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Earlier this month, disgruntled members of the Far Northeast-Southeast Council cast a unanimous vote of no confidence against Ward 7 Councilmember Kevin Chavous, who’s seeking re-election this fall. “I think my youngest daughter would be in town more than him,” says longtime Far Northeast-Southeast Council President Samuel Bost, referring to Chavous’ spotty record of attendance at D.C. Council and community meetings in past years. “[And] she’s an opera student—at the University of Hartford, in Connecticut!” But the vote hardly poses a challenge to Chavous’ ward leadership. Unlike, say, the British Parliament, the Far Northeast-Southeast council hosts no opposition coalition. And with no serious challenger to support, the members resigned themselves to another Chavous victory. They did issue one ultimatum, though: If Chavous doesn’t kick it up a few notches by January 2002—a year after his re-election—members will initiate a recall movement. “We’ve served him his notice,” says Bost. —Lauri Apple