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Thumbs up, thumbs down: Chris Core rates 2016’s winners and losers

Chris Core | ccore@wtop.com

December 28, 2016, 5:09 AM

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COUNCIL.JPG
Thumbs down:  The D.C. Council, which in just one year managed to run off Wal-Mart, raise the minimum wage to a noncompetitive rate and figured out how to tax D.C. businesses so that people who live in Virginia and Maryland will get lots and lots of paid leave. Can’t wait to see what 2017 brings! (WTOP)
WTOP
Pepco's massive new vehicle will help coordinate response to summer storms. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)
Thumbs up: Pepco got its act together. Seriously, notice how we don’t lose power anymore when the wind kicks up to, say, 5 mph? (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)
WTOP/Nick Iannelli
metrorail metro 7000 series
Thumbs down: All local jurisdictions who once again failed to figure out a way to give Metro a dedicated funding source like every other transportation system in the world! (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
WTOP/Dave Dildine
Metro GM Paul Wiedefeld wants to cut late-night Metro service even after the track work is done, but the DC Council has other ideas. (AP Photo/Ben Nuckols)
Thumbs up: Metro. This might seem illogical considering all the issues with the system this year, but, at last, the new general manager, Paul Wiedefeld, is actually addressing the problems (painful as it is) instead of just slapping on a Band-Aid, as has happened for years in the past. (AP Photo/Ben Nuckols)
AP Photo/Ben Nuckols
Thumbs down: Donald Trump for being a sore winner. For heaven’s sake, you won. You get to be president. Shut up about the popular vote already. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File
The MGM National Harbor opened in December 2016. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
Thumbs up: Prince George’s County. For years Montgomery’s inferior little brother, the county is now the hot destination choice, with its glamorous National Harbor complex and new casino. Take that, Bethesda! (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
WTOP/Kathy Stewart
Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper slides on the field after he caught a fly ball by Miami Marlins' J.T. Realmuto for an out during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Thumbs down: The Nats and Caps for once again folding early in their playoff runs. And the Redskins and the Wizards for being … well … the Redskins and the Wizards (sigh). (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Thumbs up: The U.S. Supreme Court for throwing out the conviction of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. Seriously, you Virginia taxpayers want to pay to incarcerate this guy? What he did was boneheaded, but probably not illegal. His career is toast anyway. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
AP Photo/Steve Helber
University of Maryland head basketball coach Charles "Lefty" Driesell shouts encouragement to his team as they clash with Duke University at College Park, Md., Feb. 2, 1974. (AP Photo/William Smith)
Thumbs down: The University of Maryland for taking so long to honor former basketball coach Lefty Driesell. All the man did in his 17 years in College Park was to take a pretty pathetic program and turn it into “the UCLA of the East.” The Terps will finally hang a banner in his honor in February. (AP Photo/William Smith)
AP Photo/William Smith
Voter turnout was down slightly for the presidential election.(WTOP/Kate Ryan)
Thumbs up: The voters of Montgomery County who approved the latest “Ficker Amendment.” This one imposes term limits on the county executive and members of the county council. Imagine: George Leventhal will have to get a real job. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
Thumbs down: Volkswagen. Seriously, guys? After years and years of bragging about your clean diesel engines, it turns out you were cheating? What? Is Lance Armstrong one of your engineers? (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, file)
AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, file
Gold-medal swimmer Katie Ledecky speaks to WTOP live on Monday, Aug. 29, 2016 about her exeperiences in Rio and what new goals she'll set for herself as she heads off to Stanford University this fall. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
Thumbs up: Katie Ledecky. Don’t need to say more. She makes her sport, her hometown and her country proud. And she can run for president in just 16 years. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
Thumbs down: Congress, for managing to go another year without addressing any of the major issues facing our country. Apparently squabbling with each other like spoiled brats is more satisfying. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Thumbs up: The stock market. Its latest run-up has given some of us hope that maybe we will be able to retire sometime. In the future. Waaay in the future, but still. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
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COUNCIL.JPG
Pepco's massive new vehicle will help coordinate response to summer storms. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)
metrorail metro 7000 series
Metro GM Paul Wiedefeld wants to cut late-night Metro service even after the track work is done, but the DC Council has other ideas. (AP Photo/Ben Nuckols)
The MGM National Harbor opened in December 2016. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper slides on the field after he caught a fly ball by Miami Marlins' J.T. Realmuto for an out during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
University of Maryland head basketball coach Charles "Lefty" Driesell shouts encouragement to his team as they clash with Duke University at College Park, Md., Feb. 2, 1974. (AP Photo/William Smith)
Voter turnout was down slightly for the presidential election.(WTOP/Kate Ryan)
Gold-medal swimmer Katie Ledecky speaks to WTOP live on Monday, Aug. 29, 2016 about her exeperiences in Rio and what new goals she'll set for herself as she heads off to Stanford University this fall. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

WASHINGTON — From Metro’s funding woes to local Olympian Katie Ledecky’s triumph, WTOP commentator Chris Core weighs in on the year’s biggest successes and stumbles.

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