Politics
For ANC in Ward 3
Along Ward 3's major commercial corridors, especially Wisconsin Avenue, are numerous low strip malls and ugly parking lots, in transit-rich neighborhoods where any developer would be happy to build. But the neighborhoods also have residents most vociferously opposed to nearly any development with the means to delay and even sue to stop projects.
Recently, however, groups of residents who favor smart growth in their commercial corridors have banded together to promote a positive vision for their neighborhood, to encourage growth specifically in those areas with the richest transit infrastructure.
They helped elect Mary Cheh as the ward councilmember, who deserves unhesitating reelection. They have also won many ANC seats in neighborhoods across the ward, and we hope their numbers grow this year.
We support Tom Quinn, one of the leaders of the Ward 3 Vision smart growth organization, who is running in an open seat in 3E04. That district covers the eastern side of Wisconsin Avenue from Brandywine Street to the Maryland line. His opponent, Sally Greenberg, was the chosen successor to previous anti-smart growth commissioner Lucy Eldridge.
Jonathan McHugh is challenging the problematic incumbent Beverly Sklover in AU Park's 3E01. Sklover has opposed many smart-growth projects on the grounds of insufficient transit and then opposed transit to those same areas.
Also for their smart growth support, we prefer Mike Siegel in the open seat for 3F01 around UDC, and Fenty Ward 3 coordinator Petar Dimtchev against incumbent Ann Haas in Foxhall Village's 3D09. Update: Adam Tope, the other candidate in 3F01, has responded with more details of his views. We encourage voters to read that and make up their own minds.
Staunch smart growthers Jonathan Bender in 3E03 on the west side of Wisconsin Avenue in Tenleytown and Friendship Heights, and Sam Serebin in 3E05 northeast of AU, are both running unopposed.
At American University, two students are trying to gain representation on ANC 3D, which often takes positions on the school's plans without representation from its students. Current 3D chair Tom Smith successfully challenged both students off the ballot (huge PDF) in his own district of 3D02 and the adjacent 3D07.
Smith originally ran on a smart growth platform but quickly flipped his support to align with antis on most issues. We encourage residents to write in AU student Tyler Sadonis for 3D02, which includes the northern half of AU and the blocks to the northwest, and to write in Deon Jones in 3D07, the southern half of AU and blocks just to the south up to Nebraska Avenue.
Anne-Marie Bairstow is a terrific chair of Woodley and Cleveland Park's ANC 3C. She is a member of the DC Pedestrian Advisory Council, a strong ally of pedestrian safety, healthy business, and smart growth, and a regular reader of GGW. She is a terrific example of what a good ANC commissioner should be and we heartily endorse her reelection in her Woodley Park 3C03 district.
She faces an opponent, Matthew Kozik, who quotes Greater Greater Washington on all points of his transportation platform. Were Kozik running against almost any other commissioner we would eagerly cheer his candidacy, and hope he will continue to get involved in the neighborhood. Perhaps he will get redistricted into a different SMD for 2012, at which point we could get both Kozik and Bairstow on the ANC.
Jackie Blumenthal, the incumbent in Glover Park's 3B02, has supported streetcar and bike lane resolutions in a neighborhood that needs better transportation, and deserves reelection. We are also excited about having occasional contributor Ben Thielen serve on that ANC; he is running unopposed in an open seat on the adjacent 3B01, centered around Tunlaw Road.
Comments
@ggwash
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- Silver Spring mall could get massive facelift, new name
- WMATA launches "Short Trip" rail pass on SmarTrip
Two other candidates I would strongly endorse are Brian Cohen in ANC 3B and Trudy Reeves in ANC 3C. Both are running unopposed. Brian has supported a Wisconsin Avenue streetcar and the recommendations in the Glover Park Transportation Study, which will improve conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists in the area around Glover Park. Trudy Reeves supports both the streetcar and the proposal for the new Giant and new residential on Wisconsin & Newark.
Finally, if elected, Tom Quinn would be among the finest ANC Commissioners. He is passionate and knowledgeable about smart growth and transit in Ward 3.
by Ben on Oct 26, 2010 2:21 pm • link • report
by Dave on Oct 26, 2010 2:35 pm • link • report
by Jackie Blumenthal on Oct 26, 2010 3:21 pm • link • report
by ah on Oct 26, 2010 3:31 pm • link • report
by ah on Oct 26, 2010 3:32 pm • link • report
Tope has had minimal community involvement and isn't well known. Placing campaign signs on lampposts and posting on listservs in the past few weeks does nothing to distinguish his candidacy.
by William on Oct 26, 2010 4:37 pm • link • report
by Ron on Oct 26, 2010 4:44 pm • link • report
When I moved to SMD 3F01, one of the main attractions of the neighborhood for my wife and I was its easy access to downtown DC via Metro or bus, the walkable neighborhood streets and proximity to the Van Ness and Tenleytown commercial areas. I'm 30, I want to raise a family in SMD 3F01, and I want to see my neighborhood prosper. I think smart growth is one of the many solutions to make Van Ness even better than the exceptional neighborhood it already is.
I would like to share a few of my views on the topic with my fellow GGW readers:
Pedestrian Safety. Like my opponent, I am a huge proponent of improving pedestrian safety in the neighborhood. As the CAPA study suggests, and those of us that have walked in the neighborhood can agree, there are significant problems in the general area (i.e., Connecticut and Van Ness, Connecticut and Veazey, Reno Rd., etc.). If elected, I would fully support the goals of organizations such as CAPA, would fully support their recommendations and will work with DDOT, DPW and other organizations to improve pedestrian safety in our neighborhood.
Attracting Retail to Van Ness. As you know, ANC 3F01 is lucky to have the Van Ness Metro station at its doorstep. As mentioned on my website, www.tope4anc.com, one of the issues at the forefront of my campaign is bringing vibrant retail to the Van Ness area. A large number of my neighbors have filled out the survey on my website and have noted that attracting businesses and improving existing businesses in the neighborhood is an issue of concern. There are a lot of empty storefronts in close proximity to the Metro and I intend to work hard to attract new businesses to our neighborhood. I think this would make Van Ness an even more appealing place to live and it makes fiscal sense in the short-term since the space is already available and developed.
Mixed-use Development. I also support the future development of higher density mixed-use properties near the Metro. For instance, I think the planned Walgreens is huge waste of valuable space in ANC 3F. There are a lot of better, smarter uses for the Walgreens space (many discussed on GGW). If a similar development would come up before ANC 3F in the future, I would strongly oppose it.
Ultimately, what I can say is that both my opponent and I undoubtedly support smart growth for Van Ness and therefore our support for smart growth isnÂ’t a point of distinction between the two of us.
I encourage anyone who would like to discuss my views on smart growth or any other issues to feel free to email me or call me. All of my contact information is on my website and I would be happy to discuss anything on your mind.
-Adam Tope
by Adam Tope on Oct 26, 2010 6:28 pm • link • report
Thank you for the clarification. I, for one, and glad to see this articulation of your platform.
by William on Oct 26, 2010 7:30 pm • link • report
I am looking forward to working on behalf of American University and its neighbors south of Nebraska Avenue. For too long, the 3D07 seat has been vacant, and it is time to give a voice to both communities.
This is not a student vs. community campaign. ItÂ’s a campaign to bridge the divide between the campus community and neighbors. I will advocate for both parties. Alone, each party will fail. However, if we work together, we can accomplish great things for our neighborhood.
Thank you again for endorsing my candidacy. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance.
by Deon Jones on Oct 26, 2010 10:30 pm • link • report
I find Mr. Tope's campaign platitudes about public safety and attracting businesses and encouraging smart growth to be largely irrelevant to the ANC. I've been a commissioner and the reality is that ANC commissioners just don't have all that much input on major issues of that sort--at least not to the degree that certain high-profile cases might lead one to believe--but it sounds good. The vast majority of the work is going out to look at Mr. X's curb cut, or Mrs. Y's over-height fence. Or acting as referee between neighbors who selfishly don't think their block needs a sidewalk and those who do. Tedious, yes, but of the utmost importance to those involved. And in those cases, the best skills you can have are people skills. There will be larger issues in Forest Hills like the future expansion of UDC and reversible lanes on Connecticut. And what ANCs need to tackle those are thoughtful, patient people with roots and experience in the community, which give them credibility among their neighbors. ANCs need people willing to dedicate long hours researching applications and writing opinions or resolutions. And they need people open-minded enough to recognize that these issues are seldom as simple as they seem.
I've seen many Adam Topes come and go on the city's ANCs. They get elected, make a lot of noise over high-profile issues to get their name out there, then reach for the next rung on the ladder. Meanwhile, they seldom find much time for the substantial. less glamorous demands of the office. GGW is right to endorse Mike Siegel, who has given an exceptional amount of his time to Murch and to school modernization. He's lived for a long time in the community and knows the people, the places and how it works--or in many cases, how it doesn't work. He has a full life and being an ANC commissioner is not a stepping stone to some other place. It's just plain old dedication to community and a desire to serve. Those are the best qualifications of all.
by MS on Oct 26, 2010 11:47 pm • link • report
1. Developing an AU campus plan that eases student housing and improves university facilities without impeding on the quality of life in the neighborhood.
2. Providing more opportunities for community residents to be involved on campus.
3. Working on the traffic problems in Ward Circle and a strategic plan for revitalizing Wisconsin Avenue.
I am excited about the endorsement of Deon Jones for ANC 3D07. Deon is a very good friend of mine and someone who I know will lead the community in a better direction. Also, I would like to thank and extend my support to Tom Quinn, candidate for ANC 3E04. He reached out to me early in the campaign and I hope to work further with him on the ANC.
by Tyler Sadonis on Oct 27, 2010 12:23 am • link • report
For full disclosure, Adam lives a few doors down from me. He may be a newby resident, but I havenÂ’t seen a newby with as much dedication and pride for our community in a while. MS, if dedication to community and desire to serve are your requirements for a good ANC, Adam meets these qualifications well. I would recommend you try to reach out to him and talk to him and you will probably find him as impressive as I do.
Encouraging smart growth is irrelevant to the ANC. But this is a blog about smart growth and David's endorsements of ANC candidates. It isn't about curb cuts and fences. Adam's response was smart and genuine and shows at least he isnÂ’t in the anti-development camp most of us despise. Why don't you have your buddy Mike post up his views in more detail, even though, of course, it is irrelevant to being on the ANC.
I think these posts are getting a bit off topic. If you are in our SMD, go out and meet Adam and Mike and make your choice for who to vote for. We are all entitled to our opinions, but bashing a guy because he didnÂ’t volunteer at Murch or bashing him for responding to a blog post with his positions on smart growth seems a bit ridiculous, especially, when this is, after all a blog about smart growth.
by John on Oct 27, 2010 1:13 am • link • report
by MS on Oct 27, 2010 9:28 am • link • report
I am not one to put up comments often, but MS, your comment really struck a chord with me. I too was a commissioner many years ago. Sure it is a lot of mundane work, but it is also about planting new seeds for the future and getting the community on board. I have seen my fair share of Mike Siegels. Everyone knows a Mike Siegel. They are the guys who get very involved in a local organization (in MikeÂ’s case, Murch). They work hard in that organization, because of course they have a kid at the school and any improvement not just benefits other kids, but benefit their kid as well. Then the kids grow up, the school organization becomes less important. They have some free time on their hands and someone approaches them to run for ANC. At the last minute, they decide to run (which is exactly what Mike did here) and they go for it. They donÂ’t put much effort into the race (since most run unopposed). They get elected, they perform as commissioner well, but they do not really bring any new ideas or passion to change or improve the institution. When you vote and elect a Mike Siegel, you vote for the status quo. I am not sure that the status quo of our ANC is a good thing.
From my view, ANC 3F is in a bit of a funk. If you have attended a meeting recently, it is chaotic. Meetings run late and are disorganized. Minutes are being approved from 6, 8, 10 months ago. Budgets are a mystery. Commissioners don't show. The leadership is all over the map and needs a big adjustment.
I have taken the time to meet Adam Tope and also the candidates from other SMDs – Bob Summersgill and Roman Jankowski. Bob and Roman have won – they are running unopposed. I like Bob and Roman. Roman is young and passionate about our community. Bob is a tireless crusader for gay rights. If even a small bit of Bob can rub off on our ANC, great things will happen. After meeting Adam, I think he would work well with both Bob and Roman. Adam has a lot of good ideas. I think the three of them could really point 3F into the right direction (and I think they can all handle the curb cuts and over-height fences).
I am sure Mike Siegel is a great member of the community, but I do not think he is the right person for the job at this moment. Electing a Mike Siegel is not what our community needs at the moment. I am happy Bob and Roman will be on the ANC. I hope Adam joins them and I plan to vote for him.
by PK on Oct 28, 2010 11:07 am • link • report
by Petar D on Oct 28, 2010 6:22 pm • link • report
I'm a landscape architect and have worked with several of the top land use and planning firms, including EDAW and LDR. I am a big supporter of smart growth. As a member of the Committee of 100 on the Federal CIty, I support and encourage responsible planning, intelligent land use and green architecture. I closely followed the design and construction of Bill McDonough's new Gold LEED certified building for AU's School of International Service.
The biggest issue facing ANC3D is American University's Campus Plan. Many neighbors have expressed concerns regarding AU's plans to build several 5-6 story dormitories on Nebraska Avenue at Massachusetts Avenue and also at Rockwood Parkway.
From a land planning perspective this contradicts AU's development patterns to date, where dormitories were built on the interior of the main campus, away from residential properties, and the height of academical buildings on the campus edge was limited to three floors, to blend in with the neighborhood scale.
At this week's campus plan meeting, I suggested that AU move the proposed dormitories to the interior of the main campus and to limit the height of academical buildings on the campus edge to three floors. I also suggested that AU should consider organizing a design charrette, so that AU and the neighbors might have a better understanding of each others concerns and develop a workable alternative to the existing campus plan.
Neighbors raised the concern that my opponent has not attended the last 4 campus plan meetings, where detailed information was provided on the five campus development sites. It is unfortunate that the situation has deteriorated on my opponent's watch to the point that neighbors have felt the need to hire attorneys, land planners and traffic engineers in order to protect their quality of life.
by Kent Slowinski on Oct 29, 2010 7:47 pm • link • report
How does Mr. Slowinski feel about the legal filings made by his colleague Tom Smith?
With respect to the campus plan, I would submit that encouraging American University to house as many students as possible, on campus, will mitigate many of the traffic, parking and group housing issues faced by residents of Glover Park, AU Park, Tenleytown and Friendship Heights. Does Mr. Slowinski agree, and if so, if faced with a choice between no new housing, or housing where currently proposed by AU, which would be support?
How does Mr. Slowinski feel about the opportunity to expand student and neighborhood serving retail along Nebraska and New Mexico Avenues?
There are so many opportunities associated with the AU Campus Plan. Will Mr. Slowinski pledge to work with the University in a constructive manner, rather than making demands such as campus height limits and illogical placement of campus dorms?
Answers to these questions will help potential voters decide between the two candidates - one who seems obstructionist versus one who seems agnostic.
by William on Oct 29, 2010 8:22 pm • link • report
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