Weekend links: Can of worms
Thomas had help
Harry Thomas Jr. seems to have had help with his money theft scheme from within Children and Youth Investment Trust. His nonprofits received special treatment and lax oversight from the agency, but who was responsible, and why, are a mystery. (Examiner)
... but Graham is on it
To help unravel the mystery of who helped Thomas, Councilmember Graham has been given subpoena power to investigate. The Mayor’s office isn’t pleased, though, arguing that the council’s investigation will interfere with the federal one. (City Paper)
A party as old as tea
Tea Party opposition to planning and development may not be so different from traditional opposition, though the language is sometimes different. To properly address their concerns, one should treat them like anyone else. (Planetizen)
The sordid world of fare jumping
Fare evasion is the most often-cited crime on Metro, but it’s likely many more get by, costing the system around $1.8 million per year. Yet fines don’t go to WMATA, but to the state where the infraction occurred. (FOX 5)
DC does foliage
DC does a fabulous job planting new street trees but doesn’t do nearly enough to protect them. Casey Trees’ annual report card said the city needs to do more maintenance if it wants to grow the canopy. (DCist)
The invisible helmet
Rather than go without a bicycle helmet, either to protect your carefully gelled hair or to feel the wind on your balding scalp, perhaps you should invest in an airbag collar that only appears when you’re in a crash. (Bloomberg)
And…
The bus operator thought to have viral meningitis didn’t have it after all. (Post) … The new streetcars are due in 545 days, which means mid-October 2013. (TBD) … Portland’s limo companies get in trouble for offering Groupon discounts. (IJ) … HPRB approves the latest version of the Hine project. (DCmud)