Last week, we had a nice long chat about the maddening idiosyncracies of the D.C. taxicab system. The Examiner reports today that at least some of the difficulties associated with cabbing around town might be gone in the near future. Cab Commission Chairman Causton Toney has said that his organization is “seriously considering” the elimination of the zone system in favor of metered fares. The city is awaiting the results of a six-month study comparing the two systems which ended last week. Said Toney, “we have a hugely broken system — a system broken at its core.” Here’s hoping that positive change is on the way.
Council Passes Bills During Marathon Eight-Hour Session: The Post writes today about a series of issues addressed by the D.C. Council yesterday. Preliminary approval was granted to a bill authorizing the use of eminent domain to improve the Sursum Corda neighborhood in NW; residents of that neighborhood picketed outside the building during the session. The Council also unanimously approved a rent-control bill we’ve discussed here. Tenant advocates and building owners were behind the measure; perhaps the city should have consulted some economists, as well. Here’s hoping the “hardship waiver” is applied liberally.
City’s Mental Retardation Director Out: After claims of abuse in group homes and insufficient service on the part of the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration, Mayor Williams has let the axe fall on Director Marsha Thompson. Williams has acknowledged his administration’s failure to reform the agency; Thompson will be replaced by Kathy Sawyer, formerly of the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.
Briefly Noted: Arlington County is rolling in it…Loudoun ready to decide whether to add 80,000 homes in rural portions of county…Virginia budget battle starting to hurt agencies.
This Day in DCist: We looked at the conflict between Smith Point the restaurant and Smith Point the bar, and we discussed Clinton Portis’ attempts to buy his lucky number 26.
Picture taken by brownpau.
