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Bell Ringers Still Helping Families Van Hollen: ‘I Can Deliver During Holidays Page 5 Results’ Page 12
Vol. 51, No. 11 Dec. 24 - Dec. 30 , 2015
Happy Holidays from Our Family to Yours
Rev. Jeremiah Wright to Speak Fans Say Jackson 5 Deserve at NovaKwanzaa Page 24 Grammy Honor Page 25
Mayor Bowser Remains Upbeat, Encouraged
Shares Views about First Year on the Job By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser isn’t easy to pin down, primarily because she has so much on her plate and so many goals to accomplish. But she did allow the Washington Informer to sit down with her on Monday, Dec. 21 in her office in the Wilson Building to talk about her first year on the job and her plans for the future. Public safety, employment opportunities and services to District residents were among her greatest concerns. However, other parts of her agenda include federal and regional collaboration, education, neighborhoods and getting the basics right. “Big cities across the U.S. are all experiencing a spike in violent crime and here in the District we’ve chosen to attack it head on,” she said. “I have introduced a comprehensive public safety agenda that will combat violent crime in D.C. and keep our city safe and strong and includes a combination of legislative, budgetary and administrative measures.” The mayor’s “Safer, Stronger DC” agenda includes the following: put more police officers on the streets; give law enforcement more tools to protect residents; stop violent criminals repeatedly victimizing the community; increase penalties for violent crimes committed on the public transit system or at parks and recreation centers; and launch a community partnership strategy to support neighborhoods. “The bottom line, when it comes to making our city safer, is to listen more carefully to people who know what’s going on in their
BOWSER Page 10
5Officer Gregory Alemian, Third District Metropolitan Police Department dressed as Santa with Officer McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog and Santa’s Elf, Officer Barry Morgan visit a community meeting in Northwest on Thursday, Dec. 17. / Photo by Nancy Shia
American Muslim Leaders go on the Offensive
Local Imam Says ‘We’re Not Turning Back Time’ By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor On Monday, Dec. 21, the US Council of Muslim Organizations [USCMO] a coalition of national and local Muslim organizations, held a news conference at the National Press Club in Northwest.
The meeting, which also included representatives of USCMO member groups and other key community leaders, including the Islamic Society of North America, provided an opportunity for the coalition to share developing initiatives aimed at addressing Islamophobia in America and also enhancing na-
tional security. Prior to the news conference, the USCMO held a day-long summit on Sunday, Dec. 20 in response to the unprecedented rise in bias incidents targeting American Muslims in the wake of the Paris terror attacks, the
MOSQUE Page 9
DC Chamber’s CEO Wingo Steps Down By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor
5 Mayor Muriel Bowser sat down with the Washington Informer on Monday, Dec. 21 to discuss some of her accomplishments after one-year of service. / Photo by Shevry Lassiter
After a little less than two years at the helm, Harry Wingo, the former president and CEO for the DC Chamber of Commerce, has voluntarily resigned his post to pursue other oppor-
Celebrating 51 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area
tunities. The Chamber’s vice president, Margaret Singleton, will serve as the organization’s interim executive, effective immediately. Carl L. Hairston, chairman of the board, said he heartily thanked Wingo for his service. “We wish Harry well and
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thank him for his contributions,” Hairston said. “As a board of hard-working business leaders committed to the District of Columbia, I can assure you that we are fully engaged. We want to discover new ways
WINGO Page 9
Dec. 24 - Dec. 30, 2015
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