To the members of the Parker Gray community, I want you all to know that I along with the state president of the PBA met with Delegate Englin this morning in Richmond about this issue. We had a very constructive meeting where we expressed our concerns and made it clear that the bill as written was not acceptable to the Alexandria Police Benevolent Association.
As a PBA endorsed candidate, Delegate Englin has always stood side by side with the over 350 members of the Alexandria PBA in keeping our community safe. We made it clear that we do not support this bill as written. Delegate Englin was very receptive
to our ideas on possible changes to the propsed legislation. We will be in close contact with Delegate Englin throughout this process and continue to work with him in keeping Alexandria a safe place to live and work.
The Alexandria PBA stands with the Parker Gray community in opposition to this bill as written and will continue to work with Delegate Englin to come to an acceptable solution.
Michael Kochis
President Alexandria PBA
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Police Benevolent Association Weighs In
Late last night the Growler received the following comment from the head of Alexandria's Police Benevolent Association.
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81 comments:
It is a tad concerning to think that the PBA backed a Delegate who would impetously react to a local screamer concerning police procedures, and then create a bill without checking with the police, who would be affected by it.
that said, I'm happy to see that even the PBA is aware of our concerns on this blog, and took action immediately. A big thanks goes out to them and the Growler for the updates.
Thanks so much to the PBA for supporting us in PG.
I think we're finally becoming more successful in raising awareness about the City's harmful public housing policies, including containing poverty in a small area and segregating students at J-H.
In my 15 years as an Alexandria resident, I have learned one thing. Politicians here in this area act on the behalf of of their contributors. If the PBA 'endorsed' the delegate with money, you will see this bill become extinct faster than the dinosaurs.
Does anyone really think a screamer could compete with that? I don't, and for that reason I smile with a slight feeling of relief at the moment.
What I don't get Growler is this story doesn't jibe with anything that Mr. Englin said on this blog or on the radio. Why is his story changing now?
If the police were at this public meeting where they heard issues about the debarment policy, why didn't he consult the police directly before drafting this legislation?
Doesn't he realize after the Braddock East fiasco that residents in this neighborhood are energized and fed up with the old way of doing things when it comes to public housing?
Interesting that when the PBA raises issues about his bill Delegate Englin is receptive to changes, but when his own constituents raised the same issues they were dismissed as anonymous posters who comment on "legislation they haven't read" Sounds like we read it a bit more closely than you did Mr Englin or at least understood what the implications were.
Congratulations Mr Englin you may have handed your next opponent his or her election slogan ... at least in this neighborhood "I will not dismiss you as anonymous posters or accuse you of not being able to read"
Why do so many feel the need to pour cold water on this good story. Believe me, I am no fan of Mr. Englin's, but the system is working. We should be happy.
The people in the housing projects have concerns and Englin listened to them, others have now raised counter-concerns and he appears to be listening to them too.
Let's keep our eye on this issue, but let's also not be afraid to recognize that our neighbors and local police are having a positive impact.
To the PBA, the Growler and the West End Old Town Civic Assoc who spread the word quick and effectively, job well done. I encourage everyone to follow through on Heidi Ford's advice and get your letters into Richmond.
"including containing poverty in a small area and segregating students at J-H."
On this I disagree. Read alexandrianews.org's story regarding last night's school board meeting. Until the school board comes forward with a desegregation plan the construction plans should stall. Apparently Morris likes pretty buildings more than she likes the politics of desegregation. It's hard to hoe the hard road.
"Congratulations Mr Englin you may have handed your next opponent his or her election slogan ... at least in this neighborhood "I will not dismiss you as anonymous posters or accuse you of not being able to read"
I like it! Sounds like the Dems are using the cops to reign in a dumb renegade.
"The people in the housing projects have concerns and Englin listened to them,"
Actually, the person who raised the concern does not live in the housing projects.
That's one of the biggest frustrations of this neighborhood. People who claim to speak for the public housing residents get an automatic airing of ther grievances with a presumption of credibility.
While those of us who actually live here and raise concerns or suggestions about public housing are branded as racists or gentrifiers who only care about property values.
I find it so offensive that anyone who dares to criticize public housing is presumed to be self interested. But, seriously, anyone who bothers to look at the issue can see that the City's public housing policies are not working, most especially their unwritten containment and segregation policies.
And the property value argument is such a crock. If our values go up, so do our taxes. It does us no good. We just want to live in a safe, peaceful neighborhood.
"Why do so many feel the need to pour cold water on this good story. Believe me, I am no fan of Mr. Englin's, but the system is working. We should be happy.
Maybe, maybe not. We shall have to await the results of the committee vote.
Absent the WAMU story we may never have known about this bill until it became law. A big concern is that the approach to drafting the legislation seemed to (emphasis - seemed to) rely principally on input from individuals who made conscious decisions to violate ARHA policies or city laws. So now the public safety community and local residents are having to scramble to make changes to the bill.
Now there is a story in the Alexandria Gazette: http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=336692&paper=59&cat=104
Here's the mindset we're up against:
"I think if a person is caught on the property with a gun, yes, I can see barring that person," said Scruggs, a native of West Virginia who has lived at Andrew Adkins for the last decade. "But if a person is on the property and maybe has a disagreement with someone — even if a lick is exchanged — I don’t think that is a reason to bar someone."
Don't all of us future "lickees" feel safer?
"The people in the housing projects have concerns and Englin listened to them, others have now raised counter-concerns and he appears to be listening to them too. "
That doesn't sound like the system working, that sounds like the knee jerk reaction of a politician running around just trying to win votes rather than hearing about a possible issue, doing research, contacting ALL effected parties and then after much deliberation deciding to make a law.
This is just an example of more poorly thought PG politics that poses as helping our poor.
Public housing residents and their advocates disagree.
"These tenants are so scared and intimidated by the police that some of them don’t even like to come out of their house," said Lenny Harris, a community organizer who is working with Englin on the bill. "It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that this is harassment and profiling at work here."
Please add this to the ongoing and growing list of Lenny Harris Greatest Hits....
SCARED OF THE POLICE? They are scared of Officer Ford? Profiling?
Have you no shame Lenny Harris? Any at all?
If Mrs. Scruggs believes she is being mistreated, it would help all of us to understand what specifically her sons and daughters were banned for?
Why are they on the debarment list? It would be very helpful for Michael Lee Pope to inform readers of this.
If she just feels like its unfair they cant visit her, then I would like to know specifically what they are banned for.
--" said Scruggs, a native of West Virginia who has lived at Andrew Adkins for the last decade"
Wait a minute, it doesnt bother anyone in Alexandria that Mrs. Scruggs has lived in the Andrew Adkins projects for 10 YEARS?
My understanding is that public housing is not housing in perpetuity; its designed to provide housing for those in need, seniors, the disabled, and those who may have experienced something bad in their life that requires temporary housing.
Its not designed to be a situation where you just live there forever.
Just as a footnote, readers might want to be aware that the City subsidizes some of Mr. Harris's public housing activities.
According to a budget memo released in March 2009, the City provides his organization, Operation Hope, with some $8,500 to put on the annual "One Love" event at Braddock Field.
http://tinyurl.com/yba76qp
"According to a budget memo released in March 2009, the City provides his organization, Operation Hope, with some $8,500 to put on the annual "One Love" event at Braddock Field. "
Yes Growler, we NEED to be advised of this.
Also, local screamer and aspiring political activest Mr. Harris, once ran for council back in the special election where Justin Wilson won. He was observed walking through Public housing, asking people if they were convicted of felonies. The ones who answered no, were requested to get out and vote for him. I found it kind of funny at the time because when I saw him doing this, I knew who he was and what he was all about. Never thought that anyone in the City Gov't would take him seriously. Yet they gave him $8,500 for project One Love?
Does anyone know of any current city players who donated to his campaign? It should be some where on a city website.
According to Google, Mr. Harris' Operation Hope is more specifically named "Operation H.O.P.E. (Helping Oppressed People Emancipate)"
Can we here in PG start our own organization?? I can think of many many ways to spend $8500 far more effectively and in a way that will benefit the community as a whole, not just cause more division.
"According to a budget memo released in March 2009, the City provides his organization, Operation Hope, with some $8,500 to put on the annual "One Love" event at Braddock Field."
OH, COME ON!!!!!!!!! All I hear from Council is whining about how we are in such a bad budget environment and now I hear this!!!!!!!!! And they have the gall to even THINK about raising my taxes AGAIN.
Well, looky looky. Mr. Englin is a donor to Operation Hope.
http://www.vpap.org/vendors/profile/index/176577
"Well, looky looky. Mr. Englin is a donor to Operation Hope.
http://www.vpap.org/vendors/profile/index/176577"
This is just getting slimier and slimier. Where is the local paper in all this? Gazette or Times? Why does a blog have to do the homework?
""Operation H.O.P.E. (Helping Oppressed People Emancipate)""
Who exactly is being "oppressed"?
The only oppression I see is that the City has a history of keeping our neighborhood segregated. JH and the public housing porjects, overwhelmingly minority and poor.
And you have to take the City kicking and screaming into the 21st century, where things like deconcentration , vouchers, and integrated schools exist.
"Well, looky looky. Mr. Englin is a donor to Operation Hope."
Good to see that its not just our Mayor and city council who .... I don't even know what to say they are doing. Is every politician buying into Melvin and Harris? Is the race card, sorry the Oppressed People card, that strong that it can just be waved around and state and local politicians who don't think twice about raising our taxes feel the urge to run around to appease them?
I guess Mr Elgin was laying the cards on the table when he said "First, this bill has nothing to do with Roy Priest or Mel Miller." Sounds like the show is being run by Harris ... which makes it that much more scary.
Operation H.O.P.E. (Helping Oppressed People Emancipate)
This is the new definition of irony. Lenny Harris wants to help oppressed people emancipate, but he 'screams' at anyone who wants to deconcentrate public housing.
The people (city council) that are oppressing citizens in ARHA by keeping them segregated and confined, refusing to fix a segregated and failing school, and keeping an outdated resolution on the books instead of giving out vouchers and deconcentrating everyone, are the ones that donated $8,500.00 to the cause they oppose and maintain. What a system. And we are the ones that get called racist gentrifiers!
The tapestry is being pulled apart with knowledge and information, thanks to this blog and the fine work of the West Old Town Civic Association.The madness has to stop. Someone has to run against this machine come next election time.
The rumor we hear is that Englin, Euille and Harris met with ARHA residents prior to the election for a bitch session and his legislation is an outgrowth of that meeting. Is the swine delivering on an ill-considered campaign promise to please an ARHA voter bloc?
Wake me up when our City leaders or State legislators actually pass a law designed to help the citizens of the Parker Gray neighborhood.
When is Delegate Englin planning to introduce bills to curb the excessive littering and quality of life issues in Parker Gray? Is littering a form of oppression in Lenny Harris's book?
the gen'l assembly session starts today, so we probably won't get a response for a while.
Yeah, those delegates of ours sure are busy:
Distracted Delegates in the Virginia General Assembly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkELZD_U7V0
"According to a budget memo released in March 2009, the City provides his organization, Operation Hope, with some $8,500 to put on the annual "One Love" event at Braddock Field."
The city government, as well as local candidates, probably give money to this organization for one reason - the organization can turn out voters on election day. This is a successful, time-tested approach in urban politics - campaign money goes to "get out the vote" activities that funnel that money to organizations that put people in the voter's booth. Anything else that the organization does is secondary to this activity, or serves to make the organization appear legitimate.
"The city government, as well as local candidates, probably give money to this organization for one reason - the organization can turn out voters on election day."
Exactly. It's offensive enough that our tax dollars go to support an extremely controversial and divisive figure such as Lenny. But it's beyond the pale when our tax dollars are spent to ensure a political victory. It's just like the lame duck sore loser Democratic council voting to move the elections to November. They can't win on the merits or their record, so they have to cheat.
Seriously, the council has never made a decision on anything without appointing a commission, conducting a study, delaying for further consideration, etc. But they moved the elections in one fell swoop.
As I understand it, the city budget memo you reference led the council to cut hundreds of thousands of dollars from the special events budget, which funded Harris. Mr. Harris's money was given out by park and rec staff, not any formal Council action. That and other "special events" made the last Council call for a reform of the entire special events policy. The new policy that will be on the docket for public hearing next Saturday.
I have been told that the Council's legislative sub-committee (Smedberg and Donley) agreed last night to recomend that the city not support Englin's bill on this matter. I've also heard that nobody on Council supports Englin's bill and folks are pretty ticked off he put this out there without consulting anybody first.
"I have been told that the Council's legislative sub-committee (Smedberg and Donley) agreed last night to recomend that the city not support Englin's bill on this matter. I've also heard that nobody on Council supports Englin's bill and folks are pretty ticked off he put this out there without consulting anybody first."
What's the source? Isn't that just an unsubstantiated rumor that is supposed to be banned on this board?
If this is indeed the case, why aren't they saying so? They had all week. Are we really supposed to believe that a member of the Alexandria delegation and from the party in power, didn't consult with his fellow dems? Of course, he did. If they distance themselves now, it's only out of political cover.
RE: "Distracted Delegates in the Virginia General Assembly"
Surely, Mr. Englin can't be so busy updating his pals on facebook that he can't take the time to respond to the Growler and to the Police. I'm sure he's still on here somewhere lurking like he was before.
"Mr. Harris's money was given out by park and rec staff, not any formal Council action."
So the barn doors closing after the horse has fled. And the money dries up after the dems are elected. After buying the election.
In truth, the Council took the money out of the budget before the last election as part of last year's budget. If they were trying to "buy votes" they would likely not have cut the budget before the election. And since Harris was working hard for Alicia Hughes election, its a leap to say the Dems were trying to buy his vote.
I wrote an e-mail to Council asking about Englin's bill and heard back from a few of them that they had only heard about it last Friday, after the press did and that they didn't support it. I don't think anybody is trying to get "political cover". Its only been out there for a week. If you think its a rumor that they are upset, then I encourage you to write Council. You'll likely get the same responses I did.
What I read is a lot of anonymously posted cya. What is the truth of the October 20 meeting between Harris, Euille and Englin? The street buzz is loud.
That rumor is pretty solid as far as I can tell. I called Councilman Smedberg before the legislative committee meeting on Friday to express my concerns about this bill. He said he didn't support it and that others on Council didn't as well. He seemed pretty frustrated that the bill had been proposed at all.
The "rumor" about council not knowing about this before the press was first reported by the Growler.
"Surely, Mr. Englin can't be so busy updating his pals on facebook that he can't take the time to respond to the Growler and to the Police."
My guess he is desperately trying to figure out how to extract himself from this situation without losing too much face.
On one side he has Euille, Harris and those ARHA residents that were complaining about the current policy and who are expecting this bill to go through so that all their friends and loved one who are currently barred because of "a lick is exchanged" can once again descend on Adkins and Bland and by extension PG in general.
On the other side he has enraged PG residents, the BPA, and apparently other council member who are shocked that the bill was so poorly and broadly written and then introduced in such an underhanded way. All of whom are working to make sure this bill doesn't go through, but who's votes and money Englin can't afford to lose. However that ship may have already sailed, I for one doubt I will ever vote for him after seeing how he operates, who he is taking cues from and then being dismissed so cavalierly.
"My guess he is desperately trying to figure out how to extract himself from this situation without losing too much face."
Yes these past two weeks seem like a text book case of political suicide. The only thing he has going for him is time, time to lay low and wait for things to blow over before the next election. The question is how many people will remember
"HB264: Housing authorities; no trespass notices" the next time his name is on the ballot?
"The question is how many people will remember
"HB264: Housing authorities; no trespass notices" the next time his name is on the ballot?"
I for one will make sure that my neighbors know full well about the bill and who its sponsor was.
This is the problem with introducing harmful bills that are blatantly one sided. You fire up the other side so much that they actively work against you where if you had just consulted with them, they would not have felt blindsided.
"The question is how many people will remember "HB264: Housing authorities; no trespass notices" the next time his name is on the ballot?"
I'm a Dem with the memory of an elephant!
"The question is how many people will remember "HB264: Housing authorities; no trespass notices" the next time his name is on the ballot?"
I'll remember.
Shayna Englin, wife of the delegate, has posted on Twitter and Facebook that any opposition to the bill is based on a desire to "screw black people".
To Parker-Gray Growl readers: As promised (and as noted by Michael Kochis, President Alexandria PBA, in his note posted to you on Jan. 14) I have been working diligently with housing authority and law enforcement experts, including some of the Alexandria police officers who patrol ARHA property, to revise HB 264 to address your concerns. Here is a link to the revised bill for your review: http://bit.ly/4RwIGp
Note that I do not read this blog regularly, so if you have constructive feedback, please send it to me at DelDEnglin@house.virginia.gov.
I received an email from Del. Englin with a revised version of his ARHA barment bill. He claims to have made his revisions after consulting with "housing authority and law enforcement experts," but the result is only slightly less ridiculous than his original version. For any lawyers out there with time to kill, happy reading. For everyone else, just know that he continues to create absurd legalistic procedures for little purpose, such as requiring posting the policy in an obvious location, giving a copy to each tenant upon signing a lease, AND giving a copy out annually thereafter to each tenant. (Band head against wall......)
More ominously, his bill will essentially prevent ARHA and the cops from barring criminals and those who misbehave. Perhaps we should just move all those troublemakers to Mr. Englin's neighborhood...
"Shayna Englin, wife of the delegate, has posted on Twitter and Facebook that any opposition to the bill is based on a desire to "screw black people"."
Nice way to judge people on the color of their skin, not the content of their character. Hmmm. Who was it that said that?
And I see that she's employed by David Englin's consulting firm. After this bill, I was already going to vote against him. Now I'm motivated to campaign against him.
Here's her twitter page:
http://twitter.com/sbenglin
Check it out in black and white.
http://twitter.com/sbenglin
The Growler wished to confirm a commenter's claim that Mrs. Englin made the inflammatory statements on her Twitter account.
And it can be confirmed.
About 19 hours ago she wrote:
"even while trying to focus on the positive, can't help but being disappointed in my City Council's decision to screw over poor black people"
She later posted a message stating: "Please email our wayward Council."
Presumably she is referring to City Council's decision not to back her husband's proposed legislation.
"Shayna Englin, wife of the delegate, has posted on Twitter and Facebook that any opposition to the bill is based on a desire to "screw black people"."
Not sure I understand how providing a safe living environment for people in ARHA properties is "screwing black people."
Shayna, care to explain yourself?
Growler, it also looks like there was a tweet posted on the Satirical Alexandria Twitter feed regarding some kind of incident where the cops stopped someone from canvassing (apparently for votes)
http://twitter.com/SatirclAlxndria
@sbenglin Is this about visitors at public housing? Remember how the cops stopped me for cavasing?
I shudder to think this is simply a bill introduced because cops stopped someone in the projects that was white.
Perhaps the Englins arent aware that cops sometimes do that since white Alexandrians dont usually ever show up in the projects ever unless they are walking by them.
The cops might have had the wild, crazy, yet plausible thought that people were buying drugs.
"About 19 hours ago she wrote:
"even while trying to focus on the positive, can't help but being disappointed in my City Council's decision to screw over poor black people"
The Englins are digging a very deep hole. Is this not the same Del Ray family that declined to send their child to Jefferson Houston School. Who's screwing black people? Segregated public housing segregated neighborhood school and yet the do-nothings contribute this bill. How misplaced is this family's guilt?
"disappointed in my City Council's decision to screw over poor black people"
"
Please explain what legislation Delegate Englin has passed that deals with economic and social conditions in public housing projects.
"Is this not the same Del Ray family that declined to send their child to Jefferson Houston School. Who's screwing black people?"
Bingo. The ACPS attendance charts show that all of those who live south of Monroe Avenue are supposed to attend Jefferson-Houston. How do the connected white folks all get to leave some children behind?
"if you have constructive feedback, please send it to me"
What a phony!
Mr. Englin, if you are truly interested in constructive conversation then you should disavow yourself immediately of your wife's divisive and incendiary comments about folks who have real genuine concerns about the implications of your bill and apologize on her behalf to they city council, your constituents and all of the people of Virginia.
Short of that, you can only be seen as trying to manipulate folks to your own ends.
"To Parker-Gray Growl readers: As promised (and as noted by Michael Kochis, President Alexandria PBA, in his note posted to you on Jan. 14) I have been working diligently with housing authority and law enforcement experts, including some of the Alexandria police officers who patrol ARHA property, to revise HB 264 to address your concerns. Here is a link to the revised bill for your review: http://bit.ly/4RwIGp"
I got a chance to read the bill. It seems more reasonable and less one-sided in favor of the person being barred. While I still think there are some holes in it, I think it at least works better than the previous one. It also removes some of the provisions that were so blatantly pro-Lenny Harris so as to at least appear fair.
The Growler thanks Satirical Alexandria for their anecdote, which was already shared and discussed with readers some months ago.
The Growler was not present when Satirical Alexandria was stopped by police for being on ARHA property to distribute leaflets, but presumably Alexandria police officers can confirm whether or not they have stopped or apprehended other whites for being on the property out of concern that they were there to commit misdeeds.
"I got a chance to read the bill. It seems more reasonable and less one-sided in favor of the person being barred."
Agreed, the revised bill is better.
If you would like to track the progress of this legislation, visit the General Assembly Web site for the 2010 session:
http://tinyurl.com/ygj9edm
"Agreed, the revised bill is better."
Well, Mrs. Englin might be stirring up a tempest in a tea cup then by saying that council is opposed to it.
http://www.englin.net/HB264.html
Can anyone well-versed in legal-speak explain this section of Englin's bill.
"F. In adopting such policies, the authority shall determine whether to petition a locality or the Commonwealth to close to the public and convey to the authority any streets serving authority property. Neither a locality or the Commomwealth shall be required to grant to conveyance."
The way I read this, ARHA could potentially petition Council to close portions of streets leading to its properties. However, I can't believe that could be correct.
Politics as usual: he said, she said, he supports, she supports... yet all of it, except for that of the PBA, has been anonymous: "law enforcement officials", "housing authority officials", "city leaders". I'd love to see some names attached to either side of this issue. (Thank you PBA for stating your name and position on the issue).
On a side note: I wish this would be taken up on a local level vs. a state level. But that's just my political beliefs talking.
"F. In adopting such policies, the authority shall determine whether to petition a locality or the Commonwealth to close to the public and convey to the authority any streets serving authority property. Neither a locality or the Commomwealth shall be required to grant to conveyance."
While it is "public" housing, much of it is on "private" property such that the landlord (ARHA)can tell individuals to stay away, in a way that city hall could not tell individuals to stay away from Market Square. I think this provision is a way to extend that logic to the portions of public streets that run through the middle of the projects. That might be a good thing for the issue that concerns us all. It would be a bad thing if it were applied to streets we actually use in a way that kept us from using them anymore.
Doug - I had the same thought. Exactly what "law enforcement expert" is in favor of this bill? None that I know. And I know an awful lot.
Moreover, this bill purports to cover all public housing authorities in Virginia. Which, exactly, are they? And, more importantly, do they or their neighbors have any idea about this ill considered bill?
It's obvious to me that this train was driven solely by David Englin (and or his Mrs.) for the benefit of a couple his public housing-vote getting buddies. Why drag down the whole state with you??
On a side note: I wish this would be taken up on a local level vs. a state level. But that's just my political beliefs talking.
If the bill is not merely politial payoff then a smart politician who is well skilled in diplomacy and consensus building would pull the bill and begin again with a series of PUBLIC meetings designed to determine what the neighborhood, city, state consensus is on this issue.
The current policy is already limited in scope, the only issue that seems to have any real bearing is the notice of the right to appeal, which a copy machine could efficiently take care of, saving the police, city and state time, energy and money.
But if I owed someone something, I suppose I would blindly and emphatically risk my political future to pay my debt.
I think the reason there is no public meetings on this matter is because there is already a consensus with pretty much everyone who actually lives in this neighborhood, and the politicians know it.
Come to think of it, we've all reached a consensus about public housing in general, both those of us who actually live in this neighborhood, as well as the City itself (see Fair Share Task Force Report).
It's only the divisive folks who DON'T live here and whose livelihoods depend on promoting it (see Mr. and Mrs. Englin and Lenny Harris) who want to maintain the status quo when it comes to concentrated poverty and segregating poor children in poor schools.
Any public hearings might actually shine a light on the problem for the rest of the City to see, just like this blog is starting to do...
The purported revised bill is better, but I'm still not seeing it when I search for the bill on the General Assembly's website. All I see is the original disaster. How do we know that he has actually substituted it? And, no, I'm not inclined to take his word for it.
There is an article in the Gazette about the kerfluffle over Englin's bill.
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=336937&paper=59&cat=104
Donley and Smedberg apparently rejected the bill outright. Krupicka, on the other hand, took his usual "courageous" stand, calling for better communication while refusing to say whether or not he supported the bill.
Mrs. Englin seems to have removed from her Twitter site the race-baiting accusation about "City Council's decision to screw over poor black people."
"Mrs. Englin seems to have removed from her Twitter site the race-baiting accusation about "City Council's decision to screw over poor black people."
Yes but I see she left:
"Proud of @David_Englin for standing up for those with no voice, rather than those who scream the loudest (and nastiest). You go, honey."
"Proud of my Alexandria neighbors who are speaking up for common sense and justice"
I guess it is generic enough she can claim it doesn't apply to us, but as a voter and someone who was accused of not reading, I am taking these comments a bit personally.
However I think the real shout out should go to The Growler who should be proud of hosting this forum and giving us a platform to share information and provide another outlet for our voice. Let's hear it for someone who actually lives here, knows what is good for Parker Gray and doesn't just go around pandering for votes.
Normally Melvin Miller and I disagree but kudos! to him. From today's alexandrianews.org
When Virginia Delegate David Englin proposed HB264, he thought he was protecting the civil rights of visitors to public housing property. Alexandria public housing officials, police and members of City Council disagree.
Currently, police have the authority to bar individuals from property owned by the Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority if those individuals have committed a crime while on that property. Englin’s original bill proposed requiring a hearing before the police can put anyone on a barment list. He has now amended the bill and removed this requirement.
“The goal of the bill is to ensure that throughout Virginia, law-abiding residents of public housing projects and their law-abiding visitors are afforded some basic due process in cases where people believe they have been barred from the property unfairly,” Englin said. “The initial bill included requirements for housing authorities and law enforcement that some thought were too onerous, such as review hearings prior to barment. Homeowners and law enforcement officials contacted me with their concerns that the initial version of the bill would make it more difficult to ensure public safety in and around public housing, which of course was never my intent. Therefore, I have worked closely with citizens and housing authority, legal aid, and law enforcement experts to revise the bill and successfully address those concerns.
“As revised, House Bill 264 will ensure that ARHA and housing authorities across Virginia have written “no trespass” policies that include an appeals process for people who believe they have been barred unfairly. It will ensure that those policies are communicated to residents and their visitors, and it will ensure that barment notices include information on how an individual may appeal. While ARHA already satisfies the requirement for a written policy with an appeals process, it does not communicate that policy to residents or visitors, and — unless a police officer happens to give a person the information — the notice issued to a person when he is barred has no information on how to appeal,” Englin said.
According to information provided by ARHA, as of 2009, there were 766 individuals listed on the ARHA Barment list; 230 names were removed from the listing of barment dated from 2005 and earlier; 98 were giving hearings by ARHA’s executive director Roy Priest; 64 were removed from the barment list by Priest; and 8 were conditioned (seek employment, finish, continue education or technical trade).
A. Melvin Miller is the chairman of the ARHA Board of Commissioners. “Our barment policy has been in effect for many years and is designed to protect the law-abiding residents who live on our property. I met with Roy Priest and we are going to include information about the appeals process in our barment notices. We don’t need legislation to do that; we can do it administratively.
“Delegate Englin met with Mr. Priest to talk about the process for barment but never talked with any member of our Board about his proposed legislation nor did he talk with the police. I’m not certain of his rationale but it seems to me he’s protecting the wrong people.
“The people who are barred from our property are people who have committed some criminal act while visiting one of our residents. We don’t tell residents about the barment policy because it doesn’t apply to them,” Miller said.
“The substance of the revised bill came from ideas offered by Roy Priest at ARHA when we met to discuss these issues, although to my knowledge, ARHA has not yet implemented them.
City Council will discuss the bill at Tuesday night’s legislative meeting and decide whether they will support or oppose it.
Yes, you KNOW David Englin is WAY out of bounds when Melvin Miller, ARHA, the cops, AND the neighborhood are united on an issue!!!
This whole thing has been good for one thing. Waking me up to what a yo yo he is. (And, by the way, NO David, you haven't SUCCESSFULLY revised the bill to meet neighbors concerns).
Not to detract from the Englin debacle/embarrassment (and the first time I have ever said "right on Marvin Miller") but I just saw this article in the Washington Examiner about teachers salaries being cut in Alexandria
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Teacher-salaries-at-risk-in-Alexandria-schools-82302127.html
One line in particular caught my eye:
"Bursting class sizes at some elementary schools would be evened out by "modified open enrollment" that would cap class sizes at schools and send overflow to less crowded schools.
Does this mean parents who have counted on their children going to kindergarden at Maury, MacArthur, Mason etc this Fall could find themselves being overflowed to less crowded schools aka Jefferson Houston? Will the school board be able to do what the city has been unable/unwilling to do? I can only imagine what those parents who's children will be effected will have to say about that. Part of me feels badly for those parents (aside from the Englin types of course), but part of me is happy that others may be dragged into this fight.
From the opinion section of the gazzette;
Supports Due Process Act
Thursday, January 21, 2010
To the Editor:
A man who believes he has been unfairly and arbitrarily barred from visiting a child or a parent and who believes — however incorrectly — that he has no avenue to appeal feels powerless and humiliated. He may be barred for behavior that violates a law, or he may be barred because he has visited the complex "too often" or simply because he can’t articulate an "acceptable" reason for being there when a law enforcement official or housing manager stops him. In far too many cases, he is barred without being given notice of how to challenge his barment. In many instances, he is barred for violating a "No Trespass" policy that the family he is visiting has never seen. Sometimes, his name is placed on a list of barred individuals even though he has never received written notice that he is barred.
Del. David Englin has proposed a reasonable fix that balances public safety with protecting the rights and dignity of the poor. His "Housing Authority Due Process Act," introduced in the General Assembly last week as House Bill 264, sets forth clear standards to help ensure that that no-one will be barred from public housing for violating a policy nobody knows exists and that those who are barred have the information they need to appeal.
House Bill 264 does three simple but essential things. First, it obligates all public housing authorities to provide their "No Trespass" policies to tenants in writing and to conspicuously post the written policies throughout the property. Second, it requires that any person barred from the premises receive written notice of his barment and the factual allegations that support it. And third, it mandates that housing authorities create a process through which barred individuals can appeal their barments and provide information about that process on every barment notice issued.
House Bill 264’s requirements do not place undue burdens on housing authorities. In fact, many housing authorities, including the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, already have "No Trespass" policies that provide barred individuals with the right to appeal. However, that right to appeal is only meaningful — and only mitigates that sense of powerlessness and humiliation — if a person knows it exists and knows how to exercise it. Delegate Englin’s legislation will ensure that.
In addition to enhancing the rights of individuals who visit public housing, such as fathers coming to visit their children or sons checking up on aging parents, House Bill 264 can be a tool to increase safety in public housing throughout Virginia. By providing innocent visitors with the information they need to successfully challenge their barments, the bill will help housing authorities ensure the list of barred individuals is limited to those people who have come on the property to engage in unlawful activity. With this list, law enforcement can more efficiently remove dangerous trespassers and make public housing complexes throughout Virginia safer for residents, people who visit them, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Christie Marra
Staff Attorney
Virginia Poverty Law Center, Inc.
And may I ask where does Ms. Marra live?
News from the State's DHR. It seems Parker Gray has now been approved for National Register status.
Perhaps the city would be so kind as to confirm the report.
"News from the State's DHR. It seems Parker Gray has now been approved for National Register status."
Indeed. http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20100122.htm
Can't wait to see how those publicly posted notices throughout the property help sell those market rate units in the Bland redevelopment.
"A man who believes he has been unfairly and arbitrarily barred from visiting a child or a parent and who believes — however incorrectly — that he has no avenue to appeal feels powerless and humiliated."
A man who is woken up at all hours of night in the summer because of doorbell ringing, loud music, and people screaming and yelling at each other from across the street also feels powerless and helpless. I don't see any House Bills pending to deal with that problem.
"He may be barred for behavior that violates a law, or he may be barred because he has visited the complex "too often" or simply because he can’t articulate an "acceptable" reason for being there when a law enforcement official or housing manager stops him."
I love the "acceptable" and "too often" air quotes ...
I guess getting a lick in is considered "acceptable". May I visit Mrs. Marra's property "too often"?
"A man who is woken up at all hours of night in the summer because of doorbell ringing, loud music, and people screaming and yelling at each other from across the street also feels powerless and helpless. I don't see any House Bills pending to deal with that problem."
A-freakin-MEN, brother!!!!
"And may I ask where does Ms. Marra live?"
I don't know that, but you can read about her here: http://law.richmond.edu/magazine/Winter_10/features/feature1.php
On this issue, I think she'd benefit by living through a few years in our neighborhood.
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