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
Jerry Sroufe, the Commissioner in ANC6B02, is unopposed this term.
Your ANC single member district
ANC6B02
What is a landmark people may know your SMD from?
Landmarks in his Single Member District (SMD) are the Eastern Market, the new Metro Plaza Park, and the Folger Shakespeare Library.
Why are you running for ANC?
Jerry is running again because: (1) the ANC is, at least on occasion, the place where conflicting demands between neighbors, or between residents and city agencies, are constructively resolved; and (2) because the situation of being stateless and in the Nation’s Capitol, provides a highly problematic — but endlessly fascinating — context for seeking resolutions for nearly intractable problems.
Why do you believe ANC is an important office?
Sroufe regards the ANCs as an example of an unintended positive outcome: it appears no one expected much from them in 1976 when they commenced operations, but they have proved to be excellent representatives of the residents in dealing with neighborhood problems in the SMDs and across Ward 6.
Why should your neighbors vote for you?
Jerry says he will appreciate any votes he receives. Running unopposed, he always hopes to get more votes than formidable write-in candidates such as Mickey Mouse.
Why should we all keep an eye on Advisory Neighborhood Commissions as a whole?
Residents should know that all ANC meetings, live or on Zoom, are open to the public and can be found on the ANC Website. All meetings provide a genuine opportunity for community commentary or questioning. The committees also provide abundant opportunity for residents to be active participants in the ANC.