23 Oct 2018

Election 2018:

ANC Candidate Statement: Mike Soderman, ANC 6A03

Photo courtesy of Mike Soderman

The Hill is Home is sharing the statements of ANC candidates in our general region. Although the main focus of our blog is Capitol Hill –served by ANCs 6A through 6C– we feel that a community is made stronger by the neighbors with whom we share a close geographical area. We are honored to share candidate statements from neighbors from Ivy City to Navy Yard, with minor style edits. To all of you who are running: Thank you. –Maria Helena Carey and Kate McFadden

My name is Mike Soderman and, since 2003, I have been living on 10th Street NE with my wife and my two sons who attend the local Capitol Hill Cluster School. In my day job, I am associate vice president of an architectural and engineering firm and provide program and construction management for technology related projects.

I have always been community-oriented and am the first person to jump in and help. This came in handy when three years ago I was office approached about filling in for the ANC6A03 Commissioner who had suddenly moved with his two-year term only half finished. This seemed to me to be the perfect way to broaden my neighborliness and I readily agreed. I was granted a full term the following year by you, our 6A03 voters. And I thank you and hope you will let me serve you again.

Transportation safety –for pedestrians, bicyclists etc.– has been a major priority. I continue to work on a variety of traffic calming and traffic safety issues. These include a holistic approach to slowing traffic on 10th Street, 8th and D, Installation of a 4-way stop at 10th and Massachusetts Avenue, and sidewalk safety in a variety of locations. These are just in my SMD! I have supported several other 6A traffic needs including the Maryland Avenue Pedestrian Safety Project.

Another priority for me has been improving our local schools: I have supported the Maury and Watkins renovations and worked with the school before my ANC tenure to address the Peabody campus. I also have repeatedly requested more timely attention to renovations at Elliot Hine Middle School. As an ANC Commissioner I also take part in all of the various subcommittees of the ANC and vote on issues as broad as alcohol licenses, variances, race routes and special closures, and several other items. I have worked with other ANC commissioners to ensure affordable housing. I have and continue to support a thoughtful approach to residential development keeping in mind that a balance between historic preservation and family needs can go hand in hand. I work closely with the MPD to ensure our neighborhood has enough bike patrols and beat police and I will continue to support MPD to ensure ALL of Ward 6 is a safe place to live.

One area that has caught my attention lately has been the public private partnership (P3) that the city and cellular providers are pursuing around small cells. In short, the city is allowing private entities to install cellular repeaters on public light poles or stealth poles. They are doing this on a timetable that does not allow adequate public input and ANC review. I will advocate that any installation such as this that enables smart cities will not impact safety (EMF levels etc), the current tree canopy or otherwise negatively impact our beautiful Capitol Hill neighborhood.

It is a pleasure serving as you, my neighbors and please always feel free to contact me. I can be reached at MikeANC6A03@Gmail.com.

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