NORTH BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 18, 2004 — For decades, Iraqi civilians living on the outskirts of Baghdad have had no representation in the governing of Baghdad. Many of the residents were considered squatters and denied all government
services, such as power and water.
For the last several months, Bravo Company, 16th Engineer Battalion has been implementing change by forming and organizing an advisory council among the local neighborhoods north of the Kadhimyah District of Baghdad.
This area north of the capital consists mostly of farmland and a few industrial complexes including a power station, a liquid and
natural gas factory and a large concrete factory.
More than 30,000 residents grouped into several villages live in the area. The communities were neglected by the former regime.
Capt. Mike Baim, B Company commander, and his executive officer, 1st Lt. Dion Mancenido, meet with the local leaders of North Kadhimyah weekly.
“The first step in organizing the residents was to understand the terrain,” Baim said. “We met with several villagers over a few
weeks and tried to figure out the names of the villages and locations of boundaries. From there, we asked the residents to identify the key leaders in the area.”
In December, Baim and Mancenido held their first neighborhood meeting with several of the community’s leaders discussed and presented a short-term community improvement plan. The plan included organizing a formal Neighborhood Advisory
Council, gaining representation in the Kadhimyah District Advisory Council, starting an aggressive humanitarian assistance program and improving local security.
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