They're relying on a once-a-century amount of snow to claim teleworking increases productivity? There's about a zero percent chance it increases productivity. It may not decrease it (although "working at home" always meant to me "sort of working at home while taking care of a sick child, or errands, or other personal things").

I'm not against making telework available in order to reduce commuting, but I'd really like to see an audit of how many teleworkers actually did a full day's work on the snow days. And how often that "productivity" actually comes into play.

by ah on May 14, 2010 9:48 am • link • report

I wish someone would just go out an admit that EVERY highway privatizing "scheme" is based one element: the ability to raise money at a lower rate than the public. 90% of the time it is just dodgy finance as well.

In terms of teleworkers for federal workers, I'd say it improves productivity a lot by getting the malcontents to stay at home.

by charlie on May 14, 2010 9:53 am • link • report

At last night's committee markup of DDOT's budget, Phil Mendelson (Vishnu forgive me that I am saying this) made some excellent points.

He supports streetcars, but was fiercely critical of how DDOT has done the H Street project. It's spent some $22 million, without a single contract having been submitted for Council approval (by law, every contract over $1M has to be submitted for Council review and passive approval).

It also has streetcars down H Street, but no starting point or ending point or propulsion mechanism (i.e., underground electric, overhead cables, etc). And there's the entire issue of whether DC has the statutory authority to amend/ignore the overhead wires law (Phil pointed out that if the Feds say "no overhead wires, period." that's the end of the project because there's no Plan B).

Graham and Tommy Tax Wells just poo-poo'd Mendo's concerns about the H Street line, but they didn't really offer any counterarguments to his issues. Their view was, basically, "Streetcars are great. We'll work out all the issues later. The Anacostia line contracts and legal issues are totally ok."

I've said several times that I see the streetcar obsession as more about nostalgia than anything else. I also still haven't seen any real explanation as to how the city can afford to build, operate and maintain the system given what's likely to be long-term budget spending pressures.

Although I generally disagree with Mendo's bleeding heart attitude about everything, on this issue he was clearly correct: DDOT has rushed through the program without an actual fully-developed plan in place and without complying with contracting laws.

by Fritz on May 14, 2010 9:57 am • link • report

@ah: The savings estimates are not based solely on this winter's snow storms. There are many other events that make it hard for federal workers to get to work, such as the nuclear summit.

The Sun's article says teleworking saved $30 million a day during the snow storms. I'd say it's a safe bet that there's at least one snow storm each year that closes federal offices in the DC area. Now, if this legislation went through and made it easier for people to telework, it would save MORE money. So really, we'd be paying $30 million over the next five years in order to save AT LEAST $30 million per year.

Also, people don't realize that $30 million is practically nothing in the federal government. Michael Steele said "Republican members opposed the bill because it would add $30 million to the deficit." There are many, many more programs that could be cut and save a LOT more than that. For example, stopping either of the two wars we're in for one day.

by Tim on May 14, 2010 10:01 am • link • report

Wow. It's hard to know where to start with the inaccuracies in Gary Imhoff's rant.

He cites San Francisco as an example of tourist trap streetcars - except that he seems to be talking about the cable cars (which are a tourist trap), not Muni's light rail/streetcar system, which carries 162,500 people a day - not to mention the 221,500 rides each day on their fixed-route trolleybuses.

It's not even a matter of him taking a stance in opposition to streetcars, he's just plain wrong on a lot of his 'facts.'

by Alex B. on May 14, 2010 10:07 am • link • report

@ Tim,

I'd say it's a safe bet that there's at least one snow storm each year that closes federal offices in the DC area

Actually it is my understanding that before this season the federal government hasn't had a snow day since 2003.

by Wheatoner on May 14, 2010 10:09 am • link • report

The funny thing about the Examiner HO/T lane article is that, 2 days ago, WTOP was reporting a deal on the 95/395 HO/T lanes could be in place within 3 weeks...

by Froggie on May 14, 2010 10:19 am • link • report

@Wheatoner: I've only been here since summer 2008, but there was definitely a snow day in the 08-09 winter (I'm not a federal employee, but my employer generally goes by the fed schedule).

I didn't mean to restrict it to snow storms. I should have said that each year, there's at least one event that makes it extremely hard for federal employees to get to work and causes either a closing or liberal leave. The nuclear summit is an example of this.

by Tim on May 14, 2010 10:23 am • link • report

Gary Imhoff seems like a very bitter person. Hopefully, a new streetcar route will be constructed right in front of his house.

by Dan on May 14, 2010 10:25 am • link • report

Why does the WMATA Board just raise the minimum fare to $2? Why play with the spare change and hire more accountants? Simplify man!

by Redline SOS on May 14, 2010 10:34 am • link • report

I haven't had a chance to read the anti-streetcar blather from the themail@dcwatch but I quickly saw that it quotes propaganda from the Reason Foundation, Inc. Anyone who quotes something from Bob Poole should automatically be discredited.

by Ben on May 14, 2010 10:44 am • link • report

You are both funny and correct, Dan!

by Cavan on May 14, 2010 11:07 am • link • report

I read Gary's rant against streetcars and don't really get that offended. For years, he has provided an excellent forum for people including myself to provide and read a diversity of viewpoints about things that matter to Washingtonians. He takes some interesting stands. I would not necessarily call him bitter. I think he's probably someone who in time could change his mind about something like streetcars, especially if he rides them. To me, he's wrong about this. But there's no need for name-calling and saying he's Mr Anti or Mr Nimby (still loathe that word!) etc. I know he's a big ole target for younger bloggers, but come on, can't we just ... grow up and move on?

by Jazzy on May 14, 2010 11:07 am • link • report

Wheatoner/Tim: I heard from coworkers that there was at least one day (*NOT* counting the Inauguration spectacle) in January, 2009 with weather impacts...I don't know for sure because I was on emergency leave at the time.

But I distinctly remember 3/2/09 being a liberal leave day due to the snow we had that morning.

by Froggie on May 14, 2010 11:10 am • link • report

@ Froggie - Liberal leave isn't an actual cost savings, because it means either people come to work or take leave (to which they're entitled anyway).

by ah on May 14, 2010 11:17 am • link • report

According to this WaPo post http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2009/12/federal_government_closed_on_m.html it hadn't been "closed" due to weather. Liberal leave is another thing, and I'm not familiar with the Federal Government's policies, but if an employee is taking liberal leave, doesn't that time come out of accrued leave, and therefore there isn't a productivity drop?

by Wheatoner on May 14, 2010 11:18 am • link • report

I would hardly call the rants on Gary Imhoff's website "a diversity of viewpoints about things that matter."

I openly welcome dissenting viewpoints, and agree that they are an important factor in any decision-making process. However, most of what gets posted on themail@dcwatch is poorly researched, and often flat-out wrong.

If he wanted to quote figures about how much the streetcars would cost to operate, or how much CO2 they'd produce to support his argument, I'd be a lot more receptive to his ideas. However, his nebulous "bazillions" figure, and disdain of 19th-century technology make it very difficult to support his argument.

The organized dismantling of the American streetcar networks also wasn't a far-fetched conspiracy. Although other factors did indeed contribute to their demise, a federal court found Standard Oil and GM unambiguously guilty of the conspiracy in the 1940s after the damage had already been done.

Also, the guy railing on the Barnes Dance appears to have absolutely no idea what it is.

by andrew on May 14, 2010 11:30 am • link • report

My head hurts after reading the DC Watch page. Someone on there thinks it's actually called a "Barn Dance" at 7th and H. Then again, maybe he's signed up with that Facebook page for tonight.

by Mike B on May 14, 2010 11:31 am • link • report

Isn't the automobile a 19th century technology.

by Neil Flanagan on May 14, 2010 1:01 pm • link • report

Neil, yes, it is. Funny this is rarely mentioned.

by Dan on May 14, 2010 1:08 pm • link • report

@Mike B
My head hurts after reading the DCWatch page, not just because of some of the idiotic comments (the stupid -- it burns!), but also because it looks like a website from the early 1990s. Did they import it from an old GeoCities site or something?

by Banksy on May 14, 2010 1:14 pm • link • report

@Banksy

Pretty much. It has been that way since it was created, and was solely an email list prior.

by Andrew on May 14, 2010 1:18 pm • link • report

@ah, Not all 'work time' is created equally. It's not a simple matter of, for example, taking your vacation time on a day you otherwise would have worked.

In my case, during those days the federal government in Washington was closed down last winter, I continued to work from home as my employer's set up gives me that flexibility. My employer uses 21st century technology. On work where I needed to be able to communicate with government clients out in California and elsewhere, I was able to continue my work. On work where I needed to communicate with government employees here in the DC area, my projects suffered some serious schedule set backs because I wasn't able to get the inputs I needed from these folks. (Their agency didn't require telecommuting as some did.) Were these folks really in complete incommunicado and not able to communicate with their friends and family in the area (and beyond) during that period? Of course they weren't. As it does in the 21st century, life went on ... Unless, of course, that life during the snow storm meant doing something like participating in a giant snow ball fight down around Dupont Circle ... instead of working ... Long story short is that we don't live like we used to where the weather could affect our plans. The electronic marvels of the era have made weather ... and even being physically present in the same place ... a non-requirement. And while you may say 'the folks just used their vacation time' (and hence switched their time around) the reality is that the setback of the schedule I was working on cost the government lots of dollars in unquantifiable costs ... just because the efficiency of modern communication was cut off because ... well, because ... someone decided not to work 'cause it was snowing out ... not because they couldn't just as easily make a phone call or chat or send emails or do just about anything they can do from their office ... but because at the heart of the matter, they really wanted the impromptu and unplanned for day(s) off.

by Lance on May 14, 2010 1:23 pm • link • report

"Someone on there thinks it's actually called a "Barn Dance" at 7th and H."

Seriously? You're gonna criticize them for so un-coolly not getting the name right?

by Jazzy on May 14, 2010 4:46 pm • link • report

BTW ... have you all heard the latest about the Streetcars? Apparently, the cars that DDOT ordered off of EBay from the Czech Republic are NOT bi-directional .... I.e., they're going to need turnarounds in order to operate on H St NE. And how much room is there to build a turnaround in that tunnel under the bridge near Union Station ... ? Yeah, well, if you listen to Wells and Graham, I guess you believe you don't need planning for a $1.5 BILLION transporation project. Just wish hard enough, and 'it'll all just come together on its own'. Anybody here believe in the Tooth Fairy or in the Easter Bunny? Apparently Graham and Wells do ...

by Lance on May 14, 2010 4:53 pm • link • report

Hey, the receptionist at my doctor's office thought that they've passed a new law making ALL intersections Barnes dances. I think the confusion between Barnes/barn is perhaps a less dangerous misconception. At least someone doing a barn dance through a Barnes dance will probably make it to the other side without getting squished.

by stacey2545 on May 14, 2010 9:24 pm • link • report

Does anyone know why it's Barne and not Barn? I thought the name had something to do with a move made during some square dance ... And I (probably mistakenly) thought it had to do with a barn .. given the connection with country music/ square dancing. Maybe Barnes was someone involved in square dancing?

by Lance on May 14, 2010 10:56 pm • link • report

Because the name of the guy who helped popularize its use was Henry Barnes.

And sure, maybe I'm being too nitpicky about someone calling it a "Barn Dance" while criticizing its use. But I'd like to think people who weigh in on such things are up on at least some of the basic historical details. Especially in the age of Google.

by Mike B. on May 14, 2010 11:22 pm • link • report

Is it odd that no one is predicting the various Council investigations and hearings into the streetcar "program" that will occur in a year or two as DDOT's "planning" efforts become more clearly explained as being non-existent?

How should we calculate the externalities of spending tens of millions of dollars on a system that apparently isn't even halfway thought out as to how it will work or be funded?

Of course, by the time that occurs, no doubt the DDOT head honchos will have moved on to other jobs.

But it's simply stunning that the local commentariat is more focused on the style of Gary Imhoff's rant, rather than the substance of his argument that the streetcar plan is an EPIC FAIL waiting to happen.

by Fritz on May 16, 2010 7:08 am • link • report

"Apparently, the cars that DDOT ordered off of EBay from the Czech Republic are NOT bi-directional ."

Imagine the conversation where the sale for these was made "...ohhhh your image with the public will be soooo good."

by Douglas A. Willinger on May 16, 2010 1:22 pm • link • report

Lance, why do you spread this misinformation?

Did you go and see the streetcar when it was on display at the old convention center lot? I can assure you that the cars are indeed bi-directional, they have cabs at both ends.

If you're going to attack DDOT and the DC Gov for planning without all the pertinent information, perhaps you should make sure that your statements square with the facts.

by Alex B. on May 16, 2010 2:14 pm • link • report

@Alex B. I have it from a reliable source that a DDOT employee has confirmed that the cars are not bi-directional. Do we know for a fact that the car on display was one of the 3 cars DC owns?

by Lance on May 16, 2010 7:47 pm • link • report

@Lance,

Where else would the streetcar come from? Unless you're suggesting that somewhere there is a streetcar that matches the exact same model and exact same livery as the 3 in storage in Greenbelt.

Yes, we know for a fact that the car on display was one of DC's 3.

Yes, we know for a fact that all of DC's streetcars are and will be bi-directional.

by Alex B. on May 16, 2010 8:26 pm • link • report

This is what happens when closed systems of individuals such as the Committee of 100 fester bad information amongst themselves.

by William on May 16, 2010 8:45 pm • link • report

I sat in cabs in both ends of the streetcar and operated the "go faster/go slower" lever in each. It was fun.

by Michael Perkins on May 16, 2010 10:00 pm • link • report

Oh Lance - probably somebody went to this page and failed to notice that the streetcars made for DC were a bidirectional version of the original non-bidirectional Trio.

(Maybe someday DC will order bidirectional Pentos - streetcars with the capacity of about four standard buses)

by egk on May 17, 2010 12:32 am • link • report

re: H Streetcars

It also has streetcars down H Street, but no starting point or ending point or propulsion mechanism...

I think one of the things that folks forget is that putting rails in on H Street is meant to be a cost-saving measure. We're laying the rail because the street is being stripped down to the bed, and if we don't do it now, we will have to rip up the street again at some undetermined point in the not-too-distant future.

Regardless of what sorts of contingencies cause the schedule for H Street streetcars to slip, as long as we're in agreement that a streetcar line will run on H Street at some point, there's no question that putting the rails in now is a very prudent, fiscally responsible thing to do, and exactly the sort of thing that would have never happened in a million years in "old DC".

I just don't understand the argument, "We don't even know where they'll turn around yet?" Unless the project is killed dead in the long-term, that's not an argument against laying track on H Street now, right? Or am I missing something?

by oboe on May 17, 2010 1:07 pm • link • report