Neighborhood Notes - Foxhall: 5 July, 2000

News of DPW’s Vanessa Burns stepping down is not surprising, except for its belated timing. Given that she touted her experience in snow and trash removal, she was apparently caught by surprise with our area’s narrow alleys, and streets with medians, that prevented large trucks from doing their work.  Although she inherited the problem, announcing last winter that all was well without checking the facts cost her dearly with residents and the mayor. Her interim replacement, Leslie Hotaling although currently heading up Strategic Planning, previously headed up the Solid Waste Division and managed to work wonders with an inadequate vehicle fleet, as well as being helpful in weekend resident clean-up projects.

 Although details have not been announced on what strategic direction Vanessa Burns disagreed with Mayor Williams, there can be no doubt that a separate focus on traffic and transportation is a key ingredient. For residents in MPD Second District, announcement that Lt Burke will head  up MPD’s traffic organization will be opportunity for closer partnership with DPW and DMV, a need identified in last year’s pilot partnership workshop under Commander Shannon Cockett.

 Just in parking enforcement alone, we need our police and parking attendants to focus more on towing people who park in rush-hour lanes or park all day long in residential neighborhoods to avoid paying downtown parking fees, rather than ticket residents for not having their wheels turned into the curb!

 News also that DPW have “outsourced” maintenance of state highways such as Canal Rd and Wisconsin Avenue increase the need for coordination within DPW, and we look forward to DC Council’s oversight under Carol Schwartz’s committee continuing their unstinting vigilance.

© Bob Andrew, Foxhall