Happy Thanksgiving
Dear Washingtonians:
Don’t forget to celebrate, and to let yourselves be happy.
#####
Mayor Fenty has finally put his budget proposal on the table (http://tinyurl.com/2dq4mam),
so the city council budgeteers now have to put on their budgeteer hats
and set off for the vast outer reaches of untracked budget space (http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/2010/11/few-escape-pain-under-fentys-proposed-budget-cuts,
http://tinyurl.com/23hzypy.
My guess is that they’ll come back with space junk, rather than gems.
DC’s budget has grown rapidly since the Control Board was buried
(though, as in Carrie and every horror movie since Carrie, the Control
Board’s corpse isn’t rotting in its grave, but is simply waiting for
someone to take a careless walk nearby, so that it can reach out and . .
. well, that’s best left to your imagination). But cutting the budget’s
fat can’t be done by trimming just the line items that the council has
on the cutting slab.
Fenty and the city council will look for savings and cuts in the
programs that serve citizens, where they’ll be lucky if they find
spare change. They won’t look for savings and make cuts in the
big-ticket programs where the real waste is. They’ll continue to
flatter themselves that they’re first-rate city planners and
developers, that they’re better businessmen than the people who really
do business, and they’ll continue to offer multi-million dollar grants
and tax breaks to companies who, in return for free or cut-rate land and
massive construction subsidies, hold out the promise of returning big
tax payments to the city two or three decades from now, when their tax
forgiveness programs run out. Cut a few of these big projects, the ones
that cost tens and hundreds of millions of dollars and that politicians
pursue as trophies proving their greatness, and we can keep the bulk of
our programs intact.
#####
As long as we’re looking for smaller cuts in the budget, though, as
long as we’re looking for pay and staffing cuts in the District
government, let’s start with cuts in the staffing of the mayor’s
office and the council, and with cuts in the top pay levels — for the
mayor, councilmembers, and the many high-paid administrators who make
more than the mayor. Their pay has grown at a much higher rate than that
of lower level government employees, and their pay can stand much deeper
cuts now. Councilmembers and top administrators shouldn’t ask for more
sacrifice from the line workers than they are willing to make
themselves.
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
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There is something very dispiriting in seeing Washington, DC’s,
elite exulting about spending a quarter of a billion of taxpayer dollars
on subsidizing the construction of a convention hotel, and then a week
later seeing our new mayor telling us that we have to cut at least an
equivalent amount from budgets that provide services to those same
taxpayers.
It does seem that someone, perhaps (gasp!) the media, should dig for
an explanation.
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In the first Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) election, two out of
three teachers voted against WTU holdover President George Parker, whose
constitutional term ended June 30. Since those results were tallied, the
Liz Davis/Emily Washington slate and Chris and Ben Bergfalk slate
endorsed the Nathan Saunders slate, on which I am running for the WTU
General Vice President seat. Parker’s loss to Saunders has brought out
the worst in him. In the final leg of the WTU race, Parker’s last acts
of desperation reveal an underbelly of petulance, lies, small minded
mean spiritedness, and pure hate.
The Parker campaign conducted mass robo-calling using union
resources, which included repeated reminders about dental benefits and
promises of meetings with teachers and another survey on IMPACT under
the guise of conducting union business. Of late, Parker has distributed
hundreds of pamphlets to schools that instill fear that a vote for
Nathan Saunders will result in our union going backwards neglecting the
fact that for the last six years under Parker’s leadership, WTU
members’ democratic rights were destroyed, teachers’ due process
rights have been trampled, and a thousand teachers lost their jobs under
the Fenty/Rhee administration. Parker in his hate literature has alleged
spurious, false, and exaggerated allegations about Nathan Saunders’
work history and left out pertinent details regarding an American
Federation of Teachers (AFT) Executive Council investigation that
resulted in a September 17 order that Parker and the WTU Executive board
approve Saunders’ leave of absence and back pay forthwith. If we are
to go down this road, then the obvious question is how these treasonous
acts of Parker, subverting the WTU Constitution, as well as his refusal
to comply with an AFT order from our parent organization, should be
handled ? Further, how much is Parker paid in salary, how much salary
should he (Parker) forgo by his refusal to have union membership and
representative assembly meetings over the past year, his refusal to hold
a timely union election last May as required by the WTU Constitution and
refusal to comply with AFT’s Order?
Parker’s campaign has become an abomination, hell-bent on victory
no matter the cost to teachers and school personnel. Hollow promises,
empty promises, and more absurd promises have been made to union
members. Parker will meet with teachers, provide edible treats and
salacious lies, while guaranteeing teachers higher impact scores and
better working conditions if they promise to vote for him. Parker’s
latest campaign trick is offering to pick up union members ballots from
their homes during the Thanksgiving season.
Residents understood teachers’ plight and voted against Mayor Fenty
in part because of Saunders/Peterson activism in the community, media,
and courtroom. Now, teachers must vote for progressive leadership with
the Saunders/Peterson Slate. There is less than one week to vote in WTU’s
runoff election. Mail your ballot now and mark it for the Saunders
slate.
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“Sensors and Sensibilities: A Smarter World
Faces Many Hurdles”
Gabe Goldberg, gabe at gabegold dot com
From this article in The Economist, http://www.economist.com/node/17388338,
(emphasis added):
“For a city to offer smart services and save money, its departments
have to work closely together, share their data and use a common IT
infrastructure. London, for instance, has different payment systems for
public transport, bicycle hire, and toll roads. Such fragmentation is
costly and makes it more difficult to come up with new offers (say,
reducing the congestion charge for those who often hire a bicycle). But
getting a city’s islands of bureaucracy to work together tends to be
difficult, says Mark Cleverley of IBM, who helps governments and cities
develop plans for smart systems. The problem is not just that
departments often jealously protect their data, something experts call
TEP, as in ‘turf, ego and power.’”
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“Expansion of Bike Lanes in New York Brings
Backlash”
Gabe Goldberg, gabe at gabegold dot com
From this article in the New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/nyregion/23bicycle.html?hp:
“Over the last four years, the streets of New York City have
undergone a transformation: more than 250 miles of traffic lanes
dedicated for bicycles have been created, and several laws aimed at
promoting cycling have been passed. The efforts by the Bloomberg
administration have placed New York City at the forefront of a national
trend to make bicycling viable and safe even in the most urban of
settings. Yet over the last year, a backlash has taken hold. . . .
Outside the city, bikes have begun creeping into political battles this
year. The Republican nominee for governor of Colorado, Dan Maes,
wondered during the primary whether bicycles were part of a nefarious
plot to ruin the nation’s cities. More seriously, Mayor Adrian M.
Fenty, who lost his bid for reelection in Washington, found himself
painted as out of touch with residents, in part because of his
connection to new bike paths.”
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Planners Versus Residents
Allison Bickers, Barney Circle, ambickers721@yahoo.com
I believe that you miscalculate and over generalize your assumptions
in your November 21 column [introduction, themail] as to whom residents
of the District of Columbia might prefer for the Office of Planning and
the Department of Transportation. I am a resident and I support Smart
Growth. Your description of Smart Growth is not wholly accurate and cuts
short some of its most beneficial aspects. I don’t believe, based on
your letter to residents, that I will change your mind about this.
However, I do believe that you should know your generalization is far
from accurate of who supports Gabe [Klein] and [Harriet] Tregoning and
who does not. I am a resident and very much appreciate the job they have
done as the heads of their agencies. I have friends involved in the
Committee of 100 that I respect, so don’t believe that I discount
their opinion. Please recognize that there are a variety of residents in
the District of Columbia who appreciate the move towards increased
walkability — a concept that was fully functional with the streetcar
system until the 1950’s in the District of Columbia. The car is a
recent arrival in its history and the newest generation of residents don’t
give it nearly the credence that Baby Boomers do. That’s why the city
is attractive to young residents over the suburbs.
###############
Residents Versus Residents
Jesse B. Rauch, jesse.rauch@gmail.com
Gary, I wish to dash a quick note to you in regards to “Planners
Versus Residents,” [themail, November 21] Please note that I am a
strong Gray supporter. I do not believe that your characterization of
the “planners versus residents” is correct — I am a resident and I
believe in many of the principles espoused by the planners you mention.
I am a supporter of “smart growth,” which can also be described as
“livable and walkable.”
Since I do not own a car, I ride my bicycle to get around, and Ms.
Tregoning and Mr. Klein have been doing a yeoman’s work in making it
safer to get around — in a green and sustainable way. Yup, even
following traffic rules, I have been boxed in, grazed, and it won’t be
long until I am put in an unsafe position. What Dave Alpert [Greater
Greater Washington] often talks about is how I, too, can feel safe in my
city.
I am happy to say that I am not alone in my support for their
policies — not by far. If you wish to describe “smart growth” as a
fad, then I invite you to read Jane Jacobs, who published The Death
and Life of Great American Cities in 1961. Ms. Tregoning and Mr.
Klein may be using newer technology, but it’s certainly not faddish or
even part of this century! Bike lines are not faddish either — the
first bike lanes were conceived in the 1890s, possibly along the Ocean
Parkway in New York.
So, isn’t this really about different preferences among residents?
I believe residents versus residents is a fairer description of the
situation. The Committee of 100 and the Ward 3 Democrats certainly don’t
represent me — as a proud Capitol Hill resident, I feel blessed for
all of the transportation options that I have (well-placed bus lines,
Metro and a new streetcar, plus Capitol Bikeshare and more bike lanes).
###############
Unequivocal Support for MPD Assistant Chief
Groomes
Naomi J. Monk, nmonk10501@aol.com
I believe that Assistant Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department
Diane Groomes is one of the best, if not the best, police officer I have
ever worked with. She is one of the most accountable, dependable,
responsible and trustworthy persons I have ever known during my lifetime
of 73 years. I have been a coordinator and facilitator for Police
Service Area 104 (which was 110 and 107) since December 1999 to the
present for the lack of anyone else’s stepping forward to perform this
worthy job to improve safety amongst all in our neighborhood for free.
PSA 104 has community meetings eleven months of the year. I have only
missed three meetings from December 1999 to November 2010.
In my decade of working with other noteworthy Commanders and other
policemen and women, Assistant Chief Groomes has been extraordinarily
outstanding. When an incident of safety or crimes comes about, I have
always been able to count on her to address these concerns promptly,
like within minutes. She has the utmost compassion for all the people
she service but upholds the law at all times while doing so.
It is so very important to support Assistant Chief Groomes starting
yesterday, for there are those who do not wish her well. These people
will state negativity over and over again to the point that an overall
negative perception of Assistant Chief Groomes will occur that will
prevail and stick regardless of the outcome of the investigation
results.
###############
My thanks to Mary C. Williams for her offering her unconditional
support for MPD Assistant Chief Diane Groomes. I would like to also add
my support.
During her period working in my immediate neighborhood of Adams
Morgan (MPD District 3), no officer was more effective or more respected
than Diane Groomes.
I cannot imagine a circumstance where Diane Groomes would knowingly
act to bring disrespect to her uniform and to the force she has served
so well.
###############
DPR Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule
John Stokes, johnastokes@dc.gov
In observance of Thanksgiving Day, all DC Department of Recreation (DPR)
facilities will be closed on Thursday, November 25. On Friday, November
26, DPR will open the following recreation centers and aquatic
facilities.
Recreation Centers: Ward 1, Banneker Community Center, 10:30
a.m.-7:00 p.m., 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW, 673-6861; Parkview Recreation
Center, 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 693 Otis Place, NW, 576-5750. Ward 2,
Kennedy Recreation Center, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 1401 7th Street, NW,
671-4794; Volta Park Recreation Center, 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 1555 34th
Street, NW, 645-5668. Ward 3, Chevy Chase Community Center, 8:30
a.m.-10:00 p.m., 5601 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 282-2204; Stoddert
Recreation Center, 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 4001 Calvert Street, NW,
282-2193. Ward 4, Emery Recreation Center, 10:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m., 5701
Georgia Avenue, NW, 576-3211; Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center, 10:00
a.m.-7:30 p.m., 501 Riggs Road, NE, 576-5224. Ward 5, Trinidad
Recreation Center, 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 1310 Childress Street, NE,
727-1293; Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 1100
Michigan Avenue, NE, 576-9238. Ward 6, King Greenleaf Recreation Center,
9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 201 N Street, SW, 645-7454; Sherwood Recreation
Center, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 640 10th Street, NE, 698-3075. Ward 7,
Deanwood Community Center, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 1350 49th Street, NE,
671-3077; Fort Davis Recreation Center, 10:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m., 1400 41st
Street, SE, 645-9212. Ward 8, Douglass Community Center, 10:30 a.m.-7:00
p.m., 2100 Stanton Terrace, SE, 645-3980; Fort Stanton Recreation
Center, 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 1812 Erie Street, SE, 645-3970.
Aquatic Centers: Ward 3, Wilson Aquatic Center, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.,
4551 Fort Drive, NW, 730-0583; Ward 7, Deanwood Aquatic Center, 9:00
a.m.-5:00 p.m., 1350 49th Street, NE, 671-3078.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
Drayton Hall program on Palladian
Architecture, December 1
Tara Miller, tmiller@nbm.org
Located near Charleston, South Carolina, Drayton Hall is considered
one of the finest and oldest examples of Georgian-Palladian architecture
in the United States. George W. McDaniel, Drayton Hall’s executive
director, and Carter C. Hudgins, director of preservation, will give an
illustrated talk about this National Trust property that dates to 1738.
The program is moderated by Carl I. Gable, president of the Center for
Palladian Studies in America. This program is presented in cooperation
with the Center for Palladian Studies in America. At the National
Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW (Judiciary Square Metro, Red Line),
Wednesday, December 1, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
$12 for members of the National Building Museum, Friends of Drayton
Hall, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Institute of Classical
Architecture and Classical America, and Center for Palladian Studies in
America; $20 for nonmembers; $12 for students with valid ID. Prepaid
registration required. Walk-in registration based on availability. To
register, visit http://www.nbm.org
or call 272-2448. Complimentary tickets available for press with proper
credentials. For more information, contact Tara Miller, tmiller@nbm.org,
272-2448, ext. 3201
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DC Revenue Bond Program — A View from a
Panel of Experts, December 2
Parisa Norouzi, parisa@empowerdc.org
The Washington, DC, Economic Partnership will present a panel
discussion of the DC Revenue Bond program at the Arena Stage, 1101 6th
Street, SW, a DC Revenue Bond funded project, on Thursday, December 2,
8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. The District of
Columbia Revenue Bond Program provides below market interest rate loans
to qualified private enterprises that are located in the Enterprise Zone
as well as nonprofit and manufacturing organizations citywide.
Join our distinguished panel: Richard Newman, Arent Fox; Karen
Wasserman, JPMorgan Chase; Chuck Procknow, George K. Baum; Joe
Berardelli, Arena Stage; John Gibb, Jones, Lang LaSalle; J.R. Clark,
Squire Sanders, and Dempsey; Sean Glynn, Arent Fox; and William Liggins,
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. They
will discuss bond topics including: Why Bonds? Rate Advantage and
Eligibility; Credit Profiles, Terms, and Covenants; the Rating Process;
Public vs. Private Sales; Dealing With the Government; Buying vs.
Leasing; Office Condos; Conduit Process; and Real Estate Tax Exemption.
This program is part of WDCEP’s speaker lecture series, inDC, which
provides insightful, interactive discussions and high-level networking
opportunities that feature emerging, candid, and thought-provoking
conversations with DC’s most compelling leaders, thinkers, newsmakers,
and authors. With an emphasis on economic development, the program is
designed as a high-level networking opportunity that will offer insight
and encourage interactive discussion.
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