Archive for September, 2009
Contrary to popular rumor, Mayor Fenty has not canceled his press conference nor it’s intention, according to sources within his administration. A press conference is being rescheduled for later this week (maybe Thursday). Once I get the date and/or any more information, I will post it on here!
If Mayor Fenty holds true, I want to say that from what I am hearing in the community, they are thankful and appreciative to him, Linda Argo, Chief Lanier, Councilman Thomas, and the best MPD officers (5D) for their response the residents’ concerns!! They all are bringing faith back into the community that good things are coming to this ignored corner of the City and to Rhode Island Ave NE!
14
Sep
09
Temple: Quick Update
I received this email regarding the “postponed or cancelled” press conference:
Greetings and salutations all, the Mayor’s press conference scheduled for today at the King Solomon Grand Lodge was “postponed” or “cancelled”. Members of the media and community were told by lodge officials that they had been informed the Mayor was not coming. However, I did have an opportunity to speak with Earl Rogers, Grand Secretary for the King Solomon Grand Lodge. He stated he just arrived from Virginia and was assuming direction over the Lodge. According to Mr. Rogers, he has instituted immediate changes and indicated additional changes were coming. He pledged to meet and to work with 5DCAC, the PSA, ANC Commissioner Manning, and MPD 5D to address all issues. He said he wants the Lodge to be a positive partner with the community.
I asked if the Mayor still intended to close the establishment as he was going to do according to his office’s press advisory (in my previous post). Let’s hope our officials don’t back down!
14
Sep
09
King Solomon’s Temple UPDATE
Last night, I received an email stating that Mayor Fenty, Chief Lanier, and DCRA Linda Argo will be holding a 
press conference in front of the King Solomon’s Temple at 2245 Rhode Island Ave NE. This morning, I got another email indicating that they were canceling the press conference. I walked over to the Temple regardless. Sure enough, there was press there (WTOP and some others), two members of the Temple, and a couple of residents. WTOP was interviewing the head (I presume) of King Solomon’s and the resident. The head of the Temple was explaining that they are figuring out what is going on and what they can do to keep the Temple open. The resident stated that they need to talk to all of the residents in the community about their issues.
What I found was interesting was that the head of the Temple was attempting to sound as if he was unaware of the issues, that the issue was only to do with teenagers there, and that the Mayor was only interested because it is going to be election season (I think he was calling Fenty an opportunist).
Well, to counter these statements, I know that this head of the Temple was present at the teenager parties so he was aware of the issues, the issue is not just with teenager parties but the adult parties also, and the Mayor is responding to our concerns.
It appeared they were squirming in their interviews probably because they got the same media advisory I saw this morning from the Mayor’s office:
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and District officials will announce the closing of a Ward 5 Masonic Lodge after repeated disturbances and violent incidents.
The official who informed me of the press conference told me via email that he will send me an update from the Mayor and DCRA as soon as possible. Once I hear, I will let you know.
13
Sep
09
The Last Word?
Residents who have been fighting the King Solomon’s Temple (which, by all accounts that I can find, are outcasts of the Mason order given that none of the organizations want to claim them), received this email from Councilmember Thomas’ office.
Councilmember Thomas,
I wanted to make you aware that the ABC Board has decided not to grant any more temporary licenses for King Solomon Grand Lodge at 2245 Rhode Island Avenue, NE. for a period of one year effective September 9, 2009. The ABC Board will revisit this one-year prohibition in September 2010
Fred Moosally
Director
ABRA
Will this be the last word on this situation? We’ll see……
