Advisory Neighborhood Commission
Agency overview | |
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Formed | 1974 |
Jurisdiction | District of Columbia |
Headquarters | John A. Wilson Building, Washington DC |
Parent agency | Council of the District of Columbia |
Website | anc |
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) are bodies of local government in the District of Columbia, the capital city of the United States. The ANC system was created in 1974 through a referendum (73 percent voted "yes") in the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.[1] The first elections for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners were held in the fall of 1975, and commissions began operating in 1976.[2] Congressman Don Fraser (D-Minn) and D.C. resident Milton Kotler helped to draft the ANC language in the Home Rule Act based on the success of Adams Morgan Organization (AMO) in Adams Morgan and on a 1970 report of the Minneapolis Citizen League, as well as on related neighborhood corporations in Pittsburgh; Brooklyn, New York; Chicago; and Columbus, Ohio.[3][4][5]
ANCs consider a wide range of policies and programs affecting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and the district's annual budget. Commissioners serve two-year terms and receive no salary, but commissions do receive funds for the general purpose of improving their area and hiring staff.[6] This policy has come under scrutiny because of the misuse of funds by commissioners and their employees.[7] Candidates can accept campaign donations up to $25 per person.[8]
As of 2023, ANCs represent more than 100 neighborhoods.[9]
Powers
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The powers of the ANC system are enumerated by the DC Code § 1–207.38:
- May advise the District government on matters of public policy including decisions regarding planning, streets, recreation, social services programs, health, safety, and sanitation in that neighborhood commission area;
- May employ staff and expend, for public purposes within its neighborhood commission area, public funds and other funds donated to it; and
- Shall have such other powers and duties as may be provided by act of the council.
The ANCs present their positions and recommendations on issues to various District government agencies, the Executive Branch, and the council. They also present testimony to independent agencies, boards, and commissions, usually under the rules of procedure specific to those entities. By law, the ANCs may present their positions to Federal agencies. One of the most common cases of ANC involvement is in the giving of liquor licenses, where the approval or disapproval of the commission, despite having no legal power, represents a veto to the district government.[10]
Membership and qualifications
[edit]Each ANC Commissioner is nominated and elected by the registered voters who reside in the same Single Member District as the candidate. The ANC Commissioner is an official representing her or his neighborhood community (Single Member District) on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission.
In order to hold the office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, an individual must be a registered voter (or must be able to register to vote within two years) in the District, as defined by DC Code Section 1-1001.02; have resided continuously in the Single Member District from which they are nominated for the 60-day period immediately preceding the day on which the nominating petition is filed; and hold no other public office. In order to enter the public ballot, they must receive 25 signatures from registered voters in their district.[11]
Single Member Districts
[edit]The basic area of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions are Single Member Districts. There are 299 Single Member Districts,[12] which in turn are subdivisions of 39 'Commission Districts',[13] which are in turn subdivisions of Wards. Each Commissioner represents about 2,000 residents in their Single Member District (SMD) area.
Due to population growth and redistribution, these boundaries often change, causing shifts in power and election turnout.[14]
Single Member Districts are named according to Ward, Subdivision, and then Single Member District. For instance, 3B05 is Ward 3, subdivision B, and SMD 05.
Ward 1
[edit]- 1A - Columbia Heights
- 1B - LeDroit Park, U Street, and northern Shaw
- 1C - Adams Morgan, Kalorama Heights, and Lanier Heights
- 1D - Mount Pleasant
- 1E - Park View, Pleasant Plains, and Howard University
Ward 2
[edit]- 2A - Foggy Bottom, West End
- 2B - Dupont Circle
- 2C - Chinatown, Penn Quarter
- 2D - Kalorama, Sheridan
- 2E - Burleith, Georgetown, Hillandale
- 2F - Logan Circle
Ward 3
[edit]- 3B - Cathedral Heights, Glover Park
- 3C - Cathedral Heights, Cleveland Park, Massachusetts Heights, McLean Gardens, Woodley Park
- 3D - American University, Foxhall, Kent, The Palisades, Spring Valley, Wesley Heights
- 3E - American University Park, Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, Wakefield, Chevy Chase, Ft Gaines
- 3F - Forest Hills, North Cleveland Park, Tenleytown, Wakefield
- 3/4G - Chevy Chase
Ward 4
[edit]- 4A - Brightwood, Colonial Village, Crestwood, Shepherd Park, Sixteenth Street Heights
- 4B - Brightwood, Lamond-Riggs, Manor Park, Riggs Park, South Manor Park, Takoma, Fort Stevens Ridge
- 4C - Columbia Heights, Petworth, Sixteenth Street Heights
- 4D - Petworth, Brightwood Park
Ward 5
[edit]- 5A - North Michigan Park, Michigan Park, Fort Totten, Pleasant Hills, Fort Totten Park, parts of Catholic University and other Catholic Institutions, parts of Riggs Park
- 5B - Brookland, University Heights, parts of Woodridge, parts of Queens Chapel, parts of Michigan Park
- 5C - Langdon, Fort Lincoln, Brentwood, Arboretum, Gateway, Mt. Olivet Cemetery
- 5D - Carver Langston, Trinidad, Gallaudet University, Ivy City, Capital City Market
- 5E - Bloomingdale, Edgewood, Eckington, Truxton Circle, Glenwood/St. Mary's Cemeteries, McMillan Sand Filtration Site
Ward 6
[edit]- 6A - North Lincoln Park, Rosedale, H St. corridor (eastern half)
- 6B - Barney Circle, Capitol Hill (southern half), Eastern Market
- 6C - Near Northeast, NoMa, Union Station, H St. corridor (western half)
- 6D - Carrollsburg, Fort McNair, Navy Yard, Near Southwest/Southeast, Waterfront
- 6E - Shaw, Northwest One, and Mount Vernon Triangle
Ward 7
[edit]- 7B - Dupont Park, Fairfax Village, Greenway (part), Hillcrest, Naylor Gardens, Penn Branch, Randle Highlands, Twining
- 7C - Benning Heights, Burrville, Deanwood, Grant Park, Lincoln Heights
- 7D - Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth, Kingman Park, Mayfair, River Terrace
- 7E - Benning Ridge (part), Capitol View, Fort Davis, Marshall Heights
- 7F - Benning Ridge (part), Fort Dupont, Greenway (part), Hill East (part, including D.C. Jail)
Ward 8
[edit]- 8A - Anacostia, Fairlawn, Fort Stanton, Hillsdale
- 8B - Garfield Heights, Knox Hill, Shipley Terrace
- 8C - Barry Farm, Bolling Air Force Base, Congress Heights, St. Elizabeths Hospital
- 8D - Bellevue, Far Southwest
- 8E - Congress Heights, Valley Green, Washington Highlands
Members
[edit]The 345 commissioners as of March 28, 2024[update] are:[15]
- Jaspal Bhatia
- Dieter Lehmann Morales
- Carlo Perri
- Jeremy Sherman
- Stephen Coleman Kenny
- Anthony Thomas-Davis
- Mukta Ghorpadey
- Vacant
- James A. Turner
- Billy Easley
ANC 1B
- Larry Handerhan
- Vacant
- Jamie S. Sycamore
- Santiago Lakatos
- Alan Kensek
- Miguel Trindade Deramo
- Ashleigh Fields
- Sabel Harris
- Tucker Jones
ANC 1C
- Vacant
- Lee Dixon
- Peter Wood
- Joseph Van Wye
- Margaret Stevens
- Lynda Laughlin
- Jake Faleschini
- Barney R Shapiro
- John Jones
ANC 1D
- Kelly Willis
- Hannah Grigg
- Erika Nunez
- Yasmin Romero
- Omar Parbhoo
- Angela Allison
- Gary Decker
ANC 1E
- Bradley Gallagher
- Bobbie Lancaster
- Michael Wray
- Rashida Brown
- Philip Newland
- Josh Jacobson
- Brian Footer
ANC 2A
- Yannik Omictin
- Jim Malec
- Trupti "Trip" Patel
- Ed Comer
- Luke Chadwick
- Joel Causey
- Dasia Bandy
- Jordan Nassar
- Evelyn Hudson
ANC 2B
- Meg Roggensack
- Jeffrey Rueckgauer
- Vincent E. Slatt
- Vacant
- Z Stein
- Matt Johnson
- Libby Franklin
- Zachary Adams
- Christopher Davis
ANC 2C
- Michael D. Shankle
- Rebecca Strauss
- Thomas S. Lee
- Kristin Roe
ANC 2D
- Ashley Warren
- Carole L. Feld
ANC 2E
- Kishan Kumar Putta
- Christopher "Topher" Mathews
- Paul Maysak
- Joseph Massaua
- Mimsy Lindner
- Gwendolyn Lohse
- Daniel Chao
- John Di Pierri
ANC 2F
- David R. Rubenstein
- Neil Rocklin
- Joe Florio
- Vacant
- Christopher Dyer
- Christopher Appel
- Brant J. Miller
- Caroline Zagraniczny
ANC 2G
- Anthony "Tony" Brown
- Alexander M. "Alex" Padro
- Sranda Watkins
- Steven McCarty
- Sheena Berry
- Rachelle P. Nigro
ANC 3A
- Thaddeus Bradley-Lewis
- Judy Havemann
- Hans B. Miller
- Jeremy Del Moral
- Ann Lane Mladinov
ANC 3B
- Kevin Lavezzo
- Jackie Blumenthal
- Melissa Lane
- J. Kevin Carroll
- Gupi Howie
- Ben Bergmann
ANC 3C
- Hayden Gise
- Adam J. Prinzo
- Janell Marie Pagats
- Roric McCorristin
- Sauleh Ahmad Siddiqui
- Tammy Gordon
- Gawain Kripke
- Rick Nash
ANC 3D
- Chuck Elkins
- Tricia Duncan
- Quentin Colón Roosevelt
- Andrew Davis
- Bernie Horn
- Marilyn Nowalk
- J. P. Szymkowicz
ANC 3E
- Matthew Cohen
- Amy B Hall
- Jonathan Bender
- Tom Quinn
- Jeffrey Denny
- Alexandra Gianinno
- Diego Carney
- Rohin Ghosh
ANC 3F
- Marilyn Slatnick
- Teri Huet
- Mitchell Baer
- Claudette David
- Vacant
- Courtney Carlson
ANC 3/4G
- Lisa R. Gore
- Bruce Sherman
- James Nash
- Michael Zeldin
- Peter Lynch
- Peter Gosselin
- Zachary Ferguson
ANC 4A
- Paula Y. Edwards
- Joan Hoyte
- Christian Hara
- Patience R. Singleton
- Kim Patterson
- Candace Tiana Nelson
- Zack Bolton
ANC 4B
- T. Michelle Colson
- Erin Palmer
- Zurick T. Smith
- Evan Yeats
- Kevin Gilligan
- Tiffani Nichole Johnson
- Michael Cohen
- Alison Brooks
- Derrick Thompson
- Jinin Berry
ANC 4C
- Casey Swegman
- Antoine M. Kirby
- Thomas P. DeFranco
- Daniel Alexander
- Brittany Kademian
- Karen Livingston
- Eric Heller
ANC 4D
- Joy A. Pinkney
- Abel Amene
- Carson C. Lucarelli
- Chrysanthe "CC" Courniotes
- Stephen Marencic Jr.
- Aman George
- J. Clark Weigel
- Anthony Pirrotti
ANC 4E
- Vanessa Rubio
- Marlene Hunt Moss
- Maria Barry
- Randy Zmunda
- Ulysses E. Campbell
- Pavan Ishwar Khoobchandani
ANC 5A
- Duvalier J. Malone
- Karlus Cozart
- Emily Singer Lucio
- Diego Rojas
- Tyeron Boston
- Vacant
- Vacant
- Gordon Fletcher
- Shelagh Bocoum
ANC 5B
- Edward Borrego
- Nandini Sen
- Cyril Crocker
- Ra Amin
- Colleen Costello
- Sukhprita "Prita" Piekara
- Gail A. Brevard
ANC 5C
- Anthony Dale
- Lauren Rogers
- Tequia Hicks Delgado
- Jacqueline Manning
- Darlene Oliver
- Harry Thomas Jr.
- VJ Kapur
ANC 5D
- Hector Arbuckle
- Sebrena L. Rhodes
- Anna Roblin
- Stephen Cobb
- Salvador Sauceda-Guzman
- Kathy Henderson
- Juan McCullum
- Reid May
- Bernice Blacknell
ANC 5E
- Joyce Robinson-Paul
- Karla M. Lewis
- Fred "Phil" Carver
- Huma Imtiaz
- Kevin Rapp
- Kirby Vining
ANC 5F
- Tony Hurst
- Aru Sahni
- Patricia Williams
- Mark Galvan
- Jennifer Anderson
- Joe Bishop-Henchman
- Sylvia M. Pinkney
ANC 6A
- Keya Chatterjee
- Mike Velasquez
- Roberta Shapiro
- Amber Gove
- Dave Wethington
- Robb Dooling
- Stephen Moilanen
ANC 6B
- Frank Avery
- Gerald "Jerry" Sroufe
- David Sobelsohn
- Francis "Frank" D'Andrea
- Kasie Durkit
- Chander Jayaraman
- Vince Mareino
- Edward Ryder
- Matt Lafortune
ANC 6C
- Christy Kwan
- Leslie Merkle
- Jay Adelstein
- Mark Eckenwiler
- Joel Kelty
- Patricia Eguino
- Tony T Goodman
ANC 6D
- Bob Link
- Ronald Collins
- Gail Fast
- Andrea M. Pawley
- Chearie Phelps-EL
- Bruce Levine
- Fredrica "Rikki" Kramer
- Rhonda Natalie Hamilton
ANC 6E
- Chris Hart
- George Viedma
- Kevin M. Rogers
- Denise E. Blackson
- Ahmad Abu-Khalaf
- Dylan Forest
- Davina Carson
- Dale Prince
- Ritanch Hans
ANC 6F/8F
- Nic Wilson
- Rick Murphree
- Brian Strege
- Edward Daniels
- Clayton Rosenberg
ANC 7B
- John F. Adams
- Jamaal Maurice Pearsall
- Travis R. Swanson
- D. L. Humphrey
- Donna Robinson
- Kelvin Earl Brown
- Lisa D. T. Rice
- Kelly Taylor
- Michelle Hammond
ANC 7C
- Brian A. Glover
- Patricia Williams
- Carlos Richardson
- Anthony Lorenzo Green
- Shirley A. Boykins
- Patricia Stamper
- Antawan Holmes
- Kimberly Martin
- Carrie N. Brown
ANC 7D
- Siraaj Hasan
- Vacant
- Wendell Felder
- Mike Davis
- Ebony Payne
- Marc Friend
- Brett Astmann
- Brian Alcorn
- Ashley Schapitl
- Brianne Eby
ANC 7E
- Karla Reid-Witt
- Krystal Bagley
- Vacant
- Natasha Dupee
- Vacant
- Delia Houseal
- Evette (S.L.) Lang
ANC 7F
- Tyrell M. Holcomb
- Ashley Renee Ruff
- Kimory Kso Orendoff
- Chanettia Nelson
- Brittany N. Hughes
- Frieda Edwards
- Shirley Thompson-Wright
- Shameka Hayes (proxy Danjuma Gaskins)
ANC 8A
- Tonya Crawford
- Barbara J. Clark
- Holly Muhammad
- Laneice Moore
- Jamila White
- Robin McKinney
- Laverne Glenn
ANC 8B
- Khadijah Watson
- Paul Trantham
- Thomas Von Williams, Jr.
- Kimberly Little
- Joseph Johnson
- Alyce McFarland
- Juanita Beltran
ANC 8C
- Georgette Joy Johnson
- Joyce M. Doyle
- Dascha Cleckley
- Vacant
- Cheryl Moore
- Robbie Woodland
- Salim Adofo
- Amanda Beale
ANC 8D
- Jacqueline Kinlow
- Vacant
- Sandra Harrell
- Tara Brown
- Travon Hawkins
- Wendy Hamilton
- Natasha Yates
- Lakiah Williams
ANC 8E
- Deborah Wells
- Laqueda Tate
- Kelly Mikel Williams
- Anita Burrows
- Duane A. Moody
- Dolores "Miracle" Bryant
- Th-Juan McLeese-Lewis
- Vacant
- Rhonda K. Holmes
Recent Developments in ANC activities
[edit]Sign-on letters on broader issues
In recent years, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners have increasingly used "sign-on" letters to address issues beyond their Single Member Districts (SMDs) or commission areas. This practice has expanded the scope of ANC involvement beyond the traditional "great weight" matters within their immediate jurisdictions. [16]
Commissioners are using sign-on letters ethically when they draft and sign them in a manner that complies with the Code of Conduct.[17] These letters often address citywide concerns or policies that affect multiple neighborhoods, allowing commissioners to collaborate on broader issues affecting the District as a whole.
The Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA) has provided guidance on the circumstances under which commissioners can participate in sign-on letters, ensuring that this practice aligns with ethical standards and the intended role of ANCs.[18]
Informal caucuses
Over the past 5-8 years, informal caucuses have emerged among ANC commissioners, focusing on specific issues or representing particular communities. These caucuses allow commissioners from different ANCs to collaborate on shared interests and concerns. These caucuses and committees demonstrate a trend towards more coordinated efforts among commissioners on issues that transcend individual ANC boundaries. They provide a platform for sharing information, developing strategies, and advocating for policies at a broader level than traditional ANC activities. Notable examples include:
- Vision Zero Caucus: Focused on traffic safety and the District's goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The caucus has over 100 ANC Commissioners from around D.C. who collaborate to achieve Vision Zero goals for the District.[19]
- ANC Rainbow Caucus: This caucus represents LGBTQ+ commissioners and advocates for policies affecting the LGBTQ+ community in the District.[20]
- Vacant Buildings Caucus: This group works with the Department of Buildings (DOB) on issues related to abandoned properties, aiming to address the impact of vacant buildings on neighborhoods.
- ANC Vision Zero Committee: While not a citywide caucus, this committee, established by ANC 4B, serves as an example of how individual ANCs are addressing broader city initiatives. The committee focuses on increasing community safety in accordance with Vision Zero goals within their commission area.[21]
The emergence of these informal groups reflects a growing recognition of the interconnected nature of urban issues and the potential for ANCs to play a role in shaping citywide policies. However, it's important to note that these caucuses operate outside the formal ANC structure and their influence on policy decisions may vary.
Controversy and Training Initiatives
Recently, there has been some controversy surrounding attempts by organizations like the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and Greater Greater Washington (GGWash) to provide training for ANC commissioners.[22]t
These training initiatives aim to provide commissioners with information and resources related to urban planning, transportation, and community development. However, the controversy indicates that there may be concerns about the potential influence of these organizations on ANC decision-making processes or the appropriateness of such training programs.
The situation highlights the complex relationships between ANCs, advocacy groups, and community organizations in shaping local policies and decisions in Washington, D.C. It also underscores the importance of maintaining transparency and independence in the ANC system while ensuring that commissioners have access to relevant information and expertise.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Garrison, David F. (2011). "District of Columbia's Elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissions: An Unlikely Experiment in Governance at the Grassroots". State & Local Government Review. 43 (2): 159–166. doi:10.1177/0160323X11416074. JSTOR 41303187. S2CID 155798683.
- ^ Garrison, David F. (2011). "District of Columbia's Elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissions: An Unlikely Experiment in Governance at the Grassroots". State & Local Government Review. 43 (2): 159–166. doi:10.1177/0160323X11416074. JSTOR 41303187. S2CID 155798683.
- ^ Gibson, Josh; Nahikian, Marie (March 23, 2020). "A Minnesota congressman is one reason we have ANCs. But the true inspiration was the spirited tradition of activism of Adams Morgan". The DC Line.
- ^ Garrison, David F. (2011). "District of Columbia's Elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissions: An Unlikely Experiment in Governance at the Grassroots". State & Local Government Review. 43 (2): 159–166. doi:10.1177/0160323X11416074. JSTOR 41303187. S2CID 155798683.
- ^ Kotler, Milton (10 July 2019). "ECCO bene: Organizing Neighborhood Government Milton Kotler—father of the ANC".
- ^ "Employment Opportunities". DC Government. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ^ DeBonis, Mike (2012-04-27). "William Shelton gets 30 days for theft of ANC funds". Washington Post. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ^ "ANC Elections". DC Government. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ^ Tikkanen, Amy; Campbell, Heather; Goldberg, Maren; Wallenfeldt, Jeff; Augustyn, Adam (2023-05-04). "Washington, D.C. - Government". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
- ^ DePillis, Lydia (12 May 2010). "With Liquor License, Trailblazing Big Bear Runs Into a Thicket". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ^ Ivey, Keith. "Run For ANC". Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2013-01-23.
- ^ Sommers, Will. "Who is the worst ANC member". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ^ "Learn about Wards and ANCs". DC Council. Washington, DC. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15.
- ^ Debonis, Mike (November 19, 2012). "D.C.'s closest ANC races are now less close". Washington Post. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ^ "Advisory Neighborhood Commissions". Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ https://bega.dc.gov/sites/bega/files/publication/attachments/Neighborhood%20Commissioners%20and%20Sign-on%20Letters%20Advisory%20Opinion.pdf
- ^ https://bega.dc.gov/sites/bega/files/publication/attachments/Neighborhood%20Commissioners%20and%20Sign-on%20Letters%20Advisory%20Opinion.pdf
- ^ https://www.bega.dc.gov/publication/advisory-neighborhood-commissioners-and-sign-letters-advisory-opinion
- ^ https://waba.org/2023/04/19/advocacy-roundup-spring-2023/
- ^ https://www.ancrainbowcaucus.com/
- ^ https://anc4b.com/committees/vision-zero-committee/
- ^ https://ggwash.org/view/97556/were-allowed-to-train-ancs-now-thanks-to-the-first-amendmen