Ike Leggett Town Hall Meeting

Two thursdays ago, supporters from the youth groups Gandhi Brigade, Gap Busters, and Mixed Unity attended a town hall meeting with county executive Ike Leggett to discuss the allocation of a space for youth in the new Civic Center, and the creation of a Youth Action Committee for Silver Spring.

The Civic Center was built over a large patch of astroturf (basically thousands of little pieces of green plastic made to look and feel like grass) at the corner of Fenton and Ellsworth. The idea of a Civic Center has been around since 2007, and, at the time, raised some major controversy, as the astroturf had been a popular hang-out and picnic spot for teens and families.

Speakers representing Mixed Unity asked County Exec Leggett to support the allocation of a small space in the building that youth groups might use to hold events, meetings, and work for the benefit of the Silver Spring/Takoma Park community and its youth.

"IIt's not just a place to play ping-pong," Said Sandrine Emambu, speaking on behalf of Mixed Unity, "We're looking for a place for youth groups to come and do work. " Emambu cited the Mixed Unity Peace Summit as one event that would have benefited from such a space. Other groups that would also use the space, she said, would include Asian American Lead, Gap Busters, Identity, MMYC, and many others.

A speaker from Mixed Unity also asked for the creation of a Youth Action Committee for Silver Spring and Takoma Park, which would work to give a real youth perspective and influence in programs and policies that affect youth in the area. A plan for such a committee is already in the works, says a Mixed Unity spokesperson, and the Positive Youth Development Initiative has expressed interest in being involved in such a process.

"It's not a solution for all the problems," said Ben Sudbrink, "But it's a base on which to build them."