CM Thomas releases draft Ward 5 ANC SMD map; John Salatti: "Bloomingdale remains united"

See this message from ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti.

Note the draft Ward 5 ANC SMD map PDF has been posted over at the Bates Area Civic Association (BACA) blog: http://batesareacivicassociation.org/2011/12/15/the-new-ward-5-anc-smd-map-from-cm-thomas/

BLOOMINGDALE REMAINS UNITED!!!!

Hot off the presses.

I just received a copy from Councilmember Harry Thomas of the revised Ward 5 draft redistricting plan.

I have asked Scott Roberts to post the map of the plan on the Bloomingdale blog.In this draft, which still is subject to comment from the community and to votes from the City Council, Bloomingdale residents have achieved the two goals we have advocated for since October:

(1) All of Bloomingdale from Florida Avenue to Michigan Avenue remains united in a single Advisory Neighborhood Commission!

(2) All Single Member Districts in Bloomingdale (and now throughout the Ward) adhere much more closely to the 2,000-person standard laid out in the Home Rule Charter!

I thank Councilmember Harry Thomas for hearing the voices of Bloomingdale residents. He heard and he acted. We appreciate the many competing concerns he has had to consider and appreciate his willingness to put his imprimatur on a map that really is in the best interest of this community (and many others in Ward 5). I thank Redistricting Subcommittee chairs Councilmembers Michael Brown and Jack Evans and Subcommittee member Councilmember Phil Mendelson for hearing our concerns and working closely with Councilmember Thomas to create a stronger, fairer Ward 5 map. Special kudos go to Michael Brown. I have visited with him and his staff many times in the last two weeks. His door was always open to us. They have always made time to talk about the concerns we have and about the possible alternatives that would uphold the principles of redistricting while carefully addressing the concerns of Bloomingdale residents. I could not ask for more.

I reserve my biggest thanks to you all. Congratulations on your efforts. By testifying, calling, e-mailing, visiting you conveyed the seriousness with which we viewed this issue. You made a difference. You made democracy work. Thank you so much!

But the work isn't done. As I noted, this is the latest draft. It is not law yet. So my ask to you is to contact the Subcommittee and copy Councilmember Thomas:

(1) Please thank them for what they have done to bring us this new map; they have worked hard and made a lot of changes that strengthen Bloomingdale;
(2) Please ask them to enact it into law.

If you have questions about the map or about redistricting generally, please contact me.

Again, Congratulations Bloomingdale!

John
John T. Salatti
Commissioner, ANC 5C04
Vice President, Bloomingdale Civic Association
(202) 986-2592
John.Salatti@gmail.com
"Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale"


....and see Ward 5 resident Geoff Hatchard`s post on the presented draft Ward 5 redistricting map at the Greater Greater Washington blog: http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/13055/thomas-adopts-fair-community-proposal-for-anc-map

Ward 5 redistricting: final redistricting PowerPoint presentation + language corrections document

See this message from the office of Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.

From: "Streeter, Racheal (Council)"
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 4:29 PM
Subject: Redistricting Final Meeting PowerPoint and Language Corrections from OP

Good Afternoon Ward 5,

Attached is the PowerPoint presentation from the final redistricting meeting held 11/14/11 along with the language corrections from The Office of Planning. If you have any questions, feel free to contact The Ward 5 Council Office.

Thank you,

Racheal L. Streeter, Administrative Assistant
Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 107
Washington DC
20004
202-724-8028 (office)
202-724-8076 (fax)
Rstreeter@dccouncil.us

Unfortunately, blogspot cannot accommodate either Powerpoint .ppt files or Word document .doc files, so neither of Ms. Streeter's supplied files are provided here. I am hoping that someone can post these two files somewhere at some public location with links, so that they may be referenced.

final Ward 5 redistricting meeting - Monday, 11-14-2011 -- get the scoop -- what's the new Ward 5 commission map going to look like?

From the office of Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.:

Good Morning Ward 5 Residents,

Our final Redistricting meeting has arrived!

Date: Monday, November 14, 2011
Location: 5th District Police Station
1805 Bladensburg Rd NE
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

If you have any questions, feel free to contact The Ward 5 Council Office at 202-724-8028

Thank you,

Racheal L. Streeter
Administrative Assistant
Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 107
Washington DC 20004
202-724-8028 (office)
202-724-8076 (fax)
Rstreeter@dccouncil.us



_____________________________________________________________
I wanted to amend this post by adding in a photo and link to a map of the proposed
 redistricting. 
-sean.

here is a link to this google map created by Geoffrey

Subcommittee on Redistricting hearing -- Tuesday, 11/29/2011

Passed along by Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.:

Council of the District of Columbia
Committee of the Whole
Subcommittee on Redistricting
Notice of Public Hearing
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

COUNCILMEMBER MICHAEL BROWN,
COUNCIMEMBER JACK EVANS
CO-CHAIRPERSONS
SUBCOMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING

ANNOUNCE A PUBLIC HEARING ON

B19-528, the ``Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Boundaries Act of 2011``.

Councilmember Michael Brown and Councilmember Jack Evans, Co-Chairpersons of the Subcommittee on Redistricting, announce a public hearing on B19-528, the ``Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Boundaries Act of 2011``. The public hearing will be held on November 29, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., in the Council Chamber, Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. Please note that the submitted recommendations of each ward task force are available on the Council website under the Subcommittee on Redistricting tab. This notice has been abbreviated in order to give timely notice to the public.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
Council Chamber, Room 500, John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20004

"CM Thomas submitted Ward 5 redistricting plan to the DC Council one month ago"

From: James Fournier
To:
Cc: John Salatti ; Tim Clark ; Hugh Youngblood ; Brice McCracken ; Geoffrey Hatchard

Sent: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 3:09 PM
Subject: TIme sensitive message re redistricting development

Hear this crucial news bulletin regarding the ongoing Ward 5 redistricting issues from concerned Ward 5 residents, Commissioners Tim Clark, James Fournier, John Salatti, Hugh Youngblood, and Geoff Hatchard and Brice McCracken.

Councilman Harry Thomas recently made several promises to Ward 5 residents to address the turmoil created by his redistricting plan to split neighborhoods like Bloomingdale and Trinidad into multiple ANC commissions. Specifically, Harry Thomas promised that he:

``will work to incorporat[e] concerns`` regarding re-districting ``through the task force`` (Nov. 3, 2011 e-mail);

``in an open and transparent way`` will address residents` concerns about his re-districting plan (Nov. 4, 2011 e-mail); and

``[W]ill continue to work with you and the residents of ward 5 to ensure input `` concerning redistricting (Nov. 7, 2011 e-mail).

We have just learned that Councilman Thomas nearly one month ago submitted to the DC City Council his plan to cut Bloomingdale into separate ANC commissions as well as truncate other surrounding neighborhoods. In fact, Councilman Thomas submitted his plan to the DC Council`s Subcommittee on Redistricting on or about October 11, 2011, weeks before meeting with the Bloomingdale Civic Association and repeatedly placating constituents in other neighborhoods with the promise of addressing their concerns and recommendations. In fact, he had already submitted his plan for DC Council consideration weeks before he continued making promises to the contrary.

Given Harry Thomas`s repeated disingenuousness with both the elected representatives and constituents of our neighborhoods, it is crucial to reach out to the members of the DC Council`s Subcommittee on Redistricting to express your concerns. They can be reached as follows:

Councilman Michael Brown – mbrown @ dccouncil.us - (202) 724 - 8105.
Councilman Jack Evans – jevans @ dccouncil.us - (202) 724 - 8058
Councilman Phil Mendelson – pmendelson @ dccouncil.us - (202) 724 - 8064

Their bios and key staff are set forth at http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/council.

Harry Thomas has already characterized as ``bogus`` and ``misrepresentative`` the proposal to keep neighborhoods like Bloomingdale and McMillan in a single ANC Commission. That proposal is the subject of a three part series in Greater Greater Washington, numerous neighborhood list discussions and recent community meetings. If you disagree with Councilman Thomas, let him and the City Council know - now.

The proposed plan will have an tremendous effect on Ward 5`s historic and close knit communities for the next ten years.

To make sure that the integrity of Ward 5 neighborhoods are preserved and the redistricting process does not fall victim to Ward 5 politics, make your presence felt. On Monday the 14th, the Ward 5 Redistricting Task Force is scheduled to meet at the Fifth District Headquarters, 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE, starting at 6:30. The meeting is open to anyone. If the Task Force clearly senses that a broad swath of the community does not approve of the plans being sent to the Council, the Task Force will likely balk at supporting such efforts.

As always, feel free to reach out to any of us should you have any questions.

CM Thomas` office: Final Ward 5 Redistricting Meeting -- Monday, 11-14-2011

See this message from the office of Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.:

Good Morning Ward 5 Residents,

Our final Redistricting meeting has arrived!

Date: Monday, November 14, 2011
Location: 5th District Police Station
1805 Bladensburg Rd NE
Time: 6:30- 8:00 PM

If you have any questions, feel free to contact The Ward 5 Council Office at 202-724-8028

Thank you,

Racheal L. Streeter
Administrative Assistant
Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 107
Washington DC 20004
202-724-8028 (office)
202-724-8076 (fax)
Rstreeter@dccouncil.us

Ward 5 redistricting: southern end of Bloomingdale to be lopped off into a different Ward 5 commission...? Hello --- anyone care?

Former Bloomingdale resident Geoff Hatchard placed this post at Greater Greater Washington blog on Thursday night`s ANC 5C redistricting meeting. I have copied in his post below. I am too lazy to copy in all three proposed Ward 5 redistricting maps. I have only copied in the map that won the most task force votes last night. Click on the GGW link below to see all of Geoff's maps.

So what will Councilmember Thomas and the DC Office of Planning do now? Stay tuned.

Thanks to Geoff for his GGW post. And thanks to everyone who volunteered their time in the Ward 5 redistricting effort.

Ward 5 task force chooses more ANCs
by Geoff Hatchard • October 7, 2011 12:18 pm
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/12339/ward-5-task-force-chooses-more-ancs

Last night, the Ward 5 Redistricting Task Force met for the last time and voted to change the makeup of the ward`s ANCs from one with 3 large ANCs of 12 commissioners each, to one with 6 smaller ANCs with 5-8 commissioners in each.

Click to enlarge.

The task force met for the first time in early August. I was a member. From the beginning, we were informed that we would be approaching redistricting with a fresh slate. There would be no reference to existing commission lines, and the process would be data-driven.

Task force members were split into six teams, which were assigned different geographical parts of the ward. The team I was on was given the area stretching from Fort Lincoln south through the Arboretum to Carver Langston. Our job was to add up census blocks to create proto-single member districts (SMDs) of approximately 2,000 people, with a margin of error of 5% either way (1,900 to 2,100 people).

These proto-SMDs (of which there were 40) were then turned in to the chair of the task force, who, with members of the executive committee, put the six teams` findings together into one large map. We analyzed this at a meeting last month, and the task force voted to give the executive committee the responsibility to come back to the task force with three options: maps with three, four, and five ANCs.

These options were presented to the task force last night. Significant changes had been made since the 40 proto-SMDs had been turned in to the commission chair. We were notified that there were errors in the data and that lines had to be redrawn for accuracy`s sake. This meant that there would be 38, not 40, SMDs in Ward 5. Many of these new lines were drawn to closely follow the current SMD boundaries.

The three options are below. Click on each to see a larger and interactive version including the populations of each individual proposed SMD.

Option 1 had 5 ANCs. 3 task force members voted for this option.

Option 2 had 6 ANCs. 10 task force members voted for this option.

Option 3 had 3 ANCs. 3 task force members voted for this option.

As you can see, there are errors in the way the SMDs were described verbally, which led to areas of both overlap and gaps that were not included in any SMD. These include the area along the railroad tracks between the neighborhoods of Gateway and Langdon, the Park Place and Cloisters apartments and condominiums at the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and North Capitol Street, the Washington Hospital Center campus, two blocks just south of Catholic University`s campus, a couple blocks on the eastern edge of Trinidad, a block on the western edge of Carver-Langston, the Brentwood Rail Yard, and the entire eastern edge of the ward from the proposed Dakota Crossing development in Fort Lincoln to the Langston Golf Course along the Anacostia River.

It was difficult, if not impossible, to note these problems during the meeting, due to the fact that there was only one hastily drawn map at the front of the room that was difficult to read. Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.`s office and the Office of Planning will have to collaborate to make fixes to these problems before the language can be submitted for a vote before the DC Council.

It`s worth noting that 3 SMDs, as drawn here, fall significantly below the minimum recommended threshold for population size. The 2 SMDs in Fort Lincoln have populations of 1,265 and 1,467. The SMD that encompasses the neighborhood of Stronghold and the northernmost block of Bloomingdale (as well as the McMillan Sand Filtration site) has a population of 1,399. Perhaps it was the intent of the executive committee to include Park Place and the Cloisters in this SMD, but that wasn`t evident from the proposed legal language.

When asked why these three SMDs had such low populations, the chair informed us that the population limits were guidelines, not strict rules, and they had received guidance from the Office of Planning that precedent existed to allow this deviation.

Comments

Yeay! Let`s make more dysfunctional ANCs! Is there a purpose to this?
by Jasper on Oct 7, 2011 1:25 pm

come out to the Ward 5 Motivation Station tomorrow morning at North Capitol & R St NW - dress warmly

See this 03/25/2011 message from Nicole Johnson, Director of Community Outreach in Ward 5 Councilmember Thomas’ office:

Calling All Community Members and Friends

Come out for a morning of fun, motivation and fellowship!

Meet other residents as we rally to encourage and motivate the runners in the 2011 National Marathon.

Ward 5 Official Motivation Station
``Ward 5 Superstars``
Saturday, March 26, 2011 ∙
7:30am – 9:30am
North Capitol Street, N.W. @ R Street, NW

Tee - Shirts,
Noise Makers, Refreshments!

more discussion on "parking enforcement on the 100 block of T St NW"

See the original from 3/3/2011 Bloomingdale Neighborhood blog post: http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/2011/03/more-discussion-on-parking-enforcement.html

Now see this additional Email exchange -- supplied by Bloomingdale resident Brice McCracken:

From: Brice McCracken
Sent: Tue, March 8, 2011 8:44:49 PM

Just wanted to update you on the progress we have made in the last week. I have continued to actively engage the members of the ANC and our Councilman about our parking concerns. While the majority of the comments I have received have been extremely supportive of the issue, I have received one comment (included below) which advocates continuing the Sunday ``business as usual`` policy for parking enforcement. If you could please again add this to the daily email and to the blog, I want to make sure that all Bloomingdale residents have a chance to voice their concerns to our elected representatives.

Thanks,

Brice


---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Brice McCracken
Date: Tue, Mar 8, 2011 at 8:35 PM
Subject: Re: [BCA Board] Re: FW: Parking Enforcement in the 100 Block of T St NW (Constituent Concern)

To: T Street NW Resident:

Cc: tj quinn , ``John T. Salatti`` , ``Harry Thomas (COUNCIL)`` , ``Ayawna Chase (COUNCIL)`` , ``Fine CSA, Michael L.`` , ``Youngblood, Hugh`` , ``Fournier, James`` , bca-executive-board @ googlegroups.com

I could not disagree more. The only sustainable solution to this problem is enforcing parking laws in our neighborhood. I am not trying to take away or minimize the importance of churches in our community, however I do not think it is fair for them to have their members and congregants parking wherever they choose on Sundays because they aren`t willing to spend a few extra minutes to find a legal parking spot in the neighborhood. I assure you that we WILL make headway on this issue with or without you. However, since this is our neighborhood, I would like to involve you in the solution.

Brice


On Tue, Mar 8, 2011 at 2:11 PM, T Street NW Resident wrote:

This is not a policing issue, nor is it a law and order issue, nor is it a parking enforcement issue -- and as long as it is framed as such --- there will be no ``sustainable`` solution. If we can delete the law & order language, and indeed start talking about community institutions and traditions -- their past and current value , and what ``sacrifices`` we as a community are or are not willing to make -- then we MIGHT make some headway.

On Thu, Mar 3, 2011 at 4:28 PM, tj quinn wrote:


All,

I am happy to help in any way possible. I also live within a block of a church and I certainly share your pain, Brice. I have called the police on a number of occasions when Sunday visitors have blocked the entrance to the alley and my garage. I have been fortunate in that the police have always been responsive but on one occasion I did have to work a little too hard to convince an officer to write the ticket. Anyway, please keep my posted with regard to next steps.

Best regards,

Teri Janine Quinn
President, Bloomingdale Civic Association

parking enforcement on the 100 block of T St NW

See this Email exchange originating with an Email from T Street NW resident Brice McCracken.


I am working to address the parking issues on Sunday in Bloomingdale due to church goers that illegally park in the neighborhood. Can you please post something to the blog encouraging folks in the neighborhood to contact Councilman Thomas and their ANC commissioners about the problem? I think the more people drawing attention to this issue the faster it will be resolved.

Thanks for your assistance with this very important issue.

Sincerely,
Brice McCracken


Begin forwarded message:


From: "Thomas, Harry (COUNCIL)"
Date: March 3, 2011 8:51:14 AM EST
To: "james.fournier9@verizon.net" , "anc5c03@gmail.com" , "Chase, Ayawna (COUNCIL)" , "Johnson, Nicole (Council)" , "Pittman, James (COUNCIL)"
Cc: "john.salatti@gmail.com" , "brice.mccracken80@gmail.com" , "Chase, Ayawna (COUNCIL)" , "finessetax@gmail.com" , "terijanine@gmail.com" , "bca-executive-board@googlegroups.com"
Subject: Re: Parking Enforcement in the 100 Block of T St NW (Constituent Concern)

Thanks for copying me I am working with the ministers to address these concerns

----- Reply message -----
From: "James Fournier"
Date: Thu, Mar 3, 2011 7:02 am
Subject: Parking Enforcement in the 100 Block of T St NW (Constituent Concern)
To:
Cc: , , finessetax @ gmail.com, terijanine @ gmail.com

John,

Thanks for passing this along.

Brice,

The issues raised in your e-mail have been around for a long time and I believe Commissioner Salatti's response highlights the current state of affairs. I would be interested in seeing the photos that you have.

- James

Mar 3, 2011 01:28:30 AM, anc5c03 @ gmail.com wrote:

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

John,
Thank you for sharing. I look forward to working with everyone to develop sustainable solutions.

Hugh
On Mar 2, 2011, at 23:11, "John T. Salatti" wrote:

Dear Brice,

As fate would have it, I received another e-mail Sunday concerning church-related parking and the dangers such parking can sometime cause. I take these e-mails as evidence that the time has come to discuss these issues more widely. So before I say anything else, let me note that I have copied my fellow Bloomingdale Commissioners, James Fournier and Hugh Youngblood, and I have copied my fellow board members of the Bloomingdale Civic Association. This parking issue is one that they all have an interest in and an issue that will require all their creative, positive input to resolve. As full disclosure, I live 100 feet from a church, St. George's Episcopal at 2nd & U NW.

As for your specific questions regarding parking enforcement on Sundays, let me offer three basic points. First, without question in the District of Columbia, the unwritten rule is that parking enforcement around churches is essentially suspended. I say "unwritten" because I am sure that no one will in writing and officially say that, but nonetheless that is, so to speak, the God's honest truth. One can park with immunity in ways on a Sunday morning that virtually any other time will result in a ticket. This means that getting the violations dealt with in the manner you quite vigorously attempted is not likely to have much impact. Second, the Department of Public Works, which handles basic parking enforcement, does not generally do enforcement on weekends in residential areas like Bloomingdale. The areas you note in your e-mail are commercial districts and are handled differently. That said, Parking Enforcement does come out on occasions during the weekend and a request can be made to them to specially come to Bloomingdale on Sunday. However, as I noted, such enforcement would fly directly in the face of long-standing policy. Third, police officers do write parking tickets on weekends, but again they generally will look the other way on a Sunday morning.

So let me offer another suggestion. I have very good relationships with almost all the pastors, rectors, etc. in and around Bloomingdale as well as a very good relationship with Rhode Island-North Capitol Ecumenical Council; most, but not all, of our neighborhood churches are part of the Council. With that in mind, I would like to bring the commissioners and the Bloomingdale Civic Association officers together with the Ecumenical Council and any other church in the area (I think specifically of the Eritrean Christian Church at 2nd & S and World Missions Extension Center at 1st & Randolph NW). In that venue, we can discuss with the ministers the concerns that you and others have raised and look for positive solutions.

The churches are vital and historic parts of this community that have felt less-than-welcome at times by the actions of some neighbors. So it behooves us to approach them in the spirit of mutual respect and in the spirit of positive collaboration to avoid both bad feelings and, more importantly, preventable accident or injury. I am confident that I can arrange that meeting.

But first I will confer with the commissioners and civic association officers to consider solutions and options that we can present to the pastors before we meet with them. Solutions will be important part of the discussion; we'll also want to let them know about the soon-to-open Flatiron Building across T Street from you; the repopulating of that building will only exacerbate the parking shortage. So a little strategic, early, and thoughtful discussion on our part would be helpful.

In the mean time, I am glad that you brought up the photos that you have taken. Please save them. Perhaps we can turn photos into a PowerPoint presentation to show how the parking issues are creating some dangerous situations around the neighborhood. I'll be back to you about those.

Thank you for raising this matter, Brice. Parking continues to be a real problem for the neighborhood. Our businesses, although they don't actually generate much of a parking problem currently, are regularly accused of contributing to a parking shortage in the neighborhood that is almost completely attributable to the positive growth in the neighborhood over the past 15 years. Bloomingdale has almost no vacant homes any more, and many houses have been divided in multiple units. That's the basis of our parking issues. But as our neighborhood continues to grow and our businesses continue to thrive, the shortage of parking is going to become a greater and great concern.

So please give me and the others a little time to come together and then to meet with the pastors. Please continue to document significant parking violations. Contact me any time with information, questions, and requests for updates.

Have a great day,
John
--
John T. Salatti
Commissioner, ANC 5C04
Vice President, Bloomingdale Civic Association
(202) 986- 2592
Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale


On Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 10:56 PM, Salatti, John T. (ANC 5C04) wrote:

-------------------------------------------
From: Brice McCracken[SMTP:BRICE.MCCRACKEN80 @ GMAIL.COM]

Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 10:56:28 PM
To: Thomas, Harry (COUNCIL); Chase, Ayawna (COUNCIL); Salatti, John T. (ANC 5C04);
Subject: Parking Enforcement in the 100 Block of T St NW (Constituent Concern)

Councilman Thomas and Commissioner Salatti-

I moved into a condo at 125 T ST NW, in May of 2010. Since that time, I have noticed that every Sunday parking between the hours of 10am and 3pm becomes an issue due to persons attending the various neighborhood churches. Today, the parking violations committed by these individuals elevated to becoming a safety hazard for residents including me. At the intersection of 2nd and T St, cars were parked in clearly visible "No Parking" areas. These cars were even parked in such a manner as to partially be blocking T St NW. After also noticing cars parked in the bus stop at 2nd and Rhode Island Avenue, I proceeded to make a report via the 3-1-1 website to report the violations. When I returned home a few hours later, I noticed that all of the vehicles were still illegally parked and no one from DC parking enforcement or the police had come through to ticket these vehicles. When I called 3-1-1 this afternoon to again make another report of the illegally parked vehicles, I was informed by the 3-1-1 operator that there is no parking enforcement on Sundays. I know this to be false, because on numerous Sundays when I am out in Chinatown or Dupont, I have observed and on at least one occasion, been the recipient of a parking ticket in these areas. If these areas of DC are able to have their parking enforced on a Sunday, why am I not able to have parking enforced in my neighborhood? None the less, when I called 3-1-1 this afternoon, I was eventually connected with 9-1-1. The dispatcher told me that the police would be dispatched. After several more calls, I never saw a police officer come through and I did not observe any of the vehicles receive a ticket for their illegal parking.

After placing my third call to 3-1-1/ 9-1-1 for parking enforcement, I decided to walk through the neighborhood and take pictures of the illegally parked cars. I have approximately 20 pictures showing how many vehicles were illegally parked in this two block radius. I am willing to provide these pictures to you in hopes of illustrating for you just how bad this issue is. I hope this can be resolved this week, if not please know that I will continue to contact 3-1-1 (and if needed 9-1-1) until this situation is addressed and resolved.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Brice McCracken
100 Block of T St NW
Washington, DC 20001

agenda for this Monday's Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting

See this announcement & meeting agenda from Teri Janine Quinn:

Please note that due to the holiday, the monthly Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting is being held on the fourth Monday this month. In my last update to the community, I indicated that we expected a representative from Metro to attend the February meeting to discuss the removal of the bus stop at 2nd & Rhode Island Avenue, NW. Metro initially decided to temporarily reestablish the bus stop. Metro has since decided to return the bus stop permanently. As such, there will not be anyone from Metro in attendance to discuss the removal of the bus stop.

Bloomingdale Civic Association
February Monthly Meeting
Monday, February 28, 2011 - 7:00pm
St. George`s Episcopal Church
2nd and U Streets, NW

AGENDA

I. ANC/Bloomingdale Grant – Update
II. Bloomingdale Beautification – Update
III. Block Captain Program
IV. PEPCO - Smart Meter Presentation
V. Fire House Liquor License Pre-Application Presentation
VI. Updates from Bloomingdale Representatives

A. Executive Office of the Mayor
B. Office of Councilman Harry Thomas, Jr.
C. ANC Bloomingdale Commissioners

VII. Community Announcements

Teri Janine Quinn
President, Bloomingdale Civic Association

North Capitol Main Street Feb 2011 board meeting & committee meetings

See this message from North Capitol Main Street Executive Director and Bates area resident Lonna Hooks:

North Capitol Main Street February 2011 Board Meeting & Committee Meetings

NCMS has gotten off to a fabulous start this year so let`s keep the ball rolling by joining us for the upcoming board and committee meetings.

We have lots to discuss and we would love to see you there!

Sincerely,
Lonna Hooks
Executive Director, NCMS, Inc.

Board Meeting
When: February 15, 2011
Where: NCMS Office
1703 North Capitol St, NE
Time: 7:00pm

Committee Meetings

Economic Restructuring & Design
When: February 9, 2011
Where: NCMS Office, 1703 North Capitol St, NE
Time: 7:00pm

Organization & Promotion
When: February 16, 2011
Where: NCMS Office, 1703 North Capitol St, NE
Time: 7:00pm

Save the Date!

Upcoming Events

Council Member Harry Thomas' Ward 5 Economic Summit
When: March 12, 2011
Where: Gallaudet University
Time: 9:00am - Registration
More details to follow on the $5 billion development explosion coming to Ward 5!

NCMS Annual Meeting & Report Presentation
When: April 2, 2011
Where: Rustik Tavern
Time: 9:00am - 10:30am

Join our mailing list:
http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001qvJffTsWrj8WXmwsnEvu0A%3D%3D

"CM Thomas, please allow the DC Council resolution that authorizes the city to lease the JF Cook School to YouthBuild/LAYC to expire"

See this letter to Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. from ANC 5C01 Commissioner Bradley Thomas and ANC 5C02 Commissioner Sylvia Pinkney:



Councilmember, Harry Thomas, Jr.
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Suite 107
Washington, DC 20013

Dear Councilman Thomas,

In accordance with the December 10, 2010, roundtable hearing outcome, Commissioner Bradley Thomas and I, on December 22, 2011, assembled the Truxton Circle witnesses to discuss the community`s stance regarding the use of the John F. Cook Elementary School. We exchanged possible alternatives to the ``no residential component`` stipulated by the community, developed and voted on three proposals.

First,the community would retain the J.F. Cook Elementary School. The community would work with identified developers to refurbish the school as a collaborative arts center partnering the visual and performing arts, community arts programming, artist studio space,and a design workshop under one roof. This would create a synergetic hub for the arts that meets the needs of area artists, designers, performers, and residents by creating a multi-purpose flexible venue which is used to provide a unique, exciting and culturally rich haven for the area residents and their families. An arts center would serve as a catalyst pivotal to the economic development and growth on North Capital Street, between New York Avenue and Florida Avenue, NW.

Second, the Youth Build Public Charter School (YBPCS) would be given a lease to occupy the first floor and the community would determine use of the second and third floors of the Cook School building.

Third, YBPCS would operate its school on the first floor, while the residential component, operated by the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) would be limited to twenty-five percent of the current proposal, or 5 residential units on the second floor, while the community would work with LAYC to determine the types of programs to be housed in the remainder of the space.

January, 13, 2011, Commissioner Bradley Thomas and I convened an informal follow-up meeting with LAYC representatives to explore feasible shared common ground regarding the John F. Cook Elementary School development project. The LAYC proposed affordable housing for 35 instead of 47 young adults. The young adults would be housed in eighteen units and LAYC staff in the remaining two. They also offered to reduce the number of adult residents by increasing the number of young families and to enter into a mutual agreement with the community stipulating the number of persons housed in the facility but made it very clear that any significant reduction of the number of housing units below the 18 designated for their constituent population would be fatal to their planned funding structure. They did offer various amenities for the community in exchange for our support of the project as is.

The LAYC/YBPCS representatives requested that we discuss their offer with our community group and provide feed-back. Wednesday, January 19, 2011, a meeting was called and a decision made to not accept the offer. The unanimous decision was based on the fact that because of its financial constraints and the inflexibility of the link between the size of the housing component of the Cook School project and its funding structure, the LAYC offer has effectively not changed.

Consequently, the community and LAYC have reached an impasse. Whereas the community has consistently been receptive to the Youth Build Public Charter School, we remain unified in our opposition to the residential portion of the project.

Respectfully, the Truxton Circle civic leaders and community requests that you stand with the majority of the residents in the Cook School neighborhood, the Hanover Area Civic Association, the Bates Area Civic Association and Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C and vote and advocate in favor of allowing the council resolution that authorizes the city to lease the John F. Cook Elementary School to the YBPCS and the LAYC to expire.

Sincerely,
_____________________

Sylvia M. Pinkney
Commissioner ANC 5C02
____________________

Bradley Thomas
Commissioner ANC 5C01

Examiner: "Residents: Area used as dumping ground for DC social services"

See this 1/26/2011 Washington Examiner article on the controversial topic of the plans by the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)/YouthBuild Public Charter School (YBPCS) for the J.F. Cook School on the unit block of P Streeet NW.

Note that the article title in the print version of this article is different than the online version. The print version article heading is ``Neighbors protest subsidized housing at youth center.``

And note that ANC 5C02 Commissioner Sylvia Pinkney, Lori Kaplan of LAYC and Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. are quoted.

Neighborhood, youth center at odds over subsidized housing
Residents: Area used as dumping ground for DC social services
http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/01/neighborhood-youth-center-odds-over-subsidized-housing

Residents of the Truxton Circle neighborhood east of Howard University are banding together to protest subsidized housing at a proposed school and job training center, a move that could stymie the two-year-old project as it heads to the D.C. Council.

Locals say they are not against the charter school by the Latin American Youth Center that would help rehabilitate youths ~ but their neighborhood is becoming a dumping ground for social services without regard to community amenities.

Sylvia Pinkney, a commissioner on the area`s Advisory Neighborhood Commission, said Truxton Circle already has 13 social services such as Rachel`s Women`s Center or Isaiah House.

``We are not getting what we want ~ we want retail,`` she said. ``We would like some kind of business in Cook School that would draw people from outside of the community to our community.``

The Latin American Youth Center, based in Adams Morgan, wants to convert and expand the upper floors of the now-closed John F. Cook School building near North Capital and P streets into 20 apartments, 18 of which would house up to 47 young adults who are or are about to be homeless. The ground floor would hold the school and training center.

But residents are opposing what is essentially a non-negotiable aspect of the project ~ the youth center`s $13 million in funding from Lower Income Housing Tax Credits, private foundation money and a smaller portion from the Department of Mental Health, goes away if the project doesn`t include Section 8 housing.

``It`s not simply that we`re ignoring their concerns,`` said Lori Kaplan, the center`s executive director. ``It`s to change the housing tanks the entire project.``

Kaplan said the funding only allowed them to offer the neighborhood a reduced number of residents in the subsidized housing after both sides were told by D.C. Council to work out a compromise. Pinkney said this week that residents wanted five apartments or less; the number of people wasn`t the point.

``We are at an impasse,`` she said.

The council resolution that authorizes the city to lease the building to the youth center`s Youthbuild Public Charter School was reintroduced this month and expires in mid-February. Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. said the council would like to act but the inflexibility of the project`s funding complicates the issue.

``It puts me in a very awkward position because I`m very much a supporter of the school and the program, but at some point we have to listen to the public`s input,`` Thomas said.

McMillan Sand Filtration site community meeting #3 -- this Saturday, 11/20/2010

See this 11/16/2010 message from Tania Jackson:

McMillan Sand Filtration Site

The Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development
Councilmember Harry “Tommy“ Thomas, Jr.
Vision McMillan Partners

Meeting #3: What We Heard — Preliminary Design Concepts

Join us for a look at the preliminary design concepts based on feedback garnered from meetings and salons. This is Meeting #3 of what is now a 4 meeting series and will give you a chance to talk to the design team, get a schedule for future meetings, and learn how to share all of your ideas.

Please also visit wikiplanning.org and log in (your email + the password MCM1) and answer our survey question.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

9 AM to 12 NOON
St. Martin`s Church
1908 North Capitol Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Enter on T Street NW)

Questions? Call: Tania Jackson (202) 355-8998

McMillan Sand Filtration Site Community Meeting #2 – Saturday, 11/6/2010

See this message from Tania Jackson:

McMillan Sand Filtration Site

Meeting #2: What We Heard- Design Principles & Approach

Join us for a discussion of the elements that will go into the final design plan, based on the feedback the design team got in Meeting #1 and the Salon Sessions at Big Bear. This is Meeting #2 of a three meeting series and will give you a chance to meet and talk to the design team, get a schedule for future meetings, and learn how to share all of your ideas.

Saturday, November 6, 2010
9 AM to 12 NOON
St. Martin`s Church
1908 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Enter on T
Street NW)

The Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development
Councilmember Harry ``Tommy`` Thomas, Jr.
Vision McMillan Partners

Questions?
Call: Tania Jackson (202) 355- 8998

reminder: "meet the experts" McMillan Sand Filtration site community meeting this morning, 10/16/2010

Here is a reminder message from Tania Jackson about this morning's community meeting on the development of the landmarked McMillan Sand Filtration site.

McMillan Sand Filtration Site
Meeting #1: Meet the Experts

Join for a re-visioning of McMillan Sand Filtration site. Meet and talk with the design team: Matthew Bell of Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects and Warren Byrd of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.

This is meeting #1 of a three meeting series.

Saturday, October 16, 2010
10 AM to 12 NOON
St. Martin`s Church
1908 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Enter on T Street NW)

The Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development
Councilmember Harry ``Tommy`` Thomas, Jr.
Vision McMillan Partners

Questions? Call: Tania Jackson (202) 355- 8998

Rustk Tavern Grand Opening Celebration: 10-14-2010

See this message from North Capitol Main Street:

Want to see the nice pretty formatted version of this message?
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=tp9zhzcab&v=0011iPQ44HokkqkW7T_-rfs13Jf9UptZ8XcV8wOqeiFacBRmdYEoM5CrUvjplUt3XBiQi7dubZ22NDfq1p7_vegLNAjaWn7Fkz5jsCDOR_QJVE%3D

Rustik Tavern Grand Opening Celebration
An Exciting New Addition to Bloomingdale

Yes, Rustik Tavern at 1st & T Street NW is now Open For Business! Join North Capitol Main Street as we celebrate the Grand Opening on Thursday, 10/14/2010 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

Our small business and Main Street champions -- Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas & At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown -- will be on hand to congratulate and welcome the newest entrepreneur to the neighborhood and you'll want to thank our councilmembers for supporting commercial revitalization in our community and encourage them to continue!

Owner, Diton Pashaj, has already exceeded expectations for his cool space as tavern and Rustik's fabulous Chef is planning a special buffet featuring paella for just $15.

Rustik, as the newest business to join NCMS, is donating proceeds from the Grand Opening to support NCMS' work -- like the Storefront Improvement Program. So stop by and welcome Rustik to the neighborhood. There will be plenty of room (the patio will be open) the music will be hot and the food will be delish . . .

Please RSVP to info@rustikdc.com. The opening is limited to the First 200 - we would love to have you all! Next time we'll make it a block party!

Register to win 2 Washington Redskins versus Philadelphia Eagles Tickets and if you don't win, hey, no problem. . . enjoy your game-night at Rustik Tavern!

North Capitol Main Street is funded by The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development and is an officially recognized DC Main Street Program.

RSVP to attend the Rustik Tavern Grand Opening event coordinated by North Capitol Main Street - Thursday, 10-14-2010

See this message from North Capitol Main Street:

Join us as we celebrate! North Capitol Main Street is coordinating a Grand Opening event at just opened Rustik Tavern on Thursday, October 14, 2010 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Our small business and main street champions – Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. & At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown are coming to congratulate the newest entrepreneur in our neighborhood. Owner Diton Pashaj has already exceeded expectations for a well-liked sit-down pizza tavern. .

There will be a special buffet served during the event featuring salads, pizzas and paella (cooked outdoors) for $15. Rustik`s civic minded owners have already become a dues paying members of NCMS and are donating the proceeds from the opening celebration to service corridor projects. The patio will be open, the music will be hot and we all know how good the food is - Stop by and welcome Rustik to the North Capitol Main Street community. Thank our council members for supporting commercial revitalization in our community!

Please RSVP to info@rustikdc.com . The opening is limited to the First 200 – we would love to have you all! The next time we`ll make it a block party!

North Capitol Main Street is funded by The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development and is an officially recognized DC Main Street Program.

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.