Bates Area Civic Association

Thomas Outlines Initiatives Targeting Ward 5 Hot Spots
Ward 5 Councilmember Harry “Tommy” Thomas, Jr. held a press conference on May 21, 2009 at the office of North Capitol Main Street, Inc. (NCMS) to discuss initiatives targeting North Capitol Street and other Ward 5 hot spots. Two days prior to the press conference, four individuals were shot near the NCMS office.

Thomas announced that Green Teams would be launched for both North Capitol Street and Rhode Island Avenue in June 2009. To address gang activity, Thomas allocated $1.7 million through the FY2010 Budget Support Act to fund youth outreach and gang prevention programs in Ward 5. The funds will be managed by the Children and Youth Investment Trust Fund. At the press conference and in a follow-up letter dated May 29, 2009, Thomas called upon the Mayor to match those funds.

Thomas also noted that he has restored nine Roving Leader positions to the Department of Parks and Recreation’s budget so that recreation centers in areas of need have sufficient outreach personnel to work with at-risk youth. “Summer has not yet begun and we are already experiencing an escalation in youth- and gang-related violence. It is absolutely critical that we allocate resources to programs that can make a difference at the grass roots level,” said Councilmember Thomas. “I plan to do everything within my purview to ensure that we have a safe summer in Ward 5 and throughout the city.”
Thomas Bill Requires Analysis of DPR Day Care Programs Prior to Privitization
Councilmember Thomas introduced emergency legislation at the Council’s May 5, 2009 legislative session requiring the Executive to conduct and submit to the Council a comprehensive analysis of child day care services, particularly services for children with special needs, prior to issuing a request for offers to operate Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) day care programs. The vote on the bill was unanimous.

The bill requires the Executive to withdraw its Request for Offers to operate DPR day care programs, issued on April 24, 2009, until it submits the comprehensive analysis. Continuing Councilmember Thomas’ support of workers’ rights, the bill also stipulates that the Executive must provide the Council with a report on its efforts to assist separated DPR day care employees with finding employment with third-party day care providers.

In addition, Chairman Vincent Gray and Councilmember Thomas agreed to an amendment requiring the Executive to detail how the proposed privatization plan complies with existing law. DC Official Code outlines a number of procedural requirements that must be undertaken before privatization of a District government-provided goods or service can occur, such as: 1) demonstrating that the privatization contract will provide a cost savings of at least 5 percent; 2) assessing the impact of the privatization contract on the District’s economic and tax base, including employment opportunities for District residents; 3) describing the impact the privatization contract will have on the quality of goods and services delivered; and 4) indicating how District employees may exercise the right to bid on such contracts. The DC Code also requires the District’s Chief Financial Officer, Attorney General, and Chief Procurement Officer to review privatization plans-and provide written confirmation of their review-before issuing a solicitation to privatize District-provided goods and services.

“It is unclear whether the District has complied with its own rules and regulations governing the privatization process,” said Councilmember Thomas. “The Council is concerned that the City may incur a liability if it continues its current course of action to privatize DPR day care programs.”