 Hello everyone, my name is Tom Donohue; I live on the corner of 22nd and Prout Street. I captured the events leading to the death of Mr. Farewell on my security cameras. First, I'd like to offer my deepest condolences to the entire family of Mr. Farewell. I don't know him and never will; however, I feel an attachment to him that requires me to share his final moments on this earth. I also think I've been tasked with doing whatever I can to help find the person responsible for sharing this terrible story. The only way I can tell this story is from the cameras that have assisted so many in the past of things that have happened in front of my place I call home for eight years. I have three cameras, one points down Prout Street SE, one that covers the intersection of Prout and Minnesota, and one in the back that covers the back yard and traffic coming down 22nd street. It was Friday night just before midnight when it occurred. I did not hear or see it happen as it happened. It wasn't until I listened to the sirens' constant sound over my bedroom TV that caught my attention. I got up, walked over to my monitors, and saw nothing but a Christmas Tree worth of lights all over, making it even hard to see what was actually happening. I jumped on my segway and went over the maybe 100 feet or so. I couldn't tell what had happened; it seemed like whatever did happen had wrapped up. I spoke to an officer who said to me that there had been an accident. I told him that I could come back and review my cameras just about then. I had an MPD officer who knew about my cameras come over and ask if I would check them and let them know what I found. Before I left, I asked if the person had made it; they basically said it didn't look good, so I hurried over, but it seemed clear they didn't seem to know much if anything about what had occured. I had some issues with the program I use, so the easiest way to review clips was not working. Thankfully I have a backup, and that is a card in each of the cameras I could draw from. I began to look through the 10-minute clips until the cameras started to tell me the final moments of Mr. Farewell's life. It begins with the car's appearance driving up the alley between Prout Street and Nicholson Streets; it seems he sits there until Mr. Farewell, riding a bike, comes into view. It appears a woman is walking with him on the opposite side of the sidewalk. Mr. Farewell gets on the sidewalk.  As all three of them continue down Prout Street, it seems that Mr. Farewell and the car driver are having a conversation. It wasn't until Mr. Farewell got to the corner of 22nd and Prout that the conversation got heated. Mr. Farewell got off his bike, yelling at the driver of the car. Mr. Farewell walked about halfway from where he left the bike on the sidewalk, yelling at the cars' driver, then proceeded to back to the bike, got on it, and continued biking past the corner to about the crosswalk between Prout Street and Young Street. At this point, the woman that appears to be with Mr. Farewell, who is walking on the opposite side of the sidewalk, crosses over and begins to walk up 22nd Street. You can see Mr. Farewell attempt to cross the street when the car owner targets Mr. Farewell. its clear that the driver intended to hit Mr. Farewell. The woman appears to run up the street and away from the scene, possibly to seek safety and or contact police. The driver then backs up. I think it was likely his intention was not to stop but to continue up to Minnesota; however, the bike gets lodged up under the car. He gets out of the vehicle paying no attention to Mr. Farewell to try to unlodge it. He gets back into the car, pulls forward, then back gets back out of the vehicle. At this point, passerby's begin to get out; it is a bit hard to tell precisely what is happening with everyone because of the distance; however, I can see that he gets back into the car, backs up, and drives away from the scene, headed down Young Street with the bike still lodged up under the car. You can tell this by marks from the bike being dragged in the asphalt. There is no indication that Mr. Farewell continued with the car after inital contact.  I gathered the critical parts of the video and ran them over to the detectives; at first, they were not homicide detectives. At some point, I recall hearing from someone that Mr. Farewell had died. My stomach sank, I recall the images I had just seen of this man. I showed them to the detective, and I remember his saying, so this was intentional. I agreed. He had got on his radio then on his cell phone. At this point, I only had the view of the actual incident. I told the detectives that I had the view of Prout Street and that I would go back inside to pull that view and would be back after some time. I narrowed down the video and downloaded it to my iPad. I ran across the street again to show the now homicide detectives what the video wanted us to know. From this view, we had a good view of the car, noting that the front passenger quarter panel had been replaced and was gray, all details that might help them find the vehicle. Feeling confident I had shown the detectives everything I had, I came back into my apartment to sit on my bed for a moment. I shared with a friend who was staying with me that Mr. Farewell had passed away. I kept thinking about him, what sort of family he had, how they would find out what details would be shared. I was unsettled and could not rest, so I got up and began to edit the videos together for the detectives. I captured a photo of the car then texted it to the detectives in case they were able to share it with officers in the field to be on the lookout.
I posted a photo of the car onto my Facebook page. At some point, one of the West Daughters posted a response saying it was her dad. I was shocked and responded right away. I figured they would ask about the video; the first thing that came to mind was the images I had already seen of their father. As I thought about it, I didn't want to jeopardize anything happening with the prosecution. Therefore, I thought it would be better for me to allow the police to handle the video's release. So I described what I remembered from the video as detailed as possible I can't tell you how many times I placed myself in their shoes and said, what would you want to know? I could feel the West daughter behind the phone. It is truly an experience I'll never forget. To the family of Mr. David Farewell, I may not know Mr. Farewell; however, please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers as you seek answers and justice for Mr. Farewell. Just rest assured that I'll continue to follow this incident. No matter how this mystery unveils itself, I'll stand ready to help in any way possible. I know several of you have inquired about the video. I can't lie it at times is difficult to watch; however, I believe there will be a time and a place to share it, likely when this matter comes to an end legally; right now, I'm sure many of you are just grasping for anything that can begin to bring you closure. I have had you all in my thoughts and prayers from the first moment I learned of the incident. I look forward to hearing stories you may share and learn more about Mr. Farewell. Thank you for inviting me along with the Fairlawn community to share in your vigil this week. From what I understand, you have a big family. Take this moment to learn from one another about your family, discover the things that make you similar, goofy, strong, listen to each other's stories, and grasp the memories that will be shared and finally, love each other. Mr. Farewell was just a few years older than me, and the same age as my sister, his untimely death has made me reflect on how short life can be. My heart goes out to you. All my thoughts will remain thinking about you, and I stand by to help in any way possible. Rest in Peace, Mr. David Farewell, rest in peace. Tom PS, I will be attending the vigil on Friday, lets use my addreess to help you find your way. No worries my address is only about 100 yards or less from the immediate area of the incident. I have arranged for the police department to close a section of the road to assure everyone is safe and able to be with each other without concerns for traffic. You can GPS this address: 2200 Prout Street SE Washington, DC 20020 
This is bull shit, the organizers followed other like block parties and nothing happened with them, with this event MPD not only knew about the cook out they actually stood by while the crowd grew and allowed it to happen. Now grown adults irresponsibly made the adult decision to attend, including an off duty police officer enjoying her time off (praying for her recovery) putting other lives at risk but that was their decision. Those who didn’t want to risk anything stayed away. An event of which a community likely needed (however still should not have had) gathered like they had four other years prior and did what this community often does.
The organizers hosted what they expected to be a community gathering, providing food and beverages, they had no clue four (insert list of expletives) would decide to indiscriminately aim and fire 100 plus rounds at those attending taking the life of a father to a new born and injuring more than 20 others. How can you take the good intentions of a neighboorhood wanting to bust out of their homes (again not the smartest thing to do and yes against the Mayors orders let’s not forget her own police dept also disregarded it) and wish to punish them, have they not provided this activity for their neighbors the last four years successfully? Leave the organizers alone Mr Gray and find leadership that can know what to do or how to handle this kind of situation. I wonder had the shooting not happened would you still be calling for this action? Let me ask, have you been down to the scene have you reached out to the young mans mother (a big no as of Wed night days after the loss of her sons life) and explained why our police department failed to do Anything? how about your accountability sir? If you are in tune with your ward why were you not over there insisting your police force take action? Before you start demanding decent (yet bad decision making) citizens have action taken against them why don’t you go door to door and help find who killed the father of that new born and son to a loving mother? There are STILL FOUR gun holding criminals walking these streets and your worried about the people who held the event? I bet you they have dealt with enough punishment knowing that many lives were altered at their event and although no fault of theirs that real criminals infiltrated their cookout to cause harm to others You Mr. Councilman should have written and addressed outrage at the killers that still roam these streets of southeast DC your press release should include info about the reward for their capture instead you want to point your finger away from your face and to the face of folks who likely had good intentions yet since the police department looked the other way and since your voice was missing that day they continued like other years to provide (guys it was irresponsible) outlet likely much needed for the community. You should take charge - gather MPD and the mayor together and insist an understanding be made how to handle these gatherings moving forward without jailing anyone yet working with MPD the community and ANC leaders to know what to do when events like this happen and not to just open your mouth when CNN reports on it open your mouth when it’s happening as it happens. Now where is your press release and strong words of action against those four shooters that’s what this press release should be about and the sad very sad loss of another Washingtonian a son and father of a new born. Tom Donohue Ward 8 Neighbor  In an late afternoon from Mary Ann Green Stinso, Instructional Superintendent, Cluster II of DCPS announced that Ms. Kimberly Douglass has been selected. See below the letter from Ms. Stinson. Also included is Ms. Douglass resume. If you haven't already please take a moment to read my thoughts on the selection process from the perspective of a selection committee member here   My Name is Tom Donohue, I am a neighbor of Boone Elementary and a supporter of your Boone Elementary Superstar. I recently was asked by the school committee to represent my neighbors in the selection process for the new Boone Principal. I am writing this note to inform you of a process of which in my opinion left you the parents or loved ones of a Boone Elementary Student without any say in who becomes the next principal at Boone. I am submitting to you a letter I wrote in to members of DCPS, Ward 8 CM T White and every at large CM in response to a process which was never really meant to have input from the community. I stay by ready to support any effort you may wish to take regarding the selection (we still do not know who was offered the position) If I can be of any further assistance please feel free to reach out to me. Here is the letter that was sent to members of the DCPS and members of Council: District of Columbia Public Schools & Elected members of City Council accountable to Ward 8 Residents:
First Thank you CM R. White you were the ONLY Elected official THE ONLY member of council who not only responded to my email but took action. This will be something I will continue to share and inform my neighbors about as ignoring me also means you ignored them. I do not have kids, I do not have any interest in my neighbor, Boone Elementary other than that – they are my neighbor but I truly care about the success and well being of my neighbors and their children and since they could be our future DC leaders I want the best for them. Besides wondering why this school has no diversity and is over 99% black – (why is there no diversity in this school? Is this in the best interest of our community, in the best interest for the students? I just wanted to get that injustice out now so I can begin to express my frustration with EVERY SINGLE PERSON READING THIS EMAIL **YES THAT MEANS YOU** (minus my fellow committee members) A few weeks ago to my surprise I was nominated by the school community to be on a selection committee for the new principal that will be responsible for leading staff and instructors. The successful candidate will be responsible for giving my neighbors children the bedrock of knowledge that will make way for the best superstars and future leaders that can come out of ward 8. This I’m sure you can imagine is HUGE for any family wanting the best for their child. I called on a few within my community to express whether I was the best person for this. I expressed not having any kids and frankly being white that maybe someone better understanding of the challenges within the black community would be appropriate. After hearing the amount of community support I reluctantly agreed. I didn’t know that my fears of needing to reach out to my neighbors to discuss injustices in this selection process would be necessary. Who on a selection committee has 30 minutes or less to have knowledge of who the candidates are. Who writes questions for candidates you are to ask question of without knowing who the candidates are? Why are the candidates not presented to the community for questions – or is that my role because In my opinion the community had ZERO opportunity to know who the chancellor narrowed down, they had ZERO opportunity to meet or ask questions, they didn’t even have an opportunity to even communicate with me if it was my role to seek comments or input from my neighbors. Why even form a selection committee if DCPS just wanted its puppets to look as though they had community chime in? Why ARE WE EVEN LOOKING FOR A NEW PRINCIPAL to begin with? Who would like to assist me in setting up a meeting with members of my cities council, the Mayors office, DCPS to answer these questions? I can even provide the Zoom room and make it available for my neighbors so they can help me in holding you accountable for your lack of response for what I’m sure is one of these parents #1 priority. It is my role to hold my elected officials accountable each one of you received an urgent email from me asking to join me in requesting a slight delay in order for me to obtain the candidates information and to properly vet each. I also feel I should have been able to share with my neighbors who the candidates were and to provide any opportunity for my neighbors to task me to ask certain questions or express their concerns. My neighbors likely didn’t even know the selection was underway or that a selection was even needed as I do not believe they were even informed of the termination of Dr. JK (EACH CM NEEDS TO ASK WHY THIS PRINCIPAL WAS TERMINATED OTHERWISE YOU HAVE DONE AN INJUSTICE TO MY WARD 8 NEIGHBORS) Now hopefully you are all still reading, On behalf of those who I was to represent on the committee (in transparency I unfortunately served up to the moment when the committee began questioning the second candidate and had to step away to reach some family as I was informed of a death while on the call with the candidates) which one of my elected officials can take the lead into and conduct a review of this process, conduct an investigation into termination of the former principal and who can affect change that will not only notify parents of the separation of school leadership but also inform and give opportunity for parents and families to know who are being considered and allow time for families to review qualifications and ask questions. As of the writing of this note the school community nor members of the committee have been informed of any decision. I am very disappointed in the lack of response from my elected officials. Last time I addressed an injustice I had NBC4 bring attention to the matter and the public response was swift and effective. Think we can collectively come together and find an appropriate resolution without my having to go that route? I await your response, Please do not make me loose confidence in our system of governance, I ask you address this issue and prove that speaking out and holding you accountable that change can be made. Very respectfully, Tom Donohue Written 6/12/2020 at 9:37am Dear Boone Elementary Parents and Families My Name is Tom Donohue, I have been nominated by Boone Staff to be the community representative for the selection process of the new principal. I understand for some this time is challenging with the termination of Dr. JK and given the process is continuing its imperative that we prepare and have influence in the selection process. I was informed of my nomination on Wednesday and told that we would be drafting questions on Wednesday afternoon and then submit final questions on Thursday. During this process I became alarmed when I started to inquire who the candidates were as we would be questioning these candidates Friday. I was informed that we the entire panel would not have any knowledge of any of the candidates until 30 minutes prior to the start of the interviewing process on Friday. Given that I represent the community I immediately became concerned that not only would I not have time to properly vet these candidates neither would the parents and families. Never in my professional life have I ever participated in a selection process where the selection committee didn’t have sufficient time to vet each candidate prior to the day of the interview process. Additionally, this means that the parents and families of Boone superstars also will be in the dark without any opportunity to offer feedback on the pool of candidates. With that said, I am taking this first opportunity to notify the Boone Community of this concern and the steps I’ve taken to try to address it at the very least I wanted to be transparent. Upon learning of this injustice I immediately contacted DCPS, I wrote to Ward 8 CM Trayon White, At large CM White, Silverman, & CM Bonds alerting them to my concern that DCPS has a selection process underway and asked each to join me along with others on the panel in requesting a slight delay while the selection panel has sufficient time to review the qualifications. I heard from CM R. White. He said, “Thank you for sharing this. I agree that it is not possible to properly vet candidates without time to do so in advance of interviews. I raised this with the Chancellor at today’s hearing and will follow up with him via email today.” Throughout Thursday I expressed my concerns with members of DCPS explicitly sharing my frustration with the process and insisting that whatever be done to re-schedule, however my efforts to have it postponed failed and the interviews are currently underway. I’m going to be very clear neighbors, I think the parents and staff at Boone have once again been dealt a bad hand by DCPS, I personally see these interviews today as part of a puppet show, we seem to only be present in order for DCPS to claim that the community was involved. In the three days that I have been on this committee I assisted with developing 10 questions, 8 of which will be presented to the candidates and a report is submitted to DCPS with our reflections. As far as the candidates we received access to the resumes of each candidate 30 minutes prior to the start of the interviews. This provided me no time to research anything on any of the candidates - I suspect this was intentional. Now as a community member I am not restricted to the policies of DCPS and therefore I have communicated with DCPS that I did not agree with keeping to the confidentiality request made by DCPS explaining that I felt that the families of Bonnie superstars had the right to know who DCPS has narrowed down to come before the panel and that I felt DCPS had an obligation to provide us with sufficient time to review the qualifications and event engage with the parents and families of those at Boone. I must apologize that was unable to be done. I have however decided that the Boone Community had the right to know who the Chancellor has narrowed the selection pool to and who we as a panel are/have interviewed. I will supply the candidates name and current position for privacy reasons I won’t share any other information however if you have any concerns I would directly contract true Chancellor to express them.
Please Note: Ufortunately this morning during the interviews I received a phone call from my father informing me of the death of my Uncle as a result I was unable to finish the interviews. It’s important that this information be shared among the community. Please note: we are aware of an issue downloading the pdf files, we are working to resolve it as soon as possible.Candidates Resumes
Various Emails Send by me and responses
This post is of Ms. Sandra Seegaers who shares a message on Facebook from a Vet that disagrees with his sitting Council Members (CM) messaging about Memorial Day. Its clear that the CM was attempting to fall in line with the rest of the country by 'wishing' folks a "Happy Memorial Day"
This is from Ward 8 City Councilman Trayon White's office. He's celebrating and happy about the deaths of our Service Men and Women who lost their lives while serving in the US military. There's no excuse for this, so please don't try to provide one for him and his continued display of lack of common sense and good judgement". - Mr. Slaughter Vet
The back and forth is disheartening. Ms. Seegars agressively is supporting another canidate for the upcoming election of Ward 8 Council. Her attempt to smear the sitting CM by changing the intent of his Memorial Day messahe is sad. I'm curious what you all think.
You'll have to expand the comments in this Facebook posting hopefully it will allow you to read and feel free to comment.  "Don't Just Stand There, Do Something!"
USE HASHTAG #IstandwithJK 1. Phil Mendelson, DC Council Chair: [email protected] ; Twitter @chmnMendelson a. Christina Setlow -202.724.4865; [email protected] ; b. Lakisha Jordon 202.,724.8137; [email protected] 2. David Grosso, DC Council Ed.Chair, [email protected] ; twitter @cmdgrosso 202.724.8105 a. Ashley Strange [email protected] ; 202.724.8061 3. Murial Bowser, Mayor DC , [email protected] ; Twitter @murielbowser 4. Robert White, At-large Councilmember, [email protected] ; 202.724.8174 ; Twitter @robertwhite_dc 5. Trayon White, Councilmember,Ward 8 [email protected] ; 2021.270.7271; Twitter @trayonwhite-- Sincerely, A.T. Smith DC Parent Consort "In education, it sometimes takes courage to do what ought to be common sense" - Arne Duncan  Dear entertainment community, I am writing to express my sincerest concern in the unethical behaviors of a select few. I risk alot and gain nothing by voicing this concern however this is the right thing to do and I believe in it enough for any risk. I know others see things happening and it’s time to stop it. First there is a major conflict of interest between The Cherry Fund, a non-profit organization that supports the HIV/AIDS community and the unlicensed business of several party productions. I take personal attention to this matter being HIV-positive. I vocalize this concern because members of the LGBT community are unethically using Cherry Fund funds. I know that several people see these transactions know about these transactions and either do not know what to do or add to problem by allowing this behavior to continue. We are a community that must stick together and no matter how fun or what influence any entity has or thinks they have they need to earn it by doing things right. As a result of information being offered by other concerned sources the DC Attorney General has launched an investigation. These investigations can take a long time to materialize into a report. I am reaching out to express this concern and to ask for your assistance to do your part to assure this conflict does not unintentionally sweep any unnecessary bystanders into this web of conflict. I intend to hold those who have any responsibility for any deficit of funds that should have gone to the local HIV/AIDS community to the fullest. It pains me personally to think members of the LGBT community have handled the intended funds raised for the HIV/AIDS community unethically. I am committed to being as transparent as I can. Much of the evidence is in the pubic eye. (Feel free to read previous posts on this blog) Others are less public however witnessed by several in regard to things like contractual, financial transactions and international VISA laws. Let me be clear, I’m not asking anyone to withdraw support, or cause harm to the intended purpose of The Cherry Fund. I continue to donate, and support and I ask that you do as well. Any withdraws could harm the good work that many volunteers invest in and could ultimately reduce the amount donated to organizations who support those living with HIV/AIDS. These local organizations need whatever funding they can get to continue to provide services to those in need. I am however asking that if any transaction you do with The Cherry Fund does not meet your level of checks and balances or proper way of doing business, that you protect yourself and request any/all written documentation. This could be anything from payment of DJ’s (make them issue you a check) to written contracts. Nothing should be under the table. This includes any business pertaining to any production company associated with those on the Board of Directors of the Cherry Fund. Don’t get swept up and feel free to use this communication as a excuse or an out. Use it as an excuse to request any transaction you perform with the organization be done differently and to a level that makes you comfortable. Several years ago I sat on the National Association of People Living with AIDS. It was at the time the longest oldest voice for those living with HIV/AIDS. One of the most painful things professionally I’ve had to do was to vote to shut the operations down due in some part of financial transactions by the director. The trustees regrettably had to refer the matter to the MD Attorney General who ultimately charged the Director and who was found guilty on charges related to financial transactions. I mention this because I have experience in these types of investigations, and I refuse to allow another HIV/AIDS organization to be taken advantage of at the expense of those living with HIV/AIDS. I welcome any questions or conversations and I commit to (to the extent I can without affecting ongoing investigations) being as transparent as possible. Feel free to offer respectful thoughts or questions here If you feel you have information pertaining to anything I have said please join others in sharing what information you have, I can assure you information will remain strictly confidential. If frustrated with this note, take a moment to consider the amount of tickets sold at the price point sold, sponsors, and other sources of funding throughout the year and ask yourself why only $100,000 was donated to local organizations Then reach out to me so I can connect you to those who would like to know what you know. Cherry Fund: Your refusal to supply the requested tax documents is suspect. I now know why you couldn't supply them. You amended 2016 to account for your $70,000 mistake and finally filed 2017 after being fined by the IRS in March of this year. Thank you for finally being transparent even if forced to do so by the IRS however Where is 2018? I encourage anyone doing business with the Cherry Fund to request annual reports, financial audits and see what sort of response you get when you start asking questions - that is if you get a response at all. Remeber its more than a party its support to local orgaizations who support those living with HIV/AIDS. Very respectfully, Tom Donohue   Yes. The Pressure Stays On...Wait. We're still waiting for The Cherry Fund to comply with a request requiring them to furnish the organizations tax returns from 2018. Several attempts to collect have gone unanswered. I wonder why? Hiding something? As we wait, lets get into the reason why I no longer volunteer for the Executive Team at The Cherry Fund. First I'm HIV+. The Cherry Fund well they support local HIV organizations they give the profits of their fundraising events to organizations who support those living with HIV, yeah so why would they do what they did to a sponsor someone who was giving back himself to the same community he belongs. - well it seems no one care anyway. On Jan 17, 2017 the producer for three promo videos follow up with me asking for more footage just before the first promo video is about the be released by The Cherry Fund Hi Tom, I respond looking to see the promo videos as I was promised to be included in edits and the production process which would help my knowing what they wanted for futrure promo videos. So i responsed saying Hello Craig Hope your year is off to a great start! Can you send me the Promo #1 video to see? I have a lot of footage from Distrkt C what are you looking for specifically? Tom Craig's response was:
I reviewed and was shocked that no credit was mentioned as agreed upon. THE CHERRY FUND STILL RELEASED THE VIDEO PROMO TO PUBLIC EVEN AFTER I POINTED OUT CREDIT WAS MISSING. APPARENTLY THEY DIDN'T CARE So I sent this email: Hello Gentleman, Within four hours I got a response back from Craig the producer of the video don't forget just days ago I informed them the promo video did not have the proper video credit due to TMD Enterprises, yet they still released it to the public without even ever correcting it. Hi Tom, this is my fault - i'm so sorry. "Before moving forward on another project since you note below that requests are prioritized with ANC support. I need a response on the request that was submitted last year for the traffic light near the intersection of 18th and Minnesota Ave SE.Further, Tyon Jones is a fellow Commissioner on ANC 8A and should not be assigned to this project. It is a conflict. When you can provide me information regarding the previous request then I can move forward with another." Commissioner Holly Muhammad in an email to Lisa Gee Robinson Communications Specialist with the District Department of Transportation. Now I don't know anything about this traffic light - however I do know a little about this request of mine for a traffic safety assessment around the new Lawrence E. Boone Elementary and my request of Commissioner for a letter supporting the assessment which would give the assessment a priority status. Sadly, the Commissioner has responded out of emotion and dislike for myself, a white, 39 year old, business owning resident of over six years in Ward 8. Lets rewind to last summer, July 17, my first interaction with the Commissioner. There was a construction project at 22nd and Fairlawn SE. Ms. Muhammad arrived on scene with an attitude of being in charge and demanding. As time went on and I watched I noticed her attitude with people like the fire department - the very people trying to assess and assist become unprofessional, and then there was a verbal altercation with my neighbor. I didn't know any of these people this was the first in about five years that a situation warranted neighbors coming out gathering to see what was happening. All of a sudden I hear the Commissioner begin to yell at Ms. Keisha Mims, who at the time was the Chief of Staff for the office of the Deputy Mayor of Education. Ms. Muhammad was giving Ms. Mims a tongue lashing and I mean yelling and screaming that Ms. Mims was not using her influence within the Mayors office to shut down this project. Ms. Mims responded by saying that as a citizen living across the street from the construction site that she was doing all she could which was clearly not enough for Ms. Muhammad. Now I've dealt with a lot of people, at 18 I began working for Wal-Mart as an Assistant Store Manager I've dealt with a lot of difficult people over the years and have seen a lot. Sadly, this was my first impression of Ms. Muhammad - and when I thought that this verbal altercation was going to get physical I was glad to see neighbors come in between to break it up. I was astonished to see when Ms. Mims stepped back several times Ms. Muhammad stepped into her provoking the situation and frankly making several of us concerned for Ms. Mims. In the back of my head I was thinking this is a politician? I kindly offered the Commissioner some of the photos I took to help illustrate her concerns. The next morning around 4am I got an email inquiring getting the photos to her. I responded asking if she had got my email - she did and then sent me another email asking if I withdrew her access to the photos as it seemed she no longer had access to them (of which I didn't she was just having issues or maybe lack desire to use the program I upload photos and video to which I use all the time for my photography clients). Now over the course of a few days the Commissioner called my home office prior to 7am several times, a true respect of others so early in the morning. I finally had to tell her not to do it again. Now to Sept of last year. My concerns over the change of entrance from Minnesota Ave to the corner of Prout and 22nd St rose so high I sent an email to Ms. Muhammad and others expressing some police assistance in traffic until the community got use to the entrance being moved. She responded supporting a crossing guard and saying that this new entrance was the "preferred entrance for the students vs the "liquor store entrance" my response was "My understanding is that yes, the only entrance for the students for now. I think the intention is to open the front entrance closer to the completion of the project. Frankly, law enforcement maybe a good start till folks get use to it as we almost had an altercation one morning last week. People got real heated with each other" to which she replied (sept 14th) . "This is the preferred entrance period for the students. We do not want them attending school through an entrance in front of a luquor store. The front entrance was deemed for the staff. I am not requesting law enforcement. We don’t need law enforcement to deal with our people at every level of a problem. This issue can be resolved WITHOUT law enforcement. All that is neede is a crossing guard like they have at schools west of the riverr. Have a good day" I left it go without a response until October 22nd and no response from anyone nor any assistance helping the school. Oct 29 - still no response so my email to the group got much more aggressive and the sense of frustration elevated especially since we are talking about children’s safety. So I sent this note: It has been a week since I have expressed my disappointment regarding the lack of action when it came to the intersection of 22nd and Prout. And then her response.... Mr. Donohue, Now let me mention a few things: She thought I was lying when it came to how long I lived among her here in Ward 8? (My lease is signed Dec 2, 2013) Maybe she should stop skipping over my building when she visits as I know she did the night before the election when she even refused to say hello to me while passing out her vote for me advertisement. I know I live among a mostly African American low income community. I live and breathe respect here. I also have a lot to learn and I've been lucky enough to have earned respect from my direct neighbors. I can relate to many of them, I've been homeless, I am HIV+ and as a low income person myself I face some of the same challenges my neighbors do. I don't know what impression she has or where her info came from however I have never not once had a beef with DCPS nor have I ever worked for them, applied to work for them - or any other district entity. She may have gotten confused with a conversation I had with her about a project I proposed to the construction company working on the Orr Elem project, I just can not get over the way she treats people. Her general attitude is deplorable. Even If I had solicited work from a dept within the district, what’s wrong with that? I do need to work and working pays my rent. I have no words for her statement on what intentions I may have had based on her false information. I was sincerely insulted and to this day she continues to be rude and downright unprofessional towards me. Her final comment about working to "uplift Black People and our communities long before I became Commissioner" made little sense to me as I've never questioned how she represented black people? You can read the full text of the emails here Now to current day. Since Sept I have been trying to address the dangerous traffic behaviors/patterns that directly threaten the lives of children and parents attempting to drop off their kids. I even made a video to remind the community: I even went to my first public meeting it was about traffic in order to help bring light to my concerns since all of emails to the Commissioner fell on deaf ears. I finally connected with Emily Dalphy Transportation Engineer, Vision Zero, Division, Office of the Director District Department of Transportation who asked me to complete a traffic safety questionnaire and send it back to her and if I was able to ger my ANC Commissioner a letter of support it would give it a priority and since this deals with children I figured there'd be no way she wouldn't support it. Well I was wrong. I don't know what my request has anything to do with hers however in a childlike tantrum where one doesn't get her way she refused to support giving priority status of my traffic study request because she got no response from a previously submitted request of hers. *shrugs* oh I love how she ended her email back to me "I have been advocating for Black people long before I accepted this "voluntary position". And once again, I am not seeking your approval" Well Ms. Muhammad, you may not be seeking my approval however you might be seeking my vote next time you run for office and if you continue to behave this way you just might see my name on that ballot seeking to be your replacement. I don't have any problem and I would seek the approval of all of my neighbors. Try opening your heart and eyes to all of us and start listening to all of your neighbors, white or black we all make up our neighborhoods and having a good relationship with us all could for sure help keep your position as ANC Commissioner or help elevate you to higher office should you wish your neighbors support for that one day. Now I can't help you with your prior traffic light request, however I am very very concerned about the traffic patterns and behavior around Boone, heck they don't even have a crossing guard - how about putting your opinions about me aside and help us with a letter of support and your voice in getting a crossing guard ASAP? Video Footage from April 9thCamera in upper left corner: Prout Street looking towards Pennsylvania Ave Camera Lower Right: 22nd Street Traffic heading towards intersection of Prout and 22nd Street. This is a oneway street startiong at 22nd and Prout Main Camera: Intersection of Prout Street SE and 22nd Street |
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