The voters of the District of Columbia have demonstrated hope for the future by electing Adrian Fenty as our next Mayor. We will soon have the chance to elect his successor for the Ward 4 Council seat. I want to run for the Ward 4 Council seat because I want to use my style of energetic leadership to continue to improve the quality of life in Ward 4 through economic development, neighborhood development and constituent services.
My vision for Ward 4 begins with a full-time Councilmember who dedicates her entire day to the residents of Ward 4. No one will work harder or smarter as your next Councilmember.
My vision for Ward 4 centers on neighborhoods. As a native Washingtonian, I understand that our next Councilmember must always consider neighborhood benefits in every aspect of her job.
Economic Development
My vision for Ward 4 includes partnerships between residents, government, and private enterprise to develop a community-supported vision of Georgia Avenue, from Petworth to Brightwood and Shepherd Park.
New York has 5th Avenue and Paris has the Champs d’Elysees. My vision for Ward 4 is that Georgia Avenue can be world renowned. Anchored by Howard University, our neighbor in Ward 1, going straight through to the Capital City’s northern border, we can make Georgia Avenue a premier gateway.
My vision for Ward 4 includes implementing and building on the Great Streets Program in ways that complement our wonderful neighborhoods on both sides of Georgia Avenue. Let’s ensure that development proceeds in smart, neighborhood-supporting ways, so that we are creating change for the residents, not to the residents.
Neighborhood Development
We have to pay close attention to economic development opportunities for our Ward, but my vision for Ward 4 also focuses on neighborhood development—helping all of our residents participate fully in our city’s growing prosperity through safer, cleaner neighborhoods, improvements in education and vocational training, better access to health care, recreation centers and libraries.
My vision for Ward 4 includes safe clean communities. Neighborhood-based policing is proven in Ward 4. When we see police officers in our neighborhoods we feel safer, and crime decreases. When our neighborhoods are kept clean, criminals stay away; and we have stronger communities.
My vision for Ward 4 includes improving the educational opportunities available to our residents. Our public high schools – Coolidge and Roosevelt – can and should be improved as centers of education, job skill training, and social services. Although the academic improvements are the responsibility of DCPS, as Councilmember I envision supporting programs to bring wrap-around social services and more job training into school buildings.
My vision for Ward 4 includes improving access to quality health care for Ward 4 residents. The Senior Wellness Center in the old Kennedy Theatre building at 3rd and Kennedy Streets NW will add opportunities for our seniors to get neighborhood-based health care.
Recreation centers and libraries are key centers of community life. My vision for Ward 4 includes access to high-quality facilities and programs in all of our neighborhoods.
Constituent Services
Constituent services is the area in which the Council can directly improve residents’ lives in meaningful ways. My vision for Ward 4 demands that our next councilmember be as active in our neighborhoods as she is on the dais. It is essential that our next councilmember has the demonstrated grass roots track record that I have to prepare her for dealing with tough neighborhood issues and constituent concerns. Wherever I go in the ward, residents tell me that they expect continued high levels of quality constituent services. I am committed to working full-time for Ward 4 residents, and I intend to exceed expectations.
Ward 4 residents need full-time attention to your concerns. Ward 4 residents will demand it, and I will provide full-time attention.
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