ANC 2C (etc.) Forum Recap

Thanks to the Convention Center Community Association for arranging an ANC Candidates Forum.  All ANC 2C & 2F06 + At Large Councilmember candidates were invited.  We were joined by:

Rachelle Nigro (ANC2C04) – current Yale Loft resident & board member, DC native, Customer Service Manager
Commissioner Kevin Chapple (ANC2C02) – Lawyer,10 yr Shaw resident, 4yrs as Commissioner
Commissioner Alex Padro (ANC2C01) – 10 years as Commissioner, Director of Shaw Main Streets
Kate McMahon (ANC2F06) – Teacher, Blagden/Naylor resident
Rickey Williams (ANC2C03) – Property manager, Shaw/MVSQ resident, MVSNA board member
At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson

It was a good forum but the absence of actual opponents was unfortunate.  Some had conflicts, others refused or didn't respond.  I took extensive notes but I'll try to condense it down.  There was near universal talk of improving ANC communication (especially 2C), getting more residents to participate, building bridges in a divided community.  Kate McMahon talked alot about data & stats, how making information available would benefit residents.  Rickey Williams was thorough, amiable and really willing to communicate with all residents and put the work into the position, go to all of the police and community meetings, work with other ANCs, especially since the boundaries are confounding.  Kevin Chapple, as in the past, comes across as an equalizer.  He views his position as a great way to serve his community and he doesn't let other people's opinions dictate how he deals with others.  He is respectful & keeps trying to work with everyone.  (imho Kevin has much patience).  Rachelle Nigro is new on the scene but brings some very relevant experience to the table.  She joined a contentious condo board and persisted in forming relationships, setting up committees & organizing it into civility & functionality.  She said she was relentless, yet continuously nice.  Alex Padro is our veteran & fortunately for him, unopposed this year.  Although some in the audience seemed to bristle when he stated he could not work with the current chair there is so much history that it did not get explained very well - so I'll give it a shot.  First of all, Alex Padro is incredibly accomplished as a community advocate both professionally and volunteer-wise.  He fights for everyone, oldtimers, newcomers & everyone in between.  For the last 10 years he (and the entire community) have been hampered by our non-functioning ANC.  That history would take a long time to explain and honestly there is a lot of ugliness in it.  This blog has a search function, google helps too;) The current situation is a mild improvement but still a deadlocked one.  The current Chair, ANC 2C03 Doris Brooks is not competent.  She rarely picks up her phone, does not use email, does not answer snail mail.  She unfortunately yells alot, this is how I met her years ago.  2C04 Commissioner Theresa Sule inexplicably chose to align herself with Doris Brooks when she was elected 2 years ago to the dismay of many, especially those who campaigned hard for her (like me.)  Since then she has made only the barest rudimentary effort at communication.   She set up a yahoo group for her Single Member District to which she posts little else besides a meeting notice and a last minute agenda.  She does not answer emails – at least from me.  Both Commissioners Brooks & Sule barely communicate with Commissioners Chapple & Padro...or anyone else.  This is an improvement over the days when Leroy Thorpe ran ANC 2C especially when he controlled a majority.  I promise it is not an exaggeration when I tell you he would direct Doris Brooks (and Barbara Curtis) in what to say and how to vote.  It was absolutely extraordinary. 

So the campaigns will continue.  In 2C03 Doris Brooks has a large voter base within United House of Prayer and the 30year support of their leadership, however Rickey Williams has a shot to make inroads in those numbers - especially with the many new Downtown residents which Commissioner Brooks has declared she 'does not represent.' But they MUST vote.  Rickey has honed his activist skills with MVSNA, especially in the area of public safety, and he is willing to work hard.  2C02 is rematch #3 between Commissioner Kevin Chapple and Leroy Thorpe.  #1 & #2 were recount close.  Kevin has been very good for the community, always nice, respectful and accessible.  Leroy has been long term destructive, his latest activities have included a $20 million dollar frivolous lawsuit, being slapped with a restraining order, & being convicted of filing a false police report.  I believe this is his 3rd criminal conviction.  2C04 is interesting this year...There are 4 candidates: Commissioner Theresa Sule who despite her alliance with Doris Brooks, has not done her job.  She has not shared information with the community, answered inquiries or filed the required quarterly reports (which costs ANC 2C money.)  Just yesterday I learned of 2 new projects in our SMD that are to go before Historic Preservation in 14 days.  The fact that ANC 2C has not addressed either project, and her constituents were not notified, is a perfect example of her typical negligence.   I have not met Derrick Barrett, it is rumored that he is an ally of Leroy Thorpe and testified on his behalf at his criminal trial.  I have met Cary Sheih (another Cary! Uh oh, lol...let us not have any Michael Brown confusion please) and he is very nice.  Rachelle Nigro rounds out the field and she clearly brings confidence & competence to the table. 

I do want to address the issue of splitting the field.  Personally I don't want to tell anyone what to do, to run or not run, etc.  I am supporting Rachelle for 2C04 but I fully believe in democracy, freedom & all that good stuff.  Hence I would never tell Leroy Thorpe not to run for office.  But I will tell people in the interest of civility to NOT vote for him.  Anyway, I'll leave it at this: There are many wonderful ways to serve your community.  Run for ANC, serve on an ANC committee (which we dont have..but we could!) volunteer your leadership in your friendly neighborhood association, donate your time and energy to a nonprofit, or some combination! Its all about making the neighborhood better for everyone.

Look for an MVSNA candidate forum in October, DNA may have one too.  Happy electioneering!

P.S.  Phil Mendelson wants you to know: the Michael Brown on the ballot is NOT the current Councilmember, just a guy with the same name.  I want you to know I still remember how he trounced poor Phil Pannell in the shadow rep race 4 years ago benefitiing from some free advertising (current Councilmember Michael Brown was running for mayor and had signs up all over the city) please please dont let it happen again! Vote Phil Mendelson or Clark Ray!