WASHINGTON — Commissioners representing part of Ward 8 have officially accepted an offer from the D.C. National Guard to help with neighborhood beautification efforts. It's a move that's been met with both praise and skepticism from community members.

During Tuesday night's Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 8B meeting, members voted to allow Guard members to assist with cleanup projects across the area.

Ahead of the vote, WUSA9 spoke with two commissioners along Alabama Avenue SE who pointed out areas they say have long been neglected.

"It's good people that live over here," said Betty Scippio, one of the commissioners.

But she and Commissioner Joseph Johnson pointed to excessive trash and overgrown bushes littering parts of the community.

"We are the dumping ground over here

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