The June election of FBA officers and executive board nominees may be anticlimactic after the May 26 wine and cheese get together. Included in a critical mass of past, current, and to-be board members, officers, and community members were exuberant candidate introductions, deserved accolades and fond farewells.
Clockwise from top left: Bob Vogt and Lucia Pollock; Elizabeth Elliott, Asher Corson, Joy Howell; Joy Howell, Ron Cocome; Victor Ciardello, Jared Halstead
Outgoing FBA President Joy Howell hit the ground running in 2005 with an ultimately successful campaign to prevent the Whitehurst demolition. Howell led the FBA through a non-stop onslaught of tumultuous circumstances— think new 20-year GWU campus plan, West End land grab, historic Stevens School closure, etc.—including a recent FBA appeal contesting DC approval of GWU’s use of limit-busting PUDs to skirt campus plan regulations. The gathering gave her a chance to be well thanked and repeatedly applauded for her extraordinary four years of service.
Howell also acknowledged and profusely thanked outgoing VP Jacqueline Lemire for her invaluable support. Amongst her many other FBA tasks, Lemire co-chaired the inaugural “Arts in Foggy Bottom” Sculpture Exhibit— which recently won the Mayor’s top award for Innovation in the Arts against stiff competition. Although ending her formal responsibilities, Lemire will remain involved with FBA and is already working on an in-depth retail survey (dubbed “Paris in FB”), as well as collaborating with WE Library Friends on a series of “Fifties” movie screenings to celebrate FBA’s 50th anniversary this year.
Outgoing immediate past president Ron Cocome was warmly thanked by Howell who amusedly noted that she often calls him “The Godfather.” During his tenure, Cocome led FBA efforts resulting in the adaptive reuse of the historic Columbia Hospital for Women, including Trader Joe’s and District Hardware, as new condominium residences. Juarez Circle and its statue of Benito Juarez—a gift from the people of Mexico celebrating the opening of the KenCen are preserved thanks to Cocome’s efforts. In turn, Cocome acknowledged former ANC2A Chair, FBA board member, and late-night, tree-watering partner Elizabeth Elliott who continues her countless behind-the-scenes efforts for FB/WE and the District.
Chair for two years and currently serving as commissioner for ANC2A, Asher Corson , now at the ripe old age of 25 and probably the youngest FBA presidential candidate ever, shared his top priority—to double the membership—for FBA.
Board candidate Victor Ciardello made his FBA debut, and noted that he gave up his Alexandria, VA home to become one of the first Columbia Residences dwellers in 2006. He loves FB, the arts—especially theatre—and brings plenty of experience to bear from working around the world in both private sector and government. Howell introduced board candidate and neighbor Lucia Pollock and conveyed her gratitude for Pollock’s attendance at a multitude of public hearings and her unfailing support of the FBA. Pollock is looking forward to serving the community in this new role, especially through her interest in historic preservation.
Bob Vogt, longtime FB booster and FBA board member, once again stepped forward to serve but he minced no words in pointing out that his wife Noreen is the one who really gets things done in the community. And her handiwork—flowers, plants and bushes—is everywhere. Vogt emphasized that as members of a community like FB—where everything we might need is at our finger tips—“we each have a responsibility to give back.”
A hearty thanks and a thrilled welcome goes to our outgoing board members and officers and the energetic, enthusiastic slate of candidates who are about to do just that. We invite the community to join us in kicking off the next half century of FBA. —FBN
