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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Giving Money Just Got Easier
Code Red Alert: Fenty Write-In Robocall
Good morning sweet readers! LL has been going to birthing classes lately to get ready for the incoming LL’s Bean. Suffice it to say, those videos they show sure leave a lasting impression. News time:
Give Us Some Answers: The Post editorial board sounds off on Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr., saying the allegations made by his Republican opponent, Tim Day, that Thomas has a city-funded slush fund are serious and need some answerin’. “Mr. Thomas has used his office to promote a nonprofit that has been less than transparent about how it has raised and spent money. This is a serious matter that demands clearer answers from Mr. Thomas as well as an outside review. … It’s troubling that when we first confronted Mr. Thomas with questions about the group, he told us he had had no involvement with it since taking office in 2007 and that it was pretty much dormant. Yet a May 28, 2008, press release from his council office promoted a golf tournament to raise funds for ‘Team Thomas SwingAway/DC First Swing, a not-for-profit urban youth program that introduces boys and girls to swing sports.'” The Posties want the D.C. Council and Attorney General Peter Nickles to investigate. The editorial is a nice boost for Day, but LL somehow doesn’t think it’ll carry much weight in Ward 5.
AFTER THE JUMP: Juvenile Records May Go Public; Rhee to NJ?; Hold Me Closer Private Donor…
Juvie Records May Go Public: Action: A series of high-profile crimes committed by wards of the city’s troubled juvenile justice agency. Reaction: The D.C. Council passes a bill that would, if signed by the mayor, would release the basic info about the juveniles to the public, the same way adult criminals are treated. Per Freeman Klopott, “City agencies that handle minors have long been able to hide behind a veil of secrecy, but council members said Tuesday upon passing the bill that the agencies charged with punishing the city’s juveniles will now be held accountable. … Communities informed of violent offenders in their midst could better protect themselves while also holding city officials accountable, the bill’s architects say. Critics, however, say the bill could make it hard for young, one-time offenders to get jobs or go to college while shedding little light on city agencies.’This is not so much about the juveniles being held accountable as it is about the government being held accountable because there’s less secrecy to hide behind,’ Councilman Phil Mendelson, D-at large, told The Washington Examiner.” Per Tim Craig, “But Matthew Fraidin, a professor at the School of Law at the University of the District of Columia, said the bill ‘demonizes kids’ while continuing to shield the public from how the courts and DYRS oversee youth offenders. ‘It’s just pandering to the public without actually protecting and certainly without shining light on how DYRS is making its decisions,’ Fraidin said.”
Rhee Supporter Critiques Rhee: LL thought this article in the Huffington Post by Jessica Rauch has a pretty smart takeaway on School Chancellor Michelle Rhee‘s tenure. “I deeply respect and admire Rhee’s tenacity and dedication to children. But I was disappointed by her approach. Her reforms were never going to be sustainable without support throughout her ranks. Providing access to a brighter future for kids is the responsibility of school systems. It seems Rhee forgot that parents and educators comprise the system. When they are made to feel disposable, lasting reform will never happen. This was Rhee’s downfall and it affected more than her success or failure; it impacted our work and the efforts of the broader community. The national sentiment about her resignation is different than the opinion of many in the District. I always supported Rhee and I know people, as hyperbolic as it may sound, who thought Rhee was the ‘Superman’ of our generation. Because Rhee didn’t lead in a way that was respectful of students, families, and educators, though, there is a real, entrenched backlash. Perhaps Rhee’s successor would be well-advised to remember this by channeling the motto of her peers at the KIPP charter schools: ‘Work Hard, Be Nice.’ Rhee worked hard, and it showed, but in education, being nice is half the game.” Bill Turque has a round up of more Rhee thoughts.
Rhee to Jersey?: The Newark Star-Ledger is reporting that Rhee is considering an offer from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to be the state schools chief, but “family concerns may prove an insurmountable stumbling block for her.”
More on Private Donations: LL wrote yesterday about the unlimited donations private interests can now give to Almost Mayor Vince Gray.Craig has more: “In a meeting with reporters after the council vote, Gray was unable to say how much he plans to raise for his transition and what types and amounts of donations he plans to solicit. ‘We will comply with the rules, no matter what they may be,’ Gray said. When a reporter told Gray that there were no ‘rules,’ Gray responded, ‘You propose the rules that you think are problematic, and we will abide.’ Reuben C. Charles II, director of operations for Gray’s campaign, said the chairman will establish a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organ to collect donations to fund the transition. Charles added that the campaign plans to adhere to “self-imposed” contribution limits but has not decided what they will be. Charles also promised that Gray will make his donors’ names public.”
Ward 1 town hall was crowded last night. Councilmember Jim Graham sure sounded like he’d been a longtime strong Gray supporter. Gray says schools need diversity training to counter bullying.
DDOT releases streetcar spending plan. Hourly cost: $80
Vigil of Ethiopian man who may or may not have been murdered outside DC9 was emotional.
Local archbishop named cardinal.
Philly Pizza is not welcome.
Nearly 600 vote on first day of early voting.
Local teacher makes good.
These costumes aren’t doing it for LL.
Parents of drowning victim sue city.
Councilmember Tommy Wells pulls bill restricting homeless services to D.C. homeless.
Councilmember David Catania is on Newstalk with Bruce DePuyt.
Fenty: No schedule
Council: 2 p.m. hearing on “Capital Access Program Act”