I believe I read Fenty's lips, from accross the room, after the forum last night. He was talking to Sinclair Skinner and said "Sinclair, I wish I knew how to quit you."

Until Fenty pubicly responds to the Skinner situation -- defending him, firing him, whatever -- I cannot support him. If he can't take the heat on this issue, how can he handle being mayor?

What's the issue with Skinner? (Something is wrong with the Wash. Post link to the Skinner website.)

Sorry for the site being down. I contacted my web service provider and they said they are experiencing network outages. Hopefully the situation will be resolved soon. Check back later on.

link doesn't work. finally some interesting summer political gossip and I can't get to it. Horrors.

When will any of the current Mayoral candidates actually tell folks how they are going to pay for all of the goodies they promise at these pander-a-thons masquerading as Mayoral forums. Just once, it would be nice to hear a candidate for Mayor tell the voters of DC that what we need to do is CUT spending, CUT taxes, and restore a little sanity to this place.

www.cutdctaxes.blogspot.com

Talk is Cheap. This blog entry highlights a couple of things; one that Fenty was able to more aptly respond to softball questions (big deal), and that the biggest issues are that of his staff and the salary of the librarian.

People are annointing Cropp as the one to beat, unless Fenty is able to make a move. The interesting thing is there has not been one plan introduced, not a cohesive platform or any solid ideas on

Education, Development, Affordable housing, policing/security and unemployment.

For all of the people who are happy that Anthony Williams in not running, where are all of the ideas? Where are all of the plans to continue the metamorphasis of DC?

www.eckingtonblog.blogspot.com

Well don't hold your breath waiting for the current crop of Democratic candidates for Mayor to come forward with any new ideas - unless of course throwing away more of taxpayers hard earned money counts as a new idea (and given the track record of politicians in the District thats no new idea).

www.cutdctaxes.blogspot.com

the link is fine. the web site is down, according to its creator, taylor, above. the address is www.dumpskinner.com.

After watching the race closely for the past few months, I've decided that I'm voting for Marie Johns. She hasn't been elected to the Council, so she hasn't been part of the problem.
The D.C. Council is a disaster. We residents passed a referendum imposing term limits and the Council overturned our referendum.
Vote for a council member for mayor if you want to, but don't be surprised when incompetence springs anew in the executive branch.

Palce Pool,

I did a quick scan of the web sites of all candidates and confirmed that Adrian Fenty is the only candidate that has a specific education plan on his website. Visit www.fenty06.com for his plan.

I would also like to remind everyone that Hon. Fenty was the first city councilmember to introduce legislation to fund the modernization of DC public schools.

To me, this represents the bright vision that Hon. Fenty has for the future of our city and is one of the many reasons that I will be voting for him on September 12.

...and across town, in Ward 6...

BOLDEN DEFEATS INCUMBENT IN STRAW POLL

**Upset Victory Spells Trouble for Mendelson**

At-Large DC Council candidate A. Scott Bolden upset his opponent, Phil Mendelson, at a straw poll conducted by the Ward Six Democrats last night.

Among decided, registered Democratic voters in Ward Six, Bolden captured 52% (106 votes). Mendelson trailed with 48% (98 votes.)

See official results and read the Bolden 2006 press release at:

http://bolden2006.com/press/straw_poll.php

As with "Shaw resident," I'm support Johns, unless something strange happens. New blood is always good, and I'm just not impressed with anyone who's been on the City Council. Williams has done well, and I think she's closest to him in background and talent.

My two cents, for what it's worth.

Sinclair Skinner's presence in the Fenty campaign is cause enough for me to vote for someone else.

I am writing in Tom Sherwood for Mayor!

Christopher Dyer, does it not bother you that the bulk of money Fenty has gotten has come from hard core, right wing Republicans?

It is so good to hear that Bolden won the Ward 6 Dems straw poll for the at large seat. I understand that Vincent Gray won as well for the chair poll. There were no shenanigans, just a hard fought race for that evening's straw poll. Ward 6 is probably a good indicator of how the city will go since it has such a diverse group of voters.

When are we going to get a glimpse of the potential candidates for school board president and for the other school board seats?

I just wanted to let everyone know that my website is back up.

http://www.DumpSkinner.com

There was a network outage at my web host. It was out of my hands.

That Fenty has received the bulk of his campaign cash from "hard core, right wing Republicans" is pretty easy to disprove. All anyone needs to do is go to the Campaign Finance in the Reeves Center.

Even if you don't have time for that, on the face the accusation is ridiculous. Sure, Fenty's got a little business and developer money. Big surprise- the big money players hedge their bets by spreading their wealth around. They especially feel the need to spread it to candidates, like Fenty, who are leading the voter polls. But Fenty also has a huge number of small donors who are good government activists, (like myself- I gave $100), who give because they've watched Adrian, they care about our city, and know we can be better. I'd bet that no other candidate has or will receive as great a proportion of their campaign funds from small contributors, such as myself.

Can we please remove the alias post from "Jack In The Box"?

Thanks.

The best thing about that forum was watching them all up there sweating buckets. None of our public schools have sufficient A/C and maybe for once these politicians "felt the heat".

another worthless news organization
goodbye

The fact that some of you will not vote for Fenty simply because of one person on his campaign staff is ridiculous...is your life in this city really that good, that that is all you have to care about?

Adams Morgan,
Have you read the website? Have you seen Fenty's arrogant response to the situation? It is not so much Skinner as it is Fenty's refusal to address the situation.

If Fenty is unable to make a tough decision to do the right thing simply because they are fraternity brothers, it shows me that he doesn't have the leadrship ability to lead this city.

Why is there never anything about Michael Brown? I know he was there and I know he is still running for mayor, but when I check DCWire nothing! Im tired of the "council candidates" I hear more about them and "what they're going to do" Than i have heard in their combined 30 years of public service. This race is honestly still wide open. I only wish the post would talk about all the candidates and not just focus on the "front runners". Help inform the voters!

Christopher Dyer,

Didn't you post on the Washington City Paper blog that if you saw any evidence that Sinclair was shown to have been homophobic or intollerant you would no longer spend time supporting Adrian Fenty? Has the DumpSkinner website not proven that to you?

Let me refresh your memory.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/citydesk/2006/04/dcision-06-sign-of-intolerance.html
"At 12:29 PM, Christopher Dyer said...

I find it interesting that people resort to petty personal attacks in order to attempt to prove their point.

I am an openly gay, long time DC resident who is also a proud supporter of Adrian Fenty because he has a dynamic vision for the future of this city that moves us beyond the race/sexual orientation bating of the past.

Too much time has been wasted in this city on a variety of he said/she said discussions and its time to move on.

There are serious issues facing this city including education reform, the need for affordable housing, crime reduction and continued economic development.

Great progress has been made and I think Adrian Fenty will work with everyone to ensure that this city reaches its full potential.

As for Sinclair Skinner, I don't know his past, but I've actually had a chance to work with him these past few months and he is one of the nicest, most energenic people I know and if I thought for a minute, that he was homophobic or intolerant, I wouldn't spend as much time as I do trying to get Hon. Fenty elected."

Let me set some things straight because many of my fellow D.C.eits seem to be confused.

1. Education: many students in the D.C. education system can't spell EDUCATION. Thanks Linda Oh! my bad, spelling (or the ability too) could destory my street cread

2. Employment: Although some employment require miminum wage, a little bit of something is better than much of nothing at all. Still, connected to Education, employment is stronger than nothing at all.

3. Economic Development: just needs one word "JOBS" BUTTTTT! if you can spell (putting away your street cread), jobs still only have three letters in it.

My point: connect the three "E's" and avoid small plans of "F"enty or "C"ropp.

Its time for all "A's"
See the light "Orange 2006" were employment connects to education and economic development.

It's "cred", not "cread."

Irony hopefully noted.

First: the Fenty Campaign. Let me say as a precursor, that nothing travels faster than bad experiences.

A good friend of mine, fellow Washingtonian and law student at Georgetown, went down to Fenty's headquarters for a lunch meeting in January to learn about him. At the lunch meeting for Fenty, he met Skinner and the encounter went as follows:

At the meeting, Skinner immediately began passing clipboards to attendants telling them to go do to door to obtain support for Fenty. When a woman raised her hand to inquire about Fenty's platform, Skinner replied, "You don't come here to learn, you come here to work." When the woman stated that she didn't feel appropriate "working" for a man, whose politics she barely knew, he simply ignored her. The woman walked out stating, "not only have you lost support, you've lost a vote."

Next, a male volunteer in the room stated to Skinner that before they started work he had some "questions." Skinner replied that "now isn't the time for questions." That man, also left, similarly pertrubed.

My remaining friend then told Skinner, "I'd love to help, but I am on a lunch break and I just came to get information. Here is my information, you may contact me later." Skinner, perhaps exhausted of the defecting bunch, softened and asked my friend, "That sounds goods. Where do go to school?" My friend replied, "Georgetown Law." Skinner then asked, where did he go to undergraduate. My friend replied, "Georgetown College:" Skinner then told him (somewhat jokingly), "Oh! Well you we need you to get your graduate degree from an HBCU (Historically Black Collegeor University) for you to work on this campaign." My friend, who was African-American, uncomfortably laughed off the implication that his resume or blackness was somehow deficient by his school choice.

In sum, Skinner doesn't seem to be the best leadership and I question Fenty's leadership for selecting him as his right hand man.

Personally, I believe that VIncent Orange or Marie Johns would do the best job of continuing this city's trend of growth coupled with decisions that diversified our economy, lowered petty (yet annoying crime) like loitering and pandhandling, while attemptign to secure more jobs.

Brown's financial scandal nor his icy reception from the business community sit well with me. Crop doesn't impress me because of her lack of tenacity in decision making. On at least FOUR occasionally, I personally seen her change her vote, post-count, to manifest a different outcome. Fenty grossly mismanaged a court-appointed client's estate worth $20,000 resulting in a reprimand from the bar, which makes me question his professional integrity. And Skinner only compounds the problem.

For my views on my opinions, see my blog: http://realpolitikdc.blogspot.com/

Adrain Fenty is not the one to run this city. Why did not the Washington Post let everyone know that Adrian Fenty is the one that got rid of the rent control bill in DC . Now that Adrain Fenty has done this fellow renter we are in trouble. Yes Adrian Fenty along with Jim Graham wrote law to abolish the rent control bill in the District of Columbia now the Landlords can increase the rent 10%. Fenty went on TV at the Homeless shelter and stated that the people in the shelter where there because they could not paty their rent but he never mentioned that he wrote legislation to get rid of the rent control. Adrian Fenty is not for the working class of folks. Next forum ASK him why!!!!

Why don't you all just keep making things up and writing them down here? Also, keep repeating the made-up posts. As well, be sure to change your handle each time so it looks like different people are writing.

What a waste of time. I won't bother reading anymore...

P.S., It's "street cred" buddy, "cred" being short for credibility (which is in short supply around here...)

You people are sick. I went to the site there is no clear reason why you would attack someone publicly. You think the man killed someone or was responsible for some great atrocite. You simply do not like someone and you want him fired. You put up a website. It is scary to me that there are people like you in the world. Adrian or any other candidate do not need people like you for your support.

Disgusted,
I'm sure you would feel the same way if a senior staff member on Fenty's campaign were shown to be a member of the KKK or the neo-nazis right?

Just because Mr. Skinner is black, doesn't excuse his racially divisive tactics.

You guys ARE sick. Nothing I've read on the incessantly promoted dumpskinner website or anywhere else supports this bile. Get a life.

If I published a newspaper with a cartoon of black people arm-in-arm with the devil and laughing while white people were hanged and depicted as slaves would I be welcome on the Fenty campaign? I should hope not. Imagine the uproar if this attack cut the other direction. I encourage everyone to view the Georgia Avenue Defender, reverse the races in all the text and illustrations, and honestly say that the author is not racially divisive and insensitive.
DC is full of talented potential compaign staffers. If Fenty can't find one to replace Skinner, I'm going to have to (gulp) support Cropp...

I actually took the time to look at the Dump Skinner site. I admit I knew very little about the man. After reading the site, all I can say is I have heard and seen much worse written about people. I did find it humorous when the author had harsh words to say to Skinner in response to his words and actions, and then the author felt guilty about his outburst for a week wondering if he did the right thing. People--grow up. The election won't turn on Skinner or someone's hurt ego. Try talking about the issues and what our city faces.

Go Away Rees.

I contend that this is a real issue. If Fenty chooses to hire, stand by (and potentially appoint, should things work out for him) a divisive rascist over the objections of many voters, what does that say about Fenty's willingness to represent all of DC?
As someone who lives in the H Street area, I see the result when people fan the flames of rascism. I had the Fenty lawn sign. He had my support. This issue ALONE lost it for me. I thought Fenty had a spine and a sense of justice. I was wrong.

H Streeter,

Get off your high-horse already. It is perfectly acceptable for a senior campaign staffer to publish racist newsletters and try to intimadte people who oppose him. Get a clue.

I keep reading the dumpskinner site, and the posts here and cross-references, and find nothing objectionable. You try and sell yourself as "just a concerned voter" but your obviously bent on doing your best to undermine Fenty, with no ammunition at all.

I mean, have a good time of it if you must, but you seem to be getting nowhere, and there's nothing behind it.

And hiding behind the anonymity, it's just cowardice. Whatever candidate you're backing, whether it's Cropp or whomever, you just seem to be buying them some rotten karma.

"Amy" et al.

I don't know about you, but if I were running for mayor and a member of my staff published the Georgia Avenue Defender, he would be out on his ass as soon as I found out about it. Are you honestly going to sit here with a straight face and condone that racist crap? Do you agree with the material? What kind of "Neighba" are you?

The fact that Fenty chooses to support this man indicates to me that he condones that type of behavior. Hence he has lost my vote and the vote of my friends who I have shown the site to.

Congradulations Mr. Fenty.

I've read the stuff. I work in civil rights and no, I'm not bothered by it. Beyond Gramzilla, I just don't see the substance you're trying to suggest, and Gramzilla was a long time ago. Who do you think Jim Graham is supporting in the Mayor's race?

Seems like some people are disturbed by bringing in more bars and gentrification into the community. You are not. Get over it.

Fenty "lost my vote" -- that's a laugh. You're obviously working for his opponents and hiding behind verious aliases. What a waste of time.

Yes it is obvious I am working for Fenty's opponents. I think it is time to take off that tinfoil hat and realize that many residents are concerned about this.

You honestly don't find anything offensive in this?
http://www.dumpskinner.com/defender_issue3.jpg

I see the children are still at it. Time to give it a rest. People will make up their mind about Fenty based on what is in their and the city's best interest. I'm sure your dump skinner efforts changed not one vote. It just makes you look bad.
Yawn--time to move on.

I am the creator of the DumpSkinner site.

I don't know where to begin with these comments, so I will make some general statements.

I can't vouch for the authenticity of the posters on this blog since I don't have access to the server logs. What I can tell you is that based on the emails I've received and the talk on many Yahoo List-Serves is that this issue is important to a lot of people, and many have said they are no longer going to vote for Fenty. Many of these people are prominent members of the community and did not post their feelings anonymously.

I also would like to make it clear that I approached Fenty before the website came online and discussed my issues with him. I even provided him with many pieces of evidence. He dismissed my concerns. He even had the gall to say that Sinclair Skinner had nothing to do with the Georgia Avenue Defender even though his name is on it and he personally handed me and many others a copy. I figured Mr. Fenty had the ability to look at the facts objectivly. Clearly, in my mind, he valued his friendship over what the right thing to do was. I am not the only one who approached Fenty about this.

I realize some people may look at the site and think that the issues raised are not a big deal. That is certainly your right, but you need to realize they are a big deal to me and many others. I understand issues such as gentrification are a major concern in this city. My contention is that there are right and wrong ways to confront these issues. In my opinion Mr. Skinner has consitantly chosen the wrong ways to address these issues.

I can't believe I need to comment on this, but I am in no way connected to any of the campaigns for Mayor. Frankly, I am disgusted by the choices we have. If anyone has seen Michael Moore's tv show, The Awful Truth, I am seriously considering writing in Ficus for Mayor.

All that I ask is that you take the time to read through the site and make your own judgements. Thank You.

Taylor

I don't know much about Skinner, but I like Fenty a loti. I watched him during the lead crisis that Washington faced some short time ago. He was the only one who actually wanted to fire WASA General Manager, and he was right in that positon. The organization failed to inform residence of a serious issue and to this day no one has been held accoutable, even after the courts ruled that WASA violated employee protection laws. We need leaders who have integrity and do not get caught up with cronies. I think that Fenty is up to that tasking!

I have not been impressed with Fenty on the stump -- I wish he got his points across better.

But Fenty on the job has been very impressive. There is no one on the Council as responsive as him, and his efforts keeping government accountable have been very effective. It seems like he just gets things done. With so many critical issues, particularly education where he has taken a lead (and where Cropp has been part of the problem), Fenty is actively, honestly, and sincerely working to arrive at solutions.

Fenty's earlier vote against rent-control reform only added to my disincentive to vote for him.

He lost my support several years ago with his heavy-handed intervention in ANC matters. During a BOEE hearing on the citizen challenges against 2 consecutive, illegally-conducted ANC special elections, at the 11th hour, Fenty arrogantly prevailed on the BOEE to reverse their decision to uphold the law which favored the challenges. Also, he is remarkably responsive to those constituents in the more affluent Ward-4 communities, while lukewarm towards others. I don't want another snooty mayor--much less, a legislator---who flouts election law.

I was leaning towards Cropp, but troubled by her years of inaction towards the abyssmal state of DCPS. As I attend more forums, I am more impressed by Marie Johns' less rhetorical, and more thoughtful responses.

I'm a firm believer that "THIS" time we should get rid of most people on the council and that would wipe out most of the problem. All talk the same noice and it's political. A city going to build a stadium in less than 2 years and still can't fix one fire house in 4 years needs to be changed. CHANGED NOW !!

Linda Cropp has been Pres of the School Board for 4 and on the board for 4, what has she done, she is part of the problem. If she didn't help to get it fixed then, what is she going to do now

This controversy doesn't affect my vote be-cause I would never cast it for anyone who praised the current mayor or was endorsed by him.I have no favorite because I haven't heard any of the contenders speak on the true legacy of Anthony Williams' reign...an era that began with the obliteration of a big chunk of historic Anacostia and ended with the razing of the Kennedy Theatre in NW.

If the Ward 3/4 mayoral forum was the most lively forum, then we really are in trouble. This forum was deadly dull -- no real dialogue -- no exchange between candidates. The questionners took my time asking their questions than the candidates were given to respond.

And if Fenty was new and improved -- he seemed more incomprehensible than ever. He may look good, but when he opens his mouth, there isn't much that is understandable that comes out.

It was wrong of you to throw out a newspaper you didn't want and tried to return. This is your fault, Taylor. If you threw out a paper I gave you, I would feel justified in attacking you as well.
(weakest contribution to the dialoge since the "jew hater" guy)

Chris and Chris is right,

I told them repeatedly that I already had a copy and they trust it into me like those people handing out fliers at the metro. If I hadn't have accepted the newspaper it would have fallen to the ground.

I realize it seems odd that Mr. Skinner would verbally assault me like that with out being provoked, but that is what happened. He was trying to bully me into submission, that is how he operates. He does it at community meetings and that is what he was doing on the street to me.

There is a witness on my site who told what he saw happen from accross the street. Like I say on the site, I should have filed a police report.

Hi Taylor, Would it have been any skin off your nose to just tuck the newspaper under your arm and say thank you and later throw it out or read it.

In another part of your website you ask that people with old copies of the paper/flyer(s) to give them to you. Right? So your act of throwing out the paper, which you took, in front of Skinner and the students was for what purpose? Provocation?

Also, I think you report that you and the staff member from Council Member Graham's office were the only people there other than Skinner and "his" Howard students and that the staff member went across the street to sit down and have coffee or something.

Why was it so important for you to stay at this Skinner event when it was clear that you were the only one there? Why not leave? Why stay and argue.

I don't know you or Skinner but your tone towards the Howard students that I mentioned in my first post was not addressed by you. As a graduate of Howard I take offense to the impression that you seem to create that they should not be participating in politics.

As far as calling the police, let me get this straight. you recived a cease and desist order from Skinner's lawyers regarding your website, then you seek him out an an event, insult him by throwing out the paper which you say he publishes, that you took, then you stay and argue with him and then you complain that you should have called the police. Give me a break. Maybe the police would have given you both tickets for disturbing the peace.

Chris,
I am sorry if you are confused. Let me try to clarify for you.

For one this event took place last Spring, long before the Cease and Desist and long before Mr. Skinner was working for the Fenty campaign.

The reason I threw away the Defender is because I already had a copy that was distributed to my house. I told them I already had a copy, but like I said they were very forcefull in giving me another copy. I still have the original copy that was delivered to my house.

What I was asking people for, on the website, were any issues that I don't already have. On my website I have Issue #1 and Issue #3. I assume there was an Issue #2. There was also a publication called the U-Street Defender which I have no copies of.

As for the Howard students. I'm not saying they shouldn't get involved in local politics. I do find it disturbing that Mr. Skinner indoctinated them into his radical political causes though. I realize that these students are adults and can think for themselves, but it still seems wrong. I also find it disturbing that Mr. Skinner is throwing these students under the bus claiming he had no knowledge of the content in the Defender. In other words he is saying that these students are the ones solely responsible for the content.

The reason I didn't leave is because Mr. Skinner assured me the press was comming. I was only there for maybe 10 minutes and then I left.

I know we don't know each other, but anyone who does know me knows that I am a very passive, quite, non-confrontational person.

I hope that answers your concerns.

Woops that last message was supposed to say from Taylor, not Chris.

Chris,

So now I need to see a psychologist?

I guess you had to be there to understand what exactly went on.

Like I said on the website Jim Graham's staff member was accross the street at a Pizza place (not a coffee shop.) As I said I thought he had left. I would have gladly stood over there with him rather then get verbally accosted.

As for the "argument" it was completly one-sided. I was there, leaning against a poll, taking it all pretending like I wasn't fased at all, I wasn't arguing back.

Chris,
To be clear. Although I was on the same side of the street as Mr. Skinner, I was a good 20-30 ft away from him. He approached me and started yelling at me. He claims he was provoked by my flier which is included on the website. That flier was not offensive.

I may have provoked him simply by being there. The whole throwing the newspaper in the trash has been explained several times now. I specifically told them I already had a copy and they still shoved it in my face. I didn't slam it in the trash, I calmly walked to the side and placed it in the trash.

If anyone is the provoker here it is Mr. Skinner. He didn't even live in the general area, yet he is calling a press conference fighting a new business while a year earlier he was supporting a strip club a block over.

Yes gentrification is a big concern for many people. Let me ask you this though, Do you support the content in the two issues of The Georgia Avenue Defender? To me and most people that is completly the wrong way to approach the problem. It only fans the flames of hate and doesn't help the situation at all.

Why is race an issue here? We all want the same thing: a city that is efficient and effective.

As for Taylor's incident, it seems like both sides handled it poorly. But, Skinner's the one who is a public figure and the one who wants to help run the city, so he should be held to a higher standard. If someone discards his brochure he should turn on the charm instead of yelling. He needs to improve his personal skills and grow up, especially if he wants a career in politics. Yelling at council meetings is not the sign of a good facilitator, which is what Fenty needs right now.

I was unimpressed by Skinner's comments about the Georgia Avenue Defender. He says he was the President of the organization, but had no editorial license. Fine. Then he says he "takes full responsibility" -- what does that mean? If he was responsible, then he lied about not having editorial license and should accept the consequences. If he wasn't responsible for the content of the newsletter, then it's a completely insincere statement. Neither possibility indicates that Skinner has any integrity.

Fenty should respond by telling the people what Skinner does well. I'm not saying a manager needs to justify every decision he makes, but in this case enough people seem to want to know, and the misinformation is unproductive.

Can Fenty run a huge organization like DC? Will he put issues of personal loyalty, or the fear of being seen as weak, ahead of the job? Can he pick a good team?

Chris,

Me comming into the neighborhood? If I recall correctly Mr. Skinner is in almost the same position as I am. He came here from Ohio to go to school at relatively the same time as I came here. We both got Engineering degress. He from Howard and me from GW.

As for me escalating the tensions, Mr. Skinner did that on his own. The community was 95% for this new establishment, Temperance Hall. Then Mr. Skinner comes into my neighborhood and starts stirring up tension by interrupting our community meetings, handing out very offensive fliers, holding press conferences, etc.... I was pissed because he nearly single-handedly shut the project down for his own petty reasons.

So you want me to admit that throwing a newspaper in the trash was an act of provokation? Ok fine if thats how you want to believe it, although I'm not even sure they even saw me throw it in the trash as I had walked away to the nearest trash can and threw it away with my back to them.

All of this is besides the point though. No matter how large a part you think I played in this, Skinner's actions were deplorable. I am not the one who handed out racially divisive newsletters, I am not the one who staged a protest against a new business in an area I don't even live in, I am not the one who threatened and intimidated people.

I created the website because I was very concerned about the possibility of this guy having actual power in DC government. I can't imagine what crazy things he would be capable of then. That is where I am comming from. Based on the responses I've gotten many people share my concerns.

What exactly is confusing about the letter my lawyer sent to Mr. Skinner? My lawyer sent it to the address provided on the letterhead and it got sent back to my lawyer. I have dealt with apartment and office buildings for years in DC, they are usually pretty good about forwarding mail to the correct room, especially since the letter was addressed to his lawyer Mr. Whitney who works for Whitney and Associates. You would think the building would have known who to give it to. That leaves only one option of who wrote "return to sender" on the letter now doesn't it?

But you did say that you took the paper from them and that you tried to hand it back to them. Right? I think you said that they would not take it back. Right? And that then you decided to throw it in the trash. Right? And you agree that the Jim Grahm staffer left and that you stayed? Right?

I didn't try to give it back to them, I said that I already had a copy and my gesture showed them I did not want another copy but they persisted to giving it to me anyway.

Yes the Graham staffer had apparently left after only a few minutes. I staid around because I still thought the press might show up. I didn't want the press running a story and only telling Skinner's side of the story. But like I said the staffer was actually accross the street. I thought he had left and gone home.

Also keep in mind that when Graham's staffer "left" I was sitting off to the side a good 20-30ft away. It wasn't until the staffer was gone when Skinner came over to me and started berating me. As soon as his tirade was over I left without giving him the satisfaction of a reaction. He continued to yell at me as I walked away.

Please: Who ever is elected Mayor please promise us you will not employ anyone named Chris or Taylor in your administration. All these recent postings by these two are juvenile and continue to bore the rest of us. The election is not going to turn on who threw a newspaper in the trash, or who may or may not have insulted a Howard U student, or who didn't go for coffee or who didn't go home sooner.
Give it a rest and grow up. I want to know why Fenty managed to miss every minute of all five public council hearings on the National Capital Medical Center; why Cropp seems to always change positions with the wind; and why Johns thinks being appointed to high level Boards gives her a feel and understanding of our city and its residents.

Not a Baby Sitter,

Unlike Mr. Skinner I have no political aspirations, so I can guarantee you I will not be part of the DC Government.

I think that when it comes to holding leaders responsible, their are only two people on the council that comes to mind. One is Jim Graham who is not running for Mayor and the other is Fenty. I think the other members have a disconnect with the overall community. We need someone is going to hold people like Jerry Johnson, the General Manager of WASA accountable. The Williams administration covered his but in the led crisis and that continues today. WASA is attempting to fund its abusive reigime with ratepayers money and no one seems to be paying any attention to the money they spend on defending themselves against unnecessary lawsuits, I was told that even their General Counsel and Humar Resource Director were being sued. Where is the oversight from the Council or the adm. They just sold the place to Johnson & friends.

So, aside from his reliance on Skinner, is Fenty a good candidate? Can Fenty run a huge organization like DC? Can he pick a good team? Is he mature enough and a skilled leader?

Fenty seems to have the goods. He has been effective on the Council and in pushing economic development in his ward. One thing I've been very impressed with is is campaign. He's everywhere. He has enormous support. And I'm blown away by the fact that he's been able to outraise the establishment candidate, Cropp at this stage.

Cropp may make her claim for "experience," but Fenty is "effective." Given that experience in DC has brought us incredible inefficiency -- particularly in our schools -- I think there's a strong case to be made to go with the effective leader.

MICHAEL BROWN FOR MAYOR!

I think, most District voters are not pleased with the candidates running for mayor. You are hearing the same rhetoric from these candidates, schools, affordable housing, and crime. I haven't heard any of them mention Senior Citizens, illegal immigration, and lower taxes in their platforms. Linda Cropp has been on the Council for years, and she basically was invisible, until the baseball issue. Crime has been rapid in this city, but you have never seen her address the issue of crime publicly. She's another Charlene Drew-Jarvis, former Councilwoman of Ward 4. Drew-Jarvis wasn't seen in the community until election time, and she didn't speak out on, public safety issues in her Ward. I received Cropp's newsletter recently in the mail, and it didn't mention much about crime. Chairman Cropp is so out of touch with the average District resident. Her campaign office is located down on K Street, NW. I think, most voters have lost confidence in these politicians, and many will not come out to vote. Councilman Fenty seems to have the energy, and he's great with constitutent services, but I am uncomfortable with some of his views. We truly don't have a good selection of candidates running for mayor. We need a third party in this city, and in this country.