Dear DC Residents,
I also give my endorsement of Anita Bonds as the most qualified candidate for the vacant at-large Councilmember position on the DC Council. In the short time that Anita has served on an interim basis, she has signed on as a co-introducer or sponsor to many quality of life related bills (23) that were either re-introduced from last year or new legislation such as:
B20-0057: Community Renewable Energy Act of 2013: Many DC residents are unable to use solar energy because they are renters, or they own a property that is not ideal for a solar installation. With these restrictions, a large portion of DC residents do not have the ability to participate in the solar industry. The legislation would allow for any and all DC residents to purchase a share in a community solar system located anywhere in DC and receive credit for solar electricity from that system to offset their own utility bill in the form of virtual net metering. This form of virtual net metering would allow for anyone to reap the energy benefits associated with owning a solar installation.
B20-0041: Reading Development & Grade 3 Retention Act of 2013: to ensure development of reading skills in kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grades to ensure that at the end of the 3rd grade students at or above grade level in DCPS and Charter Schools.
B20-0191: Prohibition of Harm of Police Animals Amendment Act 2013: provides protection and penalties to those that chose to harms these important animals which provide public safety functions.
There are also other bills such as B20-101: Patient Protection Act 2013; B20-0174: the Medicaid Reimbursement for Chiropractic Services Act 2013, which this alternative practice would help to reduce the amount DC pays for medical care for the many residents under this program that have back conditions and want to reduce the amount of medication they take that only provides temporary relief; and B20-171: the DC Statehood Advocacy Act 2013 in support of Statehood.
Anita has also supported B20-128: the Medical Marijuana Cultivation Center Amendment Act 2013, which limited the number of MM Cultivation Centers and Dispensaries in each Ward, which she also voted in support of during the Health Committee Mark-Up meeting last week.
I've had conversations with Anita on existing bills and some that she feels are needed. We must remember, Anita was once the Chairperson of ANC 5C prior to the redistricting. Anita was thoughtful, has a good grasp of the issues that were presented before our former Commission, in which she benefited from having this prior experience as an ANC Commissioner in her current interim position when considering proposed legislation and which also "shortened "her learning curve as an interim at-large Councilmember.
Contrary to the "illusionary" popular belief imposed by some news reporting in various forms about who Anita will actually be representing, if she is elected to fill the at-large Councilmember position for its term, just by Anita's variety of proposed legislation, shows Anita has already committed to and shows she intents to continue by the legislation she already has co-introduced such as above and/or co-sponsored, that she is committed to serving ALL THE RESIDENTS in the District of Columbia.
Since many are aware, yes, Anita and I had some ANC operations differences when I first came on ANC 5B. However, well over 2-3 years ago, Anita apologized to me, sharing what lead to her then opinion of me, to which throughout and after the experience, I showed otherwise. I accepted this heart-send apology. Why? Though many follow the Donald Trump mantra that apologizing is a sign of weakness, I feel and think the contrary. To me, to apologize for a mistake in judgment or any other decision that is made it is a sign of a high level of character. As once shared with me, "show me a person who can't admit they made a mistake, and I'll show you a person who hasn't learned anything." This is why we have the "Burger King mantra ruling society today, the "have it your way" only. We have apologizing, which has become uncommon, destroying the fabric of a civilized society, where real respect and acceptance of responsibility was once common. And we wonder why we have the problems in the schools and some of our communities today.
With Anita's prior leadership positions and work in DC government; her leadership and work, years of service as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner and Chairperson; her leadership work with youth through the GU youth mentorship program; her work and leadership on the DC Democratic State Committee; her thoughtful considerations on legislation for all the residents of DC to continue the evolution of DC further into the 21st century is enough for me to know she is the right person for the position!
VOTE FOR ANITA BONDS ON TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013, #5 ON THE BALLOT! We will all be better for this right choice!
Please feel free to share this endorsement with others.
Albrette "Gigi" Ransom
0 comments:
Post a Comment