As you fill out your ballot, you may want to know more about our most important yet most underrated local races: the Single Member District ANC commissionership! These brave and generous souls volunteer their time to make sure we can have good governance at the most local level. Meet your ANC candidates and let us know if you have any questions! The candidates’ answers have been lightly edited for clarity. Don’t know YOUR Single Member District? Click here and find it! ––María Helena Carey
Your name
Burl Haigwood
Your ANC single member district
6B06
What is a landmark people may know your SMD from?
Lincoln Park
Why are you running for ANC?
I believe I can make a difference. Based on my involvement in the neighborhood and ideas to create positive change, the incumbent Chander Jayaraman asked me to run for his spot. I’ve lived in Lincoln Park for over 20 years. Five years ago, my wife Patty and I returned to the neighborhood where our children were born. I have 24 years of experience in government affairs, coalition-building, and problem-solving at the national level. Locally, I’ve organized meetings, developed a multi-agency crime-prevention plan, and volunteered for neighborhood cleanups. I will focus on three issues that are explained in Liz O’Gorek’s article in the Oct. edition of the Hill Rag – Crime Prevention, Environmental Justice, and Rat Abatement.
Why do you believe ANC is an important office?
Change in any city or community starts block-by-block, and one person at a time. If people can come together on common ground issues they can be heard and make a difference. If an ANC achieves success, the lessons learned and ideas can be shared and implemented across other ANCs.
Why should your neighbors vote for you?
Experience building coalitions and solving problems. I will take a common-sense approach to create the common ground to bring people together who can solve our most pressing issues. We’re Better Together!
Why should we all keep an eye on Advisory Neighborhood Commissions as a whole?
From the Mayor down, the city needs to understand the problems its residents are having in neighborhoods and hear the ideas they have to solve them. From the bottom up, residents need to understand the challenges and resources the DC Government has and learn ways to support them.