----- Original Message -----
From: Gigi Ransom
To: DeBorah Steiner
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 12:17 AM
Subject: Re: [Eckington] Re: Question for our ANC Commissioners

Debbie, would appreciate your assistance in having this posted to the
Eckington listserv.  Thank you.

Dear Eckington Residents:

I am Albrette "Gigi" Ransom, Commissioner, ANC 5C12.  During a tele
call w/DeBorah Steiner, she mentioned the discussions going on
neighborhood listservs about the Big Bear Cafe's (BBC) request to ABRA
for a CR license, and how the 5C commissioners had not responded to
your questions. I requested that one be sent to me.

First, I apologize for not being a the meeting on Tue, 5/11/10.  There
was a passing of one of my extended family members.  The funeral was
that same evening.

Second, I spent over 40 minutes reviewing the posts and article on the
links within the post below to assess community opinion on the
subject.

Third, "according to the laws regarding ANCs and their
responsibilities, ANC do not have 'power', but the laws gives us
'influence' through the ability to give 'official advice' which must/
can be given 'great weight' on all proposed matters of DC government
policy (DC ST§ 1-309.10) ."  Only the DC Council, Mayor and our
Delegate to Congress have power.

This great weight submission must be based on/within the DC laws and
regulations, not based on personal opinions.  Also, this "great
weight" advice is not the only thing that boards, commissions,
agencies, etc, must take into consideration during the decision-making
process.

Fourth, though I would like to be on more listservs, it is not humanly
possible for me to do so.  I currently have 5 email accounts.  In, 2
of these accounts, I receive anywhere from 50-100 emails sometimes
daily from 2 listservs alone.

Fifth, I am on record as supportive of small businesses, as long as
they respect and have a relationship with the community where they are
located.

For the record, I came onto 5C at the start of 2009.  I believe we
only dealt w/one ABRA license issue, and that was last year.  I
previously served 3 ANC terms when I lived in Ward 6, on the Capitol
Hill Commission (6B).  I had 4 convenience stores w/beer & wine
licenses in my SMD.  As a commission (6B), we dealt w/maybe 5-10 ABC
licenses per year.  This included convenience & liquor stores, to
restaurants.

In the official advice capacity,  I have always respected, understood
and accepted having this level of influence, held true to the oath of
office I took, and always remember, though an issue or request may not
be in my SMD, I take into consideration the laws and regulations of
the District of Columbia; assess the situation in its proper context;
and most importantly, assess and respect the voice of the affected
residents, to make an informed, educated decision on the matter at
hand.

This afternoon, I visited BBC, talked w/Stu and some of the
residents.  Last year, I was in the area at least 2x to purchase from
the Farmer's Market.  The answer to your questions are as follows:

1. What is your position on Big Bear's ABRA application?
    I will support the proposed resolution for the stipulated license
being requested by the BBC.

2. How did you reach that conclusion?
   Based on the vision and plans Stu has for the BBC and for its
proper use of a stipulated and full CR license for which the BBC is
applying, is within the ABRA regulations.  Also, much consideration
has been given to assurances to have no adverse impact on the
community and the addressing of current and any future community
concerns that are within their control ASAP.  I am impressed by the
overwhelming community support (600 names on petitions), and from
conversations w/ the residents I talked w/today. Your testimony before
the ABRA commission, as the ones immediately impacted, will play a
vital role in the decision-making process.

If you have reservations, what are they, and what are they based on?
No reservations, but discussed w/Stu the submitting of a voluntary
agreement w/the community outlining specifics the BBC will adhere to.
For example:

1. To address concerns about patrons taking alcoholic beverages off
the Cafe's area, the posting of visible and easily "in sight" signs
stating the law against this potential action and requirement to call
for police assistance; and,

2. I believe based on a law here in DC, the posting of signs informing
the responsibility of the owner and their agents (workers) to advise a
patron that they can no longer serve them drinks, and request the
vehicle keys of a person who is deemed intoxicated to protect the
public and to avoid liability.

As to concerns I did not talk about w/Stu, but are of interest if he
obtains stipulated license and then CR license:

1. The "dinner theater" held at BCC last night, and for future events
such as this or others, if it currently does not exist, that there is
a written contract for use, with specific guidelines as to
requirements of ABRA regulations during the event, who is responsible
for what/liability, etc.

The Prince of Petworth list and City Paper article contained
references to other commissioners positions/issues.  To the same, my
position is:

1.  As to the pocket park and loitering, etc- Over the years, I have
driven by on Florida Ave and have seen the drinking of alcoholic
beverages, and hanging out when the BBC is closed.  By law, this is
not something that is under the BBC's control.  However, I was made
aware that the immediately located residents and the community as a
whole has placed police service calls to address this problem.  I can
accept that.

2. I believe it was last or this year, I discussed w/Commissioner
Pinkney about the crowds that hangout on the corner of Florida Ave &
N. Capitol during the day and some evening hours.  She shared the
community's continuous contact w/the police to remedy the problem.

3.  I discussed w/Stu his hours of operation.  Understanding that ABRA
has designated timeframes for hours of operations for all levels of
licenses, I can accept BBC deciding on taking into consideration the
possibility of also having their own, or having contracts for the
holding of special events (with notification to the community of such
events). Having flexibility is important.  There will be specific
general hours of operation, and separate ones for special events if
necessary.

4. [Adams Morgan East] At this time, I haven't heard of any economic
development plan for your corridor.  Nor do I think that 5C can
legally hold the BBC accountable for any "potentially future"
development, or the coming of other restaurants, bars, etc, in a
resolution.  In my opinion, and based on the law, that is up to the
immediate community to address.  Contact can be made to the Office of
Planning (Debra Crain is the Ward 5 rep), or the Deputy Mayor for
Economic Development for information on the subject.

If you foresee the potential for this to happen, now may be the time
to consider bringing this to the attention of the DC Council to
develop, propose legislation for limitations on liquor licenses due to
the character of the community and its potential adverse impact.
Another option is through the ANC.  The laws allow for Commission to
submit to the Council proposed legislation for government action ((DC
ST§ 1-309.10(h)(1)), which the govt entity, must acknowledge in
writing within 10 days.  Further, the ANC can hold a public hearing on
the request, inviting witnesses from the government agencies and
public to testify on the matter, then submit a detailed report to the
Council  (DC ST§ 1-309.10 (h)(2)) .  These laws can be found at the
Council website, click link for legislation & Laws, then click "DC
codes", copy in codes.  You can also ask your ANC for copies of these
codes from their ANC Handbook.

If you do not yet have a position, what further information are you
seeking/requesting in order to come to a conclusion?    N/A for me.

Additional:
I have been considering opening another email account to join other
listservs to stay up on issues throughout the city.  Until then, if
there are future concerns relating to ANC 5C as a whole matters you
want to bring to my attention, it would be appreciated if you cc me in
your posts at gigifor5c12@....  For those who would like to respond to
this email, have additional questions/comments for me, the same would
be appreciated.  I will reply directly to you, which you can then
post.  Thank you for requesting my insight on this matter.

Albrette "Gigi" Ransom
Commissioner, ANC5C12

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