We have offered to post brief statements from all of the ANC candidates running for seats on Capitol Hill and the surrounding neighborhoods that we cover here on The Hill is Home. These statements are not endorsements and have been posted exactly as submitted by the candidates.
Tim Casey, ANC6B04
I believe the role of an ANC Commissioner is less about any candidate’s personal agenda as it is about being a responsive advocate for the hopes and concerns we share as neighbors. Should I have the privilege to serve as a Commissioner, I will work tirelessly on behalf of my neighbors to realize their vision for our community.
More specifically, I believe attention to the following issues is critical to our community’s progress:
Fostering a Safer Community
I will work to promote a more open and consistent line of communication with local authorities, creating a partnership for tackling our most important security issues.
Secure homes, safer streets and a greater assurance that your vehicle won’t be subject to vandalism will be enduring priorities for me as our neighborhood’s ANC Commissioner.
Preserving Community and Encouraging Development
As interest in development and rehabilitation in sections of our neighborhood continues to surge, our collective vision and voice is essential to preserving of our community’s character and maintaining our valued greenery including our parks, dog parks and community garden. Furthermore, it is important that neighbors are afforded the opportunity to freely enjoy community resources like Tyler Field.
Parking and Traffic
As a long time city dweller, I fully appreciate the inherent frustration associated with parking, however I believe that appropriate zoning and enforcement can go a long way toward relieving the frustration so many others share. I will work with parking enforcement to realize that goal.
The diversion of traffic from local projects such as the 11th St. Bridge renovations or CSX tunnel development has and will continue to have an adverse impact on our neighborhood. We must demand better communication from our city officials and an opportunity for greater input.
It is with great enthusiasm and commitment that I respectfully ask for your support on November 2nd. I encourage you, in the time remaining before election day, to reach out to me with any questions you may have regarding my positions or with any thoughts, concerns, or insights you may have on neighborhood matters. Thank you for your time and interest.
Can you clarify what this means: “neighbors are afforded the opportunity to freely enjoy community resources like Tyler Field”?
Does this mean you support using the field as a dog park? Do you see any distinction between a public park and a field that belongs to the DC Public School system?
Thanks–
Kathleen,
I appreciate your interest and am happy to respond. First, I applaud the commitment of our fellow neighbors who worked to secure a dog park at Virginia Ave. I believe our neighborhood deserves a first-rate permanent dog park site and their efforts yielded an important step toward that end. With that said, I understand how the previous absence of a designated dog park gave way to intense discussion over Tyler Field, as it is one of the few green spaces available.
More recently however, many have expressed concern that Tyler Field is not accessible for general recreational purposes. While I certainly support Tyler School’s right to preserve priority over the field and its schedule, I believe there is opportunity for public use during off-hours.
It is my understanding that Principal Dade determines the field’s accessibility. Given the latest developments, I believe it makes sense to revisit the discussion surrounding public accessibility.
Kathleen, thank you again for your interest. If you have any additional questions or comments please feel free to email me at casey4anc@gmail.com.
Regards,
Tim Casey
No doubt that a community green space like the Tyler field should be accessible to the community — and consistent with the rule of law. The D.C. municipal code requires that dogs remain on lead, except in a dog park. Dog owners (from around the city) come to Tyler field because it is fenced and provide the opportunity (during “off-hours”) to run their dogs off lead. Tyler Field is not a dog park. The D.C. code goes farther — dogs are not allowed in any public area unless the dog is leashed. At the other public schools with fenced fields on Capitol Hill, dog owners abide by the posted signs about responsible dog use. At Tyler, one or more irresponsible dog owners cut down those signs (repeatedly). While it is always a good time to revisit the discussion about public accessibility, the point is not about “preserving priority,” but rather the health and safety of school children to use a field free from dog waste left behind (maybe in the dark) by less responsible dog owners. The public meetings regarding dog owner access to the Tyler Field are attended by responsible dog owners rather than the irresponsible ones (of course, that’s a guess). During the “off-hours,” the Field continues to be attended by the irresponsible ones, though not by MPD. Mr. Dade had not been the principal at Tyler since approximately last April. Other than his departure, the reference to “latest developments” eludes me.