The Real Petey Greene?

Oscar Nominee Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda) takes on the role of Petey Green, an ex-con turned radio personality and social conscious in Washington during the 1960"s.

The movie, "Talk to Me" which is playing to limited audiences here and elsewhere also features Martin Sheen and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
It's really a first rate flick with a good story. And while Cheadle is good, if you are old enough to have been around by the 1980's you had to have seen, heard or even known the real Petey Greene. He was far better than the movie!

What a character. I was a very young TV reporter back then. but I covered the City and knew Petey; that meant when Petey Green died in January of 1984, I got the assignment to tell his story. We found it in the archives.
Click here to watch Bruce Johnson's Petey Green Story.

More Speeding Traps for DC Streets

You might want to begin to slow down on River Road in DC. Chief Cathy Lanier has okayed the deployment of Mobile Radar Units in Northwest

The location is the 4400 and 4500 blocks of River Road, beginning Wednesday, August 1, 2007.

Mobile Radar units are deployed throughout the city as a force multiplier to allow MPD to monitor and enforce traffic safety compliance.

They also bring in a lot of money, we're talking millions in fines for exceeding the speed limits.

If you want to peek at where the Cameras are hidden, (I mean located), go to the Metroploitan Police department website.

Fenty Speaks out on Poplar Point!

DC Mayor Adrian Fenty today explained why he is opening up Poplar Point to competitive bids and not turning over the 70 acre site along the Anacostia river to Victor McFarlane, the new owner of the DC United Soccer franchise who wants to build a new stadium on the location.

Last week Ward Eight Councilman and former four term Mayor Marion Barry held a press conference to blast the Mayor for what Barry says was Fenty's reneging on his word to allow the MacFarlane project to go forward. The DC United owner wants to build a stadium with private funds in exchange for development rights and the District kicking in with infrastructure costs.

Fenty, in an interview with this reporter says the entire development community should be allowed to weigh in with ideas on what should happen at Poplar Point...and he's sure a number of proposals will include a new soccer stadium.

Click here to watch Fenty Interview on Poplar Point.

Poplar Point

It turns out according to my sources that Councilman Kwame Brown didn't know that his name was on the press release announcing that he and Ward Eight Councilman Marion Barry would be holding a joint press conference to announce their disgust with Mayor Fenty's pulling the Poplar Point development deal from Victor MacFarlane and DC United. Brown saw the press release and his name not long before the Press Conference and decided not to attend. Barry went forward Wednesday afternoon accompanied by some well known activists who support the MacFarlane plan. The former four term Mayor charged Fenty with backing out of the deal after having given Barry the go ahead to make it happen. I've put in a request for the Mayor to respond.

Update on Poplar Point

I talked with Council members Marion Barry and Kwame Brown Wednesday night at the awards dinner for the Mayor's Youth leadership Institute at Howard University.

It seems that while Ward Eight Councilman Barry is leading the attack on Mayor Fenty's plan to open up the Poplar Point development to competitive bids, At Large Councilman Brown is not ready to take a position in the controversy.

Brown told me that it would be premature for Barry to count on his support in that he (Brown) has never met with Victor MacFarlane or seen the proposal that the San Francisco developer and pro soccer owner has put forth with the blessing of Barry and former Mayor Tony Williams.

Brown suggested at one point in our conversation that he may have a problem with such a lucrative contract not being awarded through the bid process. I was MC for last night's MYLI event, Brown and Barry were given awards by the city's Youth leaders. Mayor Fenty was there early and only briefly; unfortunately, no chance to ask him about this issue. Next time!

Barry and Brown could be seen talking privately at their table during the program, after the former Mayor arrived well into the event; Afterwards Barry explained to this reporter that "Kwame and I have some more talking to do".

PS thanks to the reader who corrected my mistake; it is Victor "MacFarlane".

Barry to Take on Fenty

For those of you looking for a good heavyweight political fight you are about to get one.

Former four term DC Mayor Marion Barry is taking on the new popular (he won every precinct) Mayor Adrian Fenty in the fight to develop Poplar Point in Southeast.

Barry backs new DC United owner Victor McFarland, the San Francisco developer who thought he had a deal with the previous Tony Williams administration. The deal would see McFarland build the stadium with private financing in exchange for the rights to develop much of the rest of the area with new housing, shops and restaurants.

Barry's former Chief of staff Linda Green heads McFarland's DC office and the "United" owner fired another local heavyweight Robert Bobb (School Board President) when it appeared that Bobb's quarrels with Fenty were jeopardizing the project. Turns out the deal was being pulled anyway.

Fenty's people never liked the McFarland plan and felt the city gave away too much. Remember that while still a Ward Four Councilman, Fenty staunchly opposed the Tony Williams publicly financed baseball stadium project.

Barry told me by phone today "He's (Fenty) going to lose this one because any developer he chooses will have to come before the DC Council for approval". The Ward Eight Councilman who represents the Poplar point area added that "McFarland held 30 to 40 community meetings on this and he (Fenty)didn't attend a single one".

At large DC Councilman Kwame Brown heads the powerful economic development committee and he is siding with Barry. Word is Chairman Vincent Gray is also lining up against Fenty.

This fight will be huge as there will be no bigger development prize in that part of the city. It's a chance for Fenty to test just how much political capitol he has in his tank. The takeover of city schools was almost to easy. It may also be Barry's last chance to prove he still has a lot of political clout, especially east of the river.

How to Get Out of Jury Duty!

I don't like serving on Juries. The idea of having to decide if somebody goes to prison or goes home keeps me awake at night, unless the crime is of a violent nature; Then, I want to help get the criminal off the streets.

I was summoned to Jury duty at DC Superior Court on Monday, July 24Th at 8am. I was early, having learned my lesson two years ago when I was hauled into court to show cause as to why I should not be held in contempt for ignoring past jury summons. If you're wondering how this could happen or how I thought I could get away with it, let me just add that I was sitting along side a prominent member of the DC City Council who had also been hauled before the judge.

We were spared a fine and or jail after agreeing to re-appear for jury duty at a future date of our own choosing.

So Here I am on a Monday, after getting up at six am to grab a coffee and Metro.

No one really wanted to be on the third floor of the Carl Moultrie building. But there we were; Including a recent graduate from Princeton who was nice enough to handicap for me the Democratic Presidential debate the night before. There was my new best friend for the day from the Washington Post, an art critic and workout enthusiast, like me. There was a fiction writer who had just finished his first book.And there was a private security guard who came in full dress, except for the gun. Everyone knew he was going to be scratched by the defense team.

We were all rejected for jury service. In my case it was after I stepped down from the jury box and approached the bench were Judge Natalia Combs-Greene, a California native and Howard Law graduate was waiting along with two prosecutors and two defense attorneys.

The defendants were two young black men, Brian Molder and Maurice Thomas. They were arrested in Northeast, and charged with possessing drugs, with the intent to distribute and with having drug paraphernalia.

Judge Green asked if I could be a fair and impartial juror. I told her I would try my best, then added that my job allows me to see both sides of the city's drug war. "I have probably been to more funerals than any one up here" I explained. "I don't like mandatory minimum sentences where the judge is taken out of the process". I don't know if that makes me a good or bad juror. Everybody laughed as though I was putting my best effort forward to get out of this...I said "two of my brothers went to prison", and my oldest niece was shot and killed by a drug dealer". Did they feel I was piling it on. Maybe I was...this group probably had heard every excuse for getting out of jury duty.

The Judge sent me back to my seat in the juror's box, but minutes later I was told to surrender my chair to another perspective juror. That afternoon, after lunch I was dismissed along with several dozen other happy people to go home. My duty of "One day or One trial was over" for the next two years.

I called the courthouse on Tuesday to learn that after the prosecution presented it's case against Molder and Thomas, the defense made a motion-asking for a judgement for acquittal, which Judge Green granted. The jury had been selected and the trial ended with the defendants off the hook in a single day.

What's Wrong With This Suspect?

I don't mean to make light of this recent Bank Robbery in Southwest; but what convinced this guy that he didn't need a mask or disguise?

Here's the info from DC Police.

On Monday, July 23, 2007, at approximately 1:49 p.m., a lone male suspect entered the SunTrust Bank located at 965 L’Enfant Plaza, SW. Once inside he indicated that he had a gun and demanded money. He made good his escape after receiving an undetermined amount of cash. There were no reported injuries.

The suspect in this case is described as a medium to dark complexioned black male, 50 – 55 years old, approximately 5’9” tall, weighing about 140 – 145 pounds, with bushy salt and pepper hair. He was wearing thick-framed glasses, a blue, short-sleeved Hawaiian-style shirt and blue jeans. The same suspect may also be responsible for the robbery of the Citibank located at 1749½ Columbia Road, NW, which was committed on Monday, July 16, 2007.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099. The department currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any robbery committed in the District of Columbia.

Local Attorney to represent Michael Vick

ESPN first broke the story, but this reporter has confirmed that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has hired prominent DC attorney Billy Martin to represent him as rumors persist that Vick will take a paid leave of absence from the team to deal with a federal indictment that charges him with owning and operating a dog fighting kennel. Martin joined the D.C.-based firm Sutherland Asbill &Brennan earlier this year. His lists of clients include the City of Cincinnati which reportedly paid him one million dollars for representing the Queen city in its legal battles over the police shootings and riots there. Martin also represented Atlanta's former Mayor Bill Campbell in his corruption trial. Campbell is now in prison on tax evasion charges. Billy Martin, considered one of the country's best criminal lawyers also represented the family of Chandra Levy, the missing Capitol Hill intern who had been linked romantically with former Congressman Gary Condit.

ESPN reports that "Vick and his advisors, a group that includes his personal attorney, Lawrence Woodward, spent the last several days interviewing potential counsel. The Vick camp felt it was key to retain a veteran attorney with considerable experience in federal cases."

Martin's Other high-profile professional athlete clients have included former NBA players Jayson Williams and Rod Strickland, current NBA stars Allen Iverson and Juwan Howard and boxer Riddick Bowe.

Complaining to Metro!

Kudos to the Metro train operator who begged his riders on a crowded Blue Line train recently to email headquarters with complaints. His point, they don't listen to me, maybe they'll listen to the customers.

Here's what a Blogger wrote about the Operator's appeal, courtesy of dcblogs.com"

"You know, I'm not sure why we're running this 4 car train at the peak of rush hour. I'm just the driver but I recommend that you go home and email someone about it. Go to www.metroopensdoors.com and tell someone what you think."
He said this a number of other times during my 20 minute ride, suggesting that if Metro received 3,000 emails -- one each from everyone on the crowded train -- maybe they would make a change to the service.

Mayor Fenty, Trimming Down Security Detail

The DC police officers assigned to guard DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and his family are required to sign confidentiality forms..swearing they won't repeat even to their wives and girlfriends anything they see or hear while accompanying the Mayor throughout his busy work day and evening;

But there is one secret that can no longer be kept under their belts. It's the huge amount of weight the men and women assigned to the security detail have lost since the new Mayor took office in January.

The cops are required to never let Mayor Fenty out of their sight and that means they take turns being up and ready at six in the morning to run with him as the triathlete takes his routine five to six mile trek through Rock Creek Park, a few steps from his home in Upper Northwest.

Jogging alongside and behind; but never in front of the Mayor has cost these officers a lot of fat; but what a great gig! Working out on Government time.

For the record spokespersons for MPD and the Mayor's office say the Officers can't comment and neither can they; but I've learned that one cop admits to having lost 40 pounds.
Another refused comment when I put the question to him directly; But this six foot plus figure with the constant wire dangling from his ear is easily 30 pounds under what he weighted seven months ago.

If you can't run you can't possibly keep up with this Mayor who is in NY this weekend for another triathlon.

How about expanding what he's done with the cops to the rest of the DC Government. The fittest Mayor in the country could have the fittest staff and maybe one day--the fittest City--which currently finishes near the top of every health category where you really want to be last...high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, HIV/aids, alcohol and drug abuse..

Michael Vick has Some Explaining to do!

His Official Website says that Atlanta Falcon's quarterback Michael Vick has pets; Birds and Dogs. He is a registered dog breeder.

A federal indictment against Vick would have us believe the superstar has been part of a brutal illegal backyard operation that raised dogs to fight to the death.

Which is the real Michael Vick? He needs to clear this up and NOW! Please don't insult us by parading a bunch of high priced lawyers out with a lot of legal crap! We need to hear from the guy that we allowed into our homes on Sundays to dazzle us with his blinding speed and Houdini feats on the gridiron. His jersey has been a big seller, even outside Atlanta, among African-American kids, who want to be like "this Mike".

It's the talk all over DC; From Ben's Chili bowl to the Florida avenue grill to the barbershop. Quite frankly I'm sick about it. I love my pet, a Boxer, and there is no way I could attend, support, own or allow such a criminal enterprise to exist near me.

Vick claims he rarely visited the Southeast Virginia location. Prosecutors say he's lying.

The 19-page indictment alleged Vick was highly involved in the operation, alleging that he attended fights and paid off bets when his dogs lost. It said he also was involved in the executions of dogs that did not perform well.

Vick's associates, Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor, were indicted on the same charges. Even if Michael Vick only KNEW about the activity he needs to be sent to the sidelines by the NFL for a long period of time if not for good.

Vick's biggest challenge, for the upcoming season, won't be dodging blitzing linebackers, but staying out of prison. The federal charges could mean up to six years in prison if convicted. The $350,000 fine would be mere pocket change to this multi millionaire.

Federal officials claim to have found equipment associated with dogfighting, blood stains on the walls of a room and a bloodstained carpet stashed on the property. They reportedly removed more than 60 dogs from the property and there were remains that had been buried.

According to the indictment, Vick decided in his rookie season of 2001, with Phillips and Taylor, to start a dogfighting operation. Vick, who grew up in Newport News, paid $34,000 in June 2001 for a property at 1915 Moonlight Rd. and, according to the indictment, "used this property as the main staging area for housing and training the pit bulls involved in the dogfighting venture and hosting dog fights."

The men named their enterprise the "Bad Newz Kennels,". They built a house,a fence to shield the rear portion of the compound from public view [and] multiple sheds used at various times to house training equipment, injured dogs and organized fights," the indictment said.

The indictment details a series of dogfights in which members of the operation allegedly participated, including several fights in the fall of 2003 when Vick was sidelined with a broken leg.

The indictment said that in April 2007, Peace, Phillips and Vick "executed approximately eight dogs that did not perform well in 'testing' sessions by various methods, including hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground." Vick also is alleged to have consulted with Peace before Peace killed a losing dog by electrocution in 2003.

Let's not rush to judgement; A jury and judge will sort all this out..but Michael Vick has some explaining to do, right now. We can't wait an entire season to decide if we should continue to cheer him or send him packing. We've got kids to raise.

Finally! Some Relief for Guards at Federal Buildings

Federal Homeland Security Officials conceded at a Press Conference today there are 21 private Security Firms that are still owed about eight million dollars and its money that's been owed for years....all the way back to 9-eleven in some cases.

Tuesday Homeland Security officials apologized and admitted to mistakes in processing the invoices from the private vendors.

It was Robert Jenkins' story, first reported by 9NEWS NOW last week and brought to DC Congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes, that spurred Tuesday's public admission and promises of improvements.

Jenkins Security had been owed nearly $2 million by DHS and when the company was unable to meet payroll last week, 80% of its workers stayed off the job. Managers had to step in at federal locations.

Jenkins who was at Tuesday's press conference on Capitol Hill says DHS came up with a million dollars owed the firm after our story. He told 9NEWS NOW afterwards that while it's been a nightmare he's confident, "They'll get it right this time."

The federal agency Tuesday promised to make good on all the past due bills for private security by August 3rd when Congress adjourns for the summer.

And Julie Myers, Assistant DHS Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also promised to look into Keith Howard's case.

As reported by 9NEWS NOW Monday, Howard says his company Area-Wide security was forced into bankruptcy in 2003 when DHS failed to pay $1.2 million for guard services. Howard was also at the press conference. In an emotional plea he stood up and publicly asked for the Assistant Secretary's help.

Congresswoman Norton, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, says she'll continue to monitor payments to the private security firms. She said Tuesday that Jenkins and the other security firm owners "need to be made whole."

Jilted Lover is Fired!

The woman who made her way into DC School headquarters after hours last week was fired on Friday. Her name is D'Wanna Lee and she works as a Special Assistant to Victor Reinoso, Mayor Fenty's Deputy Mayor for Education.

Reinoso needs this bit of bad news like he needs another hole in his head. You may recall that DC Council Chairman Vincent Gray held up his confirmation--practically making the former School Board member-audition for the job over the rest of the summer.

This after Reinoso refused to tell a Council hearing who in the administration plagiarized a report on the Mayor's school reform plan. Reinoso says he was acting on the advice of counsel. Gray told this reporter afterwards he's not even sure the City needs a Deputy Mayor for education. All this in the same week that Reinoso was robbed at gunpoint near his home in Takoma Park.

As reported first on this blog yesterday Ms Lee was caught on surveillance cameras posting nude pictures of a man in places throughout the building where other staff could see them. School security staff were collecting the pictures as evidence. The man on display is a building maintenance man working for a private contractor.

Who Planted Nude Pictures? DC School Investigation

There is a major investigation underway at DC School headquarters on North Capitol Street; When it's over a high ranking government official may lose her job or at least have a lot of explaining to do.

First, some background; My sources tell me that sometime last week, after business hours, the Official crept back into School headquarters on North Capitol Street and was caught on surveillance cameras as she made her way through the floors occupied by school staff. She stopped off in the men and women bathrooms, leaving behind for all to see, a nude picture of a male figure who just happens to work in the very same building-not for the government-but for a private contractor -who keeps the building clean. According to people in position to know the maintenance worker in the photo is nude and propped on a bed with his hands covering his private parts. DC school Security teams have been canvassing the building collecting the pictures as evidence.

Word is the top government official who planted the pictures was retaliating for an affair gone bad-- It's not clear what if any crime has been committed or administrative rules breached; Thus far no reaction from the maintenance worker who may or may not be seeking a transfer and/or a good lawyer.

Are Fenty Cabinet Members Getting too much Dough?

Some DC Council members; David Catania and Jack Evans among them don't seem to have a problem with the new much higher salaries that Mayor Adrian Fenty is paying to attract people to his new team; but don't count veteran Councilwoman Carol Schwartz among them. She's outspoken if not downright angry over the dollars that are being tossed at the new top level administrators...$275,000 plus bonuses for both school Chancellor Michelle Rhee and School Facilities czar Allen Lew.

Schwartz has scheduled a hearing on the subject...and while it appears as through most of the Council is prepared to allow the new popular Mayor to have his way Schwartz is undeterred. Here's the release that went out to news media;


At-Large Council member Carol Schwartz today announced that she has scheduled a hearing on the new executive pay schedule for District government agency heads on September 26 at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building.

The pay schedule, which was proposed by Mayor Adrian Fenty on an emergency basis, raised the maximum possible salary for an agency head from $179,000 to $279,900. As introduced, it also would have allowed the Mayor unfettered control to decide the individual salary amounts for all agency heads. Council member Schwartz successfully moved an amendment on Tuesday to require that the Council approve any proposed salary above $179,000. The amendment allowed a one-time exemption from the Council approval requirement for the salaries already negotiated for the Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Director for School Facilities and School Chancellor, and the soon-to-be-negotiated Chief Medical Examiner position, which is difficult to fill.


“We have to take a look at this before things get out of hand,” said Schwartz. “I am not opposed to our employees being fairly compensated, but some of these compensation packages, which are paid for by the taxpayers, are exorbitant and border on being irresponsible.”

Schwartz continued, “The Mayor sent this pay increase to us on an emergency basis, leaving no time for public input, which we certainly need. The September 26th hearing will provide an opportunity for that discussion.”

Those who wish to testify should contact Andrew Gerst of the Committee on Workforce Development and Government Operations by e-mail at agerst@dccouncil.us or by telephone at (202) 724-8105.

###

DHS Fails to Pay-Federal Employees Put at Risk

Here's a followup to a report on Private Guards not getting paid for helping secure sensitive federal locations. We first aired the report on Tuesday on Nine News Now at Six.

DC Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and a Bush administration Official will hold a joint press conference next week to spell out some changes in how they pay the private security firms that are charged with helping protect thousands of federal workers and visitors in government buildings that are spread throughout the area and country.

We disclosed that one firm, Jenkins Security which has been in business since the mid 1990's is owed nearly two million dollars and eighty percent of its guards stayed off the job recently because Jenkins failed to make payroll for the first time. I won't say we got the runaround from four different Public Affairs people contacted at Homeland Security or its various agencies; but as of this writing all I can tell you is that Jenkins still hasn't been paid and all the Feds will say is that they have had processing problems in the Federal Protection Service sector.

I brought the Jenkins case to Norton. She has been holding hearings on Homeland Security. She promised to investigate immediately. The result appears to be coming in this Press Conference on Tuesday. Stay turned to Nine News Now and this Blog;

Meantime, I have learned of another Security firm that was actually forced out of business and into bankruptcy while awaiting payment for guard services. I'll have that story on Monday.,

Here's part of Congresswoman Norton's announcement that went out to the news media:

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), will hold a joint news conference with agency officials on Tuesday, July 17 at 11 AM (location TBA) to release steps the agency has agreed to take to restore public confidence in contract operations and vendor payments for contract guards charged with security for federal buildings, employees and sites. She will be joined by Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Julie Myers, who has jurisdiction over FPS. ICE has released some actions it took following the failure to forward payment to Jenkins Security for guard services at several locations in the Washington metropolitan area. However, Norton and Myers will release additional important actions the agency will take regarding vendor payment and new procedures for contract officers and vendors alike.

Blues Alley Update

DC Mayor Adrian Fenty heard from this reporter today that Blues Alley hasn't had a lease agreement since 1998 and could be forced to close or move outside it's Georgetown home of nearly forty years.

Fenty made clear that he understands the historical contribution the oldest jazz club has made to the city, not only culturally but economically as well. He says he's putting a deputy Mayor on the case immediately.

One Council member said one possible new home for Blues Alley might be National Harbor Place in Fort Washington on the Potomac in Prince George's County. National Harbor has already bought "The Awakening" statue from Haines Point in the District with plans too move it to the incredible enclosed resort. The National Children's Museum may also be on its way out of DC.

DC Council members Kwame Brown and Jack Evans told me they would favor the same kind of tax breaks for Blues Alley's landlord that were given to the owners of Ben's Chili Bowl, if that will translate into a long term and reasonable lease agreement for the club's owner Harry Schnipper.

Harry told me by phone this week that the Zanzibar in Philly and another historic Jazz club in Chicago had closed because of rising costs that made it impossible to remain open.

To view an interview and report that I produced with singer Phyllis Hyman in 1992 just click on the link below.

Click here to watch Phyllis Hyman at Blues Alley.

Blues Alley Feeling Blue?

Blues Alley, the popular Georgetown nightspot hasn't had a lease since 1998 and that has the current managers concerned that the prominent Jazz club and restaurant may be nearing it's last days.

The property located in an alley just off Wisconsin Avenue near M street has been a fixture in DC since it opened it's doors in 1965. The place has showcased some great ones, including Dizzy Gillespie Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson, Phyllis Hyman, Ramsey Lewis, Charlie Byrd and Maynard Ferguson.

Blues Alley owners don't own the building. That belongs to Germar Properties of DC and word is the owners want the kind of tax assessment break that DC politicians got for another historic spot, Ben's Chili bowl. That doesn't seem likely, for now. I'll keep you posted right here.

In the meantime, click on the link below to view a report I did some years ago when the group "War" performed on stage at Blues Alley.

Click here to watch war/bluesalley.

Witness Intimidation

DC Police say witness intimidation has prevented them from closing a lot of murder cases; Just as importantly it allows some people responsible for multiple murders to continue walking the streets putting us all in danger. Check out the article from the New York Times following the shooting of a child surrounded by scores of potential witnesses.


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/09/nyregion/09taj.html?hp

Steak and Eggs Out of Business

It turns out that DC Police and Ward One Councilman Jim Graham won't have to seek legal action to close down Joe's Steak and Eggs following yet another fatal shooting there late last month.

The owner, Joseph Vamboi has apparently concluded on his own that the diner isn't so safe and he's called the Councilman to say he's decided to close the business.

Joe's restaurant is located on Ninth Street, just off the District's famed "U Street" Corridor"You may recall that a man was shot in the chest by a second customer inside the business at about 2:30 on a Friday morning. Police say the shooting occurred during an argument between the two men. It was the third shooting in or near the diner in recent months. Mayor Fenty told reporters "This business does pose a threat to the community by the number of incidents occurred there.

Here's the email that Councilman Graham recently sent out.

Dear Friends:

Yesterday the owner of this restaurant, Joseph Vamboi, called me to tell me that he had decided to close the business, and move on. He stated that he did not feel safe going there, nor did his employees...after three people had been shot, one dead, INSIDE the place in less than four months.

This restaurant--as those who live and work nearby will tell you--has been the course of great complaint for years, even predating the ownership by Mr. Vamboi. There are numerous allegations of problems within the establishment.

Like other problem establishments, it has been for sometime a magnet for violence. (Certainly, if this place had had a liquor license, with people shot on the premises, the Police Chief would have shut it down in the first incidence in March of this year. And the ABC Board would have probably commenced revocation proceedings. But no liquor is served here.)

We can all take pride in the very positive developments that are accruing on the 1900 block of 9th...fine restaurants, exquisite bakery, florist...they all deserve our patronage and support.

The block is really changing for the better.

Bests, Councilmember Jim Graham

DC and NY Traffic. Two Nightmares

You may have heard that Mayor Adrian Fenty is looking to New York and Mayor Michael Bloomberg for yet another idea (you must know about the DC schools takeover and how Fenty got the idea from Bloomberg). Now Fenty is looking at a congestion tax like the one Mayor Bloomberg is pushing for Midtown Manhattan. Bloomberg's plan is to charge commuters who insist on driving into the heart of the city. The New York Times reports that it turns out the fee will also apply to people who live in Midtown Manhattan and want to drive out of their neighborhood.

Speaking of traffic, I may be wrong but it seems to me there had to have been a better way to handle the recent closing of the Eleventh Street bridge for the next two months. I was away; but from what I gather from TV reports, motorists were told to merely find another route. The DC Transportation department might have been more helpful. Drivers were complaining to news microphones as they stalled in traffic on those alternative bridges. If you think delays this July Fourth holiday week are bad, wait until Monday morning's commute! Here's a thought, why not have ONE WAY traffic into the center city on a couple of those alternative bridges in the morning; Then reverse the lanes and have ONE WAY traffic out of town during the afternoon commute. Just a thought.

Simba Update

Simba is doing fine and here's a pix from our recent trip to the Atlantic to prove it. The family boxer is turning 3 years old this month and has fully recovered from the food poisoning that made him and countless other dogs and cats very sick earlier this year. My sympathies to those pet owners who lost their best friends during this time.

The Chancellor's Private #

It should have been my first day of vacation, but there was no way I was going to miss Michelle Rhee's confirmation hearing before the DC Council on Monday. DC Mayor Adrian Fenty's young and inexperienced Chancellor designate "wowed them" for the most part with her composure, ability to call up details in seconds, and clear concise responses. In a word she was "smooth".

Student achievement is her number one priority. Holding Principals and Teachers accountable after she gives them the support to succeed might be a close second. Rhee refused to be baited into earlier witnesses predictions that she will have to "clean House". But she did make clear that people who don't perform won't be around.

The 37 year old former teacher looked good, dressed sharply and even seemed to win Ward eight Councilman Marion Barry over. He wanted to know the racial makeup of her transition team. To his surprise she had it written down. Three African American males, three African American females and one Hispanic--seven of the thirteen member team are people of color! Bam! And they're paid well ..up to $200,000 a year. Rhee said she's still negotiating her salary. Look for her to collect well over the $250,000 that her successor Clifford Janey earned.

In the one emotional moment, Ms. Rhee told Mr. Barry that she had spent a good part of Sunday evening touring his ward eight area and was clearly bothered by the conditions she saw although it was unclear if she meant the many kids in the streets or the state of the schools. She promised to give it her utmost attention.

The Chancellor designate easily knocked out of the ballpark questions about her lack of experience. She said when she meets with parents she tells them she just wants to help their children achieve-to have options when they graduate from High school. She is quick to point out that she has two daughters and wants the same things from them. By the way they'll be going to DC schools. Most city officials send their own kids to private or parochial schools.

Why is she taking the job? Rhee says she saw first hand "the missed opportunities" in DC schools over the years.

In what was probably her one big mistake, Michelle Rhee in an attempt to accommodate Ward Three Council member Mary Cheh, gave out her private cell phone number. If you were watching Cable TV Channel 13 like I was..you probably wrote the number down too...I did.

She'll have the kind of backup that no other superintendent in DC history has enjoyed; Only one boss, Mayor Adrian Fenty who now runs the schools; A partner in Allen Lew who will be responcible for the enire 2 point 3 billion in repairs and new school construction. She'll have a Deputy Mayor for Education, Victor Reinoso to help provide political cover. Michelle Rhee will concentrate just on improving student performances. She told the panel she won't won't be looking to create new models for student achievment..just execution of what's already working in some schools here and throughout the country..

I'm betting on unanimous confirmation from the DC Council. Then all eyes will point toward the third week of August when DC schools welcome some 55,000 students back.