Politics

Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

“Dear PoPville,

The city is not adequately paying the police force for their hard work and sacrifice. This means the city will be unable to attract and retain highly qualified officers. Please read
A Message From Chairman Elect-Delroy Burton To D.C. Police Officers Regarding The Contract Arbitration Process:

“On Monday, D.C. police officers received two pieces of bad news. The first was a loss in our contract arbitration. The second was the disclosure of how Mayor Vincent Gray, his administration, and Chief Cathy Lanier view and value the work that we do as D.C. police officers.

For the past year those of us involved in the contract negotiation process have warned that when the District’s position was finally revealed, it would be hard to accept. Now you know why D.C. Police Union leadership has been so appalled with Mayor Gray and Chief Lanier. Both misled the public and police officers about their positions and offers during the negotiation process. Mayor Gray’s and Chief Lanier’s offer on compensation is indefensible – at no point during the negotiation process did the District ever offer any raise in compensation for 2008 to 2012, while over the same time period, Chief Lanier had her compensation increased by 45%. But it is the argument that they have made as to why D.C. police officers do not deserve a raise that is the most disheartening.

Mayor Gray’s and Chief Lanier’s position is two-fold. First, they have taken the position that the job done by D.C. police officers is no more dangerous, complex, or difficult than police work in surrounding suburbs and small communities. Second, they argue there is no reason we should even be paid as much as officers in those jurisdictions; instead, they believe we should only be paid enough so that we are in the middle of the pack when it comes to compensation. In short, we are interchangeable with police officers everywhere in the surrounding jurisdictions and we do not deserve to be paid in the top half of those jurisdictions.”

You can read the full message here.

“Dear PoPville,

This was delivered with my mail yesterday in Petworth – anyone else receive one?
Good luck making sense of it.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

As campaign season is beginning to heat up, I feel like I’ve been hearing an awful lot about marijuana decriminalization and affordable housing but not much else. Obviously these are important issues but it got me thinking about what are the topics that you are the most concerned about for this election. Of course many issues can overlap but for the poll we’ll narrow it down to your number one most important topic. For the comments you can obviously list as many important ones as you’d like.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Carly & Art

Last night former Mayor and current Council Member Marion Barry tweeted:

“Just to set the record straight, I have no intentions of ever running for Mayor of this phenomenal city again.”

And the Washington Post reports:

“D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray on Monday announced that he will seek a second term, bringing a sudden end to months of uncertainty over whether corruption surrounding his last campaign would keep him from running for reelection.”

@MayorVinceGray tweets about the recent Red Line metro delays:

“(1/6) I’d like to address the recent @wmata delays that have deeply disappointed & angered me while frustrating many of you.

(2/6) First, @wmata (an independent, regional agency) despite facing budget pressures, needs to do better.

(3/6) @wmata is critical to our regional economy & getting to work/school on time is essential to your livelihood.

(4/6) As the District’s leader, I am continuing to work with @wmata to build a long-term capital plan that serves DC & the region.

(5/6) However, I do not serve on the board or have any operating authority over @wmata.

(6/6) Your #Metro board rep is @MurielBowser; I urge you to share your disappointment w/ her & GM/CEO Sarles as they make improvements.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user justinbc

From OPM:

“The following message applies only to October 17, 2013

Open. Employees are expected to return for work on their next regularly scheduled work day (Thursday, October 17th for most employees), absent other instructions from their employing agencies.

Due to the enactment of a continuing resolution, Federal government operations are open. Employees are expected to return for work on their next regularly scheduled work day (Thursday, October 17th for most employees), absent other instructions from their employing agencies. Agencies are strongly encouraged to use all available workplace flexibilities to ensure a smooth transition back to work for employees (e.g. telework, work schedule flexibilities, and excused absence for hardship situations).”

From the Mayor’s office:

“Mayor Vincent C. Gray today thanked congressional leaders and the President for including, in their deal to raise the debt ceiling and reopen the federal government, a provision securing the District’s ability to spend its own local funds throughout Fiscal Year 2014 regardless of possible future federal government shutdowns this year.”

From @wmata:

“Good morning, Federal Government! Nice to have you back aboard! @Metrorailinfo has returned to the normal mix of 8 and 6-car trains. #wmata”