We have many issues which need to be dealt with in the District of Columbia, but none as crucial as addressing an unprecedented unemployment crisis.

The District has lost the highest percentage of jobs, another 10,000 from August to September, than any place in the nation. The impact of those job losses is felt in every area but falls most on those in the lower socio-economic areas of the District where people are often one paycheck away from losing their homes or the ability to feed their families.

When unemployment in the wards East of the river is near 28%, and West of the river about 3%, we have a crisis that the city must deal with now.

I urge the Mayor and Council to put aside their differences and join together in a comprehensive reexamination of all the workforce development programs in the District. We need to assess which programs are working and which aren’t.

These unemployment figures are confirmed just as budgets for the homeless aren’t meeting the need, and when teachers and other City workers are continuing to lose their jobs. Unemployment rates at this level lead to many other issues and costs for our city: poor health, an uptick in crime, and families falling apart.

I believe that we can begin to address this emergency by:

· Instituting a comprehensive, citywide reexamination of all city services, and city funding of external efforts, related to unemployment;

· Appropriately funding the newly formed community college, to retool citizens for a shifting work environment;

· Invest in workforce development of our government employees, so that they have improved skills to perform their required duties, and grow in their abilities for future opportunities in life; and,

· Create a task force to position DC as competitive with other states and cities as a place to lure green entrepreneurs.

We live in the greatest city in America and have the resources and technology required to address this crisis.  It can be done if both the Executive and Legislative branches work together.

Posted by Mike DeBonis on Oct. 14, 2009
The City Desk, The Washington City Paper

Last night’s Georgetown fundraiser for Clark Ray’s D.C. Council campaign saw a visit from an old friend of the candidate: shoulda-been First Lady Tipper Gore.

Ray spent eight years with the Gores, including a stint as Tipper’s chief of staff during her husband’s 2000 presidential run.

Campaign mastermind Peter Rosenstein says the event, at the former Pamela Harriman mansion, attracted about 250. He named some attendees to LL: Ex-Indiana congressman Phil Sharp, ex-Hillary Clinton flack Kiki McLean, Dorothy Ford (Harold Ford Jr.’s mom), plus locals Kenny Barnes, Carlene Cheatham, Greg Rhett, and…Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans.

Rosenstein estimates that the event put $50,000 in Ray’s coffers for his challenge to Phil Mendelson.

Washington, DC Octubre 7, 2009 – El Martes en la tarde, respuesta a  mis apoyadores en referencia al Voto de 7contra 5 en rechazo ala Dra. Ximena Hartsock como Directora del Departamento De Parques y recreación (DPR) Antes de anuanciarme como candidato para consejo , yo sostuve dicha posición en el DPR.

Yo Creo que el voto del consejo fue una error. Rechazando ala Dra. Ximena Hartsock. Una Mujer Latina dedicada y sabia, Después de un día interrogación que acabo con intolerancia; fue un día triste para toda la gente del Distrito de Columbia.

Ximena ha servido bien al pueblo, en particular las familias y los niños del Distrito y merece la confirmación.

Estoy de acuerdo la observación del Washington post y que es “sorprendente”, y remarco:’al concejal  Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) que reconoció el gran apoyo para ella y luego votó en contra,’.

Esto no es Democracia, esto no es representación, solamente hace ala Dra. Hartsock otra victima mas de las tenciones del cuerpo Ejecutivo y Legislativo.

Si yo hubiera estado en el Consejo hubiera trabajado con el Alcalde para asegurarme que  todas habilidades necesarias para ejecutar  el en Departamento de parques y Recreaciones estuvieran ala dispocion  de la Dra.  Hartsock y su equipo de liderazgo.  Hay la necesidad de continuar en el Liderazgo en el Departamento de Parques y Recreaciones.  Si queremos servir a la gente así Sacrificando a buena gente como una forma de atacar al Alcalde  en la Opinión publica no es la mejor manera de hacer negocios.

On Tuesday evening, I responded to supporters’ questions regarding City Council’s 7-5 rejection of Dr. Ximena Hartsock for Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).  Prior to announcing my candidacy for City Council, At-Large, I held the position of Director of DPR.

I believe that the vote by the Council was a mistake. Rejecting the nomination of  Dr. Ximena Hartsock, a dedicated and wise Latina woman, after a day of questioning which bordered on the intolerant, was a sad day for the people of the District.

Ximena has served the people well, particularly the families and children of the District, and deserves confirmation.

I agree with the Washington Post’s observation that it was ‘perplexing’ that, and I quote:  ‘council member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) acknowledged the outpouring of support for her and then voted against her,’ end quote.

That isn’t democracy, that isn’t representation, and it simply makes Dr. Hartsock another victim of the tensions that exist between the Executive and Legislative branch.

Had I been on the Council I would have worked with the Mayor to make sure that the full compliment of skills necessary to run Parks and Recreation were available to Dr. Hartsock and her leadership team. There needs to be continuity in the leadership of the Department of Parks and Recreation if we are to serve the people well. Sacrificing good people as a way of attacking the Mayor isn’t the best way to do the public’s business.