Marion Barry in no danger of losing Ward 8 seat Re: “Marion Barry says Ward 8 opponent’s efforts ‘misguided,'” Dec. 28
Natalie Williams’ protest against a planned homeless shelter in Anacostia should be lodged against the D.C. Council and the developers responsible for the “gentrification” of the District of Columbia.
If rents were in fact affordable and we did not have foreigners taking the jobs we used to have, half of the present homeless shelters would be empty and we would not need a new shelter in Southeast.
As far as Williams challenging Marion Barry for his Ward 8 council seat, know this: Barry has consistently been a friend to the underdog, the poor and the disenfranchised. Ward 8 is basically populated with such people. Although Williams should drop her bid for Barry’s seat, I thank her for revealing her lack of insight in these matters.
Claudette Bethea
Washington
Insufficient punishment for Wilson Bridge contractor
Re: Man fined $131k for subpar concrete in Wilson Bridge,” Dec. 27
The punishment handed out to Maryland construction manager Santos Rivas by the judge was unbelievably lenient. A $131,000 fine and home detention does not prevent Rivas from orchestrating this same type of shenanigans in the future while he is telecommuting from home.
The seriousness of Rivas’ offense cannot be taken too lightly. Ambulatory and fire services, tractor-trailers, law enforcement and the general public are dependent on this bridge 24/7. There should not be even the slightness possibility that the bridge was built with deficient materials.
Rivas should be either barred from any future work or fined more heavily.
Bernard E. Helinski
Baltimore
Voter IDs help prevent voter fraud
Re: “S.C. voter ID law rejected by Justice Department,” Dec. 23
More than five states have enacted voter ID laws within the last year. The Department of Justice is currently challenging the constitutionality of these laws for supposedly disenfranchising certain groups.
However, if individuals have to present valid, state-issued ID to make purchases and consume alcohol, they should also be required to do so for one of the important responsibilities citizens have. Presenting ID can also avert mistaken identity, especially in cases where felons have the same name as voters.
The overarching concern is that the election process eliminate fraud and promote parity. Voter IDs will help prevent elections in which candidates won tight races on slight margins because Lazarus mysteriously rose from the dead and voted.
Kurt Kleier
Oakland, Calif.
