What's in a name?

What's in a name?

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Ward 4 Vulnerable under current elected leadership on economic development possibilities.


The vulnerability of  Ward 4 and it’s economic development hinges on two things.  Current trends that must consider crime given that it is summer and generally we trend up in robberies and some other more severe crimes.  As well as the over all power of the process.  This process as I would like to call it.  Includes the negotiating power and awareness of who represents us.  Given any ward and the boundaries that this elected official must work with.  There are always limitations.  Having said this,  if you read some of today’s editorials it is clear that the Gray Administration is pushing for much badly needed development east of the river.  There’s power in numbers and clearly Ward 4 might be running shy of the many powerful people the mayor has in place and the other members of Council that live there.
Priorities are clearly there and not Ward 4. Has enough been done to project Ward 4 needs into the mainstream of development at the District level?  It is doubtful given the small amount of development we have seen in the last 4-6 years.  Notwithstanding the addition of Park Place, and a couple of other developments closer to the Petworth Metro stop,  most of upper Georgia Avenue, looks exactly as it did when our council seat changed hands.  The newly elected has done little to inspire new business owners from bringing their good and or services to our neighborhoods.

Ward 4 currently has some growth potential with projects that are on the table.  But clearly, the most important element as it is perceived rests in the laurels of what will happen with the Walter Reed Army Hospital area.  This massive new availability of land can offer upper northwest,  Georgia Avenue,  and Ward 4 a great opportunity to make it’s mark in shopping,  restaurants and services.   Although I have not viewed the plan, I suspect that it will be missing some conceivable important elements that have either been over looked or simply not thought of.  I hope I am wrong and that we will see a complex approach to this large tract of land.

Walter Reed revitalization should first begin with a mini mall that would include small businesses offering viable services and products that the community would want to have available and close in.
Easy parking should be one of the first things that tops the list.

I think also vitally important would be to have a recruiting team working on possibly bringing new Doctors and dentist to the complex.  Great location and these two entities are solid ways to bring successful small personally owned practices where often the owner/Doctors would also want to live near by.  Possibly a working relationship with the Washington Hospital Center for a mini expansion of some of their services.  Or specialty clinics. Some of which are geared around older patients,  diabetes, hypertension and other areas of medicine as related to citizens that live here.  If this is not in the planning stages already then we are missing the boat.

Secondly,  I would very much like to see a small boutique hotel established  on the grounds.  Offering a very personalized friendly atmosphere where guest could come, visit and enjoy themselves to the level of returning home to middle America to talk about the hospitality. I think there are already buildings on the premises that would accommodate a great idea wonderfully.  But there must be standards set in the initial planning of such an idea.  It needs not be another Marriott as there are already a run over of such properties in the District.  We need a boutique style hotelier to open their doors with fresh ideas, and to employ District residents that both want to work and are deserving of employment.

Finally,  we need an anchor store that would draw enough visit’s a day to be entertaining to those thinking about shopping.  The small businesses is a way to bring neighborhood people in constantly,  but a larger anchor style store that perhaps offers lots of variety of things for the home and life would be a great asset.  I am not thinking of a Walmart as much as I am a Khol’s Department store or something mid level in prices point but with service and perhaps national tie in.

Thursday night’s meeting will clearly demonstrate the power of how Ward 4 will stand in the coming months and years with over all projection of growth,  development of small businesses and clear participation of or advancement of the trend to move forward.  I for one am anxious to see how this happens and stand ready for my chance to participate with many ideas and concepts as both a small business owner,  and one with more than 25 years of luxury retail experience in both sales, management and services.

It's a true test of abilities and at such a crucial time with a sluggish economy,  growth sure to come east of the River,  and the land becoming available very soon.  Time will surely demonstrate just how much work and expertise has gone into the planning and thought process and exactly just how much leadership as well.

If you read this carefully and consider the possibilities of stale offerings of the currently elected it will become more and more clear that there simply has been no plan in place, and the level of experience in how best to  move this Ward forward is non existent.  Using nasty negative mannerisms and associates hiding behind false identities is no way to prove oneself as a leader.  Supporting those that put more effort in destroying rather getting to work rolling up your sleeves to get something accomplished is the path we have been experienced. I will roll up my sleeves and confide in many residents and business owners alike and move this ward forward with a plan that will bring fruition to the many things that we need done.

Keith Jarrell

Monday, June 27, 2011

Caribbean Festival Parade, poorly planned where was Ward 4 Councilmember Bowser in the planning

It is clear with the week end's comments by Ward 4 Councilmember Bowser concerning the Caribbean Festival Parade and the fact that it was shortened by nearly 1.5 miles. She is complaining and stating that the merchants are upset.  One has to ask whey wasn't her office involved in parade planning immediately when the notice went out that the route was shortened?

How can we continue to be represented by the after thoughts of Muriel Bowser when Ward 4 struggles now?  There should have been early on planning and strategic meetings to involve the Councilmember, her staff and merchants that stood to be effected by the route shortening.  Clearly Ward 4 had no voice at the table of planning.  But did have a voice after the damage had been done.  Bowser again drops the ball and enables her Ward to miss out on revenue, taxes and the excitement of constituents being able to walk a short distance and enjoy the parade.
Ward 4 must have a change in leadership and the change must include someone with the resources and experience to create a positive environment that public safety,  commerce,    and friendly neighborhood fun.
I urge you to consider supporting me in my quest to be your next Ward 4 Councilmemmber so that once again residents and business owners alike can have a voice at the table early on with planning and oversight of these neighborhood traditions.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Judiciary Hearing a debacle covering MPD Escorts for various celebrities



The District of Columbia, Council Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety clearly did not have their best day yesterday. Chairman Phil Mendelson conducted an oversight hearing as a tool to investigate the recent media frenzy about escorts for notable “star” Charlie Sheen and others.  I commend Chairman Mendelson for this action.  But have to also ask, where was Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser?  Missing in Action, as were the other members.  This should be a great concern to every member of this community.  This committee is designed to oversee the public safety in our community, and the District of Columbia. At no time should there be such a hearing without those sitting members present. 
Bowser’s absence demonstrates a lack of concern and in my opinion that concern relates directly to Ward 4’s safety and representation on this vastly important committee.  Does she take this committee assignment lightly?  Only she can answer this.
The portion of this hearing that every resident should be concerned with is the allowance of Commander Hilton Burton being allowed to offer testimony on his own.  While other members of the Metropolitan Police Department of various ranks were formally requested to testify by the committee, Burton on his own showed up to offer his own opinion. Not the official position of the Department or his Division. This was both unprofessional, and borders on an offense that in most jurisdictions would merit termination. In private industry, he would already have been shown the door.  This weakness in over all policy and failure of our council mandate must be addressed.
The situation demonstrated a failure in many areas but most importantly Chairman Mendelson when asked told me that Burton was not in uniform.  I asked was he on duty and was he essentially being paid to be on his job while sitting in front of a council committee covering police in the very department he works in.  Cmdr. Hilton Burton has a sordid past as many of you will remember.  He is the former Commander of the 4th District and left with a whirlwind of allegations, some substantiated with emails and phone records.  He was accused and proven to have misused his use of his police email, his cruiser and other things associated with his responsibility and rank.  There were allegations that he had received oral sex in the police cruiser on the banks of the river, by a less than desirable female.  On more than one occasion, there were witnesses that came forward and complained on the Commander.  There seemed to be no doubt that he was involved in these relationships and clearly had not acted professionally, much less conduct becoming a police officer.
Chairman Mendelson should never have allowed Burton to have appeared in the capacity he presented himself in. Where was the checks and balance to the system for this committee hearing?  Where were the other members of this committee during this hearing? 
 Commander Burton demonstrated a low level of weakness in his knowledge both with his prepared statement and his inability to answer the follow up questions of Mendelson.  He clearly is not in command of the proper direction of the department he commands, and the man power assigned to him.  He is far less than we should expect and demand in a command level ranking member of the MPD. Burton’s insistence that there was no clear policy was totally disputed by supported documentation and many pages of back up from Chief Lanier.  She was on top of her game and in clear control of the policy and her ability to relate that police to Chairman Mendelson.    She quoted many occasions that past Chiefs of Police, and other command officials have had in place, and that continued to be in place until the revised policy was written and implemented in April 2011.  Burton is clearly confused, out of touch and looking for excuses at a time Burton has openly demonstrated he vulnerable at best now. Having previously been demoted for his actions unbecoming, and bad judgment, Chief Lanier promoted him and put him in Command of Special Operations Division.  He has now blown this opportunity with poor oversight, and unfounded allegations about the lack of policy.
Chris Baumann in his normal cantankerous and misplaced approach to policing 101 is again a flaw in the system at best.  A Johnny- come-lately attorney specializing in finances (?) he serves as the Chair of the labor Committee for the Police Union is clearly mistaken in his identity and purpose.  This man doesn’t know what it is to work a beat, ride a scooter, or show up for roll call. He draws too salaries for doing little of nothing on either job.  Can we just make him go away and play in a sand box somewhere?  He reminds me of an angry child that can’t go out of the yard so he looks around to find something to complain about everything he can catch in his view.
We should all be glad that Chief Lanier and her top senior command staff are all there to safeguard this city’s safety.  I feel bad that she was put through this waste of time and to have had a subordinate show up with reason or merit.  I hope that Mendelson and every member of the Judicial Committee will put into place a policy that would prevent such testimony as the one given by Burton in the future.     This committee should be obligated to first go to the Chief and her staff before allowing a mindless demoted, policy braking lower level employee to show up and fully demonstrate his lack of thoroughness and integrity. We have work to be done here, and yesterday wasn’t the best example of good solid oversight.  Let’s put this mess to bed, and allow this Chief of Police to continue her great job.

Keith Jarrell

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Indictment in the Neil Godleski Murder case.

This morning I sat in D.C. Superior Court as Eric Foreman was indicted and charged in Judge Fisher's court room for 9 counts.
Eric Foreman is accused of killing Neil Godleski on 22 August 2010 on Sherman Circle, NW.
My heart goes out to the Godleski Family and to every neighbor that has had to deal with such a senseless killing.
I am grateful to the many members of the MPD,  and especially the Homicide Division for the work on this case in bringing enough evidence forward to give the
U.S. Attorney's office the wisdom to get the grand jury to indict. 
Operation Court Watch (4D) will continue to stay involved in this case through sentencing.
The next hearing is scheduled as per the posting at the bottom of this email.

Together we must continue our stride in bringing safety to our streets,  and seeing those that turn their face against the law brought to justice. 

Keith Jarrell

Here's the list of charges:

06/21/2011Charge FiledCharge Filed
Charge #9: Unlawful Poss Ammunition
06/21/2011Charge FiledCharge Filed
Charge #8: Possession of Unregistered Firearm/Unlawful Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device
06/21/2011Charge FiledCharge Filed
Charge #7: Carry Pistol W/O Lic -Outside Home/Business
06/21/2011Charge FiledCharge Filed
Charge #6: Poss Firearm During Crime of Violence
06/21/2011Charge FiledCharge Filed
Charge #5: Murder I While Armed
06/21/2011Charge FiledCharge Filed
Charge #4: Poss Firearm During Crime of Violence
06/21/2011Charge FiledCharge Filed
Charge #3: Murder I While Armed
06/21/2011Charge FiledCharge Filed
Charge #2: Poss Firearm During Crime of Violence
06/21/2011Charge FiledCharge Filed
Charge #1: Robbery While Armed
06/21/2011Indictment FiledIndictment Filed----9 Counts
Attorney: MACHEN, Mr RONALD C (447889)

--

09/09/201109:30 AMStatus Hearing
02/06/201209:30 AMJury Trial
  

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

I announce my candidacy for the Ward 4 Council Seat for the Democratic Primary slated for April 3 2012


Keith Jarrell 2012
5400 Block-13th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011
202-288-1867
For Immediate Release:
Last week, I filed my Declaration of Candidacy with the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics,  for the Ward 4 Seat on The Council of the District of Columbia,  for the April 3 2012 primary election.  

My work across much of the District of Columbia and Ward 4 over the years has been to give a voice to those that often could not speak for them. The victims of homicide, and their families, the abused, neglected the disabled and our seniors. Doing this has brought me face to face with many of our residents that not only needed help but needed to know that someone cares.


I have come to realize that Ward 4 needs and deserves leadership that is both caring and engaged in what affects all of our lives.     Ward 4 needs leadership that has compassion for every resident and understands that needs differ.  Ward 4 needs a change in leadership and 2012 is the year for that change.

When elected I will continue to be guided by the tenants of my long history of work dating back nearly 15 years in the District of Columbia to promote quality economic development, responsibly balance the budget, foster an open and transparent government and an engaged citizenry. Plan with an eye to the future to meet our transportation needs, and help create a safe environment in which our children can learn and grow, and every resident can live knowing that they will be protected.  

I see the future bright for Ward 4 and a great chance to foster and develop a new culture of decision making in which we make smart use of talent and the generosity of Ward 4 residents. 
Keith Jarrell
Keith Jarrell 2012
www.keithjarrell2012.com
202-288-1867
keithjarrell2012@gmail.com

Yet another homicide in the 4th Distirct

Around 1:30am, units received a call for a shooting in the 300 blk of Delafield Pl. NW. Upon arrival, an adult male was located suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The male was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced dead. This case is being investigated by members of the Homicide Branch. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-919-CRIM(E). 


Amazing at 8:25 AM the morning after another homicide in the Ward 4 and there is not a word from our elected.
Homicides are or must be a way of life acceptable in the minds of those we currently have elected to represent us.


As a community we must press for higher standards and elect those that care enough to be involved, aware, and present when these horrific crimes occur.  


There must be outreach to the families,  and the neighborhoods.  We must be represented.