Posts by Dave Stroup — Guest Contributor
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Sekou Biddle should withdraw and support Peter Shapiro
Yesterday, DC candidates filed their latest campaign finance reports. In the race to unseat at-large councilmember Vincent Orange, Peter Shapiro raised more than double the amount as his rival Sekou Biddle. To maximize the chances of beating Orange, Biddle should withdraw from the race and throw his support behind Shapiro. Campaign finance reports demonstrate each campaign’s… Keep reading…
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Proof and Examiner monger fear of youth in Chinatown
Today’s Washington Examiner discusses an upcoming event for youth in Chinatown. The piece, written by Freeman Klopott, opens by comparing the event to the violent mob riots in London. This is an example of over-the-top journalism that at best is poorly thought out, and at worst could be seen as race-baiting. It opens with the assertion that “some business owners… Keep reading…
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Vince Gray sits down with local bloggers
On Monday, DC Council Chair and candidate for mayor Vincent Gray sat down with DC bloggers at Ben’s Chili Bowl. For nearly ninety minutes, Gray answered questions posed by bloggers from DCist, We Love DC, Borderstan, the District Curmudgeon and Greater Greater Washington. The event was part of the Gray campaign’s effort to tap into new media, and it provided a chance… Keep reading…
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National Zoo blocks pedestrian access from the east
Tourists often reach the National Zoo by Metro to the Connecticut Avenue entrance. But many local residents walk or bike to the east side gate off Harvard Street from Adams Morgan, Mount Pleasant, or nearby neighborhoods. Begninning this spring, they have been turned away, as the Zoo closed all east side entrances due to construction. At the Harvard Street bridge, a sign directs… Keep reading…
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It’s official, Metro has a new Chief Safety Officer
Last week, WMATA officially announced that James Dougherty, chief safety officer for San Francisco’s Muni will be taking the job of Chief Safety Officer. The chief safety officer position at Metro had been vacant since mid-December, when Alexa Dupigny-Samuels was removed from the position in a management shake-up. Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn filled… Keep reading…
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Latest Metro crash not such a surprise
It’s still early in the investigation, but there are a few important issues to note regarding Sunday’s crash on the Orange Line. Keep reading…
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The Price of Safety, part 3: Prior investigations show organizational weakness
Prior to the June 22, 2009 crash on the Red Line, Metro had experienced two other serious collisions. These incidents both occurred on the Red Line, one in 1996 near Shady Grove, and another in 2004 at the Woodley Park station. The crashes raised several concerns, including questions about the crashworthiness of Metro’s railcars. In both of these collisions, the impacting… Keep reading…
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The Price of Safety, part 2: Recent derailments expose problems
Previously, we looked at a rash of accidents involving Metro track workers. A common theme across many of those incidents was a problem with the implementation of safety rules within Metro. In some cases, had rules been followed, the accidents would not have occurred. In other instances, implementation of NTSB recommendations might have averted tragedy. A similar theme emerges… Keep reading…
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The Price of Safety, part 1: Track workers face danger
Metro employees who inspect and maintain the system’s infrastructure are vital to safe and reliable operations. The training, morale, and by extension safety of these workers must be an top priority. Sadly, Metro has suffered the loss of several track workers in recent years. In 2006, Metro lost three track workers in two separate accidents. On May 14, 2006 senior mechanic… Keep reading…
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The Price of Safety
Following the June 22 crash on Metro’s Red Line, numerous questions have arisen regarding safety on Metro. Most of these questions focused on the immediate cause of the crash that killed 9 and left scores injured. At this point, the National Transportation Safety Board has still not completed their investigation, so much of the information available is, at best, informed… Keep reading…