TWO PUBLIC SAFETY-RELATED TOPICS OF SPECIAL CONCERN TO ME
ARE THE FOLLOWING:
 
 

ANC3E AND POLICE CAMERAS -- MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED

I was dismayed to read in the Northwest Current that ANC3E  took a vote
to oppose the MPD's use of closed-circuit cameras based solely on a
presentation by the ACLU and without any information from the MPD.  I am
concerned because the ACLU is on a crusade to stop use of these cameras
even as some neighborhoods in the city are begging for pilot projects to
use the cameras in certain crime hot spots.

I would like to see a test use of cameras along parts of Wisconsin
Avenue where the incidence of theft from autos is especially high and
around the Wisconsin/Jenifer  and other Metro areas  where armed
robberies occur from time to time. I am talking about cameras in public
places, not in private areas. I am also talking about a test of a year
or two to see if they are effective and if they are a practical way to
discourage these crimes in these areas.

But I am especially interested in having the community learn more about
this program -- what it includes and what it does not include. The ACLU
has a very definite point of view and they are not open to any use of
these cameras for any purpose. We need to know more about what the
police can do with the cameras and how they plan to do it in ways that
do not step on our rights as citizens.

Therefore, I am respectfully asking the ANC Chair, Amy Bauer, to invite
representatives from the MPD to a future ANC meeting to tell us about
these cameras. Whatever decision is ultimately made by this community
regarding the use of these cameras needs to be done in the light of full
information, not after hearing from just one very passionate side of the
issue.

If you agree with me that we should have more information, please feel
free to contact Amy and the other commissioners. They can be reached as
follows:

     Single Member District -- 01
     Amy Bauer McVey - Chair
     4600 Albemarle Street, NW
     Washington, DC 20016
     Home: 202-966-7047
     email: abauer4600@aol.com

     Single Member District -- 02
     Amy Hoang
     4831 Western Ave, NW
     Washington, DC 20016
     cell: 2/215-8556
     e-mail:  amyhoangdc3e02@aol.com

     Single Member District -- 03
     Chapman Todd
     4445 Harrison Street NW
     Washington, DC 20015
     cell: 202.258.2186
     email: chapmantodd@yahoo.com

     Single Member District -- 04
     Lucy Eldridge
     4104 Legation Street NW
     Washington, DC 20015
     home: 202-363-0354
     email: lucy.edlridge
     @verizon.net

     Single Member District -- 05
     Matt Helfant
     4201 Massachusetts Ave NW
     Washington, DC 20016
     home 202-686-0411
     e-mail: matt.helfant@dc.gov
 
 
 
 
 
 

CAN CHIEF RAMSEY REALLY CONTROL CRIME IN THE CITY?

Much has been made of Chief Charles Ramsey's new raise and what it means
in terms of reducing crime. Let me say that I think he has one of the
toughest jobs of any law enforcement official anywhere. Because this is
such a political city, he has the privilege of being second- guessed by
both local and federal officials as well as the residents of the city
and daily commuters from Maryland and Virginia. And that doesn't even
include his own troops.
Wow!

Below is a Washington Post editorial which rightly takes members of our
City Council to task for attempting to link  his new contract and salary
increase to council-created performance goals.

One particular part of  the Post's argument that really resonates with
me is: "The police chief does not have sole responsibility for curbing
crime in the District. Prosecutors, judges, schools, community groups
and the home also play important roles."

I can't begin to count the number of times that I have heard police
officers complain about:
1.) Residents who won't cooperate in investigations; witnesses who won't
come forward
2.) US Assistant Attorneys who refuse to paper a case when the officer
knows the guy he has  just arrested committed the crime
3.) Judges who grant bail to people who have committed crimes while out
on previous bail and who the officers know will continue to commit
crimes while out on bail
4.) Corporation Council for not taking stronger action against juveniles
who are habitual offenders and who commit violent crimes

And so on and on. Obviously, if I were hearing it from the AUSAs, the
judges, or the Corp Council, the tirade would be against the police and
other parties. Each side has its  reasons. My point is that the criminal
justice system may start with an arrest, but after that, the police pass
control of the suspect on to other branches, over which Chief Ramsey has
no control.

There is plenty that Chief Ramsey can do for the Metropolitan Police
Department, but it would be naive and intellectually dishonest for the
Council to hold him accountable for what happens before the crime is
committed and after the arrest is papered.  Putting bad guys away does a
lot toward preventing crime. The MPD has control over only part of the
process.

It would be a real crime if the City Council chased off one of the best,
if not the best, chiefs of police we have had in a long, long time. They
need to forget this idea. He's already accountable to the Mayor's
performance goals.
 
 
 
 

WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL
-------------------------
Why Only the Chief?
Tuesday, May 13, 2003; Page A18

AD.C. COUNCIL MAJORITY is  reportedly not inclined to keep Police Chief
Charles H. Ramsey on the job without linking his new contract and salary
increase to council-created performance goals. Apparently it matters not
to city  lawmakers that the chief is already operating under performance
goals established by Mayor Anthony A. Williams. Nor do council members
seem concerned that legislating performance standards into Chief
Ramsey's  contract would single him out for treatment that is
unprecedented both for members of the mayor's cabinet and for the
nation's urban police chiefs. This is not to say there aren't legitimate
reasons to be concerned about the city's rising homicide rate or the
perception that the police force is helping to protect federal
Washington at the expense of neighborhoods. But we question whether the
council, by rewriting the chief's job description, would be making the
best use of its legislative powers.

The police chief does not have sole responsibility for curbing crime in
the District. Prosecutors, judges, schools, community groups and the
home also play important roles. If council members insist on tying an
official's compensation directly to performance goals, why limit the
exercise to Chief  Ramsey? How about legislatively imposing performance
standards on each agency director and top manager in the District
government? After all, community frustration isn't confined to the
police department. In the minds of  most residents, a visit downtown to
the Department of Motor Vehicles isn't exactly a trip to Happy Valley.
Nor is there much cheering and applause at the mention of the Department
of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, the Child and Family Services Agency
or St. Elizabeths Hospital.

What's more, if a majority of city lawmakers should reach the conclusion
that, henceforth and forever more, compensation of public officials
should be tied to performance standards, then council members must not
end their labors with the executive branch. In fairness, the council
must include itself. Under the Home Rule Act, the council has the power
to create and define the duties and responsibilities of government
agencies, and it has broad oversight powers. Applying the council
majority's logic, shouldn't lawmakers' compensation be tied to the
performance of the city's bureaucracy? Slow snow removal, late leaf
pickups, long inspection lines -- why shouldn't they all result in
reduced council paychecks? The possibilities are endless.

Or have we, as is said in some circles, stopped preaching and gone to
meddling? That same question might be applied to the chief's contract.

 c 2003 The Washington Post Company
 

--- END ---

COMMUNIT-E
May 16, 2003
 
 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MAY FAIR TOMORROW
AND THE SCOOP ON SCOOP THE POOP
From:   Lisa Wackler <gatorwack@yahoo.com>
For those folks interested, the gentleman's name whor runs the "Scoop
the Poop" program is Phil Carne, and his phone number is 202-462-2776.
"Scoop," the mascot, is scheduled to be at Turtle Park's May Fair on
Saturday, May 17th (rain date: May 18th).  Perhaps we can get the word
out!

On a related note, we are still looking for volunteers for May Fair.  If
anyone could lend us a couple of hours, please email us at
volunteersMF2003@yahoo.com or at our website: www.turtlepark.org.
Many thanks,
Lisa Wackler
President
 
 
 

CHAPPELL TREE STORY
From:  Catherine J Wiss <schumannwiss@juno.com>
Elly Kelly, author of a children's book about a tree by the former
Chappell house at the corner of Albemarle Street and Nebraska Avenue,
will be reading her manuscript in the children's room of the Tenley
Library on Saturday, May 17, at 2:00 pm.  She will also read portions of
Judith Beck Helms' Tenleytown to set the stage...and has made a collage
of home artifacts etc. to create a sense of place.  Could her book be
about  the grand old white oak behind the new townhouses on the banks of
Soapstone Creek?  All are invited to hear her reading!
 
 
 

FREE BASEBALL CLINIC - RFK STADIUM - SUNDAY, MAY 18 - 1-4
From: "Floto, Mary Ann (EOM)" <maryann.floto@dc.gov>
Free Baseball Clinic     Sunday, May 18      1-4 p.m.   RFK Stadium
Come play ball in RFK Stadium.  Learn how to hit the baseball hard and
throw it fast!
Bring your glove!    Get instruction and autographs from:
3-time All Star Jimmy "The Toy Cannon" Wynn
Detroit Tigers' Darrell Evans
Washington Senators' Fred Valentine     Twins' Steve Lombardozzi
 For more information please call 202-544-3273 or e-mail
dclegends4youth@yahoo.com
<mailto:dclegends4youth@yahoo.com>
 

FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS TRANSPORTATION STUDY
From:  "Smith, Colleen (DDOT)" <Colleen.Smith@dc.gov>
The next community meeting for the Friendship Heights Transportation
Study will be held at St. Mary's Armenian Church on Monday, May 19th
from 7 - 8:30 pm. The consultants will
present information on the data collection. We're looking forward to
receiving comments from the community. Thanks!
Colleen Smith
Ward 3 Neighborhood Transportation Planner
District Department of Transportation
202-671-2228
 
 
 

BENEFIT CONCERT FOR LISNER HOME
From:  "Polly King" <pking@lldhhome.org>
THE LISNER-LOUISE-DICKSON-HURT HOME FAMILY COUNCIL
 and THE INSTITUTE OF MUSICAL TRADITIONS cordially invite you to attend
a BENEFIT CONCERT featuring THE BLUE RHYTHM BOYS
Sunday, June 8, 2003    four o'clock in the afternoon
THE UNITARIAN-UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, 10309 New Hampshire,  Avenue Silver
Spring, Maryland    All donations are welcome    Minimum : $20 Advance -
$25 Door
Please make your tax deductible check payable to The LLDHH Family
Council
Mail to:  The LLDH Home Family Council Fund,  5425 Western Avenue,
Northwest     Washington, D.C. 20015     (202) 966-6667 Ext. 3309
 
 
 

TENLEY TOWER SITE DECLARED ENDANGERED HISTORIC PROPERTY
From:    "David Rotenstein" <davidsr01@mindspring.com>
Thru: tenleytown@yahoogroups.com
On Friday evening (9 May 2003), DC Preservation League announced its
annual list of endangered historic properties. It was announced that the
former Western Union building at the site of the partially built
American Tower structure in Tenleytown is on its "Watch List" of
endangered historic properties in the District. For more information,
browse to:
www.dsrotenstein.com/html/tenley2003.html  DSR.
_________________________________________
David S. Rotenstein, Ph.D.
Consulting Historian
Silver Spring, MD 20901
E-mail: davidsr01@mindspring.com
Web: http://www.dsrotenstein.com
 
 
 
 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

**** From: "Joanne Levine" <joannelevine@earthlink.net>
Would you please post a notice that Mike Kulesza, dba Lawns of
Excellence, is no longer taking work in the District  (and also remove
him from your master list in the gardener/landscaping category the next
time you issue it ). Thanks
 
**** From: "kayandpaul" <kayandpaul@erols.com>
Lawn service: I recommend Valter Schleder -- He has a small company
whose name I don't remember.  His phone number is 202-237-6338.  He has
done our lawn for several years, and is reliable and quick.

**** From: "Elinor Green and Joel Hunter" <greenhunter@starpower.net>
I can recommend Jim McKay for all kinds of work around the home:
painting (inside and out), gutter cleaning, yard work, snow removal,
etc. He has helped us for years. Phone 301-414-1494, cell 301-466-5633.

**** From: "Ann Eichenberger" <aeichenberger@mindspring.com>
Looking for an expert knitter in A.U. Park, Tenleytown or Spring Valley.
I am looking for someone that can teach me how to do "short rows,"
cables and lace-like patterns. Willing to pay for lessons. Contact me at
202/363-7417 or aeichenberger@mindspring.com.
 
**** From: <LRol@aol.com>
I am trying to find an electrician. Any recommendations?
Lori Rolnick

**** From: "Jim" <Clutch3906@starpower.net>
This may be an odd request.  Does anyone know where I can buy
FLAT-HANDLED toothbrushes?  I see a conspiracy between toothbrush
holders and toothbrush manufacturers  All I can find are those fat,
rounded ones that don't fit in my holder.
Jim Holway

**** From:  <Meliss9437@aol.com>
Can someone recommend  a dentist who takes MAMSI health insurance and
who is
the Tenleytown or Cleveland Park area? Actually Friendship Heights would
work
too. thanks, Melissa
meliss9437@aol.com

**** From: <Susanjaquet@aol.com>
EXCELLENT CARETAKER SEEKS FULL-TIME, LIVE-IN POSITION, caring for older
person or children. Extremely responsible, and dedicated to her work.
Good cook, willingly does light housekeeping and laundry. Speaks English
and Spanish. Non-smoker, quiet, discreet, great sense of humor. A gem of
a person, available immediately.  She cared for a family member of mine
for over a year-- HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION possible! For information
contact Susan Jaquet, 301-229-4000 ext. 246 (office) or 202-686-0029
(home). Susanjaquet@aol.com

**** From:  Connie Kurihara <jerry_kurihara@yahoo.com>
For Sale: 1986 Honda CRX Si, 85,000 mi. One owner since 1990. Sunroof,
but alas a broken AC. $2000 or best offer. Call Jerry at 202-966-4955
thanks

**** From:  anjinsan@geotrees.com (Geotrees)
WANTED - A USED CAR.  Looking for a basic Japanese car, a Toyota or
Honda perhaps, in its comfortable middle age; 10 to 15 years old with
reasonable miles on it.  Manual transmission and air conditioning, but
no fancies needed.  It should be able to pass muster at a good,
independent diagnostic shop.  Email to anjinsan@geotrees.com.

**** From: "Alice.Thurston@usdoj.gov" <Alice.Thurston@usdoj.gov>
Sunny, one bedroom Dupont Circle apartment for rent, starting early
June. Beautiful west-facing bay window, overlooking leafy street.  Close
to metro stop - ideal for young professional new to D.C.  Wall-to-wall
carpeting, in-unit washer/drier, dish washer, central air conditioning,
Jacuzzi. $1600.  Please call Alice at (301) 717-1755.
 
 
 
 

NEED FOR PUBLIC TRASH CANS
From:  <skropf@att.net>
Re: dog owners
As a dog owner myself, I agree that folks need to pick up after their
dogs. That said, I do put the baggie (always tied tightly) into other
people's  supercans.  Going beyond the obvious fact that these are
DC-owned cans on DC  property, I do this because there is not A SINGLE
public trashcan anywhere in AU Park. There used to be one at 49th and
Albemarle that we would always use, but it mysteriously disappeared.
I'd happily use a public trashcan if one were available. Does anyone
have any insight on why there aren't any public trashcans in our
neighborhood?  The issue, of course, goes beyond just dog  owners but
also others who may be dropping their trash on the ground because they
don't have another place to put it.  A few conveniently placed trashcans
would alleviate the tension between dog owners and supercan protectors.
 
 
 

TREE PLANTING MEETINGS
From:  "Dan Smith" <dsmith@caseytrees.org>
Casey Trees is doing a series of  neighborhood meetings  (through July
1) to present
city-wide and neighborhood findings from a comprehensive inventory of
the city's street trees. The meetings are the first step to involve
citizens in building a re-greening plan that will begin with Casey
Trees-sponsored tree plantings in every Ward of the city next fall. This
is a big step on the path to filling the 23,000 spaces that need street
trees in DC, but will only succeed with the interest and involvement of
residents from every neighborhood in the city.

The next meeting  will be on Monday 5/19 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Details and updates are available at www.caseytrees.org. For more
information contact Amy Thorn at 202/833-4010 x100 athorn@caseytrees.org
 
 
 

REOPENED AVALON MOVIE THEATER
From:  "Alec McRae" <admcrae@erols.com>
I heartily recommend a visit to the renovated and beautifully
refurbished Avalon Movie Theater on upper Connecticut Avenue in DC (5612
Connecticut Ave., NW).  The theater has been beautifully and faithfully
recreated in its original Art Deco style including the striking ceiling
fresco.  The new seats are larger and more comfortable with more leg
room and wider aisles between them than before, otherwise all is
faithfully recreated.  All this was done by the efforts and
contributions of local residents, after Cineplex Odeon closed the
theater down a while ago.  It makes one proud to be a Washingtonian!
 
 
 
 

COUNCILMEMBER KATHY PATTERSON'S NEW WEBSITE
From: "Pagano, Penny (COUNCIL)" <Ppagano@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>
Councilmember Kathy Patterson now has an updated web site.  Please check
out the new site by clicking on www.kathypatterson.org
<http://www.kathypatterson.org>  and add it to your list of bookmarks.
You can also access the site by going to the D.C.
Council's home page, www.dccouncil.us <http://www.dccouncil.us>  and
clicking on "Council Members," and then clicking on "Kathleen
Patterson."
We welcome your feedback, as we will strive to regularly update and
improve
the site.
 
The following are some of the new or expanded features:
*       a wide range of Ward 3 information, including community
resources, constituent services, my Ward 3 monthly newsletter, and
information about Ward 3 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners;
*       legislative information, including a summary of the legislation
I have introduced and its current status, as well as a separate page
describing the activities of the Judiciary Committee, which I chair;
*       and links to the D.C. government home page and the D.C. Council
home page.
----------------------

THE PATTERSON NEWSLETTER
Councilmember Kathy Patterson (Ward 3)
Email:  KPATTERSON@dccouncil.us
For more information, contact:
Penny Pagano (202) 724-8062
Email: PPAGANO@dccouncil.us

E-Newsletter #17
Vol. III - May 7, 2003
DIRECTORY OF TOPICS
Council Approves Budget for fiscal year 2004
No New Taxes = No Tax on Health Club Memberships
Council Postpones Action on Master Business License/Registration Program
Council Takes Action to Open Klingle Road
Council Approves BZA Nomination of Ruthanne Miller
MPD To Establish New PSA Boundaries
Free Smoke Detectors
Community Information
 
 
 

THE BRAZIL BULLETIN
 From:  "Heilbron, Shana (COUNCIL)"
<SHeilbron@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>
 In This Week's Issue:
Council Passes Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Request Act of 2003
Brazil Supports Opening Klingle Road
Woodridge Civic Association Members Talk Politics With Brazil
Brazil Attends Groundbreaking for Greater Washington Urban League
Seven New Main Street Programs Announced
"Team Baseball" Offers Presentation to Council
Gold Star of the Week
Bonehead of the Week
 
 
 
 

RERUN OF IDEA FOR UPPER WISCONSIN AVENUE
From: <TROINC@aol.com>(Chip Levy)
Thanks for running the piece (below) last week; I had a number of good
responses, so the message is getting out there.  I mentioned in the copy
that I'd collect reactions for a couple of weeks; could we run it one
more time?  The more responses, the more representative the view.
_______________________________________________________

An Interesting Alternative for the Proposed Upper Wisconsin Avenue
Corridor Community Center

Home-based workers seeking community?  Start-up, step-up entrepreneurs
seeking support and "safety in numbers" opportunities?  A place for the
learning community and community learners to congregate?  Retail space
for brainpower freelancers?  An "open space" building for whatever the
community needs it to be?  Open university?  Enterprise center?  Town
hall?  Public forum?

As an outgrowth of the Upper Wisconsin Avenue Corridor Study, there's
been some preliminary discussion about creating a community center (as
well as an architectural and metaphorical center of the community) in
the "Middle Wisconsin" section (bounded by Chesapeake and Harrison
Streets).  Those discussions took several directions âÇ" a traditional
multi-use center (like the Chevy Chase Community Center), a creative
arts center (like Alexandria's Torpedo Factory), a traditional community
small-town "town hall" (like Glen Echo's), etc.

Another discussion direction focused on an emerging model that responds
to the increasing number independent workers (writers, editors,
consultants, project staffers, designers, financial planners, etc.) in
the national economy in general and in the Washington area in
particular, including our little part of the Realm.  It's an interesting
and rapidly-growing crowd.  A goodly number of those have expressed in
interest in support of one kind or another âÇ" shared workspace,
schedulable conference and meeting rooms, access to business expertise
and resources, informal intellectual and social networking
opportunities, insurance and purchasing programs, learning facilities
and opportunities, performance, display or demonstration spaces, and
others.  Congregating this range of interests, needs, and opportunities
could create a very interesting mix and could become an innovative and
stimulating community resource, unique in the area.

Would you, or someone you know in the area, be interested in being a
part of such a venture?  In what ways?  What kinds of things from above
(or something else?) attracted your interest?  What kind of work do you
do (or are considering)?  We're interested in getting a quick read on
the subject by anybody interested in taking advantage of a resource like
the one this might become.

To help this discussion along, I've agreed to accumulate and summarize
the responses from the community and to forward them to Robert Collins
at the DC Office of Planning, and to the HOK/StreetSense team.   Send
your interests, ideas, name & email to Chip Levy, TROINC@aol.com in the
next couple of weeks (by May 22?).  Thanks.
 
 
 

COMING MUSIC EVENTS
 From:  Brian Jones <bjones@levineschool.org>
---  Pianist Anna Ouspenskaya at Levine School of Music performing the
works of
Frederick Chopin   Wednesday evening, 7:30pm, May 21st  The Jane Lang
Recital Hall  2801 Upton Street NW DC  $15.00 suggested donation
program
Ballade No. 3 in A-flat Major, Op. 47
Scherzo No. 2 in b-flat minor, Op. 31
12 Preludes, Op. 28
Sonata for cello and piano in g minor, op. 65
(with 'cellist Igor Zubkovsky)
 
----
May 18: OPEN HOUSE! Visit a Levine near you in Northwest & Southeast DC,
Virginia, and Maryland. Meet faculty, apply for scholarships, musical
face painting, and performances. Click here for the each location's time
and schedule.
 
May 18: Competition Winners Recital. Come hear the winners of the 2003
Cogen Concerto Competition and the upcoming Marlin-Engle Solo
Competition. Previous winners have gone on to win major awards such as
the NSO Young Artist Competition and the Fischoff National Chamber Music
Competition.  2pm FREE
 
May 23: The Encore Series at Levine School of Music presents edgEnesmble
in The Jane Lang Recital  Hall, 7:30pm. The Washington Post had great
things to say about this group's George Crumb event in  March. $15.00
Order your ticket online!
 
May 28: It's Levine's Silver Anniversary! Join us as we celebrate 25
years of music for all ages at the  Almas Temple Club in NW Washington
DC., 6:30pm

June 14: "Various Variations"
WHAT: Piano Duo Recital, Immanuela Gruenberg & Bonnie Kellert pianists
WHEN: Saturday, 1:00 pm 14 June 2003
WHERE: Levine School of Music
COST: free
INFO: 202-686-9772 or www.levineschool.org
 
 
 

--- END ---