Good morning, Washington. Looks like we have two new D.C. Council members this morning: Muriel Bowser, a 34-year-old ANC, took the Ward 4 seat vacated by Mayor Adrian Fenty, and Yvette M. Alexander, a 45-year-old former insurance regulator, took the Ward 7 seat left behind by Council Chair Vincent Gray. Both women ran in extremely crowded fields, but received the endorsements of their predecessors which allowed them to stand out from the pack (and raise the most money). Most Council watchers are declaring it excellent news that the addition of two African-American women, who make up about 32 percent of the District’s population. Bowser and Alexander are also both native Washingtonians.
Where There’s Smoke: In the wake of Monday’s two big fires, neither of which appear to be arson, all the local journos are cranking out stories about who or what’s to blame. The Washington Post says that fire hydrants are broken all over the city, and were a problem at the Georgetown fire. Over at WTOP, we learn that a sprinkler system could have prevented much of the damage at Eastern Market. And we mentioned a story yesterday about the misleading 911 calls to report the weekend fire that killed 5-year-old Asia Sutton. Will Mayor Adrian Fenty call another press conference to address these concerns? Have you ever known the Mayor not to call a press conference to address any concern?
Baez Banned from Walter Reed: Folk singer and anti-war activist Joan Baez was not allowed to play for wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital last Friday as she had planned. In a letter to the Washington Post, Baez says she was disinvited by Army officials. Walter Reed officials did not respond to several requests for comment from the WaPo yesterday.
Briefly Noted: Council confirms Fire Chief Rubin … Incumbents reelected in Vienna … Bush vetoed the Iraq war funding bill, as expected … Child care facility won’t be forced to move.
This Day in DCist: Last year we told you that those looming steel beams at the site of the old convention center were to be a public art installation, and the year before that we contemplated a Bicycle Beltway.
Photo by erin*carly
