VOL. 54, NO. 1 • OCTOBER 18 - 24, 2018
It’s Official: The Washington Informer’s ‘Drive to 55’ has begun!
Emergency Legislation Halts Providence Hospital Closure
At-Large Council Race Reveals Racial Schisms
D.C. Council also Delays Vote on Bill to Regulate Airbnb
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
By D. Kevin McNeir, WI Editor and Sam P.K. Collins, WI Contributing Writer Councilmember Vincent C. Gray (Ward 7) pondered over the news he’d heard earlier this summer when Providence Hospital announced plans to close acute care services by year’s end, continuing their previously detailed decision to exit inpatient psychiatric and obstetrical care services. But when the hospital failed to send
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young people and seniors,” said Charlene Hursey, 69, a Ward 8 resident of 20 years who took part in the summit. “I thought if I came and shared the information I got, it would make [the seniors I know] more willing to participate. I talked to the senior committee about transportation to events in the city.” Hursey counted among more than 50 residents who candidly spoke about the conditions in Ward 8, expressing love for the place they call home while highlighting areas of improvement. “It’s difficult to schedule the Department of Parks and Recreation bus,” she said. “The city offers so much, but we’re apprehensive about going outside because
If Dionne Reeder defeats incumbent Elissa Silverman for one of the two at-large seats on the D.C. Council up for grabs, Black female representation in the city government would increase and Mayor Muriel Bowser would have an ally in the businesswoman and third-generation Washingtonian. Such a possibility has raised the stakes in a hotly contested race that has revealed deep racial and political schisms of a city grappling with the economic and cultural effects of gentrification. Some of Reeder’s supporters, such as Sheika Reid, said the candidate’s more than 20 years in the local and federal government and nonprofit space, as well as her entrepreneurial experience, can help her navigate those fault lines. “Policies are important but secondary to who candidates are at their core,” said Reid, an affordable-housing advocate, small-business consultant and Ward 1 neighbor of Reeder. “Dionne Reeder has the best interests of Washingtonians at heart, and that’s evident by her work ethic and dedication to creating opportunities.” Reid and other members of D.C.’s Young Civic Leaders hosted a brunch and fundraiser
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5 Families, friends and corporate organizations joined together to raise awareness and money for care, support and research by participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s held Saturday, Oct. 13 in Northwest. /Photo by Roy Lewis - See the full story on Page 20
Ward 8 Summit Reveals a Bevy of Concerns
Key Issues for Citizens: Senior Services, Public Safety
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
5 Ward 8 Council member Trayon White delivers the State of Ward 8 address to residents on Sunday, Oct. 14. /Photo by Roy Lewis
Residents throughout Southeast’s Ward 8 section of the city talked about government responsiveness, senior services, public safety and other topics during Councilman Trayon White’s State of the Ward Summit. The nearly two-hour event Sunday at Savoy Elementary School turned into an incubator of ideas where residents of all ages and professions outlined their vision for Ward 8 in hopes White and Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) members would earnestly respond. “I’m concerned about our
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