DC At Large Member of the Council Choose 2
At Large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia (Desplácese hacia abajo para leer en español. Clic en Leer más Read More para español)Duties: Represents citizens from all 8 WardsThe Council’s central role is to make laws for D.C. It is also the chief policy-making body for the city. In addition, Councilmembers responsibilities include oversight of multiple agencies, commissions, boards and other entities of District government and responding to constituents’ concerns. (source: https://dccouncil.us)Code of the District of Columbia § 1–204.01(d)(3) states ...at no time shall there be more than 3 members (including the Chairman) serving at large on the Council who are affiliated with the same political party. (source: https://code.dccouncil.us/us/dc/council/code/sections/1-204.01)Term: 4 yearsAnnual Salary: $140,000 (approximately)Concejales generales de DC Descripción: Miembro del Consejo Generales de DC. Funciones: Representa los intereses de los ciudadanos de los 8 distritos electorales La función principal del Consejo es elaborar leyes para el Distrito de Columbia. Además, entre las responsabilidades de los miembros del Consejo figuran la supervisión de múltiples organismos, comisiones, juntas y otras entidades del gobierno del Distrito y la respuesta a las inquietudes de los electores.
Biographical Information
Campaign Email
info@grantatlarge.com
Education
Savannah State University
Qualifications
Chair of public relations to bring back Vocational Education Schools, business owner, community involvement with my non profit organization helping youth in our community.
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/grantatlarge
Campaign Twitter Handle
@rodneyredgrant
Campaign YouTube URL
http://www.youtube.com/@RedGrant
Website
https://grantatlarge.com
What are the two most important things Council should do and how will you make them happen?
Reduce Crime:
We need to be present in our communities and show up to help our residents stand up. I will focus on investing in education and job opportunities, community policing, increasing police presence in high-crime areas, crime prevention programs, and promoting collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations. We need to create a pipeline for home grown officers.
Education Equality:
Vocational education is a big priority and bringing it back to DC schools is a top priority. I will implement policies to address socioeconomic disparities, allocate resources equitably among schools, provide access to quality early childhood education, offer scholarships and financial aid for higher education, promote diversity in teaching staff, and support initiatives to close the achievement gap. We will aggressively pursue federal funding and infrastructure support.
How will increase housing that people can afford?
To increase affordable housing, I will support zoning reforms to allow for more diverse housing options, provide incentives for developers to build affordable units, invest in public housing projects, offer subsidies or tax incentives for low-income housing development, and collaborate with community organizations and private sectors to address housing needs.
DC is required by Law 24-176 to reduce harmful gases and other toxic emissions caused by DC government activities. What will you do to make sure this happens?
As council, I will implement policies to reduce emissions, such as transitioning to electric or hybrid vehicles for government fleets, improving energy efficiency in government buildings, investing in renewable energy sources, promoting free public transportation for government employees, and enforcing regulations on emissions from government facilities.
What should the Council do to make sure everyone in the city has reliable, frequent, and safe public transportation?
Invest in expanding public transportation infrastructure, increase funding for maintenance and operations, improve route planning to cover more areas, enhance safety measures, and prioritize accessibility for all demographics.
What do you see as the root causes of crime in DC? What can the Council do to fix the problems?
I support funding vocational educational schools to help address economic disparities which is a route cause of crime; Bottom line, people commit crime for money. I support community empowerment and social support as a long term solution to crime. Addressing poverty, unemployment, and investment in underserved neighborhoods will make strides in reducing crime.
Biographical Information
What are the two most important things Council should do and how will you make them happen?
Candidate has not yet responded.
How will increase housing that people can afford?
Candidate has not yet responded.
DC is required by Law 24-176 to reduce harmful gases and other toxic emissions caused by DC government activities. What will you do to make sure this happens?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What should the Council do to make sure everyone in the city has reliable, frequent, and safe public transportation?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What do you see as the root causes of crime in DC? What can the Council do to fix the problems?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Campaign Email
info@reelectrobertwhite.com
Education
Robert graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, DC and attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland, earning degrees in Philosophy and Political Science. He completed additional studies at Oxford University in England and in The Gambia, West Africa. Robert earned his law degree from the American University Washington College of Law.
Qualifications
Current DC Councilmember At-Large
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/robertfordc
Campaign Twitter Handle
@RobertWhite_DC
Website
reelectrobertwhite.com
What are the two most important things Council should do and how will you make them happen?
Budget. The Council must pass a budget that meets the needs of DC residents. My top priority in the upcoming budget cycle will be protecting the safety net for DC’s most vulnerable residents. I will work with my colleagues to put together a budget without any cuts to that safety net.
Oversight. Every DC Government agency must be held accountable for the work they do. This means identifying three priorities that are within each agencies’ authority and that can be addressed in a specified period of time. For each priority, the agency should provide metrics that the Council and the public can use to see how well the agency addressed its priorities. As Chair of the Council’s Housing Committee, I hold to this standard all the agencies that the Committee oversees. I will encourage my Council colleagues to do the same for the agencies that the other committees oversee.
How will increase housing that people can afford?
DC Housing Authority. DC’s largest and most reliable source of affordable housing are the apartments operated by the DC Housing Authority. However, one in every four of those apartments are in such disrepair that no one can live in them. As Housing Committee Chair, I have increased DCHA’s maintenance budget, so these units can be repaired and made available to people who need them.
Housing Production Trust Fund. To meet the needs of our residents, DC must build more housing — deeply affordable housing with many units large enough to accommodate families. I have succeeded in increasing DC’s contribution to the Housing Production Trust Fund, so that more money can be used to build more affordable housing.
DC is required by Law 24-176 to reduce harmful gases and other toxic emissions caused by DC government activities. What will you do to make sure this happens?
Oversight. In this area, I can be most effective with respect to the agencies for which the Housing Committee has jurisdiction. As part of my oversight of these agencies, I will make sure that they know and are meeting their climate goals.
Publicity. Public scrutiny may be needed to cure the most serious and most flagrant violations of 24-176. In such cases, I will bring the violations to the attention of the public; and I will participate in public actions demanding that the violations cease.
What should the Council do to make sure everyone in the city has reliable, frequent, and safe public transportation?
To provide adequate and reliable bus and rail options, I will work with government colleagues in DC, Maryland and Virginia to create a stable funding source for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
In addition, to the extent that budget resources permit, I will support free or reduced cost bus and rail access for DC residents.
Finally, I will encourage the DC Department of Transportation to plan for safe and reliable transit options for all DC residents, including pedestrians and those who use cars and bikes.
What do you see as the root causes of crime in DC? What can the Council do to fix the problems?
Accountability. Individuals will be less likely to commit crimes, if they know that there is a strong likelihood that they will be caught and successfully prosecuted. Toward these ends, I have introduced and helped pass legislation that improves DC’s 911 system —so calls to the police will be answered promptly. My legislation also improves DC’s crime lab — so police and prosecutors can get the evidence they need to solve cases and hold violent criminals accountable.
Lack of Options. The DC government should fund training programs that lead to high-paying jobs, including programs that lead to certifications that allow access to jobs where workers are in very high demand.