OVER THE YEARS
ONE PAGE AT A TIME
HAS BEEN EMPHASIZING
THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING.
DONT DISENFRANCHISE YOURSELF!
VOTE!
PRIMARY ELECTION
SEPTEMBER 15
GENERAL ELECTION
NOVEMBER 3
THIS EDITION WILL FOCUS MAINLY ON THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS.
One Page at a Time gave a questionnaire to the mayoral candidates, Jack
Evans (D), Jeffrey Gildenhorn (D), Carol Schwartz (R), Kevin Chavous (D), Harold Brazil
(D), Anthony Williams (D) and John Gloster (S), for them to give a 50 word or less
response as to why the voters should vote for her or him. Only three of the candidates had
the courtesy to respond: Evans had a courier service deliver it on the deadline date;
Gildenhorn hand delivered his at one of the forums; Schwartz completed hers within three
days. No one but the candidates know why they did not respond to the Ward 8 newsletter
request. If this is an example of how they will treat Ward 8 if they become mayor, the
Ward 8 voters must think hard and long before they punch their ballot on Sept. 15 and Nov.
3.
Jeffrey Gildenhorn: I want to be mayor because I believe this
campaign is about, as every campaign in America should be about, sound minds and sound
bodies.
The level playing field starts with our children, at birth, not trying to make it
level years later, down the road.
I will give my heart and soul as your mayor, to make possible, for every child in
Washington, American citizens and legal residents, complete free medical and dental care,
from birth to age 4.
Jack Evans: I will provide solutions, not excuses for our
citys problems. I will demand accountability from others and I am willing to be held
accountable. Solutions that provide quality schools, safe streets, efficient city services
and economic opportunities are the key to making our city work again and returning home
rule to District residents.
Carol Schwartz: I have given 33 years of impassioned service to
all District residents, through public office and volunteerism. I have an unmatched proven
record of commitment, courage and leadership. I have earned your vote the hard way. This
time give ME a chance to lead us to a brighter tomorrow.
Back to top of page
It's never a dull moment when the Ward
8 Democrats (Dems) get together.
The Dems went at each other because the
way the format was set up for voting for the mayoral candidates for an endorsement had
been changed.
Ordinarily the Democrats could vote at any
time during the forum, however, this time the invitational letter was understood that a
qualifying voter had to sit though the entire forum.
Harsh words were exchanged,
"bitches" and "your mama" were among the heated verbal exchange
between the president and one of the members.
About 150 people from all over the city
attended. The expectation was that Councilmember Kevin Chavous, candidate, would get the
endorsement, but, no one received 60% of the votes, the requirement for an endorsement.
Chavous had only a few more votes than
Anthony Williams. The other candidates were no where in the running.
The set up was similar to "Show
Time" at the Apollo, whoever had the most supporters in the audience usually won.
When a final count was done and it was
announced there would be no endorsement Williams shouted, "Yes!"
Back to top of page
Three Ward 8 residents circulated
petitions to get on the ballot for one of the two at-large City Council seats that will be
up for grabs this year.
The contenders were Arrington Dixon (D),
on Shannon Pl., SE, Linda Moody (D), on Bellevue St., SE, and Sandra "SS"
Seegars (I), on & Savannah St., SE.
However, Arrington's signatures were
challenged, and he did not have enough to get on the ballot. He is appealing.
The seats of David Catania and Hilda Mason
will be open.
In the primary on Sept. 15 you must vote
within your party, but in the general election on Nov. 3 you do not have to vote
within your party, you can vote for anyone in any party.
Dixon was on the Council before, he took a
hiatus, and has decided to get back in the mix. Last years special election was his to
lose, and he did.
He had been voted in as acting
councilmember, by the Democratic State Committee, to fill the vacated seat by Linda Cropp,
who had just won a special election to fill the seat vacated by the late Dave Clarke.
Dixon was beat out by Catania, 29 year old
Republican.
Dixon mailed letters, in May, to seek the
voters' opinions, as to whether he should run again. Shortly thereafter he decided he
would run.
Moody, Ward 8 Board of Education
representative, has decided to spread her wings and run for one of the at-large Council
seats.
She is supported by Ward 8 City
Councilmember Sandy Allen,
Moody said she stands on her record as a
school board member, and can bring the same accomplishments to the Council.
Seegars (I), activist and publisher of
"One Page At A Time" Newsletter, said as a citizen she has rooted out more
corruption, waste and abuse than the entire Council.
As a councilmember, not only can she
remove high paid, non-performing employees, but she will be able to vote on who gets the
top positions. She believes that until all leadership is at minimal, adequate, the city
will not shape-up.
Back to top of page
Where were councilmembers, Harold
Brazil, Kevin Chavous, Jack Evans and/or Carol Schwartz when Elliot Wheelan was approved
as director of personnel? Which one raised hell when Alexis Roberson was put in charge of
Department of Employment Services? And the bonus question is, why is H. R. Crawford still
on the Real Estate Commission?
Many department heads are inept, so much
so that some of them have been dismissed, but not by the councilmember.
Each of the aforementioned councilmembers
are now running for mayor. Many people ask where were they as the city crumpled.
As a mere citizen, Seegars, who is now a
candidate for City Council At-large, has gotten rid of several department heads. It
appeared that the mayor and Council were approving shady characters, and Seegars was
getting rid of them.
Seegars said, "If I could see
something wrong with Wheelan, Roberson, Crawford and former Police Chief Larry Soulsby,
surely the councilmembers should have. I helped to get rid of three of them. I'm still
working on Crawford. As councilmember I will be able to vote decent, qualified personnel
in place; not just rubber stamp the mayor's choices."
Back to top of page
The forums being held for the mayoral
candidates are numerous. There have been as many as three scheduled for the same time. The
candidates, for the most part, are unfamiliar to the voters, so everyone wants to learn
what they are about.
Usually only the 6 most recognizable
candidates are invited to participate in the forums, leaving out the majority.
The Ward 8 Dems invited all 12 of the
Democrats; 8 showed up. (The forum was held before their signatures were due. Only 7
Democrats turned in enough signatures to get on the Sept. 15 primary ballot.)
Th e questions from the audience were
usually directed to Chavous, Brazil, Evans, Williams, and Gildenhorn.
Some of the questions included statements
that criticized the performance of the candidates who are now councilmembers, and the
former Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
They wanted to know how could Williams,
successfully, make a transition from CFO to mayor.
Gildenhorn thanked the Ward 8 Dems for
inviting him and complimented them on having the best forum, thus far.
Brazil arrived late, and rudely, left
early.
As the chairman of the Committee on
Education, Libraries and Recreation, Chavous had to defend himself when asked why he sent
his children to private school instead of public school, with an attitude, he said it was
a decision he and his wife made.
As to a prison in the District, they all
said yes. As to a prison in Ward 8, they all said no.
Evans was asked questions about former
Police Chief Soulsby. He admitted he let Soulsby stay around too long.
Evans and Williams were drilled about
approving the costly, limited space, Mt. Vernon site for the new convention center.
Chavous and Williams were the front
runners. However, neither were able to get 60% of the votes for an endorsement.
The candidates usually pack the forums
with their supporters, each forum usually have many of the same faces.
Back to top of page
The mayoral forums have offered many
styles from the rivals, from extremely angry to pleasantly humorous.
Chavous vows to improve the public school
system.
Brazil proudly proclaims how he is not to
blame for the District's failing financial situation because he was the lone councilmember
who voted against the demented budget presented to them.
Evans claims that once he came to the
realization that Soulsby was not forthright, he will now do a superb job overseeing the
Judiciary Committee.
Williams stands on his record of fixing
the budget, and swears he will do the same for the entire District government.
Gildenhorn makes it clear that he is not a
politician. (The definition he is referring to is "one who seeks personal or partisan
gain, often by cunning or dishonest means.") He said his success in business will aid
him in making the District government a success, because he is people oriented.
John Gloster (S) is a new comer, who
resides in Ward 8. He is up on the issues that the average citizen is concerned about. He
emphasizes the importance of a good education, and keeping UDC opened and improving its
functions.
Back to top of page
On July 5 the Washington Post reported
that neither of the 4 councilmember candidates are supporting the poor, they are aiming at
the middle class. It will probably get worst for the poor, not better, if one of them
should win.
As of July 5 it seemed Gildenhorn and
Gloster had a more rounded platform, whereas they included all classes, and paid a little
more attention to the less fortunate residents, trying to bring them up to a better
standard of living, that would only enhance the city.
Until the underprivileged is upgraded with
upward mobility, not uprooted by the upper-class, the city will continue to be
downtrodden, because the city is no better than its undermost resident.
The less than adequate wards complain the
most, get the least, and vote less.
Back to top of
page
This year has brought out over 50
candidates for the Mayor and City Council seats. The candidates are vying for a total of 8
seats; the opened seats are 2 for City Council At-Large, 1 City Council Chairperson, 1 for
Mayor, and 4 for individual wards.
All of these candidates will be on the
ballot in the primary election on Sept. 15. One from each party will be elected to go on
the ballot on Nov. 3 for the general election.
The general election will also include
Independents, Board of Education candidates, and Advisory Neighborhood Commission
candidates.
In the primary a voter must choose a
candidate in the same party, but in the general election a voter does not have to vote
within the same party, they may vote for whomever they decide, regardless of the party
affiliation.
With so many candidates you must remember
to read the front and back sides of each ballot.
Back to top of page
Many voters do not understand the
difference between the duties of the mayor and the duties of the City Council.
The mayor's office is the executive
branch. The Council is the legislative branch. The Mayor can be compared to the President,
and the Council can be compared to Congress.
The mayor is responsible for the day to
day functions in the city, i.e., street cleaning, grass cutting, tree trimming, trash
pickup, snow removal, safe streets, health care delivery, programs for the youth and
seniors, jobs, businesses, etc.
The Council writes, introduces, votes on,
passes or rejects laws. The Council is the lawmaker.
The mayor appoints/hires department heads,
commissioners and board members.
The mayor gets a budget proposal from the
individual agencies.
The Council reviews and approves or disapproves the mayors
appointees. The Council approves budgets for agencies. The Council can revamp or revoke
agencies.
The offices are separate, but work together to make a
complete, functional city.
The mayor can introduce legislation through the
Council chairperson, that is voted on by the Council of the Whole.
The mayor ultimately approves contracts issued by the
government, some, but not all of them must be approved by the Council.
The Board of Education is independent of the Council
and the Mayor, except their budget, which is approved by the Mayor and Council.
(This is the way the process was before the Control
Board, and one day it may get back to this way. Now the Control Board has the last say so
on most issues.)
Back to top of page
A person who won't be available to go to the poll to vote
on election day may vote by absentee ballot.
The voter may vote in person at the Board of Elections and
Ethics (BOEE), 441 4 St., NW, room 250; or by mail.
Absentee voting is conducted fifteen days before any
election and ends the day before Election Day.
By-mail requests must be in writing, no later than the
seventh day before the election.
For the vote to be counted it must be postmarked by
Election Day and must reach BOEE no later than the tenth day after the election.
Back to top of page
All candidates must meet a signature requirement before
they can be placed on a ballot. The amount of signatures varies depending upon the office
sought.
All signatures can be reviewed and challenged by any DC
registered voter. The challenge period allows questionable signatures to be verified by
BOEE, and if they are disallowed, the total count of signatures will be less and the
candidate may not meet the signature requirement.
Back to top of page
Independent or No-Party candidates are not
affiliated with a political party.
Minor parties are the ones who have not
met the 7,500 vote requirement for conducting a primary, thus, they are in the category
with Independents.
The Independents bypass the primary
election. They have direct access to the general election ballot.
A primary election is held every two
years so the major parties, Democrat, Republican, DC Statehood and Umoja, can nominate
their candidates for the ballot in the general election.
A general election is held every two years
to elect individuals to public office.
Independents and minor parties bypass the
primary process, including the voting, and are placed directly to the general election
ballot.
In the primary a voter must vote for a
candidate in the same party in which he/she is registered. However, in the general
election a voter can vote for any one in any party.
Back to top of page
The two Ward 8 City Council at-large
candidates, Linda Moody and Sandra Seegars participated in the Palisades Parade in Ward 3,
on the Fourth of July.
Seegars was invited by the Palisades
Citizens Association because of her participation last year when she was doing the recall
on Mayor Barry.
Ward 3 was so disappointed when Barry won
the mayor's seat in 1994 that they tried to convert back to Maryland.
This year Barry did not attend. The parade
was after he announced that he would not seek another term for mayor.
The Ward 3 residents and Barry did not
have to pretend any longer to like each other.
When the parade viewers heard Seegars was
the one who led the recall effort last year, against Barry, they gave extra loud cheers.
Back to top of page
There has been a new section added to
the Taxicab Commission rules; 609, AGE OF TAXICAB, Title 31 DCMR.
The drivers complained that replacing a
cab at six years was unfair. That was one of the reasons the cabbies initiated a recall on
Barry.
In the mist of the recall Barry abandoned
that notion, and quickly picked up another. In Title 31 he added an age limit to cab
companies. Cabs can not be older than eight years old.
This law will hurt the cab company owners,
that will end up costing the drivers who rent cabs more money.
This rule became effective June 1,
1998.
On May 5, the Taxicab Commission had a
full commission meeting. The meeting included a report on the ruling for insurance,
vintage, refresher training and telephone dispatch.
There has been a law passed that requires
drivers to take an eight hour refresher course at UDC before they can get their two year
license, and each driver has to pay $100.
Some of the drivers said they paid in cash
and got a receipt that appeared irregular.
With the recent rash of criminal activity,
and jail time for a former employee, the drivers who have paid for the course are
wondering where their cash is really going.
After the reports were given, a hearing
was held on reciprocity (a driver from MD and VA can work in DC without requiring the same
fees and licenses that are imposed upon DC cabbies).
George Crawford, general counselor for the
Taxicab Commission said the reciprocity is not a law, only an understanding.
Lee Barnes, Barwood Cab of Montgomery
County, and Charlie King, Red Top Cab of Arlington County, were there, along with
their lawyers.
They were there trying to regulate the
District's law that would continue the reciprocity that benefits them, but harms the
District cabbies, because the courtesy is not returned to the District drivers. Louis
Richardson, vice president of DC Professional Taxi Cab Drivers Association (DCPTD), and
Harry Silverman, DC Taxi Cab Commission member, testified about the corruption of the
outer state cab companies.
Back to top of page
The District taxicab drivers have been
battling unfair treatment for years, the DC Taxicab Commission (DCTC) has been abusing the
taxicab system for years, and some of the drivers and companies have committed wrong
doings. Until recently no one had taken the complaints seriously.
The DCTC is under the strict authority of
the mayor, and a commission, appointed by the mayor, and passed by a majority of the
Council.
The FBI, MPD Internal Affairs, and Office
of the Inspector General successfully prosecuted a former employee, Ronald Stokes. He was
found guilty of nine counts that included bribery.
So far this year a taxicab driver
overcharged a passenger $88; 1,600 cabs had to be re-inspected because they were buying
stickers illegally; and several inspectors were arrested for accepting bribes from drivers
to let their failed taxis pass.
The DCPTCD has been meeting with different
law enforcement agencies to try to bring some resolve to the injustices committed on the
taxicab drivers.
With the arrest and conviction of Stokes
earlier this year DCPTCD feels they are finally getting a handle on the taxicab industry.
About five insurance companies have a
monopoly on coverage for all cabs in the District. At-large Councilmember David Catania
has stepped in to assist the cabbies in getting just treatment.
Catania wrote to interim commissioner of
the Dept. of Insurance and Securities Regulation, Patrick Kelly. He wants to know why only
five companies cover cabbies, why the significant premium increase since 1995, and why
high premiums are being paid for minimal coverage.
The driver is not covered at all. A
passenger rides at his/her own risk, with a $25,000 maximum coverage.
Back to top of page
Steve Michael, national activist,
succumbed to the harsh effects that comes along with AIDS.
Michael was the director of AIDS
Coalition To Unleash Power (ACT UP); ran for president in 1992 and 1996; strong critic of
President Clinton for not keeping his promises to fight AIDS; and ran for the Ward 6
Council seat.
Michael led the campaign, Initiative 57
and Initiative 59, Medical Marijuana. 57 fell short by about 800 signatures. He
immediately reinstituted 59, and began gathering signatures again.
Michael deterioration seemed to have
happened over night. While he was hospitalized, his partner, Wayne Turner took over the
initiative.
Michael's funeral was held on Pennsylvania
Ave. NW, in front of the White House. There was no interference by the White House
security or the Metropolitan Police.
The media attendance was so heavy that it
almost out numbered the 100 or so who attended the funeral.
They gathered at Freedom Plaza, 13 and Pa.
Ave. NW, and walked, rolling the casket, a half a mile to the White House.
In an unrelated, yet related, AIDS story,
Clinton administration said needle exchange programs can help curb the AIDS epidemic, but
refuses to allow federal money to be spent on a needle exchange program.
Back to top of page
DC Chief Management Officer Camille
Barnett met with parking bureau officials after she found out it was true that each ticket
writer had a quota of 90 tickets per day.
Barnett was told that 2.1 million tickets
worth $49 million was written last year.
Barnett told the ticket writers,
"Your job is the fair regulation of parking, it is not giving tickets."
Back to top of page
Democracy for the America's Capital (DAC)
and me Tenant Action Network are fighting to save rent control.
They need your help to help renters in the
District save rent control by circulating petitions, writing letters to the president
(President William Jefferson Clinton, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington DC 20500. 202
456-1111). Or calling radio talk shows to voice your concerns.
Over half of the District residents are
renters. If rent control is rescinded, many may be forced out of the city, become
homeless, and incur unacceptable increases in rent.
For additional information 202 452-7686
Back to top of page
Students from Smothers Elementary School
appeared in Chamber before the City Council to request that the fossils they found become
the official dinosaur for the District. me fossil has been named CAPITALSAURUS.
The Council unanimously declared the
CAPITALSAURUS as the official dinosaur.
The students sang an original tune, titled
"Dino Bones."
Two of the teeth that were found were
submitted to the Smithsonian Institution and has become a permanent display.
Back to top of page
An audit was completed on Advisory
Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 4D in June.
The amount of $18,935 was diverted to the
former treasurer by way of ANC 4D checks, made payable to her deceased husband, Henry A.
Lamont, and signed by Freda Bonner, wife of former treasurer, and Barbara Young, former
chairperson.
Lamont died 16 months prior to the first
check being made cut to him.
The purpose of the checks, according to
the canceled checks were for good reasons, including bulk trash pickup, trash removal,
alley cleaning, services for seniors, and newsletter distribution.
The checks ranged from $125 to $1,475.
They were not authorized by the commissioners.
An additional unauthorized amount of
$1,000 was paid to Nathaniel and Michael Jack for bulk trash removal.
D. Doreion Colter, relative of the former
treasurer, was paid $825 to complete a simple financial report form for ANC4D.
The amount of $2,420 was spent on office
supplies for an eight month period, however, the auditor found no evidence of the numerous
items of supplies.
The Office of Campaign Finance will
determine if the former treasurer violated DC Code, Section 1-1461. (G), that states,
"...elective and public office is a public trust, and any effort to realize personal
gain through official conduct is a violation of that trust." and "(b) No public
official shall use his or her official position or office to obtain financial gain for
himself or herself, any member of his or her household. . . ."
Back to top of page
Earlier this year Barry appointed and
reappointed 24 residents to city boards and commissions.
There were none from Ward 8.
Ward 1 |
3 |
Ward 2 |
1 |
Ward 3 |
4 |
Ward 4 |
7 |
Ward 5 |
3 |
Ward 6 |
3 |
Ward 7 |
2 |
Ward 8 |
0 |
Unidentified |
1 (Not Ward 8) |
|
24 |
Back to top of page
The California based organization, Center
on Juvenile and Criminal Justice (CJCJ) has branched out and now has an office in the
District, on MLK Ave.
CJCJ has prepared over 400 alternative
pre-trial, sentencing and parole proposals; provided technical assistance to four state
and local correctional agencies in CA, HI and MN; and developed a variety of programs
alternative to incarceration for adults and juveniles.
CJCJ is a private non-profit organization
whose purpose is to reduce a reliance on the use of incarceration as a solution to social
problems.
Back to top of page
Journalist Jonetta Rose Barras has
written a book titled "Last of the Black Emperors: The Hollow Comeback of Marion
Barry in the New Age of Black Leaders."
The book covers the period from his 1992
prison release through 1994 mayoral victory.
Barry said the book was "junk."
The book speaks about Barry's bisexual
relationships, and continuous drug addiction.
Barras had a book signing in June at
Vertigo Books. Ward 8 Council member Sandy Allen, who plays a great part in the book, and
Ward 2 councilmember and mayoral candidate Jack Evans attended.
Ward 8 residents who are in the book are
Eydie Whittington, Calvin and Wilhelminia Rolark, Arrington Dixon, Mary Parham Wolfe,
Carolena Key and Sandra Seegars.
In Barras' source notes she made it clear
that Barry had agreed to an interview, but later declined. She said any quotes from Barry
were from previous interviews or statements.
Back to top of page
A law has been signed by Barry that
requires insurers to cover people who go to the emergency room because they believe there
symptoms are life threatening, but turn out not to be.
The City Council voted 10:2 to require
new employees of the District government to live in the District.
In the pass Congress shot the bill down.
Maryland and Virginia lawmakers objected.
Councilmember Jack Evans voted
"no" to the residency requirement at first, but later changed his mind and voted
yes.
Councilmembers Ambrose (D-Ward 6) and
Patterson (D-Ward 3) voted no.
Congress did not pass the bill, again.
Back to top of page
Cardell Shelton placed a bid on the
old Congress Heights School and won.
The East of the River Community
Development Corporation and William Lockridge, bid on the site too, along with a couple of
bidders from outside of the ward.
Shelton has been a strong advocate for a
training center, for years. He spoke out against the public school system when they
slapped the vocational training in the DC Public Schools.
Shelton has chosen the name, International
Vocational Training Institute, for the school.
Shelton's plans for the school includes a
Charter School, vocational training, entrepreneurial development, parenting skills, day
care, community arts and crafts, theater, hospitality industry training, culinary arts
training, and computer technology.
Shelton believes a training center of this
magnitude will give people something else to do besides getting in trouble or getting
murdered.
For information or to get involved with
this project contact Cardell Shelton 202-562-4399
Back to top of page
Sandra "SS" Seegars invited
some of the Ward 8 leaders to meet with Beth Solomon, Shaw Coalition founder, in May, to
discuss the continuing problem of a new convention center proposed for Mount Vernon
Square, in the Shaw neighborhood, in hopes to get them to join the struggle to stop it.
This meeting may encourage different wards to unit to help each other
fight similar causes.
James Bunn, businessman, Don Matthews,
businessman, O.V. Johnson, ANC Chairperson, Linda Moody, Ward 8 school board member and
City Council At-Large candidate, Raheem Jenkins, founder of Righteous Men Coalition, and
Karen Szulgit, Ward 6 activist, were there.
The money that will be spent an the new
convention center will affect the entire city, but, initially, the Ward 8 group could not
see how it would affect them directly, therefore they seemed reluctant to get involved.
By the end of the meeting Bunn and Jenkins
said they would help whenever possible. Johnson was under the impression that it was too
late to do anything to stop it, ergo, he was in support of the new center in Shaw.
Moody wanted to hear the other side of the
story, from the Washington Convention Center Authority. She said if it was simply a matter
of using a larger site, there shouldn't be a problem in changing from Mount Vernon Square
to the Union Station North site.
The City Council voted 8:5 to finance the
project for Mount Vernon Square. The Control Board voted to approve the Council's budget,
and Congress is in the midst of finalizing it too.
Despite the various meetings with the
Council, Control Board and Congress, the bill is almost final.
The councilmembers who voted against the
Shaw sight were David Catania, Sharon Ambrose, Kathy Patterson, Kevin Chavous and Hilda
Mason.
The yeses were Linda Cropp, Charlene Drew
Jarvis, Harold Brazil, Harry Thomas, Sandy Allen, Jack Evans, Carol Schwartz and Frank
Smith.
The objections to Mount Vernon Square
include not enough space, in ten years it will be too small, destruction of the historic
Shaw community, no parking, heavy traffic in a residential area, additional taxes from
businesses, it will benefit the hotel and restaurant associations more than the District,
a genuine concern about who will really get the jabs, Union Station North is more
suitable, noise and pollution from buses and trucks, and no maximum price, which is
demanded by law.
The Shaw Coalition will be filing a class
action law suit against the Washington Convention Center Authority and the Council because
they continued to collect taxes for two years even though the law forbade them to do so;
when it was brought to their attention the Council wrote another law that they thought
would excuse them from breaking the first law.
Back to top of page
Ward 8 is full of talent. If a talent scout were to go
to Ward 8 he would select Joyce Scott as the next star.
As a performer Scott uses her first name,
"Rowena."
A standing room only crowd turned out to
see her perform at the Players Lounge, in May. Her back up band was Jim Bennet and Unique
Creation Band and Show, with Lady Mary.
The band has a song out, "What's Goad
For the Goose is Good For the Gander."
The group consist of a drummer, 2 key
boards, bass guitar, acoustics and lead guitar.
Rowena dazzled the crowd in a leopard
print jump suit.
James Curtis provided the buffet style lay
out, served on the outdoor patio, that included salads, cold cut platter, venison,
chicken, fish, hot dogs, ham, rice, cabbage, macaroni salad, rolls, hoagies, pie, cake,
and punch.
Many Ward 8 'movers and shakers' were
there.
Rowena performed her rendition of
"Love Makes a Woman," "Tonight's the Night to Make Me Your Woman,"
"Dr. Feelgood," "I'll Take You in There," "I'll Always Love
You," "Respect," and "Proud Mary."
The price for an evening of elegance was
only $10 and $15.
Many of Rowena's friends said as long as
they have known her, they did not know she could sing. She got several standing ovations.
Once her set was over most of the people left, although the band had another set to play.
The band's leader Jim Bennet sang
"Booty Call," as Phillip Pannell was the Fred Astair of the dance Booty Call.
Back to top of page
Marthell Dean, 24, was sentenced to
two life sentencing, without parole, for the murder of Officer Brian Gibson, 27, on Feb.
7, 1997, near the IBEX Night Club on GA. Ave., NW.
Dean was ejected from the IBEX by the
club's security. Shortly thereafter Gibson was shot as he sat in his marked cruiser. Dean
contends he was not the killer.
Gibson's death reopened the question of
the need for the death penalty in the District. This time it'll be proposed for the
killing of a law enforcement officer.
Back to top of page
The Kinlows, Eugene and Tonya, school
board member, of Ward 8, threw a house party on May 2, at their home on Second Street SW,
to support the DC AIDS Ride.
The 350 mile, 4 day bicycle ride from June
18 to June 22, raised money for the Whitman-Walker Clinic and Food and Friends.
Where there is money to be made, there
you will find Rosalind Wheeler Styles, from organizing weddings to relocating public
housing residents.
Styles and former HUD employee, I. Toni
Thomas, have teamed up to help David Gilmore, Court appointed Housing receiver, to
dislocate Frederick Douglas and Stanton Dwelling public housing residents.
The plan is to combine the two
developments.
The tenants will be given vouchers for
relocation, the present tenants will be given first right of re-entry. A four year
development plan has been discussed for the completion.
The stipulation for re-entry is a
"Return Policy." The "Return Policy" means the present tenants who are
in good standings can return.
A tenant and former resident council
president said the policy will deny most of the tenants from re-entry, because many of
them are not in good standing, they have been late on their rent, and involved in criminal
activities, mainly drugs.
Styles and Thomas are telling the tenants
everything they want to hear. Things like low finance rates, fund assistance, minority
contracts, grants, training, and cooperative businesses. They are feeding them and
throwing parties for them.
The meetings and parties are usually held
at Turner Elementary or Johnson Junior High School, with food and drinks.
Parties are held for the tenants, with
food and drinks, are smoke screens to take their minds off of reality, and to soften the
blow to the majority of the tenants who will not be returning to the redeveloped
community.
Frederick Douglas and Stanton Dwellings
are not the first developments in Ward 8 to be uprooted, and families dislocated.
The plan appears to be to move the poor
and underprivileged residents out of the city.
Sheridan Terrace, Valley Green,
Ridgecrest, and Parkland are among the complexes that gave tenants hope, until they were
moved out, and a switch of plans were made, and most of the previous tenants were never to
return.
Parts of Parkland is still vacant. Valley
Green will break ground in August, for it's new homes. Sheridan Terrace is still leveled.
Ridgecrest is being replaced with $100,000+ homes.
The poor and underprivileged have no
recourse against big businesses, rich uncaring landlords, or David Gilmore, Court
appointed receiver, and god over the public housing.
Back to top of page
Mayor Barry held a meeting to hear the
citizens opinions on a prison in the District, preferably in Ward 8.
At the onset of the meeting a group of
angry citizens held a protest in front of 1 Judiciary Square, against a prison being built
in the District; Ward 8.
The cross section of citizens got a little
rowdy as the meeting progressed.
During one outburst Barry told the group
to "just chill."
Margaret Moore, director of Dept. of
Corrections, councilmembers Sandy Allen, Frank Smith, Jack Evans and Hilda Mason were
present.
The economic, social and historical
aspects of a prison in Ward 8 was discussed. Linda Moody, City Council at-large candidate
and chairperson of the "Prison Fact Finding Task Force," gave a long speech on
the history of prisons.
Some attenders complained of the lengthy
speech.
Moody beckoned one of her fellow task
force members, James Bunn, to join her in the front; he refused.
Joyce Scott, songstress and activist, was
for the prison being built in Ward 8. She said if it was there it could be regulated
better; rehabilitation of the inmates can be observed closely; and there would be an
assurance of decent and proper treatment.
Eugene D. Kinlow, is against the Ward 8
location for the prison. He has led protests, and has spoken out at many hearings against
the proposed Ward 8 prison site at Blue Plains.
At the mayor's meeting he made it clear
that Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) is buying off anyone of significance, who
would probably stand against the Ward 8 site if CCA's money was not involved.
Kinlow also made reference to the jobs
that would be brought to Ward 8, "Yes, it will bring jobs to Ward 8, but it won't
create jobs for Ward 8 residents. Only 30% of the employees at Lorton are District
residents, anyway."
Kinlow said it, loudly and clearly, that
Ward 8 residents are being dumped on.
"One Page At A Time" received a
plan by B & L Consultants, dated Jan. 15, 1998, that was written to be presented to
CCA. The plan stipulates various programs that should be implemented by CCA that would
serve the community better if the prison is built in Ward 8.
B & L Consultants are James Bunn and
William Lockridge.
B & L's plan outline field
operation/outreach, lobby operations, business operations, administrative and analysis,
and advisors.
The field operation and outreach will
gather support for a correctional facility from family members of inmates, unions, and
contractors with DC correctional facilities; they will educate various established groups
on benefits of a correctional facility in DC; and develop a distribution center to educate
District residents; and a letter and telephone bank operation to lobby ANC, City Council,
and Congress.
Administrative and analysis units will be
responsible for the day to day operation and coordination of all issues.
B & L also had an outline that would
give CCA an overview of an economic development plan for the Ward 8 community to review,
that includes creation of a business equity fund to invest in start up businesses;
micro-loan programs; building contractors fund to help minority contractors with bonding,
insurance and material cost; business assistance program; commercial facade renovation
program; home improvement loans as low as 3%; after school programs; job training
programs; and job training and entrepreneur programs for ex-offenders and welfare
recipients.
B & L's proposal has been ignored.
Back to top of page
The tuition for special education
services at private schools were late.
A court order required all tuition
payments be made by the 25 of each month.
School officials said they were waiting on
a Medicare reimbursement.
School administrator said the lack of
funds came after school officials shorted the special ed program by $32 million.
Back to top of page
President Clinton vetoed a voucher
bill for the DC Public School system that had already been passed by Congress.
The voucher bill would provide poor
parents of about 2,000 public school students up to $3,200 each to pay tuition at private
and parochial schools.
Clinton said, "The program would pay
for a few selected students to attend private schools. We must strengthen our public
schools, not abandon them."
Back to top of page
District officials may increase the
public school system funding by $121 million, a 25% hike, after numerous personnel member
dismissals.
When councilmembers Sharon Ambrose and
Kathy Patterson perused the proposed school cuts they planned to insert language
forbidding school officials to increase class size; cut pre-kindergarten or full-day
kindergarten programs; or eliminate guidance counselors or librarians.
DC School Superintendent Arlene Ackerman
said there will be no reduction in early education programs or librarians.
In June Ackerman started laying off about
one in four employees, 175 in central administrators and staff.
Her plan to root out suburban students who
attend DC schools can ultimately decrease class sizes.
Back to top of page
Earlier this year, before Julius
Becton, Chief Executive Officer of DC Public Schools, retired, an attractive brochure was
put out by the mayor and the Mayor's Office of Religious Affairs that focused on a 7 point
plan, in partnership with the Faith Community and the DC Public Schools.
The seven points focus is:
- Address the needs of DC Public Schools.
- Promote literacy.
- Partner with a school.
- Promote math, science and technology.
- Support education through community outreach.
- School leaders are available to speak to the community.
Financial support.
Their vision is to make the public
school system exemplary by the year 2000. STARTING NOW!
AND
Value First has developed a partnership
with Birney and Moten Elementary school teachers to help perfect youths academically and
socially.
With the proper funding, they are trying
to infuse this system in every school. Many schools are standing in line for the program
to reach their schools.
A grant proposal was submitted to the U S
Dept. of Education, but was declined.
Part of the program is reciting the Value
Code, which takes about 90 seconds. It includes the following key words, with a
descriptive sentences: HONESTY, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, SELF-CONTROL, HARD WORK, SELF-
RESPECT, CONCERN FOR OTHERS, TOLERANCE, COOPERATION, FAIRNESS, FORGIVENESS, COURAGE, AND
SELF-KNOWLEDGE.
Back to top of page
Theodore J. Forstman and John Walton,
Wal-Mart heir, donated $6 million to the Washington Scholarship Fund (WSF) last October.
This money is in addition to $200 million donated by two other businessmen, in June.
This year WSF received applications
from 7,500 students for 1,000 available scholarships. The average income of the eligible
families was $18,000. They made room for 2 more elementary school students, Rahim and
Khadijha Berkley. Forstman said the public schools is a monopoly that is really awful, and
an alternative will give public schools competition.
Critics claim that privately funded school
voucher programs rescue some children while forsaking others, and that the focus should
remain on public schools, so they work for all children.
Back to top of page
One hot, humid, muggy night in a far south
east corner of the District sat a small inconspicuous night club by night, restaurant by
day, Players Lounge.
On this hot sticky night a mayoral
candidate, Kevin Chavous, was honored with a fund raiser.
When you walked in the door people were
wall to wall, the smoke was so thick it looked like a heavily fogged night. The drinks
were plentiful. The conversations were as numerous as the people. Laughter filled the air.
Several candidates, in different races,
were there, skinning and grinning, kissing up, and befriending anyone who would lend them
an ear.
A cover charge was paid to enter the back,
where the actual fundraiser was held.
Once you made it pass the crowded bar
area, you came upon a small dance floor, with a juke box, filled with the latest and old
school jam CD's.
At a table next to the juke box, and
immediately before you entered the back room, at a table, three feet from the door that
led to the back, sat Cora Masters Barry, with one of her cohorts, Rosalind Wheeler Styles.
Masters Barry had everything except a
counter, as she took a head count of everyone who entered the back room to mingle with
Chavous.
Speaking of the spook who sat by the
door....
Masters Barry spoke to few, but in her
mind photocopied every face in the place, and memorexed every conversation she could
overhear.
Once her face was sighted, it would occur
to you that the man standing at attention by the door was her security.
Remember, Masters Barry has become an official
Williams-ite.
Back to top of page
Ernest "Ernie" Brooks is running for DC Board of Education,
at-large. He believes training and education is a priority. He has tutored students in
financial planning and the stock market. He has developed job training programs for
students and parents.
He co-chairs "Ernie Brooks DC Coalition for Change," and is a
director of the "Fighting 54th."
His goal is to make a difference in
how all students are treated, and to improve their educational habitat.
LAST ISSUE. ONE PAGE AT A TIME
WILL RETURN AFTER CAMPAIGN. |