Citizens Tout Vital Role, Hear From Mayor, Applaud Awardees
By • May 5, 2025 0 216
The Citizens Association of Georgetown held its annual meeting at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts on April 29 — which is Duke’s birthday, who was born in Washington, D.C., in 1899.
CAG President Amy Titus and Executive Director Brittany Sawyer greeted the hundreds in the school auditorium.
Titus happily outlined the association’s “The Citizens Association of Georgetown, Washington’s oldest civic group, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in residential Georgetown.
“CAG advocates for sound policies and practices to guide the evolution of historic Georgetown, provides information and services to support residents with everyday public health and safety needs and brings residents together through a range of community events and activities.
“The Citizens Association of Georgetown is supported by our many hard-working volunteers and generous community donors. Together, we are committed to protecting Georgetown’s historic heritage and promoting the vitality of its community experience.”
She continued with CAG’s 2025 goals of “advocate — provide —bring” that include:
- Strongly advocate for improvements to our streets, sidewalks, transportation, parking and other public spaces concerns by engaging with the D.C. Council, ANC, DDOT and other departments to voice our position and concerns on your behalf;
- Bolster the block captain program and provide public health and safety services and information;
- Continue our focus on historic preservation and offer education for residents to learn more about historic preservation;
- Strengthen our community by bringing residents together to celebrate Georgetown.
Mayor Muriel Bowser, confident from the Commanders-RFK deal, said she was also “working with the DOGE economy” and added that she would let citizens know when “It’s Go Day,” concerning budget cuts.
Sawyer had a brief but lively interview with DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum and the mayor. After some back-and-forth questions, Bowser said, “I get it. You don’t like streateries.”
Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto talked of her “Peace DC” plan. On the 2025 D.C. budget snafu ($1 billion pulled out), Pinto noted most of the House is prepared to agree with the Senate’s budget fix, adding that Freedom Caucus members are the hold-up. Among other asides, Pinto foresaw D.C. becoming a “crypto capital.”
Georgetown-Burleith-Hillandale Advisory Neighborhood Commission Chair Gwen Lohse recounted and explained ANC 2E actions, emphasizing sidewalk safety among its many concerns.
The freshly hired CEO of the Georgetown Business Improvement District, Deborah Kerson Bilek, introduced herself to the audience.
There was, of course, time for the annual awards.
The Charles Antherton Award went to Metropolitan Police Second District Commander Tatjana Savoy — “for Exceptional Service by a Dedicated Public-Sector Professional for Outstanding Work Preserving & Protecting Historic Georgetown.”
The Belin Award went to Gwen Lohse, chair of the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2E) — “for Distinguished Service to the Georgetown Community.”
The William A. Cochran Award went to The GeorgeTown Club — “for Exceptional Efforts to Protect & Enhance the Community’s Architectural Resources.”
The Martin-Davidson Award went to Georgetown Main Street — “for an Outstanding Business that has Contributed Significantly to the Georgetown Community.”
Special Appreciation Awards went to Franklin Babb Randolph and Ron Lewis — “for Dedicated Service to the Georgetown Community.”
Upcoming CAG events include:
— Take Over the Bar Series, May 14, June 11.
— Architectural Walking Tour, May 17.
— Spring Concert in the Park, May 18.
— Historic Preservation Panel, May 20.
— Annual fundraiser, Sept. 18
Awardee Metropolitan Police Second District Commander Tatjana Savoy with CAG President Amy Titus and MPD Chief Pamela Smith. Courtesy CAG.
Awardee Gwen Lohse, chair of the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2E) with CAG President Amy Titus. Courtesy CAG.
Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto. Courtesy CAG.
Former advisory neighborhood commissioners Monica Roache and Ron Lewis, a CAG awardee. Photo by Bill Starrels.
