Politics
For Ward 7 Council: Tom Brown
Many new projects have improved Ward 7 in recent years, but much remains to be done. Councilmember Yvette Alexander has had little to do with Ward 7's successes and done little about its challenges. Residents of Ward 7 have looked hard for a replacement, and we support Tom Brown in the Democratic primary on April 3.
Image from Tom Brown.
Brown stands on a solid record of accomplishments in education and workforce development. He is the founder and current Executive Director of Training Grounds, a workforce development nonprofit. Through this, he has developed relationships with corporations and linked young people to jobs. A former "National Teacher of the Year," he helped establish and taught at the KIPP KEY Academy in Ward 7.
Ward 7 is one of DC's last frontiers for economic development. Brown is committed to implementing small area plans that the Council has approved but which are currently collecting dust on the shelves.
The incumbent, Yvette Alexander, has few accomplishments during her 5-year term as councilmember. She is touting the ward's new libraries (Anacostia, Dorothy Irene Height/Benning, and Deanwood), the Deanwood Recreation Center, and the new H.D. Woodson High School. However, these projects were already planned and funded prior to Alexander's tenure. Ward 7 residents struggle to identify any ways she specifically aided these projects.
Ward 7 enjoys recent transportation improvements, such as the Great Street projects on Pennsylvania Avenue, Benning Road, and Nannie Helen Boroughs Avenue; the DC Circulator; Capital Bikeshare stations; and a study for Metro's W4 route. Alexander had very little to do with these either. In fact, transportation advocates credit other councilmembers for expediting the Circulator east of the river and ensuring the ward is an integral part of the bike sharing program.
Alexander has also been absent on education, redistricting, and more.
Brown has won endorsements from a wide range of groups that do not always agree, including the DC Chamber of Commerce PAC, the Washington Post, DC for Democracy, Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, Washington Metro Labor, AFL-CIO, and the Washington Examiner. We add our name to this list and encourage Ward 7 voters to chose Tom Brown during early voting or at the polls on April 3.
This is the official endorsement of Greater Greater Washington, written by one or more contributors. Active contributors and editors voted on endorsements, and any endorsement reflects a strong majority or greater in favor of endorsing the candidate.
Comments
@ggwash
- Bikeshare is a gateway to private biking, not competition
- Short-term Washingtonians deserve a voice, too
- Judge denies injunction against closing schools
- Public land deals have both benefits and pitfalls
- Long-term closures: A solution to single-tracking?
- DC Council makes major policy changes overnight
- PG planners propose bold new smart growth future
by Kyle W on Mar 21, 2012 6:03 pm • link • report
by charlie on Mar 21, 2012 6:14 pm • link • report
Obviously I ask these same questions a lot, but I would like to read about what sort of projects/development Alexander's "inaction" caused. To me, that seems like a very reasonable thing to ask. I've asked the same question to her W7 critics and they too can't come up with anything beyond, "I don't like her." And believe it or not, that's the answer I do understand. Sometimes you just don't like people.
Ironically, many of those I've spoken to w/in the "she's not responsible for [insert project]" crew did a complete reversal during the mayoral election. In our debates, they often credited Fenty with many things that had little to do w/him but occurred under his watch. Even his decision to take over the schools wasn't his idea. But reason is often clouded when emotions are on the table.
Personally, I think Alexander is moreso a victim of the ABY's than she is at being an ineffective politician like our W8 rep.
On another note, the 2nd paragraph?
by HogWash on Mar 21, 2012 7:45 pm • link • report
The fy10 Auditor's report about monies spent on economic development revealed her ineffectiveness on that front. Day in & day out residents voice concern about cleanliness, she sees it herself. Despite this she has not encouraged community clean-ups, supported programs/projects from the Anac. Watershed Society or Alice Ferguson, or offered substantive legislation to address sign blight, litter, & personal responsibility.
There are plenty of reasons for not voting for her. The only reason I've heard to vote for her is going with the devil you know, which hasn't gotten us much.
by SCBrown, ANC7C04 on Mar 21, 2012 10:19 pm • link • report
by mp on Mar 21, 2012 11:30 pm • link • report
by Kolohe on Mar 22, 2012 6:43 am • link • report
Also, in regards to no one being able to list what she hasn't done...here you go:
She lost/didn't fight for Benning Station. (Look it up).
Phase 2 of Minn/Benning is on the verge of being lost.
City Interest brough East River Shopping Ctr with the intention of redeveloping. She has yet to make that happen. (And yes that is part of her job)When I called her office last year, they informed me that was on hold because there was a government office lease that wasn't up. WHy can't she solve that problem? Clearly, that was an 'untruth'.
SHe has yet to bring any retail development to the ward. NONE. Ray's the Steaks is barely open because she can't improve the ward enough to make it attractive to people with substantial income to live there.
If she wins, Ward 7 will really suffer because many of the young middle class people will move out. The old guard will stay because they own and have been there, but the rest of the ward will go to pot. Read a listserve, people are fed up.
by WhoSaidWhat on Mar 22, 2012 9:35 am • link • report
At least your arguments seem convincing enough. That's separate from much of anything else I've heard in the news.
BTW, what sort of "personal responsibility" legislation could a politician offer? I don't get that.
@Kohloe ABY = Anybody But You
In other words, some crap I came up w/.
by HogWash on Mar 22, 2012 10:44 am • link • report
Go west I say.
by HogWash on Mar 22, 2012 10:46 am • link • report
Actually your response does show that location is a valid reason to vote for someone. Because of the increased chance of a response and resolution of any given problem.
Also i believe that young middle class would not move just for the reason she is reelected as they probably moved to this ward in her tenure.
But keep in mind i don't prescribe to any particular politician and am allways open to change in that field.
by nmp on Mar 22, 2012 1:14 pm • link • report
Very civic-minded of you.
by dcd on Mar 22, 2012 3:49 pm • link • report
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