For release: September 11, 2020
Contact: NICHOLAS DELLE DONNE
delledonne.n@comcast.net (703 929 6656)
DECAA At-large Forum to Cover Local, Citywide Issues
The Dupont East Civic Action Association (DECAA) will hold a virtual forum for at-large city council candidates Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 6:30 pm. The public is invited to submit questions via DECAA’s website at www.KeepDupontGreen.org, under the tab for DC Council At-Large Candidates Forum and by email at decaavote@gmail.com.
Candidates are expected to face questions on the following:
–Homelessness, notably encampments are increasing in Dupont Circle and citywide. The District says that homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring. How would you reduce homelessness in COVID-19?
–The luxury apartment building proposed by the Masons for the green space in back of the Scottish Rite Temple along 15 St. NW is of particular interest to DECCA and the Dupont East community. Among other things, it would eliminate scarce green space, be out-of-scale with the historic Black neighborhood, build units underground limiting light and air and offer only the minimum affordable housing. Will you support a possible land exchange to preserve the historic open space?
–The proposed development of the historic McMillan Sand Plant (McMillan Park) involves issues of environmental protection, affordable housing, direct taxpayer support for developers, access by Black neighbors to the open space and more. Twelve candidates, Ann Wilcox, Ed Lazere, Will MerrIfield, Markus Batchelor, Vincent Orange, Mario Cristaldo, Keith Silver, Franklin Garcia, Kathy Henderson, Mónica Palacio, Jeanné Lewis and Marya Pickering have all raised serious questions about the city’s current plan. What is your position?
–Expanding bike lanes often can possibly limit access to businesses and endanger pedestrians, including on 17th and 15th Streets in Dupont East. Will you recognize the interests of pedestrians, businesses and others before expanding bike lanes?
–Are you participating in public campaign financing or soliciting private and corporate campaign funds? Why?
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82538246632?pwd=QXpXc0JCeG9tMnBZTXlEdEJxVnNHZz09
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 825 3824 6632
Passcode: DECAA
Visit DECAA’s website and sign our petition. https://www.KeepDupontGreen.org