Councilmember Anita Bonds Update- Feb 2

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

CAPITOL HILL VILLAGE GALA

On January 24, Councilmember Anita Bonds joined community leaders and residents at the Annual Capitol Hill Village Gala to honor those that have made an indelible impact on the success of the growing organization. Founder Geoff Lewis and Gail Kohn were honored for recognizing the need and creating Capitol Hill Village based on the nation's first village, Beacon Hill Village in Boston. MedStar Washington Hospital Center and its President John Sullivan were also recognized for providing services across the continuum of care that target the special needs of older residents as they age in place. 

The Capitol Hill Village was founded to bring neighbors together to work collectively and provide services to help people remain in their homes as they grow older. DC has 14 villages, more than any US state. Capitol Hill Village was the second village to launch in the nation in 2007 and the first village that opened in DC. Now Capitol Hill Village is one of the largest villages in the nation.

WARD 8 COMMUNITY MEETING ON CRIME  

Over 250 residents, activist, clergy and businesspeople joined community leaders and elected officials at the Old Congress Heights School to discuss an increase in violence, burglaries, thefts and homicides in the community. 

The meeting gave individuals an opportunity to discuss personal stories on how crime has altered their lives before breaking off into interest groups to identify problems and offer solutions such as a violence prevention fund, increased police presence, curfews, greater parenting and church participation in children's lives and the community. Seventh District Police Department Commander Robin Hoey and At-Large Councilmember Vincent Orange were also in attendance. 

DC INSURANCE FEDERATION

The DC Insurance Federation (DCIF) Annual Legislative Reception was held on January 22 at the Willard Hotel. The event was to celebrate the New Year and to discuss legislative priorities for the industry. At the event, the Federation presented the Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA) with a donation to support "Gearing Up," a program that provides bike helmets for children.

"This was great opportunity for the business community to meet new Councilmembers, Agency Directors, and our first elected Attorney General while also providing funds to help protect children from serious injury while biking," stated Wayne McOwen, DCIF Executive Director.

Attorney General Karl Racine, DDOT Director Leif A. Dormsjo, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmembers Vincent Orange, Brianne Nadeau, Mary Cheh, Kenyan McDuffie and Charles Allen were also in attendance.

Photo- with WABA Advocacy Coordinator Greg Billing.

HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY!

Last Friday, Councilmember Bonds was honored to join the family and friends of long-standing Ward 5 Stalwart Frank E. Braxton, Sr. in celebrating his Centennial Birthday

Frank was born on January 30, 1915 in Northeast Washington, served in the military during WWII, retired from the Postal Service in 1975, was a Federal Political Appointee, and became an Auxiliary Police Officer.

A long-standing civic activist, Frank was a founder of the Ward 5 Democrats and the 5th District Citizen's Advisory Council. He also served on the Home Rule Commission, The DC Democratic State Committee and as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.

Among Frank's many honors commemorating his 100th Birthday included recognition as Deputy Sheriff of Charles County, MD and Birthday Greetings from President Barack Obama. The President's greeting is the 4th set of greetings that Frank has received from U.S. Presidents during his many years of activism on behalf of others in DC.

Photo – Frank Braxton, Sr. displays Birthday Greetings from President Barack Obama. 

LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Last week, Councilmember Anita Bonds convened the regular meeting of The Working Group on Housing Advocacy with housing advocates, government officials, developers, bankers, landlords, tenants, and other stakeholders to collaborate on the solutions for preserving and building affordable housing across the District of Columbia. The session was attended by newly appointed DC Director of Housing Polly Donaldson, interim Director of DC Housing Finance Agency Maria Day-Marshall, Executive Director of DC Housing Authority Adrienne Toddman, and Chief Tenant Advocate Johanna Shreves- all vital entities in solving the housing affordability crisis in DC.

Immediately following the meeting, the Councilmember hosted an Open House Celebration for the Committee on Housing and Community Development with the various constituency groups and government agencies under the committee's purview.

Many thanks to Councilmembers Elissa Silverman and Brianne Nadeau for joining the event. Councilmember Vincent Orange, who is also a member of the committee was missed, but he was busy in preparation for the Committee on Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs hearing.