Comments for Rhode Island Insider

Comment on You can testify in favor of economic development on Rhode Island Avenue NE by Tom

Tom — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:12:25 +0000

These incessant and illegal postings are put up in Michigan Park as well, particularly along South Dakota and Michigan Avenues. As soon as they go up, I take them down, as the visual clutter and potential for litter makes me absolutely crazy.

I also call and speak with the proprietors, politely noting that they are illegal and that the fine is $35 per first posting and $75 per subsequent postings. I ask them not to waste my time as well as their time and money by not posting. Generally, I receive equally polite and positive reactions (particularly from Hispanic tow truck operators), although the black lawyer in Beltsville who was putting “stop foreclosure” signs in the ground did hang up on me. His signs no longer mar our neighborhood, however!

Are you letting the signs stay up? Unfortunately, MPD has far more pressing matters. Why don’t you remove them yourself instead of simply whining about it? It’s therapeutic, and will eliminate the appalling visual clutter and litter in your neighborhood!

Tom in Michigan Park

Comment on You can testify in favor of economic development on Rhode Island Avenue NE by FrankTS

FrankTS — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:39:09 +0000

“Increase police presence to reduce … illegal sign-posting.”

These signs are put up in Brookland weekly, and multiple residents complain to the district just as often. Once a week, someone vandalizes our entire community, AND LEAVES BEHIND A CONTACT NUMBER. If the police can’t figure out a way to stop that, they are either extraordinarily inept or they don’t think our community is worth protecting. I don’t think they are inept.

Comment on You can testify in favor of economic development on Rhode Island Avenue NE by Nolan

Nolan — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:46:31 +0000

It’s not just bars… how weathered is the awning? what’s in the windows — something attractive or the backside of a box? And is the inside inviting or worn?

Art Enables has a metal roll-down door, but what incentive do they have to make it look nice? So it catches the wrong eye when everyone can see the business is empty?

This has to be the origin of the phrase “this is why we can’t have nice things” (or in our case “….yet!”)

Comment on You can testify in favor of economic development on Rhode Island Avenue NE by Woodie

Woodie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:24:07 +0000

I don’t understand this: “Certain RIA business owners report that they won’t improve their facades out of a fear that a spiffy storefront indicates to thugs that the business has money, which will increase robberies.”

Both Lace and Flip-it have facades that are not barred. Lace used to block its facade, but then renovated it. Carl’s had bars, and removed those a few years back. Art Enables doesn’t have bars. The buildings Menkiti got from Booker on the RIA mainstreet don’t have bars either. Have any of these businesses experienced an increase in robberies? The 7-Eleven is just a target for robbers, no matter where they are located. Nearly all the 7-Eleven’s in Ward 5 were robbed within a one week period.

The business owners need to improve the interior of their stores, as well. I remember before the liquor store near Lace went out of business he had plans involving an architect for facade improvement for the main street businesses and plans to improve the interior of the liquor store.

Comment on Kenyan McDuffie by Kenyan McDuffie Responds to Rhode Island Avenue Questionnaire | Kenyan McDuffie for Ward 5 Council

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:16:48 +0000

[...] McDuffie has responded to the Rhode Island Avenue Insider Questionnaire, discussing the importance of the Rhode Island Avenue corridor. This entry was posted in [...]

Comment on Cap City Diner…The Elephant in the Room by Sara

Sara — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:11:40 +0000

There is nothing to disagree with. I was stating that it wasn’t the purpose of the article. I wrote it, so therefore I should know. I don’t mind the conversation evolving, but I wanted to point out that the purpose was not to solicit feedback on an establishment that no longer exists to help move beyond a strict conversation on our feelings about the Diner.

Comment on Cap City Diner…The Elephant in the Room by Ms. D

Ms. D — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:33:23 +0000

Mostly to IMGoph here, but to the general point as well, that supply chain, big-ticket advertising and name recognition, and other benefits of being a national chain – franchised or not – allows Denny’s to keep its prices low. Low prices are good for consumers, but the servers receive lower tips, profit margins are regulated and thin so all staff is bare-bones and poorly paid, and global supply chains increase “efficiency” all up the line giving money to corporate agribusiness over local growers, national trucking companies rather than owner-ops, etc.

Comment on Cap City Diner…The Elephant in the Room by Woodie

Woodie — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:36:31 +0000

I totally disagree with the Author’s edit that: “readers have taken this as an opportunity to vent things they did not care for about the Diner, which is not really the purpose of the article.” Why is the truth so painful? We are just letting you know what we have experienced. Why can’t merchants take this information and learn from it to improve their products and services? I like MisterWeederson’s response: “… it sucked.” If Cap City retools and reopens, so much the better, just follow our advice. Ditto, for other RIA businesses.

Comment on Cap City Diner…The Elephant in the Room by MisterWeederson

MisterWeederson — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:22:15 +0000

Until you start eating at some of the places we already have, nothing more will come. And if your diet consists mainly of places like Five Guys, you might be interested in the new health center that just opened on RIA.

Comment on Cap City Diner…The Elephant in the Room by MisterWeederson

MisterWeederson — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:20:29 +0000

Woodie, the liquor store that closed SUCKED. I have a larger selection of wine in my basement than he did, the store was totally ugly, and he didn’t even take down the bullet-proof glass….not exactly welcoming. And yes, he did inundate us, OVER and OVER and OVER again with his wine tastings, which I went to once, and it was like a $9 bottle of wine he was serving.