Breakfast links: Count ourselves lucky
Irene’s aftermath
Nearly 500,000 DC area residents lost power this weekend. (Washington Times) … Metro faced few problems and few customers. (WMATA) … New York suffered flooded tracks and stations. (MTA) … Amtrak resumed service between DC and Philadelphia, but track flooding has halted service from there to Boston. (Amtrak)
MLK memorial a “failure”?
NYT critic Edward Rothstein calls the MLK memorial a “failure” and too “authoritarian” instead of inspirational. Though perhaps King should look stern gazing across the Tidal Basin at a former slaveowner, suggests Lydia DePillis. (City Paper) … Post letter-writers have conflicting opinions as well.
MoCo may criminalize criminality
Lest mobs of marauding teens pillage Montgomery County stores, county councilmember Craig Rice proposes criminalizing mob theft. Unsurprisingly, theft and criminal conspiracies are already illegal. (Washington Times)
Dry tavern goes dark
A Shaw restaurant has closed until it receives its liquor license. DC is delaying the license due to allegations that the restaurant illegally served alcohol at a charity event before it opened. (City Paper)
Fairfax planning Silver Line parking
The county wants private landowners to create commuter parking lots near the new Tysons Metro stations. Ultimately, the county should create frequent feeder buses to connect to neighborhoods. (Post, Falls Church) (Tip: Falls Church)
Tourism trumps education in Richmond
Except when granted a waiver, most public schools in Virginia may not open before Labor Day. The state implemented this law to protect the tourism industry. (Post)
MetroAccess drivers tired of long hours
MetroAccess drivers will protest alleged safety problems due to long hours scheduled by MV Transportation. WMATA contracts with the firm to manage MetroAccess. (TBD)
And…
15 candidates are running to fill Leslie Johnson’s Prince George’s Council seat. (Examiner) … Metro has installed bright lights at the bottom of newly- rehabbed escalators. (DCist) … Bike parking is a must-have for many New York condo buyers. (NYT)