Meet the Candidates: Vernon Mallu ANC 6B02

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.

Vernon Mallu ANC 6B02

I am Vernon Mallu and I would like to be your ANC Commissioner.

I have owned my home on C St SE since moving to DC in 2004. With Seward Square at one end of my block and Eastern Market at the other, I am always in the heart of our neighborhood.

I live here, I work here, I walk, bike, and Metro here.

I have been very involved in seeing that the city and business properties abutting my home block maintain our neighborhood. I am well known to the DRES*, DPR*, CHAMPS* and Councilman Wells’ office for issues I’ve raised regarding property maintenance, trash collection and others.

I want to be your commissioner because a better neighborhood is a better place to live. I am committed to helping maintain and enhance our enjoyment of life on the Hill.

As your commissioner, I pledge to be:

Proactive: If I see something that needs attention, I will bring it to the ANC rather than wait for you to. I will keep you informed and seek your input on the issues we face.

Reactive: If you see or have a problem, I will work with you and the ANC to try and find a solution.

Involved: Our ANC names a representative to EMCAC*. Since the Eastern Market is in our district, I will seek that position on the ANC.

Issues

Our ANC faces more issues than zoning exemptions and alcohol licenses. Here are a few of these issues.

Boundaries and Territories: One of the biggest problems for our neighborhood is neglect. There are many parks and facilities within our SMD that seem to have no one responsible for their maintenance and upkeep. Examples:

• C Street side of the Rumsey Center,
• 7th St side of Hine School.,
• C Street side of 600 Penn,
• Eastern Market Metro Plaza,
• 8th, 9th, D and Penn Triangle Park.

Our ANC needs to ensure these areas are regularly maintained

Eastern Market Metro Plaza: This project has been an issue since its inception. Every property affected by this plan is within our SMD, and yet the study group includes no representative from our SMD. We have no reason to “calm traffic” on Penn which would force commuters to short-cut through our neighborhood. We do not need to suffer the pains of another multi-year construction project. Instead, we must urge the responsible parties to restore and maintain the plaza and the park.

Hine Development: Our ANC should monitor this project regularly. Most troublesome is that it will take two years to complete the plan. Where are the flea market vendors going to park, on our streets?

Eastern Market: Neighborhood input into the management of the Eastern Market seems to have been lost. EMCAC has dropped out of sight. Their web site has no meeting minutes for 2010 and lists no dates or times for upcoming meetings. The weekend markets affect our SMD directly. We are the parking lot for vendors and visitors. Why is the temporary East Hall still standing? Our ANC should restore our advisory position over the Eastern Market.

Business Mix: Our major retail centers on Penn now include Checks Cashed, Mattress Discounters and H&R Block. Our ANC must work harder to help attract retail partners that enhance our neighborhood.

Sites and Sounds: Do trash collectors wake you in the morning? Did you know that private trash collectors face $1000 fines for collecting trash after 9PM and before 7AM within 300 feet of a residential zone?
Do we really need 50+ paper racks at the Eastern Market Metro Plaza?
Should businesses clean their sidewalks by hosing or blowing trash into the streets? All of these can make enjoying the Hill difficult.

Visit me at http://mallu4anc.com