D.C. Wire - News and notes on District politics - June 13, 2010

Takoma pool closure plan changes after protests

On Wednesday, the Fenty administration announced that the Takoma Aquatics Center would get a makeover from locker rooms to the pool deck to the baby pools. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has pushed throughout his term for new and renovated athletics facilities throughout the city. His campaign literature for the Democratic...

By Nikita Stewart | June 18, 2010; 5:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: City Life, Mayor Fenty, Nikita Stewart
Save & Share:

Gray wins over Fenty in Ward 3 straw poll

D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray edged past Mayor Adrian M. Fenty in the Ward 3 Democratic straw poll, eking out a victory in a part of town that had been widely believed to be the mayor's strongest base of support.

By Tim Craig | June 18, 2010; 10:13 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)
Categories: D.C. Council, D.C. Democrats & Republicans, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Kwame Brown, Mayor Fenty, Tim Craig, Vincent C. Gray, vincent gray
Save & Share:

Clock is ticking on Gray's fence

The clock is ticking for Council Chairman Vincent Gray to do something about his fence. He has 30 days to relocate or lower the black aluminum fence that surrounds his Hillcrest home, according to a letter dated June 9 from the District's Public Space Committee. Last month, the committee ruled...

By Ann E. Marimow | June 17, 2010; 12:07 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: 2010 District Election, Ann E. Marimow, D.C. Council, Vincent C. Gray
Save & Share:

Construction union endorses Fenty

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, trailing chief opponent Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray in endorsements, picked up a major nod Wednesday from Laborers Local 657. The union, which represents about 3,000 construction workers, announced that it is endorsing Fenty whose push for new recreation centers, schools and other facilities have kept...

By Nikita R Stewart | June 16, 2010; 6:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: 2010 District Election, Mayor Fenty, Nikita Stewart, Vincent C. Gray, vincent gray
Save & Share:

Theft at D.C. mayor's home not in city stats

The June 3 theft of two bicycles from an open garage at Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's Crestwood home is not listed on the Metropolitan Police Department's crime statistics Web site. The Web site, crimemap.dc.gov, allows anyone to see what crimes have been committed in their neighborhoods by typing in an...

By Nikita Stewart | June 16, 2010; 4:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Mayor Fenty, Nikita Stewart
Save & Share:

D.C. taxi drivers say their complaints are still not heard

Updated 11:11 a.m. A five-mile ride with a five-minute wait in the District costs $11.50, the lowest in the region, according to a study by an economist on behalf of two taxicab groups. Kara Gorski, vice president of District-based Edgewoth Economics, told taxicab commissioners that her firm looked at surrounding...

By Nikita Stewart | June 16, 2010; 10:46 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (23)
Categories: D.C. Taxis, Nikita Stewart
Save & Share:

D.C. council allows liquor sales on Sunday, July 4

Liquor stores in the District will be able to sell booze on July 4, which happens to fall this year on a Sunday, when such sales are usually prohibited. The council approved the exception Tuesday, but not without some protest from members, including Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7), who said, "the...

By Ann Marimow | June 15, 2010; 3:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Ann E. Marimow, City Life, D.C. Council
Save & Share:

D.C. council approves budget bill, but signals tough times ahead

Even as the D.C. Council signed off on budget legislation Tuesday to close a $550 million gap, members warned that the city's finances could soon worsen if revenue projections do not keep pace with spending. In a 12 to 1 vote, the council approved legislation to implement the budget blueprint...

By Ann Marimow | June 15, 2010; 1:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Ann E. Marimow, City Finances, D.C. Council, Vincent C. Gray
Save & Share:

Fliers urge voters to 'Slap' Fenty

For two consecutive weeks, people attending candidates forums in the D.C. mayor's race have been greeted with fliers urging them to "slap" Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D). "Slap This Brat," states the flyer, which includes a photo-shopped image of Fenty's face attached to a baby sitting on a rocking...

By Tim Craig | June 15, 2010; 12:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (17)
Categories: Tim Craig
Save & Share:

Fenty's debate notes become D.C. campaign issue

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's heavy reliance on notes and briefing books during candidates forums appeared to undermine his efforts Monday night to keep the Gertrude Stein Democratic club from endorsing Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray in the mayor's race. Democrats Fenty and Gray spent more than an hour answering questions...

By Tim Craig | June 15, 2010; 10:54 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: 2010 District Election, Mayor Fenty, Tim Craig, Vincent C. Gray
Save & Share:

Network News

D.C. Wire: June 13, 2010 - June 19, 2010