Stronghold Civic Assn's McMillan concerns; ANC 5C Chair Edwards' response

From ANC 5C07 Commissioner James Fournier:

I`d like to forward for community input the attached letter from the Stronghold Civic Association concerning the proposed McMillan development plans and ANC 5C Chairman Ronnie Edwards` incredible response.

As we all know, there is an important public McMillan Advisory Group meeting this Saturday at The Summit from 2pm-5pm. Commissioner Edwards` response to Stronghold`s concerns, attached below, highlights the importance of attending this meeting.

Without putting too fine a point on it, ANC 5C`s response to the Stronghold Civic Association`s concerns are dismissive and purposefully coerce a ``get in line for your medicine`` response. Yet none - none - of the constituents with whom I`ve spoken support the current proposed development. As the Commissioner in charge of the McMillan site, I have always thought of myself, along with the other Bloomingdale ANC Commissioners, as merely an emissary of constituents` concerns. To be told by the Chair of our ANC that the ANC will vote on development plans regardless of the deep seated concerns of those most affected by the development is very troubling - from both a neighborhood and District-wide perspective. I cannot agree with it.

This Saturday`s meeting at the Summit will discuss some of the first principle problems with the current development plans, including:

(i) the lack of any credible transportation plan to accommodate the high density traffic associated with high rise medical offices, residential properties, and above ground retail malls;

(ii) that the sole stormwater run-off plan solicited by the District states that the well-known flooding occurring throughout Bloomingdale since the 19301s will not worsen under the District`s current plan to pave over McMillan - although DC Water has already conceded that Bloomingdale`s current flooding problems will not diminish for approximately 20 years;

(iii) that there has never been an RFP for the vertical development of McMillan;

(iv) that the current proposed ``developers`` of McMillan are only consultants desperate to become the actual developers following transactions under former Councilman Harry Thomas, Jr.;

Nobody needs to be an engineer to understand that proposing massive, high density development on a 25 acre vacant lot will so increase traffic and flooding throughout Bloomingdale so that the current, non-competiveltle bid plan is unworkable.

Let`s talk at the Summit on Saturday.

LETTER FROM STRONGHOLD CIVIC ASSOCIATION TO ANC 5C

From: Stronghold Civic Association
To: ANC 5C Chairman
April 2 2012
Subj: Stronghold Community Association does not support the currently proposed Vision McMillan

Partners plan for development of McMillan Park

The Stronghold Civic Association (SCA) earlier respectfully requested your assistance to delay the March 22 2012 scheduled presentation by the firm Vision McMillan Partners (VMP) to the DC Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) of their master development plan, for reasons stated in that letter to you (a copy of which is attached). We thank you for doing so. We understand that the VMP presentation to the HPRB is now scheduled for April 26 2012.

We understand that ANC 5C will meet again to discuss community support (or lack thereof) for the VMP development plan on April 17th. The Stronghold Community Association does not support the current VMP development plan, based on our knowledge of it, or the undue haste or rather irregular procedures used in promotion of this plan. Proposed ten-story buildings in one corner of the site and destruction of much of the park are two particularly strongly felt issues.

The Stronghold Civic Association still feels that we are being pushed to make a decision on a development plan that we do not support, and question the need for such an urgent decision.We have no sitting Ward 5 Councilmember to appeal to, and while we have conferred closely with our own ANC 5C07, who supports our position, there is no sitting ANC 5C04 representing most of our Bloomingdale neighbors.We are aware that neighboring ANCs 5C03, 5C05, and 1B10 share our position on these matters.

We understand that ANC 5C will meet to gather community input on the proposed McMillan development on April 17 2012.The Stronghold community position on this matter remains unchanged from our previous correspondence with you: there is no support for the current VMP plan in the SCA.

In view of the above, SCA cannot support the currently proposed VMP plan for the development of McMillan Park as it is understood, and respectfully requests that you acknowledge this as the Stronghold Community Association position. We would consider further review of this proposed development and process, but the SCA will not meet again until May 7, after the April 17 2012 ANC 5C meeting.

Thank you.

RESPONSE FROM ANC 5C CHAIRMAN RONNIE EDWARDS,

Good Morning,

Thanks very much for your email/letter. I look forward to recieving it once you have accurate information from which to respond. Please know that I appreciate your candor and really look forward to working with you guys to develop a reasonable approach to dealing with the proposed development at McMillan.

Also, please note that - once again - the City has moved the HPRB Hearing Date to May 24, 2012 - which gives us a little more time to consider the application. This was discussed at the MAG meeting last week - unfortunately those in attendance chose not to inform you.

Finally - ANC 5C looks forward to and will acknowledge the position of any and all ANCs/Civic Associations with regards to McMillan. However - at the end of the day - the final decision will be made by a majority of the Commissioners and hopefully with the input of the constituents they represent.

As I discussed at the last MAG meeting - the decision on this will not be unanimous. We must all accept that. It is very unfortunate - and quite frankly - deceptive to try to insinuate that this process is being rushed. After 40 or more years of discussing and re-discussing the proposed development of McMillan - with the full support of our former Councilmember, who was pushing for development - the City has initiated the process to move forward by filing the HPRB Application. Once that happened, its normal that there is a timeline for responding. That's not unique or in anyway different. Its the process.

The fact that 1, 2 or 3 ANCs out of 12 oppose the process - again - nothing unique about that. At the end of the day - because of the process - we will all come together and vote on the application and the majority will prevail. What's unique is that those who are opposed are trying to intimidate everyone else from proceeding.

I am so sorry that you guys feel that way and want to play the game that way - but unless the City withdraws the application - as Chair of ANC 5C I must continue recieving full community input so that we can make an informed decision.

I know that there are those who just want a park over there. But unfortunately, many of us who have been around here for a long time - we want more. We would like to see the area developed and put to a better use for ALL OF US - NOT JUST SOME OF US. Don`t let those who are fighting for a park - with no money - hold you and the entire Ward hostage.

If you guys are really honest - we have a little more time (until May15/22) - and I trust that you will use it to sincerely critique the HPRB Application before us and offer some substantiave comments.

ANC 5C meet-and-greet -- Saturday, 1/1/2011 at Rustik

See this 12/28/2010 message from ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti and ANC 5C07 Commissioner-Elect James Fournier:

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C

Invites You to Meet and Greet all the Commissioners for the 2011-2012 Term at a New Year`s Celebration

Rustik Tavern
84 T Street N.W.
Washington, DC

Saturday January 1, 2010
8:00 pm -- 10:00 pm

And thanks to Rustik`s owner, Diton Pashaj, for encouraging and hosting this community-building event!

2010 ANC 5C commissioner election results; a thank-you from Barrie Daneker

straight from the DC BOEE website:
http://www.dcboee.org/election_info/election_results/general_election_results/2010

So for the three ANC 5C single member districts (SMDs) that represent Bloomingdale -- ANC 5C03, ANC 5C04 and ANC 5C07 -- the reported victors in each race are:

5C03 - Hugh Youngblood
5C04 - John Salatti
5C07 - James Fournier


ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C01
Bradley Ashton Thomas 294 66.52%
Kimberly Tignor 138 31.22%
WRITE-IN 10 2.26%
Total 442 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C02
Joyce Robinson-Paul 109 29.62%
Sylvia Pinkney 248 67.39%
WRITE-IN 11 2.99%
Total 368 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C03
W. Hugh Youngblood 415 92.02%
WRITE-IN 36 7.98%
Total 451 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C04
John Salatti 582 96.52%
WRITE-IN 21 3.48%
Total 603 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C05
Denise L. Wright 146 47.71%
Timothy (Tim) Clark 149 48.69%
WRITE-IN 11 3.59%
Total 306 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C06
Darin Allen 179 40.87%
Mary Lois Farmer-Allen 238 54.34%
WRITE-IN 21 4.79%
Total 438 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C07
Barrie Daneker 152 36.19%
James J. Fournier 263 62.62%
WRITE-IN 5 1.19%
Total 420 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C08
J. Jioni Palmer 257 80.06%
WRITE-IN 64 19.94%
Total 321 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C09
Silas Grant Jr. 375 95.42%
WRITE-IN 18 4.58%
Total 393 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C10
NO CANDIDATE FILED 0 0.00%
WRITE-IN 5 100.00%
Total 5 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C11
Ronnie Edwards 174 98.31%
WRITE-IN 3 1.69%
Total 177 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C12
Albrette (Gigi) Ransom 209 55.88%
Derrick O. Holloway 160 42.78%
WRITE-IN 5 1.34%
Total 374 100.00%


A Thank You From Barrie Daneker

From Bloomingdale resident and ANC 5C07 Commissioner Barrie Daneker:

I want to thank all those who supported my re-elect bid for ANC 5C07! Your support over the past 4 years has been warmly felt! I`d like to take this opportunity to Congratulate Mr. Fournier! I extend my best wishes that his leadership, representation and most importantly his vote will speak for the majority of residents of 5C07, while protecting the interests of those in our community who are in the minority.

It`s time to ensure outside special interest groups and their agendas are not pushed forward as Ward 5 develops changes and grows, but rather promote prosperity, progress and putting people first! Congrats again to Mr. Fournier, best wishes!

Barrie Daneker
Commissioner 5C07
Financial Sec. ANC 5C
202- 986- 8781

James Fournier responds to 10/15/2010 Washington Blade article

Candidate for ANC 5C07 commissioner in the November 2010 primary election James Fournier asked to have this Email thread posted on the blog:

From: James Fournier
Date: October 16, 2010 10:13:00 AM EDT
Subject: Letter to the editors concerning inaccurate facts in ``Gay incumbents face opposition in ANC races``

Oct 15, 2010 05:46:18 PM, james.fournier wrote:

===========================================

Dear Mr. Chibarro and editorial staff:

The October 14, 2010 electronic edition of the Blade published a piece entitled ``Gay incumbents face opposition in ANC races``.

In the piece, reporter Lou Chibbaro states that:

``In Ward 5, gay incumbent Barrie Daneker, who represents SMD 5C07 in the city`s Bloomingdale neighborhood, is facing a challenge from attorney James Fournier. Fournier states on his campaign website that Daneker didn`t adequately reach out to his constituents over a controversial liquor license application in the district and has not adequately handled a controversial proposal to develop the site of the city`s former water filtration plant near North Capital Street and Michigan Avenue.

Daneker said he has a two-term record of working closely with constituents and soliciting their views on a wide range of issues, including the water filtration site and the liquor license flap. He told members of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club Monday night his outspoken support for the city`s same-sex marriage equality law was controversial in a ward where many residents strongly opposed the law.

Ward 5 Council member Harry Thomas Jr., who angered many of his constituents by voting for the marriage bill, endorsed Daneker`s ANC re-election bid. Thomas won the Democratic nomination for his own seat by winning the primary in September by a comfortable margin despite organized opposition led by same-sex marriage opponents.

Daneker said some of that same opposition may be seeking to oust him from office in the ANC race.

Fournier could not be immediately reached.`` (emphasis added).

I have never been contacted by anyone from the Blade for comment on any story - ever.

Second, I wholly support gay marriage, which the Blade would have known had it bothered to contact me. Third, I grew up in Northern California and lived in Berkeley, San Francisco, New York City and Washington, D.C. and probably have more gay friends than straight ones and have been to my several gay unions over the years – another fact that would have been pointed out had the Blade bothered to contact me.

The Blade also would have known this if it had bothered to read the brief biography posted on my website. Mr. Chibarro inaccurately refers to my website, yet manages not to cite it, not to quote it, and fails to even present the website address.

There is not much of a connection between ones sexuality and whether you are a decent ANC Commissioner (or if there is it escapes me). The issues that people actually care about in SMD 5C07 are listed on my website at www.jamesjfournier.com and certainly are not limited to the issues referenced in Mr. Chibbaro`s piece.

The Blade`s piece is inaccurate and poor journalism. Commissioner Daneker`s comments reflect a transparently desperate effort for public sympathy three weeks prior to an election after four years of grandstanding and failing to grasp the fundamentals of what it means to be a good ANC Commissioner.

James Fournier

candidate for ANC 5C07 in November: Barrie Daneker

See this message from ANC 5C07 Commissioner and Bloomingdale resident Barrie Daneker:

RE-ELECT

BARRIE DANEKER
ANC Commissioner 5C07
Prosperity, Progress and Putting People First

Endorsed By:

Harry “Tommy” Thomas Jr., Councilman Ward 5
Mark Jones, Ward 5 School Board Member
Anita Bonds, Chair DCDSC and ANC 5C
Ronnie Edwards, Vice Chair ANC 5C
Mary Farmer-Allen, Commissioner 5C06
Denise Wright, Commissioner 5C05
Marshall Philips, Commissioner 5C08
Silas Grant, Commissioner 5C09
Timothy Day, Commissioner 5C10 &
Republican Candidate Ward 5 Council
Fred Allen, DCDSC Member and DC Union Leader


I’m excited to be seeking election to the ANC representing Stronghold, Bloomingdale, and Park Place communities. Together we have made great progress in many areas of our community: new alleys and curbs; fostering excellent communications with MPD over crime; Inter-generational Education Development Center in Franklin Place; to improvements at Washington Hospital Center.

My efforts with the Mayor resulted in all 5C07 city owned vacant properties being auctioned off , now rehabilitated and new families moving into those homes. With the support of active community members, CM Thomas, and I; we have had walkthroughs the neighborhood to point out issues for DOT, MPD, and DPW that needed attention. We have seen great results on a great many of those issues. By fostering relationships and communications with Howard U and Catholic U, we have seen great successes in reducing noise and public nuisance issues. With the help of the CAC along with Cmd. Green of MPD, there has been attention given to areas of the community with respect to drug related, auto-theft and home evasion crimes. The institution of the Visitor Parking Pass Program has also been a great success.

Let’s not lose site, the McMillan Sand Filtration development project which was acquired 30 years ago and has been revived again. I have spent the past 3 years working with other members of the McMillan Advisory Group, CM Thomas, Office of Economic Development, and VMP Partners, to help shape this site plan and to keep this project on track. The signs of progress are just now starting to show with the opening of Rustic Tavern and the soon to open Boundary Stone in Bloomingdale Center. My voting record attests to the support for local small businesses. My background in affordable housing and financial services along with my expert contacts in the areas of architecture, architectural preservation, water filtration and engineering have been a great asset to the shaping of the McMillan development.

If you desire a fair, equitable and balanced plan for McMillan and a Commissioner who represents the major interests of the overwhelming majority of our neighbors who have longed for development of McMillan. If you desire a development that provides jobs; integrated independent senior living; affordable work-force housing; service orientated retail meeting the needs and desires of our community; “smart” preservation of McMillan; and good urban planning and design with 1/3 green/public, 1/3 residential, and 1/3 commercial/office space then I ask you to support me November 2nd.

Much more needs to be accomplished, and the work is never done. This year is a very important election to ensure progress keeps moving forward here in DC and the country. I need your support and vote on November 2nd. This election I have an opposition for my seat, and the special interest groups have entered the political arena; out of the gate, the negative attacks have started. As in the past and now, I have stayed away from negative campaigns and prefer to focus on people, issues and continue progress in our community.

Many of my opponent’s supporters have used questionable tactics, threats and lawsuits to stop development of the site and to deny residents the amenities we have long sought in ANC 5C. I have worked hard with DC Economic Development Partnership to help attract first class retail to the area, along with being a strong advocate for reputable local small businesses looking to locate here in Ward 5 and in DC. So don’t let your voice not be heard or drowned out by outside special interest groups, their money. As always, to maintain integrity and transparency in my bid for office; I do not accept campaign contributions from special interest groups, political groups, or even you, my neighbors and voters of SMD 5C07. Let your voice be heard! I ask is for your support and vote on November 2nd, get the VOTE OUT!
Vote Barrie Daneker for ANC 5C07

brdaneker@hotmail.com
202 - 986 - 8781.

candidate for ANC 507 commissioner in November: James Fournier

Dear Neighbors,

My name is James Fournier and I am running against Barrie Daneker to be the Commissioner for ANC 5C-07. I know this position is important to the direction the development for the McMillan Sand Filtration Site and the development of neighborhood businesses, so I wanted to reach out to you and let you know that I am available to talk.

You can read my public statement at my website at www.jamesjfournier.com .

Soon I will be having a couple of meet and greets at supporters` homes. I will be in contact again and I hope that you can come.

I know you all have been working hard to get your voices heard over years. I look forward to working with you and the neighborhood in a positive, respectful, and open way.

I think we have a lot to look forward to.

James

James Fournier
Fournier for ANC 5C-07
james.fournier9@verizon.net