Today's guest post is written by Ward 8 Council Candidate Jacque Patterson, Sr. To learn more about Jacque visit his campaign website. If you are so inspired you can make a much needed donation to his campaign HERE. You don't have to be a democrat or Ward 8 resident to be a Ward 8 supporter.
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| Today's Blogger: Jacque Patterson |
Given the opportunity to be a guest blogger on Congress
Heights on the Rise grants me a rare opportunity to turn the table from being
the interviewee as a candidate for public office to becoming an interviewer of
the residents of Ward 8. And I think
I’ll be a pretty easy interviewer, as I only have one question for Ward 8
Democratic voters, “What are you looking for in your next Ward 8 Councilmember?”
I thought about that one question long and hard because it’s
the same question I asked myself before I decided to run for the Ward 8 Council
seat in the April 3rd Primary
Election. Because at the end of the day,
I’m not only a candidate, I’m a resident, a neighbor and a voter in the Ward we
share. My future is tied to your future.
When I look at it from the perspective of being part of
something bigger than being an individual candidate, I see the community first
and my candidacy second.
When I think about answering the question I’m asking you,
since I am part of your community too, I start to answer it by saying I want a
candidate who has shown they possess the professional skills to be an effective
councilmember. We all know Ward 8 has
been fed more rhetoric than results for years now. I would vote for a candidate who has a
similar public service record as my own, which includes bringing the KIPP
Public Charter School Campus to the Hillsdale neighborhood, the Higher
Achievement After-School program to Anacostia, the experience of playing a role
in every affordable housing development project currently under construction in
our Ward, and has actually helped residents who are suffering under the current
economic recession by saving their homes from foreclosure. A candidate without a list of accomplishments
couldn’t win my vote.
I’d like my next councilmember to show that they could bring
consensus amongst the various views and visions of the Ward. Lord knows, if there is one thing we do well
as a community, it’s disagree on just about everything. But if a candidate hasn’t proven by holding
leadership positions in the past that they can execute a vision, how are they
going to be able to do it as a councilmember?
If a candidate hasn’t been effective in running their respective
Advisory Neighborhood Commission or winning a leadership position, is he/she realistically
ready to tangle with seasoned elected councilmembers currently exploiting the
ineffectiveness of our current councilmember? To get my vote, I want you to have not only
been an ANC, I would want you to have been as productive as I was as chair of
ANC 8B. During my tenure, we brought the Andrews Federal Credit Union to the
corner of Alabama and Stanton Road SE; we worked hand in glove with the developers
of the Giant/IHOP Development and THEARC facility. Instead of spending money on cell phones and
other personal items, we gave out more grants to worthy non-profits than has
been given in the Ward by any other ANC.
It’s easy to show up, hype up residents concerned about a community
issue through grandstanding public relations tactics, but how are you going to change
the situation? Answer that question
first, before I cast a ballot for you.
I’d like my next councilmember to understand how crafting public
policy works. I doubt that any of us
would allow a doctor to operate on us if that doctor had not graduated from medical
school. So why expect less of a
councilmember, who is equally tasked with life or death decisions when it comes
to the future of our Ward, as they attempt to properly perform oversight of major
government operations. How underserved
have we been in the past by candidates and elected officials who, although well
intended and passionate about community concerns, were ineffective? I’d expect my next councilmember to have a
degree in public administration, possibly be a certified public manager and
having attended a Senior Executives in Local and State Government program at
JFK School of Government at Harvard would set that candidate head and shoulders
above candidates who lack professional training in public service. Those are exactly the educational programs I
took in preparation for a career in public service. I knew public service was not something I could
one day wake up with an epiphany and desire to be an elected official, but
something I’d have to train for with the same seriousness of a person wanting
to become a surgeon.
And is it asking too much for a candidate to conduct
him/herself in a manner that improves the image of Ward 8. Not saying
the candidate has to be perfect, but could they include in their formal
responsibilities of Councilmember, the unspoken expectation of role model to what we’d want our children to
aspire to be. Ethical behavior, service before self, integrity, moral
character. I’d like the candidate to at
least strive to embody these personal characteristics, even as I acknowledge in
my own efforts as a husband, father and civic advocate, I’ve made mistakes.
Lastly, but most importantly, as a resident of Ward 8, I’m
looking for a candidate with a plan to transform the quality of life in our
Ward. While there is no way any one plan
could encompass everything that ever yone wants, it does have to touch on some
of the most pressing issues confronting our communities. Each of the other candidates are great people
in their own right. I take nothing away
from their desire to serve Ward 8, but I have to be honest as a voter and question
their readiness to serve in the highest elected office of our Ward. I found it very difficult to see in any one
candidate, the qualities I listed above.
That’s why I asked the very same question I asked you at the top of the
blog, of myself, “What are you looking for in your next Ward 8 Councilmember?” And being unable to confidently cast a vote
for the incumbent or the other candidates, decided to run for the office
myself. Our community concerns are too
important to continue on the same course or to allow unqualified candidates to
win office.
As I change back from being a blogger to a candidate, I’d
like to leave you with my “8for8” platform.
Patterson “8for8” Platform
1. Lowering Unemployment 5.
Strengthening Families
2. Generating Economic Development 6. Addressing Seniors/Elders
Concerns
3. Advocating for Education Reform 7. Improving Public
Transportation
4. Alleviating Public
Safety Concerns 8.
Developing Affordable Housing
Since the Advoc8te has been more than accommodating with
space, I won’t go into each one here, but will ask you to go to my web site www.pattersonforward8.com to read
more about the details to change the way of life in Ward 8. Thank you for opportunity to use this venue
to serve our Ward!
JACQUE PATTERSON
Go HERE to learn about Jacque!
Twitter: @jacque4dc
Facebook: Jacque Patterson for Ward 8 City Council
Email: jacquedpatterson@gmail.com
To submit an article or to inquire about advertising send an email to Advoc8te@congressheightsontherise.com.
22 Comments:
I have a question for Jacque Patterson. What is your position on the number of social service facilities (group homes, transitional housing, methadone clinics, homeless shelters, etc.) in Ward 8. Do you think that Ward 8 is bearing an equal share with the rest of the district? If not how would you plan to address this issue in your term? How can we bring more economic development to Ward 8?
Thanks for the question! I do think we are being targeted for more social service facilities because the city, by way of gentrifying other parts of the city, has pushed residents needing services to Ward 8. We want to take care of all our residents, regardless of income or situation, but we need a more balanced type of community development. The type that engages residents in the process; the type that has been taking place in other parts of the city, especially in the areas of commercial and retail development. Being the candidate who has worked in the Business Community for the last four years with the Federal City Council (www.federalcitycouncil.org), I have a clear plan to move community development past it's current stagnation in Ward 8. I've already started conversations with Barbara Lang of the DC Chamber of Commerce and Jim Dinegar of the Board of Trade. They realize the potential of Ward 8, but they're waiting for someone who can execute a vision. I believe I'm more capable of executing a vision of a vibrant Ward 8, as proven during my time as an ANC, than the other candidates. And it's clear, by the ineffectiveness of the incumbent during his eight years in office, either never had a community development plan or was incapable of executing it.
Hi! Thank you for your post.
What do you think about the council's attempts at ethics reform? Is it enough?
Thanks JP for answering my question. :) As a follow up to the oversaturation of social services in Ward 8 do you think the answer is to execute a zoning overlay for our business corridors or is the answer or should we focus on a more aggressive economic development strategy?
With all the issues facing Southeast how does Marion Barry keep getting elected? Are people really happy or have they given up? What has the "Mayor for Life" done to deserve his paycheck?????
In reference to the question concerning Ethics Reform; No I don't think the legislation went far enough. There is still room for Councilmembers to skirt campaign contributions laws by allowing LLCs to bundle donations. This is something that I stated very early on that I would not do.
The guidelines for how Constituent Service Funds are used was not adequately addressed and I believe they will continue to be abused by some councilmembers to award certain constituencies instead of being used to help those who truly need emergency assistance.
And lastly, I don't think it addressed the issue of outside employment. DC Councilmembers are the second highest paid in the nation only to LA, but LA's councilmembers are full time. How do you justify councilmembers receiving $125,000 for a part-time job? It opens the door to the possibilies of too many conflicts of interest. And I'm a true believer in the biblical saying, "You can't serve two masters." And the only master a true public servant should have should have is the residents that elected them.
To answer PPK: In former Mayor Barry's defense, notice I'm referring to his time as mayor, he accomplished some groundbraking achievements that created the current middle class that moved from DC to Prince George County. You're talking about a man who helped Bob Johnson create BET, gave billionaire developer Don Peebles his first real opportunity to broker a deal and he dispensed numerous summer jobs.
The problem is he did that during his first two terms as Mayor. He has been totally ineffective as a Councilmember. His legislative record pales in comparison to his execuitve record and therein lies the problem that Ward 8 as a whole is suffering from today.
Many residents want to give him credit for what he did over a decade ago while at the same time they are suffering due to his inability to put forth effective legislation that should address the problems they are experiencing right now.
I don't want to take anything away from Marion Barry's mayoral legacy, in fact I want to build on the foundation he built for this and future generations of residents.
Greetings Mr.Patterson! Thanks for addressing CHOTR readers. D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown is planning to introduce legislation that would force low-income parents receiving financial assistance from the city to attend their children's parent-teacher conferences and PTA meetings. Brown states that we hold teacher, principals and chancellors accountable, so parents must be held accountable too.
Would you oppose or support Brown's legislation and why?
Walmart is on the way to DC. Do you support or oppose Walmart in the District and why? If possible, would you support or oppose a Walmart in Ward 8 and why?
Thanks for introducing your 8for8 plan. Please select the #1 urgent issue, from your plan, concerning Ward 8 residents, and, then elaborate upon your change model for this most critical issue.
I went to your website and could not locate more details reference the 8for8 plan. If I overlooked the link, please direct me to it.
Mr. Patterson, will your 8for8 plan produce continuous improvements in each area or will one specific area generate more improvements than the other? Also, what immediate barriers do you foresee that might halt continuous improvements in ed. reform, econ. dev. etc...How will you knock down/remove such barriers?
Mr. Patterson, as a new resident, I know very little about each candidate. I do know, from your impressive bio, you are certainly qualified. However, I need you to openly and honestly address the concern about the 8for8 plan. "Advocate for Education Reform" or "Lowering Unemployment" is not strong enough verbiage to convince me that you will do whatever it takes to shift the paradigm nor deserve a six figure salary for a part-time job.
If elected, what short-term(3months) accomplishments can Ward 8 residents witness.
Also, please select the one that best depicts your leadership style:
1. Detail Oriented Type
2. Visionary Type
3. Jump in Face Forward Type
4. Feelings Type
I am really enjoying this forum. Thank you so much for participating!
That being said what sets you apart from the other candidates? Why should we vote for you when you have run against Barry before and lost? Of the four people running against Barry three of you have lost to him in the past. What would you say to someone who wonders if Ward 8 would be more successful by supporting a new candidate (Williams), defeating Barry, and having the three challengers be a part of that new administration. All of you have something positive to bring to the table but currently you are all canceling each other out.
Everyone can concede that Barry is no good for Ward 8 but how committed are you to improve the odds that we don't have another Barry repeat? I ask this question of all the candidates, "Are you ready and willing to put your own political ambition to the side for the overall good of Ward 8?"
Until at least 3 more candidates do the honorable thing and resign from the race and support ONE strong and viable candidate the odds are slim that there will be any real change.
Newresident Question #1: I would support Chairman Brown's proposed bill. I'm a parent of a son who will be entering K-3 next year and regardless of income, parents should be held responsible for their active participation in their child's education. I know parent participation makes a difference in a child's academic performance because in charter schools that make it a requirement for parents to attend PTA and parent conference meetings in order for their child to remain enrolled, there are statistics to show it makes a differnce. So I would support Chairman Brown on this proposal.
Newresident Question #2: I support Walmart coming to DC and actually wish they had brought one to Ward 8. With an unemployment rate near 35% we need jobs in Ward 8 more than any other part of the city. Ward 8 needs the commerical development. Additionally, with so few retail establishments in Ward 8, the argument that Walmart runs "mom & pop" stores out of business would not have been the case in our Ward.
But I would have fought for a more livable wage with better health benefits than have traditionally been the case with WalMart
Newresident Question #3: We are in the process of updating our website so that it will give a more detail outline of the objectives of our "8for8" Platform. So I apologize for it not being up yet.
That being said, the #1 priority is jobs! We have to get Ward 8 residents back to work. We have Depression level unemployment and while any program put forth will take time to show results in lowing the unemployment rate, there are some things that we can do to make an impact both immediately and over the long run. First, we need to enforce the First Source Agreement and LSDBE laws more agressively. Secondly, we have to get the Workforce Investment Council operational so that both the private and public organizations who have a stake in building a stable District of Columbia economy are working together on a strategic plan to do so. And third, we need to support the Community College of DC programs that allow residents to get the certifications needed to compete for the jobs that are being created in DC by the federal government. We do a horrible job of preparing residents for the jobs that DC creates as the Nation's Capital and residents lose out to individuals who live right outside our borders who we are not allowed to charge a commuter tax.
Newresident Question #4. The biggest barriers in Ward 8 to overcome are mistrust and apathy. Residents have been exploited for so long that its hard for them to believe that anyone really has their best interest at heart. We've had government agencies that feel they don't have to perform their duties at the same standard they would in other parts of the city because we have not had a strong councilmember to hold them accountable. We've had businesses promise to open in the Ward only for the economic development deals to fall through or be told there is not a market to sustain the businesses. We've had non-profits who have had very little impact on the community.
So the Ward is just tired of being taken for granted. The way that I intend to rebuild that public trust and empower residents is by continuing to build on the record of results that I already have. I've been in the Ward almost 20 years and I've built the type of relationships that can move this Ward forward. Not even the incumbent has done that. We can have the kind of community we desire if we decide to hold elected officials accountable. If we do that, you will see the type of continuous improvement you asked about.
Newresident Question #5: As you look at my experience, I hope it illustrates to you that I have been successful in bringing the type of quality of life programs to the Ward that have made a real and tangible impact. Working with organizations like KIPP DC, the Higher Achievement Program and Septima Clark Public Charter School were programs that were not well received when I initially started engaging the communities where they are located.
But I stayed the course. I took leaders of these organizations to community leaders and addressed concerns. I held both sides accountable. When problems arose, we addressed them in a fair and equitable manner. And there were times where I had to just flat out ask the community to trust me when they objected. In the end, we got it done and our kids have some of the best programs in the nation, right here in their respective communities. I really don't know if the other candidates can say they've done more for Ward 8 over the last few years.
Newresident Question #6: If elected, residents can expect to see in the short term the continued focus on building affordable housing and keeping residents from losing their homes to foreclosure through the HomeSavers program.
As far as my leadership style, I actually had to take a questionnaire to define it through the military a few months ago, as I'm still in the Air Force reserves. The results of that questionnaire put it close to what you have down as "visionary".
Anonymous: What sets me apart from the other candidates are my experiences with leaders who have been very effective in affecting change in DC. I've had the honor of working in the Williams Administration and for John Hill, who before becoming the CEO of the Federal City Council was the Executive Director of the Financial Control Board that saved DC from bankruptcy. These two individuals essentially changed the way DC governement operates. I was able to gain invaluable insight into their decision making processes to make government more efficient and responsive to residents.
When I first ran against Councilmember Barry eight years ago, I was very naive as to how to run for public office. In the interim time since that loss, I've beaten a former Ward 8 Councilmember, Sandy Allen, to become Ward Eight Democrats President. I was elected to the DC State Committee representing Ward 8 twice. And I believe I've built the type of coalition of residents that can take my candidacy to victory.
Since you asked me to compare myself to Ms. Williams, I don't see my loss to Councilman Barry, 8 years ago as a negative, but as a positive. Since my loss to Mr. Barry, I've had several victories that has prepared me for this election. Her one and only race was a loss at a 2 to 1 margin just this past September. Her inability to win the Ward Eight Democrats president position proved that being new doesn't make you more electable, just inexperienced. The same less I learned in my first run.
In closing, I disagree that it has to be a one-on-one race against Councilman Barry for an opponent to defeat him. I believe a well ran campaign that has a clear message that resonates with residents is what it's going to take. And I believe I have both of these.
I reserved my questions until I could read and hear from all three of the candidates chosen as guest bloggers. (As a resident I think it would've been of great service to the community to hear from all the candidates and the 1 elected official) Nonetheless, my question is, Are either of you fine people willing and able to give us what you plan to do in your first 100 days as CM representing Ward 8 that will lead to reduced crime, (not just murder rate), increased job opportunities that pay a living wage; expanded quality health services beyond community health centers and finally, increased attractiveness of the Ward to small and mid size businesses.
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