The Georgetown Metropolitan

You surely do no need GM’s advice about how to vote for the national or even citywide ballot. But you might be looking for guidance on how to vote for the ANC. While six out of the eight Georgetown districts are uncontested, two aren’t. And if you live in those districts (SMDs 03 and 05 on the map above), here is how GM thinks you should vote:

Rick Murphy for SMD 03

GM believes you should vote for Rick Murphy if you live in SMD 03. GM has known Rick for years (GM once worked at the same law firm as Rick, although didn’t work directly with him). In recent years Rick has retired from the firm and dedicated more of his time to community matters. He took the job of counsel for the ANC pro bono and has come quickly up to speed on all the issues that affect his district, particularly town-gown matters and the DC Water proposal for Green Infrastructure. GM believes Rick will serve as an excellent commissioner.

Rick’s opponent is Greg Miller. For several years, GM has worked with Greg on the Georgetown Community Partnership committee on transportation. Greg is a thoughtful participant and GM probably agrees with Greg’s position on most matters (particularly transportation-related). But Greg is an employee of the university. He would be have to recuse himself from all public discussions related to town-gown matters. The relationship between the school and the non-student residents has improved immeasurably in the recent years, but there are still issues that remain. And a commissioner who represents west Georgetown that is prohibited from speaking about the school at public meetings would not be able to fully fulfill his duties.

The city ethics rules would permit Greg to speak about the school in non-public meetings, which is where a lot of the hard work of commissioners gets done. But he’s still be conflicted and would face the impossible decision of weighing his constituent’s interests against his employer’s. It would be an impossible position for anyone to perform in. If Greg were not a GU employee, he’d make a fantastic commissioner. But for now he is too conflicted to adequately fulfill all the duties of the position.

Bill Starrels for SMD 05

If you live in SMD 05 (lower Georgetown) GM believes you should vote for Bill Starrels. GM has not always seen eye-to-eye with Bill and has exchanged heated words with him. But with Bill, you know what you are getting: a tireless advocate for his constituents who knows how to actually get things done and he is well versed in all issues that affect his district.

His opponent is Lisa Palmer. GM has been downright amused at the pressure he’s received from both candidate’s supporters to write something negative about the other. GM has refused because the information alleged was either unverified or inconsequential (or both). GM thinks you should evaluate the candidates on their service to the community and whether that service makes them a worthy candidate or not. Continue reading →

Photo by Scott Horvath.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Georgetown Glow coming back again (and will be even longer this year).
• You can get truffles at Bourbon Steak.

Georgetown Waterfront

Speaking to a group in Glover Park Wednesday night, Mayor Bowser stated that the decision to bus Hyde-Addison students as young as two years old over an hour a day for two years while the school is renovated is final.

The Mayor was speaking before the Glover Park Citizens Association. GM was not in attendance, but learned from an attendee what was discussed.

She apparently told the group that the only thing that would overturn the decision now would be legislation from the counsel. And she scoffed that Jack Evans doesn’t have the votes to do so. Your mayor ladies and gentlemen! The discussion was in the context of the Fillmore Arts Program, which Stoddert Elementary parents are trying to save. Ultimately the mayor seems hell bent on disappointing all camps. She wants to end the Fillmore Arts program, but then leave the space vacant instead of letting Hyde-Addison use it.

Of course in the background of all of this, Duke Ellington School’s construction will probably top $250 million and result in a school only used at 50% capacity.

Your mayor ladies and gentlemen!
Continue reading →

Photo by P O T O M A C B L U E S.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Some more details on the result of the gondola study.
• The BID has already put up Christmas decorations.

3000 block of R St.

Tonight from 6:30 6:00 to 7:30 at the historic Georgetown Theater (Wisconsin and Dumbarton) the Georgetown BID will hold its second Gondola Public Information Meeting.

As previewed a bit by DC Urban Turf, the study is likely to announce that the idea is feasible and would probably entail building a station at the Key Bridge Exxon location. The idea would be that when a condo gets built there, a gondola station would be incorporated into the design. Of course Eastbanc just sold this property to an Arlington developer who doesn’t sound super excited about the idea. So we’ll see!

Anyway, if you love the idea, hate it, or just want to learn more, come on out tonight and see what they have to say.

Photo by Scott Horvath.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• People preemptively complaining about the construction at the Key Bridge Exxon which is still probably over a year away.
• How Halloween in Georgetown became a thing.

3200 block of R St.

Last night the ANC met for it’s November session. GM sadly has been absent from a whole bunch of the ANC meetings recently due to being too busy, but he was there last night (for the first half at least). Here’s what he saw:

Hyde-Addison

It wasn’t the first issue discussed, but from GM’s perspective the Hyde discussion was the most important part of the evening. Whether it will change anything is to be seen.

The context for the discussion is the recent decision by the Deputy Mayor of Education Jennie Niles to insist on using Meyer School for the swing location during Hyde’s renovation. The ANC expressed a frustration with this decision in line with what many of the Hyde parents are feeling.

After listing just some of the negative ramifications from this terrible decision, and listening to the complaints of some parents, the commission adopted a resolution forcefully calling for the Mayor and the DME to reject the Meyer option and work with the community to identify a workable local option.

That last part is key, because the commission did not specifically identify a particular location. Hardy has been the most promising location given the imminent closure of Fillmore Arts Center, which would leave a large part of Hardy available. This decision was in part to avoid conflict on the very next motion which address the closure of Fillmore. Continue reading →