Media Contact: Reese Goldsmith: 703-887-7730

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Brookland Residents Demand Apology from ANC Commissioner
NE Washington, DC -- On Saturday, April 27, 2013 a community meeting abruptly ended when residents protested the hostile treatment of presenters and community members by Commissioner Carolyn Steptoe of the ANC 5B04 Single Member District (often referred to as Brookland). The point at issue was the presentation of a business plan for a local family bar and grill along Brooklands commercial 12th Street Corridor. Commissioner Steptoe delayed and changed the agenda, disallowed members of the community to speak, and prematurely adjourned the meeting in order to suppress supporting residents views. Residents are now asking for an apology from the Commissioner, who has a long history of policies that if remain unchecked - will prohibit locally owned small businesses from flourishing and will encourage the presence of blighted buildings and empty lots in the ANC 5B04 Single Member District. Residents are also requesting that a tape recording of the meeting be made public. ###