COMMUNIT-E
April 9, 2004
MEETING ABOUT JANNEY SCHOOL PROPERTY
From: Anne Sullivan <acsullivan@starpower.net>
"There will be a community meeting at Janney Elementary
School (4130 Albemarle St., NW) on Wednesday, April 14th
at 7:00 PM. The topic will be the concept of selling off part
of the Janney school land to a developer in exchange for school
renovations and/or expansions. The meeting is open to the
public, and the format will be an "open mike" discussion.
Please plan to attend." Thank you very much,
RE: DC FUNDED TRANSLATORS
From: burchard.robert@epamail.epa.gov
I was disappointed to read in today's Post that the Council unanimously
voted to fund translators for government agenices. This is a luxury we
can't afford. What particularly bothers me is that while money is found
for this, parents at Janney Elementary are having to pay for all the
school supplies and toilet paper. After the basics like the schools
are taken care of, then we can pay for extras like translators.
2D COURT REPORT
From: Stephanie.Bragg@usdoj.gov <Stephanie.Bragg@usdoj.gov>
The 2D Court report for March 2004 is now available. If you
would like to view it, please reply via email or call (202) 282-0584.
Thanks,
Stephanie Bragg, Community Outreach Specialist
SEA CHANTERS CONCERT AND ART OPENING
From: shirley moyer <smoyer@erols.com>
The Sea Chanters, the 20-voice chorus of The U. S. Navy Band in
Washington, DC will perform a variety of music in a free concert on
Sunday afternoon, April 18 - 4:00 p.m. Metropolitan Memorial United
Methodist Church, 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW. 202-363-4900.
Immediately following the concert, the audience is invited to adjourn to
The Great Hall for a reception and to view "Space: Inner and Outer," an
exhibition featuring the works of Kate Higley and Meg Sopher Stallings.
The exhibit runs through May 16.
ARTISTS/CRAFTERS NEEDED FOR GLOVER PARK DAY, JUNE 5
From: Judie Guy, Gpgazed@aol.com
On Saturday June 5, the Glover Park Citizens Association will sponsor its
15th Annual Glover Park Day on the grounds of Guy Mason Rec Center at
Wisconsin and Calvert Streets NW. We have space for talented artists and
craftspeople to exhibit and sell their work. Fee for space is inexpensive
and
you keep all your profit. We get a great crowd in each year, because we have
live music all day (11 to 5), prize drawings, food from local restaurants,
kids'
activities, a big flea market, and, of course, unique arts and crafts for
sale. If
you're interested in selling your art or craft at Glover Park Day, contact
Judie
Guy at gpgazed@aol.com.
COUNCILMEMBER KATHY PATTERSON'S E-NEWSLETTER
#27, APRIL 7, 2004
From: Pagano, Penny (COUNCIL) <ppagano@dccouncil.us>
DIRECTORY OF TOPICS
Council Action on Schools Delayed Two Weeks
Mayor's FY 2005 Budget Includes Items for Ward 3
Ward 3 Resident Receives DC Bar Award
New Legislation For Public Safety and Historic Preservation
Fire Chief Proposes New Fire Station for Ward 3; New Contractor for
Tenleytown
Judiciary Committee Report Proposes Guidelines on Protests, Infiltration
Mayor Signs Patterson's Evidence Bill
Legislation Introduced to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Sexual
Assaults
WASA Considers Plan to Accelerate Replacement of Lead Lines
New Bill to Expand Domestic Partner Benefits
Legislation Introduced to Strengthen Child Support Enforcement
New report released on Child Fatalities
City Offers Tax Credit to Lower-Income Homeowners
Water Quality and Storm Drains
City Museum Seeks New Slogan
Community Information and Events
BELOW ARE TWO ITEMS FROM HER NEWSLETTER
---------------------------------
PATTERSON INTRODUCES BILL TO RAISE PUBLIC SAFETY
CONSIDERATIONS FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION
On Tuesday, Kathy was joined by Chairman Cropp and Councilmembers Adrian
Fenty, Jack Evans, Sharon Ambrose, Kevin Chavous, Harold Brazil, and Jim
Graham and introduced "Historic Preservation Process for Public Safety
Facilities Amendment Act of 2004." This legislation amends the Historic
Landmark District Protection Act of 1978 by establishing a new historic
preservation review process for public safety facilities such as fire or
police stations owned by the District of Columbia.
"The legislation attempts to gain a better balance between public safety
and
historic preservation, Kathy said. In Ward 3, there has been prolonged
dispute concerning the Tenleytown Fire Station in Ward 3, including a debate
over the historic designation. In 2001, a citywide group petitioned to have
the building declared historic, which the Historic Preservation Review Board
approved. Subsequently, the contractor hired to build the renovated station
defaulted and has claimed in litigation that the historic designation was
the factor that drastically increased costs. "While I do not agree with
that contention, it is surely the case that the historic designation led
to
a protracted process," she added.
At the same the citywide group petitioned to have the Tenley station deemed
historic, they also requested similar designation for 17 other facilities
located in every Ward of the District. These 17 fire stations plus
Tenleytown constitute half of all fire stations in the District. Other Ward
3 fire stations included in the 17 facilities deemed historic are Engine
29
at 4811 MacArthur Boulevard and Engine 31 at 4930 Connecticut Avenue.
-------------------------
FIRE CHIEF PROPOSES NEW FIRE STATION FOR WARD 3;
NEW CONTRACTOR FOR TENLEYTOWN
Ward 3 residents are in line for a new fire station as well as a new
contractor for Engine 20 in Tenleytown. D.C. Fire Chief Adrian Thompson made
the commitment to Kathy to seek funding in the capital 2006 budget for an
additional Fire/EMS facility in the upper Wisconsin Avenue corridor closer
to the Maryland line. Chief Thompson said he envisions construction of a
facility to house a "quint" which is a combination ladder/pumper and an EMS
vehicle. "With additional growth anticipated in this area of Ward 3, it is
welcome news that there will be a new fire station so that the public safety
of our city's residents won't be compromised," she said.
The Fire Dept. and top city officials have started the process to select
a
new contractor for Engine 20 in Tenleytown with bids to go out this month
and construction expected to begin this summer. The new contractor for the
Engine 20 Tenleytown will replace the original company whose contract was
terminated by the city.
Chief Thompson also assured Kathy that the current plan for Tenleytown will
provide residents a modern state-of-the-art station that meets both public
safety and equipment needs. The Fire Dept. insists that redesigning the
station now to include a three-bay facility would prevent construction of
a
basement and significantly decrease total living space for fire/EMS staff.
"With the administration's decision not to revisit the Tenley plans, and
the
prospect of another fire station in Ward 3, I believe the best course is
to
move ahead with a new contractor for Engine 20," Kathy said. "Public safety
demands that we find a way to move ahead as quickly as possible to get
Engine 20 built. The residents of Ward 3 have waited long enough see a new
Engine 20 fire station instead of the few decrepit walls now standing. It's
time to move ahead and get this done."
<http://www.dccouncil.us/patterson/pages/prinfo/prTievskyTenlyFirehouseLette
r31804.html> Click here to read Kathy's letter to Friendship-Tenleytown
Citizens Association.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
**** From: Christie Constantine <cconstantine@probono.net>
GARDENING INSTRUCTION SOUGHT: New to the neighborhood,
new to gardening. We've inherited a lovely yard w/ mature landscaping,
including climbing roses, hydrangea, azalea and more. Garden needs
some TLC. Would love to barter home-made baked goods or equivalent
treat in exchange for pruning and care instruction. Thanks!
**** From: Yvette Herrera <YHERRERA@cwa-union.org>
I am looking for a guitar teacher for my nine year old.
Any recommendations. markvet@erols.com
**** From: Ellis, Susan S <EllisSS@state.gov>
FIG BRANCHES to give away. If planted in good earth, they will become
trees. I should have written much earlier but I still have a green garbage
bag full of small branches I've had pruned from my 2 large fig trees and
my
experience is that they take root and become trees very easily.
5340 42nd St. – The bag is out front. Just come and get them.
**** From: Janet Stern Solomon <dr.j@erols.com>
MOVING SALE! We're going from a house to a condo and MUST SELL some
furniture. Queen bed with matching night stand, nearly new: $300. Many
other items: chairs, bookcases, desks, dressers, coffee table, etagere,
lamps and lots more. Any reasonable offer will be considered. Call or
write for an appointment: 202-362-2346 or dr.j@erols.com.
Thanks!
**** From: Mary Haney <mary.haney@erols.com>
I am particularly eager to find as soon as possible a highly recommended
carpenter. Suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
**** From: Elizabeth Schickedanz <elizabeth_haile@hotmail.com>
For all of you who have recommendations for handymen or
service stations, etc., be sure to go to www.checkbook.org
and recommend them. This is a great resource for any services
in our area, and adding to the database helps make it more useful
for all of us. I have found great recommendations this way from
where to get appliances to where to get furniture refinished.
Thanks!
**** From: StarAKA4U@aol.com
Pavilion Health and Swim Club is sponsoring a Blood Drive on
Wednesday, April 21st 11am-2pm at the Embassy Suites Hotel
in the Chevy Chase Pavilion. We need participants to sign up as
soon as possible to make this Blood Drive a success. To sign up
please call the Pavilion Health and Swim Club @ 202-362-9300
ext.262 Thanking you in advance for all of your support.
Sincerely, Tonya Walton-General Manager
**** From: Robert Hyman <roberthyman@erols.com>
FOR RENT-Glover Park modern, bright and clean one bedroom
basement apartment for rent available June 1st 2004. Includes
washer/dryer, small rear yard, motion security lighting, generous
closet and storage space, wired for cable TV and phone,
air-conditioned, and located on Metro Bus Route, only ten
minute walk to restaurants, grocery and other stores. Call Robert at
202-270-1757 to see. $1,000 plus 1/3 utilities per month
MORE ON DANGEROUS INTERSECTION
From: MMoverman@aol.com
Another thought on the Fesseden/River/45th intersection:
I'm not sure about the rush hour, but I do know that the
back-up from the lights at River and Western leaving the
district only occur when there is a car parked in the 2 or so
spaces in the section between the lights. If those spaces
were eliminated, all the extra traffic on 45th and Garrison
would immediately go away. The inconvenience caused to
the 2 houses on the section would be vastly outweighed by
the saftey gains.
RE: ABANDONED CARS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
From: Shari Lawrence Pfleeger <spfleeger@earthlink.net>
This is in response to the problem of abandoned cars in the
neighborhood. I have had similar problems with abandoned
cars on our street, and I have gotten the same kind of response
from DC Police. But a few months ago, for a car with Maryland
plates, I called the Maryland State Police. At first, they told me
it was a problem for DC police. But I said that there is probably
someone in Maryland who reported a car stolen and is worried
sick, and the Maryland police are looking in Maryland for it when
it is just a few blocks over the border in DC. The clerk said okay,
he'd look into it. Not ten minutes later the DC police were
examining the car, and it was indeed a stolen car reported in
Maryland. It was towed away that afternoon. I know that this means
doing the police's job for them, but if it gets abandoned cars off our
streets, I think it's worth it.
RE: THE ABANDONED AUTO POLICY.
From: Erik S. Gaull <egaull@starpower.net>
The law requires that owners be given sufficient notice to
retrieve their vehicles before being towed. While this may
seem like a major inconvenience, imagine the inconvenience of
having your car towed and scrapped or sold when it had been
stolen and deposited on a DC street without your knowledge.
While Mr. Holman is right that one could check the license
plate (if one is on the car) or the VIN, often these do not
lead to the proper owner. You may remember that I had
previously written about the dangers of donating a car to a
charity? This is an example of what happens. Another
problem is that people buy cars at salvage auctions and then
fail to title them, preferring instead to use fradulent
temporary tags or license plates stolen from another vehicle.
When I was in the Mayor's Office, I worked very hard on the
abandoned auto issue. It is surprisingly complex, with no
easy answers. Councilmember Schwarz has been against a
reduction in the waiting period (which we had favored
reducing), on the fairness grounds. Questions pertaining to
this time period really should be directed to her office.
One of the frequent problems associated with abandoned autos
is that everyone assumes that someone else has called in a
complaint about it. I recommend that people not assume
this. Call in the complaint to the Mayor's Call Center (727-
1000). If the car is already in the system, then another
notation to that record will be added. If not, then you will
have done your neighbors a favor.
I hope this helps.
CITY WIDE ANC E-MAILS
From: Robert Hyman <roberthyman@erols.com>
I am trying to get the e-mail serve list for all ANC's city wide to formally
announce the Storm Drain Marker Project. Does anyone know how to get this?
Robert Hyman
SPRING 2004 STORM DRAIN MARKER PROGRAM
From: Robert Hyman <RobertHyman@erols.com>
What should you know about storm drains? Storm drains are designed to
take rainwater and snowmelt away from streets & sidewalks to prevent
flooding. Nothing but water should go into storm drains. Trash,
debris, motor oil and other materials that get into the storm drains
pollute local rivers and streams and clog up the storm drains causing
flooding. To raise public awareness about this problem, The DC Soil and
Water Conservation District Citizens' Advisory Committee will place 60
bi-lingual (English, Spanish) storm drain markers in each of the city's
eight wards, on storm drains that are highly visible and storm drains
that are frequently overburdened with trash and debris. These colorful
and durable plastic decals are easy to install, cannot be scratched or
damaged and will last for 10 years.
HOW CAN YOU HELP IMPROVE WATER QUALITY OF OUR
RIVERS & STREAMS?
** Contact DCSWCD-CAC at 202-342-5485 or roberthyman@erols.com
to suggest
where storm drain markers should be placed in your neighborhood and to
volunteer to help install them; and:
** Make sure nothing goes down storm drains except water or snow melt.
How? Don't put anything in storm drains. Keep trash, dog poop, motor
oil, etc. off streets, sidewalks, yards and parks.
** Organize regular neighborhood cleanups. If needed, ask DPW for trash
bags, brooms or other help by calling 727-1000, or make an online
service request at http://www.dc.gov/citizen/request.shtm.
** Call WASA at 202-612-3400 if a storm drain in your neighborhood
appears to be clogged. Ask WASA to come and clean it out so water can
flow in freely.
** Call 727-1000 to report related problems in your neighborhood,
including illegal car repair operations, trash dumping, and excessive
trash in yards, streets, or alleys, or report online at
http://www.dc.gov/citizen/request.shtm.
** Call 727-1000 to learn the dates of special DPW hazardous waste trash
collections held twice a year.
** Copy this flyer and give it to neighbors, community groups, libraries,
schools, businesses, churches, and others.
The DCSWCD-CAC is comprised of DC residents representing each of the
eight wards, selected by Mayor Williams to provide the DC Soil and Water
Conservation District Board with citizen input on soil and water
conservation issues, needs, and problems of concern in each ward, and
further to identify and coordinate available technical, financial, and
educational resources for the purpose of sponsoring related projects or
activities. The Storm Drain Marker Program is being made possible with
funding from the DC Department of Health, Watershed Protection Division
and in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
For more information on the Storm Drain Marker Program or to discuss
environmental concerns in your neighborhood, contact Robert Hyman,
DCSWCD-CAC Chairman, at roberthyman@erols.com or 202-342-5485.
WHAT ELSE, BESIDES LEAD, IS IN OUR DRINKING WATER?
From: Kathy Smith
I found the following item, that had been published in themail@dcwatch.com,
more than just a little interesting. I recently attended a lecture by someone
from USGS who also mentioned toxic compounds in the Potomac that are
not necessarily taken out in the water treatment process. I also kayak on
the river and participate in clean-ups from time to time. The barrels and
containers of who-knows-what that we come across are not encouraging.
What’s in those containers? What’s in the river that we don’t find?
How do we find out what contaminants are in our drinking water, before
and after treatment?
-----------------------------------------
POTOMAC RIVER WATER IS TOXIC AT TREATMENT INLET
Eddie Becker, eddie_becker@yahoo.com
Before this latest lead scare broke out, I had a chance to interview some
fishermen
and women at Fletchers Boat house. Fletcher is less then a mile from Washington's
water treatment facilities at Dalecarlia and McMillan Water. The poor health
of the
fish is directly related to the declining health of the Potomac, which may
be a significant
factor as to why the quality of the drinking water is unhealthy.
This is what the people I interviewed believe:
1) Everyone has been advised not to eat the
fish near Fletchers Boat House. The Potomac may appear to be cleaner, but
it is laced with
all sorts of invisible pollutants in the form of pesticides, chemicals, and
heavy metals.
2) Fish are being caught with cancerous lesions.
3) The fish in the Potomac must be restocked every year. Few successfully
reproduce in the
rivers toxic environment.
4) The EPA requires that sediment dredged from the Potomac be treated as
toxic waste.
5) The water has become more acidic. Old rock carvings that have survived
hundreds of years
have completely dissolved over the last few years.
6) The Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the water treatment facilities,
has underplayed the extent and severity of World War I chemical weapons contamination
found
buried in Friendship Heights and American University communities. The neighborhood
is skeptical
of their test methodology and promises. The closest potential sites for the
discharge of concentrated
pollutants nearest the Water intake pipes include the nearby Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA)
and the newly named National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), housed
in the old Defense
Mapping Agency headquarters just up river. Both agencies use inks, solvents
and computer coolants.
Just up river is the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock (NSWCCD),
http://cryptome.org/nswccd-eyeball.htm,
which holds the worlds largest indoor test tank, the
3200-foot David Taylor Model Basin test tank, http://www50.dt.navy.mil/reports/oil_tests/,
which
does a variety of test that sometimes use volatile chemicals, fuels, and
heavy metals.
You can listen to the interviews with Chris Snider and Paula the River-keeper,
broadcast on the
WPFW Radio, Voices with Visions show, at
http://images.indymedia.org/imc/washingtondc/media/audio/12/92194_river_keeper.mp3.
Please allow a few minutes this MP3 audio file to download. Its total time
is 8.5 minutes. Join the
discussion at http://dc.indymedia.org/images/downloadable/92194_river_keeper.mp3.
--------------------------
Eddie, have you had a chance to verify any of this information? It's
very disturbing but not necessarily true. You need to get additional data
beyond what the fishing people believe.
Kathy Smith
--------------------------
Dear Kathy, Glad you responded - My report is almost all anecdotal, but point
to areas for
further research.
The water we drink is drawn from the river just north of Fletchers. That
river water, at the
point it is drawn into the water treatment facility, is not tested for heavy
metal or chemical
pollutants.
1) Pollutant release is usually sporadic. Holding tanks are emptied in the
dead of night, during
storms or when there is flooding. There should constant testing of the water
for a broad spectrum
of pollutants to detect these concentrated releases. The monitors should
be placed at set
distance up from the drinking water treatment plants. The idea is to isolate
the origin of the
pollutant. Therefore, if toxic chemicals appears at mile 8 up from the treatment
facility but not
at mile 9, environmental forensic investigators might quickly identify the
polluter.
2) Major installation upstream from the Water treatment facilities need to
be closely monitored.
They need to account for how they handle all their wastewater, chemical storage
tanks etc. Many
facilities are rather old and these tanks need to be checked for leakage.
In order for it to be
credible, there needs to be independent verification.
3) Even with all the monitoring - the water may still be contaminated from
run off and unexpected
leaks etc. Therefore, the water treatment facilities will need to develop
the technology to filter out a
broad spectrum of pollutant not just biological.
Eddie Becker
CC : river keepers - Treatment Plant Designs
– END –