Franklin School Exhibit Begins 7/28

An exhibit on the Franklin School will open at the
Historical Society of Washington in Mount Vernon Square (801 K Street NW) on Wednesday, July 28, from 12-2pm.

The exhibit is expected to be on display through Labor Day at HSW and then will be taken "on the road," hopefully to the Wilson Building, Eastern Market, UDC, office buildings and retailers which border Franklin Square, Union Station, the MLK Library, the Sumner School, and other locales.  The beautifully designed and documented 8, 3' x 7' panels will be affixed to stands/easels/tripods that make the exhibit easily transportable.

The exhibit is organized by the Coalition for Franklin School, a group that has organized to support a future educational use for the historic school building located at 13th and K Streets NW.  Others involved include Cindy Janke (curator), Kesh Ladduwahetty (designer), Humanities Council of Washington, DC, Sumner School Museum & Archives (Kimberly Springle), Historical Society of Washington, DC (Sandy Bellamy), Margaret Hutto, Jack Brewer, Association of Oldest Inhabitants (Bill Brown), and Tanya Edwards Beauchamp (project humanities scholar / adviser). 

I strongly support their efforts.  You can reach my Washington Post op-ed on the future of the Franklin School here.

According to a recent article in the National Trust for Historic Preservation magazine, the building, which was the site of Alexander Graham Bell's and last used as a homeless shelter, is deteriorating. 

"There's water on the top floor, and there are broken windows or open windows," says Joe Browne, chairman of the steering committee of the Coalition for Franklin School, whose members toured the building last November. "Because there's no climate control, [an] original mural is deteriorating fast."

Baseless Lawsuit Continues, Expenses Mount

Tonight, Thursday, July 15, I will be co-hosting a benefit party and fundraiser in support of Martin Moulton. I hope you will join me at the home of Charles Walker, 1518 Fifth Street NW.  Come by anytime between 6 and 9pm.

As many of you know, Martin has worked hard to make our community safe and improve the quality of life for all of its residents, new and old.  Whether it is volunteering at our schools, improving housing for current residents, working with police and government officials to address nuisance properties and crime, or planning neighborhood events... Martin is on it.  Perversely, Martin’s leadership has made him the target of an unfounded lawsuit that is directly related to his efforts.  He's being sued for $20 million - amazing how one can pull any crazy number out and sue.

We are confident that Martin will prevail.  I am told that last week a judge ordered the plaintiff to respond to a detailed set of questions that will require him to disclose what evidence — if any — he has to substantiate the claims in the suit.  Earlier this year, after a trial before a DC Superior Court judge, the plaintiff was convicted of a misdemeanor for involving the police in this matter.  Meanwhile, however, as this case has dragged on, Martin has accumulated tens of thousands in legal costs that continued to mount.

Martin has been there for our community — let’s be there for him. We are aiming to raise at least $15,000 for his legal defense fund. Any amount is appreciated. 

If you can’t make it, please consider sending a contribution directly to his law firm at:

Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg LLP
1726 M St. NW, Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 328-3500 | www.HarmonCurran.com

Sponsors:
Christine Fanning, Kareem Saleh, Manly Moulton, Charles Walker, William Waybourn, Cary Silverman, Kevin Chapple, Alexander M Padro, Gretchen Wharton, Si Kailian, Ayeh Bandeh-Ahmadi, Brian Smith, Deborah Ziska, M Marie Maxwell, Cheryl A. Lofton, Richard Worthington-Rogers, Debra Chatman, Carl Wilson.

Mayoral Straw Poll for Ward 2

The Logan Circle Community Association and the Ward 2 Democrats are hosting a Mayoral straw poll Wednesday, July 21st at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle. All of the candidates who filed papers to run have been invited, including current Mayor Adrian Fenty and current Council Chair Vincent Gray.

Everyone is invited to attend, but only registered Democrats will be able to participate in the straw poll. Registration begins at 7pm, and guests will have the opportunity to talk to any candidates who are present at that time. The presentations will begin at 7:30, and voting will close by 9:15. (Times subject to change if needed.)

Each candidate will be asked to speak on several topics. Following the presentation, registered Democrats will have the opportunity to vote. For more information, please contact Ward 2 Democrats President Pat Allen at 202-296-0720 or LCCA President Bob Maffin at 202-301-2125.

And the nominees are...

At 5pm on Wednesday, the deadline expired for filing nominating petitions, petition supplements, and Declaration of Candidacy and Affirmation of Qualifications with the DC Board of Elections for the September 14, 2010 primary.  And the Democratic candidates are....

Seven of the thirteen candidates who picked up nominating petitions to run for mayor actually filed.  In addition to incumbent Mayor Adrian Fenty and Council Chairperson Vince Gray, other candidates for mayor include former reporter Leo Alexander, Whitehouse party crasher Carlos Allen, Sulaimon Brown, Michael T. Green, and Ernest Johnson.  In a very tight race between Fenty and Gray, could these challengers pull away enough votes to effect the outcome?  Should DC require runoff elections where no candidate receives 50% of the vote?

In addition to Kwame Brown and Vincent Orange, Dorothy Douglas and Calvin Gurley are also running for DC Council Chairperson.  I've seen a few signs up for Calvin Gurley, who lives in Takoma Park.  He apparently pushed for a voting initiative he entitled the "Mr. Bill Cosby’s Age 18 House Rule" in 2004, which would have cut off a parents' obligation to make child support payments at 18, rather than 21.  Dorothy Douglas is an activist who lives in Deanwood and is currently a member of the State Board of Education.

At Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson faces a strong challenge from former Parks and Rec Director Clark Ray.  Two others, Will Rossand and Michael Brown, are running.  Michael Brown?  I'm confused.  Is another Michael Brown seeking a seat on the Council?  Yes, it is Michael D. Brown, the District's "Shadow Senator." (the current at-large member, Michael A. Brown, obtained the seat as an independent and is not up for reelection until 2012).  New rule: 2 Browns on the Council is enough, and if Gray and Orange get elected... we'll probably have the more colorful legislative body in the nation.

In Ward 1, incumbent Jim Graham, a popular councilmember who has nevertheless been plagued with controversies from limiting the hours of Jumbo Slice to his chief of staff being indicted for excepting bribes from the taxi cab industry, faces two challengers: Jeff Smith and Bryan Weaver.

Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh, after completing her first term, is unopposed.  Seems that folks on the western side of town like her focus on healthy foods and animal rights, and her tough talk to Attorney General Peter Nickles.

Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, also a first term councilmember who replaced Vincent Orange after he decided to run for Mayor, faces four opponents: Kathy Henderson, a former Historic Preservation Review Board Member and ANC Commissioner; Delano Hunter; Kenyan McDuffie, and Tracey D. Turner.  I'm disappointed to see that George “Action” Jackson did not file his nominating petition.  You know what they say... all talk...

Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells faces two opponents - Randy Brown and Kelvin Robinson.

Finally, Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton faces a challenge from Douglas Sloan.  After ten terms in office and the most recent failure of voting rights for the District in Congress, will residents opt for new blood?

These aren't necessarily the people you'll see on the September ballot.  The Board will make a preliminary determination of their eligibility this Monday, July 12 and consider any challenges to petitions until August 3.

Education: When everyone is in charge... no one is in charge

A core element of Mayoral Candidate Vince Gray's education platform is to strengthen the position of Deputy Mayor for Education.  As he's described at public forums, Gray envisions the position as coordinating education policy for the District, dealing with such elements as public schools, charter schools, the University of the District of Columbia (which has a law school and new community college), vocational training programs, literacy training, among other areas.

But where was such coordination on the D.C. Council?

Just about every state legislature in the country, as well as Congress and most city governments, has an committee charged with addressing education issues.  Not DC.

For many years, the DC Council had a Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation.  Before running for the Ward 4 seat on the DC Council, now-Mayor Adrian Fenty did a 2-year stint as the lead attorney and counsel for the Committee. 

Immediately after he was elected as Chairman of the Council, Gray eliminated the Committee in 2007.  Instead, deeming education issues too important to be discussed by a five-member committee, Gray placed education in the Committee of the Whole.  The Committee of the Whole is precisely what it is named -- the full council, led by the Chairman of the Council.

"I think it sends the message to the city, for the council, too, that education is the key issue. I had eight council members to ask to be on the education committee," Gray said. "This is an opportunity for everybody to participate. It takes a layer out of the process."

But there's a flip side.  When everyone is in charge... no one is in charge.  That's part of the reason why the District has consolidated much of the power over education reform in a Chancellor rather than in a large school board.

There is a value to smaller committees.  They allow Councilmembers to develop expertise on an issue, which can be helpful in developing legislation and providing effective oversight.  Committee members build relationships with the executive branch officials, organizations, community activists, and those affected (in this case, teachers, administrators, and students).  Committees permit greater dialogue among their members.  Those who serve on the Committee become points of contact for the public as well as people to hold accountable.  And yes, it facilitates coordination of policy.

What are the positions of the candidates for DC Council Chairman, Kwame Brown and Vincent Orange?  Would they bring back an education committee or keep it in the Committee of the Whole? 

Is a Committee on Education (including literacy) and Workforce Development in the works for 2011?

Peacoholics Responds

Peacoholics has provided new details on the organization's funding and operation, which has been a growing source of controversy.  At a joint meeting of the Convention Center Community Association and Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association, Peacoholics Executive Director Maia Shanklin Roberts answered questions posed by residents.  The organizations' co-founder, Ron Moten, also participated in the community forum.

Millions in Public Funds

Some have questioned the appropriateness of Peacoholics receiving millions in public funds during the Fenty Administration, raised concerns with a lack of government oversight, and asked questions about the organization's accountability for obtaining results.

According to Roberts, between 2008 and 2009, Peacoholics received $3.48 million in city, federal, and private funds.  Most were allocated to violence intervention programs in Wards 1, 2, 7, and 8.  Their activities included operating a community center, programs at two high schools, and work at New Beginnings, the city's youth detention center.  Peacoholics also performed third-party monitoring for court social services, including probation checks for 100 juveniles.

Roberts noted a website, http://www.citystat.org/, where one can view the public funds provided by DC agencies to organizations.  If you have not seen this website, it provides quite interesting information, even if not very user-friendly.  The database provides the following information for city funds provided to Peacoholics, but does not provide detail as to the date or purpose of payments:

PEACEOHOLICS INC

DEPART OF YOUTH REHABILITATION SERVICES PO249009 - $659,049.00
HOUSING PRODUCTION TRUST FUND PO266784 - $600,000.00
DEPART OF YOUTH REHABILITATION SERVICES PO205572 - $583,814.00
METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT PO231942 - $199,433.00
METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT PO261004 - $100,000.00
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PO163563 - $99,995.00
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PO174329 - $83,333.30
DEPART OF YOUTH REHABILITATION SERVICES PO180444 - $74,877.00
DEPART OF YOUTH REHABILITATION SERVICES PO236656 - $68,897.30
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PO206553-V2 - $62,575.90
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PO236638 - $50,000.00
DEPART OF YOUTH REHABILITATION SERVICES PO194550-V2 - $36,666.70
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PO200256 - $31,250.00
DEPUTY MAYOR FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PO234771 - $15,000.00
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS PO217774 - $10,000.00
DEPART OF YOUTH REHABILITATION SERVICES PO168587 - $9,420.00
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PO159218 - $9,420.00
DEPART OF YOUTH REHABILITATION SERVICES PO200718 - $7,333.33

Grand total: $2,701,064.53.

Moten: No More Earmarks

When public funding for Peacoholics was at its apex in 2008-09, the organization had a 60-member staff. Since elimination of much of its city funding, particularly after the DC Council eliminated all earmarks last year, Peacoholics has significantly downsized. It is now examining sustainability issues and considering partnerships with other organizations and sources of private funding.

In what may have been a surprise to some, Peacoholics Founder Ron Moten declared, "I believe that earmark funding should be cut, eliminated" and that there should be a competitive process to obtain government funding. Moten had led a protest with youths at the Wilson Building, covered in bandages and fake blood, after the city council eliminated earmarks.  Moten's comments were directed to Council Chairman and Mayoral Candidate Vince Gray, who attended the meeting for a candidate's forum later on the agenda. Moten's comments appeared to be fueled by his frustration that despite the elimination of most earmarks, Gray allowed groups friendly with Councilmember Harry Thomas (D-Ward 5) to obtain public funds for violence intervention programs on an noncompetitive basis.

"I think it is criminal to give people money who don't do the work, who are just friends with people," said Moten.

Roberts later responded to an assumption that most of Peacoholics funding had come from noncompetitive grants. While some of the organization's funding has come from earmarks, "most is competitively bid," she stated, resulting from the submission of proposals to government agencies.

Where the Money Goes: Peacoholics' Programs & Activities

I asked Roberts if she could be more specific in how the organization spent millions in public dollars, such as the percentage spent on staff and various programs, and whether any youth directly received cash or stipends.  She noted that the activities for which Peacoholics receives government funds include third-party monitoring through the court system and its civil rights tour, in which 75-100 youths participate twice annually.

The group is also funded by the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) to provide life skills training.  Funds go to pay staff and overhead for acting as facilitators at New Beginnings.  In addition, Peacoholics employs case managers, who are paid $45-55k per year and work with five youths.  Funds also go to "exposure activities," designed to bring youths out of the violent environment in which they often feel trapped.

Roberts also explained that in schools in which it is involved, Peacoholics places six staff members who are each paid $40-47k.  They work in the school from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and then go into the community for outreach in the evenings.  Peacoholic views itself as filling gaps at schools, such as providing uniforms for teams where needed.

The group's violence intervention programs, Robert's explained, involve dedicating two to three staff members to known conflicts.  For instance, Roberts credited the organization for work done in Shaw with respect to gang disputes involving crews on 9th Street, 5th and O, and 7th and O.  Staff are on call 24/7, go to crime scenes, and follow up. 

Peacoholics typically plans large community events to bring people together, but did not have a planned event in Shaw last year upon the recommendation of MPD.  Such events cost approximately $5-7k for equipment rental, such as a moon bounce and food.

During her descriptions of Peacoholics' activities, Roberts occasionally referred to "direct funds to youth" and stipends.  During the discussion of the group's activities in schools, she noted that Peacoholics provides "direct support" to those youth and their families.  She also mentioned the organization's use of "flex funds" go provide youths with necessities, such as clothes and shoes, as part of its DYRS-funded activities. It was unclear to me whether this may mean cash payments in some instances and how youth are selected to receive support. 

Some have claimed that youths involved in Peacoholics were paid to vote in a mayoral candidates straw poll in Ward 8, an allegation was not raised or addressed at the Shaw forum.  Moten is a strong supporter of Mayor Adrian Fenty.  Also not discussed at the forum was the organization's involvement in a housing project in Congress Heights, which has drawn concern from nearby residents.

A Major Employer of Ex-Offenders

Three out of four Peacoholics employees at ex-offenders, stated Roberts.  From Roberts' comments, this appears to serve two purposes: (1) ensure staff and at-risk youth can relate; and (2) provide a job to ex-offenders who might otherwise go back to crime.  Some questioned whether providing at-risk youth with ex-offenders as mentors provides the right type of influence to move them away from crime.  In response, Roberts emphasized the importance of using people for outreach who "understand and are sensitive" to the environment.  Roberts also noted that their staff undergoes substantial training to provide "the more theoretical base for what they are doing" and with "hard and soft skills." 

If you are "bit by a snake, the antidote comes from the snake," added Moten.  "Ex-offenders who are trained properly can do the same thing" as others.

From Point A to Point B

Roberts acknowledged the limitations of the services that Peacoholics and its staff can provide.  For instance, the organization is not involved in pyschological counselling, which she views as a vital service that is not being adequately provided by the District's Department of Mental Health.  "Peacoholics is an organization that will take you from point A to point B," she stated.  At-risk youth may then need another organization or services to go further.

"Never Heard a Good Thing," said Mendelson

Roberts was asked to respond to comments attributed to Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) that he has never heard a good thing about the organization's work from the Metropolitan Police Department. Roberts noted that her organization is a partner with MPD on various projects and that she has recently participated in meetings with Chief Cathy Lanier and Assistant Chief Diane Groomes which do not leave her with that impression. She noted that Peacoholics always testifies at Mendelson's hearings, yet he has never met with them outside a hearing. Roberts expressed willingness to meet with Mendelson and have an ongoing dialogue, and to provide monthly reports to all funding sources.

Absconders in the Midst

Shaw resident Rickey Williams asked Roberts to explain how Peacoholics verifies that those participating in its programs "are not absconders, wanted criminals."  His concern stemmed from the realization that the youth arrested in the murder of Shaw Middle School Principal Brian Betts had absconded from DYRS and participated in a retreat in suburban Maryland co-sponsored by Peacoholics just days before the killing.

Roberts noted that the organization receives permission slips from parents prior to participation in such programs, but that it "is not standard for any organization to do background checks" and that it would be counterproductive to impose such a requirement.  Only when it takes youth out of state for the civil rights tour (apparently, a Maryland retreat does not qualify as out of state), the organization runs background checks to ensure participants can legally attend.  Roberts also noted that the retreat was "for the entire community" and was not solely for youth in the Peacoholics program.  The organization did not have an ongoing relationship, control over, or know the status of, the youth allegedly involved in the killing.

Moten added that the retreat was planned in direct and immediate response to threats of violence and retaliation in the area.  "Boy scouts don't do background checks," he noted.

Healthy Habits?

par·a·dox: one (as a person, situation, or action) having seemingly contradictory qualities or phases.  Here, biking with helmet, smoking at the stop light, then continuing on, cigarette in hand.

Gray Announces 3 Agencies to Fix, No More Earmarks

Tonight, DC mayoral candidate Vince Gray announced three top priorities for fixing the District's government agencies.  The first target -- the Department of Employment Services -- "he's not sure what they do" beyond the summer jobs program.  Next up, the position of the Deputy Mayor for Education.  Gray says its time for a "more aggressive, more assertive" person in that role, one that coordinates policy between UDC, DCPS, charter schools, and other programs.  Last, but not least, Gray stated that he would develop a cohesive economic development strategy that would focus on growth areas such as healthcare, educational services, and green jobs, and make the District a national leader for financial services companies.

Gray avoided providing any hint on who in the current Administration he might keep on if elected mayor.  Given his current position as Chairman include oversight over DC government agencies, I asked Gray to name two agency directors or other appointees that he thought were doing a great job and two others that he thought were not quite up to par.  Good try, but he's not answering, Gray responded.

Here are additional highlights of the joint forum sponsored by the Convention Center Community Association and Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association.

Gray on Earmarks

• Gray's elimination of earmarks was not solely due to budgetary necessity, but also a matter of policy.
• The DC Council has not followed its own earmark policy, which is supposed to limit them to $250,000 in operating funds per organization per year, up to $1 million for capital projects, and not permit repeat earmarks to an organization.
• He would have competitive grant programs available in several categories, rather than earmarks.  Grants could be available for multi-year programs because some issues cannot be addressed in a single year.  There would be oversight and accountability.
• Any organization that gets money from the city should have its performance evaluated by a city agency and, if it is not meeting established goals, have a remediation plan.
• Note: Ron Moten of Peacoholics, who participated, expressed frustration that Ward 5 groups friendly with Councilmember Harry Thomas have received DC funds despite elimination of earmarks, declared that he is against earmarks and for competitive grants.  More on that in a follow up post.
• My view:  Good plan, if it is implemented.

Gray on Education

• In his opening remarks, Gray emphasized the need for parity between public schools and charter schools.  As mayor, he would make unused or underused public facilities available for charter school and nonprofit use.
• He emphasized his support for universal pre-school.  DC will be the first city in the country to guarantee seats for all 3 and 4 year olds in September 2012.
• Gray also pushed his role in creating UDC's community college, which has acquired 3 campuses.
• He will advance a holistic approach -- 0 through 24 education.
• DC has the worst special ed system in the nation.  DC spent $166 million last year on special education, including $90 million to transport students to facilities outside of DC.
• My view: I appreciate Gray's focus on the entire system.  I'd like the Mayor to respond to why it appears he has a poor relationship with UDC which seems to be moving forward despite him.

Gray on Vacant Properties

• As Mayor, Gray pledged to increase enforcement of the city's higher tax on vacant property by hiring more DCRA staff.  These jobs pay for themselves, he said.  He did not get into details about the vacant property law, but noted that the Council had finally defined "vacant" v. "blighted."
• My view: Great, but is this an empty campaign promise targeted to address an area of concern for Shaw residents?  What was Gray's position on taking away and re-instituting the vacant property tax, and on what it should cover or not cover?

Gray on Juvenile Justice and Crime

 "We have bikes.  We have segways.  We have walking.... that's been around for decades."

• The purpose of juvenile justice is rehabilitation.
• New Beginnings, the JV detention center, is overcrowded and needs additional beds.
• Did not respond to the concern expressed by judges that they lack authority to sentence juveniles, which the city can let out at will.
• Acknowledged that some violent offenders are let out too soon.
• The city needs to invest more in the community placement system if this is to be an alternative to incarceration.
• Does not support the proposed "civil injunctions" as a means to curb gang violence because they will result in racial profiling and pull in people who are not criminals.
• Would push for more community policing. According to Gray (citing an MPD report), only 300 of 4,000 officers are involved in community policing.
• My view: I heard him provide a stronger view on JV justice's failure at the Ward 3 Democrats forum.  It's broken.  Community policing is a nice buzz word, but it's not quite tangible.

Gray on Lack of Growth on 9th St. and Unwanted Development

• Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Mike Bernardo (ANC 2F) expressed the communities frustration with the slow pace of economic development on Ninth Street NW.  A Shaw resident noted her concern that the owner of a property in Shaw had opted to develop a group house rather than the initially planned condominium due to zoning restrictions.  
• Gray proposed more "small area neighborhood plans," such as that developed for Chinatown, as the answer.  Since the summer of 2008, Gray noted that the Office of Planning, which falls under his oversight, had developed 15 small area plans that reflect what the community would like to see in their neighborhood.
• My view: I'm not sure how realistic developing such plans would be and, as I expressed in a later question on the Bundy School, plans aren't worth a dime if they are not followed or ignored.

Gray on Bike Lanes and Smart Growth

"I thought they were high when they did [the Pennsylvania Avenue bike lanes].  They are really ludicrous."

• Gray doesn't bike, but he supports bike riding and encourages it as energy efficient.
• Reserved bike lanes in some areas of the city (i.e. 9th Street NW) back of traffic.  In other areas, the lack of bike lanes have the same result.  The lanes do not seem well planned.  "I'm not sure we have figured out how to do it yet," said Gray. 
• Pennsylvania Avenue lanes are particularly dangerous.
• Supports transit-oriented development around metro stations.
• My view: I didn't get the impression that installing more bike lanes would be high on Gray's priority list.

Gray on Church Parking

"I'm not suggesting blame on either side."

• Gray acknowledged that the city should enforce the law when drivers block crosswalks, hydrants, or other cars on Sundays.
• He'll work with the community and churches to solve the problem.
• My view: Ironic that Gray makes a stink about how Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay DC taxes, but then suggests out-of-state residents who ignore DC law have equally valid concerns with DC residents who have legitimate safety and quality-of-life issues.

Gray on the Bag Tax

• Took issue with the Mayor's reallocating the money from cleaning up the Anacostia, as designated, to regular street cleaning purposes on the purported rationale that refuse blows into the river.
• The Council has redirected the money collected from the tax back to river cleanup.
• My view: Good.

Gray on the Bundy School

"Get a new Mayor, one that is more collaborative."

• Given his support for community planning as well as his support for offering vacant DC properties to nonprofits, I asked Gray how he would have addressed the Bundy School as Mayor. (The Bundy School, located on the 400 Block of O Street NW) is slated for residential and recreational use in the District's Comprehensive Plan, but was given to Safe Shores, a child welfare agency/nonprofit partnership).
• Gray responded that the city should stick with the plan and there should be no surprises.
• My view: Gray wasn't aware of the situation. I agree that the city should have stuck to the Comprehensive Plan, and engaged the community at an early stage if it was going to go in another direction.

Silvermans Hit Twice

It's not everyday that I see other Silverman's taking center stage in our local media, which is why it was fun to see two on opposite sides of a page of today's Examiner.

David Silverman, founder of the National Pinball Museum, is the subject of the 3-Minute Interview. David's museum will open with about 900 pinball machines in the Shops at Georgetown Park in September. It's website tagline: "Cowboys, Cardsharks, and Cabaret Girls All Under One Roof." While it won't be an arcade, there will be a room of playable games. David is using his own private collection and paying for the museum himself, while also seeking grants and donations from his long-lost college roommates. As he says, "If all of David Silverman's friends donated FIVE BUCKS, he'd have enough to get this museum up and running." That's a love for pinball. 

The other side of the page features a blurb on comedian Sarah Silverman, who has chimed in with an uncharacteristically serious letter to Congressman George Miller (D-Cal.) in support of the Healthy Schools Meals Act.

In related news, I noticed on Prince of Petworth (he's also a Silverman), that Patrick Mara, the Republican candidate who beat Carol Schwartz in the primary for At-Large Councilmember but ultimately lost to Michael Brown, is now running for the Ward 1 Seat on the School Board.  He announced his candidacy on June 11.  School board?  Yes, although DC has transferred most of the power over the educational system to the Chancellor's office, the District also has an elected "State Board of Education."  Established in 2007, it has limited responsibilities.

Elections Roundup

Join me for a Q & A session with DC Council Chairman and Mayoral Candidate Vince Gray this Tuesday, June 29. The forum will be held at the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Avenue NW.  I will be co-moderating with Convention Center Community Association President Martin Moulton. Later on the agenda is Peaceoholics Executive Director Maia Shanklin Roberts.  More details are available here.

Talk about a little pre-fall cleaning... The DC Board of Elections has released a list of 93,773 inactive registered voters who will be removed from the voter registration database [press release].  It's a large list - 1,737 pages.  These are folks who have not voted in any election in the past eight years and did not respond to repeated notices from the Board.  In other words, they live in Maryland or Virginia.

On Thursday, Councilmember Mary Cheh will hold a public roundtable on the Board's implementation of reforms mandated by the DC Council following the 2008 election debacle.  According to Cheh, "my Omnibus Election Reform Act has made significant changes to improve the administration of elections and to make voting more accessible. At the roundtable, I expect that the Board will be able to provide detailed information about their preparations to date and specific milestones that need to be reached before the election. I also anticipate discussions about the Board's new voting machines, its efforts to clean the voter rolls, its new pilot program for overseas and military voters, and its preparation for convenient voting methods." The public roundtable will be held in the Wilson Building, Room 500, at 10:30am.  Are they ready for 2010? Given that its website continues to prominently advertise "Election Year 2008" information only months before the September 2010 primary, I'm going to go with... not quite yet.

This week's Washington Blade contains a 5,098 word missive (the equivalent of 9 1/2 single spaced pages in MS Word) from activist Peter Rosenstein on why he won't support Adrian Fenty for a second term as Mayor.  Rosenstein, who credits himself with helping develop Mayor Fenty's 2006 platform highlights what he feels are major gaps between Campaign Fenty and Mayor Fenty.  Is Rosenstein over the top or is his take on point?

ZC Nominee: Stan Wall

Last night, a nominee to the Zoning Commission, Stan Wall, introduced himself to the Federation of Citizens Associations and took questions. 

The Zoning Commission is an independent, quasi-judicial body charged with preparing, adopting, and subsequently amending the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Map in a means not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital area. It regulates the height, area, and use of buildings in the District of Columbia.  Three members of the ZC are residents of the District of Columbia appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. The fourth member of the ZC is the Architect of the Capitol (or his/her representative). The fifth ZC member is the Director of the National Park Service (or his/her representative).

Wall would replace Anthony Hood, the current chairman, whose term expired four months ago, and serve until 2014.  Hood is a civic activist, who, in addition to his job at the EPA, serves as President of the Woodridge Civic Association and the Woodridge Civic Fund, on the Board of Directors of the Bryant Park Homeowners Association, and as a Member of MPD's 5th District's Citizens Advisory Council.

Some DC residents have raised concern that, with Hood's replacement, the Zoning Commission's resident members will be composed of developers who have an inherent interest in higher, more concentrated development.

Profession: Consultant on projects in DC and surrounding jurisdictions.  Self employed.  The Wall Development Group's clients are primarily federal and local government entities.
Educational background: Engineering (BA Penn State) and project finance/business (MBA, UPenn).
Is he a zoning lawyer?  No.
Is he developer?  Yes, but he has not developed anything.
Is he a member of any fraternity in which the Mayor is also a member?  No.
Why was he nominated?  On the basis of his consulting work with the District and other jurisdictions.
Did he receive "marching orders" from the Administration? No.
Where does he live?  He lived in many areas of DC; currently, he is a Ward 6 resident on H Street NE - though his nomination resolution provides a West End address at 2501 K Street NW.
When is his confirmation hearing before the Council: Initially, it was scheduled for earlier this month.  The hearing was postponed until June 29 due to community concerns.
What role do you see for the Comprehensive Plan in your decisionmaking?  It would be the first document I would look to.
Is the Zoning Commission position paid?  No.  It receives a nominal ($25) stipend per meeting attended.
How will you have the time?  As a self-employed person, his schedule is flexible.
Demeanor: Extremely soft spoken.  Good thing they have mics on the Zoning Commission dais.
Resume: Available here.
Questions?   E-mail Stan Wall.

14th & Geez, Part III

Today's Washington Business Journal takes up a big question on the minds of downtown workers,what the heck is the deal with the large vacant National Bank of Washington building and several properties at 14th and G Street NW. 

The prime real estate was bought up between 2001 and 2003 to house a 50,000 square foot Armenian Genocide Museum, and has sat empty ever since.  In addition to the Hahn Shoe store, the project swallows up the ruins of a large office building, and such former businesses as Shelton's Salon & Day Spa and the Olmstead Grill, Clement's Pastry Shop, the Dragon Exotic Massage Parlor, a nail salon and tattoo parlor, a brewing company, a newstand, an Italian restaurant, and a vacant lot.  Housing Complex chimes in, noting that the properties are "to stay empty for quite a while more."

I explored this situation about a year and a half ago in a two-part series.  [14th & Geez, Part I / Part II]. Unfortunately, it seems as if the situation has only further deteriorated.  The owners owe the city more than $350,000 in taxes and face a lawsuit from a major disgruntled donor.

If you're curious, you can see how much these properties are worth and how much the owners have paid in property taxes over the years through these links:

• 0253 0053: 1342 G ST NW purchased for $1,340,000 on 12/16/2003.
• 0253 0054: 1340 G ST NW purchased for $1,700,000 on 3/19/2001.
• 0253 0055: 1338 G ST NW purchased for $1,350,000 on 12/16/2003.
• 0253 0067: 615 14TH ST NW purchased for $4,121,600 on 12/30/2003.
• 0253 0817: 1336 G ST NW purchased for $6,500,000 on 11/04/2003.
• 0253 0818: G ST NW purchased for $6,500,000 on 11/04/2003.

For years, my law firm was located across the street.  One year ago, we moved to a brand new building a few blocks away... but nothing has changed at 14th and Geez.