Good morning, Washington. International politics watchers will no doubt spend their day today assigning meaning to the resignation of British Prime Minister Tony Blair. They’ll speculate about the future of the Labour party, and draw conclusions regarding the possible consequences to the war in Iraq. Here at DCist, we toil with no such weighty topics. Nay, we’ll spend our day fantasizing about what it must be like to live in a country where a massively unpopular leader sometimes just steps down of his own accord. Tell us more of this magical land of yours, Londonist. Are there rainbows there every day?
Fenty Admits Copying was a ‘Mistake’: D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty was answering tough questions yesterday about revelations that the school takeover plan he and Deputy Mayor Victor Reinoso pushed through the D.C. Council was in large part verbatim copied from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C. school system’s “strategic plan.” Fenty said the administration made a mistake and described the copying as a “serious issue” that should not have happened. But despite his attempt to apologize, it now appears as though the school takeover plan itself could be in jeopardy. Still awaiting final approval from Congress, an anonymous U.S. senator placed a “hold” on the takeover legislation Tuesday. Several D.C. Council members also expressed their dismay yesterday.
Capitol Tunnels to be Fixed: A settlement was announced yesterday in the case of Capitol Hill workers who had been exposed to asbestos in the tunnels under the Capitol. The Architect of the Capitol must now fix safety problems in the tunnels that have harmed maintenance workers within five years. The tunnel workers told the WaPo they are unimpressed with the settlement.
Briefly Noted: Washington Monument blackout caused a potential flight safety risk … Dell chairman donates computer to Smithsonian … Sidewalk improvements along Georgia Ave. corridor … Pedestrian killed on Capital Beltway.
This Day in DCist: Last year we took you on a tour of Ft. Stevens, and the year before that we wondered if by trying hard enough, you could find beauty in the Whitehurst Freeway.
Photo by Samer Farha
