Redistricting process offers chance to reunite 14th & U in Ward 1
Tomorrow night, Commissioner Aaron Spencer and I will offer this testimony on behalf of all those listed below.
June 1, 2011
To: Subcommittee Chairman Michael Brown
Re: Ward 1 Boundaries
Dear Chairman Brown,
We are writing today as representatives and residents of our Single Member Districts 1B02 and 1B05. Our districts are on the border of Ward 1, shared with ANC2B. As you know, during the last redistricting process in 2000, the southwest corner of 14th Street and U Street, NW corridor was removed from Ward 1 and placed into Ward 2. At the same time, Ward 1 held onto territory in Woodley Park that does not share the identity of the rest of the Ward. The ANC in Woodley Park that is a part of Ward 1 identifies itself so little with Ward 1 that it is actually called ANC3C.
Having our 14th and U Street Corridor split into two wards, literally down the middle of 14th Street, has had devastating effects on the development of our community, management of quality of life issues, as well as management and local leadership of our commercial district. While the rest of the 14th and U Street corridors have grown steadily and positively, we have seen many missed opportunities on the Ward 2 side of the corridor. Once again, we feel the primary jurisdiction of our commercial district and should reside within one ANC, and that ANC should once again be 1B.
We ask that you consider returning the aforementioned parts of Ward 2 back to Ward 1 as you move forward in the redistricting process. Over the last ten years this commercial area that makes up the heart of ANC1B has fought mightily to preserve continuity and foster smart growth, but it has done so with one hand tied behind its back, and just barely. We ask that as a part of the redistricting process you provide us with the tools to make sure our neighborhood and our local commercial district continues to fulfill all its promise.
Sincerely,
Commissioner Mary Streett, 1B05
Commissioner Aaron Spencer, 1B02
Former Commissioner Brianne Nadeau, 1B05
Former Commissioner Phil Spalding, 1B02
Bryan Martin Firvida, Former President of U Street Neighborhood Association
Scott Pomeroy, Former Director of 14th and U Main Street Alliance
Joined in support by:
Commissioner Deborah Thomas, 1B04
Commissioner Juan Lopez, 1B07
Cc: OANC, Councilmember Jim Graham, ANC2B, ANC3C
In 2000 I carried a petition around to every household in this SMD asking whether they wanted to move to ward 2 or stay in ward 1. Over 1000 residents signed that they wanted to move to ward 2 and exactly 3 signed they wanted to stay in ward 1.
Trying to reclaim our neighborhood into ward 1 against the overwhelming desire of the residents here is just ridiculous and reeks of trying to gain influence over the businesses here.
Someone posted a cogent response to Mr. Coumaris’ claims, over at GreaterGreaterWashington.org:
http://bit.ly/iZf1xL
Tom Coumaris,
Nice try. However moving the SW corner of 14th & U is not about business interests its about representing a united neighborhood. The residents of 14th & U don’t have a clean and safe program, unlike Dupont or Adams Morgan or other centers that are not on boundaries. We instead have a police district headquarters on the north side of U Street that does not serve the southside.
The petition that you keep referring to was circulated at a time that you were a protestant in a very contentious ABC battle around Cada Vez, where Jim Graham had just sided against you and your gang that included you, Phyliss Klein, Ramon Estrada, Ellwyn Ferris, Janet Perkins, names that are familiar on this list. Let’s say the survey was more than a bit leading, hence the skewed results…
I think the opportunity to move the SMD back to Ward 1 is passed, however I would be real interested in seeing an updated poll given by impartial surveyors looking at the interests and concerns of the residents in that area.
I am pretty certain that they would be more concerned with what goes on at 14th & U rather than Dupont Circle blocks and blocks away.
LongtimeDC
by LongtimeDC on Jun 2, 2011 6:28 am
As I corrected you on ggw, I was never a protestant on Cada Vez and that petition was a 14(e) petition circulated by the ABC board. My petition on redistricting was a straight up ward 1 or 2 preference choice in which the choice was almost unanimously ward 2 from about 1000 people. Phil Mendleson remembers it extremely well.
After I got us shifted to Ward 2 Ramone Estrada ran against me and won for the new ANC 2Bo9 seat, so it’s bizarre to crudely call them “my gang”.
The honest thing would to have done a fair survey of the residents to find their preference. I already know this is to be in Ward 2 where we have considerable influence. We had no influence in the Columbia Heights/LeDroit Park ANC or in Ward 1.