Anonymous wrote: Push for more and better subsidized housing options in all parts of the city, higher minimum wage, better child care subsidies.

I'm a Ward 6 parent and I completely agree with this. Especially the subsidized housing going throughout the city.

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone thinking about the black voters in this city. So what if he has all the answers and solutions, the majority will not vote for a white man. He needs to get out in the community and align himself with the political machines in DC. It pisses me off she will win just b/c she looks like the majority.

--signed black woman from ward 8

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Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that the DCUM endorsement via support by Jeff, a lot of people saying who they would vote for or a blog post are the kiss of death. Can you name one person that has won?

I voted Fenty and Settles, but I have to say talking with my neighbors in Ward 5 there is a very strong feeling that well off WOTP has pulled up the drawbridge and just does not give a damn about the rest of the city. One can dismiss all the claims but there is some truth the fact that most people have no need to go and therefore never see anything outside of well off west side. Cantania will lose if he is viewed as your advocate. The presumption will be that they will lose. Unless we can figure out how the pie expands, I lose if you win.

I agree. Can't help but think of the Schwartz/Barry race.

I keep hearing, though, that Catania is an advocate for the disadvantaged. I'm looking forward to hearing more of his views and seeing if he can straddle the east/west divide.

Schwartz/Barry was a long time ago. Much has changed, including demographics.

But much has not changed, primarily the feeling that a candidate who appeals to Ward 3 is going to ignore the other wards or simply maintain status quo. So much of the support for Catania has been in favor of that staus quo, which the rest of the city finds inacceptable.

It's not just people in Ward 3 who want predictable neighborhood school attendance. It's also a big chunk of Wards 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Wards 7 and 8 are the only ones that will be clearly against all of this, because those are the only wards that have seen very little change regarding incomes and school quality. All of the other wards are changing quickly.

The east/west divide really isn't about Rock Creek Park anymore - it's about the Anacostia river.

+1. This is why Gray/ Smith proposals are absurd. Good they will be out of office in a few months!

Anonymous wrote:Will voter fraud play a pivotal role?

No, voter fraud is a myth.

Actually I think the divide is about how much housing takes out of your monthly budget, how much of your life is governed by food insecurity, how often you worry about an extra high electric bill or car repair upending your life. There are a lot of people in DC that care a lot about their child's school, but economic crisis often crowds out and upends their ability to help their child. Want to change the schools change the economic realities that govern too many kids lives. Push for more and better subsidized housing options in all parts of the city, higher minimum wage, better child care subsidies.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that the DCUM endorsement via support by Jeff, a lot of people saying who they would vote for or a blog post are the kiss of death. Can you name one person that has won?

I voted Fenty and Settles, but I have to say talking with my neighbors in Ward 5 there is a very strong feeling that well off WOTP has pulled up the drawbridge and just does not give a damn about the rest of the city. One can dismiss all the claims but there is some truth the fact that most people have no need to go and therefore never see anything outside of well off west side. Cantania will lose if he is viewed as your advocate. The presumption will be that they will lose. Unless we can figure out how the pie expands, I lose if you win.

I agree. Can't help but think of the Schwartz/Barry race.

I keep hearing, though, that Catania is an advocate for the disadvantaged. I'm looking forward to hearing more of his views and seeing if he can straddle the east/west divide.

Schwartz/Barry was a long time ago. Much has changed, including demographics.

But much has not changed, primarily the feeling that a candidate who appeals to Ward 3 is going to ignore the other wards or simply maintain status quo. So much of the support for Catania has been in favor of that staus quo, which the rest of the city finds inacceptable.

It's not just people in Ward 3 who want predictable neighborhood school attendance. It's also a big chunk of Wards 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Wards 7 and 8 are the only ones that will be clearly against all of this, because those are the only wards that have seen very little change regarding incomes and school quality. All of the other wards are changing quickly.

The east/west divide really isn't about Rock Creek Park anymore - it's about the Anacostia river.

Anonymous wrote:What about matter of right for neighborhood MS and HS?

Yes-- this is really important, and I hope he's not counting on the larger number of families with younger children to be unable to envision themselves needing middle and high schools in a few years.

Does this system actually work? http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Parents+and+Community/Volunteer+in+Our+Schools

Has anyone tried to use it?

Anonymous wrote:PP here - if there are so mNy schools with low parental support, let those of us with a couple of extra hours each week fill some of those gaps. Let's step away from the computer and actually help! I'm calling Anacostia high school next Tuesday to inquire. Anyone interested in my posting what I learn?

Absolutely- report back!

Yes, many people are. A Ward 3 parent said so to the DME in one of her presentations, but people who want to help need information. You can't just show up.

PP here - if there are so mNy schools with low parental support, let those of us with a couple of extra hours each week fill some of those gaps. Let's step away from the computer and actually help! I'm calling Anacostia high school next Tuesday to inquire. Anyone interested in my posting what I learn?

Agreed. But I like the idea of actual parents from all over the city pitching in to paint, stock, tutor, chaperone, cover lunch or playground duty, lead reading groups, provide hot after-school meals or cooking classes, organize a free in-house clothing "boutique", plant school gardens, help with science fair projects, help with job or college applications, lead drug abuse prevention support groups - whatever! Sign me up too!!