Editor's Note: "Officially tired of the madness," Ajia Meux, Deanwood neighbor and former Deanwood Citizens Association president, has distributed this "Open Letter to Community Members." To reach as many neighbors and stakeholders she asked Deanwoodenizen to post the message to her blog readers.
Dear Community Members,
I am writing you this as not only the former president of the Deanwood Citizen's Association, but also as a resident of the community and a concerned citizen. I am deeply concerned about the state of the Deanwood Citizen's Association. Since I know there is power in numbers, I am reaching out to the larger community. You need to be seen and heard!
In eight months time, the current executive board of the Deanwood Citizen's Association has managed to run the organization into the ground. They have managed to alienate new members—members who showed vigor in wanting to work on behalf of the organization and their community and members who made it their mission to bring other community members to meetings now do not even come. Committees to
address community issues are hand-selected and the information that comes from the committees is guarded. Member opinion is not respected, issues are often tabled and never addressed and only the President and the Vice President seem to have any say so into decisions made.
Community visibility is nil and when DCA leadership is represented reports are that their behavior is unprofessional and aggressive. For the last three meetings, there have been no minutes and no treasurer's report for the September meeting. This is of particular importance because the current executive board is notorious for making up information and distorting truth. We did not receive minutes for June's meeting or July's meeting. I did not see anyone recording the meeting tonight [editor's note: Monday, September 27, 2010].
The former president, Sylvia Brown, ANC7C04 was an amazing DCA president. She spent much time building Deanwood's reputation in the community and informing ALL residents of the process by which change can come when we work together as ONE COMMUNITY. I made it my mission to represent DCA to ALL residents, spending countless hours going door to door to invite not just home owners, but ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS to be engaged in the civic process. It is important that DCA be used as a vehicle for the entire community to progress, not monopolized by a few who use it as a means of control.
I own my home in Deanwood and have been a resident of the community for four years. I pay taxes on my property AND in the community through sales tax. I shop at Deanwood businesses. I am (and you are) just as much a stakeholder in this community as our next door neighbors who have been in the community for 30+ years. This polarizing attitude of the current leadership has to stop! Have you ever been called about an "emergency meeting" or any meeting for that matter? Have you received a flyer? Has anyone from DCA ever stopped and knocked on your door? Anyone ever ask your opinion about ANYTHING happening? I am begging you to come to a DCA meeting [fourth Monday, 6:30 p.m., 1350 49th St. NE] and challenge this current board. I do not plan on running for office again, but PLEASE consider running. It's time that we represent this community like others represent theirs—in a way that is clear, professional, respectful, diplomatic and that serve the interest of EVERYONE.
This is a drastic measure, yes I know. But I am tired of meetings full of shenanigans and petty arguments when our community is in crisis and on the brink of transition. Someone has to grab the reins. These folks are out of control.
Ajia Meux
5000 Block of Sheriff
Deanwood Resident
No comments:
Post a Comment