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Fun Fair Protest!
Thank you to all of the neighbors and media who came, we had excellent turnout! Also thank you MPD 1D Commander Diane Groomes and all of the 1D officers present. Cary you were GREAT! here are a few pictures i managed to snap, I'll post any media links in the comments, stay tuned.
Comments
just copy & paste :) nice shot MM!
http://chappleanc.com/public/index.php/sitesnsounds/2007/09/17/fun_fair_protest
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/17/07 11:15 PM
http://chappleanc.com/public/index.php/sitesnsounds/2007/09/17/fun_fair_protest
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/17/07 11:15 PM
Thanks to the 555, Mt. Vernon Square, Penn Quarter and Shaw neighbors who supported this effort. You have set a good example for those of us who are new to the neighborhood and DC. Without your support, we would not have had the police and government involvement in our problems this week. It is just the first step, but we may have a chance of gaining control of this block and hopefully the rest of the area.
Posted By Thais / At 9/18/07 7:55 AM
Posted By Thais / At 9/18/07 7:55 AM
last friday AG Singer said the community should trust the government regarding Fun Fair but verrify and that's exactly what we need to do. She stated, correct me if i'm wrong, that it's the business owner(funfair) who closes the business. we may have to be more involved with this type of permanent closure. i suspect, given their history, funfair will remain open even after the order is in effect.
Posted By rr 446 / At 9/18/07 8:33 AM
Posted By rr 446 / At 9/18/07 8:33 AM
Wash Times:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070918/METRO/109180041/1004&template=nextpage
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 10:22 AM
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070918/METRO/109180041/1004&template=nextpage
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 10:22 AM
DCist:
http://dcist.com/2007/09/18/morning_roundup_91.php
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 10:24 AM
http://dcist.com/2007/09/18/morning_roundup_91.php
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 10:24 AM
WaPo:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/17/AR2007091702593.html?nav=rss_metro
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 10:39 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/17/AR2007091702593.html?nav=rss_metro
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 10:39 AM
abc 7 wjla (before the rally):
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0907/456104.html
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 10:59 AM
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0907/456104.html
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 10:59 AM
fox 5:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4385405&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 11:11 AM
http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4385405&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 11:11 AM
Great work everyone! Thanks to all those who came out last night as well as to those who could not make it but have e-mailed their government officials and provided us with their support.
Here's what I've learned since yesterday.
1. On Monday, the Office of the Attorney General provided the draft order to Board of Zoning Adjustment for its consideration and asked it to expedite issuance as AG Singer committed to us at our meeting with her last Friday.
2. Hopefully, the order will come out later this week.
3. The order will not take effect for 10 days (not sure if that's business days)
4. After the order takes effect, if Fun Fair does not stop operating, the AG Singer will need to go to court for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
In addition, Commander Groomes reported that they made a drug arrest in Fun Fair itself over the weekend, in addition to prostitution and other arrests on the block.
Here's links to the tv coverage for those who missed it:
Channel 5: http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4385405&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1
Channel 7: http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0907/456104.html
Channel 9: http://www.wusa9.com/news/columnist/blogs/brucejohnson.aspx
The Fun Fair situation will also be covered on Pacifica Radio 89.3 Wednesday morning at 9:40am and I expect there will be more coverage in the CityPaper, Post, and Blade soon. We've certainly got the government's attention. We will need to continue to work together to follow through to take back our neighborhood and bring this long saga to a conclusion.
Cary
Posted By Cary S. / At 9/18/07 11:13 AM
Here's what I've learned since yesterday.
1. On Monday, the Office of the Attorney General provided the draft order to Board of Zoning Adjustment for its consideration and asked it to expedite issuance as AG Singer committed to us at our meeting with her last Friday.
2. Hopefully, the order will come out later this week.
3. The order will not take effect for 10 days (not sure if that's business days)
4. After the order takes effect, if Fun Fair does not stop operating, the AG Singer will need to go to court for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
In addition, Commander Groomes reported that they made a drug arrest in Fun Fair itself over the weekend, in addition to prostitution and other arrests on the block.
Here's links to the tv coverage for those who missed it:
Channel 5: http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4385405&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1
Channel 7: http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0907/456104.html
Channel 9: http://www.wusa9.com/news/columnist/blogs/brucejohnson.aspx
The Fun Fair situation will also be covered on Pacifica Radio 89.3 Wednesday morning at 9:40am and I expect there will be more coverage in the CityPaper, Post, and Blade soon. We've certainly got the government's attention. We will need to continue to work together to follow through to take back our neighborhood and bring this long saga to a conclusion.
Cary
Posted By Cary S. / At 9/18/07 11:13 AM
The lights in the park near Fun Fair are being fixed this morning. More results!!!!
Posted By Thais / At 9/18/07 11:32 AM
Posted By Thais / At 9/18/07 11:32 AM
thanks to everyone who organized and attended this last night. Your efforts are much appreciated and are helping to make our neighborhoods better.
Posted By PG / At 9/18/07 3:16 PM
Posted By PG / At 9/18/07 3:16 PM
Councilman Tommy Wells sent a letter of support which can be viewed here: http://www.box.net/shared/23ak3jtm7p
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 4:48 PM
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/18/07 4:48 PM
Thanks for putting this together, MVSNA and other neighbors. Let's keep the heat on.
Posted By Ralph / At 9/19/07 6:51 PM
Posted By Ralph / At 9/19/07 6:51 PM
This is great guys! So sad I couldn't make it but so proud that everyone got together and we (hopefully, knock on wood) are making some headway. One question though, what's up with the "Prada Not Porn" sign referenced in the Post article? Is that a joke?
Posted By BeckiC / At 9/20/07 2:03 PM
Posted By BeckiC / At 9/20/07 2:03 PM
ha. no, that's a most serious preference :-) and Vuitton not porn doesn't sound right does it?
Posted By richard r / At 9/20/07 3:17 PM
Posted By richard r / At 9/20/07 3:17 PM
oh, and i was just told that the same person who carried the Prada Not Porn sign was photographed at a Code Pink antiwar rally 2 years ago in drag with a huge pink wig carrying a sign that read: DIOR NOT WAR!
Posted By richard r / At 9/21/07 8:34 AM
Posted By richard r / At 9/21/07 8:34 AM
two items:
1. correction. the anti-war poster reads: MORE DIOR NOT WAR!
2. here's a link from the washington blade regarding the Fun Fair rally: http://www.washblade.com/2007/9-21/news/localnews/11264.cfm
Posted By richard r / At 9/21/07 10:39 AM
1. correction. the anti-war poster reads: MORE DIOR NOT WAR!
2. here's a link from the washington blade regarding the Fun Fair rally: http://www.washblade.com/2007/9-21/news/localnews/11264.cfm
Posted By richard r / At 9/21/07 10:39 AM
More Fun Fair press...
city paper:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/26/peep-showdown/
Wapo:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092600770.html
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/27/07 11:37 AM
city paper:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/26/peep-showdown/
Wapo:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092600770.html
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/27/07 11:37 AM
Today (10/1), the BZA officially issued its order revoking Fun Fair's Certificate of Occupancy. http://dcoz.dc.gov/orders/17504_516-825.pdf
The order is effective 10 days from issuance - October 11. Upon expiration of the 10-day period, Attorney General Singer has indicated that she proceed expeditiously to enforce the order in court by obtaining a temporary restraining order prohibiting their continued operation. Fun Fair has 30 days to appeal the order in the DC Court of Appeals. I expect their lawyer will appeal on various constitutional grounds. Our understanding from prior conversations with the Attorney General and others is that Fun Fair should remain closed during any appeal, should the government receive a court order enforcing the BZA decision.
We have tentatively changed the date to October 10, 9am, at 555 Mass. Avenue's community room to better accommodate schedules (we are awaiting confirmation that all government officials can attend at that time). The meeting will provide us with an opportunity to get an update from the government officials and hold them to their commitment of enforcement should Fun Fair open as usual the following morning. We should also give a big thanks to the police, who have made nearly two dozen arrests in and outside of Fun Fair in the past month.
I suggest that a group of us go down to Fun Fair on the morning of October 11 to see if they are still operating.
We are in the home stretch!
Posted By Cary S. / At 10/1/07 4:41 PM
The order is effective 10 days from issuance - October 11. Upon expiration of the 10-day period, Attorney General Singer has indicated that she proceed expeditiously to enforce the order in court by obtaining a temporary restraining order prohibiting their continued operation. Fun Fair has 30 days to appeal the order in the DC Court of Appeals. I expect their lawyer will appeal on various constitutional grounds. Our understanding from prior conversations with the Attorney General and others is that Fun Fair should remain closed during any appeal, should the government receive a court order enforcing the BZA decision.
We have tentatively changed the date to October 10, 9am, at 555 Mass. Avenue's community room to better accommodate schedules (we are awaiting confirmation that all government officials can attend at that time). The meeting will provide us with an opportunity to get an update from the government officials and hold them to their commitment of enforcement should Fun Fair open as usual the following morning. We should also give a big thanks to the police, who have made nearly two dozen arrests in and outside of Fun Fair in the past month.
I suggest that a group of us go down to Fun Fair on the morning of October 11 to see if they are still operating.
We are in the home stretch!
Posted By Cary S. / At 10/1/07 4:41 PM
SCABIES COMPLAINT
The Washington Post (see below) reported today that they are suing to close a hotel with no business license or CO. I can only hope that on October 12th, the City pursues the closure of Fun Fair with as much vigor. But I have to wonder how many of these types of "businesses" exist in DC. We have a vacant property problem but do we also have a "business squatter" problem as well?
Officials Seek to Close Hotel After Bugs Found
City officials are trying to shut down a hotel after an inspection revealed live and dead bugs in the bed linens that are thought to have infected a customer with scabies.
Attorney General Linda Singer and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs filed a civil suit yesterday in D.C. Superior Court asking for an injunction against the President Inn on New York Avenue NE.
The hotel does not have a business license or a certificate of occupancy, the suit said.
According to the suit, city inspectors were dispatched to the hotel in May after receiving a complaint that a customer came down with scabies during a five-day stay.
Among the conditions the inspectors found: bugs in the beds, dried blood on a mattress, rat droppings on a sofa bed, splattered blood on a wall, and holes in the walls and the ceilings.
Managers of the hotel could not be reached for comment on the suit.
Posted By TTA / At 10/5/07 9:21 AM
The Washington Post (see below) reported today that they are suing to close a hotel with no business license or CO. I can only hope that on October 12th, the City pursues the closure of Fun Fair with as much vigor. But I have to wonder how many of these types of "businesses" exist in DC. We have a vacant property problem but do we also have a "business squatter" problem as well?
Officials Seek to Close Hotel After Bugs Found
City officials are trying to shut down a hotel after an inspection revealed live and dead bugs in the bed linens that are thought to have infected a customer with scabies.
Attorney General Linda Singer and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs filed a civil suit yesterday in D.C. Superior Court asking for an injunction against the President Inn on New York Avenue NE.
The hotel does not have a business license or a certificate of occupancy, the suit said.
According to the suit, city inspectors were dispatched to the hotel in May after receiving a complaint that a customer came down with scabies during a five-day stay.
Among the conditions the inspectors found: bugs in the beds, dried blood on a mattress, rat droppings on a sofa bed, splattered blood on a wall, and holes in the walls and the ceilings.
Managers of the hotel could not be reached for comment on the suit.
Posted By TTA / At 10/5/07 9:21 AM
nothing like Fort Lincoln news to hijack a thread. having said, the place needs to be workforce condo's. i mean what high roller wants to live next to the Acela line and the Marc train lines to Camden yards?
Posted By richard r / At 10/5/07 11:09 AM
Posted By richard r / At 10/5/07 11:09 AM
i looked at the presidential yesterday afternoon upon returning from the arboretum and i like the building very much and how it performs, functions and relates to it's placement between new york avenue and the railroad tracks. there could be some great development along that stretch of the avenue on the same side of the railroad tracks and over them.
Posted By richard r / At 10/6/07 7:20 AM
Posted By richard r / At 10/6/07 7:20 AM
Here's some more media coverage:
http://gridskipper.com/travel/washington-dc/where-to-buy-crack-in-northwest-dc-328002.php
Posted By Zach / At 11/30/07 12:30 PM
http://gridskipper.com/travel/washington-dc/where-to-buy-crack-in-northwest-dc-328002.php
Posted By Zach / At 11/30/07 12:30 PM
