Shawington

This Thursday, June 26, the “Ward 2 Democrats” organization will hold an endorsement meeting to determine who they will support in the September 9 primary.

You may not realize it, but if you are registered to vote as a Democrat in Ward 2, you are a part of this organization and can vote. Any Ward 2 registered Democrat can vote at this meeting - you don’t have to be active in the organization or have paid any dues.

The meeting is something of a mini-primary. At 6:30pm at the Women’s Democratic Club in Dupont Circle (1526 New Hampshire Avenue NW – 1 block east of the Q Street metro exit), attendees will show ID so that the organization can check it against the voter roles. Voters will then receive a ballot. When the meeting is called to order at about 7pm, you can immediately cast your ballot or stick around to hear 2-minute statements by each candidate.

WHEN: Thursday, May 26
TIME: 6:30pm Registration Opens, 7:00pm Voting Begins, 7:30pm Polls Close
WHERE: National Women’s Democratic Club, 1526 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W. (Q and New Hampshire)
WHO: Any Ward 2 Registered Democrat can vote!

The candidate receiving 55% receives the organization’s endorsement.

Candidates for Ward 2 and At-Large on the DC Council, as well as Congressional Delegate and Shadow Senator/Representative will be on the ballot.

Please come and bring your neighbors and friends. Your vote on Thursday can shape the September 9 primary.

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On June 24, I joined the Foggy Bottom Association at their annual meeting. The featured speaker, Mayor Adrian Fenty, was well received. Congratulations and thanks to FBA President Joy Howell and all of the newly elected officers for their service to the community and city. Ms. Howell was elected to a second 3-year term.

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If you’ve been walking or driving around town lately, you’ve probably noticed the red-and-white signs hanging from nearly every lamppost. On some stretches, you’ll find 8, 12, even 15 on a single block. Here’s what the DC Board of Elections and Ethics website says:

Even though candidates for political office in the District are allowed to place SIGNS, POSTERS AND PLACARDS throughout the city, there are restrictions within the law that you and your campaign supporters should know about and follow.

The following excerpts from the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) Title 24 provide specifics of the law that pertain to posting and removal of campaign materials in public space.

By following these regulations, you will ensure that your campaign signs will serve their intended purpose -as civic reminders of the importance of exercising the right to vote- rather than as unfortunate signs of environmental blight and potential litter…

108.10 No more than three versions or copies of each sign, advertisement, or poster shall be affixed on one side of a street within one block.

There’s really no excuse. My opponent pays thousands of dollars to individuals to put up those signs around your neighborhood. I am very careful to educate my volunteers to ensure that they place no more than what is permitted by law. And if you wonder why we have no enforcement in this city, look no further than to our own officials who don’t follow the law.

To report a violation, contact Marlene Pheney in the Office of the Clean City Coordinator at (202) 724-8967 or marlene.pheney@dc.gov. Provide the address of the block and the approximate number of signs. Take a photo with your cell phone camera and send it in, just don’t do it while driving!

(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Last week, as I was walking over to meet with residents in Dupont Circle, this invitation came across my Treo:

Greater Washington Sports Alliance Fundraiser for Councilman Jack Evans - July 10th

Councilman Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) is currently in a tight race for re-election this year and the Greater Washington Sports Alliance (GWSA) is stepping up to help him. Evans has been a long time staunch supporter of the GWSA and last year, was able to push for a funding amount of $500,000 in 2008, after it the Council had brought it down to $0. In order to show its appreciation, the GWSA will hold a fundraiser at the residence of GWSA Chair, Fernando Murias in Rosslyn, VA on July 10th.

Folks, this seems wrong on some many levels. A $500,000 earmark for an organization to promote DC sports teams when our own recreation centers lack funding to stay open on weekends? Political payback? It’s no surprise that sports organizations are major contributors. With public funding for a soccer and football stadium on the horizon after giving away $800 million for a ballpark, is it time to say enough?

(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Kevin Costner climbs from Whitehurst Freeway down K Street, runs across the C & O Canal towpath, and escapes into the fictional Georgetown Metro located next to the lower entrance of the Shops at Georgetown in the movie “No Way Out” (1987).
Click above for video.

“What do we do? Do we do nothing and let it all collapse? It’s not a popular discussion because it’s money that we’re talking about. But we need to start talking about it now.”

-General Manager John Catoe, referencing the growing ridership that eventually will surpass Metro’s capacity.

According to a report in The Examiner today, Metro is once again floating an idea for a Georgetown station. This time, Metro has proposed a new line running from Rosslyn under the Potomac to Georgetown continuing on into Northeast to accommodate an anticipated surge in ridership over the next twenty years. Experts regard expansion of the metro system’s capacity as critical to its future.

The last serious proposal for a Georgetown Metro station came 7 years ago in 2001 when WMATA proposed expanding the Blue Line. [2001 expansion graphic here]. That proposal gained the support of the area’s Advisory Neighborhood Commission. The plan was abandoned in 2003.

“Bottom line is, whether or not it’s imaginary or practical from a financial standpoint, I think people would be thrilled if there were a Metro stop in Georgetown.”

-Georgetown Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner William Starrels

I believe that planning and discussion for metro’s expansion, including placement of a station in Georgetown, identification of funding sources, and a timeline for completion must begin now. It’s needed to relieve traffic and parking congestion for Georgetown residents. It’s the right thing to do for the environment. It would increase convenience for residents as well as visitors who would prefer to leave their cars at home and not continuously circle around for parking or pay a steep fee for a private lot. It would support local businesses, which have taken to funding the less-than-ideal Georgetown Metro Connection bus service.

There are other steps that we can take to address aspects of the parking/traffic congestion situation in Georgetown that I’ll outline in a later post. Fact of the matter is that our elected officials have not addressed these difficult issues. In fact, Georgetown residents currently find themselves in a battle to stop DDOT from eliminating a portion of the popular DC Circulator bus route that runs down Wisconsin Avenue and then across the city.

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Here’s the latest on who is going to the Democratic National Convention on behalf of the District of Columbia, and on whose behalf they are pledged. The sum up is that as of today:

Obama (19): 8 delegates, 8 superdelegates, 2 “Party Leader Elected Officials,” and 1 “Unpledged Add-On Delegate.”
Clinton (12): 2 delegates and 10 superdelegates.
Unpledged (5): 4 superdelegates, 1 add-on unpledged delegate.
Not yet determined (3): 3 pledged at-large delegates.

First, the District gets 10 delegates based on your vote in the February primary. Obama receives 8. Clinton receives 2.

OBAMA DELEGATES (8, 3 alternates)
1. Darryl Wiggins
2. Maria P. Corrales
3. Jerry Clark
4. Kierra Johnson
5. Cynthia Kain
6. Eugene D. Kinlow
7. Pauline E. Chapman
8. Anthony Mohammed
Alternates: Keshini Ladduwhetty, Betty L Smalls, Juan Manuel Thompson

CLINTON DELEGATES (2)
1. Peter D. Rosenstein
2. Sandra C. Allen

Next, there are 22 superdelegates. These are mostly officials in the Democratic National Party, who live in the District. Hillary has 10, Obama has 8, and 4 remain unpledged.

SUPERDELEGATES PLEDGED TO CLINTON (10)
1. DNC Mary Eva Candon (also ANC Commissioner for 2D02)
2. DNC Yolanda Caraway
3. DNC Hartina Flournoy
4. DNC Harold Ickes
5. DNC Ben Johnson
6. DNC Eric Kleinfeld
7. DNC Minyon Moore
8. DNC Elizabeth Smith
9. DC-DNC Marilyn Tyler Brown
10. DNC Mona Mohib

SUPERDELEGATES PLEDGED TO OBAMA (8)
1. Mayor Adrian Fenty
2. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton
3. DNC Dr. James Zogby
4. DC-DNC Arrington Dixon (former DC Council Member)
5. DC-DNC Jeffrey Richardson
6. DNC Anna Burger
7. Shadow Senator Michael Brown
8. Shadow Senator Paul Strauss

UNPLEDGED SUPERDELEGATES (4)
1. DC-DNC Anita Bonds, State Committee Chairwoman
2. DNC Donna Brazile (has indicated that she will cast her vote for the choice of the majority of Americans)
3. DNC Larry Cohen
4. DNC Christine Warnke

The District’s plan also allocates two slots for Party Leader Elected Officials based on the February 12 primary. Obama supporters received both slots due to his winning just over 75% of the vote. The Democratic State Committee determined who would represent the District as PLEO’s on April 3.

PARTY LEADER ELECTED OFFICIALS (PLEO) (2)
1. Council Chairman Vincent Gray
2. At Large Council Member Kwame Brown

On April 3, the D.C. Democratic State Committee elected 2 “unpledged add-on delegates” from a large number of candidates. “Unpledged” is deceptive — many of the applicants had supported a candidate.

UNPLEDGED ADD-ON DELEGATES (2)
1. Council Member Harry Thomas, Jr. (Ward 5) (was pledged to Clinton, but switched his status to undecided).
2. Councilmember Yvette Alexander (Ward 7) (Obama supporter).

Last Step: Pledged At-Large Delegates.

On May 3, the Democratic State Committee will elect 3 pledged At-Large Delegates and 1 pledged At-Large Alternate to complete the selection process in compliance with the DNC’s affirmative action goals. Council Member Jack Evans, who had sought a position as a PLEO, now reportedly intends to seek this slot in support of Clinton. Shadow Senator Mike Panetta, who will also blog the convention, plans to run as an alternate in support of Obama.

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Here’s the latest on who is going to the Democratic National Convention on behalf of the District of Columbia, and on whose behalf they are pledged. The sum up is that as of today:

Obama (19): 8 delegates, 8 superdelegates, 2 “Party Leader Elected Officials,” and 1 “Unpledged Add-On Delegate.”
Clinton (12): 2 delegates and 10 superdelegates.
Unpledged (5): 4 superdelegates, 1 add-on unpledged delegate.
Not yet determined (3): 3 pledged at-large delegates.

First, the District gets 10 delegates based on your vote in the February primary. Obama receives 8. Clinton receives 2.

OBAMA DELEGATES (8, 3 alternates)
1. Darryl Wiggins
2. Maria P. Corrales
3. Jerry Clark
4. Kierra Johnson
5. Cynthia Kain
6. Eugene D. Kinlow
7. Pauline E. Chapman
8. Anthony Mohammed
Alternates: Keshini Ladduwhetty, Betty L Smalls, Juan Manuel Thompson

CLINTON DELEGATES (2)
1. Peter D. Rosenstein
2. Sandra C. Allen

Next, there are 22 superdelegates. These are mostly officials in the Democratic National Party, who live in the District. Hillary has 10, Obama has 8, and 4 remain unpledged.

SUPERDELEGATES PLEDGED TO CLINTON (10)
1. DNC Mary Eva Candon (also ANC Commissioner for 2D02)
2. DNC Yolanda Caraway
3. DNC Hartina Flournoy
4. DNC Harold Ickes
5. DNC Ben Johnson
6. DNC Eric Kleinfeld
7. DNC Minyon Moore
8. DNC Elizabeth Smith
9. DC-DNC Marilyn Tyler Brown
10. DNC Mona Mohib

SUPERDELEGATES PLEDGED TO OBAMA (8)
1. Mayor Adrian Fenty
2. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton
3. DNC Dr. James Zogby
4. DC-DNC Arrington Dixon (former DC Council Member)
5. DC-DNC Jeffrey Richardson
6. DNC Anna Burger
7. Shadow Senator Michael Brown
8. Shadow Senator Paul Strauss

UNPLEDGED SUPERDELEGATES (4)
1. DC-DNC Anita Bonds, State Committee Chairwoman
2. DNC Donna Brazile (has indicated that she will cast her vote for the choice of the majority of Americans)
3. DNC Larry Cohen
4. DNC Christine Warnke

The District’s plan also allocates two slots for Party Leader Elected Officials based on the February 12 primary. Obama supporters received both slots due to his winning just over 75% of the vote. The Democratic State Committee determined who would represent the District as PLEO’s on April 3.

PARTY LEADER ELECTED OFFICIALS (PLEO) (2)
1. Council Chairman Vincent Gray
2. At Large Council Member Kwame Brown

On April 3, the D.C. Democratic State Committee elected 2 “unpledged add-on delegates” from a large number of candidates. “Unpledged” is deceptive — many of the applicants had supported a candidate.

UNPLEDGED ADD-ON DELEGATES (2)
1. Council Member Harry Thomas, Jr. (Ward 5) (was pledged to Clinton, but switched his status to undecided).
2. Councilmember Yvette Alexander (Ward 7) (Obama supporter).

Last Step: Pledged At-Large Delegates.

On May 3, the Democratic State Committee will elect 3 pledged At-Large Delegates and 1 pledged At-Large Alternate to complete the selection process in compliance with the DNC’s affirmative action goals. Council Member Jack Evans, who had sought a position as a PLEO, now reportedly intends to seek this slot in support of Clinton. Shadow Senator Mike Panetta, who will also blog the convention, plans to run as an alternate in support of Obama.

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Turns out that Council Member Jack Evans will not be permitted to go to the Democratic National Convention as a delegate (”Party Leader Elected Official,” which is basically a type of superdelegate that pledges for a specific candidate) for Hillary Clinton. He had sought to do despite the fact that more than 3/4 of the District voted for Barack Obama, including 2 out of every 3 voters in his own ward. Obama won every precinct in the city.

The DC State Committee, which had initially planned to split the District’s 2 PLEO slots between the two candidates, ruled that both PLEO delegates should be allocated to Obama. Score one for representative governance.

You can read more in the Washington CityPaper and Daily Kos.

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Don’t take it from me, read what the Federation of Citizens Associations of the District of Columbia had to say about it in their most recent newsletter.

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A few days after the presidential primary, I, like many of you, received a “newsletter” from our DC Council Member, which just happened to coincide with the stepping up of his reelection campaign and was the first mailing received in recent memory.

My first reaction was, “well, that’s what you face when you run against an incumbent” but as I flipped through the document, I realized it was not a newsletter at all. “Around Ward 2″ is an 8-page, full-color campaign brochure paid for courtesy of your tax dollars. Can you imagine the cost of printing and postage to send thousands of these to Ward 2 residents?

What’s the difference between a newsletter and campaign brochure — well, fortunately the DC Code and DC Council rules are fairly specific as to what content is and is not permitted in “official mail.” And the “newsletter” violated about a half dozen provisions. These rules are designed to ensure that official Council newsletters provide news and are not improperly used for campaign purposes. Oddly enough, the title of the official newsletter is actually identical to Mr. Evans’ campaign blog!

We ought to expect more of our public officials and have zero tolerance of financial mismanagement in city government - haven’t we had enough? For that reason, I filed a complaint this morning with the DC Auditor and Inspector General, asking that they investigate and, if there is indeed a violation, that Mr. Evans reimburse the taxpayers of this city.

UPDATE 3/24: Evans admits, attempts to downplay violations in The Current. Read Washington Post coverage.

UPDATE 3/27: The “everyone does it” defense isn’t going to fly, says Council Member Mary Cheh.

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