
They may not have voted for him, but Georgetown residents gave Mayor Vincent C. Gray a very warm welcome at Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E's monthly meeting Monday. After a laudatory introduction by Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, a Georgetown resident, then answering questions about ANC redistricting, Georgetown University’s campus plan and money for Volta Park and praise for city agencies, the Mayor was in control and at the top of his game.

Gray specifically voiced his support for the position of residents who have opposed Georgetown University's proposed Campus Plan. Community opposition to it is focused on the proposed increase in the number of students who would be housed off-campus, particularly in Georgetown and Burleith. “I support the community,” he said to a round of applause, adding that while he had met with Unviersity President Jack DeGioia, the ANC speaks on “behalf of the community [and their] concerns are well-founded,” including a firm enrollment cap. He also praised recent University-community discussions and it “looks like there is some positive movement and people are working together.”
On the related town-gown topic of ANC redistricting, Gray was questioned about the apparent disparity in representation for students. They make up 45% of the population but will only have two of the eight seats in the proposed new districts. As a ward-level council topic, Evans described the legislative steps ahead for all sides to be heard, but in the end in redistricting, “not everyone goes home happy.”

Self-determination and town-gown relations were combined in an exchange prompted by a question from Commissioner Jake Sticka, a GU student. Sticka asked if the Mayor would support a town hall on university-student relations, to which Gray answered he would, if Sticka would establish a university group for self-determination and statehood for the District. Sticka answered: “We already have two now.”
In the course of the evening, several District agencies were lauded, specifically MPD and the District Department of Transportation. Evans called DDOT “johnny-the-spot” for its overall performance in Georgetown and Commissioner Jeff Jones praised DDOT and its contractors for their work on O & P Streets. “We really appreciate the hard work you’re doing for the community," he said. Commissioner Tom Birch said MPD was very quick and effective in response to a purse-snatching near the 7-11 on P Street.
Gray soundly defeated incumbent Mayor Adrian Fenty in last year's election by a 53-46 margin, but in Georgetown's Precinct 5, Fenty won 85 percent of the vote to Gray's 13. In Precinct 6, Fenty won with almost 87 percent of the vote.

0 Comments For This Article
Glad to see there is at least one woman in the group and delighted that it's the impressive Linda Greenan, who exudes pragmatism, diplomacy, charm and grace. The ANC2E might want to consider appointing a dynamic woman of similar character to Linda when terms expire. Change is good!
Gray obviously is courting votes! Glad I didnt vote for him DC is a bigger mess with his leadership!
GO HOYAS!!!!!!!
I was grateful to serve under Mayor Fenty, but very proud to serve Mayor Gray. The City is on the right track under his leadership. Also, we are lucky to have such great and civic minded partners in the Georgetown ANC. Ed, Bill, Ron, and the rest should be proud of their contributions to their neighborhoods and City.
Look forward to our continued collaboration. Please continue to keep us on our toes and in the loop.
Shout out to G-Town Dish, it gets better and better every day.
Paco