Carolyn Steptoe speaks on issues affecting Ward 5 and the city at large.

2006 Election Results DC Statehood Green Candidate

2007-01-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

2006 ELECTION RESULTS D.C. STATEHOOD GREEN CANDIDATES
Candidate / % of vote / number of votes received

Chris Otten, Mayor / 4% / 4,554
Ann Wilcox, At Large / 7% / 11,444
Carolyn Steptoe, City Council Ward 5 / 8% / 1,169
Keith Ware, Representative / 13% / 12,762
Joyce Robinson-Paul, Senator / 14% / 14,362
Laurent Ross, School Board President / 4% / 4,751
Marc Borbley, School Board District 3 / 19% / 4,987

Carolyn Steptoe honorable mentions....

2007-01-19T11:33:00.000-08:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/31/AR2006083102002.html

Jul 14 2006, 05:57 PM
I asked Carolyn Steptoe what what separates her from the other candidates?What will be her major focus to improve Ward 5? Here is Carolyn Steptoe's response:
http://dcmessageboards.com/lofiversion/index.php/t9402.html

Historic Designation: Carolyn Steptoe and Washington Post Article Reiterate Same Problems ....

2006-12-26T08:44:00.000-08:00

The front page of Thursday's Metro section (Thu, 12/21/06) contains a compelling article (with very compelling photos) of an elderly "frail couple" being impacted by historic designation (see article below).

The husband and wife are in their late 80s and own their home in Mount Pleasant. They have owned their home over 45 years; Mt. Pleasant was designated 'historic' in 1987.

In effect, the article speaks to concerns and issues resulting from historic designation, namely potential displacement, infringement on propertyowners' rights and community divisiveness. Suggested also is the impact when community knowledge or involvement about HD is not sought. "A vocal minority pushes through these historic designations and then everyone suffers the consequences."

As an outspoken opponent of efforts to designate the Brookland neighborhood "historic," this article reiterates the chilling reality I articulated in 2005, namely that historic designation is financially and unduly burdensome to propertyowners, esp. to the elderly, seniors and persons on fixed income. Also to note: there appears to be a wider citywide discussion about historic designation; Fisher's article is a current topic on such blogs as "Free Republic.com" and "Cyburbia.com"

Very kind regards and Happy Holidays,

Carolyn C. Steptoe (pardon typos)

*******************

Putting Home's Appearance Ahead of Helping Frail Couple By Marc Fisher Thursday, December 21, 2006; B01

Cornelius and Merry Lucas have lived in their rowhouse in Mount Pleasant for 46 years, and they'd like to finish their run right there, if the District government deigns to permit that.

At 88 and 86, respectively, the Lucases can't manage the stairs anymore, so they've moved into their basement, which opens onto the back alley. Their son, Richard, determined not to put them in a nursing home, hired an architect who came up with plans to cut through the front porch and install a ramp from the sidewalk down into the basement.

But Mount Pleasant, developed in the early 1900s with rowhouses for the federal government's burgeoning workforce, was declared a historic district in 1987, and that means the Lucases need permission from the city before they can alter the front of their house.

Permission denied.

"Repeating porches of similar height and depth create a notable pattern and rhythm on these formerly suburban streets," the city's architectural historian, Tim Dennee, wrote in recommending that the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board deny the Lucases' request. The board agreed, ruling that it was more important to maintain the "rhythm" of a long line of identical porches along Walbridge Place NW than to let an aging couple stay in their own home.

"There is no exception for medical disability in the historic preservation rules," says Fay Armstrong, president of Historic Mount Pleasant, a nonprofit group devoted to maintaining what it calls "the integrity of our neighborhood."

"The porches and fronts of the houses," Armstrong says, "are what give the neighborhood its character."

No, says Richard Lucas, what gives a place character is the people who live there, people such as Cornelius, an upholsterer who served at Guadalcanal in World War II, and Merry, a nurse in the District for 40 years. Their son seeks only to let them stay in their house, get some sunlight from a new window and door, and have a second way out of their house in the event of fire.

Lucas, a retired Metro manager who lives in Greenbelt, grew up in this house and feels attached to it, but the idea that it is historic strikes him as ludicrous. Built in 1932, the Lucas place is a typical, small rowhouse with a tiny patch of green in the front and a granite retaining wall that is all of two stones high, but which the city says it must protect.

"The city chose bricks and mortar over the health and welfare of the residents," Lucas says. "I grew up here; I want it to look more than well-kept. I want it to be a fine property."

"The historic preservation process tends to turn into the aesthetics police," says Jack McKay, an advisory neighborhood commissioner who showed me a series of Mount Pleasant houses where preservation proponents fought against residents who wanted to let more light into dark rowhouses, or open a doorway into their basement, or replace the neighborhood's typical concrete stairs with more attractive and expensive stone steps. "A vocal minority pushes through these historic designations and then everyone suffers the consequences."

Sadly, preservation, a cause that should be all about discerning what's truly noteworthy from our past, has become a weapon in neighborhood battles over development and racial and economic change.

In Mount Pleasant, the Lucas family has seen the neighborhood change in ways both welcoming and unsettling. In 1960, when the Lucases moved to Walbridge Place, they were only the second black family on the block. After the 1968 riots and the resulting white flight, the area became mostly black. Now, under pressure from starkly rising prices, the mix of races and classes has shifted again, and the Lucases are the last black family on the block.

Richard Lucas worries that strict enforcement of preservation rules favors the affluent -- those who can afford the expensive, elaborate solutions that preservationists suggest to modernize old houses without changing their look.

Armstrong agrees that blocks like the Lucases' "were mass-produced rowhouses for the middle class," but she believes preservation can work in neighborhoods of any economic class. "We're not trying to run people out because they're immigrants or elderly," she says. "It's about maintaining the architectural character of the neighborhood."

What Richard Lucas wants to maintain is his parents' quality of life. "I wanted to get this project going while Mom and Pop are alive," he says. "But to fight the city even more would be taking money from the project to pay legal fees. It's wrong: The city needs to be reined in. People have to see that social needs are more important than architecture."

Join me at noon today for "Potomac Confidential" at http://www.washingtonpost.com/liveonline.

Election Results

2006-12-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

Candidate Votes Percent Winner

Tontalya Terceiro Wright ((I)) 0 0%
Carolyn Steptoe ((SG)) 1,169 8%
Miriam Moore ((I)) 590 4%
Tommy Thomas, Jr. ((D)) 12,119 86% X
Tontalya Wright ((I)) 232 2%
www.nbc4.com/politics/10223796/detail.html

City Council - Ward 5 (17 of 18 precincts - 94 percent)
Tommy Thomas - Dem (86%)
Carolyn Steptoe - DCG (8%)
Miriam Moore - Ind (4%)
Tontalya Wright - Ind (2%)
http://www.wtop.com/?sid=&nid=610&sidelines=1

"With low turnout, voters return Democratic status quo to Council
Courtney Mabeus, The Examiner, Nov 8, 2006 2:00 AM

WASHINGTON - District voters delivered no real surprises or upsets for Council seats Tuesday, sticking to the status quo on a relatively quiet Election Day.

Lines were short at many precincts during the morning, with waits less than 10 minutes in precincts in Ward 1 and Ward 6, according to reports.

With an election season focused largely on the mayor’s race, there will also be three new faces on the Council in January.

In D.C., where about 285,000 of the 387,000 registered voters are Democrats, much was already decided by the Sept. 12 primary.

In Ward 3, Democrat Mary Cheh received 71 percent of the vote to replace outgoing Democratic Council member Kathy Patterson, who gave up her seat to run for Council chair.

In Ward 5, Democrat Harry “Tommy” Thomas took 85 percent of the vote to handily beat out a challenge from Statehood Green candidate Carolyn Steptoe and write-in independent Miriam Moore. ..."

Washington Post Candidate Link (photo and bio)

2006-11-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

Washington Post Candidate Link - Local 2006 Elections
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/elections/2006/dc/candidates/Carolyn_C_Steptoe.html

Vote-USA "Connecting Voters With Their Candidates"
http://www.vote-usa.org/Intro.aspx?Id=DCSteptoeCarolynC

After Primary: "losing candidate..." "... said he entered race simply because he didn't want Steptoe to win"

2006-11-04T12:33:00.000-08:00

Statehood Greens Hope To Fill Void

By Elissa Silverman

Washington Post Staff Writer

Thursday, November 2, 2006; DZ03

They make up just 1.3 percent of registered voters in the District, so D.C. Statehood Green Party members say they know they face an uphill battle in winning local elections.

But that hasn't stopped them from entering five candidates on this year's general election ballot and pushing hard for issues at the core of the party's platform, such as the city's battle to obtain voting rights in Congress.

"I think that's where we really stand out," said Ann C. Wilcox, who is running as the party's at-large council nominee. "The Democrats have really abandoned the issue.

"In a city where almost three-quarters of registered voters are Democrats, the Statehood Greens have a hard time setting themselves apart. The party was formed in 1999 when the Statehood Party, which was founded in 1971 by home-rule activist Julius Hobson Sr., merged with the local chapter of the Green Party.

Generally occupying political real estate to the left of center, Statehood Greens portray themselves as champions of working-class Washingtonians. Members of the party have been vocal opponents of public financing of the new ballpark for the Washington Nationals and frequently testify at hearings advocating for more affordable housing and health care for low-income residents -- issues that have resonated with voters this year.

But as hot as these issues have been this election season, the Statehood Green Party candidates haven't attracted much attention.

The primary contest for the Ward 5 seat on the D.C. Council exposed the party's organizational woes.

Philip Blair Jr., a longtime Statehood party member, lost the Statehood Green primary to Carolyn C. Steptoe. Blair said he entered the race simply because he didn't want Steptoe to win. The two Brookland residents have been on opposite sides of a neighborhood issue.

"I had never seen her active in the Statehood Green party before," Blair said. "She was obviously using us opportunistically."

Local election officials also haven't helped matters, Blair said.

According to Blair, 140 voters from the Statehood Green party showed up at the polls in Ward 5 but only 89 votes were counted. Steptoe received 40 votes, Blair got 33 votes and 16 names were written in.

Blair has questioned what happened to the 51 ballots unaccounted for in the official tally. He said he has found similar disparities between Republicans who showed up to the polls and the number of party ballots cast.

Elections board officials said they were investigating, but they speculate that some Statehood Greens and Republicans might have gotten Democratic ballots.In addition to Steptoe, the party has four nominees on the general election ballot: Wilcox, shadow senator nominee Joyce Robinson-Paul, shadow representative Keith R. Ware and mayoral nominee Chris Otten. ..."

Mystery in Green party votes solved
Michael Neibauer, The Examiner

Oct 25, 2006 2:00 AM (10 days ago)

Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON - Dozens of “missing” votes from the Ward 5 Statehood Green primary are likely to be found in illegitimate Democratic Party ballots, according to the Board of Elections and Ethics.

Philip Blair, the losing Statehood Green candidate in the Ward 5 D.C. Council primary, is too late to challenge what he claims were voting irregularities at the polls, but the elections board is moving forward with an investigation nevertheless.

The board certified only 89 votes in the Party’s Sept. 12 Ward 5 primary. Blair lost to Carolyn Steptoe 40-33, with the remaining 16 writing in another name.

But Blair claims 140 Statehood Green Party voters actually signed in at the polls, leaving 51 ballots unaccounted for. And it is “sheer rotten incompetence” that the board failed to properly certify every vote, he said. ...."

mneibauer@dcexaminer.com Examiner

Carolyn Steptoe's Comcast Inteview

2006-10-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

Thursday, October 5, 2006 Comcast interview.

Click the link below or copy and paste into browser:
www.v4w.net/v.php?vid=Carolyn_Steptoe&clientid=cod

Beginning October 20, 2006, can view on Comcast cable "On Demand." Select "Get Local;" select "Candidates on Demand."

Carolyn Steptoe Interviewed on DC Politics Hour w/Kojo Nmandi

2006-10-16T13:05:00.000-07:00

Taped segment of Friday, October 6, 2006 discussion with the Ward 5 candidates vying in November's general election.

http://www.wamu.org/programs/kn/06/10/06.php#11883

Carolyn Steptoe's Video Interview (Comcast - Thu, 10/5/06)

2006-10-06T03:54:00.001-07:00

"I will bring an independent voice to the council that speaks out for the residents of Ward 5. I won't be beholden to any special interest group or any campaign contributions. I'm running a grassroots campaign that is people-oriented and people-based.

If elected, I will work hard to do everything in my power to ensure development is done for the benefit of our community and not at their expense."

Click the link below to see interview (or copy and paste into your browser):
www.v4w.net/v.php?vid=Carolyn_Steptoe&clientid=cod

Let's Make Ward 5 Election History

2006-10-06T03:49:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Make Ward 5 Election History

Democrat, Republican, Independent and Statehood Party Members VOTE

CAROLYN C. STEPTOE, WARD 5 CITY COUNCIL

Carolyn has a proven record of commitment and hardwork on behalf of the Ward 5 residents in battling special interests and government initiatives that are contrary to interests of the Ward 5 community.

Carolyn will bring to the council compassion, empathy and genuine public service that demands all residents of Ward 5 share equitably in the city’s growing prosperity.

Carolyn will work tirelessly to improve the quality of education (including adult and vocational education) and recreation facilities.

Carolyn will demand that development not be at the expense of long-term citizens who wish to remain in our community.

Carolyn will insist upon clean, beautiful and environmentally-safe neighborhoods, crime reduction, workforce training, access to healthcare facilities and that our senior citizens are safe in their homes and neighborhoods.

Carolyn will work with civil, religious and private sector groups to bring to bear community resources to help our neighborhoods achieve their maximum potential.

Carolyn Steptoe "certified" winner in DC Statehood Green Party Primary

2006-10-06T03:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.dcboee.org/

Thomas will face Steptoe for council

2006-10-06T03:35:00.000-07:00

Thomas will face Steptoe for council
Scott McCabe, The Examiner
Sep 13, 2006 5:00 AM (10 days ago)
Current rank: # 1,024 of 4,956 articles

WASHINGTON - Harry Thomas Jr. won an 11-candidate Democratic primary for Ward 5 council Tuesday.Thomas Jr., 45, earned 41.8 percent of the vote. The candidate with the next highest votes, Frank Wilds, received 15.2 percent.Thomas Jr. will face Carolyn C. Steptoe, of the Statehood Green party. Steptoe defeated Philip Blair Jr. in the Statehood Green primary Tuesday, earning 42.5 percent.The Ward 5 seat became open when Council Member Vincent Orange, who was up for re-election this year, decided to run for mayor instead of a third term.The ward covers much of Northeast Washington, including the critical New York Avenue corridor. Neighborhoods include Brentwood, Fort Lincoln, Eckington, Trinidad and Bloomingdale. The ward’s median household income was $34,000 in 2000.

smccabe@dcexaminer.com Examiner

Candidate Steptoe's Letter to Ward 5 Statehood Green Party Registrants

2006-09-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Ward Five Statehood Green Party Registered Voter:

I write seeking your support and your vote on Tuesday, September 12, 2006, when District of Columbia registered voters will select the nominees of their respective parties to run in the general election in November. This election is a very important election. It will bring in a new mayor, a new chairperson and as many as seven (7) new council members. As voters, we face a choice of more the same failed policies or new, energetic leadership focused on insuring that all of our citizens enjoy the benefits of the economic revitalization of our city.

Perhaps one of the most important issues facing voters in this election is how the city handles economic development. The current uncritical commitment to development has brought baseball for the metropolitan area, but no jobs for our residents; luxury condos, but no affordable housing; new commercial establishments, but no city hospital or recreational facilities or improved schools that offer quality liberal arts and vocational education. In a city where almost forty percent (40%) of the residents read at or below the third grade level, where one in twenty (1 in 20) residents is infected with HIV/AIDS, where crime is out of control and where decent, affordable housing is increasingly out of reach for many of our citizens, we need strong, knowledgeable and committed representatives to address these and other social problems plaguing our city. If elected, I am committed to provide that representation to all the residents of Ward Five.

On Tuesday, September 12, 2006, please cast your vote for Carolyn C. Steptoe, number 1 on the Statehood Green Party ballot so that together we work to ensure that all of our citizens equitably share the benefits of our city's revitalization. I would be honored to receive your support and would consider it a sacred trust as we move forward together to make this a better ward and city for all residents.

Sincerely,

Carolyn C. Steptoe

...About Herself

2006-08-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

“It is not easy being a political maverick. Sometimes you stand alone. There is a lot of heat and pressure when you’re on the front line, particularly when you are defending the needs of the historically underserved in the community. But I am comfortable with that. I feel a very strong sense of duty to give voice to those unable to speak for themselves. It’s something I have done for a long time now.”

Ward 5 and the city at large have critical needs that, for far too long, have gone unmet. Run-away development, the deplorable conditions of our public schools, the current AIDS epidemic striking an estimated 1-in-20 of our residents, homelessness, crime, unemployment and underemployment are but a few of the critical issues current candidates and current politicians seem unable or unwilling to address in any meaningful way. I believe urban development must be undertaken in a manner that is responsive to the needs of the residents of Ward 5 and indeed the city as a whole. If elected, I shall work to ensure that the benefits of development translate into a better quality of life for all Ward 5 residents and not just a privileged few. I am especially committed to ensuring that historically underserved communities and residents share equitably in our city's prosperity, including but not limited to improved police protection. I am also committed to the council doing everything within its authority to ensure that traditional public schools have the funds needed to provide high quality education to all our students.

Much Needs To Be Done And If Elected, Here Are a Few of My Priorities:
· a new full service, primary care 300-bed hospital for underserved and uninsured residents.
· increased funding for the traditional DC public school budget accompanied by performance goals and incentives to improve the quality of education.
· new, state-of-the-art vocational-technical schools provide a skilled workforce able to earn income that permits them to reside comfortably in the District of Columbia.
· require developers to pay ‘impact fees’ which will add immediate revenue to the District budget. Increased revenue means better services to residents.
· quality recreational facilities are needed in neighborhoods to provide diverse activities and quality-of-life services to residents.
· hire and train additional police officers on force to patrol the streets of all our neighborhoods.
· ensure all residents receive fair, equitable and quality services, not just the affluent.

Who Is Carolyn Steptoe?
· Native Washingtonian, Brookland resident since 1998
· Member, DC Statehood Party since 1992
· CEO, Twilight Legal Services, Inc.
· Graduate, DCPS, Frank W. Ballou Sr. High
· Alumna, School of Nursing, Catholic University of America
· Graduate, University of District of Columbia, BA, History
· MBA, MHRM candidate, Dual Masters Program, Keller Graduate School of Management

Community Involvement
· Community Organizer – helped to stop efforts to designate Brookland
neighborhood “historic.” “Historic” has imposed burdens on propertyowners with respect to, among other things, the renovation, repair and maintenance of their properties.
· Community Facilitator – responded to Ward 5 vice principal’s requests to work
to help get a crossing guard assigned to school. Helped facilitate school’s meeting with a local developer.
· Church Bus Driver, Guildfield Missionary Baptist Church.
· Former Tutor, The Maya Angelou Public Charter High School.
· Active, Court Appointed Special Advocate, District of Columbia Superior Court, Volunteers for Abused and Neglected Children.
· Former Mentor, Center for Child Protection and Family Support.
· Former Phone Counselor, Prevent Child Abuse of Metropolitan Washington.
· Former Tutor, Beacon House (Edgewood Terrace)/Project NorthStar.
· Former Sunday School Teacher, Saint Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church.

Moratorium on Charter Schools - Carolyn Steptoe Agrees With Superintendent

2006-08-23T10:53:00.001-07:00

Campaign Release #6

8/15/06

Ward 5 City Council Candidate

Carolyn C. Steptoe and DCPS Superintendent Clifford Janey –

IN SYNC ON ISSUE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS AND MORATORIUM

In today’s Washington Post (8/15/06, Metro Section, B1), Superintendent Clifford B. Janey calls for “a moratorium on new charter schools in the District, saying the independently run publicly funded facilities are draining students and cash from the traditional school system while failing to offer a high quality alternative.”

Carolyn Steptoe agrees with the Superintendent’s stance and so stated publicly at the Monday, July 31 Ward 5 city council candidate forum. The forum was sponsored by ACORN and held at the Trinity Baptist Church in Ivy City.

When the moderator asked candidates what they would do to improve schools, (specifically nearby Webb Elementary), candidate Carolyn Steptoe was the only candidate to respond “I agree with what Superintendent Janey said recently - that the council needs to issue a moratorium on charter schools. Charter schools are not only draining money from the traditional DC public school kitty, but there are no definitive performance assessment data or studies showing student learning at charter schools is superior to the traditional DCPS environment. I can also attest to what I saw as a former volunteer tutor in what is considered the ‘model’ public charter high school in this city. This school receives large amounts of money and grants and it’s a lovely school. However, over a three-year period, my experience in tutoring these students was that the classroom source material, teaching and learning were not superior to the traditional DCPS high school environment. I believe too much of our tax dollars are going into charter schools when this money should remain in our traditional DC public schools. I agree with the Superintendent’s position that the council should issue a moratorium on charter schools.”As council member I would make the moratorium a matter of legislation. I would also seek to serve on the Committee of Education, Libraries and Recreation. This Committee determines the budget for our schools. It also has direct oversight as to how monies are spent. We must have definitive, trackable performance measures that are fairly and uniformly tied to the budget allocation for both the traditional DC public schools and the city’s charter schools.

Paid for by “Elect Steptoe 2006,” Carolyn C. Steptoe, Treasurer

We are pleased to receive your support. To volunteer, please call (202) 210-4141 or email ccsteptoe@cs.com

Financial contributions should be made payable and mailed to: Elect Steptoe 2006, PO Box 29308, Washington, DC 20017

Visit us at: www.electsteptoe2006@blogspot.com

Correlation Between 'Historic' Designation and Urban Development

2006-07-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

CORRELATION BETWEEN 'HISTORIC DESIGNATION' AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Ward 5 Resident Asks Question to City Council Candidate

Carolyn Steptoe

(Email rec' 7/16/06; Response sent 7/17/06)

"Hello Ms. Steptoe,

I have read your statement on development in Ward 5, copied here below. What relationship does your vociferous opposition to making Brookland a historic district have to this current statement? What methods would you
use to implement your aims stated below?

Thank you, "

***********

Hello Ms. ___________:

Thank you for your email. I am pleased to respond to your question.

My continued opposition to historic designation as the primary strategy used for urban revitalization is based on the displacement of residents and disparate city services that routinely occurs. Historically, and with rare exception, studies have shown that cities using historic designation as a key strategy for urban revitalization experience wide-ranging negatives.

In order to abate the potential negative byproduct, I believe it is imperative we have full community involvement and participation. Community participation must occur prior to initiating efforts at neighborhood designation or large-scale revitalization. Currently, very limited and restricted Ward 5 community involvement exists regarding Ward 5 development legislation, initiatives, policy and direction. The "May 2006 Working Draft of the DC Comprehensive Plan" for example, outlines in detail the planned development and direction of our city. As you know, the Comprehensive Plan is outlined neighborhood by neighborhood, ward by ward. It is due to be finalized before the City Council in November.

However, most residents of Ward 5 are unaware of what has been proposed for our neighborhoods. We are unaware what our Ward 5 representatives have slated for our elderly, our schools, and our overall quality of life. Community participation is imperative when rampant development is occurring. My goal then is to ensure, to the best of my ability, full community knowledge and participation of residents as this revitalization occurs. Fair and balanced

services are key to full community participation.

I ask you to please refer to Campaign Release #1 (below). It provides additional perspective on this very important issue.

Thank you again for your question. I look forward to your support.

Kind regards,

Carolyn C. Steptoe
Ward 5 City Council Candidate - DC Statehood/Green Party

* * *

"What separates you from the other candidates? What will be your major focus to improve Ward 5?"

2006-07-15T06:21:00.000-07:00

Campaign Release #4
7/14/06

STATEHOOD/GREEN PARTY WARD 5 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE
CAROLYN C. STEPTOE’S

RESPONSE TO EMAIL QUESTION RECEIVED FROM WARD 5 RESIDENT:

“I live in Ward 5 and would like to know what separates you from the other
candidates? What will be your major focus to improve Ward 5?”

Thank you for your email question. I am happy to answer it. Without having the opportunity to study their platforms, I would be rather presumptuous to attempt at this time to state what separates me from the other sixteen candidates for the Ward 5 council seat. I feel much more comfortable stating that for which I stand. I believe that there are critical needs of Ward 5 and the city at large that have for far too long gone unmet. Run-away development, the deplorable conditions of our public schools, the current aids epidemic striking 1 in 20 of our residents, homelessness, crime, unemployment and underemployment are but a few of the critical issues that the current crop of politicians seems unable or unwilling to address in any meaningful way. Let me just address the development issue briefly because it has profound ripple effects that impact some of the other issues I have enumerated.

I believe that urban development or revitalization must be undertaken in a manner that is responsive to the needs of the residents of Ward 5 and indeed the city as a whole. If elected, I shall work to ensure that the benefits of development touted by politicians, developers and other vested interests translate into a better quality of life for all Ward 5 residents and not just a privileged few. I am especially committed to ensuring that historically underserved communities and residents share equitably in our city's prosperity. Having reviewed numerous think tank and policy studies, I have an appreciation of the negative byproducts of unfettered development. I believe that it is not only possible, but a moral imperative, to foster responsible development that will increase the tax, improve the quality of life in our community, and bring sorely needed jobs without displacing or marginalizing any residents or subjecting them to disparate city services.

Kind regards,

2006-07-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

Campaign Release #3
7/6/06

STATEHOOD/GREEN PARTY WARD 5 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

CAROLYN C. STEPTOE’S

STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY

(For candidates seeking nomination in the September 12, 2006 Primary Election
The Board of Elections and Ethics will be publishing the D.C. Voter Guide.
Statements should not exceed 100 words)

The government has a role in ensuring that all District residents have full and equal access to all of the benefits and services of our city.

We are experiencing unprecedented urban development and consequently must proceed carefully. The continued and growing inequities in city services, particularly historically underserved residents, are obvious byproducts of the current development onslaught. We must be attuned to the long-standing (and previously neglected) needs of our city's residents while simultaneously attempting to revitalize our city. Our goal must be to create fair and balanced strategies for Ward 5 and the city.

Paid for by “Elect Steptoe 2006,” Carolyn C. Steptoe, Treasurer
We are pleased to receive your support. To volunteer, please call (202) 210-4141 or email ccsteptoe@cs.com
Financial contributions should be made payable and mailed to: Elect Steptoe 2006, PO Box 29308, Washington, DC 20017
Visit us at: www.electsteptoe2006@blogspot.com

NCRC's DEVELOPMENT OF MCMILLAN RESERVOIR SAND FILTRATION SITE

2006-07-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Campaign Release #2

7/1/06

STATEHOOD/GREEN PARTY WARD 5 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

CAROLYN C. STEPTOE’S

POSITION ON

* * *

REDEVELOPMENT OF

MCMILLAN RESERVOIR SAND FILTRATION SITE

NATIONAL CAPITAL REVITALIZATION CORPORATION (NCRC)

“The McMillan site is part of a consolation package from D.C. that included $25 million in cash and $24.5 million in assorted city-owned properties around Georgia Avenue, Mount Vernon Triangle and other areas. NCRC had a Nov. 15 deadline to choose among several sites, including the St. Elizabeth's Hospital campus in Southeast, in exchange for NCRC’s prized holdings along the Washington Channel in Southwest. NCRC sent a letter to the mayor stating its selection, and at a Ward 5 meeting Nov. 13, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Eric Price publicly gave the deal a thumbs up. NCRC had been leaning toward McMillan from the beginning because the site held the greatest potential for redevelopment. Private developers share the agency’s assessment.”

- Washington Business Journal, November 19, 2004

“The city agreed in 2004 to swap the McMillan site along with $25 million in cash and $24.5 million in other scattered properties for the NCRC-controlled Southwest waterfront, which it plans to then turn over to the newly created Anacostia Waterfront Corp. Williams and his aides say the nearly 50 acres along the Washington Channel would be best redeveloped by AWC because the organization was established to revitalize the city’s waterfront. But a handful of legal issues has hamstrung the controversial transaction for at least 15 months. Transferring the McMillan site separately will allow NCRC to start work on a massive, mixed-used redevelopment now and not waste more time while the city, NCRC and AWC work to resolve legal problems on the waterfront. NCRC CEO Tony Freeman is expected to provide a general redevelopment framework for the site and provide a timeline for the project to the public March 29. The McMillan site borders Howard University on the east and North Capitol Street on the west. The site has been under the city’s control since the 1980s, but real estate experts and planner say it carries significant historic preservation challenges that will complicate redevelopment.”

- Washington Business Journal, March 27, 2006

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I attended the community meeting held by National Capital Revitalization Corporation (“NCRC”) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at The Catholic University of America (CUA). The purpose of the meeting was to outline NCRC’s plan for mixed-up redevelopment of the McMillan Filtration site. The McMillan site is bordered by neighborhoods such as Petworth, LeDroit Park, Bloomingdale and Brookland, hospitals (Children’s Hospital, Howard University Hospital, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington Hospital Center), churches, universities and the Armed Forces Retirement Home.

Based on statements by NCRC at the June 28 meeting and my own research, I do not support NCRC’s plan for mixed-use development of the McMillan site. My position is as follows:

What and Why Mixed-Use? Mixed-use development is a popular urban development concept. It focuses on creating “neighborhoods that combine compatible residential, commercial and recreational uses where residents and visitors mingle in a lively 24/7 environment, walking from offices to restaurants to shops.” Mixed-use development is usually however, associated with downtown or commercially zoned areas. The McMillan site is bordered by residential neighborhoods. The challenges then of mixed-use development of the McMillan site to Ward 5 (both pre-and post-development) run the gamut.

Foremost among these challenges is the environmental status of the McMillan site. Inasmuch as the site was used as a filtration facility for water purification, we should be certain that it does not contain any environmental contaminants. Is the soil on the McMillan site free of potentially harmful contaminants? Are there underground, corroded pipes on the site? Are there large concentrations of lead in soil? If unearthed, will toxic contaminants in the soil become potentially harmful pollutants? The community needs environmental assessments of the site prior to any development.

Additional challenges to Ward 5 associated with mixed-use development of the McMillan site include: (a) increased vehicular traffic along Michigan Avenue, North Capital and intersecting cross streets(and parking demands); (b) increased noise and air pollution; (c) increased population density and its adverse effect on the quality of life; and (d) increased demands on the city’s water and sewer services. The increased traffic, noise and pollution are of particular concern given the proximity of several major hospitals to the McMillan site.

Candidate Steptoe’s Recommendation: I recommend that NCRC redevelop the McMillan site in a manner that sensitively addresses the needs of Ward 5 residents.

Foremost among the needs of Ward 5 and, in particular, the area surrounding the McMillan site is a safe, open green space accessible to all residents. A tranquil green, open environment enhances the quality of life as well as overall physical and mental health. Currently, in Ward 5 specifically, there is limited and restricted availability to open spaces. Most Ward 5 recreation facilities are neither spacious, green nor relaxing. Therefore, I recommend that a substantial portion of the McMillan site, it not all of it, be maintained as a park, with bike and walking paths. Any development should be limited to low-density, low-to-moderate income housing.
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Paid for by “Elect Steptoe 2006,” Carolyn C. Steptoe, Treasurer. We are pleased to receive your support. To volunteer, please call (202) 210-4141 or email ccsteptoe@cs.com Financial contributions should be made payable and mailed to: "Elect Steptoe 2006," PO Box 29308, Washington, DC 20017. Visit us at: www.electsteptoe2006@blogspot.com

Questions From Statehood/Green Ward 5 Committee

2006-06-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

Campaign Release #1

STATEHOOD/GREEN PARTY WARD 5 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

CAROLYN C. STEPTOE’S RESPONSE TO

Statehood/Green Party Ward 5 Committee

“Statehood/Green Party Ward 5 Committee Members Want To Know About Ms. Steptoe”

1. What is her political philosophy? My political philosophy is wide-ranging and issue oriented. I have been a registered member of the Statehood Party for over ten years and prior to that I was a registered Independent. I believe that government has a role in ensuring that all District residents have full and equal access to all of the benefits and services of our city.

2. How long has she been a Brookland resident? I have resided in Brookland since 1998 and I am a native Washingtonian.

3. What are her criteria for desirable development in Brookland? As a council candidate, I think my focus on development must extend beyond Brookland and include all of the Ward 5 neighborhoods and indeed the entire city. I believe it is imperative that we look thoughtfully at the impact of development on city residents. (This is not just a DC issue, urban development is a national issue.) First, as city council candidate, I believe it is incumbent upon the council to understand the destructive displacement that can and does result from unbridled development. Gentrification and historic designation are issues that have gained considerable prominence recently in Ward 5. All too often, such issues are considered synonymous with urban development, resulting in further class and race stratification. This has been demonstrated in innumerable think tank and policy studies. Our elected officials must be mindful and careful about how they proceed with urban revitalization and be cognizant of the potential byproducts of such revitalizations. The continued and growing inequities in the provision of city services to our residents, and in particular the historically underserved residents, are obvious byproducts of the current development onslaught. We see this in the disparities with respect to our schools, healthcare for underinsured and uninsured (particularly critical in a city where HIV infection is at epidemic proportions), police protection, services to the elderly and mentally challenged communities, recreation facilities and green spaces.

4. How would she describe class relations in Ward 5 (and in D.C.)? Certainly we cannot ignore the undergirdings of race and class tensions exacerbated by the city's revitalization. The issues of race and class must be addressed openly by our elected officials. Focusing on such issues was strongly encouraged by various studies in other cities confronting revitalization. However, with or without rapid urban revitalization, our city’s race and class relations are no different than what exist in most American cities. To gauge relations is to first address the caliber of city services provided a neighborhood (or community). Based on class and racial construct, we would compare city services against neighboring counterparts and interpret the findings. However, I believe there is enough data currently on file to indicate the findings would be stark.

As City Council candidate, I believe, both with respect to Ward 5 and the city at large, we must be attuned and responsive to the long-standing (and previously neglected) needs our city's residents while simultaneously attempting to revitalize our city. The goal will be to create a fair, equitable, and balanced strategy for Ward 5 and the city. In that connection, in both commercial and residential areas, a hallmark of desirable development will be the extent to which existing businesses and residents will be assured continued viable places in the community. Desirable development cannot be a means by which existing businesses and residents are displaced. In commercial development the emphasis should be on businesses that will employ local residents and increase the number of times the dollars of residents are recycled in the community. In residential development, the goal should be, to the extent possible, increasing home ownership among existing residents and ensuring that existing residents are not forced out of the community. A thoughtful and people-centered development can improve the tax base and city services without displacing existing residents.

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I am going door to door to introduce myself to Ward 5 Statehood registrants and voters. I am happy to address the Assembly and others.

Thank you for your support.

Regards,

Carolyn C. Steptoe

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Informal Questions Posed During Statehood/Green Party Ward 5 Committee

6/24/06 Meeting – Woodridge Library

Questions received on 6/24/06 from Ward 5 Committee Statehood/Green Party, Chair, Debony Heart

(Answers submitted by Candidate Steptoe 6/25/06)