Sorry for the short notice, but it has been out on the listservs-
Special Community Meeting hosted by Commissioner M. Tony Richardson
Who: All 6C05 residents, business owners, and community stakeholders
What: Special Community Meeting
When: Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 7pm
Where: Senate Square, 3rd Floor Lobby
Why: To discuss pressing neighborhood issues, challenges, and solutions
13 comments:
Inked–I went to the meeting last night and the operators of Studio 400 expressed disappointment in the comments left about them on your blog. In front of a room full of people, Mr. Richardson said that he knows about your blog but doesn't read Frozen Tropics and if we want "real information" to go to his ANC blog. I thought that was messed up.
...and I checked this blog this morning. I had plans last night and didn't know there was an ANC meeting.
One thing that I liked about Alan Kimber was his continuous attempt to inform the community. I met Tony and he has my email. Why didn't he contact me or but me on a list serve and to get me to go to his website for further update?
I suddenly feel that he is not fully on the communities side. I'm I wrong on that feeling?
I'm guessing that what Mr. Richardson doesn't want to be held responsible for reading and responding to every Studio 400 related comment that shows up on Frozen Tropics. Remember that [I can tell Blogger is emailing him comments because his blog is still set to moderate] each comment he gets on his blog is mailed to him individually, and he doesn't have to weed through unrelated stuff searching for Studio 400 comments.
He is the commissioner for 6C05 and he's been working on issues surrounding Studio 400. As a result, he's likely to have pretty solid information, and I think, considering that some of the discussion of Studio 400 has been a tad volatile, that he's trying to control the official conversation a bit.
I've pesonally spoken with Tony on several occasions about the Studio 400 meeting, and I've found him to be very responsive and fair.
I also went to the meeting last night, and, while parts were contentious, I think that the meeting ended on a high note. Because the C of O has been revoked, Studio 400 is completely shut down now. The operators are going to be looking at new business models. The residents at the meeting seemed willing to engage in a dialogue with them on their next steps.
I thought I would just chime in to say that I attended the meeting last night and asked the owners of Studio 400 if they were open to hearing ideas for a new business. Tears welled up in one of the owners eyes after the meeting as he said all that he wanted to do was to provide for his kids and do something positive in the community. I believe that since they are starting over, creating a new business plan, getting the appropriate permits/licenses and are open to community input, I think that they are heading in the right direction.
After the meeting, I suggested making Studio 400 into Cafe 400 (or something else along those lines). I have eyed that site for the last 2 years dreaming about the day I would buy that property and convert it into a small restaurant or cafe with outdoor seating. The portion of space on the side of the building that’s between the building and the main sidewalk would be PERFECT for outdoor seating. I think that would be a very positive business for the neighborhood as it offers a service that would be appreciated on the west end of H. It will certainly be interesting to see what the owners eventually decide to do with the space.
By the way, Inked, I love your site and think it is a very informative blog and community resource. I think what becomes controversial are some of the comments people choose to leave. Even when people talked about me during the ANC 6C special election, I still visited the blog. It is another way to share information and keep the neighborhood informed. Thanks!
I agree that this blog can be informative but it also allows people to act cowardly by attacking people anonimously and misrepresenting the facts on so many levels. I too was present at the meeting and heard the commissioner's comment very clearly. In an effort to remind people about the best means of communication he stated "For accurate information please visit my blog and do not rely on Frozen Tropics."
I speak to Tony frequently and we often speak about Frozen Tropics commentary - hint yes, he does read it. He would not be in touch with the community by ignoring Frozen Tropics. As his neighbor I've had many opportunities to discuss the issues of the day. I ask that you not jump on the judgemental band so quickly without making an effort to get to know the man behind the title. Once you do so you will find that he is intelligent and on top of his game.
You shouldn't take offense because you didn't get a personal invite via email. That is the purpose of posting information on a blog site. In addition, announcement flyers were posted on our doors. Maybe your flyer flew away with the wind. I too understand why Tony said "for accurate or real information please visit my blog site" - he would spend all day trying to manuever through this site and respond to all of the inconsistent and wrong information put out there.
Again, for official information the commissioner's blog site should be relied on - not this or other blogs.
I was a neighbor of Alan Kimber and truth be told he was good for appearance sake but extremely ineffective in standing up to businesses and protecting the community's interests.
If you knew anything about politics you would not question whose side Tony is on - the community or Studio 400? What are you smoking? Many of us wanted Studio 400 gone as soon as they opened doors. Tony has been updating us on this issue from the beginning. In those messages he told us that there is a process underway and the community needed to remain vigilant on this issue.
recall in some of his site comments on the Studio 400 issue he specifically said that he was unable to disclose additional information at that time but would do so when he was able.
Well apparently it worked becasue Studio 400's COO is revoked. You should be shouting for joy. You got what you wanted.
While the meeting got a bit contentious at times. I was pleased that we had a forum to raise our concerns before Studio 400, MPD, and DCRA. I too saw the frustration and hurt in the eyes of the main operator of Studio 400. In the meeting the community expressed an interest and willingness to start anew and work with Studio 400's new business plan. Let us stay committed to this if Studio 400 is sincere. My gut tells me that they will likely just walk away.
fair & balance, Tony said he doesn't read this blog...period. There's no second guessing that. It came straight from the cows mouth so why are you redirecting from that. Please don't try to clean it up for him. Derek, I feel where you're coming from. I kind of get that too. Richardson is playing it safe and acts like he has a political agenda. I've actually heard quite a few people say that. I mean come on, he’s campaigning pretty hard already eventhough some of his constits felt like he was batting for the wrong team. It just leaves me with a bad taste.
I think we should be fair. I often check both sites. I think the core content of this blog has always been fair and balanced and is perhaps the best source of news and commentary on or area. I can't even imagine how much work is put into Frozen Tropics but it is great. I think Mr. Richardson does a nice job informing the community as well.
I hope both continue and I don’t think they have to be mutually exclusive.
Let’s all remember that we should judge this blog by the main posts and not by the comments that we all leave.
Inked, thank you for your comments. I fully respect the things you say.
Will, Thank you too for trying to speak for me. I do not recent what I wrote earlier. I enjoyed the email updates form Alan. Even if was to view his website. Tony has my card (maybe he threw it away) and there is nothing wrong with having an email list of people he met in the neighborhood to keep them up to date with events. There is a number of times that I DO NOT GET A FLYER because I LIVE IN A BASEMENT UNIT. It is not that it flew away, but maybe a I never got one. I remember Riviera and how he was not on the communities side. I remember meeting him and felt his resentment at a gentrification that appeared to be against him. I'm saying that because he expressed an opinion about Embinizer's. Sorry, but that was a side rant.
I met Tony one evening at Pap's and that was it.
I recall a early evening sometime ago when Alan got Tommy Wells and the police with Diane Groomes walking the area from 7th to G down 6th to H and over to 4th. I forgot his name, but he mentioned that the corner building (it is now Studio 400) will be a restaurant soon. I am not saying he lied cause things change and different things happen.
If things were done differently, the outcome would be different.
BTW, I post with my real name.
these Studio 400 guys are pure sleaze. "Mentoring program" for youth that is really a nightclub; driving around in a Hummer and pretending to worry about providing for his family?
The only agreement the neighborhood needs with these guys is to close them down and get a real business or non-profit in that space.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I was also present at the meeting and heard the Frozen Tropics comment. Sometimes people suffer from selective hearing. It was not an attempt to clean up what was said but to accurately report what was said because you distorted it.
What is it about Studio 400 that would rally most residents to their side? Your attack is flawed on so many levels.
Tony represents the community - period. He is NOT a community activist. He is our commissioner.
If at anytime you have an opinion about an issue or his stance on an issue - I challenge you NOT to hide behind this anonimous blog (one name does not identify you among the many) but to contact him and engage him. Tell him that you hold him accountable for whatever your concerns or issues may be. Watch his actions and then you will be able to tell whether he followed through. If you don't think he communicated this or other information well, call him on it personally (if you feel so strong to place it in the blogsphere). My only point is be fair. If you take the time to air your thoughts, concerns, etc. on this blog WHY not contact Tony in the same regard.
This is exactly what I did. The Studio 400 issue was a major concern for me so I called Tony to lay out my concerns. He returned my call immediately and answered all my questions, etc.
I do the same thing with congressional folks. I will send them an email or call them.
Now that A. Rivera is a different animal. It is only due to my many attempts of engaging him about community concerns that he convinced me that he really is from a different planet simply visiting us to cause chaos. He's scary!
Let us join forces not divide them so we can stand stronger against things like Studio 400.
Fair &Amp; balance- It's funny how you assume I haven't voiced my concerns to Tony. Just for the record, I have. Next time try asking first. TONY SAID HE DOESN'T READ THIS BLOG...PERIOD. You can write long preachy posts and attempt to redirect the focus all you want, but that's what he said. No wonder he didn't know what a lot of his constits wanted about s400. If he put as much energy into finding out what the neighborhood wants as campaigning for votes, he'd really be on the ball.
Will - good job of voicing your concerns to Tony. You should also tell him "By the way I am pissed off that you don't read Frozen Tropics" since you want to keep the focus on the real issue. Oh keep going while you have his attention to tell him that he is out of touch with his folks. Report back how that conversation goes.
Post a Comment