Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Kenyan McDuffie tells me he is taking to heart the message that Ward 5 voters sent on Tuesday about what happens to crooks, liars and wannabes.
Kenyan McDuffie, a born-and-bred resident of the District's Stronghold neighborhood who touted public policy experience and a laundry list of labor endorsements, soundly defeated a crowded field on Tuesday to replace former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. and begin a new chapter for Ward 5 leadership at city hall.
A heavy slate of candidates hoping to replace former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. is courting a bloc of "supervoters" who could decide the winner - senior citizens.
A major labor union has endorsed Kenyan McDuffie for the Ward 5 seat on the D.C. Council ahead of the special election next month. It's a boon that could help separate his candidacy from a crowded field despite recent evidence that organized support does not guarantee victory.
Sixteen candidates are competing to replace former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr., who pleaded guilty in January to stealing more than $350,000 from the District and left Ward 5 without direct representation in city hall.
A string of Ward 5 hopefuls picked up paperwork on Friday as part of the race to replace former council member Harry Thomas Jr. in a special election on May 15, less than two weeks after the ousted legislator is scheduled to be sentenced for theft and tax fraud involving public funds.
A strip club that a community group says was illegally relocated and is creating an appetite for prostitution in Northeast Washington is co-owned by a major Democratic Party donor and local developer who contributed to a controversial charity run by D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr., who represents the area.
An adult magazine and video store in Northeast has complied with city orders and shut its doors, but the closure did not stop area residents from a rally last night to shutter the business and protest its potential reopening.
"Despite our well attended and unanimous vote against this establishment, our then chairman, entered into a voluntary agreement," Ms. Henderson said, adding that residents should always be able to protest if they are unduly affected. "This arbitrary 400-foot rule is not well thought out."
Resident Kathy Henderson noted how former ANC chairman, William Shelton, who was sentenced to jail time for stealing $30,000 in taxpayer funds, went against the wishes of residents when crafting voluntary agreements with a bar in the neighborhood.
