Good chilly morning to you, Washington. Our neighbors to the north have officially got themselves a new rock-star Governor, as Martin O’Malley was sworn in yesterday afternoon in Maryland to the sounds of the Saw Doctors, an Irish rock band that flew from Dublin for the event, and later to his own band, O’Malley’s March, at his inaugural ball. Not that we’re jealous or anything, but does anyone know if Mayor Fenty plays an instrument? Or perhaps would be willing to take up guitar lessons? We just want everyone to be prepared for the upcoming Mid-Atlantic Battle of the Bands/Leadership Conference.
Traffic Sign Was Missing at Bus Accident Site: The Examiner reports that a sign at 16th Street and Park Road Northwest, which warned that buses were allowed to turn left while all other vehicles were banned from doing so, had been missing for two months. The intersection was the site where a Metrobus hit and killed a woman crossing the street on Monday night. Mayor Adrian Fenty said a new sign would go up by Wednesday night. Did anyone see it this morning?
School Board Ready to Rumble: Gee whiz, who could have predicted that the elected officials in the D.C. Board of Education might not be too excited about their jobs becoming irrelevant? The Board “officially” registered their opposition to Mayor Fenty’s school takeover plan last night, though that doesn’t mean much in reality — any alternative plan the Board might propose would have to be approved by the D.C. Council, and Fenty appears to have already locked up the votes he needs.
More Williams Staffers to Join New Administration: Mayor Fenty has nominated Vincent Morris and Max Brown, both formerly close advisors to Mayor Anthony Williams, to the D.C. Sports Commission. The panel oversees city-owned stadiums and the D.C. Armory, including the building process for the new Nationals stadium.
Briefly Noted: Kuwaiti diplomat accused of domestic slavery … Charges dropped against White House protesters … Local utility prices could go up in 2008.
This Day in DCist: Last year we remembered the anniversary of Marion Barry’s crack-cocaine bust, and the year before that we anticipated killer traffic during President Bush’s Inaugural festivities.
Photo by bigaila
