The local chattering classes relish every chance to criticize and complain. Lord knows 2011 has been a cornucopia for carpers, what with three federal investigations of our politicians, feuding council members, our faltering mayor. While feasting on foibles, it’s hard to appreciate what’s gone well for us during the past year. Here are five things to celebrate in 2011:
— Livability: Far under the table but very important for the city’s long-term growth, Planning Director Harriet Tregoning has been setting D.C. on a course toward sustainability. What’s that? It’s plans to keep this city functioning with power, water, air and easy ways to get around. I know: who cares about such esoteric fare when gangs of girls are mugging shoppers in Georgetown. You should. Council member Tommy Wells cares, which is why he has championed Tregoning’s idealistic and futuristic ventures. Tregoning has been a leading force for “smart growth” and urban planning for decades. Mayor Vince Gray inherited her from Adrian Fenty and was smart enough to support her. Under Tregoning, the nation’s capital is a leading city on energy use, green buildings, community growth and alternative ways to get around. We are biking, using buses, walking, ditching cars. Thanks Harriet, among others.
— Safety: Sometimes numbers do talk and mean something. If D.C. ends 2011 with fewer than 110 homicides, that means we are relatively more safe, though no killing is acceptable. Kudos to the cops, Chief Cathy Lanier, to the prosecutors and the judges. Bad guys are getting caught and doing hard time. I report this with reservations, since overall crime in the District was up last year, we suffered a violent wavelet in the past month, and the juvenile crime system still allows hoodlums to run wild and kill at whim. Crime is far too prevalent in black neighborhoods east of Rock Creek and the Anacostia River.
Still, we can celebrate the falling homicide numbers.
— Education: Children in the District have a better chance of emerging from school with strong basic skills. I say that with thanks to our growing, dare I say thriving, charter schools, bent on teaching kids from tough homes. School Chancellor Kaya Henderson is continuing the hard work of reform, classroom by classroom. She will need our support in 2012: Look for a year of tumult and school closings.
— Health: In 2012 there was good news to report on the HIV/AIDS war, and community health centers continued to bring care to neighborhoods with few doctors. The opening of Mary’s Center on Georgia Avenue last spring will bring dentists, doctors and nurses to more than 10,000 who have had none.
— Registration Blues: The hassles of dealing with the DMV continue to dissipate. Need a license, tags, permits? Thanks to DMV Director Lucinda Babers, also a Fenty holdover, lines are short and clerks are helpful. What a relief!
We don’t hear much about City Administrator Allen Lew, which means he deserves credit for keeping the government serving us well.
Back to complaining: What’s taking U.S. Attorney Ron Machen so long to indict our pols — or not?
Harry Jaffe’s column appears on Tuesday and Friday. He can be contacted at [email protected].
