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.
David Holmes ANC 6A03
What have I achieved as Commissioner?
Streets: Almost all streets in my district have been repaved.
Maury Elementary: Sought, with Commissioner Alberti, repair, repainting, clean-up, and the removal of gang tags. Also obtained new exterior lighting; fences to partition the basketball court from the childrens’ playground; enclosure of the kindergarten/pre-school area within separate fencing; a gate on the west side fence; and enclosure of the stairs in the play area. Had a new lights and a new camera installed overlooking the playground. Got the perimeter fence repaired, and nearby trees cut and replaced that had cavities used for drug drops.
Alleys:
Alley replaced in the Square bounded by 8th, 9th, C, and Constitution.
Alley repaired in the Square bounded by 10th, 11th, Constitution, and Massachusetts.
City cleanup of several alleys.
Traffic safety: To slow speeding commuter traffic, worked with Tommy Wells and the ANC to convert Constitution from one-way to two-way to slow down traffic for pedestrian and vehicular safety.
Obtained speed humps on the north side of Lincoln Park.
Got stop signs installed, with help of Councilmember Wells, at 10th and 12th and Constitution and at 10th and 12th and C Street. Asked for four-way stop signs at 10th and Massachusetts and at 10th and Maryland; requests are pending.
Got traffic light retimed for safer pedestrian crossing at 9th and Maryland.
Stopped church double-parking with help from Tommy Wells and then-Commander Diane Groomes. This precedent has spread across Ward 6.
Worked for and helped inaugurate the rebuilt Starburst intersection at Maryland, Florida, and H.
Sidewalks: Got repair or replacement along most of East Capitol, D Street, 8th Street north of Constitution, 9th Street north of C, Constitution. Many of my sidewalk repair requests are still pending, despite having asked for them as long as four years ago.
Trees: Requested over 70 dead trees be cut down; all were replaced except those whose roots have to rot enough for replanting. Many dangerous branches have been trimmed, and now several newly dead trees are about to be cut.
Street lights: 26 have been replaced or repaired.
Assistance with renovations: Helped dozens of residents with their applications for zoning relief or with plans being presented to the Historic Preservation Review Board.
Public safety: Obtained police action to control several instances of abusive behavior; obtained increased patrols when crime spikes occur; received additional enforcement for Maury pedestrian crossings at Tennessee and Constitution and 13th and C; obtained speed enforcement on Constitution, C, and Maryland.
Zoning: Helped lead the fight for changes in zoning regulations prohibiting location of large schools in rowhouses in residential rowhouse neighborhoods.
Property protection: Nominated four properties on H Street for landmark designation and protection.
Transit and Development: Held dozens of meetings with Councilmembers and staff and the Transportation Department to bring streetcars to H Street; fought oversized and inappropriate development on H Street; work to ensure that more mixed retail comes to H Street; facilitated re-development of the historic police station on 9th, and the Old Fire House on Maryland Ave; helped fund a professional historical survey of all properties in ANC 6A outside the historic district.
Blight and nuisances: Had two properties condemned by the city (251 8th and 1137 C), leading to rehabilitation and resale. Obtained vacant or blighted designations against 9 absentee- or developer-owned properties in my district. In all cases, the properties were fixed up and readied for occupation. Obtained replacement of extremely noisy air conditioners and heat pumps at the DC Teachers Credit Union, through Board of Zoning Adjustment action.
National Marathons: Fought the race course each year because its circular route traps residents for hours, and prevents staff and patients from reaching the Specialty Hospital and the dialysis center on 8th.
Street drains: Obtained repair of 3 broken street drains and a massive hole underlying 10th Street.
Clean-up: Often obtained special cleanup of trash-strewn, overgrown, and rat-infested rear yards, and removal of abandoned vehicles.
Fire hydrants: Surveyed and sought replacement of old and broken fire hydrants.
Parks: Obtained several repairs of pocket parks at 8th and 9th Streets and Massachusetts.
Constituent representation: Frequently testified before the City Council and its committees and met with Councilmembers many times. Represented the ANC or my district before the Zoning Commission, the Board of Zoning Adjustment, the Public Space Committee, the Public Charter School Board, the Historic Preservation Review Board, and the Condemnation Board. Met and continue to meet or talk with the local police Lieutenants, Inspectors and Commanders.
ANC Activist: Meet regularly with the ANC’s Transportation and Zoning Committees. Served as Vice Chair of the Commission for three years. Successfully sought reform and enhancement of ANC authority.
My wife and I have lived on Capitol Hill since 1997 and enjoy living near our sons and their families. Before retiring, I was Director of Press for the House of Representatives, issuing press credentials and supervising press operations. I now edit the CHRS News and was elected Commissioner in 2006.
I ask for your vote on November 2. I’ve worked hard for our neighborhood, anticipating and fixing problems and hope to continue doing so for another two years. Being a Commissioner averages about 10 hours work per week, but the initial learning period – the first half year or so – requires about 30-50 hours per week. It takes experience and the help of other commissioners and civic activists to become effective.
Your ANC Single Member District has gotten much more than its share of city money for repair and maintenance of city infrastructure. But there is more to be done. There are still sidewalks and streets to repair, vacant properties to be returned to residential use, H Street needs constant attention (more retail, completion of the streetcar line, suppressing crime), and speeding traffic on the numbered streets needs to be slowed for the safety of our children and our property.
I ask you to return me for another term as ANC Commissioner.
David Holmes, Commissioner, ANC 6A03
919 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Holmes6A3@gmail.com