Dear Ms. Padou and Ward 5 Residents:

The Brookland Heartbeat's coverage of my representation of Ward 5 routinely lacks objectivity and distorts the facts. The salacious titles of its articles are indicative of an unbalanced and biased reporting style. Ms. Padou's holding both the positions of writer and editor of the newsletter could be considered questionable journalism as it eliminates the opportunity for checks and balances in reporting. 

The July/August 2008 article "Few Gains for Ward 5 in 2009 budget-Funding Elusive for Improvements to Local Libraries, Parks, and Recreation Centers" is an excellent example of the newsletter's biased reporting. The article suggests that I am not taking care of Ward 5 because I have not disrupted the queque of DCLS or DPR capital construction projects to benefit Ward 5 at the expense of other Wards. As chair of the Council's Committee on Libraries, Parks, and Recreation, my fiscal duty and oversight responsibility is to ensure that District dollars are spent prudently and appropriately. Disrupting and delaying planned projects runs counter to this mandate and ignores the time needed to design and reach neighborhood consensus on large, publicly funded construction projects.

The July/August article also fails to note that I have ensured that Ward 5's libraries and recreation facilities are scheduled and funded for replacement, repair, or renovation. Ward 5 has 10 recreation-based facilities and three school-based facilities, for a total of 13 centers. Of the current inventory, four are new facilities completed in the past eight years. Five facilities are slated for concept and design in FY09, which will lead to major renovation and/or replacement in upcoming years. Upgrades to two more Ward 5 recreation facilities are projected for inclusion in the FY10 Capital Budget. I have secured more than $20 million to improve Ward 5's two branch libraries-Lamond-Riggs and Woodridge. I have also sought to relocate the collection, staff, and functions of the Langston kiosk into the Charles Young Elementary School. 

I request that the Brookland Heartbeat publish and distribute a retraction to its readers. In addition, Long and Foster will be held accountable for its role in underwriting the Brookland Heartbeat, as well as the businesses that support the publication.

In service I remain,