Closing Yellowstone
Dear Park Rangers:
Bureaucracies know how to confront and confound budget cutters. My
favorite true story was that whenever the federal budget proposed a
funding cut for the National Park Service, the Park Service would
respond with its Old Faithful list of spending reductions. Reliably,
right at the top of the list, year after year, would be two things:
cutting the hours of service at the Washington Monument and closing
Yellowstone Park for a few weeks during the summer. Whenever the
bureaucracy gets to devise the plan, services to the public will be
slashed savagely before anybody in the bureaucracy loses a job, and the
most popular services will be the first to be cut. The DC Board of
Education's press conference this week promised as much: cut us and the
school system won't lose a single $100,000-plus-a-year mid-level manager
-- but we will cut school hours, buy no new school books, close
neighborhood schools, and throw some of the cutest kids into the
streets.
I know that poring over tables of numbers is painful and boring, but
before you buy the story that the DC government has been slimmed down
and the upper and mid-level bureaucracy cut to the bone, look at the
figures on DC government staffing and pay levels prepared by Natwar
Gandhi, the Chief Financial Officer, at the request of Councilmember
Kathy Patterson [http://www.dcwatch.com/issues/budget01.htm].
Then let me know if you don't agree that we can cut the budget and still
keep Yellowstone open next summer.
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
###############
As reported in the press, the Council has scheduled a public hearing
Friday at 10 a.m. in Council chambers at the Wilson Building on the
proposed spending reductions and tax increases to meet the District's
$325 million budget gap for the fiscal year that begins October 1. There
are two other issues I've put on the table for discussion with Council
colleagues and Mayor Williams, both raised during our March hearings on
overspending by Executive branch agencies: (1) the proliferation of mid-
to upper-level managers in mayoral agencies, and (2) a similar
proliferation of costly consulting contracts. Information I requested
from the Chief Financial Officer in March showed that the seven large
overspending agencies had, in just seven months, added 224 persons at
the rank of DS 13 and above, or salaries ranging from $55,000 to over
$100,000. That was a 24 percent growth in such positions at a cost of
$15 million or more in pay and benefits. More recent payroll runs which
I'm analyzing now substantiate the earlier numbers. How we address this
“layering up” in the government is a challenge, and something I will
focus on during the Friday hearing.
Data produced at my request by the Office of Contracting and
Procurement indicates that the Williams Administration is spending well
over $100 million this fiscal year in consultant fees across the
government. In many instances work undertaken by consulting firms is
important and can strengthen the government in the future, but in other
cases it appears to be a duplication of current responsibilities of
existing government employees. This, too, will be part of the Friday
hearing. For my part I will continue to resist any increases in District
income taxes. The surcharge proposed by Mayor Williams is modest, but
takes us in the wrong direction in convincing current and prospective
residents that the government is committed to reducing the overall tax
burden at the same time we work to improve government services.
###############
Surprise, Surprise
Ed T. Barron, edtb@aoldotcom
There are two things that really bother me about the budget shortfall
announced just a few weeks before the new budget must be submitted to
Congress. The first of these is the late notification that the District
was almost $400 in the red. With all the computers supposedly tracking
income and outgo, why did we not realize that the budget was in trouble
at least six months ago, when steps could have been taken to get the
deficit under control? Major corporations have quarterly reports to
announce where they stand each quarter, and at least honest companies
have a good feel for exactly whether they are in the black or in the
red. Then they take the appropriate steps to avoid losses. It may be
that our computers work but no one is watching the store.
The second thing that bothers me is that we will now do what is the
tradition in DC when things get tight. Services that are badly needed
will be cut. There are no long-term efforts to correct the real
problems: too many people doing less and less. When services are cut, we
will still be paying the salaries of the bloated payrolls in the
District. People will just have to work less hard in tough times. The
right way to get the District sound financially is to do away with this
bloated bureaucracy and do more with fewer people. Getting rid of all
the middle managers by changing the organization into a team-based
structure would be a great start, as would be replacing these
non-effective managers with real leaders. This is a real opportunity for
Tony Williams to become a hero. He needs to reform most of the major
departments in the city. It would be a prudent and bold move to evolve
the most dysfunctional organizations into a team-based structure, at
least on a pilot basis. Without that we are destined to see services cut
or taxes raised. Both these approaches will either stop the inflow of
tax paying people to the District or cause more disaffected and viable
citizens to leave.
###############
Closing the Deal on the Budget Deficit
Dorothy Brizill, dorothy@dcwatch.com
The mayor and the council have been meeting this week to reach a
consensus on how to close the $323 million budget deficit in order to
move a revised FY 2003 budget to Congress by October 2. On Friday, the
council will hold a public hearing on the budget proposals, and next
Tuesday it will take a formal vote on the revised budget.
There have been some interesting developments already this week
regarding the budget deficit. 1) DC Public Schools, not known for its
fiscal or administrative ability, held a press conference on Tuesday.
The message: don't cut DCPS's budget, but close the deficit by draining
the “rainy day fund” and by imposing an “education tax,” a
five-percent surcharge on the income tax that would be dedicated to DCPS.
The surcharge would become an independent revenue stream for schools. 2)
Kathy Patterson raised the issue of staffing and pay levels in the DC
government as a major item in balancing the budget (see her posting
above). 3) On Wednesday afternoon, the DC Board of Education canceled
their long-planned major groundbreaking ceremony for the McKinley Tech-Ballou
Senior High School that had been scheduled for the next day, Thursday
— responding to Councilmember Kevin Chavous' recommendation that $1.8
million in funding for the McKinley project be eliminated. 4) It became
clear that several departments and agencies overspent their budgets in
FY 2002. For example, DCPS acknowledged a “structural deficit”
(overspending) of $45 million for the year. The Department of Mental
Health had a deficit of $30 million last year, and is overspending by
millions again this year. Nobody controls overspending; the money is
simply reprogrammed from other agencies that stayed within their
budgets. The District of Columbia needs to enact its own Anti-Deficiency
Act, mirroring the federal Anti-Deficiency Act, but with more teeth,
holding administrators accountable for creating a deficit. In July,
Councilmember Phil Mendelson introduced Bill No. 14-811, the “District
Anti-Deficiency Act of 2002” [http://www.dcwatch.com/council14/14-811.htm],
which has some notable loopholes, but which is a good starting ground
for gaining viable control of overspending. It should be a legislative
priority of the Council this fall.
###############
The Elusive Mr. Tangherlini
John Whiteside, johnwhiteside at earthlink dot net
A while back, I posted a tongue-in-cheek article to themail
questioning whether Dan Tangherlini, director of the Department of
Transportation, actually existed, since his department was not
responding to requests or questions from citizens. I got a message from
Mr. Tangherlini assuring me he does exist, and asking what my concerns
were. We had a brief exchange of E-mail about that, and he assured me
that his department would look into the suggestions.
Well, I have heard nothing since, and seen no changes. Crossing
streets near Logan Circle is still a high-risk activity. Lights are
mistimed. Trucks rumble up and down my small residential street,
completely ignoring posted truck restrictions, and there's no
enforcement. I guess in our city government, the squeaky wheel doesn't
get the grease; it gets a nice statement on the importance of the
grease.
###############
Green Car Tax Relief
E. James Lieberman, ejl@gwu.edu
A number of states, including Maryland, charge no tax on purchase of
the new hybrid (gas/electric) cars from Toyota (Prius) and Honda
(Insight; new Civic). The cars are a natural for the city, getting 52
mpg and with super low emissions. The Federal government also gives a
$2,000 tax deduction on purchase of one of these cars. Has anyone
proposed that DC encourage its residents to go this route by dropping
the sales tax on these cars?
[So far, the only proposal in the City Council is the “Alternative
Fuel Vehicle Act of 2001” [http://www.dcwatch.com/council14/14-308.htm],
sponsored by ten councilmembers. This bill would give a tax credit for
cars that use alternative fuels solely and are not capable of operating
on gasoline or diesel fuel; it would not apply to any of the more
practical and widely available hybrid vehicles. — Gary Imhoff]
###############
Like Christina Samuels, I got a $100 ticket for an expired
registration, and like her, I had not received a reminder notice as I
have every year for the last twenty-something years of living in the
District. When I called Councilwoman Patterson's office to complain, I
was informed that sending a reminder notice was a “courtesy” on the
part of the DMV, not an obligation. Of course — how silly of me to
expect rudimentary service when the opportunity to collect a hefty fine
is so available!
###############
DMV = Damn My Visibility
Peter O'Toole, pjotoole at att dot net
Recently received replacement tags, and lo and behold the DMVs subtle
new registration sticker. An absurd design, eliminating square inches of
visibility on the driver's side. And isn't the majority of on-street
parking with right wheels to the curb (I understand one-way streets have
both), making it likely that ticket-writers would approach from that
side? Proposal: put both registration and inspection stickers on diets
and install them on the passenger's side. This will improve drivers'
visibility and keep ticket-writers out of the street (yes — they are
human).
###############
I saw this weekend that the City went from writing 13,000 speeding
tickets last year to 380,000 this year. Wow. Where is all the extra
money going? To pave our streets? Yeah, right.
On second thought, I have a friend in the paving business from out of
town. The last time he was here he was stunned at the condition in which
road crews left temporary patches on major streets. He said he would be
fined $500 a day for some of the infractions. I have been complaining
about the dangerous patch along Reno Road from Porter to Rodman for
almost three years now. I took my friend, who is back in town this week,
down that stretch to show him yesterday and . . . it was paved. I am
completely in shock. Maybe some things do change. Hallelujah.
Went to renew my car last Thursday. On-line first. The site said if I
didn't have a renewal form then I could use my VIN number and plate
number. Filled out everything and was told that they couldn't process.
No explanation but that I had to go downtown. O.K.. Got to headquarters
around 2:00 and was out in nine minutes! No line, nothing. Nice. I think
I got really lucky. I asked why I have not been getting renewal notices
and was told that I was not in the system. They said that I now was and
should be getting one next time. Woo hoo.
###############
So, DC Is Cash Strapped
Ron Eberhardt, rge1022@aol.com
Once again the DC government is crying for money and doing everything
from cutting education funding to raising income taxes. And, once again,
most of us are highly doubtful whether DC spends its $5 billion annual
budget effectively as it is. As a single example, I have located an
on-street parking treasure trove that would generate almost $250,000 per
year were it properly regulated. I speak of New Jersey Avenue, SE, from
the 500 block at E Street in the shadow of the U. S. Capitol and the
Blue/Orange Lines Metro to the 1100 block at M Street in the shadow of
the Federal Center Southwest and the Green/Yellow lines Metro. On both
sides of the street, in these six blocks, there are approximately 200
unregulated parking spaces that are used to the maximum every workday of
the year by commuters for free.
According to the folks at the DC Parking Office, the cheapest hourly
rate they have for meters that allow up to twelve hours of parking is
$.25 for 30 minutes. Thus the user would have to fork over $4.50 for
nine hours (walking/Metroing to and from work). There are about 257.5
workdays in the year. Each meter would generate $1,158.75 per year. The
200 spaces would yield $231,750 annually. This does not count Saturday
or Sundays, which are typically light days for parking in these spaces.
Even if it were doubled to $9.00 per day, it would remain a bargain over
any commercial parking spaces -- if they were available. That of course
would double the annual take to more then one-half million dollars
annually for this single location! So, DC, how many other similar
locations are there in this city? We just might be able to cut the
proposed income tax rise a few bucks per citizen. DC residents are taxed
enough. But, then again, when you're spending $5 billion dollars of the
people's hard earned money, maybe a million here or there doesn't
interest most DC government employees, the majority of whom live
elsewhere anyhow!
###############
Gay Rights Activists Also Oppose the Office of
GLBT Affairs
Bob Summersgill, President, GLAA, summersgill@yahoo.com
I agree with Dorothy Brizill’s many budget cutting suggestions, but
I would like to clarify one error in item 4 of “Balancing the Budget,
Part 2” which states, “Eliminate the various mayor's offices that
exist primarily to gather votes from special interest groups — the
Office of Religious Affairs; Office of Asian and Pacific Islander
Affairs; Office of Veterans Affairs; Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
and Transgender Affairs; and Office of Latino Affairs.” The Office of
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs does not currently exist.
Councilmember Jim Graham has introduced a bill to create it. A hearing
on bill 14-0719 to create the office will be held on October 16. The Gay
and Lesbian Activists Alliance (GLAA) strongly opposes this office as
wasteful and detrimental to the gay community. GLAA is the oldest
continually active gay and lesbian rights organization in the country.
The Office of GLBT Affairs would allow the Mayor to further isolate
criticisms of his programs or policies and set an agenda for the
community. Advocacy, Mr. Graham’s justification for the bill, must be
directed from the community and not from the Mayor’s office. The bill
fails to address a compelling need or present any benefit to the
community. The similar offices of Latino and Asian affairs are justified
by the existence of linguistic and other barriers in those communities
that require special efforts to ensure access to government services.
These factors are not present in the GLBT community except to the extent
that we are members of those communities. GLAA will be working with the
Council to defeat this bill.
###############
Children and Youth Investment Trust
Eric Lashner, Candidate ANC 2E02, anc2eric@aol.com
As for the suggestion that we defund the DC Children and Youth
Investment Trust Corp., I think the idea is preposterous. I worked at a
summer program in Sarsum Corda funded by CYITC and was a summer intern
for the program. In our city where more black males are in jail than in
college, it is vital that every single child has something educational
and productive to do over the summer instead of walking the streets. I
saw the great difference that this program made in children's lives and
I feel that of all things it should be kept. CYITC's funding of summer
programs came from a cut in DCPS summer programs.
###############
I read two weeks ago in the Post [September 9, page B1], in an
article about planned IMF protests for this Friday, a quote from Adam
Eidinger, identified as the Statehood Party candidate for Shadow
Representative. Mr. Eidinger indicated that he supported the shutdown of
the city on Friday and was quoted to the effect that a couple of hours
of delay for DC citizens is reasonable considering the actions of the
IMF and World Bank. I am curious if the Statehood Party supports the
shutdown of DC? I am paid by the hour and totally fail to see how losing
a couple hours of work — my usual route to work is over the Roosevelt
Bridge — is going to help anybody. Mr. Eidinger's ability to represent
my interests is rather questionable to me.
And, by any chance, do any of the Statehood Party stalwarts amongst
themail's readers have any explanation as to why the combined write-in
votes for Williams and Wilson are equal to the votes for the party
mayoral nominee in the Statehood primary? Makes me question Mr. Donkin's
support in his own party.
###############
I'd like to see all those politicians who were running for office in
the primary with leaner pocketbooks. There are still large ads, hanging
from lampposts and on telephone poles, cluttering up our neighborhoods,
all over the city. A $50 a day fine for every day after an election,
just might cause those who blatantly announce their qualifications in
regard to honesty and good citizenship, to make sure their ads are
removed. Has anyone ever been fined, even though a law is on the books?
###############
Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right
Tom Berry, tom@berrybest.com
According to Brown University's Taubman Center for Public Policy, our
fair city government's Web site ranks #8 out of the country's 70 largest
cities. Brown students analyzed 1,567 web sites, or twenty-two sites for
each metro area. Our government may lack in some areas but, by golly,
its Web site is A #8. Top web site belongs to Minneapolis. The list's
anchor is New Orleans. Oh yeah, the study also reports that 11 percent
of sites charge user fees for certain services, 2 percent have
commercial advertising, and another 2 percent have premium services that
require payment for use. Tony, are you listening? You have an untapped
source of revenue in your hands.
###############
The Call Center
Diana Winthrop Gray, newsmaven@juno.com
John Whiteside (“Documenting the Failures”) must not live in Ward
6. I love the city call center and so do my neighbors. It is fast and
convenient. Since its inception, we have had terrific service on
everything from abandoned vehicles, trash , street cleaning, fallen
branch removals, and street lights. It must be the Ward 6 team, though
we always had great service in my northeast quadrant of Ward 6 from the
Public Works people since the Barry years. I am not a Williams fan but
the center wins kudos from me.
###############
DC Board of Elections and Ethics
Eric Lashner, Candidate ANC 2E02, anc2eric@aol.com
As a candidate for ANC and a resident of DC, I've found it very
frustrating that the DC Board of Elections and Ethics has yet to publish
an updated voter roll reflecting the new ANC boundaries that were
approved this summer. According to the DCBOEE's own literature the list
should have been available on August 7. As of September 19, it still
wasn't available. I have had good experiences with the DCBOEE with
everything except its technology department. I can't figure out for the
life of me what it is doing besides not being available. Every time I've
called or visited the DCBOEE someone from technology “hasn't been
in.”
###############
Nondelivery of Mail on the Hill
Joan Eisenstodt, jeisen@aol.com
Like others who have posted, I am convinced something is very wrong.
Outgoing mail (put in post boxes at 4th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, or
in front of the post office in the 600 block of Pennsylvania) and
incoming mail are not getting where they should. Magazines are running,
in many cases, two weeks behind in getting to us. Business mail that I
know was mailed to me has not been received. What can we do?
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
Rendezvous with Ralph Nader and DC Statehood
Green Party Candidates
Parisa Norouzi, dcparisa@aol.com
Saturday, September 28th, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Local 16 Restaurant, U
Street at 16th Street, NW. Admission: $20 contribution for DC Statehood
Green Party Candidates in the 2002 General Election. Organic food
included, cash bar. Ralph Nader is Scheduled to speak at 8:15 p.m.
Remarks by each of the candidates will precede Mr. Nader.
Candidates in attendance will include Steve Donkin, Mayor; Michele
Tingling-Clemmons, Council-At-Large; Debby Hanrahan, Council Chair;
Edward Chico Troy, Council Ward 1; Michael Jollon, Council Ward 3; Gail
Dixon, Council Ward 5; Jenefer Ellingston, Council Ward 6; Joyce
Robinson-Paul, US Senator; Adam Eidinger, US Representative. For more
information, http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org,
http://www.adam4shadow.com. To
RSVP or for more information on the event, call 296-1301 or 232-1724.
###############
Vernon Jordan to Speak at Lunch
Pat Bitondo, pbitondo@aol.com
Vernon Jordan, Jr., will be the luncheon speaker at the Woman's
National Democratic Club on October 25. Lunch is at 12:30, bar opens at
11:30. Cost is $16.50. The Club is located at 1526 New Hampshire Avenue,
NW, one block from the Dupont Circle Metro. To reserve, call Pat
Fitzgerald at 232-7363. Proceeds from this lunch go to the Education
Foundation that is actively involved in assisting Neval Thomas
Elementary School. $6.50 of this lunch if tax deductible. Mr. Jordan
will do some book signing after the lunch.
###############
Community History Presentation
Richard Layman, richlaymandc@yahoo.com
Near Northeast Citizens Against Crime and Drugs, a community
organization centered in the neighborhood north of the Capitol Hill
Historic District in northeast Washington DC, invites community
residents and merchants to a presentation on the findings of the Capitol
Hill North/Near Northeast Cultural and Social History Study. The
presentation will be held in the auditorium of the Capital Children’s
Museum, 3rd and H Streets, NE, at 7 p.m., on Monday September 30th.
Intended to be the first phase of a multiyear effort, this year’s
research focused on developing a broad historical overview of the
neighborhood. The study area is bounded by the Union Station railroad
yard on the west, Florida Avenue, NE, on the north, Maryland Avenue on
the east, and F Street, NE, on the south. This area, part of L’Enfant’s
original plan for the District of Columbia, is comprised of 66 squares
and over 3,500 buildings. This area includes the historic H Street
commercial corridor, which was a prominent shopping Mecca for
African-Americans during the segregation era — home to department
stores, the first Ourisman car dealership, sit-down restaurants, movie
theaters, and a wide variety of other retail services. The project area
includes historic schools and churches, thousands of late 19th and early
20th century houses, and the Uline Arena, which once featured
professional sporting events, dances, lectures by prominent Americans
such as Malcolm X, and concerts, including the first Beatles concert in
the United States.
If you are interested in how and when the neighborhood and its
commercial areas developed, then join us for a lecture and slide show by
Nancy Schwartz, the project’s architectural historian. She will
provide a fresh look at our history and architecture. What you learn may
surprise you! Representatives from the DC Historic Preservation Office
will also be on hand to answer general questions people may have about
their work. The project was funded with the assistance of a matching
grant from the US Department of Interior, National Park Service, through
the State Historic Preservation Grant-in-Aid Program Office, Office of
Planning, District of Columbia, under provisions of the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. To learn more about this
study, the presentation, or to volunteer, please contact Richard Layman
at 213-3971 or at richlaymandc@yahoo.com.
Information is also posted at http://www.hstreetdc.com/cultstudy.pdf.
###############
AIDS Walk Washington
Andy Litsky, Southwest Washington, alitsky@aol.com
The 16th Annual AIDS Walk Washington will step off from Freedom Plaza
on Saturday, October 5, at 9:30 a.m. But confusion with publicity
surrounding Pallota-produced events may be contributing to lagging
registration. AIDS Walk Washington is, and has always been, locally
produced to benefit our region’s main source of HIV/AIDS services —
Whitman-Walker Clinic. AIDS Walk Washington has less than ten days to
reach its minimum fundraising target of $840,000 or Whitman-Walker
Clinic HIV/AIDS programs and services may be in jeopardy. And the Clinic
has already cut $2 million from its budget this year. With 1 in 20
adults in Washington estimated to be HIV-positive, the demand for
services has never been greater. And in nearly thirty years, the Clinic
has never turned anyone away because they couldn't afford to contribute
to the cost of care.
The funds raised by the Walk are vital to providing Whitman-Walker’s
comprehensive array of medical and social support services to thousands
of clients living with HIV/AIDS through four regional health centers in
Northwest, Anacostia, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland. The
Clinic’s HIV/AIDS services include HIV primary medical, dental and
ophthalmology services, mental health and addictions counseling, legal
services, case management, and a food bank. Registration for AIDS Walk
Washington is easy. You can register at http://www.aidswalkwashington.org
or by calling 202-332-WALK. Online registration is $25, which will help
defray the cost of the event, or will pay for the cost of an HIV test or
supply a bag of groceries. Walkers can also register at the US
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, on October 3rd and
4th from 12:00-6:00 p.m. and on October 5 from 7:30-9:30 a.m.
So come walk on Saturday, October 5! Join Delegate Eleanor Holmes
Norton, Mayor Anthony Williams, members of the DC Council, and thousands
of friends and neighbors to support the continued delivery of
comprehensive HIV/AIDS health services to the neediest among us.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — FOR SALE
Quaker Bazaar
Tim Cline, Columbia Heights, timandann@aol.com
Quaker Bazaar, Saturday, October 12, 10-4, Washington Quaker Meeting
House (2111 Florida Avenue, NW, just west of Connecticut, near the
Dupont Circle Metro), adult and children's clothing, toys, housewares,
fine gifts, plants, electronics, computers, bake sale, lunch. All
proceeds go to local charities. Contact: Friends Meeting of Washington,
483-3310.
###############
The Friends of the Cleveland Park Library will hold their annual fall
book sale on Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29, at the Cleveland
Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Avenue at Macomb Street, NW (one block
south of the Cleveland Park Metro red line). The hours are noon to 4:00
p.m. each day. We have thousands of previously owned books, in many
subject categories, all donated by our neighbors. They range from recent
bestsellers to out-of-print treasures, fiction and nonfiction. Most
books are priced at $1.00 for hard covers, $.50 for paperbacks. For this
sale, paperback mysteries, romances, and science fiction will sell for
$.10 each. There are a large number of specially priced books — coffee
table books, first editions, large format art books, etc. We also have
records, CD's, tapes (music and books) and videos, as well as some sheet
music. Sale proceeds go to benefit our branch library. For more
information contact Nathalie Black at nvblack@earthlink.net
or 362-3599.
###############
A friend has a car for sale: 1991 Mazda 626, 87,000 miles, metallic
blue, $1,800 or best offer. Message to Leonore at 237-4300.
###############
Automotive Parts and Bed
Diana R. Winthrop, newsmaven@juno.com
Mercedes muffler; includes brackets for 1985-1989 300 E series
Mercedes Benz. Purchased for $144.00, never used. $100 or best offer.
Ikea full sized Stora Loft bed. Frame clear lacquered pine, includes
ladder and instructions for assembly. Great if you need more space for
shelves or desk. New $400, bought used though never used. $250. Contact
Diana Gray, 399-6541.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — DONATIONS WANTED
A wonderful organization I've been helping in northeast DC, Hope
Manna (Helping Others Prosper Economically), is on the lookout for
donated business clothes and educational/business software for Windows
computers. The organization is also on the lookout for a donated
camcorder (newer or older). This organization gives a lot of support to
the residents of the neighborhood it serves. You can see the director,
Rev. Joyce M. Brooks, in a public service announcement at http://homepage.mac.com/pshapiro101/iMovieTheater2.html
(You need QuickTime 6 to view this video. QuickTime is free from http://www.apple.com/quicktime)
This video is relatively small (4 megabytes) and can be viewed by people
with a dial-up connection, if you exercise some patience. Kudos to Rev.
Brooks for the quantity and quality of work she does in service to
others. She's a veritable tornado of goodwill and an inspiration to all
who know her. Rev. Brook's E-mail address is: jmbrooks@cfaith.com.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Volunteers needed for the Recognizing & Restoring Everyday Heroes
Conference presented by the United States Postal Service for the
employees of Brentwood. Saturday, October 12th and Sunday, October 13th.
Designed to help renew the staff of Brentwood by providing techniques
and skills for coping with the stress they encounter everyday – at
work, at home and at play. Simultaneously, the conference will address
the considerable loss and change the Brentwood employees have
experienced in the past year in the wake of the terrorist attacks.
Pre-conference tote bag stuffing party, Friday, October 4, 10:00
a.m.-12:00 noon, United Way, 95 M Street, SW. Free lunch. Conference
volunteer shifts available: Saturday, October 12, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.;
Sunday, October 13, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Wyndham City Center, 1143 New
Hampshire Avenue, NW. Complimentary breakfast and lunch provided for
volunteers. Metro/bus fare will be reimbursed for all volunteers.
Volunteers will staff the Registration Table for two hours in the
morning and two hours in the afternoon. During the hours in between, you
will sit in on conference workshops to hand out and collect workshop
evaluation forms and ensure presenters have what they need. We would
love if any volunteers would be available both days! But one day shifts
are great too! There will also be a required one-hour volunteer
orientation on Tuesday, October 8th, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., location to be
announced. To volunteer, RSVP to Eryca Kasse, RandRforEveryDayHeroes@comcast.net
or 301-870-8574.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — HELP WANTED
The ARRIBA Center for Independent Living, a Washington, DC-based
nonprofit serving the needs of physically disabled persons, is
recruiting a capable office assistant for a position that can
potentially grow into full time. Flexible work schedule. Requirements:
interpersonal skills, writing ability, sensitivity to needs of the
disabled population, and, preferably, working knowledge of Spanish.
Duties include assisting Executive Director in grant proposal writing
and fund raising; office management and word processing. Available
immediately. Salary competitive. Contact Dr. Cris Covelli, Executive
Director, 667-3990.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — SPACES
Does anyone have any leads on a moderately-priced garage for rent in
the Woodley Park area, with accessibility to electricity?
###############
Basement Efficiency for Rent
Pat Bitondo, pbitondo@aol.com
Located in Glover Park townhouse, two blocks from Wisconsin Avenue.
Furnished except for bed. Separate kitchen. Utilities included.
Approximately 44'x20'. $750.00 per month, minimum six-month lease.
Contact the E-mail above or telephone 337-2843.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS
Last fall our hot water heater burst, flooding part of our basement.
One month later, our toaster, obviously in a political protest,
self-immolated while we were out at a movie. Total claims granted by the
Fireman's Fund: $6000, most of which they willingly paid to a company
called Servpro, which apparently is the Harvey Keitel of cleanup
companies. Now, neither Fireman's Fund nor any other mainstream
insurance company will give us a homeowner's policy. Not even USAA will,
and they already cover us for the car. Apparently, if you make two
claims over a three year period, you are now untouchable.
Has anyone else been recently forced to find other, unheard of
companies, ones who previously only insured the uninsurable? Can we band
together and sue/protest somehow?
###############
It's not easy to recycle videotapes, but it can be done. EcoMedia
Recycling (917 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim, Ca 92805) specializes in
recycling videotapes, and even recycles the cardboard tape boxes! If you
only have a few, it looks like you have to pay the shipping, but if you
have a bunch (coordinate with friends?), they have arranged with UPS for
free shipping. Call them at EcoMedia Recycling Hotline, 800-359-4601,
for the details. More at http://ecomedia.net/recycle.htm.
###############
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