Takoma DC Neighborhood Association, Inc.  – General Membership Meeting

May 22, 2007 at 7:30 PM  Promised Land Baptist Church

 

1.                   Welcome – Paul Schwartz

 

2.                   Reviewed and approved agenda

 

3.                   Announcements –

a.       Board openings, October elections – Contact Paul Schwartz or Julie Schor

b.       Sale of bricks to raise money for the Takoma Rec Center – Contact Dodie Butler.

c.       Dawn Nelson is ending her ten years of service on the newsletter. Tammy Belden is replacing Dawn. Newsletter deadline reminder – Contact Dodie Butler.

d.       Upcoming ANC meeting (re DC DOT, fire department and zoning)– Contact Sara Green.

e.       Takoma Theater Conservancy update – Contact Loretta Neuman.

f.        Introduction of George Hawkins, Acting Director, Department of Environment, 202-535-2600, george.hawkins2@dc.gov. 

g.       Introduction of Neil Stanley, Chief of Staff, Environment, 202-535-2600, neil.stanley@dc.gov.

 

4.                   Special Guests.

a.       Sekou Biddle – District 2 School Representative (Wards 3 & 4) – Stated that 80% of DC households have no school age children. His goal is to get a higher level of community involvement, including more community meetings. This summer, a school facilities blitz is planned by the Mayor and school board – 40 schools will be identified for priority repairs/renovations.  Contact information: 202-442-5191, cell 202-213-9029, sekou.biddle@k12.dc.us or sekou@sekoubiddle.org.

b.       Councilmember Muriel Bowser (Ward 4) – Muriel began by thanking everyone for their support. She was sworn in on May 15. She introduced staffer Doug Payton, Office Manager/Scheduler. One of her top priorities will be education. She noted that she has a former principal on staff. She is in the process of orientation to the council.  The second reading of the budget will take place on June 5.  She noted that DC’s bond rating has been upgraded to A+.  Her committees are: economic development; public safety and judiciary; public works and environment; and housing and urban affairs. She urged everyone present to come and visit her at the council. Contact information: 202-724-8052, mbowser@dccouncil.us.

 

5.                   Discussion.

a.       Rachel Kennedy (6600 block of 7th), a 50 year resident, introduced herself.

b.       Britney Houston (3rd & Van Buren), also a longtime resident, who lives in her parent’s home also introduced herself – She is a member of Promised Land Baptist Church.

c.       Sara Green mentioned the erosion at the basketball court.

d.       Loretta Neuman talked about plans for the Takoma Theater which will involve schoolchildren.

e.       Margie Malone (7th & Van Buren) had a house fire in March. She also mentioned continuing issues with the storm drain and a sink hole. Paul Schwartz stated that we had a meeting with members of the mayor’s Ward 4 Core Team to address local problems and this is being addressed.

f.        John Trainer (?) on Laurel mentioned concerns about razing Takoma Theater. Sara Green stated that this and other issues will be addressed at the upcoming 5/29 ANC meeting.

g.       Ellie McBarnett (Georgia Avenue) asked about Walter Reed. Muriel stated that negotiations are ongoing, with possibly four different federal agencies having plans for the space. Federal officials have promised to keep us updated.

h.       Paul Schwartz asked about green buildings in DC, such as Sidwell Friends.  Sekou stated that the master facilities plan envisions renovating every school (147 buildings) and that is a consideration.

i.         Luke Turner asked about plans for Coolidge.  Sekou stated that the school is underenrolled, but will not be closed. Muriel discussed vocational education and stated that Coolidge is a prime place for such a program.

j.         Dodie Butler stated that Muriel and Sekou need to work together, and perhaps we need quarterly meetings with both.  Effective communication with the public is key.

 

Attendance: 20+ people

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.