[Mintwood-place] At Mary's place
Chris Version II.0
chrisotten2 at yahoo.com
Sat May 8 02:27:12 UTC 2010
Cynthia:
Thank you. No, our ANC has not, but perhaps we can take this up at this
month's Public Services Committee, and at the very least look to do
something a bit more formally at the June meeting. I think the idea was
to work within the context that new DPR directors would need time to
understand the project and begin working with us... but I think you are
right to sense that our role be demonstrated with a bit more formality
to it.
Second, no I have not seen anything from DPR today just yet. I hope
Director Aguirre is working on it.
Thanks for your insights.
Chris O.
202-536-4065
Cynthia Pols wrote:
> Chris - Has the ANC taken any formal action to express its disapproval
> of the way in which DPR approved the KP project without notifying the
> ANC or in any way involving it in the planning or even the information
> dissemination process??? I didn't hear any statements on Wednesday of
> the ANC's expectations/demands to be included in all future planning
> for park projects within the ANC. I would hope that that the ANC would
> convey that message to DPR in an unambiguous way. Finally, have you
> received the responses to the questions that DPR promised would be
> delivered by COB today???
>
> --Cynthia Pols
>
> On May 7, 2010, at 9:40 PM, Chris Version II.0 wrote:
>
>> John:
>>
>> I will leave it at this... and if you want to discuss more, lets call
>> each other... but the problem has been the fact that the ANC was
>> never notified of the issues at all, until it was way too late. This
>> is of course anathema to ANC law and represents an clandestine action
>> chosen by DPR to discuss the plans only with the Fund and not publicly.
>>
>> When I got involved, it was after the fences went up and the machines
>> started rolling into the park. I didn't even know that this project
>> was going to happen until the mess began. That's when I, as a young
>> Commissioner, began demanding information to be shared and to allow
>> for open discussion of the secretive plan designed by DPR with the
>> help of the Fund.
>>
>> Bryan Weaver and Mindy Moretti backed up the ANC concerns about the
>> process and were there at those initial meetings and followed since,
>> along with Commissioner Stacey Moye. Chair of ANC-1C, Wilson Reynolds
>> also took part in various meetings.
>>
>> One year ago was when this community finally got some needed sunshine
>> on the plans. I would like to say thanks to interested and pissed off
>> ANC's, it became clear this project was way out of whack and
>> seemingly arbitrary in its attempts to rid the park of erosion.
>>
>> I mean, it's still the case that major erosion will exist even after
>> this project is over because this project doesn't contend with the
>> erosion factors around the oval at the top of the park and the issues
>> around the basket ball court. But these issues were never included in
>> this project... not sure why... but maybe a legal case can help us
>> get there?
>>
>> Back last year, Director Hartsock apologized for not involving the
>> ANC's and then appointed me to lead a taskforce to discuss the picnic
>> bench and geoblock. We fought off the Geoblock, but that took so much
>> energy, do you remember how DDOE was so dug in on keeping the
>> Geoblock? Defeating this baloney, with the help of you and the
>> community, was no easy thing, but we did it.
>>
>> Then Hartsock got booted and so did all of this institutional memory
>> -- replaced with a new Director who was just told to get this thing
>> done. Of course, there were so many components still left up for
>> discussion, but with little movement to actually allow for the
>> discussion, we are left with the plans you see now.
>>
>> Director Aguirre has gotten a bit more settled and seems more ready
>> to communicate about things. Unfortunately, we are nibbling at the
>> edges and yes, if the ANC was involved at the beginning, there might
>> be a different plan at work, but we are at this point now.
>>
>> The Executive is in control... which means the ANC sadly will be
>> ignored... unless of course our Councilmember intercedes. I believe
>> he can do it if he wants -- he's got hold of the purse strings and
>> legislative power behind him, and can be very strong on community
>> issues. That's why you support him right?
>>
>> Hope this helps,.
>> Chris O.
>> 202-536-4065
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> John Cloud wrote:
>>> Chris:
>>>
>>> I was reacting to:
>>>
>>> (1) an ANC-1C meeting that, in terms of addressing the problems in
>>> Kalorama park, let alone getting any ANC action on it, was wound
>>> down tighter than a politburo seminar in Communist Russia;
>>>
>>> (2) yes, a "secret cabal" of emails about some new "solution" to the
>>> anti-Erosion Project that involved DPR staff, the Fund for Kalorama
>>> Park, two ANC commisisoners, only one of whom, that would be you,
>>> have ever shown any interest in the mess, and Bryan Weaver, who has
>>> failed any responsibilities he might have as the single-district guy
>>> for the park in a major way, and conspicuous by their absence, not a
>>> single one of the critics of the park plan. Who have, by the way,
>>> among other things, way more technical knowledge about much of the
>>> plan and the problems, and have been leading the charge since the
>>> beginning (fences and the lack, fraudulent inovices paid, geoblock2,
>>> Mitchell Park crap in the park , historic context for twerrazo park
>>> furniture, problmes with landscaping plan, etc.)
>>>
>>> Its a long list, and the major unifying factor about all of it is--
>>> our ANC "leaders" had nothing whatsoever to do with any of it. The
>>> ANC-1C is an absolute floundering disaster perched like a boil on
>>> top of this on this festering park project, which, as I keep saying,
>>> has now caused more erosion than anything since the Civil War.
>>>
>>> The good side is, since the ANC does not represent the Kalorama
>>> community on this, we are not bound at all by your secret deals.
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> *From:* Chris Version II.0 <chrisotten2 at yahoo.com
>>> <mailto:chrisotten2 at yahoo.com>>
>>> *To:* John Cloud <john.cloud666 at yahoo.com
>>> <mailto:john.cloud666 at yahoo.com>>
>>> *Cc:* mintwood-place at lists.mutualaid.org
>>> <mailto:mintwood-place at lists.mutualaid.org>; weaveranc at aol.com
>>> <mailto:weaveranc at aol.com>; 1c01 at anc.dc.gov
>>> <mailto:1c01 at anc.dc.gov>; anc1c05 at gmail.com
>>> <mailto:anc1c05 at gmail.com>; anc1c06 at yahoo.com
>>> <mailto:anc1c06 at yahoo.com>; Mindy Moretti <anc1c04 at yahoo.com
>>> <mailto:anc1c04 at yahoo.com>>; WreynoldsANC at aol.com
>>> <mailto:WreynoldsANC at aol.com>; boettrich at verizon.net
>>> <mailto:boettrich at verizon.net>; Jesus S. (OOC) Aguirre
>>> <jesus.aguirre at dc.gov <mailto:jesus.aguirre at dc.gov>>; Sherry (DPR)
>>> Frear <sherry.frear at dc.gov <mailto:sherry.frear at dc.gov>>; Bridget
>>> Stesney (DPR) <bridget.stesmey at dc.gov
>>> <mailto:bridget.stesmey at dc.gov>>; AMMainStreet at aol.com
>>> <mailto:AMMainStreet at aol.com>; denisjames at verizon.net
>>> <mailto:denisjames at verizon.net>; polscm at aol.com
>>> <mailto:polscm at aol.com>; dcvirginia at hotmail.com
>>> <mailto:dcvirginia at hotmail.com>; Eddie Becker
>>> <eddie_becker at yahoo.com <mailto:eddie_becker at yahoo.com>>;
>>> jim at grahamwone.com <mailto:jim at grahamwone.com>
>>> *Sent:* Thu, May 6, 2010 9:46:28 PM
>>> *Subject:* Re: Big news at the ANC1C meeting
>>>
>>> Dearest John:
>>>
>>> It's amazing how many excellent and valid points you bring up
>>> regarding how the Kal Park project has been so messed up.
>>>
>>> All along, I figured you could bring your knowledge to the fore with
>>> this project... you have... but your behavior and language
>>> undermines your intention.
>>>
>>> Your latest claim that somehow I have been involved in some sort of
>>> secretive plan with DPR and the Fund and the Councilmember is so
>>> ridiculous as to make any claims of your injustice now laughable.
>>> I mean have you seen what's happening with the Mount Pleasant
>>> Library >> http://www.districtdynamos.org/mount_pleasant/petition
>>>
>>> If I were secretively planning with Graham and the Executive, do you
>>> think we would have an accessibility ramp going from here to
>>> Baltimore and an expansion plan which risks peoples lives?
>>>
>>> The reality is, by the email chain below, that as a Commissioner I
>>> simply tried to get some report back from the Fund meeting which I
>>> had to leave early from. There was no notice of the results from
>>> DPR, Graham, the Fund or anybody that attended that meeting. So I
>>> summed up my notes, put them in a letter, and then sent them to
>>> Director Aguirre. His response is what you read.
>>>
>>> So please stop condemning people, including me. But, please continue
>>> to document the problems, continue to highlight the concerns, and
>>> continue to agitate. I encourage all of these things... but to do so
>>> with some sense of decency and social awareness... otherwise, all of
>>> the valid points you make and bring up get clouded away into obscurity.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Chris O.
>>> 202-536-4065
>>>
>>>
>>> ==
>>> FOLLOW THE EMAIL CHAIN BELOW TO SEE WHAT CLOUD REFERS TO AS A
>>> SECRETIVE PLAN.
>>> ==
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original message -----
>>> From: "Chris Version II.0" <chrisotten2 at yahoo.com
>>> <mailto:chrisotten2 at yahoo.com>>
>>> To: "Aguirre, Jesus S. (DPR)" <jesus.aguirre at dc.gov
>>> <mailto:jesus.aguirre at dc.gov>>
>>> Cc: "Jim Graham" <Jim at grahamwone.com <mailto:Jim at grahamwone.com>>,
>>> "Bryan Weaver - 1C03"
>>> <WeaverANC at aol.com <mailto:WeaverANC at aol.com>>, "Lisa Duperior"
>>> <AMMainStreet at aol.com <mailto:AMMainStreet at aol.com>>, "Stesney,
>>> Bridget (DPR)" <Bridget.Stesney at dc.gov
>>> <mailto:Bridget.Stesney at dc.gov>>, "Frear, Sherry (DPR)"
>>> <sherry.frear at dc.gov <mailto:sherry.frear at dc.gov>>
>>> Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:14:31 -0700
>>> Subject: Re: KalPakMtg Followup
>>>
>>> Please do.
>>> Thanks,
>>> Chris
>>>
>>>
>>> Aguirre, Jesus S. (DPR) wrote:
>>> > Thanks. With your permission, I’ll send your summary with our
>>> responses.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > On 4/29/10 4:17 PM, "Chris Version II.0" <chrisotten2 at yahoo.com
>>> <mailto:chrisotten2 at yahoo.com>> wrote:
>>> >
>>> > Thank you for this info Jesus. This will help with our ANC meeting
>>> > next
>>> > week. Perhaps you should with the larger list so to close the feedback
>>> > loop with the public. I can do the same with my lists.
>>> > Thanks,
>>> > Chris
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > Aguirre, Jesus S. (DPR) wrote:
>>> > > Chris,
>>> > >
>>> > > Please see enclosed document with responses to your
>>> > questions/summary.
>>> > >
>>> > > I would be happy to discuss any items that require clarification.
>>> > >
>>> > > Thanks!
>>> > >
>>> > > --Jesús
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > On 4/27/10 4:37 PM, "Chris Version II.0" <chrisotten2 at yahoo.com
>>> <mailto:chrisotten2 at yahoo.com>>
>>> > wrote:
>>> > >
>>> > > Hi Jim and Jesus:
>>> > >
>>> > > Hope the week has started strong.
>>> > >
>>> > > I wanted to follow-up as I sent the email you see below on
>>> Friday, so
>>> > > you may have missed it... now sending on Tuesday April 27.
>>> > >
>>> > > It's important that the feedback loop is closed on what's
>>> > happening in
>>> > > our Park... so far there has been no notice of feedback.
>>> > >
>>> > > So, in my capacity as a duly elected neighborhood official, I am
>>> > > writing
>>> > > again, to please ask that you review these points below and make
>>> sure
>>> > > that there is some understanding about what "moving forward" means
>>> > > with
>>> > > our park.
>>> > >
>>> > > With humble respect,
>>> > > Chris Otten, 1C02
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > Chris Version II.0 wrote:
>>> > > > Dear Jesus and Jim:
>>> > > >
>>> > > > Hope the week is winding down strongly. I noticed some work has
>>> > > > started in the park. Thank you.
>>> > > >
>>> > > > It's been nearly two weeks since the Fund meeting and some public
>>> > > > decisions were made, but there hasn't been any closure of the
>>> > > feedback
>>> > > > loop with the residents. Unfortunately, I had to leave before the
>>> > > > conclusion of the meeting and any "vote" on things, so I missed
>>> > them
>>> > > > personally too.
>>> > > >
>>> > > > I've cc'd two level headed members of the community who are key
>>> > > > players in both the Fund -- Lisa, and the ANC -- Bryan. They were
>>> > > > both at this meeting as well, so respectively, I hope we can
>>> > get some
>>> > > > more info to close the feedback and get info out to our
>>> > constituents.
>>> > > >
>>> > > > So I am hoping by this email to get an understanding of the
>>> > points I
>>> > > > made, the points I heard, the agreements I heard, and what
>>> > remains to
>>> > > > do. Jesus, Jim ... please let me know if I got this info right
>>> > or if
>>> > > > I am missing anything.
>>> > > >
>>> > > > MOVING FORWARD
>>> > > > 1) By May 31, this project will be complete.
>>> > > > 2) The erosion issues shown in the project plans will be
>>> completed.
>>> > > > 3) All of the red clay brought into the park will be dug up and
>>> > > > removed by the contractor replaced with an absorbent soil
>>> substrate
>>> > > > that was to be shown to the public.
>>> > > > 4) The historic archaeological items under the soil will remain
>>> > > > undisturbed and a City archaeologist will be on site during the
>>> > work
>>> > > > to make sure this is happening correctly.
>>> > > > 5) No more trees will be damaged. Any trees already killed will be
>>> > > > replaced. Any trees damaged will be re mediated back to health.
>>> > > > 6) Any soil disturbed will be mitigated: rocks removed, soil
>>> > > > stabilization, good absorbent soil to be used, not red clay.
>>> > > >
>>> > > > NEED MORE INFO
>>> > > > 1) Landscaping: Mrs. Frear was to show a report showing the
>>> > > > anti-erosion levels of the bushes and trees being proposed and how
>>> > > > these trees may or may not be native species to the area. DPR to
>>> > > > determine if the choice plants are appropriate and report back.
>>> > > > 2) Landscaping: There was no discussion on a landscaping
>>> > maintenance
>>> > > > plan. Who will take care of all of the new landscaping once
>>> > > planted?
>>> > > > Does DPR have a plan ready or will the summer dry out most of the
>>> > > plants?
>>> > > > 3) Picnic Table: Will not be touched. DPR determining the validity
>>> > > > of safety complaints and will report back. Mrs. Frear says it
>>> > can be
>>> > > > restored and if it is moved it will break.
>>> > > > 4) Basketball Court: The northwest end of the court is seeing
>>> major
>>> > > > erosion issues, does this plan rectify that? If not, what will
>>> > we do
>>> > > > to rectify that?
>>> > > >
>>> > > > OTHER TASKS
>>> > > > 1) Mrs. Frear was to update the DPR website to put identification
>>> > > > names to the PDF files to help the public understand them better.
>>> > > > 2) DPR will be reporting back on the efficacy of the
>>> > landscaping and
>>> > > > how it will help with anti-erosion and how DPR sees these new
>>> > > planting
>>> > > > and new investment in our park to be maintained.
>>> > > > 3) DPR will be reporting back on the safety concerns raised by the
>>> > > > picnic bench, are they valid?
>>> > > > 4) DPR to express how the archeology of the site will be
>>> monitored.
>>> > > >
>>> > > > ---
>>> > > >
>>> > > > Looking forward to a detailed response that I can forward to my
>>> > > > friends and neighbors.
>>> > > >
>>> > > > Thanks,
>>> > > > Chris O.
>>> > > > 202-536-4065
>>> > > >
>>> > > >
>>> > > >
>>> > > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> John Cloud wrote:
>>> > ANC-1C-02 Commissioner Otten and ANC-1C-03 Commissioner Weaver:
>>> >
>>> > There were two big developments at the ANC meeting last night. I'm
>>> writing this mainly for the benefit of Commissioner Weaver, who was
>>> one of 3 commissioners who didn't make the meeting. But I know how
>>> the burden of a meeting once a month wears a man down, especially on
>>> Cinco de Mayo with margaritas 2 for 1.
>>> >
>>> > Big news No. 1: DPR Acting Director Aguirre more or less
>>> acknowledged that he knows about my overdue FOIA request response,
>>> and thence he knows that DPR is over due by about SEVEN MONTHS in
>>> providing legal public documents I asked for about the Anti-Erosion
>>> Project. He should also know that a statement to me like "we're
>>> working on it" doesn't mean jack legally. To assist DPR in their
>>> xerox-challenged ways, today I filed yet another FOIA administrative
>>> appeal with Mayor Fenty's office.
>>> >
>>> > Big news No. 2; was provided by Commissioner Otten! He circulated
>>> copies of emails that reveal, clearly, that the DPR Kalorama Q & A
>>> released by Sherry Frear was in fact, negotiated April 27 and 8 by a
>>> small cabal consisting of: Councilman Graham, DPR's Aguirre, Frear,
>>> and Stesney, ANC Commissioners Otten and Weaver, and Lisa Duperior,
>>> of the Fund for Kalorama Park! Hence, no public participation and
>>> involvement, no attempt at timely disclosure of this new "secret
>>> plan" for over a week, deliberate exclusion of every known critic of
>>> any aspect of the Anti-Erosion Project! Not to mention; no attempt
>>> to deal in any meaningful way with the obvious contract fraud that
>>> has charactierized this troubled contract since the beginning.
>>> > Nor any real plan on how DPR plans to avoid contract fraud in the
>>> future. There are many DPR references to "See specification number
>>> so and so.. contractor shall provide suitable fill from offsite if
>>> on-site quantities are insufficient or unacceptable...etc." But the
>>> reality is: every bit of crap the contractor had brought to Kalorama
>>> Park DPR has found "acceptable" in large part becuase THERE ARE NO
>>> INSPECTIONS according to those specs and worse yet DPR HAS ALREADY
>>> PAID FOR ALL OF IT. The spces call for screening the soil to test it
>>> but DPR doesn't own any screens! They will have the contractor test
>>> his dirt! Yes!
>>> >
>>> > Getting us back to that pesky little "contract fraud" matter that
>>> just won't go away. Graham at least knows he has to keep his crimes
>>> below a limit or he'll pay a price, or at least an underling will
>>> have to be thrown overboard. But what about DPR and ANC-1C? Wilson
>>> Reynolds can do his dardest to limit public discussion of the
>>> Kalorama Park scandals and avoid any ANC-1C actions entirely, but
>>> way too much badness has gone down for well over a year now to allow
>>> you to get away with your "back room" dealings much longer. In
>>> addition to the illegality of Graham and Aguirre and other DPR staff
>>> saying whatever it takes to get out of a public meeting intact, then
>>> cutting secret contract changes without public disclosure, and no
>>> contract enforcement, ever, the ANC-1C is preparing to play a role
>>> to throw even more public money into a festering bioswale of fraud
>>> and red red clay and big rocks.
>>> > Are you getting enough out of this crime to rationalize the coming
>>> time?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com> Version: 8.5.437
>>> / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2857 - Release Date: 05/06/10 06:26:00
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>>
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com> Version: 8.5.437 /
>>> Virus Database: 271.1.1/2859 - Release Date: 05/07/10 06:26:00
>>>
>>>
>
> */Cynthia M. Pols/*
> */1862 Mintwood Place, NW - # 304/*
> */Washington, DC 20009/*
> */202-328-0654/*
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2859 - Release Date: 05/07/10 06:26:00
>
>
More information about the Mintwood-place
mailing list