[Summary of the February ANC 4C meeting, written by Joe Martin, ANC 4C Chair]
- Ronald Moten of Peaceaholics, John DeTaeye of the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative and James Berry, Roving Leader with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation spoke about a pilot project being established through ANC 4C to work with young people in Petworth to counter youth violence. This is the project that will be supported by a matching grant proposed by Deputy Mayor Brenda Donald-Walker, Deputy Mayor for Children, Family and Elder Services. [Councilmember Adrian Fenty has been instrumental in creating this pilot project for ANC 4C with the Deputy Mayor.] The intent of the project is to locate and provide support for potentially troubled young people in need of counseling and support or youths who may already involved with gangs, drug-dealing and are oriented towards gun violence.
- ANC 4C voted to support the Neighborhood Development Company’s proposal for a mixed-use commercial, residential (condo) building at 4100 Georgia Avenue NW at Taylor. The vote was 8 in favor. Opposed were Commissioners Timothy Jones (4C08) and Joseph Henson (4C10).
- ANC 4C voted to endorse the proposal by the Jair Lynch Company for a mixed-use commercial/residential (apartment) building to be located on the west side of Georgia Avenue NW near Randolph. The vote was 6 in favor. The recommendation by ANC 4C will for forwarded to the
National Capital Revitalization Corporation.
- Carol Herwig and others submitted a grant application for decorative banners promoting Petworth neighborhood pride to be placed along a two-block stretch of New Hampshire Avenue NW. Commissioners Shanel Anthony (4C07) and Martin (4C09) have endorsed the project. The application has been referred to the ANC Finance Committee for review and may be up for a vote at next month’s ANC meeting.
- Commissioner Marc Yesberger updated the ANC on plans for the ANC to proceed with establishing a website. [Stay tuned!]
- ANC 4C voted to support the renegotiation of a Voluntary Agreement from Sweet Mango Café to extend their hours of operation provide live music (inside) among other things. Commissioner Joseph Martin also asked that Sweet Mango not provide free meals to events held by ANC Commissioners, in general, and Commissioner Timothy Jones (4C08) in particular. Last December, Sweet Mango manager Misty Brown spoke of providing “over $5,000 in free meals” to events held by Commissioner Jones over the last several years. Commissioner Martin has referred the matter to the DC Attorney General and the Board of Ethics and Elections for comment. Sweet Mango owner, Reginald James, and the café’s attorney, Andrea Bagwell, did not deny that they have provided the meals at Jones’ events but saw it as offering community support. Martin asked that they continue to engage in efforts to support the community but not involving ANC 4C commissioners entrusted with voting on their permits and licenses.
- ANC 4C approved the grant application submitted by Louis Wassel on behalf of the 16th Street Neighborhood Association to help cover the some of the costs of that organization’s newsletter.
- ANC 4C received an update on a petition by residents of the 1200 block of Ingraham Street NW to change the zoning of areas off of Georgia Avenue to allow for residential development consistent with the residential character of Ingraham Street. ANC 4C will be asked to support the residents’ petition at the March ANC 4C meeting.
- ANC 4C will ask the DC Auditor’s office if the ANC would be allowed to reimburse Ingraham Street residents for the $250 filing fee they were charged for filing their petition with the Zoning Commission.
- The JK Development Company (apologies if I am getting their name wrong) spoke briefly of plans to develop the northeast corner of 9th Street NW and Upshur Street NW for small scale commercial/retail use. Company representatives will be returning to the ANC to provide more information and seek approval.
- Commissioners Martin and Anthony briefly mentioned plans to create and mail an ANC-wide newsletter. It was noted that Commissioner Timothy Jones at the ANC Finance Committee meeting expressed opposition to spending ANC funds for an ANC-wide newsletter.
I am extremely pleased that this effort has started. (And a tip of my hat to Bill and Mariama Crandall. This is a direct product of their initial gathering in response to the tragic murder at 5th and Taylor two months ago and the subsequent meeting pulled together at the ROC. Thanks, Bill and Mariama.)
We are hoping that this pilot project will genuinely change lives for the better and establish a healthier dynamic about some of the young men in our neighborhoods who are inclined towards violence. If you already have a trusting relationship with a young person who needs emotional support, guidance and positive direction, please get involved if you can. If you can't but want to suggest courses of action or young people to contact, perhaps through someone else, let us know.
Contact Ronald Moten from Peaceaholics at 202-437-5330 or John DeTaeye of the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative at 202-391-5759, both cell numbers. And watch for postings about future gatherings.
Toby, thanks for your helpful suggestion.
Posted by: Joe Martin | February 16, 2006 at 09:53 PM
Good idea someone wants to do something about youth violence in the neighborhood. Students I know who go to Roosevelt and MacFarland tell about frequent fights. Plus, police presence around the schools at dismissal time has become a constant.
Posted by: Toby | February 16, 2006 at 06:30 PM