November 29, 2007
Morning Roundup: War on Christmas II Edition
Good morning, Washington. The pernicious effects of this year's drought could continue to haunt the region during next year's holiday season, according to WTOP. Turns out that young Christmas trees and seedlings being grown in Maryland and Virginia were especially affected by the lack of rainfall, meaning that thousands of area children could suffer the indignity of having to make due with a sub-par decorative plant with which to entice entice Santa to leave them many gifts. Thankfully the tears won't have to start flowing this year, as full-grown trees are just fine. But we're already cringing at the thought of little Johnny or Susie waking up to a stunted, brown tree on Christmas morning, 2008 -- and of course, the subsequent FOX News report suggesting that wingnut climate change alarmists are responsible for the demise of the Christmas spirit.
D.C. Council ANGRY! GRR!: We mentioned it briefly at the end of the day yesterday, but the Post goes into further detail on the front page of today's Metro section about exactly how perturbed the D.C. Council is with Mayor Adrian Fenty, Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso for not keeping them in the loop about their aggressive schools closure proposal. Council Chair Vincent Gray told the paper that the problem is that, "council members are getting phone calls from constituents. They are being asked about decisions that they had no involvement in or knowledge of." Rhee said that she will introduce a final version of the proposal for closures in January, after a series of community meetings allow residents to give their feedback.
Financier of Pro-tunnel Group Severs Ties: One of the original leaders of the pro-Tysons Tunnel effort, developer Gerald Halpin, has broken ties with the group that filed suit against the federal government this week, telling the Examiner he was “very surprised” by the move and mocking those behind it. Think a federal judge will feel the same way?
Briefly Noted: Moten School administrator pleads guilty to theft of $30,000 from chess club ... Man shot to death in District Heights ... More traffic changes on Foxhall Rd. ... Arlington woman charged with sending threatening letters.
This Day in DCist: In 2006 we recommended a few of our favorite places to buy Christmas trees in the city, and in 2005 we were taking bets about who would fall in that year's no-bid contract schedule.
Photo by christaki
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How can school closures be news to the DC Council? This topic has been talked about for months if not years.
LoganResident - It's not the concept in general, but the specific schools being proposed for closure. The Councilmembers from specific Wards get very, very touchy when you start proposing changes in their Ward without consulting them, which appears to be the case here.
Maybe if parents weren't fleeing their poorly-run wards, they wouldn't be shutting their precious schools down. The Council has had DECADES and BILLIONS to fix the schools, and what do we have to show for it? Yet we still have Marion Barry checking for racists under his bed every night, and Jim Graham pulling liquor licenses because someone, somewhere stubbed their toe. So they whine about not being included. You've had your chance, now ess the eff up and get the eff out of the way. Go back to what you do best, passing laws against cellphones, parking illegally, and giving yourself raises.
How does a chess club have $30K in the first place?
The chess club money had come from donations. The Fisher guy from the Post ran a column about how this chess team had worked very hard, but didn't have the money to travel to the tournament. The response was overwhelming and way more money came in than was needed. The money was supposed to be used for future teams, but instead this woman stole it. It was mentioned in that trio of stories the Post did about people stealing from the student activities funds at DC schools. It's amazing how many scum of the earth people seem to work for this city.
The club originally had $70,000 in donations. The chess club was for at-risk kids who were diagnosed bipolar or with ADD; the game got them focused and got them headed in the right direction. These "developmentally disabled" kids were kicking "normal" area chess clubs asses and ranked 33rd out of 64 of the nation’s top scholastic chess squads.
Here's yet another case of a program that actually works in DC schools and some POS has to screw it up and rob them blind. There's a special circle in Hell for people like that, right there between simonists and people who don't refill the icecube tray.
What is up with the broken avatars lately?
indignity of having to make do
not make due
Two funny, yet more importantly, right on comments from monkeyerotica!
I don't see Fenty's aversion to consulting the Councilmembers. It sounds like there was an informed basis for which ones to close - so he wouldn't have had a hard time justifying them. He's going to have to get their support for the school budget eventually...
She faces up to 10 years for first-degree felony fraud, but will likely receive probation or up to 10 months in prison, according to District of Columbia sentencing guidelines. Her sentencing is scheduled Feb. 8.
What the *fsck* is up with DC sentencing guidelines?!? I mean seriously! WTF?!?
AARRRRRRRGGGGHGHHHHHHHHHHH!