I strongly agree with you George.  I think whatever we end up naming it should have something to do with the neighborhood.  Given chance I am sure we can come up with something  more fitting.

 

I think whatever we end up naming the Central plaza at 14 and Park we should use the same name for the surrounding smaller parks using North/South/East/West.

 

For instant, the park up on 14 near the gas station past Newton should be the North park, the Monroe and 11 street park should be the East park, the one near 16 street should be the West park, and the 14 and Girard park should be the south park.

 

What do you all think?

Henock

 

 

___________________________________________________

---

From: George Huffman <ghuffman@...>
To: Jim Graham <grahamwone@...>
Cc: columbia_heights@yahoogroups.com; southcolumbiaheights@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:19:52 PM
Subject: Re: [columbia_heights] Wash Post Not Right, Obama Naming Can be Considered by Council

 

I'm very pleased with what I've heard of the renovations to the 14th and Girard Park.  But I'm not at all happy with the rush to name the park after anyone.  I'm a big Obama supporter and all, but naming anything after anyone seems just a waste of time and thought and money. 

Please reconsider this decision.  Calling it the 14th Street and Girard Park, or some variation is more than sufficent.  Let's spend our time on the next improvement to our neighborhood, and not what to name it.

Thanks,
George Huffman.

On Thu, Jul 16, 2009 at 9:52 AM, Jim Graham <grahamwone@gmail. com> wrote:

 

Dear Friends (kindly excuse possible duplicative emails in the bcc's):

 

This morning a Washington Post District Weekly article reported that a DC law prohibited the DC Council from naming a "public space" after a living person. And thus my bill to rename the Girard Park to honor President Barack Hussein Obama was not possible.

 

Not so.

 

While the Washington Post accurately quoted law, it did not accurately state the legal situation. For years, the Council has been naming "public spaces" after living persons. The Council in the last  year  "renamed" roadways to honor Kathy Hughes and Chuck Brown. One of my first acts as  a Councilmember in 1999 was to successfully sponsor a bill naming the alley next to Ben's Chili Bowl "Ben Ali Way" to honor the restaurant's founders. All these folks are happily still with us! There are other examples.

 

This is possible due to an interpretation by our legal counsel that each time the Council acts in this fashion it is implicitly creating an exception to the law that the Council, itself, passed.

 

Having sponsored these prior measures, I was and am aware of the legal approach.  

 

Please keep in mind that this is but a first step. There will be discussions as well as a formal public hearing on this proposal before the Council votes on it.

 

Bests Councilmember Jim Graham

 

--
I typically answer emails before 9 AM on weekdays. If you email me after that, it is likely that you will hear from me the next weekday. If there is a need to communicate prior to that, you may wish to call me.

Jim Graham, Councilmember, Ward One, 1350 Pa. Ave., NW, #105, Washington, DC 20004. 202-724-8181; 202-724-8109 (fax).

Chairman, Committee on Public Works and the Environment (including alcohol regulation). Main Committee Number: 202-724-8195. 1350 Pa. Ave., NW, #116, Washington, DC 20004.

Website: www.grahamwone. com