Restoring FAITH and TRUST in our government from the grass-roots level.
As a proud DC native, we have made so much progress in our city since the day Home Rule began for district residents. Over time, many have stepped up to the plate to be our representatives on Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANC) across our city with promises of being a dedicated advocate for the community, only to be revealed as false hope and trickery. There is too much greatness to be discovered in our communities, it's time we return to the days when commitment to public service was a real thing, something you can touch.
That's what I stand for. Having purpose and faith in my community of Fort Stanton is why I stand before you today as a candidate for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, single member district 8B04. Responsive leadership is what our ANCs need. Dedication to the people over self-enrichment is my motto and the message that needs to be sent to all levels of our government.
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions are bodies of local government in Washington, D.C. Created in 1974 through a District referendum, ANCs consider a wide range of policies and programs affecting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and the District's annual budget.
In each of these areas, the intent of the ANC legislation is to ensure input from an advisory board that is made up of the residents of the neighborhoods that are directly affected by government action. According to D.C. Code 1-251(c)(1), "each advisory neighborhood commission may advise the District government on matters of public policy including decisions regarding planning, streets, recreation, social services programs, health, safety, and sanitation in that neighborhood commission area." The ANCs are the body of government with the closest official ties to the people in a neighborhood.
The ANCs present their positions and recommendations on issues to various District government agencies, the Executive Branch, and the Council. They also present testimony to independent agencies, boards, and commissions, usually under the rules of procedure specific to those entities. By law, the ANCs may also present their positions to Federal agencies.
Commissioners serve two-year terms and receive no salary. Each Commissioner represents approximately 2,000 residents in his or her Single Member District (SMD) area.