Bates Area Civic Association

Neighbors,

             The Attorney General’s civil case against Council Member Thomas is something that impacts all of us. With Council Member Thomas resigning from the Economic Development Committee, it leaves our community and our Ward very vulnerable. With the City’s budget cuts and capital investment reductions, community activism will be essential for our voices to be heard. The Economic Development Committee will now be overseen by the Council on Whole (COW); so our visibility with our At Large Council Members is critical.

             We have to allow for the due process to take place and withhold judgment on the merits of the Attorney General’s allegations, but we also have to recognize that as constituents, our Council Member is in a very vulnerable position and with less influence over the Council and other key decision makers.  Our voices need to be loud and City Hall reminded that as a community we know how to come together.

             To ensure we continue to be heard and active, I encourage you all, if you have not yet done so, to write to the Council encouraging the reunification of East Shaw and Shaw and to follow the Redistricting Committee’s recommendation to put Shaw in Ward 5. This union of East Shaw and Shaw would create a more attractive geographic are for economic development; our community will be sitting between O ST Market and NoMA Bid.

             We must work with North Capitol Main Street, Inc. in continuing its work and efforts to enhance existing businesses and attract new businesses to our corridor ofN. Capitol ST and First ST NW. In August,North Capitol Main Street’s Art Walk must include the 1500 block ofFirst ST NWnorth toT ST NW; this will only happen however if our community comes out to volunteer to coordinate this event in our area. The Art Walk show cases our neighborhood and brings surrounding communities, potential investors and others into our community.

             We must participate in the re-alignment of the Police Service Areas (PSAs). Chief Cathy Lanier will hold the Ward 5 community hearings on Thursday, June 23^rd at 7:00 pm. The meeting will take place at the 5^th District Headquarters located at1805 Bladensburg Rd.,NE. We must play an active role in this re-alignment as it impacts our safety and our quality of life.

             Stay active in community development. At the end of the day, we are the only ones that can move this community forward. MPD, our Council Member and elected officials are just tools to help us achieve a better community.

 Regards,

 Geovani Bonilla