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BROWN IN THE NEWS January 26, 2008 EX-WORKER CALLS NOOSE INCIDENT AN OVERBLOWN "STUPID PRANK" By Yolanda Woodley (Washington Post) www.washingtonpost.com January 25, 2008 WORKERS FIRED OVER NOOSE INCIDENT AT BALLPARK Fox 5 News www.myfoxdc.com NOOSE FOUND AT STADIUM CONSTRUCTION SITE; WORKERS FIRED ABC 7 News www.wjla.com NOOSE FOUND IN STADIUM News Channel 8 www.news8.net NOOSE NEWS By Ruth Samuelson (Washington City Paper) www.washingtoncitypaper.com FENTY OKS SHAW RADIO DEAL By Tom Ramstack (Washington Times) www.washingtontimes.com January 21, 2008 GROUPS HONOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ABC 7 News www.wjla.com THE REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.—REMEMBERING HIS LEGACY Washington Post www.washingtonpost.com _______________________ UPCOMING EVENTS COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND HEARINGS JANUARY 30, 2008, 1:00 P.M. WHAT: Committee on Economic Development Public Oversight Roundtable on the Noose Incident at the New Ballpark. WHERE: John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 412. CONTACT: Those who wish to testify should contact John Adams at 202-727-6683 or by email at jadams@dccouncil.us by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29, 2008. JANUARY 30, 2008, 6:00 P.M. WHAT: Committee on Public Works and the Environment, Public Hearing on “Performance Parking Pilot Zone Act of 2008” (B17-580). WHERE: John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 500. _______________________ GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2008, 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM WHAT: DC Council Sponsoring a Blood Drive with the American Red Cross WHERE: Ground Floor of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW CONTACT: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule your donation. PRESENT – MARCH 20, 2008 (Application Deadline) WHAT: Larry Neal Writers’ Competition for Youths and Adults. WHERE: Entries must be received in the Commission’s office at 1371 Harvard Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. CONTACT: Email Charles Barzon at charles.barzon@dc.gov or call 202-724-5613. Visit www.dcarts.dc.gov to download the application form. _______________________ COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES PRESENT - FEBRUARY 29, 2008 (Deadline for Applications) WHAT: Application Period for Bank of America 2007 Student Leadership Summit, Washington, DC. CONTACT: To apply visit www.bankofamerica.com/neistudentleaders. _______________________ FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS CALL Councilmember Brown’s office at 202-724-8174. You can also visit www.kwamebrownatlarge.com, www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/, or www.dc.gov. BROWN ANNOUNCES ROUNDTABLE ON NOOSE INCIDENT AT BALLPARK--Brown convened a meeting at new ballpark yesterday to probe incident Yesterday, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, convened a meeting at the new Nationals’ Stadium to address the discovery of a noose in a break room at the ballpark. Brown learned of the incident Thursday and immediately began a committee probe by convening a meeting with the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission, master developer Clark/Hunt/Smoot, and Truland Systems Corporation. “Discrimination and hate crimes of any kind are absolutely intolerable,” said Brown. “The District should take strong action when taxpayers’ money is involved. The District must do whatever is in its power to prevent companies with a proven pattern of discrimination and inadequate diversity training from doing business with the city. I’m frustrated by the lack of answers coming from Truland and want accountability for the discriminatory practices which have taken place on the worksite.” Officials at the meeting confirmed that two employees involved in the incident have been fired. Clark/Hunt/Smoot reported that they are planning to conduct individualized trainings with every foreman and work crew at the Stadium. Committee on Economic Development Public Oversight Roundtable: The Committee on Economic Development will hold a Public Oversight Roundtable for Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The intent of the roundtable is to probe the circumstances surrounding the noose incident and provide insight into actions that will be taken to ensure prevention and accountability. ________________________________________________________________ REVITALIZATION OF SHAW NEIGHBORHOOD A PRIORITY FOR BROWN--Deal to bring Radio One/TV One back to DC signed into law (Left: Councilmember Brown on Shaw Main Streets Tour with Executive Director & ANC Commissioner Alexander Padro) VODCAST WEBSITE LINK: http://www.kwamebrownatlarge.com/Site/Vodcasts/ YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAQvC8EdjtM On Thursday, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown joined the Mayor and officials at a signing ceremony to bring Radio One’s headquarters back to the District of Columbia. Radio One will be located in the Shaw neighborhood near Howard Theatre. The revitalization of Shaw has been a top priority for Brown. Last year, he fulfilled a promise to tour all nine business corridors in the city, which included Shaw Main Streets (www.shawmainstreets.com). From the beginning, Brown strongly supported bringing Radio One back because of his commitment to revitalizing Shaw. As chair of the Committee on Economic Development, he fought to ensure the deal was in the best interests of District residents. “Having a catalyst for economic development, like Radio One, is a key component to neighborhood revitalization outside of downtown,” said Brown. “This project will not only bring the largest African American owned radio broadcasting company to the District, it will provide jobs for DC residents, affordable housing so they can live where they work and new opportunities for local businesses.” The Radio One agreement specified the benefits the project would provide to the Shaw community. Some of the highlights of the agreement include: - Creating 25% affordable housing units; - Proving for 35%-50% participation of local, small business vendors in the development process; - Reserving 10% of the retail space for existing or emerging local businesses, providing reduced rents at a rate of 50% for the first 2 years and 25% for years 3-5; - 20% equity ownership by Ellis Development Group, LLC, which is a District based business; and - Radio One donating $250,000 for a scholarship fund for Shaw high school students to attend the Howard University School of Business or the Howard University School of Communications. Councilmember Brown has long supported bringing Radio One back to the District but he has fought to ensure that the District maximized the benefit of the company’s return for District residents. “My loyalty is to the residents of the District who are fighting everyday to provide a better quality of life for their families,” said Brown. “We need to ensure that their best interests are protected as we move forward.” ________________________________________________________________