In all things that are purely social, we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress. –Booker T. Washington
George E. Curry: Trayvon Martin’s Death Takes Toll On Family Page 29 •
C e l e b r a t i n g 4 7 Ye a r s o f S e r v i c e
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Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area / Vol. 47, No. 23 Mar. 22 - Mar. 28, 2012
Former D.C. Mayor Will Lead Tax Commission
Girls Rule!
By James Wright WI Staff Writer At forums, meetings and oneon-ones with local business leaders, Mayor Vincent C. Gray will invariably hear their comments, complaints, or possible solutions to what they say is an untenable tax burden. He has said in the past that he is walking a fine line between easing the District’s tax burden, while still finding ways to finance city programs and projects. One tool at his disposal is the Tax Revision Commission (TRC). Recently, Gray (D), and D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown completed selection of a group of professionals and experts in business, public finance and taxation – with former Mayor Anthony A. Williams at the helm – to examine the city’s tax policies and laws. “This talented and highly qualified group of individuals, ably led by Tony Williams, will be immensely valuable to the Council and to me as we work to position our economy and our residents for future growth,” Gray, 69, said. “If we are going to build the new economy I talked about in my State of the District Address, we need to ensure that we have a tax system that works for us as individuals, as businesses, and as a city.” wi (There is much more to this story. To read it in its entirety, go to washingtoninformer.com.)
Breonn Hughey (3) H.D.Woodson guard with her team and MVP trophy at the end of presentation ceremonies on Tuesday, March 20, at the 46th Annual Abe Pollin City Title girls games at Verizon Center. Woodson defeated Good Counsel 64-54./Photo by John E. De Freitas ( See more sports on pages 40, 41.)
D.C. Council Waits for Other Shoe to Drop Grand Jury Delves Deeper into Campaign Finance Fiasco By Barrington M. Salmon WI Staff Writer First came raids. Then came subpoenas. And now, members of the D.C. Council nervously wait to see just how a growing campaign finance scandal will shake out. The situation resembles musi-
cal chairs with players scurrying around doing their level best not to be the last one standing when the music stops. Councilmember Mary M. Cheh, (D-Ward 3), characterized the mood among her peers after several of them received grand jury subpoenas on successive days last week.
“There is a sense that at any moment, something could happen,” she said during an interview late Friday. “People are anxious and unsure and they should be.” Cheh said she hasn’t received a subpoena but acknowledged that she numbers among those currently serving on the council
Visit us online for daily updates and much more @ www.washingtoninformer.com. Online You’ll Always Read More at washingtoninformer. com Page 4
Baker’s Billion Dollar Idea Page 13
who were the recipients of Jeffrey Thompson’s largesse. “I read the story about one councilmember not receiving any money from Thompson and I got smug because I thought it was me, but I checked and found out that in December 2009, he
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