Washington Post on the Tenley firehouse

By Petula Dvorak
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 9, 2006; DZ01

The quaint old firehouse was still, a century after it was first built, just big enough to serve what was once the rural outpost of Tenleytown.

But fire department officials stoked the flames of ardent neighborhood preservationists in 2002 with plans to raze the 1901 Italianate revival-style structure on Wisconsin Avenue to make room for the larger equipment needed to fight the fires that came with larger houses and more people.

The battle that ensued ultimately redefined the historic preservation process in the District and cleared the way for a $13 million project to renovate several aging firehouses. Last Saturday, the fire department unveiled the first of the projects to be completed, a new state-of-the-art Tenleytown station, which houses Engine 20.

"The fact is, when you call 911 because you have chest pains, you don't want to hear it took us several minutes longer to get to you because we had to drive slowly through the old, historic doors," said Alan Etter, D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman.

Yet, Etter said, the clash made fire officials more sensitive to the value of preserving the uniqueness of the department's history. The new Tenleytown firehouse, for example, was built around the three walls and roof of the old firehouse. The $5.5 million renovation project even preserved the old brass poles that are a hallmark of old firehouses, though firefighters no longer use them.

The other four firehouses slated for renovations also will retain some of their old character.

"We're very sensitive about the desires of the community," Etter said. "We listen to what people have to say. We're all about tradition, and we want to preserve these old buildings as well."

Both sides seem satisfied that they have worked out a viable solution for the future, a feat hardly imaginable when the values of historic preservation first clashed with the realities of contemporary firefighting over the old Tenleytown station four years ago. Scores of preservationists protested when the fire department announced plans to raze the historic structure, which had been designed by the architect of the vice president's mansion.

The critics had the backing of the D.C. Preservation League, which had recently placed all of Washington's pre-World War II firehouses on its most-endangered list.

"They are significant not only for their architectural merits and diversity but also for their socioeconomic impacts on their neighborhoods, as the firehouses spurred subsequent residential and commercial development," the preservation league wrote in its 1999 report on the city's most endangered places.

After several hours of testimony in a heated community meeting in 2002, the Historic Preservation Review Board voted unanimously to designate Engine Company 20 a historic landmark in the D.C. Inventory of Historic Sites. It was untouchable by bulldozers and wreckers.

This was one of the few instances, the fire department and many residents argued, that public safety could be endangered in the name of preservation.

The firehouse had ventilation designed to handle the odor of horses that pulled water tanks not the diesel engines that now fume in the parking bays. The bay doors were adequate for the horse but left only one inch on either side of today's massive rescue and pumper trucks. The firefighter's living quarters were an afterthought.

The Tenleytown project was a harbinger for other problems to come, as the fire department began reevaluating the worsening condition of several other firehouses. As neighbors and the fire department clashed in a series of heated meetings, the preservation board stepped in.

"The Tenleytown firehouse was the building that did bring up that issue of tension between public safety and historic preservation," said David Maloney, D.C.'s deputy state historic preservation officer.

After several months of debate, an architectural solution was drafted that saved three walls and the roof of the old firehouse. That set the precedent that now allows historic preservation laws to make an exception for firehouses across the District.

"In the case of firehouses, we realized that we should loosen the provisions of the [preservation] law," Maloney said. "The legislation now has a special process for firehouses."

Since Tenleytown, the Historic Preservation Office has worked with the fire department on the other projects, Maloney said. When Engine 25 at 3203 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE undergoes a $1.7 million renovation this year, it will retain many of its historic features, including an observation tower once used for spotting fires. According to the state preservation landmark report, it was one of the city's largest and most innovative firehouses when it was built.

Similar considerations will be taken on a string of other renovations underway this year: Engine 17 at 1227 Monroe St. NE in Brookland will undergo a $1.7 million renovation; Engine 9 at 1617 U St. NW will have a $2.2 million overhaul; and Engine 28 at 3522 Connecticut Ave. NW will have a $1.5 million facelift.

"A lot of these buildings are charming," Maloney said. "Since Tenleytown, the process has worked well. The community, the firefighters, everyone will be very proud of these buildings."

Precinct Run Down

This may be a sneak peak to the to be determined ANC Races?

7 (Hardy -- Palisades)
Cheh 402 66%
Conroy 204 33%

8 (Palisades Rec Center)
Cheh 949 64%
Conroy 512 35%

9 (Metropolitan - Spring Valley)
Cheh 390 55%
Conroy 306 44%

10 (Horace Mann)
Cheh 736 68%
Conroy 342 31%

11 (Union Headquarters -- Glover Park)
Cheh 1044 74%
Conroy 355 25%

12 (St. Sophia's -- Mass Ave Heights)
Cheh 178 54%
Conroy 147 45%

26 (Oyster)
Cheh 940 78%
Conroy 264 22%

27 (Eaton)
Cheh 873 74%
Conroy 289 24%

28 (Annunciation - Cathedral Heights)
Cheh 885 69%
Conroy 379 30%

29 (2nd District MPD)
Cheh 419 75%
Conroy 133 24%

30 (Janney)
Cheh 509 66%
Conroy 255 33%

31 (St Columbas)
Cheh 927 70%
Conroy 387 30%

32 (Wesley Methodist -- South Chevy Chase)
Cheh 923 71%
Conroy 364 28%

33 (Murch)
Cheh 1028 75%
Conroy 316 23%

34 (Burke)
Cheh 1179 79%
Conroy 314 21%

50 (Chevy Chase Community Center)
Cheh 819 73%
Conroy 288 26%

138 (Capital Memorial Adventist Church)
Cheh 793 78%
Conroy 222 22%

Election Aftermath: Washington Post

Council members and political activists have expressed concern about the gender makeup of the incoming council. Cheh and council member Carol Schwartz (R-At Large) could be the only women on the council, which had seven women less than a decade ago.

. . . . .

Cheh, Thomas and Wells campaigned on pledges to work for better schools and smart development in their wards. There was talk in recent weeks about upsets in Wards 3 and 6, with Republicans and independents hoping to make gains. In Ward 3, Cheh, a George Washington University law professor, faced a last-minute e-mail and mailing campaign by a small but organized group of Democrats backing Republican Theresa Conroy.

Cheh said the election results showed that voters rejected the group's tactics. "I'm really, really happy to vanquish a negative campaign against me," Cheh said. "I can't wait to get to work."

Election Notes

Marc Fisher:

Ward 3 ex-pat in Philly:
Marc,
It looks like Mary Cheh isn't having too much trouble tonight. Your thoughts?

Marc Fisher: She's won the Ward 3 council seat with well more than 70 percent of the vote, verifying the Democratic primary result and yet again showing the DC government and city voters that the NIMBY, anti-development forces in upper Northwest can make noise, but represent only a tiny but loud minority. The effort by some Dems to rally around anti-development Republican Theresa Conroy amounted to nothing.

Posted 10:43 p.m., 11.7.2006


Results as compared to previous years:

Mary Cheh 71% (12,991-5,077) compares to previous years as follows:
Kathy Patterson won with 78% in 2002 (17,000 to 4600)
Kathy Patterson won with 98% in 1998 (no competitor)
Kathy Patterson won with 77% in 1994 (21,000 to 6,000)

Midday Election Day update

After surveying several polling stations around the Ward, it appears as if turnout is moderate. There has been a lot of activity around ANC races, as write-in candidates emerged in several 3F and 3D races. How ironic would the local election be if it turned on ANC races to provide impetus for turnout?

Cheh and Conroy supporters and poll workers were present at the precincts I visited. The large posters which demonized Democrat Mary Cheh were actually removed by Conroy workers at one station, due to complaints from voters regarding its negative connotations.

The weather is calling for rain later today, so turnout may be suppressed in the evenings.

Get out and vote everyone!

Ed Cowan review of the last stand in Ward 3

The following is a review by local commentor, Ed Cowan on the Warde 3 debate from Friday, November 3rd:

In an hour of brisk verbal slugging, the candidates for the Ward 3 seat on the DC Council, Mary Cheh, Democrat, and Theresa Conroy, Republican, debated each other at the Washington International Church on River Road Friday evening.

Some Ward 3 Democrats—at least 44 who circulated a letter, and probably more—have endorsed Conroy, imparting a sense of contest in a ward that typically elects Democrats.

The dissident Democrats fear that Cheh supports more development—especially on upper Wisconsin Avenue—than they would like. Inevitably, development was the hot-button issue Friday night, and each candidate had friends in the audience
who applauded her or jeered her opponent.

The candidates hurled barbs at each other. Cheh was the more aggressive, seeking to associate Conroy with President Bush and asking questions designed to highlight her own expertise in law and embarrass Conroy. Tossing off figures on
criminal recidivism, Chey challenged Conroy to offer a remedy. Without elaboration, Conroy replied, “job training” and “adult education.”

When the debate turned to education, Conroy, who teaches an advanced-placement course in comparative politics at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, jibed at Cheh, “I don’t need to read reports or studies.”

In closing, Cheh unlimbered her big gun, that Conroy was “an anti-abortion Republican.” [Sound of groans and a voter who called out, “What’s that got to do with it?”] Later, Conroy confirmed that she is “pro-life.”

Cheh, the fluent, voluble constitutional law professor at George Washington University, rattled off lists of positions and policies and may have been the more skillful debater. Occasionally, however, she came across as defensive, especially on development. To rebut accusations that her advocacy of “smart growth” means she is aligned with developers, she draped herself in environmental buzzwords, e.g. “green buildings,” “walkable,” “livable” and “mass transit.” She charged that “Conroy and her surrogates” had misrepresented her views.

Cheh acknowledged that she favored “a modest bump-up” of buildings and density in Friendship Heights. She argued that constructing residential units adjacent to the Jenifer Street Metro entrance—a property now occupied by a car dealership—made sense. And she sought to tar Conroy with an anti-Bush brush, causing Conroy to reply, “I’m not a spoiler of the environment, by any means, because I’m a Republican.”

Conroy declared that present zoning affords “adequate headroom” for growth. This referred to the debate under way on a proposed Comprehensive Plan, which Cheh supports and Conroy and her backers dislike. Conroy called for a new study of development, one not influenced by developers.

On climate change, Conroy said she favored “actions that don’t raise costs.” The debate descended at least once into the petty, with the question: What have you done to save energy?

A few minutes into the debate, confusion erupted about the format, and the moderator, Barbara Yeomans of the League of Women Voters, lost control. On the complicated back-and-forth format, Yeomans took instruction from Cheh’s campaign manager, Claire Bloch, evidently the designer of the format. Before long, similar confusion occurred twice more.

Other sponsors of the debate included several ANCs and several neighborhood associations. Carolyn Sherman, an ANC commissioner, chaired the proceedings.

Other topics:

Fiscal Management and Taxes

Conroy opened by saying she favored reducing DC income tax rates “over time,” but she offered no details. She wanted the District to “pay down debt” and she would “look at” business taxes and regulation to see if they were excessive.

She said the law that lets property taxes rise by as much as 10 percent a year “was not a good one,” but she did not say how she would change it. She endorsed the property-tax class action suit brought by Peter Craig of Cleveland Park, a complaint that a trial court has found had merit. She said the District should drop its appeal from a trial court verdict for the plaintiffs, return $15 million of overpayments and change the method of assessment challenged by Craig. Cheh did not discuss the Craig suit.

Cheh disputed an assertion by Conroy that she, Cheh, had said at a forum that she would raise taxes. “I have never called for raising taxes,” Cheh declared. “I’m not interested in raising taxes.” She said advocating tax reduction was “irresponsible” because of the “structural deficit” in DC’s finances and what she called the “degrading” of infrastructure—roads, schools, libraries, community centers—as a consequence of balancing the budget and raising the city’s bond rating. Cheh argued that the District needed more residents and businesses to expand its tax revenues to offset the “structural deficit” and to pay for more spending.

On property taxes, Cheh said she favored “targeted” relief on property taxes for people on “fixed incomes” and for renters and possibly struggling small businesses. That left the impression that she would be content to see property taxes on homes rise annually under the 10 percent cap.

In the most startling statement of the evening, Conroy said “we should look at lifting property tax exemptions for nonprofit educational institutions.” Presumably that would include Georgetown Visitation and G.W.U. Conroy did not elaborate on this unorthodox view and Cheh did not question it.

Education

Cheh favored taking administration of the public schools—property management, payroll, etc.—away from the Superintendent and assigning it to the mayor’s office, leaving the Superintendent to focus solely on instruction and curriculum. She wanted to “train and reward good teachers, get rid of bad teachers.” She favored “fulltime” pre-kindergarden instruction in public schools. She said Congress had forced vouchers “down the throat” of DC. -

Conroy used education as the fulcrum for accusing Cheh of having a conflict of interest because of her affiliation with G.W.U. Cheh has said that she would go on teaching her constitutional law course, which she has repeatedly said requires only three hours a week. In the past, council members have taught on the side, she said, citing former members Dave Clarke, Charlene Drew Jarvis and Kevin Chavous.

With heat, Cheh asserted “there is no conflict of interest.” She would not benefit personally from any real estate acquisitions G.W.U. might make, she said. She was a tenured professor, meaning that she had job security and could vote independently.

“My opponent does not have a law degree,” she added.

She challenged Conroy to state her plans to accelerate modernization of schools and to say how she would pay for it.

“I certainly wouldn’t pay for it by excessive development in Ward 3,” Conroy shot back.

Public Safety

Conroy said DC needs more police and surveillance cameras and rehabilitation for minor drug offenses. Cheh said DC needed not more officers but “better deployment” that would get cops “out of cars.” She would “come down hard on assault, robbery” and “vacuum up guns.” She did not explain how she would do that and did not discuss the view that gun buy-backs bring in only a small fraction of weapons in the community, chiefly old, unworkable pieces.

Cheh called for “a complete overhaul” of the Emergency Medical Service, which is part of the Fire Department, and the replacement of fire chief Adrian Thompson. She said chief Charles Ramsey of the Metropolitan Police Department had done “a mixed job” and she would not “shed a tear” if he were replaced by the next mayor. Conroy said Ramsey had “done an adequate job.” (Ramsey let it be known this week that he was prepared to move on.)

Cheh made a point of saying that “many” in her family had done police work and that her sister’s husband “was killed in the line of duty.” As if to show further that even though an academic she does not live in an ivy-covered tower, Cheh told a story about how her brother, a roofer, took pride in his work.

She said she wanted to serve on the Council’s Judiciary Committee. She has already worked for that committee as a consultant to its former chairman, Kathy Patterson, who supports Cheh and who came to the meeting.

In closing, Conroy adverted to her earlier statements in support of advisory neighborhood commissions, pledged to be “an independent voice” who “would not be bothered by special interests” and who had no “conflict of interest.” She said she had raised legitimate questions about Cheh.

In her close, Cheh accused Conroy of having changed her position on development opportunistically and of favoring vouchers. Cheh said “I’ve run a positive campaign.”

DC Examiner on Cheh, Fenty and Schools

Courtney Mabeus, The Examiner
Nov 4, 2006

WASHINGTON - As she describes it, Democrat Mary Cheh’s Ward 3 Council candidacy is simply a right place, right time matter and a culmination of smaller realizations added up during her three decades in the District.

Cheh, a law professor at George Washington University, watched as the District teetered on the edge of financial ruin in the 1980s and ’90s and saw it surge back again under outgoing Mayor Anthony Williams.

With her daughters now grown, and a new mayor and several new faces guaranteed on the Council, 56-year-old Cheh decided to run after being energized by years of pro bono work as a city legal reformer.

“Those of us who have been here a long time, we know how bad things can get,” said Cheh, who moved to Washington with her journalist husband in 1976.

“We know where danger lies. ... Now there’s going to be the biggest change in the city governance since Home Rule, with a new mayor, five members of the council and, with many of us, a memory of those times before Mayor Williams.”

But, Cheh, who is passionate about assuring the efficiency of the District’s finances, approaches politics more like a policy wonk than a glad hander who knows everyone who steps off Metro.

She seems genuinely surprised that she won every precinct in her nine candidate Sept. 13 primary.

“It seemed like there were so many people,” Cheh said. “They were all, you know, credible, strong legitimate contenders. Most of them did have prior political experience. I thought I could win, I thought I could lose. I didn’t think I could win everywhere.”

In largely-affluent Ward 3, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-to-1, Cheh is expected to handily beat Republican Theresa Conroy in Tuesday’s election.

Cheh, who still has her native New Jersey accent, wants to bring more recreational opportunities to her ward and is receptive to a mayoral takeover of the District schools system.

“We can’t, and haven’t been able for decades, run a school system that gives kids a real opportunity sometimes to even get a job when they’re out,” Cheh said.

“How can that be? It boggles the mind. There are these other schools system where they’ve been able to figure it out, why can’t we? It’s a moral question as much as it is a practical question.”

Part of the Washington DC Examiner's 2006 election coverage.

Washington Post on Development and Ward 3 Race

Some Democrats Cross Party Lines Over Development
By Nikita Stewart
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 4, 2006; Page B04


Some members of the Democratic Party are trying to influence future neighborhood development by backing the Republican candidate over Democrat Mary M. Cheh in Tuesday's election for the Ward 3 D.C. Council seat.

Cheh, a law professor at George Washington University, won the Democratic primary in September with 44 percent of the vote in a nine-way race. But in recent weeks, Republican Theresa Conroy has been endorsed by a group of Democrats who say they like her stance on development in the ward and fear that Cheh does not know enough about the community.

Mary Rowse, a former Advisory Neighborhood commissioner and a Democrat, said 42 Democrats signed a letter in support of Conroy that went out to more than 20,000 Democratic voters this week.

"We have met with Theresa and know that her vision much more closely mirrors ours than the Democratic candidate," the Oct. 30 letter reads. "Professor Cheh, while intelligent and articulate, has not shown that she has the community experience or the willingness to learn and listen that are the basic requirements for representing Ward 3."

The letter also says that "electing Mary Cheh will likely get us higher density development on all our major corridors."

Cheh, 56, said she has reached out to the community. "I think I counted that I had 50 house parties since I got into this in April," she said. "I've been on thousands of porches and in living rooms."

She also said she has not changed her views on development and still advocates "smart growth" around Metro stations -- a concept that some Tenleytown residents are opposing on Wisconsin Avenue NW.

On her campaign Web site, Conroy, 55, lists "unrestrained development in residential neighborhoods" as her first concern.

Despite the Democrats' letter of support, Conroy has an uphill battle against Cheh. About 63 percent of registered voters in Ward 3 are Democrats; Republicans account for 16 percent. In the primaries, Cheh received 6,642 votes; Conroy, who was unopposed, received 577 votes.

Still, Conroy, a teacher at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, is trying to run a competitive campaign with mailings, signs and automated phone calls this weekend.

Conroy said she knew that some Democrats were planning to back her but that she has been surprised at the level of support. She said she is fielding several calls a day from people who have received the letter. "I never dreamed that all these people would call me," Conroy said.

Cheh said that she remains confident of victory and that her views match those of the majority of Ward 3 voters. "I don't expect to get every Democratic vote, and she, as a lifelong Republican, won't get every Republican vote," she said. "I had Republicans tell me that they've already voted for me absentee."

Cheh v Conroy: This sums it up

Tonight was the big, final showdown sponsored generally by the Conroy supporters. There are two episodes from the proceedings which symbolize the entire evening.

Episode 1: In her rebuttal question, Mary Cheh summarized the school modernization timetable of 2019 as unacceptable, and offered to speed the modernization for Ward 3 schools. She asked Conroy if she agreed with that premise, and if so, how would she pay for it? Response: Not with overdevelopment in Ward 3.

No substance on education, school modernization, budgetary issues. Nothing she could think of off the top of her head.

Episode 2: In her closing statement, Mary Cheh cited the City Paper analysis of Theresa Conroy as "the latest darling of the NIMBY crowd that opposes development in Tenleytown. Conroy is a bona fide anti-abortion Republican. Let her take the NIMBY case to the zoning commission". This drew cat calls from some of those in attendance. Why? In my opinion, because the democrats for Conroy do not want to face the pact they have made with this candidate. They are so focused on the single issue of development that everything else should be damned.

Lessons learned from the primary season

I would have thought that the level of complaint regarding anonymous robo-calls, phone polling and other intrusions into everyday life (Yard signs in piblic psaces, excessive mailings etc.) would have taught the candidates that voters will get their information as they see fit and do not want to be bothered in the precious spare time each of us enjoys.

I have had the pleasure of multiple robo-push polls from the Conroy camp over the last two days.

Thanks you very much, Ms. Conroy (calls to the Cheh campaign confirmed neither they, nor any of their supporters commissioned any such activity, and Google searches on the purported company behind the calls were fruitless).

Wash Times: Devlopment Drives Election

By Amy Doolittle
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published November 3, 2006


Development plans for Northwest neighborhoods have emerged as a key issue in the race for the Ward 3 seat on the D.C. Council between Democrat Mary M. Cheh and Republican Theresa Conroy.
In a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 9-to-1, Mrs. Cheh has a clear advantage over Mrs. Conroy. However, she has drawn criticism for supporting a citywide development plan that calls for more housing near already dense Metro stops and major thoroughfares such as Connecticut and Wisconsin avenues.
Critics also say she supports bringing the plan before the council for hearings, instead of returning it to the community for further comment.
Her supporters say the council process will allow for community input, but opponents say testimony is not enough.
"The more I heard from Mary Cheh and the more I heard about her, the more alarmed I became," said Peter Espenchied, a Cleveland Park Democrat who now supports Mrs. Conroy. "In general, I'm a liberal, [but] I'm voting for Theresa because of this development issue."
The plan would be a map for citywide development over the next 20 years.
"I've said from the very beginning that I support transit-oriented development and increased activity along our corridors," Mrs. Cheh said. "I think there's going to be growth no matter what. So we need to grow smart. I want to preserve our neighborhood and at the same time have lively, walkable corridors."
Despite the overwhelming Democratic majority, Mrs. Conroy's supporters think she can win. They point to Democratic divisions from nine candidates in the September primary and say Mrs. Conroy can get votes from those who oppose the city's development plan.
"The development is a big issue," Mrs. Conroy said. "I testified before city council about that. Many of the neighbors want to be able to give input. ... People support me because of my development stance."
The city's Republican Party has organized fundraisers for Mrs. Conroy's campaign. Records filed Oct. 10 with the D.C. Office of Campaign Finance show that she has $26,394 on hand, compared with $92,394 for Mrs. Cheh.
Mrs. Cheh teaches at George Washington University, one of the biggest developers in some sections of Northwest, but she said her support for the comprehensive plan and ties to school do not make her pro-development.
"There are now, and there have been for some time, for some reason, a very tiny but loud group of people who don't want to see any change," Mrs. Cheh said. "I understand on some level that they're afraid of change. And I understand on some level that they're afraid of what the city must do. But I'm hoping we can sit down and figure out how to fix that part of the corridor without the sort of shrill hysterics that they attach to me. I think it's quite reasonable and it's in the common good."
Susan Banta, a Cleveland Park resident who supports Mrs. Cheh, said she is surprised that the debate has become so heated.
"She's not calling for massive development," Mrs. Banta said. "I think that's misinformation."
Mrs. Cheh has the support of current Ward 3 Council member Kathy Patterson, a Democrat who did not run for re-election.

The problem with the ANC System

In reviewing the list of candidates for the various Ward 3 ANC seats, I am struck by how many open seats and uncontested races exist.

Out of 42 seats up for election from ANC 3B to ANC 3/4G (some of the seats are technically in other Wards, but I am including them all for this purpose):

9 are open seats with no candidates on the ballot
27 are uncontested, generally incumbants
6 have more than one candidate

A whopping 14% of the seats have contested races. There is simply little interest in this volunteer job, and generally the people willing to do it have the time, and some sort of agenda. The agenda in question may, or may not be in the best interests of the broader community.

City Paper General Election Endorsements

Ward 3 D.C. Council
For some reason, the political chatterers want to make a race of the contest between Republican Theresa Conroy and Democrat Mary Cheh, mostly because Conroy is the latest darling of the NIMBY crowd that opposes development in Tenleytown. Conroy is a bona fide anti-abortion Republican. Let her take the NIMBY case to the zoning commission. Stick with Cheh.

Wash Times latest on the Ward 3 race

(Note, Yard signs in public spaces are illegal, among other issues of inaccuracies in this un-bylined article)

Republican Theresa Conroy has five days left to persuade the overwhelmingly blue voters of Ward 3 that she offers a viable alternative to the developer-friendly Mary Cheh, the Democratic nominee heavily favored to earn a seat on the D.C. Council.
Mrs. Conroy and Ms. Cheh will debate one last time tomorrow night, starting at 7 at the Washington International Church on River Road.
Mrs. Conroy also plans to walk the neighborhoods of Ward 3 in the coming days and talk the talk of a candidate who has felt a sense of momentum in her previously improbable bid to upset a Democratic candidate in what is essentially a one-party city.
"I would say my campaign has continued to generate a lot of excitement," she said yesterday by telephone. "People are calling wanting signs to put up in their yards, and they want literature that highlights my positions. Nothing has dampened the enthusiasm, except the occasional person who says I can't win because of the registration numbers." Those numbers are fairly stark for a Republican candidate. Of the nearly 40,000 registered voters in Ward 3, 31,720 are registered Democrats and 8,230 are registered Republicans.
Mrs. Conroy suspects those numbers are somewhat misleading because of the inclination of centrists to register as Democrats in order to have a vote in the party primary, which usually determines the winners in the general election.
If the turnout Tuesday is similar to 2002 -- when Democrat Kathy Patterson (who is not running for re-election) secured 17,045 votes to Eric Rojo's 4,642 -- Mrs. Conroy figures she needs to energize the Republican base and siphon off a considerable number of Democratic loyalists to claim victory.
Mrs. Conroy already has earned the backing of a group called the "Ward 3 Democrats for Conroy." The 42-member coalition mailed out a four-page letter to voters this week that touts her positions on growth, her decision to be a full-time member of the D.C. Council and her willingness to listen to the various advisory neighborhood commissions and civic associations.
The coalition also notes Ms. Cheh's plan to remain a professor at George Washington University while serving on the D.C. Council, which could pose a conflict of interest any time business concerning her principal employer comes before the 13-member body. If so, Ms. Cheh has promised to recuse herself, a gesture that would leave Ward 3 without representation.
Mrs. Conroy says that she has noticed a growing acceptance of her candidacy, a sense that her first political foray has advanced from distant hope to genuine. Her aides have planted her yellow political signs all across Ward 3 and continue to work the subway stops.
Mrs. Conroy is finding that voters recognize the benefits of a two-party system and the need to have opposing viewpoints.
"I've gotten those phone calls where the person says, 'I'm 62 years old, and I've never voted for a Republican candidate in my life,' " Mrs. Conroy said. "Then they ask: 'Can you bring me over three yard signs?' " Mrs. Conroy has been showered with animosity on occasion, as if this 55-year-old educator is somehow a misguided rebel who has no real stake in Ward 3 and the Cathedral Heights neighborhood she calls home.
Of course, being a Republican qualifies as being fiercely independent in a city that prays at the altar of the left.
Mrs. Conroy has been amused on occasion by those who have decided to ignore the group pressure of the left, if only in this election.
"People will come over to me, then kind of whisper, 'I'm going to vote for you in the election,' " she said.
Mrs. Conroy also has been amused by the attempt to link her to the national Republican Party and the war in Iraq, as if the D.C. Council works on Capitol Hill instead of in the Wilson Building.
"I don't yet have the feeling we're losing," she said. "There's excitement, even among Democrats." And Mrs. Conroy has five days left to orchestrate the unlikely.




Copyright © 2006 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Whither the Uptown Theater?

In a recent blog entry Washington Post Columnist Marc Fisher opines about the state of the Uptown Theater, the grande dame of Cleveland Park, and district cinema houses.

Can the Uptown become an independent theater a la the Avalon?

The problem is, the art deco structure is landmarked both for its architecture and it use, meaning as I understand it, it always will need to be a theater. What happens if there are no takers?

This, on the heels of the NW Current reporting that the AMC Theater at 4000 Wisconsin Avenue is slated to close soon.

Ward 3 Dems for Conroy

I received a 4 page letter (return address did not indicate the sender, but was simply from Morrison Street, NW). I had actually thrown it away and had to retrieve it when a friend emailed me and asked if I had received a long-winded letter of support from the "Ward 3 Democrats for Conroy".

It is filled with most of the same stuff present on various Ward 3 Yahoo Groups, such as:

They claim that "Professor Cheh has not shown that she has the community experience or willingness to learn or listen that are basic requirements of representing Ward 3". That is interesting because Mary Cheh has knocked on hundreds, if not thousands of doors during the campaign. She has attended scores of community forums, meet and greets, etc. and listened to thousands of Ward 3 voices.

They make the claim that electing Mary Cheh will result in higher density development for all of the Ward 3 corridors, with no regard for overtaxed roads and schools or the impact on the struggling EMS, fire and police services. Actually, Cheh entered the race because of the outrage over the tragic death of a colleague of her husband, which was preventable had a competent police and EMS response happened in Washington DC. This is actually a top priority of Mary Cheh, yet this group is solely focused on the development angle, without any regard to the bigger priorities in Cheh's platform.

They make the claim that Theresa Conroy is beholden to no one but the voters. I am not sure who they claim Mary Cheh is beholden to. As noted earlier on a local Yahoo Group, Mary Cheh raised the most money of any of the Ward 3 candidates from within the Ward. Her money came primarily from individual donors from all corners of the Ward. To suggest that she is not beholden to the scores of supporters who donated time and money to her campaign is an insult. Further, who is Theresa Conroy beholden to? In the summer, her website and campaign brochures included the following passage:

...carefully examine development proposals whether in the Connecticut Avenue corridor, on Wisconsin Avenue, or elsewhere in Ward 3. Allow reasonable development (smart growth) that incorporates off street parking and contributes to the tax base, while ensuring that our existing residential neighborhoods remain peaceful and quiet with green areas for recreation...

Who is this group fooling when Theresa Conroy, the republican candidate, does contortions of epic proportions in changing her position on development in the ward to suit the whims of this group? This is the most outrageous effort I have seen in 35 years of DC politics, particularly when her original platform was identical to Cheh's.

This group also raises the issue of the Comprehensive Plan, and Conroys willingness to flush years of effort and hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars down the commode in tossing or delaying the proposed comprehensive plan. I am not sure what this group thinks they will gain by delaying the adoption of the plan, but if Tersh Boasberg, the chair of the DC Historic Preservation Review Board thinks the plan is ok, then it is good enough for me.

They also beat the dead horse of the connection between GWU and Mary Cheh. That has been addressed on countless occasions, including in a letter to the NW Current by Stephen Tractenberg. She is teaching at most, one class per semester, and the fact she has tenure mitigates any hold that the institution would have over her employment status (she led an intensive deposition of GW during her pro-bono service to the City Council. The concept of having to recuse herself is silly. After all, Linda Cropp never had to recuse herself from Council proceedings where GWU is concerned, and her husband is the Vice President of the university.

In short, the Ward 3 Democrats for Conroy try to rehash the same tired arguments against Mary Cheh, but offer little positive for the pro-life, anti-human rights republican candidate, Theresa Conroy, who offers nary more than a safe haven for those who feel chilled by the prospects of a Councilperson Cheh. Has it occurred to these people that the broader Ward 3 community feels chilled by the antics that the ANCs and Community Associations have foisted on the rest of us who want better retail and a new approach to issues in the Ward?

With respect to the signers of the document, it is generally the regular cast of "no development" Ward 3 activists. I note 4 people on the list:

Lars Hydle is a republican

Disclosure: I am a Republican, but there is no Republican candidate for this position in the general election

So I am not sure why he is even signing or supporting this letter.

Alma Gates, Bruce Beckner and Deborah Jane Lindeman are all ANC Commissioners. All three are being challenged in the general election. I hope each of their seats becomes a proxy on this issue. I would note also that Bruce Beckner was the leading torch bearer against the NCRC preschool, and even led the fight against new sidewalks in Cleveland Park, in an effort to fight the pre-school (of which he lives next door). The tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars of wasted DC taxpayer money caused by Mr. Beckner (via delays he instigated in the project) should send a red flag to anyone considering supporting him or Conroy on November 7th. This was not good use of taxpayer dollars or community time. If the kind of activism embodied by these three commissioners is indicative of a Conroy Council tenure, then it is very telling.

Washington Post: Palisades Development

This is the classic preservation/status quo versus new development, except that the players are all influential in the grand scheme of things.

It seems like this would have been a good place to come to some compromise on the most efficient use of 3 and 1/2 acres of generally pristine land, rather than to cram so many "luxury" houses into the parcel.

It will be fun to see how this plays out.

City Paper: Unsightly Dirt finally removed

For five consecutive school years, a giant 25-foot-by-5 foot heap of dirt had sat on the playground of Oyster Bilingual Elementary School in Woodley Park. Finally, more than a year after City Paper first covered the story, the pile is gone, replaced with a climbing wall for kids.

The developer who built the school had used dirt mound to disguise a slab of unsightly concrete that was reinforcing the playground area. But the mound became the truly unsightly thing when it lost its grass and deteriorated into a pile of dirt and rocks. When parents first proposed transforming the mound into a climbing wall, according to ANC Commissioner Deborah Jane Lindeman, D.C. Public Schools wouldn't allow it.

“The powers that be were just stubborn as all get out.” Lindeman says. She says that DCPS argued that the climbing wall and wouldn't be fair to disabled/handicapped students, even though the parents’ plans also included an ADA-compliant climbable rock. Complaining to School Board Superintendent Clifford Janey didn't do any good.

When DCPS finally gave the Oyster Community Council permission to finish the climbling wall last year, parents went to the local advisory neighborhood commission for a $17,100 grant to make the improvements.

Lindeman says she doesn't understand why DCPS was so stubborn in the first place. “They kept claiming that it wasn't ADA-compliant,” she says. “But neither is a mound of dirt and rocks and exposed concrete.”

Final Ward 3 Debate set

Please come to a Ward 3 Council Candidates' Forum on Friday evening, November 3, from 7 to 9 pm, at the Washington International Churc at River Road and Fessenden Street.

Candidates Mary Cheh (d) and Theresa Conroy (r) will be participating and the League of Women Voters will moderate. Co-sponsors include ANC3E, ANC3C, ANC3D, the Tenleytown Neighbors Association, the Friendship-Tenleytown Citizens Association, the Ft. Gaines Citizens Association, and the Woodley Park Community Association. Below is the format the candidates have agreed upon:

Five topics will be covered by the candidates:

Education
The Environment
Growth
Public Safety
Fiscal Management

Each topic will be given 10 minutes and will be broken down in the following way:

Candidate A. 3 minutes to discuss topic.
Candidate B. Asks one question on topic to candidate A.
Candidate A. 1 Minute response to question.

Candidate B. 3 minutes to discuss the same topic.
Candidate A. Asks one question on topic to candidate B.
Candidate B. 1 Minute response to question.

The Moderator selects one question from the audience to ask the candidates. Each candidate has one minute to answer the audience question.

Then the moderator moves candidates on to the next topic. Debate continues this way for all topics--alternating which candidate begins.

Questions from audience members will be written on cards and collected by volunteers. Moderator will review cards and select one question per topic to ask each candidate. As indicated above, questions from the audience will be incorporated into each "issue block."

Each candidate will have 2 minutes to make an opening statement at start of debate, and 2 minutes to make a closing statement at the end.

Cheh and Conroy face off on Kojo!

DC Politics Hour with Kojo and Jonetta

Mayor Anthony Williams on his final months in office -- and the next era in District leadership. Plus, the future of one of D.C.'s most prosperous areas. We hear from the candidates for the Ward 3 Council seat. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia.

Guests
Anthony Williams, Mayor, District of Columbia

Mary Cheh, Democratic Candidate, Ward 3, D.C. City Council

Theresa Conroy, Republican Candidate, Ward 3, D.C. City Council

October 25th NW Current wrap up

A few items caught my eye in the October 25th NW Current:

- The headline, top fold article about the Comprehensive Plan is very interesting. The Office of Planning has added language to assuage the opponents of the passage of the Comp Plan this term. According to the article the amendments include additional protections for "historic neighborhoods" where Transit Oriented Development are concerned. In other words, Woodley Park and Cleveland Park and their historic designations are relatively safe from any new TOD plans. Of course, this also means that Tenleytown and Friendship Heights may still be ripe for development proposals, particularly on the 5220 Wisconsin Avenue, WMATA Garage and Pedas properties, this continuing the angst against the plan by "civic activists".

- Theresa Conroy, the Republican Ward 3 candidate has written a viewpoint parsing DC Law where Ward 3 Democratic nominee Mary Cheh's "association" with George Washington University may cause Cheh to recuse herself from Council proceedings where GWU is concerned. Of course, GWU officials and Council attorneys had weighed in on this prior to the Democratic Primary, but if Conroy wants to turn the dead horse into glue, that is her prerogative. In its endorsement of Mary Cheh, the Northwest Current states,

We doubt that analysis, given the outgoing D.C. Council Chairman Linda Cropp - whose husband is an official at George Washington University - has not faced similar problems. Nor have practicing attorneys such as sitting council member Jack Evans and former members Harold Brazil, Kevin Chavous and Bill Lightfoot, all of whom have chaired various council committees

At the Democratic State breakfast earlier this month, DC representative Eleanor Holmes Norton praised Cheh for her committment to education, noting that she too had such an appointment at a local university.

- Speaking of dead horses, there is an article by Staff Writer Julia O'Donoghue pointing out that Candidate Conroy is gaining traction with certain Ward 3 Voters who are in favor of delaying the implementation of the Comp Plan and who oppose new development (or overdevelopment) in the Ward. The irony here, of course, is that the "keep it as it is" voice was heard and largely ignored in the democratic primary, given the means by which the development critics raised the banner in the weeks prior to the election. It is funny, Theresa Conroy is quoted in the article as saying the retail options on upper Wisconsin Avenue are "adequate" given the shopping opportunities in Friendship Heights. I am glad the republican candidate is happy to have our retail dollars going to Maryland businesses.

I guess a "sensible growth", pro-life, anti-business republican candidate in Ward 3 makes a complex recipe. November 7th should be interesting.

Military Road redux

The hot topic of Military Road has reemerged over the past week as the DC Department of Transportation concluded its "one year" study with restriping and center turn lanes.

The study came about as a result of Military Road residents complaining of speeding and lack of parking near their houses. As a result, DDOT implemented a one-lane in each direction approach to this Upper Northwest arterial roadway. The striping also includes center turn lanes.

The test was a disaster within a few days:

If you drive along Military Road in Northwest DC, you may have noticed longer backups. This is because 4 lanes of thru-traffic have been turned into 2 lanes. Some drivers tell 9News their morning commutes have increased by as much as 20 minutes due to the road changes. So, what happened to the other two lanes you ask? One of them is for turns only. The other one is for residential parking. While commuters may hate the new traffic pattern, most residents along this stretch of road love the changes. "People have been flying down Military Road for years using it as a highway," says long time resident Shelly Sconberger. In order to slow down the traffic, DCÂ’s Department of Transportation implemented the changes. Now they are studying the impact of all their work and they want to hear from you! If you have any pros or cons youÂ’d like DDOT to know about regarding this project, call 202-727-1000.

At the Octoberer 23, 2006 ANC 3/4G meeting, DDOT announced that they intend to maintain the 1 lane scheme on a permanent basis, except during rush-hour, when a second lane would be added (North lanes in the morning and south lanes for the PM). The ANC indicated a desire to simply revert the road scheme to the way it was before the study was conducted, while adding speed reduction schemes.

A community meeting for all interested will be held at the Chevy Chase Center on Wednesday, October 25th, 6:30.

Washington Post Endorsement Ward 3

IN LAST MONTH'S Democratic primary contests for D.C. Council seats in Wards 1, 3, 5 and 6, we endorsed Jim Graham , Mary Cheh , Harry "Tommy" Thomas Jr. and Tommy Wells , respectively. We repeat our endorsement of each of these candidates in the Nov. 7 general election.
. . .

Ward 3 Democratic nominee Mary Cheh has all the qualities to make a fine lawmaker in the mold of Kathy Patterson, who vacates that seat in January. But Theresa Conroy, carrying the Republican standard, has proven to be a smart opponent with a good feel for Ward 3 issues. She's not up to Ms. Cheh in experience and knowledge of city government, so Ward 3 voters ought to support the Democrat. Ms. Conroy, however, has a future in District politics, provided she remains involved with civic concerns.

Tenley Firehouse Reopens!!

After how many years of discussion? How many stops and starts? How much taxpayer money wasted?

The historic Tenleytown firehouse, Company 20 finally reopens . This is a releif to thousands of upper Northwest residents who have endured a patchwork (but hurculean and heroic) effort on the part of the DCFD to properly serve and protect the citizens.

From the article:

A historic Northwest firehouse is open again, after a renovation project took four times longer than expected and cost more than double what was budgeted.
"The main thing is, we're in," D.C. fire department Capt. Kenneth Crosswhite, who is stationed at the remodeled Engine 20 in Tenleytown, said yesterday. "And we've actually improved the service to the community."
Firefighters returned Oct. 14, four years and four months after what was slated to be a one-year project began in June 2002. Officials say the cost of renovating the 1901 firehouse ballooned from the $2.9 million that was originally budgeted to about $7 million.
Engine 20 is now a paramedic-engine company, meaning that one firefighter on each shift is a certified paramedic. It also is home to a ladder truck and an ambulance, and serves as the headquarters for the 5th battalion chief.
The firehouse has at least 50 percent more space, with a larger kitchen and bathroom facilities. The most obvious addition is the two new drive-through bays with 13-foot doors. They replace doors originally designed for horse-drawn fire wagons through which only older, smaller vehicles could fit.
"Having the wider doors decreases response times because you're not slowing down as much," Capt. Crosswhite said.
However, some problems still exist.
Firefighters are sharing space with construction workers, who are completing the renovations at the station, on Warren Street Northwest. Some exterior work also remains, such as laying sod and a sidewalk and fixing a large crack in the building's facade.
"Everything that remains to be done now is superficial," said Alan Etter, a fire department spokesman. However, he acknowledged the project "took too long, no question about it."
The $2.9 million renovation contract was awarded in July 2002 to District-based HRGM Corp. A dispute was raised about construction issues, and city officials fired the company in July 2003, saying it had defaulted on the contract.
Officials rebid the contract and selected Garcete Construction Co. Inc., increasing the budget to $3.9 million. The work was supposed to be completed by last August, but the city granted an extension to the contractor.
An official rededication ceremony and open house is scheduled for Nov. 4. The event also will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the house's designation as Engine 20.

By Matthew Cella
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published October 21, 2006

Tom Knott covers the Glover Park Alley

As discussed previously there is a little controversy in Glover Park. Tom Knott addresses it in the Washington Times.

Chevy Chase Candidates forum

This is a review of the recent Chevy Chase Citizens Association candidates forum. This was the second, of I believe two forums where the Ward 3 Council candidates will meet:

There was a good crowd at the meeting, in part because it included a forum for candidates for School Board president. Much of the dialogue between Cheh and Conroy covered very familiar ground: both candidates reiterated positions that can be found on their websites. Cheh spoke of her support for transit-oriented development on upper Wisconsin Avenue that focuses on pedestrian-friendly access to retail stores, while Conroy favored the status quo - saying that there are already plenty of retail and grocery stores there.

The only new issue addressed was the question of where each stood on a woman's right to choose and DC support for benefits for same-sex partners.

Conroy declared she was pro-life. While she doesn't support a woman's right to choose, she is endorsed by the Log Cabin Republicans, and would support laws on the books. As for the second part of the question, she said that she believed such matters should be left to states. Cheh said that she supports a woman's right to choose, and linked the issue to her commitment to fight for the District of Columbia right to self-determination. She noted that Congress has forbidden the DC government to pay for abortions for low-income women, and called it an intolerable situation. It was interesting that this was the only response of the night that drew applause from the audience.

Ward3Vision website goes live

The DC Ward 3 Smart Growth Coalition changed its name in the Spring to reflect a broader vision for the future of Ward 3 where neighborhood serving retail, affordable housing and lively streetscape are concerned.

To encapsulate this "vision" the committee has launched its new website in order to attract new members and continue to build on the momentum it has achieved over the past year.

If you are interested in a revitalized Wisconsin Avenue corridor, enhanced regional environmental concerns, and affordable housing, particularly for city employees and first responders, then you should visit their website and sign up to the movement!

Cleveland Park family forces change in DCPL Policy

As first reported on the Cleveland Park Listserv, a local family had a frustrating day at the local branch of the library.

My son who is 4.5 was told that to get a library card he had to be able to write his name. This is an issue he has been working on as he has fine motor skill issues. He tried and tried but could not do it well enough and they would not give him a card, rendering him to tears. I know other four year olds can comply and would get a card and it seems very unfair and cruel to tie getting a library card to a child's physical development. It is discriminatory against those with developmental delays or physical disabilities. A policy requiring that a child be of a certain age makes sense; this one does not.

According to the City Paper, the days events were not for naught, as the Director has pledged to adjust the policy:

(The parents) lobbied Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper to change the policy. By Saturday evening, Cooper gave word that she had abolished the handwriting challenge altogether. “It was an easy decision for us to make,” Cooper says. Making a 4-and-a-half-year-old cry, she says, is “not the kind of impression we want children to have at our libraries.”

But with the new policy in place, the library system wanted one more thing from Jonah: his picture on a brochure trumpeting the policy change. Jonah and his parents are up for it. “He's cute,” Loeb says. “He's a cute 4-year-old.”

Bravo to the DCPL system for getting it right.

Mark Plotkin on the republican candidate

Tenleytown, D.C.: So, how do you feel about the possibility of a Republican holding the Ward 3 Council seat?

Mark Plotkin: Won't happen. The Ward is overwhelmingly Democratic. Mary Cheh ran a strong race and beat all her Democratic opponents by over two to one. Conroy is a sign, I don't know anything else about her. For a Republican to win in a Ward race because of the registration figures, they need to be a household name with a great history, or spend hundred of thousands of dollars. The fact of life is that Republicans are seven percent of the registered voters in D.C. That's an enormous hill to climb. The Republican party is a social club, not a political party in this city. I wish it was more, it would help on the Hill. The only elected Republican Carol Schwartz won't even support the Republican running for Mayor. That says it all.

Your Taxpayer Dollars at Work

ANC3C passed a resolution last night authorizing up to $5,000 of OUR tax dollars to go to zoning attorneys to fight the Wardman project in Woodley Park.

ANC3C 02 Commissioner Deborah Lindeman proposed the resolution at the meeting (after having posted about it a scant few hours before the meeting on a narrowly read listserv). There was no adequate announcement beforehand that the Advisory Neighborhood Commission would be taking this action (as we have grown accustomed to such non-actions by various ANCs). The resolution said that the ANC would appeal all future permits and would take whatever legal action is necessary. ANC 3C Chair Nancy MacWood had clearly not read the resolution and it was after midnight when it was proposed. Some commissioners tried to get it deferred; but MacWood and Lindeman plowed it through. After one commissioner noted to Nancy MacWood what the resolution actually said, MacWood offered an amendment to eliminate any reference to future permits and future legal actions. It is too bad. It would have been really funny to watch ANC 3C bankrupt itself because of this hasty action.

Given that the total ANC budget is about $26,000, the $5,000 approved along with the $1,300 already spent on this account for about 26% of the total.

Ironic that Commissioner Lindeman abstained on a vote earlier this year, approving a grant for a playground at 39th & Porter for 6 to 12 year olds, an age that really needs to get out of the house, away from computers and TV, and onto the playground. The minutes say: "Commissioner Lindeman stated that she planned to abstain from the vote and encouraged the ANC to demonstrate fiscal responsibility."

I wonder how many of the folks in Woodley Park, and the broader ANC 3C area who support the Wardman project feel about this action?

Washington Post on Aircraft noise in Palisades

By Sue Anne Pressley Montes
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 15, 2006; C12

Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, residents of the Palisades neighborhood in northwest D.C. look skyward. With clipboards in hand, they meticulously rate the noise levels of airplanes flying over their homes on the way to nearby Reagan National Airport.

They mark an option for each aircraft -- "less loud" than usual, "normal" or "louder." They hope their notations will convey, to regional and federal agencies, what it is like to live in a community where the house windows sometimes rattle in sync with the commercial-jet engines overhead.

"Just this morning, at 6 o'clock, I heard an aircraft fly over my house and I said, 'It's time to get up,' " said Spence Spencer, president of the Palisades Citizens Association, which is conducting a six-week study with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

About 700 flights take off from and land at National Airport each day, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Half fly over the Palisades.

On clear days, when visibility is good, aircraft bound for National operate under visual flight rules, basically following the Potomac River route and avoiding flying over neighborhoods such as the Palisades, FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto said. On overcast days, they fly under instrument flight rules and often have to end up over homes.

"We are very sensitive to noise issues, but our main concern is safety and you can't have aircraft snake their way up the river when they can't see the river," Takemoto said.

Palisades residents say they understand that, but they also think that new technology, based on a global positioning system approach, could keep the aircraft over the river in good weather and bad. The community, between Chain Bridge and Key Bridge, with an estimated 3,000 households, big shade trees and unique, old homes, has been involved in noise-abatement issues for many years.

"First of all, we are not trying to close down National Airport," said Stu Ross, past president of the citizens association. "What we're trying to do is find the best scientific way to manage noise. There are a couple of ways you can do this -- one is quieter engines, obviously, and the other is patterns pilots may fly when landing."

Coexisting with airport noise is one of the continuing predicaments of modern American life. Recent airport expansions, like those at San Francisco and Minneapolis-St. Paul, produced a storm of new protesters. As daily flights have increased and once-sleepy airports have grown, more residents and citizens groups across the country have begun pushing for better noise control.

"The problem is that the number of takeoffs and landings have increased faster than airplanes are getting quieter, and the times of takeoffs and landings are spreading into more vulnerable times of day, into early morning and late evening when people are sleeping," said Les Blomberg, director of the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse in Montpelier, Vt.

Palisades residents only complain about aircraft noise to a point. They knew what they were getting into when they moved into the neighborhood northwest of Georgetown, but the charm of the area bowled them over. In a mayor's proclamation that celebrated Palisades Day in May 2005, the community was described as "a small town in the big city, composed of an eclectic mix of citizens of all backgrounds committed to making our city a better place to live and work," and "a treasure of green spaces, quiet streets, high bluffs and breathtaking sunsets." The Palisades also has become known for its annual Fourth of July parade.

"I don't know anyone who's ever moved out or didn't buy a house here because of" the planes, said Ross, an attorney who moved to the Palisades 26 years ago and now lives in "an old boardinghouse" there. "You get used to it. Everyone benefits from how close National is to us. It's just one of those things you kind of put up with."

For about an eight-month period after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, noise levels in the Palisades reached new heights, residents said, when all arrivals had to pass over the neighborhood for security reasons. Use of the river route was later resumed.

Mat Thorp, a retired aerospace-industry executive who often is described as the unofficial mayor of the Palisades, is leading the noise-control effort. The 44-year resident of the neighborhood said he was struck by the loudness of passing aircraft when he viewed a video of his wife's memorial service that he held on his patio, and often could not understand what was being said because of engine noise.

As families in the Palisades and surrounding areas pull out the clipboards each weekend for the survey, Thorp is curious to know whether they can distinguish the quieter sounds of one airline. About a year ago, Alaska Airlines became the first U.S. carrier at National to use something called Required Navigation Performance, which uses the GPS satellite network to remain on course over the river.

The technology was developed in the 1990s for "some of the more challenging airports in Alaska," due to weather and terrain, an Alaska Airlines spokeswoman said. The airline is now expanding its use to other areas.

Four years ago, officials with the regional airports authority undertook an exhaustive study of noise control around National that has been turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration for review. They agree with Palisades residents that new technology "has provided a way for us to address a critical issue," said Jonathan Gaffney, an airports authority spokesman, adding, "Everybody's on the same page."

Official complaints about noise at National Airport are surprisingly few, with only about 40 this year, said Neal Phillips, noise-abatement manager for the authority.

Rob Krupicka, who chairs the aviation policy committee with the Washington council of governments, said he is interested in seeing the results of the Palisades survey and hopes residents in other neighborhoods eventually will join the effort. "We'll let [the Palisades] try it first and see what happens and expand it from there," said Krupicka, an Alexandria City Council member.

Ross said he realizes that even the best citizen efforts and the most sincere government responses can only go so far to solve the problem. It may never really be quiet in the Palisades.

"Oddly enough, the loudest thing we get is presidential helicopters," he said, describing the powerful motors and low approach. "Usually on Friday evenings or Sunday afternoons, you hear them coming down, and if you have folks around, you say, 'There goes the president.' "

© 2006 The Washington Post Company

More bad traffic proposals for Ward 3

In a recent announcement for an updoming Chevy Chase ANC Meeting a commissioner announced that there is a

Possible proposal for one-way traffic on 3800 block of Livingston Street

One response retorted

Creating a one way traffic plan in the 3800 block of Livingston Street is a very bad idea and reminiscent of a one-way "Maze Plan" proposed and rejected (by the ANC) for the west side of Livingston and Morrison Streets in the late 1980s when I was on the ANC. Piecemeal traffic calming is NOT what this community needs. We need comprehensive traffic planning and a look at how one-way streets, traffic signals and other "calming" devices impact our traffic safety, traffic flow and cut through problems. I urge the ANC to reject this idea and all future proposals that consider one block or one street in isolation for traffic calming measures.

I agree with this sentiment. The city needs to formulate a comprehensive traffic management plan, rather than allow ANCs to encourage DDOT to implement these piecemeal measures.

Update on Glover Park alley

In an update about the proposed alley closure in Glover Park, and astute resident has reported that measured steps have been taken to arrive at a solution that seems to work for everybody:

ALLEY-RELATED METAPHORICAL BLOODBATH

There was no alley-related metaphorical bloodbath. Many were expecting a repeat of the passionate, three-plus hour city council hearing Tuesday about whether to close and privatize the L-shaped public alley between Tunlaw and Hall Place. But commission chair Tamela Gordon announced at the outset that no one was allowed to speculate on anyone else's motives, nor on anything that was not currently known for sure. That took a lot off the table.

Ms Gordon read a letter from Ken Laden of the D.C. Department of Transportation dated October 11, 2006. The letter said that, because even the applicant does not want the alley to be privatized (he wants it to remain public property, but forever closed to car traffic) he should withdraw his application, and in its place DDOT would file documents indicating that the alley should stay city property but remain "unimproved and closed to vehicular traffic."

Laden's letter does not acknowledge that there is a dispute among adjacent homeowners over whether the alley can or should be reopened to cars. (It also doesn't mention that, if left public, the alley could one day be used to create a public path from 37th Street to the commercial district!)

The DDOT general counsel's office is investigating the best legal method for prohibiting car traffic on a public alley, and will report back to Laden by October 20. Laden said the DDOT would not file any documents without consulting the ANC.

After a civil discussion among attendees, the ANC resolved to strongly urge the following:

a) The applicant to withdraw his application to close the alley;
b) The mayor to withdraw the bill to close the alley; and
c) The City Council to reject the bill to close the alley.

I believe this means that, as long as the City Council doesn't go nuts and pass the bill over the ANC's objections, the alley will not be privatized. But the question of what, if anything, to do with this public alley is still very open. The ANC will take up the matter at its November meeting. I got the sense that the ANC will be working with adjacent propertyholders in the meantime to try to develop a consensus. People like me who do not live adjacent to this public land will have to wait till the next ANC meeting to join that conversation. Should be fun!

Hopefully the powers that be will act appropriately.

City Paper unearths Palisades resident!

I had mentioned previously the Palisades resident who has unearthed quite the trove of early history in construction sites throughout the neighborhood. Huan Hsu of the City Paper has written an excellent cover story on the subject.

Marc Fisher comments on Conroy

Palisades, Washington, D.C.: Do you find any irony that the Republican, Theresa Conroy, running in the Ward 3 council race, has fully embraced the NIMBY viewpoint, which was (tongue in cheek) so successful in the Democratic primary?

Marc Fisher: It is funny to watch some of the liberal upper Northwest folks who are the foundation of the area's stereotype now running to the shelter of the Republican who promises to stand up to development. Ward 3 voters spoke clearly against the tiny, loud NIMBY minority that dominates the neighborhood listservs: the majority is fully supportive of the much higher density that the city needs to start building its population back up to anything like 1950 levels.

National Zoo renovation opens

The first phase of the National Zoo renovation, the first capital improvement to the Zoo since the bi-centennial, will open on October 17th, but was open to the media yesterday.

This will make it a lot easier to get to the bird house from the main entrance!

Common Denominator Ceases Publication

With much regret and great personal disappointment, I am sad to announce that I must discontinue publication of The Common Denominator.

When I started this newspaper more than eight years ago, it was born of the idea for a "hometown paper" for all the people of the District of Columbia, with our residence here being what we hold in common.I wanted it to be the District's "newspaper of record" -- a place where readers could find the information that some local papers in other communities still provide. It would serve citizens across the city with reporting and opinion focused on local public policy and events, news about their neighborhoods and meaningful facts from the public record.

I also tried to build The Common Denominator into a self- sustaining and job-creating business -- a locally owned community asset -- with wide circulation and a strong base of local advertisers. From the start, it's been a constant struggle, with frequent tangible setbacks outweighing the occasional intangible rewards. Operating a small business can be difficult under the best of circumstances. Being an independent, working-class entrepreneur in the newspaper field -- a small fry in a sometimes predatory pond of Big Media -- made it all more difficult. But competing in the marketplace becomes nearly impossible when the playing field is uneven. At The Common Denominator, I realized how uneven it could be -- in terms of limited capital access, usurious interest rates, restricted circulation opportunities and oft- demanded personal financial guarantees.

While a supportive community of loyal readers offered much- appreciated encouragement and occasional monetary assistance over the years, the company's debts continued to grow. My repeated attempts to secure long-term financing have proved unsuccessful. At this point, the financial burden -- for The Common Denominator and myself -- has become overwhelming. I never expected this enterprise to be easy. But I certainly did underestimate the challenges of being an editor and publisher. While running a newsroom, I've also had to struggle all too frequently with landlords, banks, printers, circulation agents, creditors, government agencies and deadbeat advertisers. I've been detained by the U.S. Capitol Police for taking photographs. I've been robbed outside my office. My car has been stolen; my tires have been slashed. The paper's news boxes have been repeatedly vandalized, robbed or stolen outright. But there also have been gratifying experiences. Though pride may be a sin, I can point with some satisfaction to what The Common Denominator has achieved, or aspired to, over the years:
*It has trained scores of young people in urban journalism, many of whom have gone on to careers in the field, and published the work of veteran D.C. writers who didn't have a regular print outlet.
*It championed "sunshine" legislation and open-meeting policies to help the public know what their elected officials are doing.
*It went where others wouldn't or didn't go for stories and circulation. By shining a light on and giving voice to residents of
low-income neighborhoods, it prompted competing news organizations to pay attention.
*It exposed the secretive business group known as the Federal City Council, which for decades has set a private agenda for public policy in the District.
*It won awards from the regional press association in every year of eligibility, including first place honors for investigative
reporting, editorial cartoons and coverage of the closing of D.C. General Hospital.
*It helped the Smithsonian's Festival of American Folklife assemble its featured program on the District and participated in the festival's public forums.

Though I'm now beyond broke, I hope to salvage something of this eight-year endeavor for the lasting benefit of the community at large. I continue to seek a way to ensure, at a minimum, the survival of The Common Denominator's searchable online archives as a free resource. I also hope that the paper's high school athletic awards programs, which recognize student achievement, can somehow carry on. Seeing The Common Denominator revived in print, perhaps under
the wing of a local university, would be most satisfying. The community's need for local news and alternative ideas is
great. The need for a local newspaper also remains great in a city where new electronic media are flourishing but many neighborhoods are still largely unplugged and highly dependent on the printed word for detailed coverage.
In any democracy -- but especially in the limited democracy we have here in the District -- knowing how the government works is vital to the democratic process. This was the central driving force in my quest to create a "hometown newspaper."

Many thanks to the loyal readers and advertisers who helped make The Common Denominator possible over the years. Thanks also to the educators and students who cooperated with the paper's school programs, and to the sponsors of The CD's awards programs.Special thanks to the many staff members, contributors, interns and volunteers who helped produce The Common Denominator and get it onto the street. And heartfelt thanks to my longtime associate Lottie
Hunter, a source of stability through tumultuous times.

Kathy Sinzinger
Oct. 10, 2006

Tunlaw Street alley dispute

The City Paper has reported on the ongoing dispute in Glover Park:

The alley running between Hall Place NW and Tunlaw Road NW in Glover Park is hardly an alley anymore. It's narrow and choked with weeds, and bamboo makes it impassable sans machete. Jersey barriers block one entrance, and a retaining wall holding up one side of the alley appears to be crumbling.

Hall Place resident Tim Robinson obtained permits to park in a spot behind his house last summer. So he called the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to have the jersey barriers at the front of the alley removed. But soon after they'd been taken away, Tunlaw Road property owner Ron Bitondo had them put back, citing the instability of the retaining wall. (The alley sits 8 feet above the edge of Bitondo's property.)

Robinson says DDOT officials told him they'd hire an engineering firm to analyze the alley and come up with some proposals for fixing it, but a short while later, another DDOT official—Robinson doesn't remember exactly who—said nothing was going to happen with the alley because of a “political issue with your neighbor.”

Bitondo co-chaired D.C. Council Chairman Linda Cropp’s mayoral campaign. Says Robinson, “Linda Cropp is in his pocket.”

In the fall, Bitondo submitted an application to close the alley to the city surveyor, complete with a petition with neighbors’ signatures and a $1,870 fee. His petition has wound up as a bill before the D.C. Council to have the alley closed—typical alley-closing procedure.

And now rages a fight that's seen neighbors taking sides—one side of the alley against the other. The Tunlaw folks who live down below the alley support closure; Hall Placers want it left alone for a variety of reasons, the chief one being that a closed alley reverts to private ownership; they'd be responsible for long-neglected pieces of land and would have to pay taxes on it, too.

At an Oct. 10 D.C. Council hearing on the alley, Robinson forced Cropp to acknowledge that she had more-than-typical relationship with Bitondo. But Cropp denied that his financial support of her campaign had anything to do with the alley legislation.

A city employee testified at the hearing that the rules had been followed, and Bitondo denies any impropriety. “It's taking the normal process across the board,” he says.

EDIT
There is an update to this story. On the Glover Park Listserv one resident posted her report of the proceedings:

For those who asked me to report on yesterday's City Council hearing regarding a proposal to close the alley that runs behind the 2100 blocks of Tunlaw Road and Hall Place:

There was a gigantic turnout, a few dozen people, of whom about 20 testified (including me). More than half of those who testified (mainly Hall Place residents) were strongly opposed. The people in favor (mainly residents of Tunlaw) were as strongly in favor. This week's ANC meeting (7 pm Thursday at Guy Mason) should be interesting! I testified against, because closing the now-impassable alley would prevent its ever being used as a public footpath from 37th St. to the commercial district.

• Reasons to close the alley include that people like the privacy and serenity afforded by the greenery growing there now. People on Tunlaw, a whole house-height lower than Hall Place, also count on the green space to filter and divert heavy rains.

• Reasons not to close the alley include that people want to study whether the alley can be re-opened to car traffic. More than one resident of Hall Place has been granted a permit to park behind his house, but there's no way currently to get his car back there.

• The DC Dept of Transportation seems to have issued two conflicting opinions on whether the alley can be used in the future for vehicular traffic. (The retaining wall that supports it failed in 1961 and was reassembled rather than replaced.)

• The current bill would split up the alley into segments and give each segment to the property owner whose land abuts it. No one, even the people in favor of closing the alley, seems to want that. There was talk of changing the bill so that the
alley would stay public but would be limited to foot traffic.

• People whos land abuts the alley have different ideas of how it could be used, including possibly opening it for foot traffic but installing locked gates that only those adjacent to the alley would have keys to.

• Tamela Gordon, our ANC chair, asked Linda Cropp not to let the City Council act until the ANC has had a chance to investigate the matter.

• Will Miller, who is running unopposed for ANC from the single-member district that includes the alley, asked Mrs. Cropp not to let the Council act before those whose property abuts the alley had gotten together to discuss the matter.

• My new hero, a guy named Roger who lives on a part of Hall Place that has a functional back alley, said that he has no trouble with the people who use his alley as a footpath and that he would like to see the whole alley opened for pedestrian traffic.

There, end of objective report. OK, the part about Roger was not objective. Whatevs. It seems to me that the disposition of this publicly owned land should not be decided only by those whose property abuts it, especially if they're considering installing locked gates. People who want to live adjacent to private green space should maybe buy houses adjacent to private green space. Just a thought.

Thanks to those who signed in support of my testimony. If you have not contacted me but are in favor of keeping the alley open for possible future public uses, including as a footpath, let me know. To repeat from an earlier post, there is no current proposal to build a footpath. The question is whether such a footpath could *ever* be built.

Mark Plotkin on the Ward 3 General Election

Ward 3: So in the general election between Cheh and Conroy, does the Republican have any chance at all of winning? And have you noticed that Conroy's campaign signs and Web site seem to forget to include her party affiliation? Sorta like Michael Steele's TV ads that never seem to get around to mentioning whether it's a D or an R that appears after his name.

Mark Plotkin: There is no chance that Conroy can win in Ward 3. It is overwhelmingly Democratic and Conroy is in no way a household name. No Republican in D.C. can get elected in a Ward race. The numbers are just too overwhelming in favor of Democratic registration. Both Conroy and Steele don't mention publicize or in any way their party affiliation because they know it doesn't help their cause. Why advertise that you're so much in the minority in terms of party preference? What they're doing is smart. Why give somebody a reason to vote against you?

More on Campaign Signs

The law isn't that complicated:


108.1 No person shall affix a sign, advertisement or poster to any public street light or traffic signal, except as provided in accordance with this section.
108.2 The placing of any advertisement on any tree in the public space with nails is prohibited.
108.5 Posters of individuals seeking political office in the District can be displayed In the public space only after candidates have met the requirements of S210 of the DC Campaign Finance Reform and Conflict of Interest Act (DC Code, S I - 1101.01).
108.6 Political campaign literature materials shall be removed no later than 30 days following the general election.
108.7 Each sign, advertisement, or poster shall contain the date upon which it was Initially affixed to a street light or traffic signal.
108.8 Each sign, advertisement, or poster shall be affixed securely to avoid being torn or disengaged by normal weather conditions.
108.9 Signs and posters shall not be affixed by adhesives that prevent their complete removal from the fixture, or that do damage to the fixture. (It is illegal to use tape in affixing signs to lampposts.)
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.


I am not sure what the Conroy campaign doesn't understand about properly affixing signs to utility poles (note yard signs in public space is illegal), about limiting signs to 3 to a block (Nebraska Avenue is a joke right now), and please, do not staple signs to trees. The trees really don't like that.

If we cannot follow these simple rules, where will the madness end?

CPCA/FHCA Forum on Saturday, October 7th

The Cleveland Park and Forest Hills Citizens Associations co-sponsored a pre-election forum on October 7th. The forum was split into three segments. The first featured three of the DC School Board President candidates. The second was a smaller forum for the contested for ANC 3C races, and concluded with the candidates for Ward 3 Council.

The event was attended about about 25 unaffiliated residents, and many left after the school board forum.

The ANC portion featured presentations from Dia Black (her opponent in Woodley Park, Ari Shapiro was unable to attend); the second race was the other Woodley Park seat between Gloria Day and Deborah Jane Lindeman. Gloria Day was unable to attend, but she had a friend read a statement. There were no questions for either of these candidates, since questions were limited to only residents of the affected Single Member Districts. The third race was the north part of the ANC in Cleveland Park between incumbent Bruce Beckner and challenger Greg Hair. The distinction between the two seemed to be that Greg Hair is interested in including schools and school communities when considering ALL of the factors in the make-up of an ANC, where Beckner only considers some of the residents in his ANC to be constituents. The final contested race is between Catherine May and Shelley Cohen. Again, there were no questions from participants.

The only questions in this portion were from two Ordway Street residents who tried to get clarification from Greg Hair about his deference for schools. Of course, no one wanted to ask the hard questions of Mr. Beckner, such as, how much did his actions and the actions of the ANC cost DC Taxpayers, when they delayed the construction and completion of the sidewalks and wall along the South side of the 3000 block of Ordway, and who were the constituents that Mr. Beckner represented (and snubbed) in that somewhat unilateral action?

The final portion of the forum was the Ward 3 Council debate between Mary Cheh (d) and Theresa Conroy (r). It became evident early on that this was a very not a balanced discussion, as the level and tone of the questions were very hostile towards one candidate and friendly towards the other.

Theresa Conroy's platform seems to be to delay the comprehensive plan, to keep the zoning parameters in the ward as they are, to focus on Ward 3 not city wide issues, to defer to the ANC's and neighborhood associations on local issues and fill the pot holes.

On contrast, Mary Cheh is in favor of moving forward with the comprehensive plan, to allow flexibility in zoning around Metro Stations, to focus on Ward 3 issues and City Wide issues, and to be involved in areas around the Ward which concern all citizens, and receive input from all citizens, rather than to defer solely to ANCs and Citizens Associations.

It will be interesting to see what happens with all of this in the event that candidate receiving the bias is successful in capturing this seat. The partisanship being shown be these supposed non-partisan, not for profit organizations (CPCA and FHCA) is also surprising and actually could be challenged as illegal.

Tax Assessment Class Action Lawsuit

Judge Hamilton Enters Final Judgment Against the D.C. Government on Flawed Assessments for Tax Year 2002

Senior Judge Eugene Hamilton today filed his Final Judgment and Order in the class action suit brought by Peter S. Craig and 50 other petitioners in Superior Court Finance Dockets 8112-02 and 8141-02, contesting the lawfulness and Constitutionality of across-the-board increases in residential assessments for tax year 2002 in one-third of city known as Triennial Group 1. The suit was initiated on September 30, 2002, but because of what the judge has described as foot-dragging by the District lawyers, was not decided on its merits until September 26, 2005.

In his order of September 26, 2005, Judge Hamilton concluded that, as a matter of law, the assessments by the Office of Tax and Revenue in tax year 2002 were arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and otherwise not in conformity with the Constitution of the United States or the laws of the District of Columbia, and were, therefore, void. His final judgment directs the city to refund any increases in property taxes in tax 2002 resulting from increased assessments over the prior year plus annual interest of 6%. All taxpayers in Triennial Group 1 who suffered increases in assessments and who paid all taxes, interest and penalties for tax year 2002 will receive refunds under his order.

Triennial Group 1 encompasses the neighborhoods which the Office of Tax and Revenue describes as Anacostia, Barry Farms, Brentwood, Central, Cleveland Park, Columbia Heights, Congress Heights, Crestwood, Eckington, Forest Hills, Fort DuPont Park, Garfield, Hillcrest, Kalorama, LeDroit Park, Marshall Heights, Massachusetts Avenue Heights, Mount Pleasant, Observatory Circle, Randle Heights, Trinidad and Woodley.

The District government estimates that the total refunds will reach $15 million. Payment of these refunds will be stayed, however, while the District of Columbia appeals the rulings of Judge Hamilton to the D. C. Court of Appeals.

By a separate order, also issued at the same time, Judge Hamilton has directed the Office of Tax and Revenue to notify all members of the class entitled to refunds by mailed notices and by a notice published in the Metro Section of the Washington Post.


On January 13, 2006, Senior Judge Eugene N. Hamilton of the Tax Division of the D.C. Superior Court issued his final judgment in the class action suit contesting the constitutionality and lawfulness of across-the-board increases
in residential real property assessments in the one-third of the city defined as Triennial Group 1 by the Office of Tax & Revenue. Judge Hamilton held that these across-the-board increases were in violation of the Due Process and
Equal Protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution and were also in violation of D.C. law. He ruled that the city should refund to taxpayers the resulting increases in taxes, estimated by OTR to be $15 million. The case is captioned as Peter S. Craig, et al., v. District of Columbia, et al., Tax Docket No. 8112-02.

On February 3rd the District government filed a notice of appeal to the D.C. Court of Appeals, but did not file its brief until August 2nd. The brief for the taxpayers was filed on September 22nd. An amicus brief supporting the taxpayers position was filed by the D.C. Federation of Citizens Associations on September 29th. The Districts reply brief is due on October 13th. It is
hoped that the case can be argued before a three-judge review panel by December.

A second case, contesting tax year 2003 assessments in triennial groups 1 and 2 on the same grounds is also pending. That case has been stayed pending final decision regarding tax year 2002 assessments.

Cleveland Park Temple receives major gift

D.C. Synagogue Receives $5 Million Gift
By Michelle Boorstein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 4, 2006; 2:56 PM

A former business reporter who also wrote trivia games for Washington and Baltimore newspapers is giving $5 million to the D.C. synagogue where he has belonged for decades, money he says he accumulated by investing and saving.

Donald Saltz, 72, is donating the money to Adas Israel Congregation in memory of his late wife, Mozelle, who died last December. They had been married for 40 years.

While 35 percent of money Americans donate goes to religious organizations, the $5 million stands out among gifts to individual houses of worship, experts said. Giving USA, which tracks data on philanthropy, said there have been no gifts near that size to particular synagogues, temples, churches or mosques in recent years. Other major gifts have been given to schools or hospitals affiliated with religious institutions.

The gift is also the largest in Adas Israel's 140-year history. Synagogue officials say the gift will be put toward their endowment, which was $10 million before the Saltz donation. The synagogue building will be named after the couple, who were both active on boards and committees and in spiritual life at Adas Israel.

People at Adas said Saltz and his wife were very unassuming, and that no one at an institution with many prominent and wealthy members knew of their savings and giving potential. Mr. Saltz drove an old car, and wore modest suits, they said.

"I've always been thrifty, though other people would say cheap," said Saltz, who said he has been investing in the stock market since he was a teenager.

The gift includes a small amount of money up front, and then larger amounts will be donated each year. It also includes a bequest, as much of Saltz's estate is tied up in stock and real estate, synagogue officials said. The gift is irrevocable.

Saltz worked as a business reporter, editor and columnist at the Washington Star, Washington Daily News and the Baltimore Evening News -- all papers no longer in publication. He joked today that he was like Joe Btfsplk, the character in the Lil Abner comic strip who brought bad luck.

"I'm like that character, who always had a cloud over his head," he said.

He also created a trivia game that was published in various area newspapers for years, and is still published in the Buffalo News. He also still writes columns for his hometown newspaper in Crisfield, on topics including the importance of not eating too much and comic strips.

He said today that he is a "simple individual" who wanted to do something to honor his wife's memory. He is an only child and has no children.

"I figured, you don't take it with you," he said.

© 2006 The Washington Post Company

City Paper reports on a Woodley Park fiasco

(This happens ALL the time. DDOT and DCRA need to get their act together on this sort of thing)

Posted by Jonathan York
In October 2005, the 2800 block of 28th Street in Woodley Park got some crucial utilities upgrades—the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) replaced the block's lead service lines, and shortly afterward, Washington Gas made some repairs of its own. All this construction left the pavement pockmarked, with a huge gash running along one curb. It was more trench than pothole, threatening to shred tires and making it difficult for parked cars to pull out.

When utility work is done that requires pavement to be torn up, and the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) hasn't also scheduled a regular repair, the outfit doing the digging must also repair the street. But almost a year after the repairs, neither had happened.

Bill Mankin, who lives on the street, says a DDOT employee told him repairs weren't coming because the water and gas companies were fighting over who'd pay. “I was told this was done in a very chaotic way,” Mankin says. “We kind of all lived with the chaos.”

Jane Davis, spokesperson for Washington Gas, says her employers didn't set new asphalt because DDOT had already planned to repair the road. She said that WASA, which didn't return calls for comment, held off for the same reason.

DDOT spokesperson Erik Linden wouldn't say why the repaving has taken so long. “We are actively working to have the road repaved right away and will keep the community posted on when that occurs,” he says in an e-mail.

As of Monday, DDOT is finally paving the block. Workers are busy destroying old pavement, dispensing workmen, rolling things flat. Says Jane Jones, a longtime resident of the block, as she stands on her steps, drinking a cola: “Our homes have been reassessed into the stratosphere. Having the streets so crummy adds insult to injury.”

Klingle Bridge Criticism Starts Early

The District department of Transportation announced the beginning of construction on the Klingle Bridge on September 8th. The rehabilitation of this major span has been in the works for at least 5 years.

The Project Manager for the job, Fariborz Navidi-Kasmai has been keeping the Cleveland Park residents apprised of the project since April.

The early return started with complaints regarding the temporary lane signals. Next came the complaints about flooding during a recent rain storm, and finally questions about the engineering expertise of the crews involved in the project. Residents are also asking about the traffic management.

I am glad a few neighbors have the decency to appreciate that the contractor is communicating with the community.

DC Examiner on the plight of the ANCs

Elected ANC seats not so coveted
Michael Neibauer, The Examiner

WASHINGTON - The glamour of an unpaid but critical elected office that often pits neighbor against neighbor and draws harassment was not enough to charm D.C. residents into seeking dozens of open seats on Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.

Come Nov. 7, when all 286 existing Advisory Neighborhood Commission positions will be up for grabs, 44 of the single-member districts will have no candidate, either because residents failed to collect enough petition signatures or because no one was interested.

“The issues have gotten more complicated, more time-consuming and a lot of the meetings of the boards we’re expected to attend, or go to, or testify before, are all during the day when people are working,” said Karen Perry, commissioner in ANC-3F. “It’s getting harder and harder to serve.”

Perry is running for re-election to another two-year term. More than half of her ANC, which represents Tenleytown, North Cleveland Park and Forest Hills, could be unrepresented come January unless write-in candidates accept the positions.

“There’s always a number of write-ins, and it’s always a surprising number, which is unfortunate,” said D.C. Council Member Phil Mendelson, who served as a commissioner for 20 years.

ANCs are considered jumping-off points for higher office. Democratic mayoral nominee Adrian Fenty served, as did Mendelson and Council Members Jack Evans and David Catania.

While on the job, commissioners hold significant power over liquor license applications and zoning variances. They weigh in on policy decisions impacting traffic, public safety, trash collection and recreation. And they are a critical link between neighbors and their local government.

But there are downsides. The positions are unpaid, time-consuming and even dangerous. In some cases, commissioners have been harassed, attacked — one Ward 5 commissioner’s car was twice set on fire — and derided for their efforts.

Commissioners talk of incentives to maintain or spur interest. Perhaps a tax break or a stipend, they say. Hire more staff in the government’s ANC support office. Or at least reschedule meetings for such bodies as the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board — both of which meet during the day — to accommodate commissioners’ full-time jobs.

“There’s nothing the city can do to incentivize ANCs,” said Christopher Dyer, a Dupont Circle commissioner. “It’s a volunteer position. We do it for civic engagement and responsiveness.”

ANC seats with no candidates, by ward

Ward 1: 2
Ward 2: 3
Ward 3: 9
Ward 4: 3
Ward 5: 8
Ward 6: 3
Ward 7: 5
Ward 8: 11

Where is the District Archeologist?

Posted on the Palisades Listserv:

I visited the park today where they cleared brush/land and was not surprised when I found two arrowhead fragments and a stone bowl fragment. These items and others items provides evidence for the earliest people living in the Palisades. I was hoping to recruit volunteers to salvage the archaeological record before it's demolished. Also wanted to know the configuration of the new field so that I can get an idea what will be plowed away, and what buried, what left alone. I want to make sure that salvaging of these materials has no effect on the schedule for park renovations. It's been delayed long enough! So this might require immediate attention.

Doug Dupin
Palisades Museum of Prehistory