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PLEDGES
Revitalization &
Development
- No More Condos! Condos
sit empty, former public housing sits empty... why? Isn't it time to take
a breather and assess the impact of recent unbridled condoization of the District?
We must call a *Moratorium on Condos* until impartial impact surveys
are completed by and for District residents with the help of our Advisory
Neighborhood Commissions.
- Within 2 years of my
election, the District will have 100,000 really affordable housing units.
Why not? We certainly have the resources and connections as the Nation's capital
to do this. This expedited plan will help long-time District families stay
here. If you are the working poor or a homeless family you will have a housing
choice. By then this city will also be in a serious jobs upswing. No more
development with massive displacement. My competitors want half of this
done in 10 years. That's too little, too late.
- All neighborhood libraries
that have been closed must reopen immediately after appropriate repair. These
important knowledge centers of our neighborhoods have been needlessly shuttered
since December 2004 (Benning, Anacostia, Shaw, Tenley), why? Not anymore.
Rally at Anacostia Library, August 31.
- If elected, the City
will challenge the use of emminent domain in the case of the Baseball Stadium
boondoggle. We can win this fight and bring the Nationals to where they
belong, RFK Stadium.
Education
- End Bifurcation of
the School Board. We must have a completely elected School Board to keep
them all accountable to the public.
- Charter schools tend
to siphon dollars from DC Public Schools into private hands. Accountability
is at question. There must be a *Moratorium on Charter Schools* until
proper assessments are completed about the efficacy of all District schools.
- Within 2 years, all traditional
public schools will be repaired and a real maintenance plan will be chosen
by the principals, teachers and parents with the consultation of mayoral appointees
at the State (Colony) Education Agency. My competitors want to wait 10
years to do this.
Crime
- If I am elected, you
will have the option to check out a 24-hour recreation centers which
are staffed with trained professionals who are teaching the next generation
of District professionals. Staff will be able to work with guests of all generations
and nutritious food will be available and so will access to computers and
the WorldWideWeb. We need to support our children in positive ways not by
arresting them.
- All ANC Commissioners
and the public will have the chance to attend regular 'Know you rights' training
classes and meetings with MPD officers and superiors. We must call a *Revokation
of Cameras* as these so-called security cameras seem to be insecure shenanigans.
Cameras have never proven to help reduce crime.
- The Office of Citizen
Complaint Review will truly become a citizen based accountability organ consisting
of City residents with diverse backgrounds. We must see the officers and their
superiors see some consequences for illegal arrests and continual harassment
complaints.
- Crime is a symptom of
lack of political will and inclination. If the libraries, schools, government
agencies, recreational centers, parks, and other important working class issues
were truly set as a priority we'd see crime drop immediately.
Jobs
- It has been demonstrated
that small businesses are the main economic engines of a city. We can help
promote positive small businesses in the District through tax relief
and grants and focus help on minority small business entrepreneurs. Also,
we must have strong 'Big-Box Accountability' legislation, requiring the District's
multinational big box stores fulfill certain working requirements such as
a living wage, sick days, and health benefits.
- We are campaigning around
the Library Innovation & Transformation plan (LIT) whereby
each aspect of transforming our libraries, which have been neglected for way
to long, offers a learn-and-serve opportunity for our next generation of DC
workers. This means people can become apprentices serving the community by
helping repair our libraries and schools while they learn a very marketable
skill alongside District trade specialists like carpenters, plumbers, masons,
electricians, carpenters, information technologists, and others.
- Let's save the environment
and create jobs doing so. By implementing a strong citywide recycling
program we can create hundreds of good paying blue-collar positions. By procuring
a fleet of next generation alternative fuel vehicles, thousands of jobs will
be created. Next generation engineers, drivers, mechanics, suppliers can be
trained and marketable right here in the District.
- DC's vocational schools
for adults and young people will be rebuilt within 2 years of my election.
And, all residents will be invited to attend free literacy and technology
classes at our libraries. And Information Technologist apprenticeships will
be made available as we repair the libraries and install comprehensive computer
labs, see the LIT plan above.
* Media
>> Click here for Otten Headshots
Otten
for Mayor 2006
The 'Undoing the Damage' Campaign
Feel free
to contact the Otten06 office at:
202-234-7075 || mayorchrisdc@fastmail.fm
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