With so many people running in Ward 5 I can and not much distinction i dont believe the winner will hold on to this seat for more than 1 term

I attended the Ward 5 Candidate forum at Backus and I agree with most that none of the candidates were able to distinguish themselves from one another. However, I think that it had more to do with the format of the forum (ie, same question for all 12 or 14 candidates) than the candidates themselves. As a ward 5 resident who very much wants to participate in electing my city council representative, I would like to see a forum where candidates are given different questions and maybe presented with pre-selected questions from the audience. After all, we are the ones who will be most impacted by the result of the election.

I was at the Ward 5 forum on Monday, and the two buses that pulled up full of seniors had Bruce Marshall signs on them, not Harry Thomas.

There were lots of Thomas supporters there, but he didn't bring the buses.

While there were plenty of candidates on stage, I less than half seemed plausilble as Councilmembers. In my opinion, Thomas, Marshall, Zapata, Magnus, and Winfield were the only ones that had the necessary presence, knowledge, and ability.

I don't know if others will drop out, but from their performances, it seems they will have difficulty raising money or gaining much support from Ward 5 residents.

www.onlinejournal.com
www.wsws.org
www.takingaim.info

http://www.unknownnews.org/0604280426deathtax.html

18 rich families pay for Republican campaign to kill estate taxes

by Sabrina Eaton, The Plain Dealer [Cleveland]
April 26, 2006

Eighteen of America's wealthiest families, including the Timkens of Canton, are bankrolling efforts to permanently repeal estate taxes that would save their families a total of $71.6 billion, according to a report released Tuesday by public interest groups.

Groups funded by the super-rich have engaged in a deceptive campaign to convince the public that estate taxes cause widespread problems for small businesses and family farms when they actually affect about one in 370 estates, said the report released by Public Citizen and Boston-based United for a Fair Economy.

This year, all assets under $2 million for individuals and under $4 million for couples are exempt from estate taxes. Current tax law will boost those exemptions to $3.5 million and $7 million in 2009, eliminate the estate tax in 2010, and re-impose it in 2011 with a $1 million exemption.

The House voted to permanently repeal the estate tax last year, but the measure stalled in the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to override filibusters. Majority Leader Bill Frist says he will bring the bill up in May.

Ohio Republican Sen. Mike DeWine wants to repeal the tax because he says it hinders economic growth and penalizes society's most productive members, while Ohio GOP Sen. George Voinovich says the cost of eliminating it is too great: about $290 billion over the next 10 years. Voinovich would prefer a compromise to elevate the minimum threshold for estate tax liability to $3.5 million and regularly adjust it for inflation.

Groups that support estate tax repeal say they're close to getting the 60 votes they need. Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform says 68 percent of Americans want the tax eliminated. He says estate taxes affect a broad range of people and dismissed the report's contention that it only affects the super rich as "tired rhetoric of hate and envy."

The groups that released the report called it a "myth" that estate taxes force families to sell farms and businesses. They said the taxes raise revenue from those most able to pay, prompt the rich to give to charity and deter concentrations of wealth.

They said families including those that founded Wal-Mart, Gallo wineries, Nordstrom's department stores, Wegman's grocery stores, the Mars candy company, Cox media chain and Campbell Soup Co. joined the Timkens in bankrolling an effort the groups' report called "one of the biggest con jobs in recent history."

The report says the 18 families financed business groups, trade associations and lobbyists to push for their goals. Information about their participation was obtained through lobbying reports and IRS forms filed by anti-tax groups, the report said.

Based on the Timken family's estimated $201.5 million stake in its company, the report predicted estate tax repeal would save its heirs about $79 million. A Timken Co. spokesman did not return phone calls.

Since sitting on the city council requires legislative ability. I think Ron Magnus had the most impressive résumé of all the other candidates. He is the only candidate that left his position as Assistant Attorney General to run for the Ward 5 seat to be an effective advocate, spokes person and partner with the people, on city council for the residents who need it most. God speed and good luck Ron Magnus.

As a Ward 5 resident. I only know three of the announced candidates. This is a big ward and the seniors aren't the only people that vote. As a new homeowner I look forward to voting in the election. I am sorry they did not do the straw poll. With so many candidates running this race is starting to look like the most recent California Governor's race.

Our little corner of Ward 5 (Eckington, Truxton Circle, Bloomingdale) is getting very organized this time around. We are tired of being virtually ignored by Vincent Orange because he had Michigan Park and Brookland in his pocket. This time, we're going to make sure that the winning Ward 5 candidate must have the SW corner of Ward 5 in his or her pocket to win. We're going to vote in droves in September. Heed the warning, council candidates. Don't forget about us.

The original article was correct in reporting that Harry Thomas bused in seniors and others. His buses were parked in the back parking lot at Backus. The insinuation is that there is something wrong with providing seniors or others without transportation a means to get to forums. If they are your supporters and you want them there to support you, what is the problem?

It's called stacking the deck!

Even though his introduction was weak, and lacking volume in speach, only one candidate appeared to have clearly answered the questions asked. The candidate was Joe Harris. Mr. Harris appears to be knownledgeable, experienced, and involved within the ward 5 community, and throughout our city. The answer to the question relating to Green Space is what sparked the attention of both my wife and myself. Mr. Joe Harris we look forward to hearing more from you. Oh yeah and tell your team thanks for the bottled water and candy bars...nice touch! Thompson campaign, be careful not to sleep on this guy.

It is good to see so many women running for Ward, though only one or two may be known in the community. It will be interesting to learn what each of the many candidates brings to the table. Hopefully a few will drop out. It takes money and commitment to make a successful go at this. Maybe by the third forum, some candidates will be gone, but probably there will be ten more.

Ranelle Zapata is as responsible as any single person in the DC Government for gutting the protections of the rent control act. From her perch at the RACD, she has screwed more tenants than the three biggest slumlords in DC, combined. Electing her to the Council would be a shame on top of a travesty.

I was present at the Dems "forum" last Monday, and as previously mentioned by others, it was a farse! Apparently, the format was changed at the last minute and voting was taken off the agenda - much to the chagrin of those in attendance. It is also true that Joe Harriss, III and Bruce Marshall came with a caravan of supporters in tow. I don't find anything wrong with "bussing in" supporters in need of transportation. Given the poor information and publicity for this event, were it not for the Marshall and Harriss caravans, the turnout would have been emabarrisingly dismal. Stacking the deck? - NOT!

Speaking of Bruce Marshall, I've done some research on him and would love to hear him speak more at length about "real" issues facing the ward. His credentials are equally as impressive as Mr. Harriss, if not more. He's actually written and passed public policy that has changed procurement practices in the DC gov't. Who else can claim such?

Anyone know where he'll be in the next week or two?

Political Junkie- I agree with you on the credentials of Bruce Marshall. Hopefully someone will respond because I would like to meet Mr. Marshall too.

PLEASE BOOKMARK: WWW.WSWS.ORG FOR UNCENSORED NEWS.

US government continues to escalate domestic spying

By Joe Kay and Marge Holland
5 May 2006

Nearly five months after the secret National Security Agency spying program was first revealed in the media, the US government continues its unchecked expansion of domestic spying powers. Several recent reports document this expansion, which is taking place on many fronts, involving the military, federal intelligence agencies, and local police forces.

The NSA program, which involves the warrantless monitoring of emails and other communications in violation of the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), has received the most attention. In spite of its blatant illegality, the program continues, with no serious move by either political party to stop it. The Bush administration has openly flouted decisions by Congress and the courts, asserting that warrantless spying on US citizens is part of the president's powers as commander-in-chief in the "war on terror."

The NSA program is only one component of a much broader policy undermining basic democratic and constitutional rights in the United States, all justified by a supposedly ubiquitous terrorist threat. However, their real purpose is to vastly expand the powers of the government to monitor and repress internal dissent under conditions of mounting social tension and political opposition to the policies of the Bush administration.

Taken together, these developments provide a picture of a government that is systematically laying the foundations for a police state.

On Monday, May 1, the Justice Department released statistics documenting a sharp increase in the number of court-approved warrants the FBI has sought and received as part of the procedures established by the FISA Act. In 2005, the FBI received 2,072 warrants from the FISA court to conduct searches and electronic surveillance, up 18 percent from 2004.

Significantly, the FISA court did not reject any of the government's applications for warrants. The supposed difficulty of receiving warrants through the FISA procedures has been cited as one of the principal justifications for the warrantless NSA spying program, which is being carried out outside of any judicial oversight.

In addition to the FISA warrants, the government reported that the FBI issued 9,254 "national security letters" to US businesses and institutions to demand information on over 3,500 US citizens and residents. National security letters are used by the FBI to get personal records, including everything from Internet activity to records of purchases. They do not require any court review. The ability of the FBI to issue these letters was significantly expanded by the Patriot Act, passed shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001.

A Washington Post article published last year reported that the FBI is now issuing 30,000 national security letters every year, an enormous increase over previous years. However, unlike the figure of 9,254 reported by the government, the Post's numbers included a type of subpoena that only requests limited information such as a person's name. It is therefore impossible to say whether the 2005 figure represents an increase over the figure reported by the Post.

No information has been provided by the government as to who it has targeted with these secret subpoenas, or what information has been collected.

Draconian intelligence bill passes US House of Representatives

The House passed the Fiscal Year 2007 Intelligence Authorization Bill on April 26, allocating $44 billion to the various US intelligence agencies.

Republicans in the House blocked various amendments placing minor restrictions on the NSA spying program, including one that would require that classified reports on the program be given to the full House Intelligence and Judiciary committees. This hardly would have hampered the illegal spying on US citizens, as the government has already given regular reports for years to a smaller group of legislators of both parties, who have helped keep the program secret from the American people.

The intelligence bill must pass the Senate before becoming law. Republican Senator Arlen Specter, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has suggested that he might file an amendment that would block spending for the NSA program. However, Specter has already assured the White House that he won't actually seek a vote on the amendment at this time.

In addition to massive spending and the rejection of any constraints on the NSA program, the intelligence authorization bill also includes several measures that would significantly increase the spying and policing powers of the CIA and the NSA. Sections 423 and 432 of the bill would give certain personnel responsible for security within the CIA and the NSA authority to "make arrests without a warrant for any offense against the United States committed in the presence of such personnel, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States." Section 432 also gives NSA officials explicit authority to carry firearms.

In an April 24 letter sent to Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Peter Hoekstra and ranking Democrat on the panel Jane Harman, the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) noted that the majority of illegal acts committed by the CIA in the 1960s and 1970s were done in the name of CIA security powers to protect its facilities--the powers that are now being expanded to allow the agency to arrest anyone, anywhere in the country.

"As the 1976 Church Committee report noted," POGO wrote, "the stated basis for the creation of programs that resulted in the improper investigation of US citizens and US political groups, such as Projects RESISTANCE and MERRIMAC, was a dubious reading of statutes authorizing the Director of Central Intelligence to 'be responsible for protecting intelligence sources and methods from unauthorized disclosure.' This was expansively interpreted by the CIA as 'authorization for the protection of CIA personnel and facilities against any kind of "security threat" including the possibility of violent demonstrations by the public.' The application of this interpretation resulted in the proactive infiltrating by CIA operatives into student and political groups."

The intelligence bill not only gives the CIA increased powers needed to engage in such activities again, but grants the same powers to the NSA at a time when the agency has been implicated in massive illegal spying of US citizens. The NSA police forces, which currently have the power to arrest people within a 500-foot perimeter of NSA facilities, have also been recently involved in collaborating with local police forces to monitor peace groups planning protests of the NSA.

These measures are further steps in the establishment of a secret intelligence/police agency in the United States that is able to monitor virtually any communications between US citizens and rapidly make arrests of individuals deemed to be engaging in illegal activities, including protesters who are designated as "threats" to intelligence or defense facilities.

The bill also includes a measure that would require the director of national intelligence to study the possibility of revoking the pensions of intelligence agents who leak classified information without authorization. The section is a transparent response to a number of significant leaks in recent months that have revealed aspects of the criminal activities of the government, including the NSA spying program and the CIA's use of secret torture and detention centers in Europe.

The administration has threatened to criminally prosecute intelligence agents as well as journalists for their role in publishing classified information.

The intelligence authorization bill passed the House by a vote of 327-96, with overwhelming bipartisan support.

On the same day that the intelligence bill passed the House, the government filed a motion in a federal court in San Francisco to dismiss a lawsuit brought against AT&T by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. EFF, an organization that promotes electronic privacy, has brought a class-action civil lawsuit against the telecommunications giant, charging it with collaborating with the NSA in violating the privacy of its customers by giving the government access to emails and other communications.

As part of the suit, the EFF has filed documents obtained by a former technician at AT&T proving that the company set up a separate room for the NSA and allowed the agency to monitor all the communications passing through its routers. The agreement with AT&T was part of the NSA's secret spying program. Administration officials have claimed that the program is intended to monitor only calls involving someone in another country who is suspected of having ties to Al Qaeda. The documents obtained by the EFF, however, indicate that the NSA has access to vast databases of communications that include purely domestic emails and calls between US residents and citizens.

The government, which is not named in the suit, has appealed for the case to be dismissed on the grounds that it could reveal state secrets. William Weaver, a law professor and senior advisor to the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition, told Wired News that the government's intervention will almost certainly end the EFF case and ensure that any documents in the case remain sealed. "There has never been an unsuccessful invocation of the state secrets privilege when national security is involved," he said. "The suit is over."

If the case is dismissed, it will close one of the few avenues available for challenging the illegal domestic spying.

Military steps up role in domestic spying

A report in the Wall Street Journal on April 27 ("Pentagon Steps Up Intelligence Efforts Inside US Borders" by Robert Block and Jay Solomon) documents the military's role in the surveillance of opposition groups in the Untied States.

"After 9/11," the newspaper reported, "the Bush administration declared the continental US a theater of military operations for the first time since the Civil War.... Now several parts of the vast Pentagon bureaucracy are building large databases of information from sources including local police, military personnel and the Internet. In doing so, the military is edging toward a sensitive area that has been off-limits to it since the 1970s: domestic surveillance and law enforcement."

The military has focused on antiwar protesters and according to the Journal, "the Pentagon has monitored more than 20 antiwar groups' activities around the country over the past three years. It has reviewed photographs and records of vehicles and protesters at marches to see if different activities were being organized by the same instigators."

The military database is connected to the program run by the NSA, as well to initiatives that were originally part of the Pentagon's now officially abandoned Total Information Awareness program. After a public outcry over TIA, which was to involve the accumulation of vast databases to help the government spy on the American people, the program was renamed and several of its components were moved around, but the basic plan has remained in place.

According to the Journal, some of the TIA components ended up in the hands of the Army's 902nd Military Intelligence Group, "the military's largest counterintelligence unit [which] has hundreds of soldiers stationed around the country." The 902nd makes extensive use of the Joint Regional Information Exchange System, "which gathers information collected by civilian law enforcement agencies around the country," the newspaper reported. "The Pentagon and local authorities including the New York Police Department and California's justice department set it up in December 2002," but it "got a boost when the Department of Homeland Security took it over and expanded it to include information from all 50 states and major urban areas."

Meanwhile, according to an article appearing in the May 8 issue of US News and World Report ("Spies Among Us," by David E. Kaplan), the Justice Department is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to fund state and local police intelligence units. Additional funds have gone into the development of regional law enforcement databases.

The newest intelligence units are called "fusion centers," which pool information from multiple local jurisdictions. These centers now exist in 31 states, with more on the way. There are plans to eventually have 70 such centers across the nation, providing what US News calls "a coast-to-coast intelligence blanket."

According to the US News article, Jack Tomarchio, the new deputy director of the Department of Homeland Security, told a law enforcement conference in March that the department intends to embed as many as three DHS agents and intelligence analysts at every site, adding that "the states want a very close synergistic relationship with the feds."

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has the largest number of officers assigned to homeland security--one thousand. The NYPD's chief of intelligence is the former director of operations at the CIA and its head of counterterrorism was a counterterrorism coordinator for the State Department. In addition, the NYPD has officers posted in half a dozen other countries.

Lawsuits filed against the NYPD reveal that its undercover officers have joined antiwar rallies, among other protest gatherings, and that they have acted as agents provocateurs in order to provoke arrests at at least one demonstration. Investigations also have been launched against undercover agents elsewhere, including in Fresno, California, where a sheriffs' department officer infiltrated a local peace group.

US News also reported that in order to qualify for federal homeland security grants, local authorities are now required, to report on how many "potential threat elements" or "PTEs" exist in their jurisdictions. "The definition [given by the Department of Homeland Security] of suspected terrorists was fairly loose," the magazine reported. "PTEs were groups or individuals who might use force or violence 'to intimidate or coerce' for a goal 'possibly political or social in nature.'"

It would be nice to get a new thread. After they languish, they get overrun with this propaganda.

At today's (May 7) Eastern Market Day festival in Ward 6, Ward 5 Council candidate Joe Harris had a table and his people were passing out his campaign literature. I give him an A for effort but I hope there were at least a few Ward 5 voters there.

I attended the Council Chair and Council at Large Forum at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School on last evening. I was surprised to see only a few of the Ward 5 candidates for Councilman. Although the turnout was low I was impressed with the debate between the candidates for Council at Large and Council Chair. I would love to see such a forum for the Ward 5 Councilman candidates. Not the Bertie Backus type forum but a forum limited in scope to no more than 3-4 candidates. In fact, I think Ron Magnus, Bruce A. Marshall and Harry Thomas, Jr and Joe Harris would be an excellent group to debate. Just wishful thinking on my part! Why debate the issues openly? Who really cares what the citizens are concerned about anyway?

The At Large forum in Ft. Lincoln, Ward 5, was quite good.

Regarding the above response, maybe there could be two panels of Ward 5 candidates presenting. One group would go the first hour and another group the next. The candidates would pick straws or flip a coin to see which panel they were serve on. Questions could be picked arbitrarily to ask the candidates.

I agree with both post above. I would love to see a real debate (with issues that are specific to Ward 5) between the candidates and I think a workable solution was offered in the above post-- that is to split the debate into two parts among the many candidates so that we the voters are not overwhelmed by the sheer number of candidates running and so that we get to hear the candidates stance on the meaty issues. No dog and pony show. Just real meat and potatoes. I know this would help me make up my mind. And, maybe those candidates who are not serious about running will weed themselves out by their responses!

http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/
www.onlinejournal.com
www.wsws.org
www.takingaim.info
otherside123.blogspot.com

AND NOW THEY COME FOR THE IRISH!!!!!!

May 9, 2006 -- First they came for the Muslims and the Arabs . . . then they came for the illegal Latinos . . . and then they came for the Irish. Yes, the Department of Homeland Security under Obergruppenfuhrer/chief Kapo Michael Chertoff has decided to sic his Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after illegal Irish bartenders and waitresses who mostly work in New York City Irish pubs and who have overstayed their visas. Also being rounded up in the DHS sting are U.S. citizens of Irish descent who have facilitated the entry of the Irish workers from Canada through such entry points as Buffalo and Rochester. Since he became Homeland Security Czar, Chertoff has menaced Arabs and Muslims, Latin Americans, African-American survivors of hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast, and now Irish pub workers. Chertoff's actions against Irish bartenders and pub keepers has increased anti-American feelings in Ireland and among New York's large and influential Irish-American community.

"Kapo Chertoff's" new enemies: Irish bartenders in New York City. Chertoff is out to catch Osama McLaden.

One group Chertoff will definitely not touch is the non-documented organized crime syndicates from Russia, Ukraine, and Israel, some with provable financial links to "Al Qaeda," which operate mainly out of Brighton Beach in New York, Miami, and the greater Los Angeles area. Chertoff's financial and religious ties to these groups may explain his reticence in seeking their deportation.

Whomever suggested a new thread for Ward 5 campaign race issues was right on point. These ridiculous, politicized, propagandized "article" postings are tiresome, and they interrupt the blog flow.

Anyway, a REAL debate between the candidates is a splendid idea. I am amazed that the Ward 5 Democrats have not already seeked to redeem themselves after the previous Blunder at Backus. How does one get this message across to them? And if the Ward 5 Dems cannot make this happen, is there another organization/sponsor willing to do so? Hell, if all else fails, let the candidates meet Turkey's Thicket one Saturday morning, and duke it out ol' school style. No pomp, no frills, and no gloves!

On behalf of the Bruce Marshall for Ward 5 campaign office, greetings to all!

It's nice to read such enthused interest in the race to fill the soon to be vacant Ward 5 city council seat. As you know, my candidate, Bruce Marshall, is a strong contender for this position. Bruce would love to hear your thoughts about the issues discussed on this forum and any other issues facing our community that you feel strongly about.

Therefor, he is hosting a Meet-and-Greet on the fourth Sunday of each month at his campaign headquarters from 2:30PM - 4:00pm to engage open dialogue with the citizenry.

The first Meet-and-Greet will be on Sunday May 28, 2006. So please feel free to stop by and get to know Bruce and hear more about his Marshall Plan for Ward 5.

Bruce Marshall for Ward 5 Campaign HQ:
2642 12th St., NE
202-529-2908

And remember, "FAMILIES FIRST"!

Two weeks since the last post from Elissa, Lori, David, Yulonda, Eric and the rest of the gang. What do you guys do all day? Has there really been nothing worth writing about? I'm tired of even checking.

In response to Bruce Marshall for Ward 5:

Why doesn't Bruce Marshall challenge the others to a debate. I not only want to hear his views, but I want to hear how his views stack up against his running mates. From what I have read, Bruce Marshall, Frank Wilds, Harry Thomas and Ron Magnus seem to be the candidates with the resumes needed to run Ward 5 but i havn't heard them speak to the issues and/or challenge each other's stance on issues or field constituents questions. Let's get them in a debate. Oh and by the way, did I mention that I live in an area of the city where I have only seen signs of Wilds and Thomas? Where are the rest of you?

DC Wire is a Joke: You are correct. I thought I was the only one who has been loosing interest in this site. After I post this, I'll be deleting the DC Wire address from my favorites list. Another reason one should read the Washington Times Metro section and the Washington Examiner--you actually get decent and timely local news.

isn't it about time the DC Wire post another blog entry? There is more than a little going on in our city and this entry sitting here since late April is absurd!

Let's wait until we hit the 6 week mark before we change. Some people may be slow readers or may take a while to comprehend what they have read.

Over the weekend, we may need to come up with events to report to make this site worthy of our constant reading. I like this site, but am so disappointed that we don't get much. The Post needs to pay the writers or offer to let the readers do it. I bet we'd get some articles then.

Happy Mothers Day. Don't forget to get a gift.

Petitions for candidates are available this weekend. At Large Council candidates require 2,000 signatures to get on the ballot. A. Scott Bolden is running for At Large DC Council and is a Democrat. Collect signatures for Bolden as well as for your favorite mayoral, chair, or ward candidate. We need new proactive, effective leadership on the council that will be a voice for the people and is accessible and responsive. He is a hard worker and represents well the group he leads. Let him lead as a councilmember and represent all communities.

Question: Which blogs stay up the longest without adding a new one? Is it DCist, City Desk, or DC Wire? Can we improve on the frequency of new blogs. I have this one memorized. However, DC Wire does have good ones and good comments.

Oh well, another weekend with the same blog. Guess we have to fire this one up with some off the wall ranting to get our point across. I guess I could read a book though or do charitable work.

So, what is the next issue to talk about? Somebody start it and the rest of us will follow up. Maybe we will be able to hit 200 comments over the weekend.

Here's a topic for discussion:

Existentialism: Man's Search for Meaning.

Perhaps we should apply this to man's and woman's search for meaning in the Post blog.

I have yet to see anything from A. Scott Bolden that would suggest he supports anyone other than big business and other powerful interests. I know Phil Mendelson is boring and unasuming, but I would take that any day over a fake Democrat.

Obviously you are misinformed and uneducated on what goes on in the District of Columbia. A. Scott Bolden is about this city and bringing it together for all people. He is about working with different groups, including business. Anyone that cannot work with the business community is not worth the time. The P.M. guy has been less than ineffective over the years. Boring is an understatement and is not even an issue here. He lacks aggressiveness and a sense of accomplishment. Scott will take the ball and run with it. He will pull the other councilmembers together to get votes. That's what we need. P.M. is just a figure head, not doing much for D.C. He doesn't make any noise and doesn't really represent the entire city. Scott Bolden is the one for the next Councilmember at large. We don't need eight years of more of the same. We need a leader, a champion. Someone that will represent the group that he serves, the constituents. Bolden will make us proud of his leadership. He will be a dynamic leader making sure that things happen for the citizens of D.C. Those that want to vote for the P.M. guy do so. The rest of us will roll with the next councilmember. it won't take him forever to get bills to a hearing, like the crime bill, and he wouldn't let the EMS issue continue to escalate. Any action that the P.M. guy does now is much too late and a campaign stunt. Leadership is about being proactive and caring enough to do what is right immediately and not waiting for the media and citizens to get you going. We wait too long for nothing with the P.M. guy.

Please - posts by paid operatives of the Bolden campaign need not apply here! This post was supposed to be about Ward 5, and it was first posted weeks ago. The fact that the Boldenites are trolling and using this blog to spread propaganda is pretty sad - very sad. And the campaign tactic of not naming Mendelson is classic - "that P.M. guy." This post isn't about the at-large race - it's about the rarely-publicized Ward 5 race!

Anyway, Frank Wilds looks to be gaining some traction here in 5, at least in chatting with people around the ward. In speaking to him, I could see him fitting in on the Council pretty well. I think what is also interesting is how these new members of council will chair committees for the first time, and how the new council chair will handle that.

Oh, and to all the Moms of DC - Happy Mother's Day!

First of all, Bolden will represent Ward 5 voters and I am not paid that's why I take on people that speak against my candidate. Like other blogs, this one has been on here too long and it is for citizens to address the issues that they please. Someone commented against Bolden first, so a rebuttal is fair game. When you own the Post and Ward 5, then tell others what to do. I am sure that the previous writer was a paid operative looking for something to say.

Ward 5 has great candidates running. All of them appear to be good.

Bolden, at large candidate, will work with any of those chosen.

We are so lucky to have so many candidates interested in Ward 5.

That's what's wrong with some of our at large councilmembers past and present. They forget that they serve the ward interest too and should be an extension of or complement to the ward councilmembers. Each ward should be able to count on the four at large councilmembers to help in their ward. That has been sadly missing with some councilmembers and that is why you don't know the incumbent or at least expect much of him. Too bad some incumbents and their supporters just don't get it. One incumbent running acts like he just heard of Ward 5 and wants to be visible and accessible.

Get into the real world. There are paid operatives on every viable campaign. However, the paid ones need not expend their time on this blog when regular supporters and volunteers gladly correct misinformation and mistruths put out by the incumbent propaganda device. We won't say machine because that would give too much credit. Now be nice. Some of us Ward 5 residents are strong supporters of Mr. Bolden and look forward to him representing the city on the Council.

old news. And not very interesting.

I post about the fact that this dated thread was supposed to be about the ward 5 race, and draw attention to the bolden camp's trolling (read the FIRST post announcing their petition pickup - clearly having nothing to do with the Ward 5 candidates forum posting) and I get this venom? Have a great day, ladies and gentlemen. Lots of class. Best of luck.

I commented because as a Ward 5 resident I was offended by your intrusion on my first amendment right. If you look at the blogs and comments on the Post DC Wire that have been there for a while, you will see what the trend as been and will know that after a while these things become a free for all. Your intent was obviously a plow to pick on another candidate and it was not appreciated.

The posted blog is here for people to respond to as usual. There is one blog that has over 200 comments.

Should you want to pick on a candidate, please pick on someone else that does not have supporters that hold him in high regard and who read these blogs and comments to make sure they are kept honest.

Hope that I have been clear. We stand some for something and as such will not be timid when someone tries their political ploys and expects no one to notice. This is not a game. This is about the future of the city. Bolden will be there for Ward 5 and many in Ward 5 admire him and will vote for him. Try your game with someone else that is naive. And you exhibited a lot of class as well. Everybody is not so easily led astray or fooled by supposedly good natured banter and advice.

Thank you for sharing. Talk to you later previous poster. This is not about class, it's about what is. We focus on class and privilege too much in DC and therefore continue with politics as usual. We will stop that with the 2006 elections.

Steve Rynecki and a Shared Vision for Ward 5

Dear Ward 5 Voter,

My name is Steve Rynecki and I'm running for Ward 5 City Council. On September 12, 2006, Ward 5 residents will be voting for the one person they think is most qualified to lead them. You as a Ward 5 voter demand an engaged, accountable and effective leader. As many of you are aware, there are now more than 10 candidates running for this council position. I think the increased competition is sign of the vibrant democracy in this ward and the demanding, competitive nature of Ward 5 residents. It also says so much about what's at stake for the future of our ward and our city. I'd like to share some things about myself and my philosophy in representing you in the City Council later this year. I'll warn you now that this letter is extensive and comprehensive - no spin.

First of all, I'm a senior program officer at the Academy for Educational Development, an non-profit based here in DC. I manage over $5 million worth of educational and workforce training investments for youth and unemployed worldwide. I'm the son of a labor lawyer and grew up in a solidly middle class neighborhood in Milwaukee. My economic development career brought me to DC in 2000. I'm 38 years old and have been living in Ward 5 for over five years with my wife Aine. We bought our first home here in Ward 5. We live in the Eckington neighborhood and love this place, but I also see big areas for improvement.

I became involved in neighborhood activism early on. I'm co-chairman of the Economic Development committee for the Eckington Civic Association (ECA) and the former director of the mayor's North Capitol Main Street project. I ran for ANC 5C02 in 2004 and that's where I got the motivation to run for City Council. I learned that City Council is where the big decisions are made. This is where the laws are decided that affect our quality of life. Working with other volunteers, I was able to help spearhead neighborhood clean-ups, a farmers market, small business outreach and learned a great deal about how an active and engaged councilmember can make a real difference.

The local press and political pundits are dismissing my candidacy because I'm running an all volunteer, grassroots campaign. Why should I organize a committee with over 10 others in a race for the bottom? I'm not out for your money and have no special interests behind me (like casino operators). If elected, I'm only working for YOU. I'm not putting on a show; but merely trying to represent you through a solid track record of hard work and dedication.

That's why I'll be out there with other Ward 5 volunteers getting my nominating petitions signed in the coming weeks. I won't be leaving it to a campaign manager to supervise. I will lead Ward 5 in much the same way. It'll be me you're dealing with on the major issues and a seasoned council staff in managing daily workloads. We'll keep a balanced budget and will be transparent about our activities.

Here is what I'm proposing as your candidate for Ward 5:

Economic Development
We have roughly 75,000 people living in Ward 5, and a staggering 15% official unemployment. There is an unemployment/underemployment crisis in our ward. Our major corridors like New York, Florida and Rhode Island Avenues are not optimal. North Capitol Street is an inexcusable shame. We have large big box and strip mall developments but these are not creating pride of place in Ward 5. We want neighborhood owned and operated businesses that give us a sense of community. We want our neighborhoods to be vibrant, safe and clean. We want local jobs for our youth and unemployed.

* I'll fight to earmark Federal dollars in the District Department of Transportation budget for Ward 5 streetscape improvements especially on North Capitol Street, 12th Street NE and will do my best to return Truxton Circle to the intersection of Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street;
* Fight for improved access to area metro stations for pedestrians, bicyclists, seniors and children. I'll work closely with the Ward 6 council member to improve pedestrian access to the New York Avenue metro station;

* Work with the councils' Economic Development committee and the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to add Ward 5 to the Great Streets initiative and to bring new dollars and management to the DC Main Streets in our ward;

* Promote legislation to increase Federal tax credits to property owners of commercial real estate to attract neighborhood serving retail to our commercial corridors, thus creating more local jobs and buying power;

* I'll work closely with a team of real estate experts to find investors for vacant land and property throughout the ward to increase the tax rolls and turn those new dollars into investments for our young people.

Public Safety
Just about anywhere in the ward you hear neighbors talking about crime. How can we attract investment and create jobs with all the trash, loitering and criminal reputation that our neighborhoods have been associated with? My approach is multifaceted and based on real world experiences and solutions.

* With your help, I'm going to push for a new employment requirement that all future DC police officers reside in the city limits and not in neighboring states. I'll work with the council, police chief and mayor to help craft legislation to make it possible for police and other emergency workers to own homes in Ward 5 and the rest of DC. Once they have a stake in our future you'll see improved services;

* Follow Adrian Fenty's lead in restricting the sale of single bottles of alcohol and introduce new legislation to tackle excessive loitering and public intoxication associated with poorly regulated convenience stores. I will empower ABRA by challenging the Federal government in their consistent interference with home rule and negative impacts on our quality of life;

* Explore ways to make parents more accountable for the actions of their children including penalties for truancy and crimes committed by children of neglectful parents;

* Increase the number of community improvement programs that engage youth in mandatory community improvement activities including Americorps, City Year, Casey Trees, etc. I want to see our youth out there planting trees, assisting seniors with odd jobs, cleaning up schools, building life skills and creating character.

Health & Human Services
Did you know that Ward 5 has one of the highest numbers of single parent households in DC? It's hard enough these days for two parents to raise even one child. Imagine the stress of a single parent raising several children. We can't turn a blind eye to the situation. We need to do the following to make certain ALL of our residents are getting the help that they need:

* I will ensure that all Ward 5 residents have access to basic healthcare resources especially women, children and seniors;

* Ensure that there is no abuse of public funds allocated for healthcare benefits;

* Find ways to overhaul DC's Health and Human Services department. Make certain that committed and qualified professionals are in places of top supervision and accountability;

* Find ways to link the Ward 5 services coordinator with volunteers to assist sanitary workers in tackling threats to public health, including rodent population control and public education for citizens.

Education

I think it's safe to say our schools are a poor return on investment. DC pours more dollars per pupil than any other school district in the United States and yet all we hear about is what a shambles the schools are in. I will make it my top priority to figure out the extent of the damage and work with you and educational experts to make Ward 5 schools the best in DC. In other words, I'm looking to compete with schools located in other wards to improve our facilities and draw students from other wards based on our improved reputation for academic excellence. I'm a huge proponent of school choice!

* I'll work to attract charter and vocational education providers to public school buildings in Ward 5 that DCPS is slated to close. I'll make our ward the education capital of DC and build a reputation as leaders in innovative and proactive education policy;

* Work with Superintendent Janey, the school board, local principals and educators to understand what is wrong with DC schools and what should be done legislatively to solve those issues and improve school performance;

* Review the current Department of Employment Services budget and find ways to increase practical training for at risk youth and juvenile offenders. I want to empower youth with skills that lead to immediate employment opportunities and give them self esteem and a future;

* Provide resources for jobs that provide a living wage so single parents can take care of their family and have pride in what they do;

* Target single mothers for workforce, job and life management skills training. Develop a support network for single mothers to share child rearing responsibilities and develop/strengthen a youth mentoring program that provides children of single parents with positive role models and improved self esteem;

* Foster linkages between McKinley Technology High School and area tech firms to create a Technology Training Center at the campus that will be the envy of the entire region and create 21st century jobs for Ward 5 residents.

Mixed Income Housing
Affordable housing is a real hot button issue in the ward and DC as a whole. Many folks attribute their personal values to this issue. I take a more clinical approach to the subject. DC's real estate market is red hot but could cool at any given time, it's really a cyclical event and not necessarily the way it will be forever, given rising interest rates. Having said that, we still have at least one million new residents expected to move to the DC metro area (including Maryland and Virginia suburbs) by 2020. The long hours waiting in commuter traffic are also forcing suburbanites to look at DC as a place to relocate. In other words, you and I will have more neighbors than ever before.

I'm currently negotiating with property developers who want to develop housing in Eckington. Some proposals are for market rate and others for affordable housing. I've learned to view proposals with a great deal of skepticism and ask tough questions about MIXED income housing. We have learned as a society that 100% market rate is unfair and 100% low-income housing has negative outcomes for communities.

My housing development philosophy is driven by examples from across the city and the country that have worked. I'm a huge proponent of mixed income housing with an emphasis for first time home owner incentives and set asides for working poor. The only way our city is going to advance and lead the nation is to demonstrate the strength of all people of all backgrounds living side by side with each other making their community a place to be proud of. A mix of renters and home owners is preferable. I'll approach each planned unit development in the much the same way, making certain that developers understand the quality standards expected of them in both architectural design, market mix and property management.

Accountability for Social Service Providers
Given the large number of halfway houses, homeless service providers and food distribution centers in Ward 5, I think its high time we had an elected representative who is willing to tackle the lack of accountability these providers currently enjoy.

I will propose legislation that seeks financial penalties for social service providers responsible for producing excess trash, noise, loitering, destruction of property and intimidation of neighboring residents and home owners who are forced to clean up after these organizations. I will recognize and reward providers who have a positive track record working with neighbors while fulfilling their mission for social good.

I will make certain Ward 5 limits and reduces the number of halfway houses and social service providers present in the ward. I want our ward to be an equal partner with other wards, not taking on the brunt. I'm going to create a task force that identifies problem providers and makes them accountable. The net result will be safer, cleaner streets and increased investment into our neighborhoods. It also means managers of social service orgs need to work closely with Ward 5 residents to ensure that they are working in partnership with the communities they operate in.

Next steps
I want to build positive programs to increase our quality of life and I need your help in moving this agenda forward. I need your input and your energy to get elected! If you are willing to volunteer at least 2 hours a week to the cause of moving Ward 5 toward a positive future please feel free to call me at 202 494 3294 or email me at srynecki@yahoo.com

I'm running to make Ward 5 the most livable in the city and with your help, I know we can make a change in the right direction.

Sincerely yours,

Steve Rynecki

When oh when will this blog change? Please it's been on here forever. Are we to go to Express or DCist or Slate or City Desk or Common Denominator or or whatever to keep on top of ongoing news and issues? Did I leave anybody out? Okay, we'll be good and won't talk about you. Just please move on to the next blog so that we can keep the comments coming. You write such good blogs that deserve our time and attention.