Some news stories from the past week involving Chairman Mendelson:

DC, Akridge ‘Very Far Apart’ on DC United Stadium Land Price – “My own view of it is that it’s fine to try and negotiate,” D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said Monday. “Based on the last conversation that I had with Akridge, I think where they are in the negotiation and where we are, or should be, in the negotiation are very far apart. And as I indicated to representatives of Akridge, this is a business transaction. We should pay fair market value.”  [Washington Business Journal]

Progressive Causes Dominate in Debut of New DC Council – DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, 62, introduced a measure supported by the National Organization for Women that would allow women to obtain a year’s supply of birth control in a single prescription. Mendelson said the legislation “makes the use of contraceptives more likely because women who are unable to access birth control often forgo birth control all together.”  [The Washington Post]

Neighbors, Lawmakers Losing Faith in DDOT – DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson told us he’s even had trouble getting answers from DDOT. “In my view, you can’t script it better for creating distrust and encouraging conspiracy theories.  Mendelson pointed to recent council hearings where DDOT witnesses refused to answer questions. “I remember being annoyed enough and saying I don’t understand why there’s a gag order,” Mendelson told the I-Team.  [NBC 4]

DC Council Chair: No Committee, No Problem for Economic Development – That there is no longer a D.C. Council committee devoted to economic development does not mean economic development is any less of a priority for District lawmakers, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said Thursday.  “The fact that there was a committee does not necessarily mean the proper attention was given,” he said.  [Washington Business Journal]

DC Lawmakers Want Rail Safety Office – Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, however, thinks these chemical shouldn’t move through the city at all. “It does not have to come through here,” he told the I-Team. “It’s not that complicated. Just reroute that hazardous material which has an evacuation area that includes the capitol.”  [NBC 4]