So, What is the ANC?

As I knock on doors around our neighborhood, I'm repeatedly asked this question: "So, what is the ANC?"

The fact that many people don't know is a direct reflection on the need for CHANGE. What would you say about your City Councilmember, if you did not know what the Council did? What kind of impression would that leave on the Councilmember's effectiveness to serve you?

ANC stands for Advisory Neighborhood Commission. According to the DC Government website:

The Advisory Neighborhood Commissions 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.

In each of these areas, the intent of the ANC legislation is to ensure input from an advisory board that is made up of the residents of the neighborhoods that are directly affected by government action. The ANCs are the body of government with the closest official ties to the people in a neighborhood.

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 also present their positions to Federal agencies.

To me, the ANC is the last line of defense between the Government and the neighborhood. And, it is the front line on the effort to secure the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for residents of the neighborhood. It will be my purpose to fend off unwanted initiatives and to ensure that fundamental needs are met.

In this neighborhood - with the rises in crime - that especially means protecting peoples personal property (and their person). That entails better street lighting, resolving parking issues, ensuring sidewalks are paved and other factors that make it more difficult for ciminals to take advantage of residents.

The ANC defends the community. And, the ANC Commissioner is your Neighborhood Defender. I would like to defend you!

Be the CHANGE you want to see for the neighborhood! On November 4th, vote for me - Jabriel S. Ballentine.