Dear Ward 8 Residents,

As we welcome the month of January, we must brace ourselves against the cold weather navigating to and from work and school. Please take the necessary precautions to stay safe and warm this weekend.

Over the past weekend, we celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflected upon his tireless efforts to bring equality, justice, and peace to our nation. Dr. King taught us the importance of unity, compassion, and understanding. He encouraged us to stand up against injustice and advocate for all individuals' rights. His words, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," continue to resonate with us today.

Though the temperature was freezing, the spirit of Dr. King warmed our hearts as we marched from the top of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue from the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center down to Marion Barry Avenue. We came together as a community to uplift the powerful message of Dr. King and his strive to bring a better tomorrow. Let us continue to honor his memory by engaging in acts of service and kindness for those in need. 

When I think of those in need, I think about budget priorities.  Save space in your calendars as we move into budget season. I am pleased to share that my office is in the process of scheduling a community budget meeting to address the priorities of Ward 8 residents. This is an opportunity for you to voice your concerns and shape the future of our community. Your input and involvement are crucial in ensuring that the needs and aspirations of Ward 8 are met. 

Let us stand together, just as Dr. King urged us to, and advocate for policies and investments that promote economic growth, education, public safety, healthcare, and affordable housing in our neighborhoods. Through collective efforts, we can create lasting change and positively impact future generations.


With gratitude and hope,

Trayon White, Sr.
Ward 8 Councilmember 

Advisory Neighborhood Commission Elections:  Update

As reported in our January 10^th newsletter edition, by law, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners must elect new officers every January.   On Monday, January 8^th, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8E held its elections. On Tuesday, January 9^th, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8A elected its officers.  

On Wednesday, January 10^th, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8C held its elections.  There new officers are:

• Salim Adofo (8C07), Chairperson
• Erica Green (8C04), Vice Chair
• Dascha Cleckley (8C03), Treasurer. 
• Georgette Johnson (8C01), Secretary

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8B was scheduled to hold its elections on Tuesday January 16^th.  However, due to inclement weather, the election of officers was postponed until Tuesday, January 23^rd.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8D will hold its elections on January 30th.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8F will hold its elections on January 25^th.

The Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs will be holding its Performance Oversight hearings on the following days:

• Thursday, January 25 (2:00pm) – Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (MOAA), Mayor’s Office on African American Affairs (MOAAA), Mayor’s Office on Fathers, Men and Boys (MOFMB), Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA)
• Wednesday, January 31 (9:30am) – Mayor’s Office on Caribbean Community Affairs (MOCCA), Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA)
• Thursday, February 1 (9:30am) – Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME)
• Wednesday, February 7 (9:30am) – DC Public Library
• Thursday, February 15 (9:30am) – Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS)
• Friday, February 16 (9:30am) – Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships (ServeDC)
• Thursday, February 22 (9:30am) – Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)

In addition, the Committee will hold a public roundtable on Youth Affairs and Concerns at DYRS on Saturday, January 27 at 12:00pm at Ballou Senior High School.

Anyone wishing to testify for either the Performance Oversight hearings or the hearing on DYRS must sign up in advance on the Council website by the close of business two business days before each respective hearing.

The Committee encourages the public to submit written testimony to be included in the public record. Copies of written testimony should be submitted to [email protected]. All testimony received will be part of the official record, which will be closed two weeks after each respective hearing.

January 10, 2024

In fulfilling a commitment to Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANC) in 8D, Councilmember White organized a meeting to discuss the Fort Greble Recreation Center plans. Concerns had been raised by ANC8D members during Councilmember White's ANC New Year's Appreciation Brunch regarding the lack of updates on the project.

Responding promptly, Councilmember White convened a meeting within three days, bringing together the construction and development team, comprising Chiaramonte Construction (General Contractor), Bell Architect, and representatives from the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the General Services Administration (GSA). Each participant provided updates on the project.

The project is to start in April 2024, with an anticipated completion date in April 2025. The estimated cost for the one-year project is $5.4 million. Additionally, the DPR has commited to organizing a community meeting to engage with residents and discuss the future for the Fort Greble Recreation Center.

January 11, 2024

Councilmember Trayon White and his staff joined Turner Construction, MCN Build and the George Washington University management team for a tour of Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center — the new trauma hospital coming to Ward 8 in 2025.

The New Hospital at St. Elizabeths East will give Wards 7 and 8 residents access to critical health services at this 136-bed facility. It will house an emergency department, trauma center, radiology, surgery, and women’s services, including maternal health and newborn nursery services.

Below is a list of services that will be provided at the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center.

Hospital-Based

• Psychiatry
• General Surgery (i.e., Trauma Surgery)
• Emergency Medicine
• Anesthesiology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Non-Hospital-Based

• Cardiology (Heart)
• Neurology (Brain)
• Orthopedics (Joints)
• Nephrology (Blood)
• Urology (Urinary tract and male reproductive organs)
• Gastroenterology (Stomach, intestines, etc.)
• Dermatology (Skin)
• Ophthalmology (Eyes)
• Otolaryngology (Ear, nose and throat)
• Podiatry (Feet)
• Family Medicine (Overall body)
• Internal Medicine (Overall body and how it works together with all organs)
• Psychiatry (Mental Health)
• Pulmonary (Lungs)

Councilmember White plans to hold a community meeting in the coming months to provide updates on the medical center.

Honoring the life, legacy and love of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

January 15, 2024

Councilmember Trayon White joined the community to celebrate the life, legacy and love that Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. left us with by participating in the MLK Holiday Parade. Hundreds of organizations participated in the event voicing their love and admiration for Dr. King and his legacy.

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