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GLAA opposes increased ANC authority
DC Councilmember
One Judiciary Square
Washington, DC
Dear Councilmember:
Please oppose Bill 13-468, the “Comprehensive Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Reform Amendment Act of 2000.”
The bill would redefine politics in the District, giving far too much weight to the “Not In My Backyard” forces which will undermine citywide efforts and planning. The bill would undermine the Council’s and Mayor’s efforts to craft comprehensive plans for the city.
The bill gives too much weight to the ANCs, changing them from advisory groups into decision-making bodies, with little accountability or discussion of this significant change. The Committee on Local and Regional Affairs report states that “government entities will be able to more thoroughly consider ANC recommendations” through this bill. In fact, these will not be ANC recommendations but rather ANC rulings – particularly given the fact that a 2/3 majority of city commissions will be needed to override most ANC “recommendations.” This raises serious legal questions concerning jurisdictional issues and separation of powers.
The Committee report also states that ANC Commissioners "ostensibly best know the needs and wishes of their communities." While this may be true in theory, it is blatantly untrue in actual fact and practice. It is clear that they do not know of, and in a lot of cases do not care about, citywide planning and initiatives. While most ANCs operate in good faith to represent their neighborhoods, other ANCs also have a long habit of not voting to follow the wishes of their constituents. As an example at a recent ANC-2B meeting the audience was more than 90% in favor of a business expansion and the ANC voted to oppose the expansion.
The change of the 37 ANCs from advisory bodies to decision-making bodies will fragment the city and prevent the Council from enacting citywide plans with which even one ANC disagrees.
We do not need to create an additional layer of micromanagement and further fragment our city’s governmental operations.
I urge you to oppose this bill.
Sincerely,
Bob Summersgill
President
Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC
