It’s 29 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 Edward Daniels, ANC 6D07
My name is Edward Daniels and I am the current Commissioner of Navy Yard-Capitol Riverfront. I am an
entrepreneur who has called the area home for the past 17 years.
Two years ago, I promised to keep my constituents’ concerns at the forefront of ANC6D, DC Council, and
every local stakeholder who continues to shape the place that we call home. I have remained honest,
transparent, and have worked tirelessly to hold myself, my colleagues, and others in positions of power as accountable as possible for both their actions and their inaction in regards to making our community
one of the most amazing places to live.
Highlights of my work include finally getting DDOT to green light the installation of a much-needed traffic light at the very hazardous intersection of New Jersey & I Streets SE, a request that residents have made for over five years without action. Installation is due before the end of FY2020.
I have led the charge to correct conflicting traffic signage throughout the community and requested the installation of high-visibility pedestrian crosswalks at every intersection in my District.
I have requested the results of DDOT’s Curb Flow study and planned installation of much-needed loading and pick-up and drop-off zones, which are necessary to combat double and illegal parking that results in unnecessary congestion. My neighbors continue to wait for these results.
Along with my colleagues, we have worked to alleviate the scheduling of after-hours construction and the overwhelming aggregate of simultaneous construction projects throughout the neighborhood, in addition to multiple loopholes that utility companies have used in order to perform ‘emergency’ work without ANC approval.
One of my proudest accomplishments is my continued effort to hear from those in which I represent with my series of Neighborhood Nights, a community meet & greet with myself and key local stakeholders. My last community gathering, pre-Covid, brought together 100 residents atop the new Thompson Hotel.
Alongside my colleagues of ANC6D, we have fought for a significant number of affordable housing units with each new residential project that comes before us. We have advocated for the health and safety of our residents and the recovery of our businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic and we remain vigilant in our request for DDOT to offer our SE and SW waterfront region a comprehensive traffic plan, as we continue to grow and become a world-class entertainment and tourist destination.
The fight for my second term and my goals remain rather simple. Life is short, efficiency is key, and accountability is a must. The past two years have revealed so many flaws in the system of politics and the people who continue to break and slow down that system. The death of George Floyd and subsequent protests really sparked my thoughts and frustrations with failed systems and has really informed my mode of operation as I enter this second term.
Complete details of my re-election campaign may be found online at EdwardforANC.com