ANC Commissioner Pickets Economic Development in and Around His Own District

I am wondering what residents think about this... from the ANC's Commissioner whose Single Member District includes a significant portion of Mount Vernon Triangle. 

I have to say, I find it a bit odd.  Commissioner Silver appeared at the groundbreaking for the 5th and Eye project, which he now plans to picket, and in the eye of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, had nothing but good things to say about the project from the podium.  There's plenty to rally about down there -- the drug dealing, the prostitution, the out of control public drinking and single sales (now subject to the ban), but I wouldn't put economic development on the list of our problems.  Respectfully, if the Commissioner was looking for an opportunity to rally down there, he could have joined us when we protested the illegal porn and more operation, Fun Fair, which, when it closed, allowed projects like 5th and Eye to happen.  I understand and agree with the concern about providing jobs to qualified DC residents -- however, 395 air rights is still a bit of a dream and 5th and Eye has not yet broken ground. 

It would seem to me that if this picketing is successful, it will indeed protect the employment of DC residents - particularly the prostitutes and drug dealers that have been regularly employed in that area for the past 30 years.

"ANC Commissioner Keith Silver, announces plans to Picket Construction Sites within 6C-01, to protest the failed DC First Source Agreement"

 

June 11, 2009 - Washington, DC ----Today ANC Commissioner Keith Silver announced plans to picket construction sites and projects "within" and/or construction projects "impacting" Single Member District 6C-01, where he presently is serving in his second term, following a previous successful term in SMD 5B-05  Namely,

-  New Communities Project, on "K" St. N.W.

-  395 Air-Rights,(Return to L'Enfant), 3rd and Mass. Ave. N.W. and

-  6th and Eye St. N.W. Projects.  [Editor's Note: Believe he means 5th and Eye]

Silver has decided the non-violent direct action strategy to "picket these construction sites" is the only option left to address the disappointment with the "Fuzzy Math" of the DC First Source Employment Agreement  DC Law 14-24, D.C. Law 5-93, and Mayor's Order 83-265

On one hand, Residents and ANC Commissioners recognize "on paper" the DC First Source Agreement... which holds Developers and Contractors responsible to meet their obligation that 51% of new hires are... DC Residents, ...however, in reality, this simply just is not the case. .Silver states, "gigantic loopholes" in the First Source Agreement allows Developers, and Contractors to "tap dance" around the law by... simply by rotating their workers from site to site. Secondly, equally disturbing is the fact ....  millions of dollars, and City Finances going towards these projects, virturally in every single member district, yet ...we only have one (1) person designated to monitor, these construction projects. This is absolutely unacceptable.     Silver continued "...This isn't exactly Rocket Science, we have here...I am urging DC Residents to go to your neighborhood construction site... take a visual inspection of the workers car tags, and suggests you have conversations or interviews with construction workers on site, ... I am thouroghly convinced ...it will become increasingly clear,... the DC First Source Agreement... is broken and in dire need of repair    Commissioner Silver is further convinced, the DC First Source Agreement, needs to be scrapped and replaced with newer revised plan with even a higher percentage of employment of DC Residents, than the present 51%. . The economy has crashed, Unemployment is rising...DC Residents Need Job First! ... " We need some emergency legislation...to immediately address the under-employment of DC Residents" at these construction sites!

Silver states the buzz word of the day "Shovel Ready" is a misnomer. The DC Residents are stakeholders in these impacted communities and community leaders should step forward and declare "No Contstruction Site .... can be deemed or declared "Shovel Ready"... Until the "D.C. Residents of the respective impacted community", can physically see "with their own eyes"... and have "a current and accurate daily count the DC Residents at the respective construction site! In other words, hold elected officals, ANC Commissioners included, "accountable" to what we pledged at election time, ."..to deliver on the issue of jobs... at the local and grassroot level".

"...Hurricane Katrina was an "unforeseen" disaster, ...folk were displaced, ...lack of jobs for the affected residents, ..little or no opportunity to re-build their communities... by the people,... for the people ...who were displaced. Mechanisms for relocation ...had serious problems...and further disappointing was,:the issue of ... returning to the communities" ... where residents once lived, was next to nil.  In many cases there were ...second and third generation families.uprooted and never allowed to return. .

However, in our case, locally, we are dealing with a "man-made disaster" we can see with our own eyes ..."meaning lack of jobs for DC Residents ...at these construction sites...inadequate case management to return the relocated residents... in some cases second and third generation residents, more or less lost... in the "name of transitioning communities" Something is terribly wrong, when a problem of this "magnitude", is not being adequately addresssed.

In closing, Silver states, ANC Commissions and Commissioners, by and large is the "only sure way" the "immediate citizenry of the Single Member District and community has a voice in city affairs" Silver cites he agrees with the disappointment DC residents and citizens feel ...that many elected officials... are simply not very responsive or luke warm on community issues, in non-election years.

In closing, Silver encouraged..."all citizens and community groups" hopefully will work with your ANC Commissioners, however, the one sure way that always works,...is to do it yourself...make yourself a committee of one" contact your respective Councilmember, respective Council Committee Chairs and the Office of the Mayor, to get your "own answer: as to "...."where are the jobs for DC Residents...First??? ...we promised..  in your community and your respective Single Member District".

 "If you are satisfied with the response...fine". However, if you are not " ...picketting your neighborhood construction site" may be your answer.

Silver concluded... I am certainly available for any "assistance" to a community group intrested or who has reached the conclusion,..that picketing a construction site, is the answer. However, as a matter of protocol ...I will not go into another Single Member District, ...unless the community group ...has first secured, the support of your ANC Commissioner, and he or she,... is of the mindset picketting these construction sites is the answer.  I am a firm and very staunch believer that "community empowerment can best be achieved by supporting ANC Commissions across this city".

In conclusion, "...the issue of this broken First Source Agreement and DC Residents not working in appropriate percentages in "THIS SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT 6C01, is totally, and entirely unacceptable".

This Single Member District and other areas within the 6C Commission, should be regarded... "hallowed ground, within the geographical borders of this Single Member District 6c01,...150 years ago, runaway slaves... leaving the plantations of the south, ...with help of Abolishionists,.. white men and women of good will, found a resting place here, in their transitioning community, in that day in time.  They all, meaning... everbody... collectively, ..lived, worked, worshipped and tarried here. Further evidence is recognized through Second Baptist Church on 3rd and Mass. Ave, declared official site of the "Underground Railroad" and Ashbury United Methodist Church at 11th and K St, N.W. still stands today as the longest standing Church, in one place (1848) of Africam American worship.

Yet.. I am sad to report...a "Runaway Slave ,,,,had a "better chance of living in this area" and walking several blocks to .." Build the US Captiol",... than a DC Resident ...has a chance to build and work ...at at these construction sites and ...then get ...affordable housing, once it is built!".

Silver sites Single Member District 6c01, according to the acclaimed "CityList" houses two of the top 20 condos to live in this city..." City Vista ranks #6 and Madgrigal Lofts ranks #14 respectively", yet in the shadows of these luxury condos.. we have people lanquishing in poverty and dispair. This pain and despair is very real.  Compounded with the fact ...every long cold winter...is always followed by a long hot summer, which is several days away. Everyone understands the seriousness of the economy, however, much could be solved by closing the loopholes in the DC First Source Agreement...and HIRE... DC RESIDENTS FIRST, even in higher percentages, where possible.

It would be a total win-win equation.. our city in most cases could create, provide, and ensure more jobs, ...expand the District's tax base, ...generate commerce and most importantly ...improve the quality of life for the residents. ....How can you put a price tag to the restoration of self-esteem and human dignity that a meaningful job would provide, and allow "DC Residents" to feed their families??

For more information, or assistance to your community group,  (only if you have the support of your respective ANC Commissioner) contact Keith Silver, "silverk1@ymail.com", or 202-239-5034.