Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Headline Article Date: Fri, 6 Nov 92 11:28:29 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN;LOCAL ROUNDUP;DISTRICT S=NEW STORY Foreigners get a look at local democracy Representatives from countries as far away as Mozambique, Venezuela and Russia got their first look at American-style elections in the District on Tuesday. Many of the countries have either recently moved to multiparty political systems or are planning such moves in the future. Tours to District polling places provided the more than 200 officials, which included ambassadors and journalists, with specific details on setting up elections, including how balloting is done and votes are counted. The visitors gasped when told the city uses a machine that can count as many as 1,000 ballots per minute. Most of them were only familiar with counting by hand. S=NEW STORY City argues against judge's rulings The District government yesterday argued that a judge erred when he ruled the city violated state and federal statutes and constitutional rights regarding its child welfare system. The ruling by Judge Thomas Hogan last year prompted the District to overhaul its foster care and protective service programs. The overhaul is being monitored by the federal court. The original lawsuit in the case was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which charged that city children were being denied their constitutional rights and the city's programs violated federal and state statutes. In an oral hearing before the three-judge U.S. Court of Appeals, the District claimed Judge Thomas Hogan "was in error on the constitutional issues" by not allowing the case to be heard in family court. The ACLU argued that there is ample evidence supporting Judge Hogan's original decision, and urged the appeals court to affirm and uphold the District Court decision, said Marcia Lowry, of the ACLU. S=NEW STORY City earmarks funds for crime victims Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly said yesterday that $443,000 in federal funds and $250,000 in city funds have been appropriated to aid crime victims. The program will provide compensation and emergency support services for persons seriously injured during criminal assaults. The Victims Assistance Program will be operated by the Department of Human Services and will offer counseling, support-group referrals, crisis intervention, family therapy, emergency housing and transportation. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM