As you fill out your ballot, you may want to know more about our most important yet most underrated local races: the 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. ––María Helena Carey
Your name
Roberta Shapiro
Your ANC single member district
ANC 6A03
What is a landmark people may know your SMD from?
SWS School [School Within School at Goding]. The SMD runs from G to D and from 7th to 12th (but between G and F to 11th) [NE]
Why are you running for ANC?
It is an opportunity to affect positive change for our community.
Why do you believe ANC is an important office?
It is democracy at its most intimate level and allows everyone in the community to be heard and represented
Why should your neighbors should vote for you?
After two years in office I have been involved in several traffic and sidewalk safety improvements; helped obtain $1.4 for improvements to the outside facilities at Sherwood Rec Center; worked closely with other Commissioners and Councilmember Allen to address illegal activity on H St. and to encourage new businesses; and, aided dozens of neighbors to get responses from city agencies to various problems and issues.
Why should we all keep an eye on Advisory Neighborhood Commissions as a whole?
Because ANCs can be accessible voices for their communities and can work to hold government agencies accountable for effective and efficient performance.