ANC 8C COMMISSIONERS ELECT

As a member of ANC 8C Congress Heights On The Rise has a better grasp of the effectiveness and resident perception of this ANC than most and as such CHOTR has quite a bit to say. The comments listed below are the opinions of the writer and do not express every attendees 's opinion.

COMMUNICATION -It is a common theme of residents having concerns/complaints about what they [residents] feel is a poor PROACTIVE communication system in terms of cancelled meetings, meeting changes, meeting agenda. Residences are asking for more consistent , proactive, modern (ex. email, phone or Internet contacts) and comprehensive communications. No more showing up to meetings that have been cancelled with no notice. If commissioners have to go door to door to reach their constituents that is just what should be done.

PROFESSIONALISM/COURTESY - When there are important issues at stake people can become very passionate in hopes of having their voices heard. That is understood however EVERYONE should be courteous and unfortunately that is not something that always happens at these meetings. Sometimes it is resident vs. resident, resident vs. guest or even resident vs. commissioner. Several former ANC attendees have said "I used to go to those meetings but it was such a drain - everyone yelling and being rude and disrespectful - nothing ever got done." That is truly a loss and something that needs to be fixed immediately. Stop the yelling. Stop the rude interruptions stop the drowning out other people just to hear yourself talk. How can we expect our community to be regarded well when we have Mary Cuthbert, ANC Commissioner making personal attacks (at meetings no less) on the people they have been sworn to serve? What kind of example is that? What does that have to say for our elected officials when they feel they have resort to such low brow and unprofessional actions when confronted with a difference of opinion? WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER!

INCLUSION - This is perhaps one of the biggest issues. With the new influx of new home buyers in the neighborhood, people moving back to the Ward, the ever changing demographic and with the aging of the current commissioners it is important to ENCOURAGE new and established resident participation and cooperation. To encourage their participation in not only in the ANC but even encouraging new people to serve on the ANC board. There are many wonderful resources right here in the ANC and right here in the Ward. Unfortunately their has been a discouraging at least initially of some of the current commissioners to new people, their ideas and their perspective. Commissioners are elected to serve ALL their constituents not a select few and not themselves. They need to remember that.

TRANSPARENCY - This includes Finances and Documentation. Meeting minutes are either non existent or not available to residences who request them (CHOTR made a request 5 month ago to Chairman Cuthbert for meeting minutes and still has not received them). The purpose of ANCs is to serve the neighborhood. Receiving basic ANC information is not a privilege it is a right and if everything is above board there should be no issues sharing this information with the people. Currently ANC 8C is paying almost $11,000.00 a year for SHARED office space that most people do not have access to, is not used for meetings and if to hear it told only one person has access to. This is a problem that can be indicative of a bigger issue and leaves the ANC open to mismanagment and possible corruption.

ATTENDANCE - In short - if you are fortunate enough to be elected to the board then you should make it a priority to attend all board meetings. For whatever the reasons there have been many stories of ANC meetings with only one commissioner in attendance. Residents should also be encouraged to attend meetings. When someone moves into the neighborhood it should be a common practice for them to receive an invitation to the next ANC meeting. If there has been a major drop off on residence attendants at meetings people should start asking questions and looking for creative solutions.

This ANC election was a telling one. Of the 5 current ANC Commissioners on the board - one seat is now vacant, 2 commissioners were challenged with one commissioner losing their race. The lesson that should come for this race should be clear - NO ONE is guaranteed a seat. Serving as a SMD Commissioner is a privilege not a right and it should be treated as such.

Best of luck to the newly elected commissioners and CHOTR is hopeful that today marks a new day, a new direction and a new recommitment to Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8C. We are all watching and waiting!

2008 ELECTION ANC 8C COMMISIONERS ELECT

8C01 - No Candidate/109 write in votes

8C02 - DION JORDAN

8C03 - MARY J. CUTHBERT

8C04 - R. CALVIN LOCKRIDGE

8C05 - No Candidate/ 2 write in votes

8C06 - No Candidate/ 4 write in votes

8C07 - CARDELL SHELTON