BROWN: ZERO TOLERANCE MEANS ZERO TOLERANCE-- Brown to introduce anti-hate crimes legislation to combat intolerance
On Wednesday, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, held a Public Oversight Roundtable on the “Noose Incident at the Washington Nationals’ Ballpark.” The workers who discovered the noose and representatives from Truland Systems Corporation, the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission and Clark/Hunt/Smoot testified. Councilmember Brown is also planning to introduce legislation that would make it a hate crime to display a noose on private or public property.
Councilmember Brown’s opening remarks at the Roundtable were poignant, expressing deep concern for the state of tolerance and decency in the District. “Last week I was both saddened and outraged to learn about an incident that took place at the construction site for the Washington Nationals’ Stadium involving a noose found in a break-room used by employees of Truland Systems Corporation, an electrical contractor hired to do electrical work on the Stadium,” said Brown. “I have to take a moment to mention that it is very ironic that this incident took place just one day after our nation celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a holiday that celebrates a man who fought for peace and equality for all and detested racism and discrimination of any kind. The noose incident also took place just a few months after we held a march against hate crimes here in the District, spurred by the Jena Six atrocity in Louisiana, to heighten sensitivity to hate crimes and prevent any incidents that might even suggest prejudice or discrimination.” The four workers who discovered the noose in the break room testified before the Committee including Keith Battle, Bradley Brown, Carlos Hampleton and Anthony Perry. All of the workers are Truland Systems Corporation employees. Perry, a master electrician with 15 years of experience, said that he wanted people to know that he wasn’t “going tolerate it” even if others thought he should “just let it go.” Councilmember Brown commended the men for their bravery and for appearing before the Committee despite the adversity they faced. Robert Truland, Chairman and CEO of Truland Systems Corporation testified as well. Thus far, all of the workers reported to be involved in the incident have been Truland Systems employees. Robert Truland testified that the company would take steps to ensure that the workers who testified today would not suffer retribution for appearing before the Committee. Truland also said that the company is in the process of hiring new human resources and communications staff and is planning to develop sensitivity training. In addition to apologizing to Battle, Brown, Hampleton and Perry during his testimony, Truland offered to meet with the employees personally and give him his direct cell phone number to report any future incidents. Councilmember Brown was stunned that the company did not immediately send out a public statement condemning the act and for failing to apologize to the employees sooner. Brown received a commitment from Truland, the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission, and the master developer Clark/Hunt/Smoot that they would work together to develop a comprehensive anti-discrimination policy that goes beyond sensitivity training by March 1, 2008. Brown has promised to take legislative action. At the next Committee of the Whole meeting on February 5th, he will introduce legislation that makes it a hate crime to display a noose on any private premises or property in the District if the intent of the action is to deprive equal protection of the law, injure someone, to intimidate a person exercising a federal right or cause fear of personal safety. It is currently a criminal offense to display a Nazi swastika or a burning cross in such a manner. “I want to send a clear message that hate crimes will not be tolerated in the District and that companies who do business here have an inherent responsibility to train their employees to be sensitive to diversity,” said Brown. “Individuals also have a responsibility to respect others in the workplace, which should be a place of prosperity instead of fear and intimidation. We cannot afford to let actions like this be swept under the rug. Zero tolerance means zero tolerance.”
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$95 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION-- Key DC neighborhoods now eligible for Great Streets funding
On July 10, 2007, the DC Council approved the “Great Streets Neighborhood Retail Priority Areas Approval Resolution of 2007,” which At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown supported. The resolution authorized $95 million for mixed use and retail development projects within the Great Streets corridors. This morning, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty announced that the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) is accepting applications for funding until April 18, 2008. The funding is targeted to key DC neighborhoods including: - $10 million for Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE/South Capital Street;
- $25 million for H Street NE;
- $25 million for 7th Street/Georgia Avenue NW;
- $10 million for Petworth;
- $15 million for Minnesota-Benning; and
- $10 million for Pennsylvania Avenue SE. (1) “Revitalizing our neighborhoods outside of downtown has been one of my top priorities as Chair of the Committee on Economic Development,” said Brown. “Residents consistently told me how they need more retail in their local neighborhoods. I’m glad to see that Mayor has taken action on implementing this important program and look forward to seeing the improvements first hand.” Brown authored measures in the Council that will address the need to revitalize our neighborhoods. He authored the “Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Tax Relief Strategy Act of 2007” (B17-369) to address this need. The purpose the act is to require the Mayor to create a tax relief strategy for all D.C. neighborhood businesses within a commercial corridor that are economically impacted by the road infrastructure construction performed by the District Department of Transportation. To address blighted areas in our neighborhoods, he authored a friendly amendment to Councilmember Cheh’s “Nuisance Property Abatement Act of 2007” (B17-455) that would increase from $5 to $10 per $100 of assessed value, the tax the city charges for class 3 commercial properties that are vacant. The intent of the amendment is to prod property owners to sell or develop the vacant property, while simultaneously increasing city tax revenues. According to the notice released by DMPED, “Applications must be received at ODMPED on or before 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Friday, April 18, 2008.” For more information, contact Derrick Lanardo Woody at derrick.woody@dc.gov or 202-727-6703. (1) Source: Notice of Funding Availability: Great Street Neighborhood Retail Tax Increment Financing (TIF), January 29, 2008; District of Columbia Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.
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MAYOR FENTY, CHANCELLOR RHEE AND DEPUTY MAYOR REINOSO REVEAL FINAL SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION PLAN—Hearing scheduled for February 27th
Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso released a final school consolidation plan that revises what schools will be closed. According to the Mayor’s press release, the following changes were made to the original consolidation plan: - Smothers Elementary School will remain open and become a receiving school for Benning Elementary School, which will close “after the 2007/2008 school year.” - Shaw Middle School will remain open and become a receiving school for Garnet Patterson Middle School, which will close “no earlier than 2011.” - Ronald H. Brown Middle School will remain open and become a receiving school for Merritt Middle School, which will close “after the 2007/2008 school year.” - Bruce-Monroe Elementary School will remain open and become a receiving school for Park View Elementary School, which will close “no earlier than 2011.” The Mayor’s plan also calls for enhanced staffing for all receiving schools depending on the individual need for each school. The models vary but the main enhanced staffing models are: - Academic Support;
- Wellness Support;
- Enrichment Support; or
- Administrative and Facility Support. Last month, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown introduced the “Creative Learning Program Act of 2008” (B17-592), which would require the Mayor and the Chancellor to add Music, Visual Arts, and Physical Education classes for all elementary schools in the District starting in the next school year. The “Enrichment Support” enhanced model proposed by the Mayor would create staff for Visual Arts, Music, Health & Life Skills (MS & HS), and Physical Education classes, included Before and Aftercare programs. When Brown introduced the legislation he asked, “How is it that we can spend over a $1 billion on education and fail to provide a music teacher in every school in the District? Schools shouldn’t have to hold fundraisers to pay for music and arts programs.” The Mayor will hold a public hearing on the newly proposed closings to take place February 27, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at McKinley Tech High School, 151 T Street, NE, Washington, DC.
________________________________________________________________ 2008 SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM The Department of Employment Services (DOES) is dedicated to helping District youth make a smooth transition into the workforce. The 2008 Passport-to-Work Summer Youth Program (SYP) offers 14,000 District youth, ages 14-21, with an opportunity to participate in a ten-week temporary job readiness and academic enrichment program. Registration for the 2008 Summer Youth Employment Program will begin on February 2, 2008, for all youth participants. Interested youth must complete the 2008 Summer Application to register. Youth are required to bring proof of their District residency, date of birth, citizenship/permanent residency, and Social Security Number when registering for the program. College students must also bring a current resume and college transcript. Students in grades 7 through 12 must bring a copy of their current report card (for information purposes only). The application is available at the following link: http://does.dc.gov/does/frames.asp?doc=/does/lib/does/services/touc_application_form.pdf
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