ANC candidate questionnaire round-up

Greater Greater Washington is a local advocacy organization for progressive urban policy, mainly for housing and transportation. They recently released their endorsements for ANC candidates, as well as the candidates responses to their questionnaire. For ANC5D, GGWash endorsed Sean Barry (5D03), Sydelle Moore (5D05), and Marina Budimir (5D06). Sebrena Rhodes (5D01) and Stephen Cobb (5D07) are running unopposed and were noted for having good answers. James Butler (5D03), Bernice Blackwell (5D04) and Kathy Henderson (5D05) appear not to have responded to the questionnaire. Sydelle Moore is the only incumbent currently serving on ANC 5D represented in the answers below.

Here is a round up of some of the answers I found interesting, different, or surprising. These are not complete answers in all cases and this is not meant to be representative of each candidate's answers. I picked out select sentences from larger paragraphs but did my best to keep relevant context. See all the answers here. I find that it's really interesting to compare some of these responses, and I know this makes for an extremely long post, but I hope you will find it useful too.

Q: If there were a way to improve bus service or safety for people walking or bicycling in your neighborhood, but it required removing some on-street parking, how would you approach the situation? Give a specific example if possible.

Salvador Sauceda-Guzman-02: I would look towards providing a rebate or credit opportunity with local parking garages so neighbors can station their vehicles due to lack of space available in need for other neighbors that take self/public transportation.

Latoya Moore-03: I’m actually not in favor of removing anymore on-street parking, as most of us (residents) are unable to park in our backyards or alleyways, so street parking is all that is left. We don’t have enough parking in the city as it is. An approach could be splitting or decreasing some of the sidewalks to accommodate the bus and/or walk lanes.

Sean Barry-03: In our neighborhood, we need to slow down traffic on 17th Street between Benning and Bladensburg. Brentwood Parkway by Gallaudet University is a nearby example of effective traffic calming that is worth further study.

Sydelle Moore-05: Improved public transportation has been an ongoing conversation in Carver/Langston and my neighbors are very open to trying different approaches as long as that approach makes sense for them. My neighbors have already gotten rid of parking spots on Maryland Ave. in order to improve the placement of the X8 bus stop and make it possible to use extended buses along that route. 

Zachary Hoffman-06: I have wanted to discuss moving altering street parking along any street that connects to Florida Ave NE to help turning drivers and crossing pedestrians, especially at any intersections with a traffic light. To often close calls and accidents are caused by cars parked too far off the curb so close to the entrance of the intersection that blind spots and bad judgment can create chaos.

Stephen Cobb-07: Because bus, pedestrian, and biking infrastructure are location dependent, the first step is data collection. This data includes (1) the current street conditions; and (2) input from residents who live and work on the street and who may benefit from the proposed improvements ... The most relevant project right now is West Virginia Avenue, which cuts through my ANC and is included in my SMD. DDOT has proposed bike lanes from Florida Ave to Montana Ave, and I strongly support them. They will be critical for neighbors going to and from Trinidad and Ivy City. My hope is that eventually DDOT will extend these bike lanes north of New York Avenue.

Q: During the pandemic, ANC meetings have moved online. Do you think that has been a plus or minus for inclusion, accessibility, and transparency? What would you like to see ANCs do moving forward?

Sebrena Rhodes-01: The only minus I can see with the online meetings is having the administrator prevent the public from speaking or having the ability to mute.

SSG-02: Moving completely digital can create a disconnect in communication and ANCs need to be able to send News letters to residents so they are well informed and connected to all available resources during these hard times.

LM-03: I would like to see questionnaires and polling of topics for the agendas moving forward. It seems to be stuck in a repetitive outline every meeting.

SB-03: When I started running in June, I reached out to neighbors to let them know about the special meeting at the time. I found most had no idea a meeting was happening.

SM-05: One useful thing ANC 5D has begun doing is using a text messaging service to send mass texts to residents who can sign up for text message updates via yard signs posted throughout the neighborhood. 

ZH-06: 5D has sign language interpretation every month, a service that should stand as a shining example for every other ANC. 

Michael Lussier-06: The accessibility seen at the larger ANC meetings should extend both to the smaller ANC committee meetings, and the Single Member District meetings. Also, ANCs need to provide channels of communication for residents to voice concerns and provide feedback. Though each Single Member District Commissioner acts as a point-of-contact, there should be a more formal method of communicating with the ANC – online forums, a place to receive mail, and comment forms.

Marina Budimir-06: We should work with libraries and other government service providers to offer safe spaces with social distancing measures in place for small groups of people to join meetings in person when it is safe to do so.

SC-07: Many neighbors do not have the privilege of being able to set aside time each month for a meeting that will end at an unclear time and might stretch late into the night. Online meetings have made it much easier to do so.

Q: To meet the District's housing needs, Mayor Bowser has proposed building 36,000 additional housing units in the District by 2025, 12,000 of which would be affordable to people making 60% or less of the Area Median Income. Do you support this initiative, and if so, what role do you think your ANC could play in addressing housing affordability challenges? How and where can your neighborhood contribute its fair share of the housing our growing city needs?

SR-01: Landlords continue running properties with unlivable units, the homeless population numbers are going up, people are losing their homes because of losing their jobs from this pandemic, and looking into 2025 for affordable housing just do not seem realistic at this time.

SSG-02: Knowing that new housing is a luxury and privilege in the District, I do not support an initiative that barely does enough. ANCs should actively play a role in connecting residents to resources that can help improve and grow their credit and access to housing. Native/Generational Washingtonians deserve modern forms of priority action when it comes to access to housing and tax-breaks to catch up and fulfill their desire to own property in their homeland.

LM-03: Absolutely. As a native Washingtonian and an avid ANC Meeting attendee, I think my ANC can combat a lot of these developers from coming in and building unaffordable and unattainable living spaces for legacy residents. We must stop these slumlords and private resident managers from targeting a certain class or income of constituents to reside in their properties and driving the working class out of the city.

SB-03: New projects in our area should include below market-rate units for people at the 60% threshold and higher AMI, both to keep financing feasible and to accommodate residents at a variety of income levels. ... As communications lead in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, I was proud to help open the first three short-term family housing programs, as part of the Mayor’s initiative to close DC General and reduce family homelessness.

SM-05: More than half of the city’s affordable housing is currently in Wards 5, 7 and 8. Meanwhile there are very few affordable units in Wards 2 or 3. The city is right to focus on improving access to affordable housing particularly in wards that simply haven’t produced their share ... One of the ways my commission plans to help keep people in the neighborhood affordably is by negotiating with developers providing affordable dwelling units (ADUs) to give preference for qualified residents already living within ANC 5D. 

ZH-06: Personally, I think we are doing a terrible job of negotiating with developers to build this necessary affordable housing. ANCs will play a huge part in the construction of units as we undertake this challenge, and we have to be willing to make a stand for increasing affordable units in every development going forward. 5D will have several opportunities for development that will require us to demand more affordable units. The largest redevelopment project in our ANCs lifetime outside of Union Market will take place at the Starburst Plaza, once that project begins, I pledge to fight for triple the amount of affordable units than the minimum.

ML-06: As I walked my neighborhood recently, I saw owners repainting houses, beautifying their yards, and adding fences. Alongside these neighbors, I also saw new single family and multi-family homes being built. As a home owner myself, I want to make sure that all development in our neighborhood is done by civic-minded developers who are building homes to last and that will enrich the surrounding neighbors. In addition, I want to be a sentinel for affordable housing being incorporated into projects that are to be built not only in our neighborhood, but also the whole of ANC 5D. 

MB-06: We must strive to preserve existing housing stock by ensuring the city is making necessary repairs to units it maintains. Our neighborhood should continue to do its part to address the housing needs of all residents, especially those who are low- and moderate-income, and we should do more to require inclusionary zoning so that all new multifamily developments are required to have affordable housing units.

SC-07: ANC 5D has great potential to help address the District’s housing-affordability challenges because its housing is so diverse. My SMD is rowhouses and four-unit buildings, with some modest apartment buildings on Bladensburg Road. My SMD’s role in adding housing will thus be piecemeal, but already we are seeing progress ... ANC 5D should thus work proactively with MRP and JM Zell to ensure that the new Hechinger Mall offers something for all neighbors. This must include a high amount of market-rate and affordable housing from studios to family-sized. 

Q: Many retail and restaurant spaces are being threatened by COVID-19. What would you advocate to help support small and medium businesses in your community?

SSG-02: I believe ideas such as closing heavy foot traffic streets such as, H Street NE, one or two nights a week for open foot and food truck traffic. 

SB-03: The delays in unemployment insurance benefits were unacceptable and cannot be repeated. We need to renew the necessary and challenging work of fixing our systems so people can receive the benefits to which they are entitled in a timely manner.

ZH-06: At the ANC level I would push for weekly or bi-weekly newsletters highlighting the small and medium businesses in our area that need our continued support. Showcasing and marketing our community partners is a great way to let residents know about all of the hidden gems right in their backyards and help focus attention on those businesses.

MB-06: We must make sure that minority- and women-owned businesses are not left behind in any of our relief efforts, and that they thrive and succeed as we recover from this pandemic.

SC-07: MPD’s budget already exceeds half a billion dollars. Its budget should be severely decreased, and those resources redirected to programs that will actually help curb crime in our communities. And right now, some of those sizable funds could be used to provide more financial relief to our small and medium businesses.

Q: What is the biggest issue in your neighborhood not already listed on this questionnaire, and what is your position on it?

SR-01: The biggest issues in my neighborhood is the Homeless shelter that does not have any programs and options for rehabilitation. Ivy City does not have a recreation center where the children can have a safe space to play. Catholic Charities will need to provide the men at the shelter with more than just a bed and the community will continue to advocate for a community-run recreation center, green space, safe streets and sidewalks, safe homes/apartments with responsible landlords/homeowners no matter your income, and a community that will be in a position to heal, recover, build and unite.

SSG-02: Our biggest issue at the moment is trash and illegal dumping. We need funding to have more street/alley cleaning in our Neighborhoods.

LM-03: The K2 Synthetic Drug Abuse. My position is there is not enough initiative to combat the issue. There needs to be daily police patrol and presence, legislation to make it illegal to sell, purchase, and/or distribute, and a combative approach for the addiction.

SB-03: First, we have continued public safety challenges, most notably with gun violence, car break-ins and at Starburst Plaza. Like most neighbors, I want a fair, proactive and equitable response to these issues. MPD has a role, but not an exclusive one. Second, I support reopening the M Street entrance to the Arboretum for pedestrians and bicyclists. 

SM-05: Violent crime. I support a public health approach to improving the prevention, not just the response to violent crime and have been proactive about spending the majority of my time as an ANC commissioner to helping prevent my neighbors from being victims of violence.

ZH-06: I will continue to support funding violence interrupter programs and PPE distribution in Trinidad. 

ML-06: If elected, I will work with local agencies to implement speed reduction strategies, strengthen our violence interrupters program, and review lighting around the neighborhood.

MB-06: Unemployment (and underemployment) due to COVID-19 is one of the biggest issues facing our residents right now. Many of our neighbors have lost their jobs and we need to work together as a community to help each other through this difficult time and ensure that all those in need are able to remain in the neighborhood.

SC-07: In Trinidad we have long had issues with drug dealing, sex work, and violent crime. More policing, however, is not the answer. Policing is necessarily reactive and cannot effectively prevent crimes before they’re committed. And more policing would further contribute to a systemically racist carceral state that disproportionately affects neighbors of color.

Q: In fewer than 5 sentences, why do you think you are the best person to represent your SMD?

SR-01: Being understanding, communication, helping to solve problems, and having a great listening ear and good heart even if you don't speak the same language is very important and means more than any title.

SB-03: I mobilize 5-10 volunteers every week through Trash on Tuesdays and publish the Carver-Langston Gazette monthly to keep people informed. 

MB-06: As a transportation planner, bicyclist, and resident of SMD 5D06, I have a thorough understanding of transportation planning principles and issues in our neighborhood. I also have experience reviewing development applications and helping to determine which sustainable transportation measures should be implemented to adequately mitigate impacts to the community and ensure that residents are receiving the due benefits. 

SC-07: In 2019, I helped found the ANC’s Zoning and Development Committee and served on that committee for a year and a half.

Q: Do you support transit-only lanes on H St NE and Benning Rd NE to give the streetcar and the X2/X9 buses a dedicated right of way? Would you support removing on-street parking on H St to make this happen?

SR-01: Having cars in the way of the X2/X9 and the streetcar is disrespectful. I would remove on-street parking on H st which is a major corridor within the city.

SSG-02: I would not support this type on these lanes due to the high level of traffic they create being the streets they are. They are streets of not only our neighbors and residents but of commuters. I would not support disrupting any of this on a permanent or temporary basis simply for public transportation.

LM-03: No. No.

SM-05: The streetcar is an excellent addition to our transit options in ANC 5D, but it is too slow. The X2, and other major busses are also too slow, late and provide poor service. I would support having the bus and streetcar operating in the same high-speed lane during rush hour. On-street parking on Benning Rd. is already time-limited to non-rush hours and that works well. 

ZH-06: Yes. H street is often a chaotic street with many chokepoints. Developing new and more efficient travel lanes and infrastructure would do more for the corridor than retaining street parking.

ML-06: Increasing the reliability of the public transit routes along the H St NE and Benning Rd NE corridor is critical. With average 2019 weekday Metrobus ridership of 11,135 people, this corridor represents one of DC’s most utilized lines.

SC-07: By any measure, H Street NE and Benning Road NE are unsafe. On Benning, the sidewalks are too narrow for pedestrians and anyone in a wheelchair or pushing a stroller. There is no bike infrastructure beyond bike racks, while the streetcar tracks have actually proven deadly to bike riders ... Until the Streetcar gets a transit-only lane, it will stand as an expensive, PR-driven half-measure that serves no one well.

Q: Do you support removing on-street parking and/or travel lanes to improve street safety for all users, including by building protected bike lanes and/or dedicated bus lanes on West Virginia Avenue, Bladensburg Avenue and Mt. Olivet Road?

SR-01: Dedicated bus lanes will cause an already busy street such as Mt Olivet Rd more congestion from construction and it will not make a difference.

LM-03: No.

SB-03: I am also excited by the potential of the new Arboretum Bridge and Trail Project — slated for 2022 — to serve as a catalyst. Gallaudet University students and staff will need to be an active part of these conversations.

SM-05: This isn’t the right question. Rather than constantly framing things as what can be taken away, it would be a much better idea to introduce people to urbanism and environmentalism by talking about what people gain. Fresh air for asthmatics and better bus service aren’t controversial in ANC 5D ... Rather than coming up with blanket solutions to the challenges we face, ANC 5D has hired a city planner to canvas community members, business owners and other stakeholders in addition to developing a diverse transit committee to come up with a set of recommendations specific to the challenges that our neighborhoods face.

ZH-06: While street parking is a wonderful thing, if it blocks the use of an arterial road that the entire community uses and could benefit from new infrastructure, then it has to be examined and considered.

ML-06: These areas have not seen adequate upkeep of their public alleyways from the city. As we evaluate the feasibility of adding dedicated bus-lanes, we will need to ensure that the adverse impact to the residents of the neighborhoods, through which these lanes would potentially be added, is minimized.

SC-07: Bladensburg Road is currently a highway for suburban commuters and out-of-state charter buses. It does not effectively serve those who actually live near it. Fortunately, the pending Comprehensive Plan amendments call for Lower Bladensburg to become a pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use area. These amendments--combined with the imminent redevelopment of the Hechinger Mall--will set the stage for transformation of Bladensburg Road. This transformation should include bike lanes, bus lanes, and other safety measures, so that neighbors can easily live, shop, and visit the Arboretum without a car. 

Map via openanc.org.