EDITORIAL/ OPINON
The Drama of Smoke and Mirrors on Marijuana Year-End Accomplishments and Thanks It has been pretty good theater. The drama of the last few days over the signing of the spending bill has been used to great effect by Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) and his allies. The last-minute hijinks have given them solid TV time to portray themselves to their constituents back home as the true protectors of the misguided souls in the District, the ones seeking to legalize marijuana for purely recreational purposes. Clearly, Article I, Section 8, of the constitution says that Congress has the power to knock the bill off the rails in any manner it sees fit. But in actuality it (that is, they) didn’t. The House left a gaping hole in the legislation. While the omnibus spending bill states that the District is barred from spending any funds to “enact” the legislation, there is nothing that specifically precludes the District from moving forward as originally planned. The District considers legalization to be “self-executing,” not requiring federal approval. It is unlikely that the omission of the key words was an accident. By not including “carry out” after “enact,” a door was left open by the
The Gray Years
Mayor Gray on the cover of the February 2014 Downtowner. If there was ever a government administration that got off to a worse start than that of Mayor Vincent Gray, it’s difficult to find anywhere. Elected by a wide margin over incumbent Adrian Fenty in 2010, Gray, who had run on a campaign slogan of “One City,” proceeded almost from the get-go to become embroiled in a campaign finance scandal and an investigation into his campaign by the District’s federal prosecutor which has been a part of his term like an unwanted stepchild knocking on the door loudly periodically. Gray ran for re-election, because he felt that
Republican-led House Appropriations Committee allowing D.C. to retain its home-rule autonomy. As an added benefit, the charade gives Rep. Harris the chance to run victory laps around the Beltway for his hard stance against the demon weed. He has the perfect cover when legalization finally occurs: claiming that D.C. thwarted the will of Congress, using fancy, big-city lawyers to exploit a technicality. All the parties may ultimately get what they want, but it isn’t without cost. D.C. residents have been rudely reminded in what little regard they are held by the federal government, which can, on a whim, trample the wishes of 600,000 citizens. It is yet another blow to the body politic, fostering an environment of “them” against “us.” It seems the Feds have failed to learn what Machiavelli expressed so memorably five centuries ago: “Never do any enemy a small injury for they are like a snake which is wounded and it will strike back the first chance it gets.”
he had done a good job and deserved another term. In some ways that’s entirely true: the budget is stable; education reform is moving ahead apace, although not without sporadic controversies; crime on the whole is down; the city is a sea of building projects, with downtown especially transforming itself; Job prospects are better than they have been. The burst of development throughout the city’s neighborhoods has put a damper on Gray’s signature “One City” initiative. It’s seen as gentrification in many parts of the city, widening the gap between rich and poor, and making it difficult for middle class residents to afford to stay in the city as rental and real estate prices rise and towers of condo buildings rise along with them. Gray’s problem was and remains the ongoing federal investigation and its possible resolution in charges for him. Only days before the Democratic primary, businessman Jeffrey Thompson, who allegedly ran a shadow campaign, as part of Gray’s campaign, made a deal by which he implicated Gray. Gray lost the primary election. It’s difficult to judge a mayoral term in which the mayor was the constant focus of an ongoing investigation. But the stewardship of the economy, the relative stability of the city is, all things considered, an achievement that Gray can take some credit for. As he leaves office by Jan. 2, he can take some solace in that, because the city is what it is at least in part because of his role as mayor, not in spite of his political and legal problems. At Dunbar High School, the mayor gives his farewell speech Dec. 17.
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December 17, 2014 GMG, INC.
BY JAC K EVAN S
Every year, the holiday season seems to start a little earlier and glow a little brighter. This year was no different with holiday items in stores as early as September and more tree lightings and public holiday events this year than ever before. But, as we begin the holiday season in earnest, I think it’s important to reflect on the past year and to give thanks for all the blessings we enjoy. Even though I’m elected to be a legislator, I always say half my job is working in the neighborhoods—perhaps the more important half and often the most rewarding. We were able to make some great improvements across the ward this year with renovations to Rose Park in Georgetown, Stead Park in Dupont Circle and Mitchell Park in Kalorama. We saw the beginning of renovations at Hyde-Addison School and the School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens, and the plan to renovate the Stevens School building for use by a school that helps students with developmental disabilities has finally been given approval by the Council. And just this week, we broke ground on Monday for the West End Library. I want to say thank you to all the committed community members who helped make these projects possible. On the legislative side, we rewrote our tax code to lower taxes for nearly every resident
and to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to help those at the lower end of the income spectrum, and we increased the minimum wage in the District to $11.50 in three annual step increases. These two measures will help promote affordability, diversity and accessibility within the District. Also, of particular importance in Ward 2, my bill to incentivize businesses to buy trash compactors (and prevent rats) passed the Council earlier this month. It has been an honor to work with my colleagues on the Council and Mayor Gray to accomplish these efforts. I say it often, but I really do have the best staff here at the Council. My office participated in the Council’s food drive again this year, and we appreciated the ability to give directly to families in need. Beyond this, throughout the year, my staff and I are out in the community at neighborhood civic associations, meetings with neighbors and agencies to address problems in the ward and attending community events. I have to say thank you to my dedicated staffers for making their support of our neighbors and residents a 24/7 commitment. In closing, my family and I, as well as my staff, would like to wish you and yours a happy holiday season. This is always a wonderful time to spend with friends and family—and enjoy a little reflection. Happy New Year, and we will see you again in January! Jack Evans is the Ward 2 Councilmember, representing Georgetown since 1991.
Letters to the Editor Georgetown Has Plenty of Outdoor Wear Stores Who needs Arcteryx [Editorial: “Georgetown Maxxing Out?,” Nov. 19, 2014]? Georgetown has North Face, Patagonia, Nike, City Sports, all of which fulfill everyone’s outdoor shopping adventures. -- Laurie England
‘Taking Back Our Land’? The suggestion by Council Member Jack Evans that the District government would be a better steward of our city’s public spaces than the National Park Service is disingenuous and laughable [Editorial: “Taking Back Our Land,” Dec. 3, 2014]. Does anyone really believe that transferring land currently owned by National Park Service to the District would “shrink the size of the federal government”? He makes no mention of how the District would pay for the maintenance of these public spaces. More speeding and red light cameras? ADVERTISING
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Mary Bird Pamela Burns Linda Roth Conte Jack Evans Donna Evers
His mention of the Georgetown waterfront, which has been improved and maintained beautifully by the National Park Service, is very revealing. The NPS’s ownership of the waterfront is an impediment to his dream of tearing down the Whitehurst Freeway and replacing K and Water Streets with a widened thoroughfare. This is nothing more than a thinly veiled land grab. Council Member Evans is trying to help the real estate developers who help him by finding more land for them to develop. -- Charles Pinck
‘Punish Cosby and UVA Fraternity’ Too Harsh Your headline and editorial [Downtowner editorial: “Punish Cosby and UVa Fraternity,” Dec. 3, 2014] seem very harsh to say the least and a rush to judgment with some new reports about the accuser. We all need to have more facts before we throw out the baby with ... you know. -- Lawrence J. King
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