Mount Pleasant DC Forum

[denisew]

I would just like to point out that I did not find out until tonight at 5:30 that the ANC was proposing a factually inaccurate resolution attacking me in my position at DDOT. I was out of town for two weeks-this las week was my firs week back and we were innundated with work. Since everyone knows my e-mail, a note perhaps?

I have participated in any Bestway actions only three times over the past two years and all of them recently. One was to make a notation of the Pubic Space Committee Order into the DCRA permitting database. Two was to attend a meeting at the Mayor's office with my supervisor that Mr. Choi was not at and in that environment I was not a decision maker and three to attend a field visit with my supervisor and a number of staff at my supervisors direction. I made no decisions and left the field early due to the excessive heat. One permit to Mr. Choi was released at that meeting.

As far as I know DDOT (that would have been the PSMA main office) did respond the the ANC regarding it resolution for DDOT not to take action against Bestway. As I did not write it I cannot state for certainty it was mailed but its content was to the effect that enforcement, whether it be housing, law or public space, is within the sole discrection of the Executive Branch as part of the separation of powers.

I would not have attended the ANC meeting at any regard since it was National Night out and I was also having the rare pleasure of meeting a friend from NYC and a mutual friend in town from Nicaragua.

I am beginning to tire of the slandarous and false attacks against my charactor by certain members of the ANC. I also am angered by the accusation and the innuendo that I violated a personnel regulation, which could also be a criminal offense. Simply because one holds an ANC office does not protect one reckless disregard of the truth.

Denise

[jack]

[Dwight]

I am confused, what "action" did she take that the ANC is objecting to?

-- Dwight

[jack]

[PRN]

I don't even have to see the resolution to recognize this for what it is - a petty ad hominen attack on someone in the neighborhood often at odds with the current ANC's agenda. Say what you will about Denise W, she is consistent in seeking enforcement of public space regulations in Mt Pleasant and I assume elsewhere - that is her job - you may not agree with the regulations involved but it is clear that Bestway has been in violation of a plethora of public space rules for years.

So - since you can't defend Bestway on the merits you are going to attack a DC government employee - because she happens to vocally disagree with you on many other issues in the neighborhood - what about the underlying violations - can you argue that anything DPW has done is not legally or administratively appropriate - whether you agree with it or not?

Since you so often speak as a "scientist" I will speak as an attorney.

Simply disagreeing with you and the ANC regarding issues in the neighborhood - even regarding Bestway - does not create an appearance of impropriety - unless the employee is applying or attempting to apply rules and regulations against a business, in this case Bestway, in a manner inconsistent with their application in other areas of the city or neighborhood. There is not any evidence of this here. In addition - there are plenty of people in the neighborhood, myself included, who have complained about Bestway to the appropriate city authorities - in other words - it is not remotely possible that Denise W is solely responsible for bringing Bestway issues to the attention of DDOT.

So why is the ANC to casting aspersions on the work of a DC city employee who lives in the neighborhood? Unless you have evidence that Denise has singled Bestway out for different treatment you have no case. In fact, if she is aware of a public space violation her job likely requires that she report it. The more likely explanation for this act is a clumsy attempt by the ANC to cloud the issues with regard to Bestway's failure to comply with city regulations by implying that somehow the attention brought to the establishments violations is improper.

Jack, this is no different than those folks you complained about for attacking you over the public space/parking issue next to your house or Commissioner Edwards for the assessment of his apartment building. When the ANC takes actions like this it diminishes its credibility.

Lance Alworth

[jack]

[Dwight]

I find it interesting that using legal means to try to get a negligent business to fix past problems and to protest new activities that are open to public input is termed "hostile" behavior.

Are the police hostile if they enforce "turn right on green arrow only" law?

-- Dwight

[jack]

[Laurie]