ARRIBA Center, a nonprofit organization that serves the
physically and mentally impaired in the District of Columbia, is seeking
to expand its computer and cybernetic capabilities. ARRIBA solicits bids
for the following works: 1) The creation of a web site. The ARRIBA
web-site shall be flexible to allow continued input, user friendly,
universally appealing, bilingual (English/Spanish), tamper proof and
more. 2) The establishment of date back-up capabilities. ARRIBA'S rapid
growth requires the backing up of computer data in a systematic,
state-of-the-art, safe, and highly usable fashion. 3) Building
fire-walls. ARRIBA's increasing use of computer technology and date
storing necessitates real protection from outside intrusion. A firewall
system shall be developed which offers more advanced guard methods than
a simple virus detection program. 4) Network capacity. ARRIBA uses a
total of eight (8) computers in its operations. Computers are used by
ARRIBA's staff and trainees. Interconnectivity between all systems is
sought, as well as increased Internet access without limitations. 5)
Assistive technology accessibility. ARRIBA seeks to have all of its
computer systems accessible for the disabled and culturally challenged.
Access systems shall conform to the needs of users who are blind, sight
impaired, one handed, voice command users only, mouth pointer driven,
third device interconnected, and long distance operable.
ARRIBA requests that the bids for the five works be presented and
priced, both separately and jointly. ARRIBA reserves the right to
contract with different providers for the jobs at hand. Technology firms
led by women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged
to submit proposals. Proposals shall contain examples of how the tasks
are to be developed; samples of the final product; time line for
completion of each task; pricing information, and an explanation of how
advantageous it will be for ARRIBA to hire you or your firm for these
jobs. Proposals shall be submitted to the ARRIBA Center no later than
September 30. To the attention of Dr. Cristobal Covelli, Executive
Director. By mail: 5 Thomas Circle, NW, 4th Floor, 20005. By E-mail: arribacenter@juno.com.
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CLASSIFIEDS — HOUSING
I got a reprieve from my present landlord, so I am seeking two people
to share a house on Capitol Hill. Two vacancies in three bedroom, one
bathroom charming rowhouse. One room at $450, the other at $550, both
with one third of utilities. Seeking environmentally conscious
housemates only. Less than ten minutes via foot to three Metro lines.
CAC, DW, W/D, FP, balcony. On one of Capitol Hill's nicest tree-lined
streets.
Please see my ad at http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/roo/40648443.html
before calling or writing. Call Mary at 547-7820.
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