business

Georgetown Business Association Report

By Elizabeth Degi

MAY 2008

Photo: GBA Prez Billy Martin with Councilman Kwame Brown

Last Wednesday the Georgetown Business Association sponsored a fundraiser for DC Councilmember-At-Large Kwame Brown.  The GBA feels that supporting Councilmember Brown in his campaign for re-election will help ensure that business friendly legislation will continue to be promoted by the DC Council in the future. 

Councilmember Brown’s work on the Accrued Paid Sick and Safe Days Act helped to make sure that small businesses would be able to continue to operate without having to make drastic changes in their staffing. The bill was written to ensure that employees are encouraged to take care of their health and the well being of their families, and Councilmember Brown made sure that small businesses would not have to shoulder an undue burden in order to accomplish that goal. 

Currently, Councilmember Brown is working to see the completion of the largest trade school in the District of Columbia.  The Georgetown Business Association firmly believes that by supporting Councilmember Brown in the completion of this project we are helping to ensure that students are able to become productive members of the community with the skills to provide for themselves and their families.  Furthermore, allowing access to higher education will, over time, decrease the likelihood of crime and petty theft in our community.  The Georgetown Business Association is working with local law enforcement and private security firms to increase safety for businesses, but crime and shoplifting continue to be a problem in our neighborhood.  We believe that encouraging higher education through programs such as the trade school will equip DC area student with the skills necessary to enter the job market and find secure employment, which will increase the safety of the DC area as a whole. 

We encourage all members of the Georgetown community to work with us in supporting Councilmember Brown’s re-election. Throughout the summer we will be hosting events like last week’s fundraiser to provide opportunities for you to discuss issues that affect you and your business with local leaders, including Councilmember Brown.  Please plan to join us for some of our upcoming events and take advantage of the opportunities to let local leaders know what issues are important to you and your business. 

Councilmember Jack Evans is also seeking re-election this fall, and we will be hosting events to support his campaign as well. The Georgetown Business Association believes that by supporting both Council members Evans and Brown we are ensuring that the partnerships we have forged with these local leaders will continue to garner positive results for all members of our community. 

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