Ward 5 Council Candidate Debate - TONIGHT

What: The Coalition of Concerned Neighbors is hosting a Ward 5 Council candidate debate, moderated by Madeline LaCore, Community Relations Senior Producer for WUSA9

When: Monday, August 14th, 2006, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Michigan Park Christian Church, Carter Hall, 1600 Taylor Street, NE, (202) 526.3355

I don't have information on who has confirmed their appearance. For a good primer on a number of the candidates running on the Deomcratic ticket, check out the July/August issue of the Brookland Heartbeat (membership to the Brookland listserv required).

Surprise! ANC 5A Meeting TOMORROW

I'm puzzled about this, but it's true there couldn't have been a quorum at July's meeting. From neighbors on the Brookland Listserv:

Just wanted to share that we just learned that our ANC 5A (led by commissioner Mary Currie) will be having a meeting at 11AM Saturday (August 12th) at the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center. Apparently this is due to the regular July meeting's quorum failure. If anyone has any issues they want to raise before the next regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 12th, it would be good to try and make this meeting. There is a lot going on in Brookland as you all know and these are excellent opportunites to let you voices be heard.

P.S. We don't know when this meeting was called - we just learned of it today (the day before the meeting.)

My guess is that it may be a continuation of the discussion that nearly devolved into an argument about the forthcoming charrette for the Brookland/CUA Metro development. Yes, an near-argument about a plan to come up with a plan.

Suspect(s) Sought in Armed Robberies/Carjackings in Woodridge

I know most of us take precautions when out in the evenings, but these incidents all occurred in the early morning, presumably as folks are heading off to work or returning from their night shifts. Luckily, no one was hurt, but I can't help but think about how pissed - and perhaps more inclined to use the gun - the perpetrator(s) must be, since two of the attempts failed. I'd like to remind everyone that pepper spray (NOT mace) is legal in the District, though it must be registered with the MPD. I purchased mine from Arnold Passman of Live Safe America when he spoke on personal safety at my office; if you tell him you live in DC, he can supply you with the proper paperwork to file. From MPD:

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in identifying and locating the person or persons responsible for a series of similar armed offenses committed against female victims within the Fifth District. None of the victims in these cases sustained physical injuries.

The first offense, an armed carjacking, occurred in the 3400 block of South Dakota Avenue, NE, at about 4:30 am, on Saturday, August 5, 2006. Reportedly, an adult female was approached by a tall, thin black male armed with a silver colored handgun while she sat behind the wheel of her auto at a red traffic light. The suspect entered the passenger side of the auto and made the victim drive. He then directed her pull over in the vicinity of 20th Street and South Dakota Avenue, NE, where he told her to exit the vehicle and then forced her into the trunk of her car. The suspect drove for a while, and apparently picked up another black male. At some point, the victim was coerced into revealing the Personal Identification Number (PIN) for her ATM card. The suspect(s) then obtained cash from the victim's bank account. The victim was released from the trunk of her car in the area of 20th and Franklin Streets, NE, and her car and keys were returned to her before the gunman fled on foot.

The second offense, an attempted armed carjacking, occurred in the area of South Dakota Avenue and 22nd Street, NE, at about 5:17 am, on Wednesday, August 9, 2006. As she sat behind the wheel of her auto, an adult female was approached by a tall, thin black male wearing a white mask and a white tee shirt and armed with a silver colored handgun. The suspect threatened the victim with the gun, but she drove away.

The third offense, an attempted armed carjacking, occurred in the 2600 block of South Dakota Avenue, NE, at about 5:30 am, on Wednesday, August 9, 2006. As she sat behind the wheel of her auto, an adult female was approached by a tall, thin black male wearing a white mask and a white tee shirt and armed with a silver colored handgun. The suspect threatened the victim with the gun, but she drove away.

The fourth offense, an armed robbery, occurred in the 3800 block of 22nd Street, NE, at about 5:44 am, on Wednesday, August 9, 2006. An adult female waiting for a [G8] bus at a bus stop was robbed at gunpoint by a tall, thin black male wearing a white mask and a white tee shirt and armed with a silver colored handgun. The suspect stole the victim's purse and fled on foot through the north alley.

These cases are under investigation members of the MPDC/FBI Robbery Task Force and Fifth District detectives. Anyone with information about these offenses is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099.

The Metropolitan Police 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.

I'll post updates if/when they come in.

Public DCPL Board of Trustees Meeting - Wednesday, August 9th

What: The first Trustees meeting held since the arrival of new DCPL director, Ginnie Cooper.

When: Wednesday, August 9th, 2006 at 6pm

Where: Chevy Chase Branch Library, 5625 Connecticut Avenue, NW

I've been told that a members of the Tenley community will be there protesting the ongoing closure - since December 2004 - of their branch. I hope folks from Anacostia, Benning, and Watha T. Daniel/Shaw do the same.

- - -

Robin Diener, Director of the DC Library Renaissance Project, passed along this interesting tidbit from the Washington Business Journal:

Nat'l Geographic pictures itself at new District site

The National Geographic Society is looking to migrate east, to the sprawling site of D.C.'s old convention center.

The media organization, based in a nearby three-building complex at 17th and M streets NW, is pursuing a deal with D.C. officials to build a museum, retail and entertainment complex -- and possibly office space -- on the city-owned portion of the property.

You should be able to read the entire article if you have a subscription (unfortunately I don't). Now, go straight to the comments, where NGS employee, imgoph, tells us this is nothing more than a delicious rumor.

Two Teens Shot Outside Market Lounge

A friend called this evening and was giving me the details of her bus rides (yes, plural) home to SE from H Street NE. Much of the story revolved around a group of teens both on the bus and at her transfer that was quite excited and vocal about some other kids getting shot. Because I can't help it, I had the TV on in the background. About an hour into our conversation, there was the shooting on Fox 5 news! Now, Fox 5's website stinks, imho, and they don't have RSS, but NBC4 has the goods:

Police are investigating a shooting incident that left three people injured Monday evening in northeast Washington.

Authorities said two teens exchanged gunfire just after 6 p.m. in the 1200 block of Fifth Street Northeast [though I believe I first heard the argument occured at 5th and Morse]. Investigators said the shooting occurred shortly after a concert for teens let out at the Market Lounge, which is a club above the D.C. Farmer's Market in the 1300 block.

Officials said three 15-year-olds were injured [see update below]. A female sustained gunshot wounds to the legs. A male was shot in the hand. Another male was pistol-whipped.

Two teens were arrested for fighting. One had a gun. Investigators said they recovered a car and another gun that may have been related to the shooting, but the person who police said fired the shots is still on the loose.

The dance was scheduled to end early enough so teens could get home before the new 10 p.m. curfew.

Police believe the shooting may stem from an ongoing dispute between two groups of young people.

I'm bothered more by the likely age group of the perpetrators than the fact that this is the second shooting at the Capital City/Florida Market in less than a week. That and how "cool" the incident was to about 200 of our young people....

- - -

At least three other people were shot last night in the District:

An adult male was shot in the 300 block of 61st Street NE just before 10pm. His injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Just after midnight, another shooting was reported in the 5200 block of Just Street NE. A male suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

A fourth shooting incident occurred at 3am in the 4600 block of Livingston Road SE. An adult male suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. The victim was transported to an area hospital in serious condition.

***UPDATE*** This WaPo article has more details. Those injured include a 14-year-old girl shot in both legs, a 13-year-old boy shot in one leg, and a 17-year-old youth who was pistol-whipped. Another 17-year-old who sped away from the scene was stopped by MPD and arrested after they found a shotgun in his car.

Armed Robbery at Capital City/Florida Market

From MPD:

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the assistance of the public in attempting to identify the suspect wanted in connection with an armed robbery and shooting.

At approximately 6:50 am on Friday, August 4, 2006, four men were sitting in front of the Donald Chin Supply Company located at 1323 4th Street, NE. It was at that time that a lone male subject armed with a handgun approached the group and forced them inside. One of the victims was subsequently shot in the right and left leg and robbed of his wallet before the subject fled on foot. That victim was transported to an area hospital where he was admitted in critical but stable condition. His name and the identities of the other victims in this case are being withheld due to the fact that they are witnesses.

The suspect in this case is described as a black male, possibly in his 30s, 5’10” tall with a slim build, medium complexion and large sideburns. He is further described as wearing a light gray tee-shirt, light blue jeans and black and white tennis shoes.

This case remains under investigation by detectives from the department’s Fifth District. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099.

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently offering 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.

You can watch the surveillance tape (the actual shooting is not on tape) here.

- - -

In other news, an arrest was made in the November 2005 shooting death of 29-year-old Patrick Carter on the 1800 block Corcoran Street, NE.

Finally, New Kid on the Eckington Block gives a shout-out to the cops for getting one more gun off our streets.

Ward 5 Candidate Forum - Monday, August 7th

What: DC Fair Budget Coalition's Ward 5 Candidate Forum

When: Monday, August 7th, 2006, 7-8:30pm

Where: 4860 Fort Totten Drive, NE (Milestone Place)

About: Come learn the candidates’ positions on these and many other issues:

Child Care
Disability Rights
Domestic Violence
Education and Youth Development
Emergency Assistance
Health
Housing, Homelessness, and Shelter
Jobs

Questions? Contact Marina Streznewski, CFLS, at 202.347.0511, ext. 414 or mstreznewski@cflsdc.org.

"The Fair Budget Coalition fights for a just and inclusive District of Columbia through advocacy and organizing and by advancing budget and public policy initiatives which reflect the interdependency of the District’s community and economic development systems. Organized in 1994, Fair Budget is a coalition of grassroots community groups, human service providers, advocates, faith organizations, and concerned community members." For information about the Fair Budget Coalition, contact Martina Gillis at 202.328.5513 or mailto:swade@washingtonregion.net.

DC Environmental Network Mayoral Candidates Forum - Thursday, August 3rd, 1-3pm

What better time to attend an environmentally geared Mayoral Candidates Forum than in globally warmed 100°+ temperatures? Well, perhaps June 29th, but I'm guessing it just wasn't hot enough for Fenty, Cropp, and Johns (in all fairness, Fenty did show up just in time for the last question of the evening).

But enough about my disappointment with a few of the contenders the first time around; let's just hope they don't squander this second chance:

OPEN TO ALL!
D.C. Environmental Network to hold Mayoral and Council Chair CANDIDATES FORUMS @ Friends of the Earth

District of Columbia environmental organizations, individuals and activists will hold Mayoral and Council Chair Candidates Forums in August to highlight key issues in the recently released DC Environmental Agenda. Candidates will have an opportunity to present their environmental vision for the District to residents and explain their thoughts on issues that most directly impact the environmental health of our communities.

MAKE-UP Forum for Mayoral Candidates FORUM
DATE: Thursday, August 3, 2006
PARTICIPANTS SO FAR: Linda Cropp, Marie Johns, Adrian Fenty
TIME: 1:00 TO 3:00 PM
PLACE: FRIENDS OF THE EARTH, 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW #600 (Dupont Circle Metro - South Exit)

Council Chair/At-Large Council Candidates FORUM
DATE: Thursday, August 17, 2006
PARTICIPANTS SO FAR: Phil Mendelson, Kathy Patterson
TIME: 12 TO 1:30 PM
PLACE: FRIENDS OF THE EARTH, 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW #600 (Dupont Circle Metro - South Exit)

Please remember to bring a picture ID to get in the building!

About the DC Environmental Agenda
In 1999, twelve District environmental organizations created the first ever Environmental Agenda for the District of Columbia. This agenda was a collaborative effort of citizen activists to chart a course for environmental protection. It recognized that a new Mayor and Council would have an opportunity to reverse some of the negative trends of years past and promote working towards a more livable city for all residents. It made recommendations, for action and drew upon the collective wisdom of many District environmental leaders as well as successful initiatives in other parts of the country.

Today in 2006, the Summit Fund of Washington and over 30 environmental, health, faith, citizen and civic organizations are answering a call to action by participating in creating a new environmental agenda for the District. This new agenda will build on the successes of the past six years and will set a new standard of environmental excellence for the District.

Together, these proposals will chart a course toward excellence in the provision of city services and the protection of public health. As we believed in 1999, restoration of environmental quality in the District is a pro-business, pro-economic growth platform that more and more public officials are starting to embrace and act on.

For more information please contact Chris Weiss at 202.222.0746.

Drug Bust in NE and a Great New Google Mashup Crime Map

Thanks to Frozen Tropics and Kathryn Sinzinger, Editor and Publisher of The Common Denominator, for early updates about Sunday crime happenings in NE, including a First District carjacking that ended at 17th and Jackson in Brookland with the apprehension of the suspects and a handgun. Ms. Sinzinger posted to the Brookland listserv on the drug bust:

This news tidbit should be of interest to everyone who has been concerned about the continuing drug problem around Turkey Thicket. Officers from the Fourth Police District executed a search warrant around 1 p.m. yesterday at 1017 Taussig Place NE and arrested a 24-year-old resident of that address, identified by police as Derek Nathaniel Blandon. Blandon is supposed to be arraigned in D.C. Superior Court today on charges that include possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and carrying a pistol without a license. Police seized crack cocaine, marijuana, cash, a handgun and drug paraphernalia during the raid.

A PSA 405 officer tells me that this incident resulted from chance, not an investigation. Police who accompanied a probation officer to the home on Sunday smelled marijuana and "locked everybody down" while the search warrant was obtained.

I have been unable, so far, to ascertain whether 4D and 5D officers are communicating about this search and arrest, since the police district line is at Taylor Street and 5D has been trying to deal with the Turkey Thicket problem.

MPD's press release on the incident here.

- - -

CrimeinDC.org is a sparkly new Google Map mashup that not only incorporates the latest from Crimereports.com, but also breaks down the crimes into statistical data by type, ZIP, street, date, and day of the week. RSS, neighborhood radius searches, and e-mail alerts are forthcoming.

Also of note: The DCStat program intends to make "Crime Incidents" and arrests and charges available through RSS (hopefully) before the end of the year.

Finally, continue to stay alert and safe - it looks like we can't afford otherwise.

Ward 5 Light Up the Night Coalition Launch in Conjunction with the 23rd Annual Night Out

Mentioned previously here, Ward 5's "Light Up the Night Coalition" officially launches its campaign at the National Night Out against crime kick-off:

The District's observance of [the 23rd annual] National Night Out will officially kick off at 5pm on Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center at 10th and Michigan Avenue, NE, with food, music and a short walk around the neighborhood with the Ward 5 "Light Up the Night Coalition." Consisting of 16 community organizations, the Coalition is launching a campaign to distribute energy-efficient light bulbs to homeowners and to encourage them to leave their exterior lights on from dusk until dawn every day, as a way to combat crime.

Be sure to check out the July issue of DC North for a profile of Ms. Martha Ward and Light Up the Night (PDF version / text version).

National Night Out - Tuesday, August 1st (and the weekend NE crime round-up)

In an effort to get to sleep at a semi-decent hour, I'm cramming quite a bit of information into one post....

· The District's 21st homicide of 2006 came early yesterday morning when 25-year-old John Stapleton, III was stabbed from behind in the heart at the Benning Court Apartments in the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE around 1:20am July 30th, 2006. NBC4 has more here; MPD here.

· The February 17, 2006 death of 84-year-old Annette Oxley was ruled a homicide last week. Ms. Oxley was found unconscious in her residence on the 1500 block of Otis Street, NE. The Medical Examiner's Office determined that the cause of death in this case was murder by Acute and Chronic Cocaine Intoxication.

· Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 DC celebrates "National Night Out," sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. Some police districts start their festivities as early as 4pm; you can find the link to yours here.

· Finally, check out the MakeDCSafe.com site and petition for more foot patrols in DC, and consider adopting your own neighborhood version of "Know Five in Frederick." The name may not be as catchy for your immediate area ("Know a Bunch in Brookland," "Know Who's Your Neighbor in Woodridge," "Know Many in Michigan Park," "Know 'Em All in Edgewood or Eckington," "Know Ten in Trinidad," etc.), but the effect could far outshine the snazzy alliteration.

Ward 5 Council Candidates' Forum - Monday, July 31st

What: ACORN is hosting a Ward 5 Council candidates' forum

When: Monday, July 31st, 2006, 7-8:30pm

Where: Trinity Baptist Church, 1814 Central Place, NE (behind the Bethesda Baptist Church)

Inquiries: Please contact Modestine Snead, 202-547-9292 (ACORN's DC office)

Florida Market Tour - Saturday, July 29th @ 9am

I enjoyed last month's tour, but I'm mad at myself for skipping breakfast at Young's Deli, which closed quite suddenly just a little over a week after I was there....Details of Saturday's tour from Richard Layman:

The Capital City Market, more commonly known as the Florida Market, is the primary wholesale food distribution center in the city. A number of the businesses sell to retail customers. The cinder block "DC Farmers Market" building on Neal Street is comparable to Eastern Market, except it is privately owned, and less pretty.

The market area is under great development pressure because of its location and the attractiveness of the New York Avenue subway stop. The Office of Planning Cluster 23 Study proposes that the market be revitalized through a food-centered plan. An alternative proposal suggests demolishing everything and starting over. We're interested in showing people the assets that the market has to offer. The July issues of the Hill Rag and DC North had an article about the market and the issues involved (PDF versions).



On Saturday, Elise Bernard of the Frozen Tropics blog, and I will lead a free tour of the market. It will start at 9:00 a.m. at 4th and Morse Streets, NE.

We will visit one dozen places that sell retail, including the multi-vendor cinder block "Farmers Market" and the outdoor flea market, before finishing at Litteri's, which in my opinion, has the best Italian sub sandwich in the city (sorry Vace, sorry Mangialiardo's). We should finish up around 11 a.m.

New developments. In the month since we've done the last tour, Young's Deli has closed because the landlord wants to sell the building. Councilmember Orange announced at a Mayoral candidates forum that he has entered legislation with 11 co-sponsors!!!!!!!!!!!! to proceed with the "New Town" plan, which to go forward requires (1) hundreds of millions of dollars of city subsidies; and (2) eminent domain takings; because (3) the initiators of the New Town "plan" only control 10% of the land.

Also see this feature from the Post food section, published in May, "The Insiders' Market: For International Finds, Those in the Know Shop at Capital City in the Warehouse District."

Three Assisting Mayor's DCPL Task Force Among Those Allegedly Fired

Wow. Compare this sentence from "The Mayor's Task Force on the Future of the District of Columbia Public Library System: Summary of Findings and Draft Report, November 2005":

Similarly, the following members of the staff of the District of Columbia Public Library provided assistance to the Task Force: Gail Avery, Se'an Crumley, Rose Dawson, Bette Ann Hubbard, Monica Lewis, Jewel Ogonji, Pat Pasqual, Rita Thompson-Joyner and Barbara Webb.

With this from last week's Post:

According to the sources, those dismissed were Jewel Ogonji, head librarian; Angela Purnell, assistant library director for administrative and operational services; Yema Tucker, head of collection development and management; Se'an Crumley, head of information and technology systems; and Barbara Webb, head of neighborhood library services....A blue-ribbon task force appointed by Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) is expected to release a report in about two weeks, [John W.] Hill, [president of the library Board of Trustees,] said. The task force did not recommend the terminations, Hill said.

No, I imagine those assisting the Task Force wouldn't suggest their own terminations.

Edgewood Terrace Shooting - One Teen and One Adult Wounded

From NBC4:

In the midst of a crime emergency, a 14-year-old boy is one of two people shot overnight in northeast Washington.

D.C. police said officers were called to the 600 block of Edgewood Terrace shortly before 12:30 a.m. Officers said a group of people had gathered in the courtyard area of the Edgewood Terrace Apartments when an armed person began shooting.

"There were several people in the courtyard and a subject walked up with at least one weapon, opened fire and struck two individuals," said D.C. police officer Willie Smith. "One juvenile and one adult male was struck and both were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries."

Authorities said the two victims are in stable condition. Police said they have yet to establish a motive for the shootings, which happened just days before an alternative curfew takes effect for anyone under the age of 16.

The new curfew hours are from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. and start July 31, but there are some exemptions.

Teens under 16 will be exempt if they are with a parent, guardian or a person over the age of 21, if they are on an errand for a parent or guardian, if they are attending a school or church event and if they are going to or returning from work.

The alternate curfew expires Aug. 31.

Just two hours earlier, 17-year-old Ronnie Garner died after being shot in the head Monday morning. Two homicides in less than 24 hours; two teens shot in less than 24 hours....Will the curfew really make a difference?

ANC-5A Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, July 26th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A Monthly Meeting (this link shows you the 2006 schedule - no meetings in August and December)

When: Wednesday, July 26th, 2006 at 7pm

Where: Slowe Elementary School, 1404 Jackson Street, NE

Agenda: Ms. Ellen McCarthy, Director, Office of Planning; Ms. Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Planner; Police Crime Reports; Community Concerns

*There will be no meeting in August - the next ANC 5A Monthly Community Meeting is Wednesday, September 27th, 2006*

Ward 5 Democrats Endorsement Meeting Tomorrow

The DC Urban Moms and Dads Mayoral Forum originally scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled:

While our event was scheduled weeks before the Ward 5 Endorsement Meeting, the candidates have expressed their need to attend that meeting. As as a result, we cannot expect candidate participation in our forum. We thought that changing the time would resolve this conflict, but ran into additional issues. Therefore, we are left with no alternative but to cancel the event.

Ward 5 Democrats Endorsement Meeting

When: Saturday, July 22nd, 2006, 10:00am-2:00pm

Where: Noyes Elementary School, 10th and Franklin Streets, NE

Notes: The Ward 5 candidates will give presentations from 12:45-1:45pm. The meeting begins with presentations by the Council Chairman candidates. All Democrats registered to vote in Ward 5 are invited and may vote to endorse the candidates of their choice in each of the following contests: Council Chairman, Council At-Large, Mayor, Delegate to Congress, Shadow Senator, Shadow Representative, and Ward 5 Council.


DC Urban Moms and Dads Mayoral Candidates Forum

When: Saturday, July 22nd, 10:00am-12:00pm (the time has changed so that mayoral candidates may participate in both events this Saturday)

Where: Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th Street, NW (16th and P)

SIXTH July Homicide in NE

In light of the heated discussions going on across the District, it's important to note that the only place I've seen info on this yet is in an MPD press release:

Homicide in the 3600 Block of Jay Street, NE

At approximately 11:08 pm, on Tuesday, July 18, 2006, police were called to the 3600 block of Jay Street, NE, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival officers located 26-year-old Daniel Joseph Bailey, of the 100 block of Joliet Street, SE, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to the Prince George's County Hospital where he was admitted in critical condition. On Wednesday, July 19, 2006, he was pronounced dead at 2:35 pm.

The case is under investigation by members of the department's Violent Crimes Branch.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to called police at (202) 727-9099.

The department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information who leads to the arrest and conviction to the person or persons responsible of any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Setting my stopwatch for the WaPo and [insert mainstream media outlet here] human interest story. . .now.

Let the Firing Begin - DCPL

From today's Post:

The head librarian at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and several other high-ranking officials have been fired days before the arrival of the new D.C. library director, according to sources familiar with the personnel changes.

John W. Hill, president of the library Board of Trustees, said yesterday that he could not confirm which employees had been dismissed, but he said the move was "part of the big transformation."

"We felt that there needed to be a transformational structure put in place to allow the new director to make changes fast," Hill said.

Hill added that Ginnie Cooper, the former executive director of the Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library, will start work Monday.

The decision to terminate employees was authorized by the library's acting director, Ellen M. Flaherty, who previously was head of personnel for the library. The board "fully supports this move," Hill said.

According to the sources, those dismissed were Jewel Ogonji, head librarian; Angela Purnell, assistant library director for administrative and operational services; Yema Tucker, head of collection development and management; Se'an Crumley, head of information and technology systems; and Barbara Webb, head of neighborhood library services.

The terminations came a month after Hill and union officials testified at a D.C Council hearing in favor of a proposal to sell the 36-year-old central library and replace it with a $207 million state-of-the-art building at the old convention center site at 11th Street and New York Avenue NW.

A blue-ribbon task force appointed by Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) is expected to release a report in about two weeks, Hill said. The task force did not recommend the terminations, Hill said.

"The report signals a vision for the future, and it is up to management to determine what staff is needed to implement that vision," Hill said of the draft.

Robin Diener, director of the Library Renaissance Project at the nonprofit Center for the Study of Responsive Law, said her advocacy group welcomes some changes in personnel.

"I don't want the Board of Trustees to get a get-out-of-jail-free card, because they have left the library system adrift for the past three years by failing to provide a permanent library director," Diener said.

Anntoinette White-Richardson, a union official who represents 300 library employees, said she does not expect that the rank and file, who "keep the library system running," will be affected by the firings.

"We expected the transformation to reach farther than facilities," she said. "Once the board started peeling the layers, they saw they couldn't stop there. It was more than about buildings."

Meanwhile, as plans for the new main library move forward, the rest of us are still waiting on the "blue-ribbon task force" report. Take a look at this article in The InTowner (if you have trouble, search for "Mayor’s Plan for New Central Library to Replace Existing MLK Building Continues in Limbo; No Immediate Action Expected" from the main page in the July 3, 2006 issue). A nice wrap-up of last month's hearing, it notes what the Post continuously overlooks - the community is divided on the plans for a new central library and for various reasons. Myself? I'm straddling the middle, but I am strongly against the way this is being handled as a community matter; it seems the only input those ultimately making the call consider credible falls directly in line with the plans they've had in motion long before they asked for our opinions.

Escaped Prisoner Apprehended Near Scene of Original Crime

James Bell was captured around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday near 17th and L Streets, NE. Good to know that if you're an arsonist with no fixed address, you'll just duck from the cops a block away from the original crime scene. I hope someone is taking notes.