I went tonight to the Hanover Civic Association monthly meeting, presided over by Sylvia Mathews, Assn president. In attendance were ANC5C02 Commissioner Sylvia Pinkney, ANC5C01 Commissioner Anita Bonds, BACA President Jim Berry and other members of the community.
On the agenda were two topics: The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) and its bid for use of Cook School (unit and P St NW) and a bid submitted by MiCasa to DCHD to buy a property at Florida Ave and Q St NW that intends to put a low-cost housing co-op there. The members of the HCA disapproved of both initiatives. You can see this post about the heated discussion over the LAYC at the last BACA meeting.
Community opposition was focused on two themes: Lack of government consultation on the decisions and this how out community is overly saturated with social service programs. The latter point includes the need instea dfor economic development for current residents who should not be made to bear more of the social welfare programs for the city.
Lastly, strategic questions about future community development were discussed – the need for a greater vision for the community, the need for cohesion to stand as a united front the demand services and development for our community.
Commissioner Pinkey said she would email Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas on the issues. As well, the decision to create a petition to oppose the LAYC’s use of the school was agreed upon.
Bates Area Civic Association 
The Truxton Circle Area has systematically been disrepected by many government agencies. First of all, our area is not identified as Truxton Circle, it is referred to as North Capitol. Although this area pays a truckload of taxes, the people have very little say in the final decisions made. Why, because we are complacent to only deal with what happens on a few block and say nothing about what happens close by. What happened to a government of the people, for the people, by the people? John F. Cook Elementary was a close knit neighborhood school where children were making progress and everyone knew the children attending. Why have we let DCPS officials close the school let public servants decide what should go there. Latin American Youth Center will not address the children standing on our street corners hoping to find employment or job training. A lottery will just frustrate many youth applying and waiting months to receive their continued rejection due to creaming the crop. Where are the programs to train our citizens to become productive citizens. Taxpayers should expect more from the money we pay. We are tired of the high unemployment, lack of vocational and career education in this city. Again I ask why only a few residents received information until the Mayors Office had decided.