New ANC2C - No Fuzzy Bunnies & Rainbows

After the election results for ANC2C in November, I thought we were entering a new era for Shaw.  I hoped we would see the ANC put its divisive history behind it and actually start working for the neighborhood.  I went to tonight's first meeting of the new ANC2C hoping for fuzzy bunnies and rainbows, as my wife so fittingly put it.  I'm sad to say that no fuzzy bunnies or rainbows were present.

Here's a quick summary:
- Chairperson: Kevin Chapple nominated Alex Padro to be chairperson, Theresa Sule nominated Doris Brooks to be chair person.  Vote tied at 2-2. In face of the tie, Brooks remained Chair as she was Chair during the previous term.
- VIce-Chair: Chapple nominated Padro, Brooks nominated Sule. Vote tied 2-2.
- Secretary: I was a bit confused, but apparently Sule was elected.
- Treasurer: Padro was elected.  Shortly thereafter, Padro resigned from the position. It then seemed that Brooks assumed the position of Treasurer, even though I don't think a vote was taken.
- At this point a gentleman from the Downtown Neighborhood Association stood up and complained that Brooks doesn't represent the downtown portion of her district and never comes to the meetings they invite her to.  Brooks seemed to think that downtown is not a part of her district, even thought the city government maps clearly show her district running through Penn Quarter to the Mall.  Brooks said that she  had tried to come to meetings but couldn't find the location. The DNA guy said that they meet every second Tuesday at 6:30 at Calvary Baptist Church, which is at the corner of 8th & H.
-Theresa Sule then responded to questions from the crowd regarding why she wouldn't support Alex Padro for Chair of the ANC.  Sule explained that she was concerned about a possible conflict of interest between Alex's day job as director of Shaw Main Streets and the role of chair of the ANC.  Alex did not respond.  (Editorial comment: I think this is a completely fair question on Theresa's part.  Alex should have publicly responded.  At the same time, it seems that there was communication prior between the commissioners that led Alex to believe that he would have her support.  The display of bad communication and mistrust at the meeting was extremely disappointing.  The Commissioners should try getting together to discuss things between them and make sure they are communicating clearly.  We elected them to serve the neighborhood, not to fight about who is chair person.)

At this point, the meeting moved into regular business:
-- There will be a Chinese new year celebration on Sunday, February 1, 2-4:30pm.  Parade through Chinatown and festival on H Street between 6th & 7th streets.
-- Good Libations asked for support for a single sales exemption, approved after much discussion.  MVSNA has agreed to specifics about what this exemption would allow.
Announcements:
-- MVSNA meeting Jan 27 7:30pm at Busboys & Poets
-- CCCA meeting Jan 27 at 7pm at Kennedy Rec
-- Street closings for Inauguration announced today
-- Meeting at Convention Center on Thursday regarding security arrangements for Inauguration
-- Alex Padro apologizes for agenda changes.
-- Emmaeus Services for the Aging, Shaw Community Ministry (name?), Judah Project (and maybe one more?) all ask for support for NIF grants.  Commission votes to support.
Adjourned

All in all, much more drama then I had hoped for.  In the end, however, these folks were elected to serve our neighborhood.  I certainly don't want to see fighting and distrust, but I care most of all about them actually getting work done and serving the Shaw community.