Image uploaded by Sarah Oh on Flickr
While I was not able to attend Wednesday night’s Ward 6 City Council Candidate’s Forum, one of the organizing groups — Defeat Poverty DC — put together the following summary and posted clips from the evening on their YouTube channel. If you’re one of the unlucky ones still at the office today (then again, that might be better than sitting in beach traffic), click through to listen to the questions and answers. This last forum also included Jim DeMartino, the Republican candidate, In addition to Tommy Wells and Kelvin Robinson.
The following summary was provided by Defeat Poverty DC:
On Wednesday night, the candidates running in the Ward 6 council member race, which include current Democratic Council Member Tommy Wells, Democratic candidate Kelvin Robinson, and Republican candidate Jim DeMartino, sat before a respectable turnout of Ward 6 residents at the Christ Our Shepherd Church, located next to Eastern Market. The forum differed from many others both in tone and in format which made for a very enjoyable and productive experience. Even with all three of the candidates having noticeably different platforms and priorities, they maintained a jovial and accessible environment, where issues – not personalities – prevailed, and ambiguous answers were not deemed acceptable.
Mark Segraves, news reporter from WTOP, ran a tight ship and was not shy about pressing the candidates on hot topic issues, such as the legalization and production of medical marijuana in Ward 6, whether gay marriage should be included in the definition of marriage, and the possibility of raising the income tax on high-income residents. During the opening statements, Tommy Wells focused on his achievements over the past few years as the active council member, highlighting his role in attracting businesses to Ward 6 in areas such as Barracks Row and reiterating his commitment in developing a “livable, walk able city.” Kelvin Robinson, after making a commitment to be a full-time council member if elected (as opposed to continuing to take outside work), said he work on reducing juvenile crime and improving education. The lone Republican, Jim DeMartino, while not making a commitment to being a full-time council member, shared his plans to increase economic activity and bring more jobs to Ward 6.
Several of the questions asked focused on poverty specific issues such as affordable housing, income tax, and jobs training. Here are what the candidates had to say on those issues:
Council Member Wells
On affordable housing Recently passed the inclusionary zoning law, where 30% of new housing must be affordable housing. Providing affordable housing is our duty and moral obligation
On raising the income tax for high income earners Taxes should be raised for those making over $250,000.
On unemployment and jobs training Creating a livable, walk able city is critical in generating business and creating jobs
Jim DeMartino
On affordable housing Provide affordable housing to families who need it with the ultimate goal of increasing salaries by training people and ensuring that jobs are there to pay so residents can afford housing at the market value. We can’t keep the bar at affordable housing.
On raising the income tax for high income earners Taxes should not be increased, as taxing the rich limits investment and job creation
On unemployment and jobs training Education is the first priority and creating jobs is second. Job creation can be achieved by bringing manufacturing jobs to Ward 6. We just need ideas and leadership to make these jobs happen.
Kelvin Robinson
On affordable housing There needs to be more transitional housing, especially for families who are homeless.
On raising the income tax for high income earners Taxes should be raised for those who have the greatest means. Taxes should be raised for those making over $250,000 per year.
On unemployment and jobs training We need career readiness so that we have a work force that is prepared and ready to go
Overall, the Ward 6 forum proved that candidates can get along, relevant issues can be discussed, and residents can express concerns and ask questions to their soon-to-be elected official. Now, if only we could get the mayoral candidates to follow suit…
Wow. Tommy Wells is getting really ugly with his white mike brown tweets. I’m reconsidering not only my vote for Wells, but Mendelson too.
Wells should also be held accountable for the $10 million that was funneled through his oversight to Peaceoholics! What a bunch of ridiculous waste of tax payer dollars!!!