Photo by scratch n sniff

>> Legislators in Takoma Park, Maryland had to grant a waiver to the town’s two-decade-old nuclear-free zone status this week in order to put brand new HP computers in a public library, reports the Post. That the computers were made by HP—which has worked with the U.S. government on nuclear weapons-related programs—made them a no-no in Takoma Park, where a 1983 law bans town business with companies involved in nukes. Not everyone in the People’s Republic of Takoma Park is happy that a waiver was granted, though.

>> What did the recession end up costing D.C.? Over $100 million in property taxes for 2011, reports the Examiner. According to the D.C. CFO, assessments of residential and commercial real estate dropped some $14 billion in recent years, leaving less for the city to collect by way of taxes. Things are looking up again, but the improving times may not last—D.C. officials worry that a shrinking federal government will hit D.C.’s economy hard in the next few years.

>> It’s not just the feds that are investigating Mayor Vince Gray’s 2010 mayoral campaign, it seems. WJLA reports that local activist Marie Drissel has asked the D.C. Office of Campaign Finance to look into the $100,000 in payments that Gray’s campaign treasurer took after the race. Drissel said that treasurers rarely make that much money working on local campaigns.

Briefly Noted: A number of streets in Southeast closed off by police due to shooting and possible barricade situation …Speedster Prince George’s councilwoman due in court today … Maryland panel to recommend that gambling options in the state be expanded … New D.C. homeland security chief starts working … Dead dog in Virginia gets voter registration application … Maryland cannibalism suspect transferred to psychiatric hospital.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2011, we learned that Democratic congressional staffers like D.C. while their GOP counterparts enjoy the Old Dominion and former Mayor Adrian Fenty finished 37th in the Nation’s Triathlon. In 2010, 500 gallons of white paint were used to paint the U.S. Capitol’s dome.