A Perspective on the Ward 8 City Council Election

ART of WAR Concept: Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. _________________________________________________________________________________

I wanted to take a moment to discuss my thoughts on this election season in Ward 8. Sitting on the sidelines and being an observer has allowed me to see some things that I probably would have missed if I was involved as a candidate.

Every election is different. There are different issues, different candidates, different voters and even the timing of the election season is different. An additional change I have noticed since 2008 is that candidates are now actively using social media, blogging and neighborhood listservs to get their message across to voters. All have become effective tools for candidates to reach voters. With the election starting in the winter months these have been heavily utilized.

I’ve also noticed that there are more people who are taking an active interest in who is running and their platform to improve the quality of life in the Ward. It is always a good thing when there is heavy participation the in community. It forces candidates to be their best which in turn helps the community.

And like every election, there is always talk about getting several candidates to drop out of the race with the expectation that they will all support another in an effort to beat the incumbent. This is noble thinking, but these are the types of conversations that need to take place two years in advance. When a person commits to picking up their petitions and spending their time, money and effort just to get on the ballot, rest assured that they are going to run to complete the race.

Yet still, this conversation has to happen - not for the purpose of eliminating competition, but instead with the goal of combining resources and talent. I for one believe that it takes more than one person in leadership to bring about the type of change needed to really improve the quality of life in our Ward 8 neighborhoods.  It is evident that each candidate has unique talents that include public policy, fundraising, public relations, and community organization. Unfortunately, over the year's, these talents have worked independently of each other. When you can bring all those talents together we will be able to push a candidate forward. Not doing so will create the same frustrations 4 years from now during the next election.

If the conversation happens I think we would learn that not everyone really wants to be the Ward 8 Councilmember, instead they just want to be involved in the process of improving Ward 8. This is a good problem. All potential candidates have to have an honest conversation with each other to determine who has the desire, patience, ability and resources to hold this office. Then the person chosen, has to have the heart and “vision” to position the others to be in charge of other initiatives.

These initiatives can even be an At-Large City Councilmember.  I believe that in a couple of years, Ward 8 can actually have two At-Large Councilmembers if people are willing to work with and help each other succeed. In addition to the City Council, the person has to have the vision to position others to chair District Boards & Commissions and even the DC Democratic State Committee. We are going to need residents who are in key positions that have influence over zoning, housing, utilities and the large District political initiatives. You see we need a team effort where we will all be able to shine to implement a shared vision for improving our community. Remember we are all fighting for the same thing(s).

Before & After Pics - Haunted House

ART of WAR Concept: As water has no constant form, there are in war no constant conditions.
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The other day I came across some olds pics of a house in Historic Anacostia on the blog And, Now Anacostia. As you can tell this house contributed to some serious blight in the community.

The previous owner had lived in the house for over 40 years and was a very good neighbor. Unfortunately, unbeknowst to neighbors, he became a hoarder; so much so that once the house was sold, it took the contractor about 30 days just to clean out all the collected items.

The house was in such bad shape that it actually began to lean to the side. I'm sure some would say that it was so ugly that it would be best just to tear it down. If you agree, your opinion might change after seeing the updated photos after the house was renovated.

Enjoy...

Kinda looks like a haunted house! Can you imagine what

this did to property values on this street?

It was in such bad shape, it had no porch to stand on...you had

to walk the plank to go into the house.

Are you saying wow yet?

Everyone on the block loved this renovation + an increase

in everyone's property value.

Nice!

Anacostia Pedestrian Bridge Conceptual Idea

ART of WAR Concept: We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country--its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps
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My good blogger friend, “And Now, Anacostia” did a blog post on the idea of a bridge that would be used for strictly pedestrian use.  It seems like the idea is not that far-fetched. As you should know, the new 11^th Street Bridge will be completed this summer. The assumption was that after the bridge was completed the older bridges would be torn down since there will be no need to drive across them.

Well an idea has surfaced to keep the older, existing 11^th Street Bridge to serve as an additional connector across the Anacostia River. The unique difference is that instead of driving across the bridge, it will be used as a recreational space for pedestrian use only and we will use it to walk across the river. The concept is still on the drawing board but it set to include intense recreational activities such as rock walls, zip lines, canoe launches, paddle boats parks, bike trails, walking trails and recreational courts.

When I first heard of the idea I was not a supporter, but after more thought I think it is a great idea. Just imagine being able to sit in the park overlooking the Anacostia River from the bridge, or shooting hoops and  playing tennis as the traffic goes by on the new bridges.

There should be some community meetings sometime this spring to provide more details. Currently, the idea is in a conceptual stage. My understanding is that the District will have to raise private dollars to make this a reality.


I wish I could share more of the concept drawings, but the DDOT and the Office of Planning representatives want community input before sharing any more pics. So if you love the idea or think it’s a waste, please be sure to participate in the meeting conversations. CLICK HERE to visit of the OP website to learn more. Stay tuned....

This is a concept drawing provided by the DC OP on what the existing bridge could

become. You can see the possible streetcar on the new 11th St Bridge.

The old bridge would connect to the new bridge.

This is a view from Poplar Point. Again, just a concept. There

will be a need from community input.

This is a view of Poplar Point standing on the bridge

A view of the Navy Yard while standing on the bridge

A view from Anacostia Park

D.C. Democratic Delegate Position(s)

ART of WAR Concept: What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.

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It’s election season and of course everyone is focused on the City Council races. It is always the top level positions that are the topic of conversation and get the most press.. However, I would like for you take notice of a little known position called the DC Pledged District-Level Delegate. The Delegate position is elected by the Democratic voters of the District of Columbia to represent them at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) to be held the week of September 4, 2012. That means the winner(s) will travel to Charlotte, NC for the DNC to represent issues important to the District like D.C. Voting Rights/Statehood and cast their support for the Democratic Presidential nominee – President Barack Obama.

What makes this position so interesting is that there will be a total of 14 Delegates elected to represent the District. Seven (7) people will be elected from either Wards 1, 2, 6 or 8. And another seven (7) more elected from Wards 3, 4, 5, and 7. Unlike the City Council election where there is only one winner, the Delegate election there will be multiple winners. Election will take place during the DC Democratic Cacus in the coming weeks. It would be great to have more than one person elected from Ward 8. I’ve always believed that in order to see some real change in our Ward it takes more than just a person elected to City Council. You need people who share a common vision amongst all available political positions that can have an impact in Ward 8.

So if you are interested in serving in this position you have until February 17, 2012 to declare your candidacy. To learn more please visit the DC Democratic State Committee website at: www.dcdsc.org and click on the applicable link. I have also included the application below.

Click on the pic to view the application...You can finish this
in no time!

Guest Post: Regulating Money in Politics - Creating Cleaner and Fairer Elections

Written by Guest Blogger: ANC 7C04 Sylvia Brown

On January 17 civic activists Bryan Weaver and Sylvia C. Brown filed paperwork with the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics (BOEE) to establish the D.C. Committee to Restore the Public Trust. The committee will work to get a ballot initiative to ban corporate contributions to D.C.’s political funds on the November 6 general election ballot.

Political funds include candidate campaign committees, constituent service funds, legal defense funds, and transition and inaugural committees

The Council of the District of Columbia debated and passed an overhaul of city ethics laws in the wake of a guilty plea by former Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. in late December 2010. Members of the Council and the Mayor continue to be under legal scrutiny. During the debate, however, amendments to regulate political contributions were knocked down.

Weaver, who is a former Ward 1 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner and Council candidate, said, “I was hopeful that the DC Council's ethics law would have addressed corporation contributions, but the Council punted. The ballot initiative aims to address the loopholes in District laws that give undue influence over elected officials.”

“Restoring the public trust in our civic process matters,” Brown said. “The Council's ethics initiatives did not go far enough. It's always been hard to engage residents in the civic and political processes but at no point in the District do I think it's harder than now.” Brown currently serves as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 7C04 in Deanwood.

Twenty-three states and the federal government ban corporations from directly contributing to candidates. D.C. law has individual contribution limits, but corporations can flout the law by creating multiple entities known as limited liability companies, or LLCs. LLC’s do not have to disclose their true ownership and take advantage of the loophole by setting up multiple companies to "max out" the contribution amounts, even though they are owned by the same corporation.

Brown continued, “As Chairman of the Committee and a civic activist on the federal and local level I understand politics can be a money game. However, the District is behind the curve.  Our City leadership is lobbying other states to support DC’s statehood and voting rights in Congress. Our civic and political processes need to grow up, too.”

The BOEE is slated to hold a public meeting on February 13 to consider the initiative’s language and short title. With successful BOEE approval, the DC Committee to Restore the Public Trust will hit the ground running with petitions in time for the April 3 primary. Supporters of the corporate contributions ban will need to collect approximately 23,000 in 180 days.

To get more information about the D.C. Committee to Restore the Public Trust friend http://www.facebook.com/dcpublictrust and follow @dcpublictrust.

Guest Post -- DC Politics: It’s Been a Loooong Year

Written by Guest Blogger: ANC 7C04 Sylvia Brown

Have you ever had that awkward moment at work where you come in, get busy, take a breather and pat yourself on the back, and then look at the clock and realize it’s only…10 %@#*$ o’clock!

Mayor Vincent C. Gray may be thinking that same thing. Yep, the Mayor, who prefers to be called Vince, has only been mayor for a year.

There have been a number of efforts to reset the Administration—from shifts in personnel to starting new programs. Next week two prime restart buttons are being pushed.

On Tuesday, February 7, 7:00 p.m. at the historic Sixth and I Synagogue (600 I Street NW) the 2012 State of the District Address is slated to be delivered. Gray will give his outlook for the city’s future and growth.

Later in the week on Saturday, February 11, 9:00 a.m. the Mayor is hosting the One City Summit at the Washington Convention Center. The citywide chat-and-chew session will reportedly give the diverse swath of District residents a chance to weigh-in on the direction of their city. According to figures reported in mid-January about 989 residents had registered for the event. The Mayor hopes for at least 1,000 Washingtonians to participate. Snacks and lunch will be provided to attendees. More importantly, residents will have access to the Mayor and Cabinet heads. Pre-registration at www.onecitysummit.dc.gov is encouraged but not required.

Wards 7 and 8 are on the brink of immense change. Too often, though, our village set—late 20s-early 40s—doesn’t come out and participate in these feel-good but high visibility events. I challenge us to flip the script and not be obvious and not play the stereotype. We can:

-          plan to carpool to the State of the District and the One City Summit.

-          chat online and/or in person to come up with three-five issues we’ll push for Wards 7 and 8 at the One City Summit.

What do you say? What do you think?

11th Street Bridge Update: 13th Street Ramp to Remain Open!

ART of WAR Concept: With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up
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Hello Ward 8!

A couple of weeks ago I wrote blog post regarding the construction of the new 11th Street Bridge. In particular, I discussed Anacostia Resident's disappointment in learning that DDOT planned to close access to the 13^th Street ramp prior to the opening of the new bridge. As a result, this would have added about 15 minutes to our daily commute just to leave the greater Anacostia neighborhoods.

Well today, I received some GREAT news. As a result of the community voicing our concern, DDOT has reconsidered their proposal. They will in keep the 13^th Street Ramp open until the 11^th Street Bridge is complete. Great work Everyone! I have included the official press release below.

Gray Administration Announces 13th Street SE Ramp to Close After New Local 11th Street Bridge Opens in Late Spring 

As part of the continuing efforts to expedite the 11th Street Bridge Project construction while minimizing impacts on residents and motorists, Mayor Vincent Gray and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Terry Bellamy announced today that the ramp from 13th Street, SE to the inbound freeway bridge will remain open until the new local bridge opens late this Spring.

“My Administration continues to successfully advance the 11th Street Bridge Project with as little impact on residents and motorists as possible,” said Mayor Gray. “I’m happy to announce that we’ve worked with contractors to have the 13th Street ramp close only after the new local 11th Street Bridge opens in late May/early June.”

The 11th Street Bridge Team considered closing the 13th Street ramp in March 2012 to more quickly build new ramps from southbound DC 295 to the new inbound 11th Street Freeway Bridge and from the new outbound 11th Street Freeway Bridge to northbound DC 295. 

Closing the ramp prior to opening the local bridge would reduce commuter traffic passing through local neighborhoods but would also cause local motorists to be detoured via Howard Road to northbound I-295 to cross the inbound 11th Street Freeway Bridge.  “As has been a hallmark of the 11th Street Bridge Project under the Gray Administration, we proactively communicated with residents and motorist as early as possible about the ramp closure but continued to consider additional options that would reduce the impact,” said Director Bellamy.

“As a result, this project continues to be a model for how major infrastructure projects in the District can be built in partnership with residents and other key stakeholders.”

The new ramps between the freeway bridges and DC 295 are scheduled to open by fall with additional new ramps between the local bridge and both directions of DC 295/I-295 opening later in 2012 and early in 2013.