Report a Comment

I'm no fan of or apologist for Marion Barry. I've honestly never quite understood the allure he's had on voters all this time, especially considering his character and brushes with the law.

I'm not against the streetcars but I think the way the the project has been managed is amateurish to say the least. And as a taxpayer who owns property nearby, I'm affected.

That said, Councilmember Barry is right to want to take a closer look at the streetcars project as it currently is.

First, there's the David Catania conflict of interest. It frankly smells. Why is that not an issue?

We all know that if it were Marion Barry or one of the other Councilmembers from East of Rock Creek Park in Catania's position, no one would be complaining if a Councilmember from NW wanted to examine the project contracts more closely. They might be upset about the potential delay, but there would be no name-calling or shouts for that Councilmember's head or suggestions that he/she "belongs in Loudon County".

But more important is the inconvenient fact that the DC streetcar project has never had even the slightest apppearance of being professionally planned or thought out.

Who ever heard of buying rolling stock and laying track without first figuring out where the power source (overheard wires) would go, figuring out where to put the maintenance facilities, and determining where to put the turnarounds - for starters? And whose bright idea was it to decide to end the K Street line at Union Station without first asking the owners (Amtrak)?

The whole thing smacks of a project that was rushed into willy-nilly by amatuers. DC has spent millions on this project and what does it have to show for it besides 3 streetcars on mothballs for the last 4 years and some tracks to nowhere?

As it is, the only reason to finish this project is that DC will look even more ridiculous for not finishing it than it does now.

And taking snipes at a has-been politican on his last hurrah and dismissing those who agree that taking a closer look at the streetcar project might be a good idea as "trolls" isn't going to change that.

by ceefer66 on Jun 20, 2012 6:52 pm • link • report