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One Page at a Time Newsletter
For and About Ward 8

Vol. 3, No. 3
Issued Quarterly
October 1997
Editor: Sandra "SS" Seegars
202-561-6616

One Page at a Time, Second Anniversary
Prisons in Ward 8
Ignorance, No Excuse
Ex-Offenders, on Prison
What Is a Recall?
Cabbies and Recall
SS and Another Recall
Monterey Marsh
H.R. Blocked
DCGH Audit
WCC Audit
Who Got the Power?
Call At-Large
One Good Guy
A Fast One Too Late
Initiators Quit
Small Claim
Woodland
ANC 8A
Voting Rights Act 1965
Rogers, Over and Out
Take More
BOEE, No Change
Multi-Faced
Rev. Barry?
Another MOU
At Large 97
RIP, Miss You Much
Liar! Liar!
Another One Bites the Dust
TIG
Cut Contracts
No Reports
With Allen's Help
It's Not Over Yet
Weed or RX
Misrepresenting
Garnishment
Ex Soulsby
The Whole Truth
Archaic Home Rule
Democracy, Yeah Right
Mary's Out
H2O
Phil Demands Clean Up
Hannah Hawkins
Senior's Shepherd
Commuters
Covenant House
IPC
Sandy Allen, Council Member
Judge Dorsey Digresses
The Party Party
FYI

 

ONE PAGE AT A TIME, SECOND ANNIVERSARY

One Page is pleased to celebrate its second anniversary, thanks to all of its supporters and readers.

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PRISONS IN WARD 8

Ward 8 Councilmember Sandy Allen is being accused of participating in the plot to possibly build the future prison in Ward 8, in Blue Plains; and contract steering, because of her close association with Joe Johnson, who has a special interest in the new prison.

In a letter addressed to Congressman Steny Hoyer, of Maryland, Barry requested Congress to erect the prison in the Blue Plains area, instead of the four states Hoyer had listed.

After Allen found out about Barry's plan, she formed a fact finding task force to research the impact a prison would have if built on a site such as Blue Plains.

The complainers accusations were that Allen agreed with the selected site, the task force included the same old players, the community was not involved, the task force is misfits who are unfamiliar with prison systems or construction, and Allen has attended meetings/ but has not taken a strong stand one way or the other.

Allen, having little knowledge on prisons, said, "I have a right to form a committee to inform me of facts I need to know concerning this issue. I am starting now, so if Barry's comments become facts, I will be prepared to approve or 'disapprove, informatively."

Commissioner David White said the prison can not be built there because by law a federal prison requires over 200 acres of land and Blue Plains can not provide that.

Usually Ward 8 residents are not included in the first planning stage of any project, by the time the residents are involved it is a done deal. Allen is trying to change that concept.

She was also accused of using constituent service money to send the task force out of town to explore. Allen contends that no constituent service money was used, and it will be confirmed when she files her reports with the Office of Campaign and Finance.

Two meetings/hearings held in September to get the' input from the community left the attendees wondering where Allen stood on the prison site being in Ward 8.

The task force revealed information they had discovered from various sources, including out of state prisons.

They distributed a survey sheet asking the residents for their opinions, advice and recommendations on the proposed prison.

One objection was that Ward 8 already had enough public facilities, including public housing, St. F1izabeth, recently closed DC Village, Bolling Air Force Base, and the unoccupied Camp Simms.

There were complaints that Ward 8 already had enough negativity, thus, the prison should be built in Georgetown or Ward 3.

Eugene Dewitt Kinlow staged a protest at Barry's home to show their displeasure with the decision, or even the suggestion of building a prison in Ward 8.

Kinlow's poll on the prison revealed 61 against, and 1 for.

Brenda Jones said the task force should not be one of fact finding, but a "task force against a prison in Ward 8."

Sandra Seegars said why not build the prison east of the river, after all that's where the majority of the criminals originate and germinate.

Her concerns were not so much as to where the prison would be, but who will be over paid to construct it; who will get the jobs, during and after construction; and the amazement of the outcry from the residents to stop a prison, without the mention of stopping the crime.

The anger in the residents has converted into plans to recall Allen as soon as time permits. By law a recall cannot commence within the first 365 days or the last 365 days of a term. A total of 3,200 signatures will have to be collected in 180 days.

Some residents feel Allen is just like Barry, and other elected officials, once they get in office they forget the constituents.

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IGNORANCE, NO EXCUSE

Many of the residents in Ward 8 are uninformed and won't gain knowledge unless it's forced upon them. They won't read the news paper, watch the news, or attend meetings, forums or hearing. Once they hear about issues, by word of mouth, it's usually too late to do anything about it. Then they complain of not being notified.

Councilmember Sandy Allen decided to hold meetings concerning the possibility of a prison being built in Ward 8. The site in Blue Plains was a sole request made by Mayor Marion Barry.

Instead of the uninformed residents confronting Barry, they attacked Allen and her fact finding task force.

When some of the ignorant residents were asked to sign the petition to hold a recall election on Barry, they immediately defended him, saying he was not the one, or he was not the only one, at fault for requesting the prison site in Ward 8.

Many people speak without researching issues, thus, making them sound even more ignorant. After the meeting, the petition was signed by most.

READ, THINK AND LEARN:

In the Federal Payment To The District Of Columbia Corrections Trustee For Correctional Facilities, Construction And Repair, page 27, Congress recommended $302,000,000 for payment to the DC Corrections Trustee, for construction and repair of correctional facilities.

The funding will support the full construction costs of two US Penitentiaries, as well as site selection and planning for four Federal Correctional Institutions. The Committee expects the Bureau of Prisons to evaluate appropriate sites for construction of new facilities or expansion of planned or existing facilities, including sites in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Kentucky

In ink, Barry drew a line through, "including sites in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Kentucky," and drew an arrow from the word delete to the words he crossed out. In the margin he wrote, "Insert new language, private or public correctional facilities located in or within 200 miles of the District of Columbia shall be given preference."

Then he drew a line through "public correctional" and "or within 200 miles of."

Barry addressed the letter, signed only by himself, to Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, asking for a meeting to discuss the changes he had made.

Remember, Barry served 6 months in a prison outside of the District. His visitors had to travel quite a distance to visit him, thus the request to Hoyer for locally built federal prisons could stem from a flashback.

Also on page 27, $7,199,000 is earmarked for security, improvements and repairs at Lorton; $294,900,000 is provided for construction of facilities to accommodate the transfer of DC adult sentenced felons to the Federal Prison System.

Barry wrote the request without holding a public hearing for the residents in Ward 8 to be heard.

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EX-OFFENDERS, ON PRISON

Allen's former Constituent Service Coordinator, Leonard Watson, Sr., submitted written testimony at the meeting/hearing, held by Allen and her fact finding task force, asking her to listen to her constituents by joining them, and taking a stand against a prison being erected in Ward 8, under the deceitful guise of so called economic development, regardless of who is promoting it.

Watson, is now the parliamentarian for Woodland Terrace Resident Council, Inc. He is an ax-offender and a paralegal. It has been said that he should have been selected to be part of Allen's fact finding task force. Allen said she did not think of Watson, even though he was on staff at the time the task force was formed.

In his testimony, he urged Allen to research DC Law 77-177.

He said, "I do not know who your advisors are, however, their opinions are dead wrong and definitely not in the best interest of this ward. You will be committing 'political suicide' if you move to support a prison in our ward.

"You will suffer immensely from the hands of your constituents should you support the President and Mayor's plan to further enslave our community."

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WHAT IS A RECALL?

The electorate (voter) has the power to recall so that officials may be directly responsible to the electorate for their behavior while in office.

To recall is to remove the elected official before his/her term is up. It is done by a forced election, or a vote of confidence, to see if the elected official should continue to serve. It also serves as a yes or no vote, without a crowded field, or without other candidates to cloud the issue.

Elected officials have a great responsibility to be proper and in accordance with promises made when office was sought, with exception if change occur in circumstances which justify other courses of action.

The recall should serve as an incentive for elected officials to be faithful to this trust. It also serves as an expeditious and effective means for removing an elected official from office, who has failed to sustain such trust.

No formal charges are required to be filed before starting a recall. Any official holding an elected office is subject to recall, regardless of the manner in which they were designated to hold office.

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CABBIES AND RECALL

A group of cab drivers, fed up with the system and corruptness in the taxi industry formed an organization, DC Professional Taxi Cab Drivers Assoc., Inc. The purpose was to fight the unjustness imposed upon them.

The president, Nathan Price, and vice president, Louis Richardson, contacted Sandra Seegars to assist them in doing a recall on Barry.

Seegars had helped with a recall effort on former Ward 8 Councilmember Eydie Whittington. Although more than the required amount of residents signed the recall petition, there wasn't enough because of the improperly registered voters. The delayed effect of the recall helped her lose the next election.

Only about a dozen of the over 7,000 cabbies in the District participated in the recall.

Many of the cabbies live outside of DC, are foreigners who are not registered, or are hacking illegally.

Except for a few of the participants, the cabbies who are registered, and are members of the Organization, are lazy, sorry, lying individuals who don't have sense, or stamina enough to fight for their own livelihood.

Instead of rallying together to remove the mayor, who imposed heavy unfair rulings on them, they shuffle around, hoping everything will miraculously work out, allowing anyone and everyone to take advantage of them, and their business.

Even the top officers of the organization did not do their best to see the recall through to the end. They were full of plans, suggestions and ideas, but empty of execution and implementation, it was almost as if they were sabotaging there own effort.

Most of the members who attended the Organization's meetings stopped once the recall started, because they were afraid they had to work for a change.

The few drivers who had stamina and a strong constitution to mentally, emotionally and physically fight from the beginning to the end were Alonzo Broadus, Albert Holley, John May, Greg Wise, Vernon Humbles, Wilbur Wheeler, Ada Martin, Edward Joppy, and Leonard Prather.

The majority of the cabbies could be compared to slaves, but it would be an insult to slavery, because when the slaves saw a way out, they had sense enough to take it.

Barry and Taxicab Commission Chairperson Novell Sullivan were aware of these facts long ago, and knew that the cabbies would not follow through. They will continue to take advantage of them, unless the Control Board steps in.

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SS AND ANOTHER RECALL

Sandra Seegars of Ward 8 is a firm believer that if a person is not doing their job, after given ample opportunity to perform, removal is the solution.

It appears there are not too many who feel this way. In a city wide effort to recall the mayor, other than the few cabbies, Debbie Hanrahan, community activist in Ward 2, a female activist in Ward 6, Karen Szulgit, Green Party, Mike Burns, Ward 6, Todd Zirkle, Ward 5, no one else was steadfast throughout the entire 180 days. There were a few more who came in later and were able to complete a few petitions. Everyone's help counted.

There were many with good intentions, and others who wanted it done, through wishful thinking and prayer.

"Sometimes lessons have to be learned the hard way, through experience," said Seegars. "It is clear to me that the majority of the residents are not fighters, they are talkers who love to complain and suffer. This will be the last recall I will take a leading role in. People call me for assistance and I end up doing most of the work. The same thing happened in the Whittington recall, JePhunneh Lawrence and Florence Smith were the initiators. Smith collected 300 signatures. Lawrence provided his legal expertise, but did not turn in any petitions."

ANNOTATION:

As the recall progressed, it seemed, by and large, the more affluent the ward, the more intelligent and aware the residents were; the less affluent the ward, the more ignorant, docile and sympathetic the residents were.

The wards completed, with an overage of signatures, were 1, 2, 3, and 6. Wards 4, 5, 7 and 8 were more difficult because the mayor, and the councilmembers haven't done too much in the way of businesses and opportunities. m ere was a lack of awareness of the law and politics; and pity for the oppressor, Barry. So much so that they prefer to keep him in office and accept abuse and neglect.

Additionally, many residents in wards 4, 5, 7 and 8 have a lot in common with Barry, they blame others, i.e., the white man, Congress, Control Board, the sun, Russia, anybody or anything but Barry, who is the major problem.

Many of Barry's defenders were Afro Americans, non voters, addicts/alcoholics, welfare recipients, public housing dwellers, and the thuggish. The ones needing the most but getting the least.

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MONTEREY MARSH

Montorey Park is a development of new homes on 7 and Congress Sts., SE, costing over $150,000.

It is crowded in a cul-de-sac, surrounded by a wooden retainer wall and a hill, adjacent to apartments.

At face value the houses have the appearance of luxury, but some of the residents are living in horror.

According to Cardell Shelton the houses have been built over springs and culverts, therefore the houses will not settle properly, and stay damp.

Before the houses were built, water would continually run down onto Ms. Ave. Cardell said years ago there were ponds, swamps and fruit trees occupying that land.

In the 60is and 70's the area had culverts, and was a landfill with clay and sand.

"The Dept. of Housing and Community Development knew full well of all the problems on that property," Shelton said.

He predicts the families will be relocated within the next five years.

GOODBYE TO A GREAT AND WELL
RESPECTED FIREFIGHTER, JOHN M. CARTER.
YOU WILL BE MISSED MUCH.
SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO HIS WIFE AND SON,
DEBBIE AND BRIAN,
FROM THE RESIDENTS OF WARD 8

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H. R. BLOCKED

H. R. Crawford managed to get through obstacles that slowed him down from demolishing the Rigdecrest Heights Apartments in the 800 block of Bellevue St., SE.

The project was halted because he may not have gotten the job through a competitive bidding process. HUD gave him the go ahead. It turned out that the only hindrance was his own shady pass.

Since that time HUD has stopped federal money going to various organizations that includes H. R. Crawford management company, for his managing of the Roosevelt Hotel.

Former resident of Ridgecrest, Florence Smith, has been relocated at 3700 9 St., will be instrumental in the placement of the residents at the new complex, the Walter E. Washington Estate Town Houses.

However, Smith and Crawford has gotten into a disagreement. Time will tell if he allows her to move back into a new house, as promised.

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DCGH AUDIT

DC Auditor, Anthony S. Cooper has uncovered an illegal operation at DC General Hospital (DCGH).

The hospital awarded a sole source contract in the-amount of $2,855,913.55 to a select group of DCGH medical officers/ through Medical Services Group, Inc. (MSG).

The contract was to provide obstetrical and gynecological services.

MSG was owned and controlled by retired DCGH employees who retired under the Easy Out Retirement Program. There is a 5 year restriction against reemployment and contracting under this program.

Five doctors retired/ effective June 30, 1995, and were also compensated officers, directors, and shareholders of MSG, Inc., that was awarded the contract by DCGH on June 29, 1995.

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WCC AUDIT

An audit performed by Cooper on the Washington Convention Center Authority (WC CCA ) showed irregularities.

The proposed site for the new center, is the Shaw area, in NW, from 7 to 9 Streets, and from N St. to Mt. Vernon Ave. Residents, led by Leroy Thorpe, are opposing the location.

The complaints are falling on deaf ears. The center is to be opened in the year 2000. There is a delay, but it is due to a lack of money.

As of June, a staff to build the facility had been hired, a management firm contracted, and a commercial environmental impact study had been done.

WCCA's corporate credit card, to be found under Travel Policies and Procedure Manual, Sec. 11.O, Credit Cards. 11.1 Credit Card Usage, was used for undocumented or unrelated items, including parking tickets, Million Man March, Black Caucus affairs, Presidential Inaugural Ball tickets, retirement parties, homeless Thanksgiving celebrations, travel, flowers and gifts. Totaling $56,000, in which $16,000 was used for Barry's campaign and his constituency fund.

Three members of the 19 member board of WC CA were appointed by the mayor, 11 by the Council, 2 by ANC 2F and 2C, and 3, one each, by the American Institute of Architect, American Planning Association and AFL- CIO.

The punishment for these misdeeds was a warning to do better, even though it has been going on since 1995.

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WHO GOT THE POWER?

Many registered voters believe Barry does not have any power; that Congress has given all the power to the Control Board.

However, the departments left with Barry have money that he can steal (misappropriate), or spend the way he chooses.

According to a report filed by the city auditor on September 18, 1997, Barry requested the acting director of the Office Of Tourism and Promotions to issue a check in the amount of $60,000, to purchase a block of inaugural ball tickets to the President's Inaugural Ball on January 6, 1997.

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CALL AT-LARGE

Council member Kathleen Patterson made Barry get rid of an illegal office he had set up, Office of Ombudsman, formerly Constituent Services (CS).

CS was abolished, but Barry merely changed the name and borrowed employees from other agencies.

Now that there's no constituent services you can call the at-large members, as well as your ward member. At-large members are Harold Brazil, Hilda Mason, Carol Schwartz and Arrington Dixon. To get the telephone numbers call 202-724-8000.

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ONE GOOD GUY

Office of the DC Auditor, Anthony Cooper, is his own man.

He performs his duties in regards to how money is being spent or misspent. He does not make exceptions to anyone, including the mayor

Cooper does routine audits/ as while as acts on complaints from the general public. One complaint was as simple as an employee using government supplies for her personal use. It was found to be a violation of DC Personnel Regulation Part I, Chapter 18, and can be punishable by law.

The work Cooper does can help restore trust to the failing DC government.

ALLEN CHAPEL AME CHURCH,
2498 ALABAMA AVE., SE
CELEBRATED ITS 152 YEARS

BY BURNING THE MORTGAGE

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A FAST ONE TOO LATE

Mayor Barry is known for pulling his enemies close, lying to get out of a jam/ or just because he can, and weakening campaigns opposing him, by planting spies or luring member(s) who are against him.

Barry tried luring the cab drivers away from the recall effort by recommending changes to the proposed taxicab rules.

He has abandoned the idea of a 6 year limit on owner/operated cabs, but wants to impose an 8 year limit on company owned, rented or leased cabs; three inspections a year; and tightening the reciprocity agreement (removing unfair disadvantages to DC cabbies).

His offer to make changes came too late, and were unbelievable to the cabbies who were actively participating in the recall.

The cabbies participation had tapered off earlier' and had been replaced by non-cabbies. Only the serious, hard working, more intelligent cabbies remained until the end, which was only a hand full.

m e lazy, ignorant, freeloading cabbies will benefit from the hard workers' efforts; if Barry is not lying again, as to changing the rules.

Barry's lack of sensitivity and reneging is what prompted the recall to be filed. It will take time for his proposals to become law. Can he be trusted not to renege again?

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INITIATORS QUIT

In the winter of 1996 the president and vice president of the DC Professional Taxi Cab Drivers Assoc., Inc., Nathan Price and Louis Richardson, respectively, asked Seegars to assist them in a recall on Barry. She said the winter was not the best time to start a recall, because day light hours are short, less people on the streets, and people are less likely to stop to sign a petition in the cold.

In April, 1997 they asked her again, and the recall was filed on April 22, and issued May 9.

Seegars had questioned them about the members of their organization, in which they had approximately 200.

Without polling the public, Price and Richardson assumed the public was going to rush to help. Disillusioned by the lack of response by the public, Richardson only turned in 6 or 7 petitions, then stopped collecting signatures, even in his cab.

Price, a Virginia resident, could not collect signatures, but acted as if that was the only thing he wanted to do, thereby, leaving other important tasks undone.

Vernon Humbles, cabby who has a law suit against the police department for arresting him at the Lincoln Theater for booing Barry, was approached by his lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, to file a suit allowing nonresidents, aliens, and minors to be permitted to circulate recall petitions.

Humbles and Price agreed with the idea, Seegars, Richardson and a couple of more cabbies did not. They felt it would have been damaging to the recall, by having outsiders trying to throw out the mayor of the District.

Charlie Harrison, cabbie and sergeant at arms with DCPTCD, was the treasurer for the recall, had more excuses, than he had signatures.

At a private meeting a week before the deadline, Price, Richardson and Harrison were criticized by Seegars for not doing more. Harrison did not attend.

Price and Richardson's response was that they had initiated the recall. However, initiating a recall is the easiest step to make; having the stamina and tenacity to see it through to the end is the key.

In anger, Price and Richardson quit completely. As if they were missed!

After that meeting Richardson made it known that Barry had nominated him to become a Taxicab Commissioner. He called the Wash. Post to let them know, and revealed what transpired at the private meeting.

In an interview they both told the Post that Seegars was too hard to work with. Work being the optimum word.

Then all hell broke loose for Richardson. He felt that someone had tipped off the Post about a fraud he had committed against the federal government, involving food stamps, that he had been convicted of over ten years ago. He had been ordered to repay $480,000, but stopped after paying only $3,000. He said he was not going to pay another cent.

It was no secret that Richardson had been trying to get Barry, and all of his cronies at the Taxicab Commission brought up on criminal charges. Guess which one tipped off the Post. Maybe Barry?

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SMALL CLAIM UPDATE

Kenneth "Detroit" Baker sued former Councilmember Eydie Whittington in Small Claims Court, in June 1997, for $390, the amount they stuck him with for a van she rented during her campaign.

The Court ordered her to pay the money, and Whittington's lawyer agreed to pay the money to Detroit. As of this date he has not received a dime.

Baker's options now are to leave it alone or have her salary garnished.

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WOODLAND

Councilmember Sandy Allen's first cleanup project was in April, at Woodland Terrace Public Housing Projects.

President Clinton had accepted an invitation, but at the last minute he cancelled. Vice President Gore was his substitute, but he attended a cleanup in Anacostia instead.

As soon as the program started Barry left. Other than Allen, other councilmembers in attendance were Harold Brazil, Jack Evans, Harry Thomas, Linda Cropp, Frank Smith, Hilda Mason and Sharon Ambrose (candidate at that time).

Rev. Leon G. Lipscombe of Allen AME Church, a huge assess to Ward 8, was present.

Americorp volunteered to help cleanup and beautify the area. Players Lounge catered the food, an open grill lunch.

Many of the residents peered out the windows, or sat on the porches and watched as Americorp cleaned around their homes; the residents joined in at meal time.

Resident Council President Khadijah Watson was satisfied with the cleanup effort, but had hoped the residents had taken more pride in their homes, and helped.

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ANC 8A

ANC 8A has vanished. There had been division and jealousy among the commissioners for sometime. It was almost impossible to get a quorum to hold official meetings. David White, office manager and comm., had to pick up and drop off other commissioners in order to have a quorum.

Further division came when two of the seven commissioners strongly opposed Comm. Lewis Ecker, an inmate at St. Elizabeth.

One of them wanted the paid position of office manager that White had. It was reasonably believed that one of them did not live in the ward. Once White had Galloway Liquor Store closed, it put more distance between two of the commissioners.

There was no money to continue to operate, thereby the office and phones had to go. There is an audit being done on ANC8A by the Office of the DC Auditor.

In an audit in 1995, over $50,000 was spent without approval. The amount of $19,315 paid to the administrative officer, White, was ordered to be reimbursed. There has been no audit since that time.

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VOTING RIGHTS ACT 1965

A misconception of the Voters Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, has been brewing among the citizens. The rumor has it that every 25 years Congress must decide whether or not black Americans should retain the right to vote.

According to the Congressional Research Service, when all blacks were given the right to vote, they began to influence all aspects of the outcome of elections at all government levels.

Southern whites who opposed enfranchisement of former slaves reacted, and same resorted to a number of tactics (legal and illegal) to discourage blacks from voting.

In 1965, to respond to the whites, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to ensure against malpractices that diminished exercise of the voting rights of all blacks.

Amendments, in 1970, 1975, 1982 and 1992, to the act, extended and expanded the coverage.

The act provides that Congress "reconsider" preclearance of election law changes, and assignment of examiners and election observers in 1997, and that these provisions shall expire in 2007.

In order to object to an election law change submitted for federal preclearance, the Justice Department or the US District Court for DC need not find that the jurisdiction intended to discriminate against black voters; it need only determine that implementation of the law would in fact, result in denying or abridging voting rights.

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ROGERS, OVER AND OUT

City Administrator Michael Rogers is jumping ship. He is resigning his post, after only a couple of years.

At the press conference in Sept., Barry made the announcement about Rogers leaving, and answered questions from the press. Rogers never uttered a word during the hour long conference.

Barry said many top officials make decisions like Rogers, and move on to other positions.

In an interview, Rogers said he began discussing his moving on, in August, after Congress transferred several government departments to the Control Board, causing his job to change drastically.

(Some of the departments transferred were the ones showing contract abuse.)

The word has surfaced that Barry had become unhappy with Roger's performance.

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TAKE MORE

While Umoja Party member, Mark Thompson, a wanna be Barry insider, was demonstrating outside of the Capitol, because Congress took some of Barry and the City Council's power, and gave it to the unelected Control Board, Barry was telling Congress to take more.

Never-before-held-office Thompson said Barry was naive and his request was ill-timed.

Thompson helped organize bus loads of CC residents who marched on Sen. Lauch Faircloth's home in North Carolina. Faircloth was not at home at the time.

Later, Faircloth said Jesse Jackson was simply seeking recognition, Barry makes meaningless statements that have no connection to reality, and the City Council does not curb the runaway authority of the mayor.

Due to Barry's ineptness and misappropriation of funds, nine agencies were removed from his control: Administrative, Human and Employment Services, Health, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Fire and Emergency Med. Services, Corrections, Pub. Works and Housing and Com. Development

The agencies left with the mayor are Emergency preparedness, Labor Relations, Recreation and Parks, Cable Television, Commission for Women, Aging, Diversity and Special Services, Latino, Asian, and Pacific Affairs, Arts and Humanities, Tourism and Promotion, Retirement Board, Convention Center, Office of Employee Appeals, Public Employee Relation Board, Board of Library Trustees, Zoning Commission, Armory Board, Board of Elections and Ethics, and the University of the District of Columbia Board of Trustees.

Housing Authority, Mental Health, DC Jail medical services, and Foster Care had already been placed under Court receivership.

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BOEE, NO CHANGE

Is Councilmember Kathleen Patterson listening? Has anyone seen changes in the Board of Elections and Ethics or Office of Campaign Finance?

On May 8 about 30 citizens testified at the hearing on Government Operations, chaired by Patterson.

The testimonies included concerns that these agencies are inefficient and inconsistent, the laws need clarification and precision, they are slow in responding to complaints, practice favoritism, the regulations do not coincide with the laws, understaffed, a need for more stringent laws and enforcement for candidates and elected officials, unfair practices, election irregularities, some form of identification from all new registrants and voters at the poll, and litigations should be transmitted to the Court.

There have been great anticipation for changes at the BQEE. The U.S. Attorney's Office said for the first time BOEE has sent over a box of cases to be prosecuted. They sent them to the Check and Fraud Division of the Metropolitan Police Dept. for further investigation. (Lost forever.)

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MULTI-FACED

Former ANC Commissioner Florence Smith, 8E05, has more faces than the trick mirrors at an amusement park.

In 1995 and 1996 Smith called Barry everything but a child of God, including crack head and crook, now to her he is the best thing on earth.

She believes Barry has something to do with her possibly moving into the town houses that are being built by H.R. Crawford, funded by HUD.

The new houses are being built in the 800 block of Bellevue St., SE, where she was a resident at the former site, Ridgecrest Heights Apartments, soon to be the Walter E. Washington Estate.

All the families had to relocate. Smith was convinced by Crawford to move to 3700 9 St., SE, instead of her choice of 800 Southern Ave., SE.

Then Smith became the president of the program that would be assisting in selecting the tenants for the new estate.

With benighted people like Smith living in the District, politicians like Barry will remain in office forever, all they have to do is give the appearance of helping someone and they will support him. As mayor, Barry's job is to provide housing for the residents, therefore, what he does is not extraordinary.

CONGRATULATIONS TO RODERICK LEGGINS
HE IS ALLEN'S NEW RESEARCH CLERK.
HE HAD A FEW MISHAPS IN THE PAST,
NOW HE'S OKAY.

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REV. BARRY?

During Barry's prayer breakfast in April, he quoted from the Bible to advance himself with the attendees.

Whenever he feels he is at a disadvantage he uses words from the Bible. He calls it being religious, but actually he's a blasphemer.

However, whenever he blasphemes, many people, who claim to be Christians, get drawn in by his deviltry.

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ANOTHER MOU

In early May, Allen was against the memorandum of understanding (MOW) presented to them by Clinton, for a $3.9 billion aid plan for the District. A few days later her mind was changed by Councilmember Linda Cropp.

Sometimes councilmembers trade votes, so when they need a vote on legislation important for their wards, they can get enough votes to get it passed.

Councilmember Harold Brazil said it was a sell out.

The vote was 7 to 4, for it. Brazil, Hilda Mason, Kevin Chavous, and Frank Smith voted no. Carol Schwartz was absent.

The present budget of $4.2 billion was finally agreed upon on November 12, by Congress. Now it must go to the president for his approval.

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AT LARGE 97

A special election for Council at-large will be held on Tuesday December 2, to replace Linda Cropp, who was elected as chairperson to complete the unfinished term of Dave Clarke, after his untimely death.

There are four candidates.

Arrington Dixon, Dem. -- He lives in Ward 8, on Shannon Place in SE.

He was on the Council before, in the late 70's to early 80's, then appointed as chairperson to the Taxicab Commission by Barry.

As one of the first councilmembers, in a new government, he was able to introduce many bills.

m ere have been numerous articles concerning the corruptness in the Taxicab Industry. Many older drivers said he was there when Ronald Stokes was there.

Stokes has been indicted for misdeeds he committed while at the Taxicab Commission, and will be going to court in November (Follow this story in the City Paper or the Washington Post.)

Many cabbies said if Stokes talks he may implicate Dixon.

Dixon said he doesn't know about Stokes activities. He said during his tenure with the Taxicab Commission, he instructed everyone not to accept favors, bribes, or anything that could be misconstrued as such.

He has two businesses located on Shannon Place. The majority of the residents in Ward 8 do not know anything about his businesses, ACC or ADIA.

His campaign head quarters was at that same location, until about three weeks before the election. There were concerns that ACC, ADIA and the campaign were somehow intertwined. However, Philip Pannell, employee of ACC, and campaign worker, said he will gladly show their records to anyone, to let them see that there is no mingling of ACC, ADIA and the campaign.

(In the past Pannell has been a straight forward person. He has been presented in every issue of One Page At A Time as an upstanding individual.)

During Dixon's previous terms there were news articles about him absconding with thousands of dollars. He left the council under suspension, and had been pretty quiet since that time.

Usually Pannell represents ACC in the community. (Maybe Pannell should run.)

Arrington is a strong advocate for a clean environment, he supports recycling, and wants it returned as routine for DPW. (If Dixon wins he will be recycled.)

Dixon joined ANC Commissioner David White, in closing down an eye sore of a liquor store on the corner of Talbert St. and MLK, Jr., Ave., SE. However, the case was thrown out of court, and the owner of the liquor store is suing Dixon, Pannell, White, and the Metropolitan Police Dept.

Dixon was once married to Sharon Pratt Dixon Kelly.

David Catania (labeled gay Rep.) -- is a lawyer who lives in Ward 1. He speaks out strongly about Dixon being part of the reason the city is in the awful condition it is in now.

He has been chairman of ANC1 D for a year, and a graduate of Georgetown University Law School. He thinks the City Council should work with the Control Board to regain its independence.

As council member he will build a rapport between the police, Council and community, to aid in safer streets.

He said he has improved the relationship between the police and the citizens in his single member district, and can do the same for the entire city.

He said because of his actions, the crime rate in his area has dropped dramatically.

He advocates that safe streets will bring about an improved business and social environment.

He is from New York, and has been here since 1986.

Mary Martin (Socialist Workers Party) appears to be out of touch with reality. Some members of the audience, at forums, said she is not trying to win a race, she is merely promoting her issues associated with her party.

Philip Heinrich (Dem.) moved here from New York, about 18 months ago. He is definitely a carpetbagger.

He advocates better schools, and reduced crime.

The District has become a city that everyone thinks they can come in and take over, as if all the residents are nitwits.

One Green Party member said Heinrich has not been here long enough to care enough about DC to hold office, in the best interest of the residents.

Since he has been here he has learned a great deal about the city, but is it enough to run the city?

This is a special election, you do not have to vote your party. Vote for the best one for the job.

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RIP, MISS YA MUCH

One Page At A Time received a memorandum, anonymously. It was directed to Ava S. Childery and Donald Wheeler, from R. Calvin Lockridge. It was a summary of closure activities for Michael Wheeler.

Lockridge was forced to summarize the actions he had taken to assist with the burial of Wheeler, because it was said that Wheeler's sister, Rosalind Wheeler Styles Dews, was bad mouthing him in various places, concerning who had done what for the funeral.

Lockridge, although distraught over Wheeler's untimely death, deemed it necessary to itemize his involvement.

He claimed all but $355.00 of the total $11,132 was paid by him and his wife, Mildred.

Lockridge stated in his memorandum, "Thusly, it hurts me, and grieves friends, to be confronted by allegations attributed to one of his sisters, that I mishandled his affairs, and disrespected his family during this period."

A person's death should be viewed as a part of life, and the time when the family and friends reflect on their loved ones. A chance to even ponder the remainder of their own lives. However, many deaths are the beginning of the ruination of families, and relationships.

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LIAR! LIAR!

Earlier this year when Edyie Whittington appeared before the Council for her confirmation to the Alcohol and Beverage Control Board (ABC), she was asked what had she been doing in the ward since her very short term on the City Council.

Her extremely short list included her assisting the residents in the Skyland area, while she was on the Council, and she continued once she lost the election.

She said she was against the new houses, under Jimmy Carter's program, Habitat For Humanity, because of the crowded condition it would create.

One active family in the development said Whittington told a lie. She said, "Edyie is telling a lie. She only attended a couple of meetings to get us to support her for City Council. She told us she could not help us because it may hurt her candidacy."

The residents in the original houses opposed the new homes because they were not suitable; they had no basements, and only one bathroom with three bedrooms. The developers had told them the houses were suitable for a family with 8 children.

The residents said the houses should be built like the older ones, because the way they were being built will bring down the property value in the area.

They pointed out how the houses are sitting on earth that is mostly clay, and in a few years the clay will erode and cause the houses to slide, putting pressure on the wooden retainer wall, weakening it.

The plan is to build 34 houses, in which the ones in the circle will be at the hill that is supported by a wooden retainer wall, about 50 feet high.

They said their concerns are not just for the interest of themselves, but also for the first time home buyers.

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ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

The DC Professional Taxi Cab Drivers Association, Inc. (DCPTCD) has been complaining for years about the corruption occurring in the taxi cab industry. many have pointed out malfeasances by the mayor, councilmembers, taxicab commissioners and chairpersons, that have finally led to the indictment and arraignment of former chief of the DC Office of Taxicab, Ronald L. Stokes. His court date is in Nov.

They said Stokes was there under Arrington Dixon.

DCPTCD hopes that Stokes will give information that will lead to the arrest of everyone who has taken part in the corruption, especially the disappearance of almost a half a million dollars from the assessment fund.

DCPTCD believes the mayor, City Council, Taxicab Commission Chairpersons and commissioners have all played a part in the demise of the taxicab industry.

Barry changed the rate stickers to include his name and campaign colors, and has forced the cabbies to display them in their windows. Some of the drivers have refused to display them, because they said they are not campaigning for Barry, directly or indirectly, and the law says they shall display the rates, it says nothing about displaying anyone's name.

They also said it's a blatant exhibit of waste on Barry's part, because when the next mayor comes in they will have to replace them.

Forward to second half of October 1997 One Page at a Time Newsletter

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