How Exactly Would DC Statehood Benefit Seven Bee And The Rest Of River East?

For the people...is it, really? [Photo from the the51st.org]

by Mel Dyer

I have very good reasons, being a resident of Ward 7 and ANC-7B, both in River East, to oppose DC statehood.  I'll try to state them, as plainly as possible, here.

Ward 7 simply isn't ready to be a city/county.  Nor is ANC-7B.

Neither have the commercial development or subsequent REVENUE to build strong enough economies to successfully sustain a city or county--to support public works, police, EMS, good schools and to attract subsequently necessary growth.  I see people Downtown, some from Wards 7 and 8, raving about DC statehood, and I continue to ask them how it would benefit Seven Bee and the rest of River East--no answer.  So long as we, east of the Anacostia, have no means of creating industry, DC statehood remains something for affluent people in thriving neighborhoods, like Capitol Hill, NoMa or Georgetown, ..west of the River.

There must be some way to give Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton a VOTE on the Hill, without DC statehood potentially turning Wards 7 and 8 into politically powerless and poisonable cities, ..like Flint, Michigan.  However, until Eastfolk, still chaffing from Walmart and the DC City Council screwing us over on Skyland Town Centre, can be assured that all of the above is possible, ..no thanks.

Furthermore, Maryland hasn't expressed much interest in getting another Baltimore; so, the prospect of DC climbing in bed with her, even if we wanted to be there, is highly unlikely, ..a-aannd she's got crabs. Again...

No thanks ..and no vote.