About The Candidate

• Office Sought: City Council Ward 2
• Occupation: Attorney, Shook, Hardy & Bacon.
• Web site: http://www.caryforcouncil.org
• E-mail address: cary@caryforcouncil.org

Education

MA, public administration and law degree, George Washington University; BS, management science, SUNY Geneseo.

Offices and positions held

Commissioner and chairman, Logan Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2F), 2002-03; president, Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association; former board member, Promotion Committee chairman and newsletter editor, Shaw Main Streets; past president and board member, Logan Circle Community Association; 2007 Ward 2 captain, School Beautification Day; pro bono coordinator, Shook, Hardy & Bacon.

On the Issues

Do you think the District is doing enough to hold accountable developers who receive public funding or public financing when it comes to affordable housing and jobs for District residents? If not, tell us one thing you would recommend regarding affordable housing and one thing you would recommend regarding jobs for District residents.

No. As Council Member, I will develop a program to sell vacant properties at a discounted rate to police officers, firefighters, and teachers, the vast majority of which live outside DC. I would provide those who choose to live in DC with a "city living salary supplement" to encourage them to locate here. This policy would make our neighborhoods safer and our education system stronger. I support moving forward with implementation of inclusionary zoning (providing affordable units in new developments). As Council Member, I would make creation of a community college system and career training programs a top priority.

Single sales of alcohol have become an issue throughout the city? How would you handle the issue in Ward 2?

Single sales are more often about alcoholism than they are about choice. They impose their true costs on the surrounding community: public drunkenness and urination, aggressive panhandling, harassment, property crimes, and litter. Single sales come with a high profit margin and an addicted customer base. Prohibiting sale of singles citywide, or at least ward wide, is the best approach. Single sales do not provide a positive benefit to any community. Moreover, a uniform prohibition does not place a small business in the single-prohibited area at a competitive disadvantage with a store a few blocks away.

How do you rate Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee's performance with the District schools so far, and what is one thing that you would recommend that she improve upon?

B+. Our schools are suffering from a crisis of confidence. Scores are abysmal. Our schools have resegregated. Drastic measures are needed including bringing in new principals, high-quality teachers, reducing administrative bloat, and providing our children with state-of-the-art schools. Chancellor Rhee is taking this approach but has sometimes floundered in keeping school staff and parents informed of the changes. Some decisions seem haphazard. She will also need to carefully protect the closing school buildings so that they do not sit vacant, continue to serve a public purpose, and are available for educational use as children return to an improved school system.

How do you think the Supreme Court's decision to strike down the District's handgun ban will affect the city? Is there anything that could or should be done to restrict gun owners, such as requiring trigger locks?

As District residents purchase handguns, it is imperative that the city mandates effective gun safety training. As Council Member, I'll work to minimize the chance of guns falling into the hands of children, who may accidentally harm themselves or others, bring guns to school, or use them for violence. I will also propose legislation to ensure that individuals with a history of crime or domestic abuse do not qualify for gun ownership. Finally, the city must do a better job of enforcing existing law. Even with the handgun ban in place, our neighborhoods are plagued with gun violence.

What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

Our city has come a long way, but it still has far to go to achieve its potential. It's time to focus on neighborhoods by making them safer and more vibrant. I will make Ward 2 a better place to live by reviving schools, parks and libraries; strengthening community policing; pushing for no-nonsense enforcement against quality-of-life crimes; helping small businesses; addressing nuisance properties; and improving pedestrian safety. I'll focus on neighborhoods, not more taxpayer giveaways for stadiums. I will work for Ward 2 residents, not special interests.

Why should voters elect you?

It's time for change, locally and nationally. Ward 2 residents deserve a full-time council member with new leadership and energy who strongly advocates for them.

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