DC Council is considering a proposal that would allow permanent residents to vote in city elections. Non-citizens would still be barred from voting in federal races.
In 1906, four African American men attempted to develop an elite suburb for African Americans along Wisconsin Avenue between Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights, Maryland. Despite facing intense hostility from adjacent white landowners, at least 28 people bought lots. However, their vision was ultimately undone using subtler methods, showing how nominally race-blind tools can serve racist ends.
The front page of The Washington Times in 1906 showing the Belmont land and nearby houses.
In 1906, four African American men attempted to develop an elite suburb for African Americans along Wisconsin Avenue between Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights, Maryland. Despite facing intense hostility from adjacent white landowners, at least 28 people bought lots. However, their vision was ultimately undone using subtler methods, showing how nominally race-blind tools can serve racist ends.
As we talk about in our video presentation on the subject for the DC Archives Advocates, this story breaks down what happened in a development known as Belmont, Chevy Chase and what the story meant in the history of the suburbs and the racial geography of DC, connecting Friendship Heights in Montgomery County to Glenarden in Prince George’s County on the other side of DC.
One incumbent, one newcomer elected to Chevy Chase Town Council
Elections decided in other Montgomery County municipalities; some upcoming By Dan Schere |
May 14, 2021
File photo
One incumbent and one newcomer will be joining the Chevy Chase Town Council, following the town’s vote-by-mail election this month.
Incumbent Joel Rubin and newcomer Joy White both ran uncontested in the election.
Town Manager Todd Hoffman said Rubin received 442 votes and White received 463 votes. Ballots were required to be mailed by May 4 and received by May 11.
Mayor Cecily Baskir, whose term is expiring, chose not to run for reelection, Hoffman said.
Hoffman said that at the council’s meeting Wednesday night, the council decided that for the upcoming term, Barney Rush would serve as mayor, Irene Lane as vice mayor, White as treasurer, Rubin as secretary and Ellen Cornelius Ericson as community liaison.