Inside D.C.
D.C. Headlines
Howard University Cancer Center Announces New Effort
WASHINGTON (Nov. 19) -- Howard University today announced the Roy L. Schneider, M.D., Endowed Chair in Oncology in the university’s College of Medicine. The chair is to attract and recognize distinguished faculty and scholars to the college’s Cancer Center.
Lower Voter Turnout Perplexes Election Officials<br><i>Only 61% of registered voters turned out in D.C.</i>
(November 1, 2008) - Whether it was the wet weather, lack of early voting or voter apathy, board of elections officials in both the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County say they are simply hard-pressed to explain why people didn’t flock to the polls on Nov. 4 in the sweltering numbers they had expected.
Local Leaders, Groups Plan for Obama Transition
(November 19, 2008) - As soon as President George W. Bush departs the White House on Jan. 20 enroute to President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration, a transition involving two trucks will take place on the grounds of the executive mansion: one will unload the former president’s belongings while the other unloads those of the new commander-in chief.
D.C. Waits for Response from Bank in Tax Scam
(November 12, 2008) - The Bank of America has less than 20 days to respond to the lawsuit filed in D.C. Superior Court surrounding the embarrassing tax office scandal in which nearly $50 million was stolen from the city.
D.C. Child, Family Agency Seeks Reforms
(November 12, 2008) - The District’s Child and Family Services Agency, having come under heavy scrutiny before for the manner in which it has been run, has fallen once again under court order to either overhaul its system with a significant reduction of caseloads under investigation -- or face a return to federal receivership.
Pr. George’s Turnout Impressive but, Surprisingly, Not Record-Setting<br><i>Local turnout mirrors national trend</i>
(November 12, 2008) - Prince George’s County residents voted overwhelmingly for Barack Obama for president but the turnout was not history-making, mirroring a national trend in voter turnout that was not as high as expected for the Nov. 4 general election.
The Elderly Have Waited a Long Time for a Black President
(November 5, 2008) - For years as a girl growing up in rural Barnwell, S.C., Annie Mitchell remembers her mother saying that things were going to get better for “colored folks.” But Mitchell said she could never quite figure out what that meant.
Pr. George’s Leaders Support the Purple Line
(November 5, 2008) - Despite facing a $432 billion deficit this fiscal year and a projected $1 billion shortfall in 2010, Maryland officials are optimistic about securing funding for the Purple Line, the proposed transit way that would connect Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
Economic Crunch Impacts the Disabled
(November 5, 2008) - In a time of bank defaults, home foreclosures and tightened credit for America’s middle- and working-class families, advocates say that disabled people are being slammed the hardest.
D.C. At-large Candidates Square off at Forum
(November 1, 2008) -- A beleaguered public schools system, high taxes and Mayor Adrian Fenty's proposed budget cuts were among the issues that made for a lively and often heated debate during a Friday night forum where candidates for two at-large D.C. Council seats sought one last chance to sway voters.
Incorrect D.C. Absentee Ballots Reported
Amid a weekend report that incorrect absentee ballots had surfaced in the District, a spokesperson for the city’s Board of Elections and Ethics said he remains at a loss to determine where the information came from –but that it is also incorrect.
HIV/AIDS Grows Among Teens<br>D.C. Stresses More Education, Treatment to Eradicate Disease
The continued spread of HIV and AIDS among teens in the nation’s capital has sent officials on a campaign to provide more education in hopes of eradicating the problem altogether.
Despite Moratorium, Some Taxi Drivers Fear Competition<br>Taxi Commission Halts Adding New Drivers and Firms
The anger of many of the District’s cab drivers has been sparked -- again. Nearly six months after having sparred – and lost -- with the city over its switch from fares based on zones and meters, the District’s 8,500 cabbies could now face some much unwanted competition.
Candidates Set for Two At-large Council Seats
As Sens. Barak Obama and John McCain vie in the presidential race this final week before Election Day, candidates poised for two At-large Council seats contend that despite the recent national meltdown, D.C.’s local economy remains in good shape.
District Set to Reform Foster, Adoptive Care<br>Efforts follow chilling stories of neglect and deaths.
The discovery last month of a 7-year-old girl wandering along a Calvert County dirt road and who told authorities she had been beaten by her adoptive mother, has spawned efforts at reform surrounding how children in the District of Columbia are subjected to foster care and adoptive care.
INSIDE AFRO
AFRO Washington, D.C. Breaking News
Last Updated Nov 2008


Fenty Shuts Down Three Used Car Dealerships
Thousands in fines owed, illicit activities alleged


Mayor Adrian Fenty (Courtesy Photo)



Dorothy Rowley
By AFRO Staff Writer

(November 19, 2008) - Mayor Adrian Fenty recently shut down three Northeast used car dealerships that owe thousands of dollars in fines after being stripped of their dealership registration status this past summer.

The closed dealerships that had their business license suspended were Excellence Motors Inc., 1000 Bladensburg Rd, N.E.; Solomon Motors, 1036 Bladensburg Rd, N.E.; and Star Auto Sales Inc., 2919 Rhode Island Ave, N.E.

The city’s Department of Motor Vehicles had revoked the dealership registrations of the three businesses in June after they failed to pay a combined $30,700 in fines for not maintaining proper insurance on vehicles using the DMV dealer tags issued to their dealership.

Despite multiple opportunities to comply, the dealerships’ owners failed to appear at hearings or meet the terms of a negotiated payment plan with the District. The suspensions are effective immediately. Fenty said the city will move to revoke their licenses indefinitely.

“We cannot allow these businesses to continue to operate one more day,” said Fenty. “They have snubbed their nose at city officials and operated illegally for months. We will not tolerate this activity, which puts the residents of the District of Columbia at risk.”

Fenty also announced an immediate citywide sweep of more than 100 used car dealerships across four main corridors in three wards, including Georgia Avenue, Bladensburg Road, Benning Road and Rhode Island Avenue.

City officials from 10 District agencies will investigate each location for environmental hazards, business and tax records, insurance and registration documents and condition of the properties.

Many of the targeted locations, which were also served with notices, have been the scene of violent crime, illegal activity and questionable business practices, according to city records. There are more than 200 used car dealerships in the District.

“We want to know that these businesses are operating legally and maintaining their properties,” Nickles said in a statement. “If they are, they should not be concerned. If they are not operating legally, then we will use all of our resources to ensure they are no longer doing business in the District of Columbia.”

The three businesses closed last week will have the opportunity to request a hearing on the suspension and revocation with the city’s Office of Administrative Hearings. The dealerships were required to remove all of their motor vehicles from these properties by Nov. 8, or the city threatened to tow them and possibly seek criminal prosecution.

The administration is also considering proposing legislation and zoning amendments that would limit the number and size of dealerships in the city.

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