Orange sues Cropp!

"WASHINGTON (AP) - Councilmembers Vincent Orange and Linda Cropp are already opponents in next year's mayoral election. Now they might be opponents in the courtroom, too.
Orange filed a lawsuit against Cropp in D.C. Superior Court alleging she overstepped her authority as council chair when she called off a round-table on stadium ownership he planned for today. The suit says her actions usurped his authority as the chair of council's government committee. It says that post gives him jurisdiction over acts of the mayor and city manager, which the session was going to focus on.
Orange says Cropp knew she didn't have the authority to stop the hearing, but did it anyway.
Cropp's office says the council chair has no comment on the lawsuit yet." Orange Files Suit against Cropp for Stopping Hearing - WTOP Radio

guilty again

"Former D.C. mayor Marion Barry pleaded guilty yesterday to two misdemeanor tax charges, admitting in federal court that he failed to pay most of his income taxes for five years after departing from the District government in 1999." Barry Pleads Guilty in Tax Case

Barry to Plead Guilty?

"D.C. Council member and former Mayor Marion Barry is scheduled to appear this afternoon in federal court amid signs that he intends to plead guilty to charges stemming from his failure to file tax returns.Barry has been under investigation for failing to file federal income tax returns and pay his taxes since 1998, according to two sources close to the probe. The Justice Department today filed two misdemeanor tax-related charges against Barry." Barry to Face Tax Charges

Bring on the Ban

"ROCKVILLE, Md. - Leaders in Montgomery County are clearing the air on how the smoking ban is effecting the bar and restaurant business.
The county released a report Tuesday showing that revenues and employment at restaurants and bars went up in the first year after the ban went into effect in October 2003." Smoking Ban Hasn't Hurt Businesses, Study Finds - WTOP Radio

Better, But Still Worst?

"WASHINGTON (AP) - There's mixed news on D.C.'s infant mortality rate. On the bright side, it's hit and all-time low. But it's still higher than the national rate.
The city health department is releasing figures from 2003, the latest year available. It shows there were 10 deaths per 1,000 live births. Along with being a record low, it also reflects a 45 percent reduction over a decade. And D.C.'s rate is lower than cities of similar size, including Baltimore and Richmond.
But with the national infant mortality rate at almost 7 per 1,000 live births, the District is still higher.
Health Director Doctor Gregg Pane says the city needs to look at several issues, including mothers who are substance abusers or have conditions like obesity." Infant Mortality Rate Lowest Ever in D.C. - WTOP Radio

D.C. 5th most Expensive Place to Live

"In the top five locations, which also included Los Angeles, San Jose, and Washington D.C., housing costs make up the lion's share of total living costs. The survey factored in local and state income taxes, costs associated with owning two cars (except in Manhattan), public transportation costs, goods and services, sales taxes, and costs to own a 2,500 square foot house (mortgage payment, insurance, real estate taxes, utilities and maintenance)." Manhattan -- most expensive city - Oct. 18, 2005

3 shot dead

"The first shooting occurred about 11:50 p.m. Friday in Northeast Washington. Officers heard gunshots in the neighborhood and went to the 300 block of 50th Street NE, where they found Miguel Henry, 20, lying on the ground, police said.

Henry, of the 5000 block of Banks Place NE, had been shot several times in the head and body, police said. He was taken to Howard University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later.

The next shooting occurred about 1:45 a.m. in the 600 block of Irving Street NW. James Fletcher, 23, was discovered in front of his house with wounds to his body. He was taken to Washington Hospital Center, where he died. Police said the shooting appeared to be connected to an unspecified dispute.

Ten minutes later, a 38-year-old Severn man was killed in a double shooting in an alley about four miles away in Northeast Washington, police said. James Michael Campbell was found shot in the head in the alley behind the 1600 block of E Street NE.

The homicides were among five killings in two days in the District. The city remains on pace to record about as many homicides as last year, when 198 people were killed. If the trend continued, it would be the first time in two decades that the city recorded fewer than 200 in each of two consecutive years.

Authorities urged anyone with information about the killings to call them at 202-727-9099. Police offer rewards of up to $25,000 for information in homicides."

3 Men Killed in D.C. Shootings in Span of About 2 Hours:

Cropp to keep baseball on track?

Cropp will push for the Southeast site, and apparently has the power to shut out the dissenters.

"Technical changes are used to fix minor problems in legislation, such as improper wording, but may not alter the substance of the document. With technical amendments, Cropp would have more authority to limit her colleagues' power to make substantial changes, officials said." WP

More trouble for baseball stadium

It will be interesting to see what the opponents of the baseball do with this. It is one thing to talk trash about a plan you can't do anything about, then it is to actually make it a better plan. If Cropp can steer this through, she will make many friends - and voters.

"But David A. Catania (I-At Large), who has opposed public funding and voted against the stadium agreement last year, said financial officials are 'asking for it' if they bring amendments before the council.'If you reopen this entirely,' Catania said, 'you're opening a Pandora's box.'" Council To Revisit Stadium Financing

Two shot dead

" A 23-year-old man was fatally shot early yesterday in Northeast Washington, D.C. police said. Nnandi Gibson Obi-Rapu of the 300 block of Douglas Street NE was found shot in the head about 4 a.m. in the 3900 block of 10th Street NE. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

A 22-year-old man was killed and another man was wounded in a shooting early yesterday in Southeast Washington, D.C. police said. William Cureton and an unidentified man were shot about 1:30 a.m. in the 1700 block of Savannah Street SE. Cureton, of the 1800 block of Alabama Avenue SE, died at the scene. The other victim, whose name was not released because police consider him a witness, was hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said. Both were shot in the head."

Man shot dead in NE

"A 21-year-old Alexandria man was fatally shot early yesterday in Northeast Washington, police said. Officers were called to 55 Quincy St., where the man was found shot in the head and body. Police declined to release the victim's name, saying they were trying to notify the man's family. They said they have no suspects and urged anyone with information to call detectives at 202-727-9099." WP

The shit Williams did not flush out

"The D.C. government employees tasked with providing care to the city's poor have taken home nearly half of the more than $1 million in bonus money awarded by the District during the first half of fiscal 2005.

Nearly 400 employees in the D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) received approximately $479,000 in extra money in their paychecks from Oct. 1, 2004, to March 31, 2005, according to D.C. Office of Personnel records."
WT

Brown short-changing people already?

"D.C. mayoral candidate Michael A. Brown has some financial loose ends to tie up from his political exploratory committee, says one of his veteran campaign organizers. Joe Ruffin , former political director for Brown's committee, said Brown owes him $23,000.Brown, son of the late Ronald H. Brown, a former U.S. commerce secretary, said Ruffin is wrong. 'The exploratory committee has no debt at all,' Brown said. 'Joe Ruffin doesn't know what he's talking about.'"

Sam Brooks to Run for Council

I am not a Ward 3 resident, but I liked what Sam said when he ran for the at-large seat. With Patterson running for Chair, he has a good shot.

"We stand on the brink of incredible possibilities for Ward 3 and Washington, DC. It's a future in which anything is possible. Responsive government. First-class schools. Stronger neighborhoods. But, our ability to achieve this great future depends on our future leaders. That's precisely why I'm running for the Ward 3 seat on the DC City Council." Sam Brooks for DC City Council, Ward 3

Sam Brooks to Run for Council

I am not a Ward 3 resident, but I liked what Sam said when he ran for the at-large seat. With Patterson running for Chair, he has a good shot.

"We stand on the brink of incredible possibilities for Ward 3 and Washington, DC. It's a future in which anything is possible. Responsive government. First-class schools. Stronger neighborhoods. But, our ability to achieve this great future depends on our future leaders. That's precisely why I'm running for the Ward 3 seat on the DC City Council." Sam Brooks for DC City Council, Ward 3

Barry unable to do his job?

Barry appears to be letting the City down again. I guess not a big surprise.

"WASHINGTON - A local leader says 'personal matters' have cut into his time for dealing with the needs of his constituents.
Speaking at Tuesday's D.C. Council meeting, Ward Eight councilman Marion Barry said he's been unable to work on legislation that would help keep a mental health services agency open.
WTOP Radio first reported that the former D.C. mayor is being investigated on allegations that he failed to file federal tax returns since 1998. Barry's attorney is negotiating a deal that could help resolve the matter.
No charges have been filed against Barry.
The health center in Southeast provides services to about 1,000 clients. The nonprofit group that runs the center says it could close in weeks without $4 million in aid." WTOP Radio

Teen Crime Spree Over?

Three teenagers arrested last week in connection with a street robbery are being investigated in a spate of other holdups on streets in Northwest Washington, authorities said. The youths, ages 14, 15 and 16, were charged as juveniles with robbing a man last Tuesday in the 1400 block of Ogden Street NW. Police said the youths assaulted the man and stole cash before running away. About 30 similar robberies have been reported to police since the beginning of summer in the Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods, authorities said. Police said one of the arrested youths told investigators that he committed at least 20 robberies. The youths, who were arrested Friday, had addresses in Maryland and the District."WP

Two Teens Shot Dead in Southeast

"Sergeant Joe Gentile says officers were called to the 2900 block of Knox Street Southeast just before midnight, where they found Maurice Williams, 19, of Galveston Street Southwest suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was taken to the medical examiner's office and pronounced dead.

Then, at about 12:50 a.m., authorities were called to the 4200 block of Seventh Street Southeast, where a 19-year-old man had been shot in the head.

The victim was pronounced dead at Howard University Hospital. His name is being withheld until police notify the family." WTOP Radio

Nationals bring profits for MLB; for City, Not So Much

"The District government appears likely to fall short of its goal of earning $10.5 million in tax revenue from sales at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium for Washington Nationals games, even as the team is on pace to earn larger profits than estimated just four months ago." ...
Meanwhile, the Nationals, still owned by Major League Baseball, exceeded expectations by selling 2.7 million tickets in their inaugural season and will earn a $25 million profit, about $5 million more than the team projected at midseason, team officials said. D.C. Short on Baseball Revenue

Altman bails

If I remember, Altman was making $150,000 to plan out the new waterfront. It is a job that will oversee (many) millions of spending.

"Andrew Altman, chief executive of the Anacostia Waterfront Corp., which has been trying to spur development around a proposed baseball stadium, will leave his post within three weeks to take a position with a private development company in New York City. Altman, a former D.C. planning official, assumed the top job with the corporation in January, shortly after its creation. One of Altman's first major efforts has been creating an entertainment district around the proposed stadium, for which the corporation solicited bids from private developers that are due this month.Altman said he was leaving because the New York company, which he would not name, made a 'once-in-a-lifetime offer.'" WP

Barry - just keeps on giving

to the press, at least.
"WTOP has learned that the D.C. council member and former mayor is being investigated for failure to pay his income taxes. Barry is close to a deal with the U.S. Attorney that would resolve the matter. WRC-TV reports that Barry hasn't paid the IRS since 1998, and the deal involves a guilty plea to a misdemeanor with no fines or jail time." WTOP Radio

Finally testing meters in cabs

I don't know why it has taken Williams so long to do this.

"Washington (AP) - Nearly two dozen District cabs are cruising the city with meters running Monday, but it's only a test. The D.C. Taxicab Commission wants to find out how time and distance meters could affect fares and the earnings of the 7,500 licensed cab drivers in the city. For the next eight months, about 20 cabs will operate with the meters even though passengers will still be charged based upon the District's zone fare system. Next summer, Howard, UDC and George Washington University will analyze the data. " NewsChannel 8

D.C. job growth

"The District will create an average of 7,200 jobs a year from now to 2030, including about 5,500 office jobs annually, according to the study, commissioned by the Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.

The office jobs will be concentrated in government agencies, law firms, and other professional service providers and trade associations, a familiar pattern. New non-office jobs will include a wide range of retail and other service jobs in industries that serve those generally well-paid office workers, according to Delta Associates, the research firm that conducted the study."
D.C. Foresees Big Need for Office Space
via CITY DESK

Truly dirty hippies?

Though most of the people I saw Saturday night were young kids from the suburbs, the protests always brings out leagues of the unwashed.

"Biohazard sensors showed the presence of small amounts of potentially dangerous tularemia bacteria in the Mall area last weekend as huge crowds assembled there, but health officials said they believed the levels were too low to be a threat. Health authorities in the Washington area were notified yesterday that the bacteria were found in and near the area between the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, where crowds gathered Saturday for an antiwar rally and a book festival." Biohazard Sensors Triggered