Hatchard is probably best known as the voice behind the blog District Curmudgeon. He’s a Pennsylvania native and has live in Washington for six years. Somehow, he balances his blogging with a day job and a life to keep his readers informed on topics ranging from tree maintenance issues to the history of traffic circles.
How do you find the time?
Usually after work, household chores, community meetings, hanging out with friends, and finding food, I write in the dead of night, depriving myself of a decent night’s sleep. Luckily, things get cross-posted, so it’s possible to write for two blogs while only writing one story.
What keeps you going?
Support from friends — especially my girlfriend/co-blogger/editor — and the ability to convince people to see an issue from my point of view, make writing worthwhile.
What sparked your interest in blogging about D.C.?
I felt like I had opinions that I wanted to share and I didn’t want them to be filtered through someone else’s medium.
What District issues are most important to you and why?
The most important issues in D.C. to me are competent municipal governance, seeing positive growth that encourages more people to come back to the city and helps those already here, and good schools, because without them, everything else happening in the District just makes it a glorified amusement park.
What’s your least favorite thing about D.C.?
How about drivers who don’t follow the speed limit and make it dangerous to be a cyclist or a pedestrian.
What’s your favorite thing about D.C.?
My favorite thing about D.C. is that it’s really a city of neighborhoods. It’s easy to get to know people and feel like you’re connected pretty quickly. It’s the smallest big city — or the biggest small town — I’ve ever lived in.
— Freeman Klopott
