Bowser, Evans Cheer Progress of D.C., Salute Georgetown Citizens

The annual meeting of the Citizens Association of Georgetown presided over for the last time by President Pamla Moore at Sea Catch Restaurant this week was many things for many people—a way to catch up with old acquaintances, the passing of leadership batons, and appearances by Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans, both feeling chipper after the District Council approved an $13 billion spending plan without too much blood on the floor, after weeks of sometimes heated arguments and disagreements.

It was an evening to honor Georgetowners who contributed to maintaining the health, the practical get-things-done spirit and the citizen values of Georgetown.

Evans showed up to for several reasons himself.  He gave a reprise of the budget—which includes lots of money for affordable housing , little in the way of tax raising , help for transit and schools.  “And,” he said, “I’m happy to report that there will be money—three million—to repair and renovate and get up and running again the C&O Canal in Georgetown, so that we’ll have the boat again in operation.”

That drew cheers from a large gathering, as it should, since the canal boat and the canal itself are physical and traditional  manifestations of Georgetown, not to mention a tourist attraction.

Mayor Bowser was also pleased with the passing of the budget, and lauded Evans for “as you know being my best friend on the council.  We went up to New York to present our financial status, and we came back with our bond rating being upped.  And I’ve put a lot of pressure on Jack by tasking him to be the council’s representative on the Metro board.”

“I think after six months in office I can say we can be proud in making progress,” Bowser said. “We have great people doing important jobs. In education, we’re trying to find the proper balance between our public schools and charter schools. We have the best police chief in the country, as far as I’m concerned. We’re getting the basics done and going beyond that toward our goal of becoming not only the best national city but a world-class city.”

Evans was awarded the Charles Atherton Award “for Exceptional Service by a Dedicated Public-Sector Professional Public-Sector Professional for Outstanding Work Preserving and Protecting Historic Georgetown.”

Barbara Downs  who seems to have quietly served on an impressive number of  organizational boards in Georgetown for years, including several CAG boards (she is a former CAG president) and committees, the Friends of the Waterfront Park, the Jackson Art Center, and as a volunteer for numerous village projects.  She has done this with grace and class, in a style and manner that befits the definition of Georgetown citizenship.  Downs was awarded the Peter Belin Award for Distinguished Service to the Georgetown Community, presented to her by Harry Belin, Peter Belin’s grandson.

The William A. Cochran Community Service Award (named after the late architect, CAG president and preservation leader) was given to Dr. Sachiko Kuno, President and CEO of the S&R Foundation, which has in short order become a prominent intellectual, cultural and educational presence in Georgetown with the  purchase of two iconic Georgetown properties, Halcyon House and Evermay.

The Martin-Davidson Award for an  Outstanding Business Serving the Community and Enhancing the Historic Character of Georgetown was given to the law firm of  Foley and Lardner LLP.

Special Appreciation Awards were given to Lauralyn Beattie Lee, who was Associate Vice President of Community Engagement and Strategic Initiatives at Georgetown University for the past 13 years; Diane Colasanto who was on the CAG Board of Directors for seven years and effectively co-chaired CAG’s public safety program, and Cory Peterson, who is Director of Neighborhood Life at Georgetown University.

The meeting was also an occasion for the passing of leadership batons, with the membership unanimously voting to elect a new leadership slate consisting of Bob vom Eigen, President, Jennifer Altemus, Vice President, Barbara Downs, Secretary, Bob Laycock, Treasurer, and directors Karen Cruse, Hazel Denton, Hannah Isles and John Rentzepis.

“My favorite kind of election,” Evans quipped, “where there’s only one candidate.”