Day: January 8, 2007

Be safe

It was weird because I got the same message in about 10 minutes of the other. I was in Mt. Vernon one night and went to buy from one of the liquor stores that has worked with the community (y’all need a sticker “neighborhood approved liquor store”) and as I leaving the proprietor said “Be safe.” I wished him the same and left. My fear in the city isn’t getting shot or mugged (and those things could happen) but rather getting hit with a car. I walk, I ride my bike and there are too many idiots running around with SUVs who can’t stay in their lane, dismiss traffic rules, and essentially can’t drive. That was running through my head when heading down 5th Street, by a notorious corner and one fellow standing on the street said hello and then “be safe.” Weird.
But things haven’t been that safe. On the Eckington listserv, this weekend, there is the story of the XM employee robbed. This week there have been a few shootings in Shaw. Just as I was hoping that things were starting to look up….

Death Notice

From Jim
Neighbors,

Below please find the death notice that appeared in The Washington Post on Sunday, January 7, 2006 regarding Sgt. Thomas W. Sweeney — a longtime veteran of the Metropolitan Police Department and of its Fifth District. Sgt. Sweeney has been assigned to the Edgewood community for many years and throughout this term of service, he was a friend, mentor and guide to several generations of youths whom he helped to shepherd into adulthood as well as responsible lives. Ironically, he gave the Fifth District Police crime report at our most recent meeting of ANC 5C on December 16, 2006 and now, in less than a month, he is no longer with us.

Be good to yourselves and those whom you love. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us!!!

Best,

Jim Berry
President, BACA

Thomas W. Sweeney
SWEENEY
THOMAS W. SWEENEY, SGT.
Metropolitan Police 5th District

suddenly on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 at Southern Maryland Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Thelma J. Sweeney and the loving father of three daughters, Kelvina, Jennifer and Stephanie. Also leaves two grandchildren, one sister Lislie English and a host of other relatives. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at 9 a.m. until time of funeral, 11 a.m. at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, 3000 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E., Washington, DC. Private interment Arlington National Cemetery. Services entrusted to B.K. HENRY FUNERAL HOME.

BACA meeting tonight

MONTHLY MEETING NOTICE

Invited Guest:

Harry (Tommy) Thomas, Jr.

Council Member, Ward Five

Agenda for the Evening also Includes a Discussion of Goals relating to the Following Committees:
Public Safety

Youth Services

Transportation

Land Use, Planning and Economic Development

Membership

Monday, January 8, 2007
Mount Sinai Baptist Church
3rd and Q Streets, N.W.

Rooms 1 and 2
7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

For more information regarding the meeting and/or the Association, contact J. Berry at (202) 387-8520; email him at jamojam@msn.com; or visit www.dcbaca.org

Community Update
Happy New Year:

As we enter into 2007, please know that the Bates Area Civic Association, Inc. acknowledges and sincerely appreciates the contribution of each and every resident to make and keep our community a clean, safe and productive place in which to live, work, worship and raise our children. Indeed, it is our hope that 2007 is the best year ever for you and your family members!!!

Christmas Tree Collection Reminder: January 2-13, 2007

Residents who have not disposed of their trees yet are encouraged to put them – without ornaments or tinsel – in curbside tree boxes. Trees are being picked up during a special two-week collection from January 2 – 13. Residents who wish to keep their trees longer should put them out at their normal point of trash collection (curbside or alley) after January 13. DPW will then collect the trees along with the regular trash, as truck space permits over the following weeks.

Mechanical Street Sweeping Suspended From 12/4/2006 to 3/ 31/ 2007: A Reminder!

Every winter, the Department of Public Works (DPW) temporarily suspends weekly, (signed) residential street cleaning. This year’s sweeper hiatus started earlier than usual, i.e., on December 4, 2006, and will extend to March 31, 2007. This longer period will allowed DPW to shift personnel sooner from street sweeping duties in order to focus on fall leaf collection, and will keep employees in place longer to cope with any late season snow removal. During this time, “no parking/street cleaning” restrictions has also been lifted. As such, residents and visitors who park along posted, alternate-side, daytime street sweeping routes will not be required to move their cars on street-cleaning days during the sweeper hiatus. Posted residential street cleaning resumes Monday, April 2, 2007.

Next Meeting of ANC 5C: Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Please be advised that the next meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 1/16/2007, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., at the Harry L. Thomas Recreation Center, 1743 Lincoln Road, N.E. Because this is the first meeting of the year, the annual election of officers will be the first order of business on the agenda. BACA member and longtime community activist Ms. Anita Bonds will be representing Single Member District 5C01 for the new term and representing the southern portion of our service area (5C02) will be Eckington resident Mr. Kris Hammond. The BACA looks forward to working closely and cooperatively with these two new members of ANC 5C. Indeed, we have no hesitancy in predicting that the next two years will be highly productive and fruitful ones for the residents of our area.

A Profile of Ward Five Council Member Harry “Tommy” Thomas, Jr.:

Council Member Thomas is a third generation Washingtonian. He was born and raised in Ward Five and educated in the DC Public School system. He is currently the Founder and Director of D.C. First Swing/Team Thomas, Incorporated – a grass roots organization that is committed to making the District of Columbia a world technology leader and providing quality community development and youth programming. He is the former Vice President for Public Affairs at DC General Hospital . Mr. Thomas is a graduate of Bowie State University , with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations/Journalism. Mr. Thomas is married to Diane Romo Thomas, M.S.W. and is the proud parent of three boys and two girls. He volunteers his time as a youth mentor and sports coach in the Ward Five community. (This profile was taken from Council Member Thomas’ campaign website.)