Coalition of Concerned Neighbors' Council Chair Debate TONIGHT, May 8th

What: The Coalition of Concerned Neighbors (previously mentioned here incorrectly as the Woodridge Coalition of Concerned Neighbors - apologies) is hosting a Council Chair Debate, moderated by Sam Ford from ABC 7, WJLA.

When: TONIGHT, Monday, May 8th, 2006, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Thurgood Marshall Educational Center, 3100 Fort Lincoln Drive, NE (202.576.6900)

Please note the information below comes directly from the flyer for this event, provided by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, and should not be interpreted as my personal opinion....

Council Chair Candidates: Kathy Patterson - Councilmember Patterson first ran for the Coucil as a parent concerned with education in the city. Last year, she worked to guarentee $200 million a year to modernize D.C. Public Schools. Patterson currently serves as chair of the Committee on Education, Libraries, and Recreation; Robert Vinson Brannum - A native Washingtonian and Ward 5 resident, Mr. Brannum is a retired non-commissioned officer from the U.S. Air Force. Brannum is presently serving as the ANC Commissioner for 5C-04; Vincent Gray - A native Washingtonian, Mr. Gray currently serves as Ward 7 Councilmember. Gray's career in social services for urban communities spans over 30 years, beginning with his service as Executive Director of the D.C. Association for Retarded Citizens. From 1990-1994, Councilmember Gray served as the Director of the Department of Human Services.

At Large Council Chair Candidates: Phil Mendelson - A former ANC Commissioner and community activist for over 30 years, Councilmember Mendelson serves as the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee. He has put forth a record in the Council of reducing crime, creating affordable housing, making the tax system fair, creating more responsive government, and cleaning the environment; A. Scott Bolden - Mr. Bolden is currently an equity partner in the law firm of Reed Smith, specializing in government relations and complex civil and criminal defense work. Bolden considers himself to be a public servant and not a politician. He believes D.C. still has far to go with many under-addressed issues such as education, healthcare delivery, young people and crime, the city's social divide, and Statehood.