What does a Bowser mayorship mean for DC?

[Anonymous]

Bowser seems like a weather vane and unfortunately has no real council record that gives a real clue as to her policy priorities and choices. Many Ward 4 voters believe that she has done a good job on nuts and bolts constituent-type matters.

As for mayoral appointees, I hope that the model is someone like Dan Tangherlini who headed DDOT under Williams and was Fenty's city administrator. Gabe Klein had ideas, but no real administrative skill. Tregoning was a disaster. I can't believe it took this long to finally get rid of her,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if it was up to me the whole city would be bike lane and london-esque congestion charge pricing for automobiles.

I have no problem with that as long as it is accompanied by affordable housing and improved homeless shelters and drug treatment. What I don't want to see returning from the Fenty years is someone who thinks they can do no wrong and labels all criticism as coming from people who like dysfunction.

[Anonymous]

Publicly disclosed money from Jeffrey Thompson:

Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser: $18,600
At-Large Councilmember David Catania: $15,750

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saw she said she'd keep Lanier. Haven't seen her say anything on Henderson yet.

yikes.

She strikes me as the second coming of Sharon Pratt Kelly - good intentions, no follow through. I hope I am wrong.

I know. I hope you and I are both wrong. I'd rather have a somewhat competent mayor fighting a criminal indictment than an incompetent one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bowser seems like a weather vane and unfortunately has no real council record that gives a real clue as to her policy priorities and choices. Many Ward 4 voters believe that she has done a good job on nuts and bolts constituent-type matters.

As for mayoral appointees, I hope that the model is someone like Dan Tangherlini who headed DDOT under Williams and was Fenty's city administrator. Gabe Klein had ideas, but no real administrative skill. Tregoning was a disaster. I can't believe it took this long to finally get rid of her,

Harriet Tregoning survived from Fenty to Gray because she was the captive cheerleader for the big real estate development interests. It wasn't until she totally ignored the DC council and pushed ahead anyway with trying to gut the Height Act that she doomed herself.

[Anonymous]

Bowser will do exactly what the developers tell her to do, just take a look at her reading from what looks like reading from their prepared text questions written out for her to read aloud at today's opening day budget hearings in which she asks, " where does the budget stand on funding the gov't public/ private joint projects on Walter Redd, Hine, McMillian…just cause , you know SHE herself as just wonderin'

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Bowser will do exactly what the developers tell her to do, just take a look at her reading from what looks like reading from their prepared text questions written out for her to read aloud at today's opening day budget hearings in which she asks, " where does the budget stand on funding the gov't public/ private joint projects on Walter Redd, Hine, McMillian…just cause , you know SHE herself as just wonderin'

Exactly. You have to dance with those who brought you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Bowser is that she is a panderer. She will not have the backbone, I suspect, to back the smart forward-thinking people who have pushed bike lanes, transit, sustainability codes, etc. etc. She will cave to the loudest voices. At least that's what I'd be afraid of.

Pretty much this. Anything that had to do with progressive transportation reforms such as streetcars and bike lanes, she is opposed. Bus lane on 16th street, opposed. Sidewalks near Rock Creek Park? Opposed. If you are a candidate for the Office of Planning, DDOT or DDOE, would you take a job with a mayor who may not back you when the "unpopular" decisions need to be made? Would she hire a Gabe Kline or Harriet Tregoning as Fenty did? Would individuals like that want to work for her?

This is ridiculous. You know, the entire city is not urban. I live off of 16th Street and no, I don't want a bus lane. I would love to take the bus, but am I supposed to take 3 buses and a horse to drop off each kid in a different direction and then go to work? Give me a freakin' break.

[Anonymous]

Bowser will be basically more of the same: Vince Gray in a dress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bowser will be basically more of the same: Vince Gray in a dress.

And without the threat of indictment. Sounds like exactly like what some on here want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bowser will be basically more of the same: Vince Gray in a dress.

And without the threat of indictment. Sounds like exactly like what some on here want.

Her statement on school boundary changes seems like calculating equivocation. It's pretty clear, however, that many, many parent-voters are very upset with the DME proposals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bowser seems like a weather vane and unfortunately has no real council record that gives a real clue as to her policy priorities and choices. Many Ward 4 voters believe that she has done a good job on nuts and bolts constituent-type matters.

As for mayoral appointees, I hope that the model is someone like Dan Tangherlini who headed DDOT under Williams and was Fenty's city administrator. Gabe Klein had ideas, but no real administrative skill. Tregoning was a disaster. I can't believe it took this long to finally get rid of her,

Harriet Tregoning survived from Fenty to Gray because she was the captive cheerleader for the big real estate development interests. It wasn't until she totally ignored the DC council and pushed ahead anyway with trying to gut the Height Act that she doomed herself.

You realize there are a lot of people, including Tregoning, who wanted DC autonomy on this issue. It is so narrow minded to just be focused on the individual interests, instead of the bigger game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Bowser is that she is a panderer. She will not have the backbone, I suspect, to back the smart forward-thinking people who have pushed bike lanes, transit, sustainability codes, etc. etc. She will cave to the loudest voices. At least that's what I'd be afraid of.

Pretty much this. Anything that had to do with progressive transportation reforms such as streetcars and bike lanes, she is opposed. Bus lane on 16th street, opposed. Sidewalks near Rock Creek Park? Opposed. If you are a candidate for the Office of Planning, DDOT or DDOE, would you take a job with a mayor who may not back you when the "unpopular" decisions need to be made? Would she hire a Gabe Kline or Harriet Tregoning as Fenty did? Would individuals like that want to work for her?

This is ridiculous. You know, the entire city is not urban. I live off of 16th Street and no, I don't want a bus lane. I would love to take the bus, but am I supposed to take 3 buses and a horse to drop off each kid in a different direction and then go to work? Give me a freakin' break.

Then don't take a bus. Problem solved.

There are hundreds/thousands of people who take buses on 16th Street whose trips would be more efficient if there was a bus lane. Should your need to use your car to take your trips trump the needs of the 50-60 people on each bus?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Bowser is that she is a panderer. She will not have the backbone, I suspect, to back the smart forward-thinking people who have pushed bike lanes, transit, sustainability codes, etc. etc. She will cave to the loudest voices. At least that's what I'd be afraid of.

This is exactly true. Knowing this, the time is right now to start figuring out how to be the loudest voice on the issues you care about most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Bowser is that she is a panderer. She will not have the backbone, I suspect, to back the smart forward-thinking people who have pushed bike lanes, transit, sustainability codes, etc. etc. She will cave to the loudest voices. At least that's what I'd be afraid of.

Pretty much this. Anything that had to do with progressive transportation reforms such as streetcars and bike lanes, she is opposed. Bus lane on 16th street, opposed. Sidewalks near Rock Creek Park? Opposed. If you are a candidate for the Office of Planning, DDOT or DDOE, would you take a job with a mayor who may not back you when the "unpopular" decisions need to be made? Would she hire a Gabe Kline or Harriet Tregoning as Fenty did? Would individuals like that want to work for her?

This is ridiculous. You know, the entire city is not urban. I live off of 16th Street and no, I don't want a bus lane. I would love to take the bus, but am I supposed to take 3 buses and a horse to drop off each kid in a different direction and then go to work? Give me a freakin' break.

Then don't take a bus. Problem solved.

There are hundreds/thousands of people who take buses on 16th Street whose trips would be more efficient if there was a bus lane. Should your need to use your car to take your trips trump the needs of the 50-60 people on each bus?

Yes.