Washington Prepares for Change

Sun, November 02, 2008 - 10:29 PM

The long trailer trucks rolled in Saturday afternoon hauling a dozen jersey barriers at a time. Crews began dropping the concrete blockades right along a place where I regularly walk my dog here in Washington.

At first I thought it was a short-term security precaution for a weekend event, but I just learned why a building near my home is being guarded apparently around the clock by U.S. Secret Service. This location is set to house the presidential transition team for whichever candidate wins Tuesday's national election, according to a guard.

Within the perimeter are a couple fast food restaurants and the tiny spot of land I affectionately refer to as Potty Park. At least one block of traffic is now closed off as is one lane of another four-lane street where the blockades trace the building, creating a buffer zone around the transition office. Soon, inside a new administration will begin its process of hiring staff and establishing new executive leadership for the nation.

Here's hoping the new neighbors are nice.

--Neil Simon