Comments on: Graham Announces Re-election Campaign

By: Just the Facts

Just the Facts — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:36:21 +0000

I would wager that @Anon 2:48 p.m. is a cranky Adams Morgan business owner….but seriously @Anon 2:48, if you’re going to lob accusations about someone (Bryan Weaver), please follow them up with some facts, something substantial.

By: The Snitch Next Door

The Snitch Next Door — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:50:01 +0000

@Anon 2:48 pm: Whoa what’s that about Bryan Weaver? As far as I know he is a stand-up guy and I’d wager incorruptible. Tell us more.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:48:06 +0000

I’ve liked Jim Graham. He’s served his constituents well, and is the best of the three councilmen we’ve had in Ward One since home rule. That doesn’t mean he should be our Ward One councilman forever.

Just as he comes from a generation when character was everything; elective public service wasn’t a career either.

You served a term or two in the thankless job of public office because someone, some honest elder had to step down to do it, then moved on, and let another honest elder make the sacrifice to serve -and serve honorably.

Problem is that it’s no longer a step down, but much too often a step up. Nor is it a sacrifice to serve with much too many perks and unqualified, overpaid staff that could never make those salaries in the private sector. His chief of staff is a crook and on paid leave. Where’s the accountability. In the private sector would the crook be on paid leave awaiting a trial ?

Too bad he couldn’t excercise better judgement, have better expectations and higher standards of his staff as he does for the devotion of his time and his personal attire. Unqualified staff remain in his office; former bartenders, etc. making salaries they could never make in the private sector.

We deserve much better public servants in the District of Columbia both elected and non-elected officials. Just as citizens, we should have higher standards of who we elect; the elected and the non-elected professional managers (all of them public servants) should excercise much better judgement, have higher standards of who works for the city from the bottom up, and much, much, much better oversight and accountability of the public till.

Ten years is enough. Thank you for your service, Jim Graham. Keep your word on term limits.

It’s not a step down either for the only very poor alternative thus far, community organizer Bryan Weaver, who shouldn’t hold any public office.

By: I drink CH Kool Aid

I drink CH Kool Aid — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:29:15 +0000

the last thing we should do is listen to W Jordan.

By: W Jordan

W Jordan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:47:43 +0000

I just hope folk will really examine Graham’s record pros and cons. Then think about our future and make a choice and then become active in the process. Most key development was in the pipeline before Graham was in office. He help to unstick some projects and on the other hand jam other projects up. He and his team are good at addressing low level constituent services issues, but has missed real opportunities to make solid progress in terms of public safety, parks, schools and other neighborh infrastructure issues. He has totally mishandled the redevelopment of Georgia Ave. and the 14th St. above Monroe St. and Below Harvard St. His overall grade as a CM would be about a “C”. The question is is a “C” good enough for Ward 1’s future. In my view its time to thank him for the good he as done and look to new leadership to move us forward.

Graham has been looking to run At-Large at least since 2003/04 and it has shown in his performance. He’s been coasting since.

By: Goot Lemmon

Goot Lemmon — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:08:55 +0000

Graham’s made his share of mistakes, but I think they are outweighed by the good things he’s done for Ward 1.

I wonder if he’d ever consider running for mayor.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:03:22 +0000

All donations can be palmed to Teddy in $500 increments.

By: Blanche

Blanche — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:41:18 +0000

@ inmtpl

A while back the citizens of the District overwhelming voted to approve term limits through a referendum…the Council overturned that. At the time it was overturned, the Grahamstander vowed to adhere to what the citizens wanted…obviously not so much.

By: DCster

DCster — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:24:53 +0000

I largely agree with you Jimmy D re the Ward’s progress in the last 5-10 years. When I moved to the area the gang problems were worse than now (even considering the recent shooting). There was no yellow line to Ft Totten. And of course there was no DC USA. Aside from the yellow line, though, I don’t know how much credit Graham deserves for any of this. I do know he has also pushed for more roads (reopen Klingle Road), opposed support for some city development (Nationals Stadium), and then there is the whole Loza association – none of which I like. It could be an interesting race to watch, but on the other hand, it could be like you say, a job for life.

By: New Hampy

New Hampy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:30:06 +0000

oh my goodness anon 4:26, that link was so inappropriate and so hilarious!