It’s 34 days until election day and most of you have probably made up your minds about whom you will vote in the general election. However, when it comes to local elections, most people have no idea how their District, Ward or advisory neighborhood commissions are divided or affect them. Local outlets such as Greater Greater Washington do a good job of bringing hyperlocal politics news, and reasons why you should run for these nonpartisan offices. OpenANC allows you to learn more about your own single-member district, so you know the names of the people in the race. As is now a tradition, The Hill is Home is publishing candidate statements in the order in which we’ve received them, so you know a little more about the people running and don’t go into the voting booth (or mail-in ballot) blind. –Maria Helena Carey
Statement by Amber Gove, ANC 6A04
Dear Neighbors,
Since September 2017 I’ve had the honor of representing my community as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for 6A04, an area bounded by 12th, East Capitol, 15th, and C Streets Northeast, including Lincoln Park. For the last two years I have also served as Chair of ANC 6A. I’m running for re-election because I want to continue the work of ensuring our community is a place where all of our neighbors can thrive.
In my day job, I support education programs and research in low-income countries. By comparison, the affairs of the ANC are hyperlocal. So why do it? My service as a Commissioner connects me to the neighborhood and provides me with the joy of giving back to the community that has given our family so much during the thirteen years we have lived on the Hill.
If re-elected, I plan to continue to advance the following priorities on behalf of our community:
- Improve the safety and well-being for all users of our sidewalks and streets by reducing speeding and improving infrastructure for safe, sustainable transportation alternatives. Examples include traffic calming projects on Maryland and Florida Avenues and C Street, as well as recently installed speed humps on the 100 block of Tennessee Ave NE.
- Increase support for our most vulnerable residents, especially seniors, the disabled, and young children, by continuing to give grants to local organizations and using our Community Outreach Committee to help identify particular areas of need.
- Seek out more opportunities to reduce displacement, invest in permanent supportive housing and increase affordable housing, like the 100% affordable apartment community at 1300 H St NE.
- Advocate on behalf of residents to secure timely and responsive District services. From submitting hundreds of 311 tickets to helping residents find the right contact person at agencies from DCRA to DC Water, knowing whom to ask first can be one of the best ways for Commissioners to help their residents.
The COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice protests have forced a much-needed reexamination of our priorities. It has also given us an opportunity to create a more equitable and inclusive future. As a community, we need to lean in on the decisions that lead to the greatest benefit for the most number of people. When we say yes to affordable housing in our backyards, provide grants for our Title 1 neighborhood schools, and support sustainable transit, including bus and bike lanes, we are working to build a better future for all of our neighbors.
I am grateful to all of DC for coming together to support one another during this pandemic, the effects of which are hitting our neighbors unevenly. We need to do more and do better by one another. If re-elected I look forward to working with all of you to continue to help our neighbors and ensure everyone has a chance to succeed and thrive.
Kind regards,
Amber Gove
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, 6A04
Twitter: @AmberGove
Email: AmberANC6A@gmail.com