What $10,800 a year (fiscal year 2007) will get you in office space.
Behold the ANC 8C office on 3125 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE. This was the only expense reported by ANC 8C for fiscal year 2007. This is also the only ANC office space for all the ANCs for Ward 8. Even assuming that the $900 a month rent is all inclusive (there were no other office expenses reported for fiscal year 2007) that still seems kind of steep for shared office space.
It would be great if there was really a need for an ANC office (and right now not sure if there has been a need) the ANC office could be moved to a location better suited for a community office than a barber shop and more central to the our developing "business district". Possibly one on a main level with store front windows? Updated and modern - two things that are in short supply. An office on MLK and Malcolm X perhaps, an office that include community pictures and history ? The new ANC office could have a reception area for residents and visitors to come in and meet with their ANC commissioners and log complaints and suggestions. Perhaps even have an office phone and maybe even a computer a website perhaps? Having a new and better equipped office would be a great opportunity to get the youth involved in their community. How great would it be for area students to complete their community service requirements with their local ANC? For young people to be able to experience leadership within their very own community?
If the ANC is supposed to be leading the way for progress and improved standards in our community what does this office say to the community?
BTW, the owner is listed as Ivorine Forsythe of Burke, Virginia. According to the DC website tax assessment database total value of the property for 2008 is listed as $180,450. When you factor in that ANC 8C is paying a $900 a month in rent just for their office space (sorry - no idea where their office is located within the building- there are no advertised office hours) the property owner isn't doing too bad. Not bad at all.
Before you ask according to the Auditor's report for 2007 (published March 2008) ANC 8C ended the fiscal year for 2007 with a surplus of about $13k.
FOLLOW UP: Stopped by the office to try and get a copy of the past meeting minutes. Found that the ANC office has occupied this space for over 20 years. I did find out that the entire upper floor is the ANC office - unfortunately I was not able to view the space. The door was locked (and according to the other tenants it is always locked and no one is there) and in order to gain access you have to call Mary Cuthbert. Her number is on the front of the door. When I asked the other tenant how often the space is used his response "hardly ever" - the space is used to store things. $900 a month storage fee sees not only like a waste of funds but not a productive use of office space. All the meetings are held at the Petey Green center.
If you are thinking the office is the brown brick building in the background - think again.
You guessed it! The barbershop is the location of our esteemed ANC 8C office. I suppose you can call it out own version of the "white house" or would that be the "red, white AND blue" house.
It would be great if there was really a need for an ANC office (and right now not sure if there has been a need) the ANC office could be moved to a location better suited for a community office than a barber shop and more central to the our developing "business district". Possibly one on a main level with store front windows? Updated and modern - two things that are in short supply. An office on MLK and Malcolm X perhaps, an office that include community pictures and history ? The new ANC office could have a reception area for residents and visitors to come in and meet with their ANC commissioners and log complaints and suggestions. Perhaps even have an office phone and maybe even a computer a website perhaps? Having a new and better equipped office would be a great opportunity to get the youth involved in their community. How great would it be for area students to complete their community service requirements with their local ANC? For young people to be able to experience leadership within their very own community?
If the ANC is supposed to be leading the way for progress and improved standards in our community what does this office say to the community?
BTW, the owner is listed as Ivorine Forsythe of Burke, Virginia. According to the DC website tax assessment database total value of the property for 2008 is listed as $180,450. When you factor in that ANC 8C is paying a $900 a month in rent just for their office space (sorry - no idea where their office is located within the building- there are no advertised office hours) the property owner isn't doing too bad. Not bad at all.
Before you ask according to the Auditor's report for 2007 (published March 2008) ANC 8C ended the fiscal year for 2007 with a surplus of about $13k.
FOLLOW UP: Stopped by the office to try and get a copy of the past meeting minutes. Found that the ANC office has occupied this space for over 20 years. I did find out that the entire upper floor is the ANC office - unfortunately I was not able to view the space. The door was locked (and according to the other tenants it is always locked and no one is there) and in order to gain access you have to call Mary Cuthbert. Her number is on the front of the door. When I asked the other tenant how often the space is used his response "hardly ever" - the space is used to store things. $900 a month storage fee sees not only like a waste of funds but not a productive use of office space. All the meetings are held at the Petey Green center.
If you are thinking the office is the brown brick building in the background - think again.
You guessed it! The barbershop is the location of our esteemed ANC 8C office. I suppose you can call it out own version of the "white house" or would that be the "red, white AND blue" house.
Perfect example of the wonderful "open door" policy.
