FIRE HOUSE SURVEY -- CONTINUED

Last Friday I ran a survey on the Tenleytown Firehouse issue. As of 8:30
Monday morning, I have received 108 responses to this survey. Thank you to
all who have already participated. I urge you to weigh in, if you have not
already done so. I will bring the results to the ANC3E meeting this Thursday,
November 16 at 7:30 at St. Mary's Armenian Church. Happily, my plans have
been changed so that I will be able to attend the meeting after all.

Please send your survey response to me by noon on Wednesday, November 15 so
that I will have time to tally the results.

For the history on this issue, please see last Friday's COMMUNIT-E.

Once again, here is the survey:
 
 

FIREHOUSE SURVEY

There is no additional affordable land available for a Firehouse. The present
site is where the Firehouse will remain. In each case architectural plans
have been drawn to create an aesthetically pleasing building that reflects
the character of the neighborhood. Aesthetic appearance is not at issue. What
is at issue is the size of the finished building and whether or not it uses
the existing structure as part of  the final building. Which scenario do you
prefer?

1.) All new, state of the art, larger building that can house more vehicles,
including an additional ambulance or rescue vehicle. It can hold up to 5
large vehicles.  It would have 3 bays, all of which can be entered from
behind the building and exited out the front (drivethrough). At present all
vehicles must back in from Wisconsin Avenue. It would hold room for expanded
services. It would have a large basement with sprinkler room, training room,
separate utility rooms, and a laundry room. It is expected to cost about $3.5
million. This is what the firefighters want.
 

2.) A design that renovates the older part of the existing Firehouse and adds
an addition. This design will be smaller because the present building does
not maximize  the available lot space. It will have 2 1/2 bays of which two
will be drivethrough. It can hold up to 4 vehicles. There would be no room
for expanded services.  There will be no usable basement space except for
utilities. It is expected to cost a bit more because of renovation costs -
$3.7 to 4 million.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS OF THE LOCAL ELECTIONS!

And thank you to all who have given so much time and energy to participate in
these elections.  At least you know if you have won or lost.
 
 

IONA HOME MEAL DELIVERY TO THE HOMEBOUND
From:   DBrownle@iona.org (Denise Brownlee)

Holiday Meal Delivery for Home Bound Seniors
IONA Senior Services delivers meals and cheer to home bound seniors on
Thanksgiving and Christmas Day at no charge.  Registration for this service
needs to be completed by November 17 for Thanksgiving meals and by December 8
for Christmas meals. If you know of a home bound senior in need of this
service in your neighborhood, please call IONA's Information and Assistance
Office at (202) 895-9448.

Denise Brownlee
Director of Marketing
IONA Senior Services
(202) 895-9457
dbrownle@iona.org
 
 
 

HELPING OUT A NEIGHBORING 'HOOD
From:   MERowse@aol.com  (Mary Rowse)

WEBSITE DESIGN ASSISTANCE NEEDED
Could some kind person  help me set up a website for PSA 201 (Chevy Chase and
Forest Hills)?  Lt. Eaves at the 2nd District is the head of our PSA and
wants to set up a website separate from the official metropolitan police
department one (although still hosted by it), so he can control what goes on
it.  The PSA201 site would discuss crime that has occurred and how to protect
ourselves, exhibit photos of people to watch out for, etc.

Please contact me if you can help or know of anyone who might.  Thanks.
Mary Rowse  MERowse@aol.com  or 362-9279.
 
 

WEBSITE OFFER FOR HOME REPAIR PEOPLE
From:   Jacobymary@aol.com  (Mary Jacoby)

I've had a hard time finding good home repair people and appreciate the
recommendations posted in COMMUNIT-E under the heading Community Bulletin
Board. All this has given me an idea: What about a community web site devoted
solely to such recommendations? I wouldn't mind putting one together if
people think it would be useful. It would be a way of consolidating and
updating information on good (and bad) home repair people. It could have
categories for things like roofing, yard work, plastering, etc. w/
recommendations and reviews. The idea would be to consolidate the
word-of-mouth information so no one has to fly blind anymore by picking
randomly from the Yellow Pages. The site could also post warnings about whom
to avoid. I would appreciate hearing if you think this is a good idea or not.
I wouldn't want to waste time on it if nobody cared. Send me an e-mail.
Thanks, Mary Jacoby/ Jacobymary@aol.com
 
 

DOG ISSUE AT 38TH AND YUMA
From:   cameron@attglobal.net (Cameron Griffith)

On November 6, a coalition of North Cleveland Park residents sent a letter
to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) board of
directors in opposition to a new no dog walking policy instituted last
month by WMATA on a vacant lot owned and maintained by WMATA on the
northwest corner of 38th and Yuma Streets, N.W.  The neighbors strongly
object to WMATA's decision to post the signs, as well as the manner in which
the decision was made.  The group urged WMATA to remove the no dog walking
signs, and replace them with a reminder to pet owners to scoop their pet's
poop.

WMATA indicated that the signs were posted largely in response to complaints
by a person living adjacent to the WMATA property regarding a rat problem
believed to be caused by dog feces not picked up by those whose dogs played
in the area.  Further, WMATA stated that no public input was solicited on
the decision to implement the "no dog walking" policy.

All dog owners should obey the law, and pick up after their pets.  However,
blaming dog owners for the proliferation of rats in the area is unjustified.
Our neighborhood and other parts of Washington, D.C. are currently
experiencing a rat problem, which has been attributed to a variety of
causes.  Indeed, in a message that appeared in the October 31 edition of the
COMMUNIT-E newsletter, Cindy Snyder, whose property is adjacent to the WMATA
lot, stated that she had to remove black-eyed susans in her own yard because
they were providing food for rats.  Signs reminding people to pick up after
their pets would address Ms. Snyder's concerns without penalizing pet owners
and others who have enjoyed using the WMATA property at 38th & Yuma Streets
for many years.
 
 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

****   From: skodon@zzapp.org (Emil Skodon)
I'd like to recommend Crescent Electric.  We called for emergency service
this morning and the on-duty electrician, Greg Marsh, showed up in 30
minutes.  He was professional, took the time to explain what our problem
was and how he intended to fix it, then did the job very rapidly and
competently.  The whole job was done only 90 minutes after our initial
call.  The phone number for Crescent is 202-363-7100.
 

****   From: akgulian@ix.netcom.com (Laura Akgulian)
Re Will O'Brien's question about tree trimming: Wayne Anderson and his crew
do terrific work. They're prompt, friendly, polite, and efficient. It took
some doing to tame our unruly 100-year-old silver maple. Wayne actually
bonsaied the tree! Now it looks beautiful--and healthy--again. His #:
301-926-6281.
 

****   From:  aajacks@starpower.net (Aaron Epstein)
I'd like recommendations for a handyman able to set tiles, fit doors, install
a ceiling fan and repair a concrete walk.
 

****   From: Noguru81@aol.com  (Kaid & Sharon)
We are seeking interior design recommendations. Our Tenleytown house needs
some sprucing up and so does our furniture, which has consisted for too long
of pieces cobbled from our previous homes.  We have very eclectic tastes and
lots of books and a large music collection to store.  We are looking for
someone to help us sort through options and priorities on such issues as
updating floors, lighting and windows, installing new storage systems, and
choosing new color schemes and furniture, all on a limited but not tiny
budget.  Thanks very much.
 
 
 

STREET PROBLEMS REVISITED

Reno Road
From:   mma1126@hotmail.com (Mary  Abate)

This responds to Nick Blanchett's e-mail regarding traffic on Reno
Road.  I have lived on Reno Road since 1983, and I can attest personally to
the fact that at least every six months there is an accident at the Reno
Road intersection with 39th Street.  Without question, there should be
either a four-way stop or a traffic light there.  I think that the place to
start working on a solution is to bring the problem to the attention of the
ANC, either by letter or at one of the monthly meetings.
 
 

Opposed to speed bumps on 41st St.
From:   clyerly@odonoghuelaw.com

On Sunday, Nov. 5th, a person came to my door requesting that I sign
a petition for speed bumps to be installed on 41st Street.  I am in
opposition to speed bumps on 41st but would like to see them on Belt Road,
instead.  I tried to explain that on Belt Road (between Chesapeake and
Fessenden. Streets) has a far greater need for drivers to be made to slow down
(especially delivery drivers).   I suggested that an additional Stop sign
be erected at 41st & Ellicott Streets.  I would like to bring to everyone's
attention that 41st Street is used by the Fire Department and Police as an
alternate route in certain emergency situations.  I  would not like to see
their efforts delayed by speed bumps!  They can go through Stop signs
easier.  We  need to reconsider how many existing stop signs there are and
how many blocks apart and please look at that section of Belt Road instead.
Our residential roads are rough enough without being made bumpier!  Thanks.
 
 

River Road/ 45th/ Fessenden
From:   NancyLeRoy@aol.com
To: NDBlanchet@aol.com

It's very difficult to get the District to pay attention to neighborhood
traffic problems.  We have a similar fast traffic, commuter problem at the
intersection of River Road, Fessenden Street and 45th.  We have sent signed
petitions to the Bureau of Traffic Services, and complained to Kathy
Patterson when no answer was received.  Her office wrote.  Still no answer.
More phone calls, etc.  We were told by someone that stop signs, lights, one
way streets, etc. cannot be implemented without traffic studies, petitions,
neighborhood consensus, etc.  Yet, a traffic light was installed at Ellicott
and Wisconsin between the Safeway and a gas station.  No neighbors there.
And, of course the giant tower was going to go up with nobody asking us.

It appears if you live in NW DC on a commuter route to and from Maryland, the
convenience of commuters is more important than safe neighborhood streets.
Some years ago Reno Road was two lanes south in the a.m. and two lanes north
in the p.m.  Residents were unable to cross the street.  They protested by
getting in their cars and driving up and down Reno road at 25 miles an hour
(the speed limit).  The road was finally changed back to two lanes, although
people still speed.

Cars heading up or down River Road approach speeds of 50 miles an hour, many
of the them now zipping down 45th street as a short cut to River and Western.
 We expect this situation to get a lot worse if the property at Geico is
developed as planned.

If anybody has an clout or suggestions, we all would appreciate it.
Nancy LeRoy    (202)362-8803       fax (360)397-1125