Barry Farms (Re)Mixed did a very supportive and insightful post on CHOTR's coverage of the Malt Liquor situation and has delved even deeper into the murky and cloudy conspiracy surrounding the very high number of liquor stores in River East.

Blogger Urban Architect describes the challenges facing the Barry Farms community and their own liquor store and the lack of action and challenges faced residents by an ineffective and at times combative ANC 8C.


Of course The Advoc8te had to chime in. My point that it is not only a disservice to the entire community but a conspiracy of neglect when there are more opportunities to purchase a bottle of Alize than an apple.

No wonder historically people in River East have overall suffered the most out of all of DC's residents. They have been expected (and criticized once failing) to not only make due but thrive on supbar or non existent basic human services all while operating in an environment swarming with vices (i.e liquor stores)? How can you expect a child to read when there are limited options? Ward 8 has one library and to call it outdated is being kind. How can you expect children to play when their parks such as the one right across the street from Mart Liquor are no longer safe? How insane is it that in 2009 Ward 8 received it's first sit down restaurant? How is that not considered a testament to the long history of failed economic development?

Don't get me wrong River East is a great place to live (I love it and more and more folks are moving here everyday) and don't overlook it but just because some progress has been made and POSITIVE attention is finally been made to this part of the city it doesn't mean the battle is over - it's not even close. Historically River East has been the place to stash the District's liquor stores, homeless shelters and half way houses - all without giving back to the very community that they are siphoning rescources. A resident in a ANC SMD 8C02 meeting said it best "The city should pay our communities a 'hospitality tax' in exchange for cramming all of these halfway houses in our residential communities." In our own way River East became the "back of the bus" of the District. Luckily not only are we moving to the front of the bus but we are ready to drive!

This is the [RE]volution.

Click HERE to check out the Barry Farms (Re)Mixed post! It's great!

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