About The Candidate

• Office Sought: Board of Education Member, Ward 1
• Occupation: Retired federal & DC government, public administrator; chairman, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A
• Web site: http://www.votedottilovewade.com
• E-mail address: dottilovewade80@gmail.com

Education

Numerous federal government extension services, public administration and management classes.

Offices and positions held

Chairman, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A, 2007-08; commissioner, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A-11, 2005-08; past commissioner, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B, 1979-83; member, Tubman Elementary Parent-Teacher Association; past president, Columbia Road Concerned Residents; member, Ward One Democrats; past member, Banneker, Deal and Wilson Public Schools Parent-Teacher Association.

On the Issues

What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

The impact of charter schools on public school enrollment, numerous school closings and the impact they have on children and the distance they must travel to reassigned schools. As I talk with parents, the longer distance to schools and the upcoming cold and inclement weather are concerns, especially for younger children. They also worry about the safety of children crossing major streets.

Why should voters elect you?

I have a passion for children and am an advocate for parents. I have successfully obtained grants from businesses to support Ward One schools.

What do you think about the Capital Gains experiment, Rhee's plan to pay some students for doing well in school?

This concept has worked to some measure in the past for children who are honor students or who graduate from high school. I would like to see a pilot program to determine if such an experiment will serve as an incentive to students who are not performing well or up to grade level. Perhaps personal achievement with rewards will be just the catalyst some students need to develop their self-confidence and encourage greater classroom participation. I do not think it should be referred to as "pay" but rather as incentives. Many children could use the financial boost that this achievement-based reward will afford them and their families.

Do you support Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's plan to move the homeless into permanent housing?

Yes, to continue simply to warehouse people in often unsanitary and unsafe shelters, with little or no personal privacy, only serves to de-humanize them further. Social and health support services must be a major component of this plan. Otherwise, many will find themselves back into the same circumstances. Also, warehousing people creates an environment of uncertainty for those seeking nightly shelter and causes neighborhoods to become hang-outs for those loitering around to ensure their placement in the shelter. Further, our parks will not be overrun with the homeless who have nowhere else to go. Permanent housing will provide them with basic necessities such as a bathroom, kitchen, their own bed, and somewhere to store their personal possessions. It will also greatly reduce public urination and worse, since many do not have access during the day to public facilities.

How do you see elected officials helping residents through these difficult economic times?

Elected officials can help residents through a reduction in property taxes, more social services and an increase in assistance with utility bills.

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