GTC -- 01/12/2011

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Serving Burleith, Foxhall, Georgetown, Georgetown Reservoir & Glover Park

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Vol. XX, No. 25

THE GEORGETOWN CURRENT 2nd District sees command change

BANJO MAN

■ Police: Klein replacement

moves from Capitol Hill post By CAROL BUCKLEY Current Staff Writer

Cmdr. Matthew Klein of the Metropolitan Police Department’s 2nd District announced this weekend that he is stepping down from the post he has held for a little over two years. In an open letter to the

community, he said the transfer would allow him to spend “much needed time” with his family. Klein will be replaced by Inspector Michael Reese, formerly of the Capitol Hill substation in the 1st District. Fraternal Order of Police head Kris Baumann openly doubted Klein’s time-with-family claim — a workhorse for outgoing officials of all professions. In a Washington City Paper

report, Baumann alleged that the move is a result of Klein’s role in exposing the open-book cheating scandal that had Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes investigated and then exonerated. Baumann cited “widespread information” within the department that Klein was involved as a whistleblower, but neither Klein nor department officials have discussed the lead-up to Groomes’ suspension. See Police/Page 10

Hardy community wants leader back By JESSICA GOULD Current Staff Writer

Bill Petros/The Current

Frank Cassel, better known as the Banjo Man, performed Saturday at St. John's Episcopal Church. The Georgetown Moms group organized the event to help raise money for the DC Public Library Foundation’s Georgetown Recovery Fund.

The movement to return popular principal Patrick Pope to Hardy Middle School is gaining momentum as parents decry a “deteriorating” safety situation at the school. At 6:30 p.m. today, parents and teachers will hold an emergency meeting to discuss discipline at Hardy. The meeting will take place on campus, at 1819 35th St. Then, on Friday morning, a delegation of Hardy parents will head to Mayor Vincent Gray’s office to discuss their concerns and plead for Pope’s return. “Our school is turned upside down,” said Mia Pettus, whose son is in seventh grade. “It’s falling apart.” Last December, former Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee announced plans to remove Pope from his post at Hardy so that he could design and lead a new citywide arts magnet for middle-schoolers. Rhee said Hyde-Addison Elementary principal Dana

Bill Petros/Current File Photo

Parents have reported unsafe and disorganized conditions since principal Patrick Pope left. Nerenberg would take over leadership of the two Georgetown schools and assured parents that the princiSee Munitions/Page 5

Neighbors protest parties at yoga site

Biddle looks to April ballot after winning interim post

By TEKE WIGGIN

■ Council: Critics question

Current Correspondent

Problems with rowdy parties have prompted a group of Adams Morgan residents and the local advisory neighborhood commission to protest caterers’ use of host Stroga, a yoga center at 1808 Adams Mill Road. A protest hearing before the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is scheduled for today, according to Cynthia Simms, spokesperson for the city alcohol agency. The hearing comes despite steps that Stroga owner Doug Jefferies said he has taken to alleviate community concerns. For instance, Jefferies said he has cut back on the frequency of the events that have agitated neighbors most, “Grey Goose Mansion” parties that are part of a Grey Goose Vodka promotional campaign.

NEWS ■ Whole Foods seeks ABC license for eat-in areas. Page 3. ■ Zoning board delays decision on Van Ness project. Page 3.

committee’s voting process By CAROL BUCKLEY Current Staff Writer

Bill Petros/Current File Photo

Residents describe rowdy parties, but owner Doug Jeffries says he is working to address concerns. According to some community members, Stroga has transformed into a de facto weekend nightclub — one that is unaccountable to the neighborhood because of a liquor licensing loophole. See Stroga/Page 10

PA S S A G E S ■ What do beer and religion have in common? Chris O’Brien will tell you. Page 13. ■ How to pick a life coach. Page 13.

Newly seated at-large D.C. Council member Sekou Biddle is vowing not to soft-pedal his approach to a tenure that could be as short as four months. When the April 26 election rolls around that will seat either him — or his replacement — as at-large member for a nearly full term, Biddle said in an interview yester-

SPORTS ■ Visitation stays hot with win over Maret. Page 11. ■ St. John’s girls keep cruising through hoops schedule. Page 11 .

day, he plans to have a legacy already in place. “I want my four-month term … to be reflected in my influence on colleagues and … some outcomes [in terms of] legislative pieces,” he said. Biddle added that he is meeting with other council members now and examining ways he can “move legislation and bills forward in a timely fashion.” It remains to be seen if or how critiques of the messy process that led to Biddle’s success last week at the Democratic State Committee will impact his chances in April. See Biddle/Page 5

INDEX Calendar/20 Classifieds/29 District Digest/4 Exhibits/23 In Your Neighborhood/18 Opinion/8 Passages/13

Police Report/6 Real Estate/17 School Dispatches/14 Service Directory/25 Sports/11 Theater/23 Week Ahead/3


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