Breakfast links: Influence
There is a (little) bike lobby
Dorothy Rabinowitz called the bicyle lobby “all-powerful,” and it’s not, but some are trying to lobby for bicycling. They’re just way smaller than the auto lobby. (Politico)
Is the council too powerful?
US Attorney Ron Machen thinks the DC Council needs to curb its influence over things that invite bribery, but several councilmembers say it’s just the same as everyday “constituent service.” (Post)
Safeway expands, goes mixed-use
Facing competition from many more grocery chains, longtime area stalwart Safeway is looking to add more stores and renovate existing ones, often with housing on top. (Post)
Fence blocks the way
A WJLA news van “almost backed over” a resident cutting through a Rosslyn parking lot. In response, the owner has put up a fence to block a walkway, forcing residents to walk the long way around in poor lighting. (ArlNow)
No jail for Raquel Nelson
Raquel Nelson, the Atlanta woman convicted of vehicular homicide when her son ran into a street and got killed by a driver, is free: prosecutors finally relented and let her plead to jaywalking. But problems with safety crossing our streets, and bad laws, persist. (T4A)
Fraud with disability parking
At least 17 DC workers have been abusing disabled parking placards, such as non-disabled people using another’s placard. (Examiner)
Education elements
Fairfax schools might start later to better match teens’ circadian rhythms. (WAMU) … Engineers studied sinkholes at Garrison Elementary, but DC hasn’t paid them. (Borderstan) … Arlington won’t get a new law school. (ArlNow)
House may scrap Ike design
A House committee wants to start over with a new design for the Eisenhower Memorial. The Eisenhower family has fiercely lobbied against Frank Gehry’s design. (Examiner)
And…
We’ll miss JDLand (and thoughts are with JD’s family). … A conservative former Congressman wants his colleagues to go see DC’s black neighborhoods. (DCist) … Prince William residents discover VDOT’s planning processes are shams. (Potomac Local)