A Message of Gratitude to the Brightwood Community

Hi Brightwood:

On January 2, 2023, I was proudly sworn in as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) 4A05. From that day forward, I worked tirelessly to address the daily challenges and concerns facing our Brightwood community. I served with pride, conviction, and a steadfast commitment to preserving and improving the kind, welcoming, and beautiful neighborhood we all call home.

Now, as my two-year term comes to an end, I reflect with deep gratitude on the opportunity to serve this community and on the many caring, generous, and dedicated neighbors who make Brightwood such a special place to call home.

As ANC, I received a remarkable gift: the chance to meet and work alongside so many residents who care deeply about our neighborhood. Your concerns became my concerns, and together we tackled issues that affected our quality of life. I am sincerely grateful to every resident who emailed, called, attended meetings, volunteered, testified, or simply took the time to share ideas and concerns. I achieved any success as Commissioner because of your partnership and commitment to our community.

Together, we made meaningful improvements throughout Brightwood, including:

• Reducing neighborhood crime through multiple Community Walks with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), installing two MPD crime cameras, approving two Drug-Free Zones, and increasing police visibility and enforcement at Georgia Avenue and Sheridan Street.

• Reducing the rodent population through coordinated rodent-control walks with the Department of Health, the Department of Buildings, and the Department of Public Works, resulting in increased enforcement and fines for property violations.

• Working with the Department of Public Works to remove illegally dumped trash from neighborhood alleys, eliminate gang graffiti, and hold violators accountable.

• Partnering with neighbors to testify before the Board of Zoning Adjustment to protect our single-family homes from inappropriate commercial development.

• Organizing multiple Brightwood Cleanups that collected more than 150 bags of trash with support from the Mayor's Office of the Clean City.

• Partnering with DC Water to improve water quality on Sheridan Street by removing and replacing lead pipe service lines.

• Advocating for and receiving upgraded LED street lighting and the repaving of neighborhood alleys.

• Testifying before the National Capital Planning Commission in support of alternative plans that would prevent the removal of more than 1,200 trees from Rock Creek Golf Course.

Lastly, I am especially proud to have helped secure more than $1.2 million in delayed restitution payments for Brightwood residents who were plaintiffs in a slumlord lawsuit brought by the DC Office of the Attorney General in 2021. I am deeply grateful to the staff attorneys at OAG and the dedicated employees at the Neighborhood Legal Services Program who worked with me to bring justice to our fellow Brightwood neighbors.

As my term concludes, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the many neighbors who wrote in my name as a candidate in the November 5, 2024, general election. Your support and confidence deeply touched and humbled me.

It has been an honor to serve as your Commissioner. Although leaving this role is bittersweet, I take great pride in what we achieved together and remain grateful for the friendships, lessons, and experiences gained along the way.

While my service as ANC has ended, my commitment to Brightwood remains strong. I will continue serving as Vice President of the Brightwood Community Association and look forward to advocating for our neighborhood and supporting our residents’ needs for years to come.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving this extraordinary community.

Sincerely,

Kim Patterson

Former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC), ANC 4A05

Vice President, Brightwood Community Association