TO "DEVOUT & PHILANTHROPIC TYCOONS": "CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME!"

Written by Jim McGrath Friday, 04 September 2009 16:06

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For Immediate Release: December 16, 2008

For Information: Jim McGrath (202) 387-1893

www.wrathofmcgrath.com

The Washington Post recently published a loving valentine to tycoon B.F. Saul/Chevy Chase Bank, citing a long list of local beneficiaries receiving support from Mr. Saul.  All recipients were described as Washington  Institutions.  Pity Sholl's Cafeteria, one of the city's greatest and most charitable of all, was not one of them.  Today marks the seventh anniversary of the cafeteria's closing and the loss of a wonderful downtown landmark which served as a joyful refuge for busloads of budget-minded tourists, middle and low income tenants, homeless people, poor people, students, and even struggling Washington Post reporters.  Even a fleeting visit to their checkbooks by donors like Saul would have ensured Sholl's survival.  But the cafeteria was unceremoniously closed because of real estate greed, by those who turned a blind eye to everything lacking redevelopment bonanza potential.

May we respectfully suggest that some of Mr. Saul's philanthropy be extended to the valiant tenants at his crown jewel residential property, the Kennedy-Warren Apartments, especially now that he is about to realize an enormous capital gain in becoming "Capitol One."  We do not ask for charity here, only fairness, such as not trying to force arbitrary, unfair and harsh involuntary "voluntary agreements" on tenants.  During this great season of giving, coinciding with epic economic hardship for so many, doing the right thing for this exceptional group would truly be a "capital" thing to do  

D.C. TENANTS' ADVOCACY COALITION

REPRESENTING ALL D.C. TENANTS

P.O. BOX 7237  WASHINGTON, DC 20044  (202) 628-3688

WEBSITE:  www.tenac.org    E-MAIL:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it