14 Oct 2010

Meet the Candidates: Jennifer Zatkowski ANC 6C05

We have offered to post brief statements from all of the ANC candidates running for seats on Capitol Hill and the surrounding neighborhoods that we cover here on The Hill is Home.  These statements are not endorsements and have been posted exactly as submitted by the candidates.

Jennifer Zatkowski ANC 6C05

My name is Jennifer Zatkowski and I am running for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for ANC 6C05.  I have lived on the Hill for 13 years and owned my home on 3rd St NE for 11 years.  I also own Pawticulars on 8th St SE – we have been open for 7 years.  I have witnessed tremendous progress on the Hill and would like to see that momentum continue.  As a home owner, small business owner and mother with 3 kids in DC public schools, I am committed to the Hill.  I will work hard for continued progress and development for the residents of our ANC District.

I believe the role of Commissioner is to serve the residents.  First and foremost, every resident of our SMD should know who their Commissioner is and how to reach him or her.  When residents have issues and concerns, they should know who to turn to and know that their concerns will be responded to and addressed.

I have been proactive in responding to my neighbors’ concerns and have worked hard with DC Government agencies to resolve those concerns.  For example, I worked with DDOT to have a mirror installed in the blind alley between 2nd & 3rd st NE to make the turn and alley safer.  I am currently working with DDOT to have the 600 block of 3rd st NE rezoned to deter commuter parking.  I am working with DCPS on the reopening of Logan School to minimize negative impact on our neighborhood.

I pledge to work hard on your behalf to improve our SMD.  I will work to increase police presence, keep Union Station commuters from using residential parking spaces, clean and maintain our alleyways, work with small business owners to stimulate consumer spending in our neighborhood.  Most importantly, I pledge to be responsive to the concerns of every resident in our SMD.

I love the Hill and love living here, raising my children here and running my business here.  I ask for your vote on November 2 .

Thank you and please email with questions at jenzatkowski@gmail.com.  Check out my Facebook page at Jennifer Zatkowski for ANC Commissioner 6C05.

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8 responses to “Meet the Candidates: Jennifer Zatkowski ANC 6C05”

  1. Trulee Pist says:

    Hurray for Pawticulars. And thanks for running for ANC-6C, and for the great efforts you make on behalf of your neighbors.

    I think I heard news on Logan School. Isn’t Capitol Hill Cluster School Montessori is moving into Logan? Judging from the beautiful gardens at Watkins ES, Montessori’s current home, Montessori is a good neighbor.

  2. Anonymous says:

    SMD 6C05 covers all of H Street west of 8th St to the Hopscotch Bridge. It would be terrific to have a successful small business owner as commissioner to help with development issues. We really need someone who will partner with ANC6a.
    Good luck!

  3. neighbor says:

    I lived in this neighborhood for 5 years. I attend ANC meetings and PSA 102 meetings. I never heard of her. What is she offering? I know what Tony has done. I witnessed him stand up to the guys who wanted to open Thug businesses on H street. Where was she ? If she believe in this neighborhood so much why didn’t she open her business on H Street? I really want her to respond on here.
    Tell us what you have done and calling the Mayors hotline doesn’t count….

    The following is from an email that Tony sent out:

    Studio 400
    I lead the effort in shutting down this illegal business. I held special community meetings that involved officials from the Mayor’s Office, Councilman Wells Office, MPD, the Media and various District agencies.

    H Street Lounge
    I lead the effort in preventing this business from opening a club under the guise of a restaurant. Through several special meetings and a lengthy ABRA arbitration process the owner succumb to the pressure and failed to open.

    Cleaner Neighborhoods
    I collaborated with NOMO, H Street Clean & Safe and Capitol Hill Clean Street program to ensure cleaner streets. In addition, I requested through DPW for regular street cleaning.

    Safer Neighborhoods
    Through close coordination and my own law enforcement background, I have been able to construct strong working relationships with MPD, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Law Enforcement Agencies and Superior Court Judges. I participated in MPD ride-alongs and spent many late night hours walking the neighborhood identifying and reporting on trouble spots throughout our community. I’ve been at the forefront in fighting prostitution, home burglaries and robberies and car thefts. As a result, MPD added full stride patrol beats and has provided a significantly increased MPD presence.

    Safer Alleys
    Throughout the years I have worked with the Mayor’s Core Team, Councilman Wells Office, MPD, DPW, NOMA and DDOT all in an effort to make our alleys cleaner and safer. We had lights installed, trees trimmed, alleys paved, rubbish and abandon vehicles removed.

    Community Impact Statements
    I have submitted Community Impact Statements on three separate occasions on behalf of the community. Submitting Community Impact Statements are an exercise in community empowerment.

    H Street Corridor
    I was selected and approved as an executive board member of the H Street Main Street program. This is a D.C. government funded organization. In this capacity I work closely multiple agencies and organization for recruitment and retention of good businesses to the corridor. I am doing my part to help maintain the integrity of corridor and forging ahead with redevelopment.

    Business Improvement
    I’ve partnered with the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) to bring good viable businesses to our community. A step further in creating the vision of an H Street that we all long to see; a renewed and energized community.

    Collaboration with D.C. Superior Court System
    I participate in a series of meetings with Chief Judge Satterfield and Judges from the Superior Court’s Criminal Division, Family Court and Domestic Violence Unit in order to discuss the Court’s role and it’s responsibility to the community.

    Environment
    I have a strong commitment to a green and clean environment. Two years ago I partnered with the Urban Forestry Administration (UFA). In the past two years there have been more trees planted, trees trimmed and dead trees removed in our neighborhoods than at any time previously.

  4. Also a Neighbor says:

    Wow. Just wow. Is that the best a friend of Tony’s can do?
    Trash an opponent. Cut and paste stuff from Tony when he has an opportunity to post his own campaign stuff on this blog?

    Exactly what “good viable businesses” has he actually recruited, brought, or retained for H Street? The only possible one might be Tru Orleans, owned by the same people who own the Stadium strip club in Ward 5.

  5. Jennifer Zatkowski says:

    Hello-
    Thanks so much for the support- it’s been exciting to meet new neighbors. I would like to responsd to “Neighbor”‘s post on 10/22, as requested. I can eloborate on one issue to illustrate my involvement in the SMD. In conjunction with Tommy Wells’ office, I submitted to DDOT a petition to rezone the 600 block of 3rd st NE (my block) to deter commuter parking. That application is still pending. But MY block is not the only block that suffers from commuters taking up precious residential spaces every day- virtually every block in our SMD suffers. As Commissioner, I would be able to submit a request to have the entire SMD re-zoned to deter commuter parking. But as a private citizen, I would have to submit a petition with signatures from each and every block to DDOT.
    A request was sent from Wells’ office to the current Commissioner for a letter in support of our application to DDOT, which is typical. That request was never acknowledged and never responded to.
    With respect to the location of my own business, I opened over 7 years ago. At that time, there was another pet store on H street, Pet Dreams. There was no pet store on Barracks Row, so I located on 8th st.
    I pledge to respond to our residents and actively address the issues and concerns specific to our neighborhood. I ask for your vote on November 2nd and hope to be able to actively represent our residents.
    Thank You,
    Jennifer Zatkowski

  6. Jennifer Zatkowski says:

    I attended last night’s community meeting with the owners of Tru Orleans, to be located at the corner of 4th & H st NE. At the meeting, several people expressed serious concerns regarding where patrons and employees would park. Our residential parking is scarce and precious and I understand these concerns.

    Tru Orleans stated they would encourage their employees to bike or take public transportation, would look into valet parking and would be monitoring the parking situation when they open. Tru Orleans offered to include these items in the Community Agreement.

    However, there is a solution that could mitigate some parking concerns that could be initiated by the ANC Commissioner. DDOT could be petitioned to conduct a transportation study and re-zone one side of the streets surrounding Tru Orleans. That way, one side of the street would be ONLY for Zone 6 sticker holders. In addition, the hours of parking enforcement may be extended until 10:30pm, including Saturdays. This would preserve at least some parking for residents.

    Our ANC shouldn’t rely solely on developers to address our neighborhood concerns. Rather, we need a Commissioner willing to offer solutions from within the ANC. If elected, I pledge to search for those solutions to maintain and improve our quality of life.

    I ask for your vote on November 2. Thank You.

    Jennifer Zatkowski

  7. Sandra says:

    Hi Jennifer,

    I’m interested in what concerns our 6C05 neighbors have with the reopening of the Logan school and whether there are ideas out there on how to make sure it is a positive experience for all.

    I certainly agree with TP that Montessorians make good neighbors. You’ll soon start seeing a difference in the gardens and green space at Logan…

    Would love to hear how you are working w/ DCPS on the impact and would love to hear your ideas.

    Please share.

    Thanks!

  8. Jennifer Zatkowski says:

    Hi Sandra –
    Thanks for your post! I am really excited the Montesorri program is relocating to Logan and I do believe they will be great neighbors. I have spoken with DCPS about two types of issues – one, issues they need to be aware of in our specific neighborhood and two, questions with how they are going to address being a good neighbor.
    On the first front, DCPS needed to know that the playground after dark is a very different place than during the day. Most recently, there was a very disturbed man living next to the trailer at the back of the playground. There is often evidence of drug and prostitute activity on the playground and down the staircase where the green fence isn’t locked. There is broken glass and a lot of trash. I have spoken with the facilities engineer on a few occasions, Mr. Chance, and we have tried to clean up the trash, lock the gate to the stairs and “evict” those sleeping on the playground and front stairs of Logan. There also needs to be better lighting to discourage these activities.
    I want to make sure, thought, that DCPS doesn’t just erect a large fence, keeping the neighborhood kids out.
    With respect to the second front, there will need to be additional dumpsters for trash. The trash generated now is basically office trash. But next fall, there will be a lot of food waste, which may attract rats, roaches, etc. I would like to see the dumpsters located away from residential areas. In addition, most of these kids will be dropped off & picked up by car. I want to make sure there’s a comprehensive plan for this, since G street is one way and all of the streets surrounding Logan are narrow – which would make double parking quite a problem.
    That’s just a broad stroke of the issues I am addressing with DCPS. I want Logan to remain a great play area for our neighborhood children, while welcoming our new students with open arms. I hope that answers some of your questions.
    Thanks so much!
    Jennifer

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