Comments on: Government by Press Conference: Loose Lips Daily

By: 2008 DC Crime Rate: Up or Down? « Borderstan

2008 DC Crime Rate: Up or Down? « Borderstan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:12:34 +0000

[...] the issues around these two types of numbers before. Yesterday, I saw the following blurb in the WCP’s Loose Lips Daily column: The Metropolitan Police Department holds that violent crime went down in 2008; and yet FBI [...]

By: Q

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:45:22 +0000

LL, I can't believe the undercutting opinion you gave regarding the cessation of the "Safety Inspections". To save $400k, Fenty is basically telling inspectors to "look the other way" on vehicular problems. This is equivalent to shooting oneself in the foot twice. First, is obviously the safety issue. Yes, MD doesn't care if you drive a 1960 jalopy on the streets as long as it's registered. Who cares if it's belching smoke, balled tires, turn signals don't work, etc. Just make sure they pay their registration and they're done. DC and VA on the other hand were a few states/territories that were concerned that any vehicle registered in their jurisdiction was safe and operable to drive. Because of such, law enforcement as well as DMV officers paid special attention to "dead" or provisional inspection stickers. Ironically, ticketing vehicles with "dead" inspection stickers were a winfall for the city. Not only that, but the process wasn't all that laborious. The inspection process was actually efficient!!! DC and efficient in the same sentence?!? Secondly, and more obviously, this is an attempt to reduce DMV related city services. An immediate cost savings for sure, but no one knows the long term effects. While the convenience of renewals on the Internet is good for some, not all share in access to the computers or ability to use them. Add to that the reduction of Public Library hours (which have the only free publically accessible computers), and you have a potential storm brewing. It is true that nobody likes the inconvenience, long lines, etc. of having to go for inspection. However, it is also true that for all its headaches, there was a satisfaction in knowing that DC DMV cared about the condition of my car, for my sake and that of its occupants.

By: Attorney Client Agreements – Understanding your Attorney-client Retainer Agreement Attorney

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:47:11 +0000

[...] Government by Press Conference Loose Lips Daily City Desk Washington City PaperMorning all. Count this among the hazards of governing by press conference: Announcing a press conference before you have fully grasped the dimensions of the problem to which you are announcing a solution may result in an embarrassing WaPo article , such as this one by Nikita Stewart. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty s office on Friday announced the Monday morning shutdown of the King Solomon Grand… read more » [...]

By: Downtown Rez

Downtown Rez — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:45:21 +0000

"The lodge on Rhode Island Avenue NE has come under fire from neighbors who say events there have led to disturbances and violence. " ... "On Friday nights, however, when lodge members hand the building over to party promoters, the building bumps with go-go music and the crowd spills out onto the sidewalk, according to city officials. During the summer, police had to increase patrols on Friday nights. " ... "Council member Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5) said the parties were the source of the disturbances, despite McGill's claims. "They were in the neighborhoods having fights after the events," he said. "They were serving alcohol." ... "Leaders of the lodge said they would cease renting out the building for special events until they can review a leasing policy, a move prompted by Fenty's actions. " All's well that ends well.