Mount Pleasant DC Forum

[dsachdev]

I was wondering if someone could enlighten me on the topic of ANC meetings. I have not attented one of these meetings and am wondering if all of their meetings are open to the public. After looking through the minutes from 2006 so far, it is curious to me that the re-occurring topic of discussion seems to be technical equipment and how it is purchased, stored, and loaned out.

I would have expected to see some long term discussions on the business district, the impacts of changes in Columbia Heights are having on our neighborhood, and how the business district can better suit our residents.

Not everyone is on the same page as far as many of those topics go, but it is obviously a hot topic that is important to many of us in the neighborhood. And this board is evident that there are alot of thoughs, opinions, and possibly people willing to put forth an effort to help improve some things. It definitly seems worth discussions.

For starters - I would like to know if all meetings are open to the public. In the past I have seen some notices about business meetings that seemed to be open only to business owners in the neighborhood. Is this correct, or did I misread?

Thanks
David

[jack]

ANC "business meetings" are to transact ANC business, and the name does not mean that the meetings are for business owners.

The function of the ANC is to advise DC Government agencies concerning policies that they have affecting Mount Pleasant. This is not a neighborhood government, and we do not have any power to guide neighborhood development. That said, the topic of the business district comes up frequently, and is dealt with specifically at ANC Commercial Corridor Committee meetings.

You will find plenty about ANC work in the ANC topics on this site (you have to scroll well down to find them). Last night, we dealt with neglected properties, neighborhood burglaries, safety and security in Harvard Towers, pedestrian crossing of 16th Street at Spring Place, alley development behind Heller's, and other such topics.

ANC meetings are, by law, open to the public. That said, the public is there to observe, not necessarily to participate. There is a period during which members of the public are free to bring up whatever issues they like to the ANC.

-- Jack

[Laurie]

[jack]

The Public Discussion period is for any member of the public to comment on any issue, including topics that will come up during the evening.

Later ANC discussions may be opened up to public input, if the commissioners so choose. Allowing all discussions to be opened up to participation by everyone leads to very long debates, and gives improper advantage to people who have the time and energy to come to ANC meetings. Our job as elected commissioners is to represent the people of our districts, including those who are not present at the meeting, on an equal basis with those who do attend.

-- Jack

[dsachdev]

Thank you for the replies

[mlhammock]

I have attended a few ANC meetings and was dissapointed in the format, agenda, and recap. Audience just sits there watching (last time I was there) 4 white men deciding on things that affect us all, without any input from the residents present at the meeting. I agree with Laurie. Resident's don't go due to the inability to actively particpate in deciding what happens to their neighborhood.

[jack]

[jack]