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What you said about what we said last week
The transformation of D.C.’s longest municipal park from a heroin den to a green space on the verge of a breakthrough was the subject of last week’s cover by Sarah Anne Hughes. “Parks and People… this is real work, and Steve’s vision around how these natural spaces are essential for our emotional and mental health is right on point,” said Hawah about Washington Parks & People and its executive director, Steve Coleman. “It’s inspiring to see how much great work can be done when our heart’s are in the right place.” Referencing the group’s co-founder, Josephine Butler, A friend of joe butler commented, “i cherish the good news, the unusual photos, and the fact that Joe Butler keeps blessing Steve with her smile. May she rest in peace and a long life to Steve Coleman and his people. Much love to all.”
A friend may have had love for Washington City Paper last week, but Defender of Meridian Hill Park did not, accusing us of “white racism” and “blackwashing history” for referring to Malcolm X Park by that moniker, as opposed to its federal name, Meridian Hill Park. Denise Witkor was puzzled: “The writer should know the Park goes by two different names. Meridian Hill is the Federal Name. The City moved to change it to Malcom X but the Feds do not recognize it… There is a lot more on this issue that goes farther back than my 35 years in the District.”
An Elephant Never Elects
In last week’s Loose Lips column, Will Sommer examined the D.C. GOP’s chances at gaining at least one seat on the D.C. Council in 2016. What he found: Prospects are bleak. “Just being ‘a Republican’ isn’t enough of a difference to be meaningful to DC voters, even if we aren’t happy with the agenda-less dominance of the majority party,” richardlayman wrote. “It’s tough to be successful, but for Republicans to be successful running for Council, they have to have a stellar urban-appropriate agenda. Catania proved in a special election, running against the old guard, that a non-Democrat could have a chance.” Just Wondering zeroed in on the regular practice of Democrats registering as Independents to run for one of the set-aside at-large seats: “If Congressional Republicans want to overturn DC laws, why don’t they look at the election laws and candidate requirements? Voters, including many Democrats, are insulted by these phony ‘independents.’” 7r3y3r added, “And how about these political parties pay for their exclusive primary elections instead of the costs being footed by the public. If the Democrats only want registered Democrats to vote in their primary, then they can pay for it. Same for Republicans and any other party.” Because any comments section would be incomplete without name-calling, star commenters noodlez and Typical DC BS got into a lighthearted argument about “Redumblicans” and “Dumocrats.” To our knowledge, D.C. voters have yet to elect a Redumblican or Dumocrat to the Council.