mount pleasant neighborhood alliance

2006 Annual Report

Music in the Park Series:  MPNA became Partners with the Department of Parks and Recreation and worked together to bring music to our park.  Over 17 local musicians and artists performed in Lamont Park from June until September giving back to our community by performing free.   

Bestway Market:  Along with many residents, resident stakeholders, MPD, Friends of the Earth, and Historic Mount Pleasant, MPNA challenged the public space permit to store trash on public space before the Public Space Committee.  Bestway was denied permits to store trash on public space. 

Operation LiveLink:  We raised $1,190.00 for Operation LiveLink.  MPD arrested bad check writers using Operation LiveLink.  Beginning in May 2007 we will extend Operation LiveLink hours from 6:00pm-9:00pm to 7:00 am to 11:00pm. 

Victim Donation Funds for Edgar Carranza: After a brutal (stabbing) assault on Election Night, Board Member Marika Torok stayed with and saved this man’s life until EMS could arrive.  MPNA raised $1,610.00 for him to help cover medical bills and living expenses. 

Chief of Police Special Award:  Two MPNA Board members received awards in recognition of MPNA’s partnership with the MPDC to improve neighborhood safety. 

Police Service Area (PSA) Partner:  MPNA partners/cosponsors with MPD at monthly PSA meetings.  Since our sponsorship, attendance has increased. 

Family Place:  MPNA sponsored a pickup drop for donations to the Family Place in Lamont Park during the winter holiday season.   

Farmer’s Market:  On several weekends, MPNA shared a table offering membership information and information on our Music in Lamont Park Series.  The information was well received by those shopping at the market and the Board will discuss whether to maintain a more regular presence at the Farmer’s Market.  

Membership:  MPNA brought in over $15,000 in contributions in 2006 through April 2007.  We will add a new category of membership called Individual membership at $25 and household memberships will increase from $20 to $35.  The reasons for a rate increase include:  no increase in the past, increased programs, event costs, increase in neighborhood requests and neighborhood projects.

Crime Prevention Rally and Memorial:  MPNA held an 8^-month Memorial Event & Crime Prevention Rally in honor of Gregory Shipe who was murdered on September 17, 2005.  The MPD light tower was lit in his honor after the memorial and crime prevention event. 

Testified at the “Protection and Safety of Underage Person’s Amendment Act of 2007”:  MPNA President Laurie Collins testified about having a more clearly defined law for restaurants and nightclubs; that everyone under the age of 21 should NOT be banned, where they should and should not restrict under 21 year olds; curfews, entertainment endorsement to a kiddie endorsement feature, and consideration that 18 year olds can serve alcohol. 

Testified on the District of Columbia Public Library FY2007 Operating Budget To the DC Council Committee on Education, Libraries and recreation First and foremost, we asked that the Council either allocate or redistribute the capital funds in the proposed budget to reflect the Mayor’s own projects from FY2006 that would have fully funded the renovations of the Mount Pleasant Branch Library in FY2007.  The Mount Pleasant Branch Library, at the very least, needs new heating, cooling and ventilation; needs to be wired for substantially more computers; needs to address accessibility to the building and throughout the space; and needs to provide a more comfortable and engaging setting for the users of the library.  The Mount Pleasant Branch serves one of the most densely populated areas in the city.  The clientele come from a wide variety of backgrounds and circumstances and the current space is well-used and very much treasured by the community.  Throughout this process of revitalizing the entire Public Library System, it is the commitment you show to such a branch that will demonstrate success to other neighborhoods and to representatives from other cities across the country.  As of this date, renovations have begun in our library. 

Testified requesting delay of the Mayor’s Draft Comprehensive Plan:  MPNA testified before the Committee of the Whole Office of Planning Budget Hearing to delay approval of the new Comprehensive Plan. There are significant changes anticipated that affect Mount Pleasant, like the redevelopment now under way in Columbia Heights, alterations of our bordering historic Rock Creek Park and 16th Street NW.  We are a major experiment in transit-oriented economic development.  The Plan appears to challenge our current zoning, legal definitions and the governing standards that impact our current protections that pertain to water quality, residential housing, density, transportation, eminent domain, and important due process issues of political intent and fiscal accountability.  The draft as presently written, does not adequately respond to DC's needs for emergency preparedness, transportation efficiency, municipal parking, quality education, affordable housing, health care or our welfare.   Support:  Fiesta DC 

Single Sale Moratorium:  MPNA pioneered another 4-year extension to the single sale moratorium in Mount Pleasant.   

Meeting Speakers:  Martin Skolnik, Director Real Property Tax Administration and Neil Ollivierra, Real Estate Appraiser

Member:  Federation of Citizens Association.  The Federation of Citizens Associations of the District of Columbia is composed of neighborhood associations from throughout the District of Columbia. The Federation was organized in 1910 and then incorporated in 1940. 

Rock Creek Park Management Plan:  MPNA voted for Alternative Plan A that will enhance recreation, improve visitor safety, better control traffic volumes, and improve the use of park resources.  This alternative plan strikes an appropriate balance for all park users that promises a better visitor experience for everyone. Alternative Plan A also recognizes that closing parts of Beach Drive during workday hours would have had unacceptable negative impacts on communities surrounding the park.

Irving-Harvard Triangle Project:  MPNA held a series of meetings to receive input from the community and discuss possible design concepts for the Irving-Harvard Triangle located adjacent to the intersection of Irving, Harvard, Kenyon Streets, and Adams Mill Road.   

National Night Out:  MPNA along with MPD hosted another successful National Night Out event in Lamont Park, a crime prevention and public safety awareness event that is celebrated the same day throughout the country.  MPD’s own Lt. Ewell and his blues band,

Danny Blew and the Blues Crew, performed that evening on stage.  Additionally, there will be family-oriented activities, free ice cream, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, balloons, and other goodies.  An MPD officer did face painting for the children.  

ANC:  The Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Alliance respectfully requests that ANC1D reconsider and rescind the recent ill-considered resolution entitled, “Adding a Personal Hardship Exception Clause to the Historic Preservation Law” as it pertains to 3228 Walbridge Place, NW (HPA # 06-463).  The resolution appeals to emotion, but the facts provided by the Historic Preservation Office show there is no reason to change the law.  Therefore, we ask that the ANC rescind its resolution and work quickly to resolve these issues with the city’s professionals, who have offered their services to the family, as well as to the ANC.