Newsroom

News and Analysis

Tag

DCist

Thursday, March 15, 2012 7:14 p.m.

Candidate for D.C. senate seat asks for jail time

by Priya Anand
Pete Ross

Pete Ross. Photo courtesy of Pete Ross.

A candidate for the District’s shadow senate seat was sentenced today by the D.C. Superior Court to one day in prison as a result of a December arrest during a voting rights demonstration.

Pete Ross will spend the night in prison – instead of serving out the typical low-level punishment of probation and a fine – after pressing for a stricter sentence to draw attention to the District’s lack of voting rights, according to DCist.

The December protest called for full representation for the District in Congress. D.C.’s delegate in the House of Representatives, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, can serve on and vote in committees and introduce bills but lacks the power to vote on legislation on the House floor.

Ross, who has spent more than $200,000 out of his own pockets in an effort to win the April 3 election, was also convicted in 2007 for failing to pay federal employment taxes, according to The Washington Post.

  • Permalink
  • Comments
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 6:44 p.m.

Efforts lag to recall top city officials

by Priya Anand
Vincent Gray

A city activist is pushing for the recall of alumnus and Mayor Vincent Gray, above, and D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown. Gray called the effort "ill-advised." Hatchet File Photo

Efforts to recall two of the District’s top leaders will face a two-week delay, after the city activist who filed paperwork to begin the process failed to show up at a D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics hearing Wednesday.

Frederick Butler submitted a notice of intent Jan. 11 to call for a special election offering voters a chance to boot alumnus and Mayor Vincent Gray and D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown. But his absence from Wednesday’s hearing prompted the board to postpone recall talks, and Butler said he will pick up petitions to distribute Feb. 13, DCist reported.

Butler said he was at his job during the hearing and the individual who was supposed to have represented his party didn’t show up.

In his recall notice, he cited “unethical behavior” by Gray and Brown. The officials each responded to the allegations with lists of their accomplishments and goals.

Gray said he finds it “ill-advised” to hold a recall “given the cost entailed in holding a city wide special election and the progress the Gray administration is making in a number of areas critical to the future of our city.”

For the recall initiative to hit the ballot, Butler must collect signatures from at least 10 percent of the District’s voters – more than 45,000 people – in 180 days.

  • Permalink
  • Comments
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 10:06 p.m.

District officials react to recall efforts

by Priya Anand
Vincent Gray, mayor

Mayor Vincent Gray said in response to a move to recall him that holding a special election would force the city to incur an extra cost, adding that his administration is moving the District forward. Hatchet File Photo

The city’s two highest officials responded last week to the early efforts from a District activist to oust the pair from their seats in a recall election.

Frederick Butler filed paperwork of intent Jan. 11 to recall alumnus and Mayor Vincent Gray and D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown, citing “unethical behavior.” Gray said in a response obtained by DCist that he considers it “ill-advised” to hold a recall “given the cost entailed in holding a city wide special election and the progress the Gray administration is making in a number of areas critical to the future of our city.”

He provided a bullet-pointed list of his top achievements, ranging from education to job growth and safety.

D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown also outlined his accomplishments and goals, adding that with help from District residents, he can “keep the District strong.”

Butler must gather signatures from at least 10 percent of D.C. voters – or more than 45,000 individuals – in 180 days to get the recall on the ballot.

  • Permalink
  • Comments (1)
Monday, May 17, 2010 11:33 a.m.

Water main break near 21st and K Streets shuts down roads

by Priya Anand

A water main break in Foggy Bottom has caused authorities to shut down parts of Pennsylvania Avenue near 20th Street, as well as parts of I Street near 20th and 21st streets, according to the DCist.

Authorities expect the areas of 21st Street between K and Pennsylvania Ave. to “remain a mess throughout the morning,” DCist reported.

  • Permalink
  • Comments