Drew Ronneberg announces candidacy for ANC6A-02 seat

Drew Ronneberg officially announced his candidacy for the recently-vacated ANC6A-02 seat held by Joe Fengler.

To the residents of ANC 6A02,

I would like to formally announce my candidacy for the ANC 6A02 Commissioner seat recently vacated by Joe Fengler. Under Joe's leadership, residents of 6A02 have come to expect efficient,effective and transparent government, and filling Joe's shoes will be a big task.

I believe that I am capable of meeting this challenge.

Since 2003, I have been a citizen volunteer for ANC 6A and have served as Chairman of the ANC Economic Development and Zoning (ED&Z) Committee since 2006. As Chairman of the ED&Z committee, I have worked on dozens of issues to bring economic development to the H Street Corridor and keep our residential neighborhood safe, vibrant and pedestrian friendly. For example, I helped negotiated the proposed
redevelopment of H Street Connection strip mall between 8th and 10th St NE. I believe that the proposed building will achieve our goals of promoting a pedestrian friendly streetscape while attracting new residents and retail establishments to our neighborhood. In addition, I have worked to reduce the number of vacant properties in our neighborhood. Ensuring vacant properties are occupied reduces problems
with drug dealing and vagrancy; making our communities safer and stronger.

If elected Commissioner I will:

1) Address recent crime issues in the ANC 6A by
a) getting information to residents when crimes occur in their neighborhood;
b) helping organize residents to fight crime through regular meetings with beat officers in our neighborhood; and
c) ensuring that high crime areas receive increased police surveillance.

2) Continue ANC 6A's efforts to revitalize the H Street Corridor by
a) increasing police presence on H Street during evening hours by requiring new businesses to contribute to the recently enacted reimbursable detail for off-duty officers as part of their voluntary agreement for alcohol licenses;
b) supporting the redevelopment of the H Street Connection based on
current designs and community amenities;
c) working with local business owners to reoccupy vacant buildings
leveraging the untapped $25 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds for H Street;
d) exploring the formation of an H Street Historic District that will preserve the Corridor's historic buildings without unduly impacting property owners; and,
e) actively working with the DDOT to make sure that Mayor Fenty's pledge to have streetcars running on H Street by 2011 is a reality.

3) Reduce the parking pressures on the surrounding community by
a) working with the police and H Street bars and restaurants to ensure that valets do not use neighborhood streets for parking;
b) helping residents restrict parking on affected neighbor streets to resident-only parking; and
c) working with parking enforcement to ensure that parking restrictions are enforced on neighborhood streets.

I look forward to the opportunity of serving as your Commissioner, and fighting on your behalf for a better, safer neighborhood. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

I can be reached at ronneberg6a02@gmail.com or 202 431-4305.

Best regards,

Drew Ronneberg