Monday, October 17, 2016

My Endorsement for ANC 5D03: Adam Roberts

AdamR_-_Copy

The job of an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner is not an easy one. Commissioners represent approximately 2,000 residents. They work with others elected to their commission (and citizens committees in some ANCs) to offer advisory opinions on a range of issues (including "zoning, streets, recreation, education, social services, sanitation, planning, safety, budget, and health services") when a District or Federal agency seeks to take any action that will "significantly affect a neighborhood." When a developer or neighbor needs a special exception or a variance, they will seek a letter of support they can present at their BZA hearing. When a store, restaurant, or tavern, seeks to sell alcohol the ANC can offer its opinion to ABRA, and even protest the license until the two sides can reach a Settlement Agreement.

Since taking office in January of 2015, ANC 5D Commissioner Adam Roberts has worked tirelessly advocating for the residents of Single Member District 5D03. He’s held public meetings, testified at hearings, picked up trash, shoveled snow, done research, written letters, drafted Settlement Agreements that lay out the rules for alcoholic beverage license-holders, launched a website for the commission, and much more. Roberts has showed up when and where he’s needed to support his constituents, and do the best he can to make sure local government works as intended for those who live and work in his district.



Easy Map

 Roberts' SMD includes much of the east side of Bladensburg Road, as well as a sizable chunk of Carver-Langston

In January of this year, Roberts’ colleagues elected him to act as their Chairperson. He has tackled the challenge with gusto, taking steps to bring greater transparency to commission affairs and attempting to treat all commissioners fairly and with respect.

ANC 5D has had more than its share of problems over the years, and I say that as someone who held a seat on the commission back when it was still ANC 5B (prior to redistricting). In 2012 a former chair pled guilty to using his position to steal nearly $30,000 (pretty much the entire account) from the commission for personal purposes. Further, ANC 5D has a long-standing reputation for infighting, an  unfortunate situation for which I believe much of the blame rests with one particularly cantankerous commissioner. These are all significant challenges that any seated commissioner must confront on top of addressing his or her normal duties.

It is vitally important that we elect strong representatives who can work well with their colleagues, connect meaningfully with their constituents to understand local issues, and spend the time it takes to attend hearings and learn about the projects and concerns that come before the commission. We need commissioners who can conduct themselves diplomatically, diligently, and with integrity.

I believe Adam Roberts has done an outstanding job as both commissioner and chair during his first term, and I strongly urge all residents of ANC 5D03 to cast your vote for him on Nov. 8. I've seen very promising change on the commission over the past 20 months, and I look forward to more progress with the involvement of Mr. Roberts.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Roberts has been awesome. Very dedicated to the community.

I ain't voting for President, but I am voting for the ANC 5D seat. :D

Anonymous said...

Excellent and positive endorsement. I still can't believe that Kathy Henderson is supporting his opponent, that got disbarred for cheating his clients. Do you think she knows? Maybe she got snookered by his charm?

Anonymous said...

Commission Roberts brought greater transparency that seems to disturb Commission Henderson greatly. Improvements are slow but the Commission is getting there. I hope 5D03 voters show up at polls and vote for someone that has brought support and information to the neighborhood and not the disbarred lawyer that is running against him.

Anonymous said...

Integrity, dignity, perserveance and humility are his qualities and standard operating procedure(sop). Your vote is most important to continue the progress in our neighborhood. Vote for ADAM ROBERTS!

Trinidadian said...

Big fan of Commissioner Roberts and all he has done for the community. Although I am not in his SMD, he has my support and I hope he gets re-elected.

Anonymous said...

Isn't this an example of white privilege. Why cant we support black candidates?

Anonymous said...

Huh?
This seems to be an issue of supporting a candidate that has made tangible improvements within ANC 5D, compared to a guy that ripped off so many of his black clients to the point of being disbarred. Those clients were not big ole white banks. Ask him who they were. Do you have any idea of how crooked you have to be to get disbarred? And the fraud continues, you can not deduct campaign contributions from your taxes, as his web site claims.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, this attorney’s “practice was primarily representing incarcerated individuals seeking post-conviction relief.” (reference:http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2011/04/disbarred-attorney-expected-to-cost-dc-bar-more-than-500k-in-claims.html) and he was debarred by DC (reference: http://dc.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20091105_0000258.DC.htm/qx).

He preyed on prisoners, as a quick google search turns up in a number of reported cases. Here's one example: http://iippi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11671.

And this is who you want to represent you based on the color of his skin? He was deemed a substantial threat of serious harm to the public. That's white privilege? Wow.

Interim Suspensions Taken by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals
IN RE JAMES Q. BUTLER. Bar No. 490014. July 8, 2009. The D.C. Court of Appeals suspended Butler on an interim basis, effective immediately, based on the grounds that he appears to pose a substantial threat of serious harm to the public. (reference: http://www.dcbar.org/bar-resources/publications/washington-lawyer/articles/october-2009-bar-counsel.cfm

Anonymous said...

Crime is what white people have always decided it is applied disproportionately to people of color. Marion Barry, OJ ....rather have our people free and running things or continue to be ruled by those who use their laws to kill and imprison. Dont want your flag or your laws or your politicians.

Anonymous said...

When DC becomes a State, Adam Roberts should be our First Governor.

Anonymous said...

Neither for or against, but how would dc become a state if the Federal District is created by the Constitution ? I have lived in states and DC becoming a state would not do much of anything to improve the lives of residents.

Anonymous said...

Basically, if DC becomes a state we would get two Senators and a Representative in the US Congress. We would have to build a Governor's Mansion and a State congress building. The ANC members would each be a State Representative and the ANC chairpersons would become our State Senators until we have an opportunity to establish free and fair elections to replace them. We would also likely get a good state college football team going (any thoughts on a mascot?). There would be a lot of new jobs created as each of the state reps and senators would have to staff up and continuously raise money for reelection. Also, the State of District of Columbia would be able to once again recognize Georgetown, DC as an independent municipality within the state. We would be able to get funding to build highways that connect our municipalities within our state from federal highway money. We would have to change the slogan on the licence plate to indicate we are now receiving taxation with representation. As a state, we would have the same 2nd amendment rights and responsibilities as the other states. Some people will find it necessary to have their District of Columbia tattoos modified to reflect these changes to reflect our current statehood status after we make the transition.

Anonymous said...

Several links to James Q. Butler's disbarment history are available from dcbar.org below.

http://www.dcbar.org/membership/discipline-results.cfm?barNumber=%26%2CKI%2D%2B%5CO%28%0A

Anonymous said...

Nope.Nope. Nope. I don"t want James Q. Butler elected.


In the Matter of: JAMES Q. BUTLER, RESPONDENT.

... Beginning in 2007, Bar Counsel began to receive complaints from Respondent’s clients, relatives of clients, and friends of clients all of whom had tried unsuccessfully to obtain information from Respondent about the status of client matters. (Petition at 1.) The majority of the complaints involved incarcerated clients who paid Respondent to assist them in their efforts to appeal their criminal convictions. (Id.) The complainants alleged a lack of communication, neglect, intentional failure to pursue their lawful interests, failure to return unearned fees, failure to return files, dishonest advertising,dishonest statements, ...

Anonymous said...

As noted in the previous comment, please read all about James Butler and become informed. Honesty, integrity and transparency are the desired qualities that we must expect from our ANC commissioners.

Anonymous said...

I posted links to James Butler being disbarred the other day but they disappeared. Hope these stay up. Important info.

inked said...

6:32,
They got caught in the spam filter. Should be back up now.

Anonymous said...

For the whole truth re James Q Butler, check out debar.org. Patterns of actions and behaviors do not change easily. Neighbors, carefully consider your vote for this commissioner seat.

Anonymous said...

Sorry the address is dcbar.org

Anonymous said...

Dont care if he kills puppies still wont vote for the white guy

Anonymous said...

I haven't witnessed Roberts do anything noteworthy, or even seen him in the community for that matter. I wasn't a big fan of Henderson either but at least she had a presents in the community. In my opinion, this is just another title he can add to his resume. No offense, but I feel like his motives are not sincere. I just get a very egoistic vibe from him and most of the time his boyfriend is the one doing all the talking for him. So are we voting for Roberts or his boyfriend? I would like to see Roberts get out there more and interact with people who he is asking to vote for him. If he cant' do that, then I can't support him.

inked said...

11:39,

I'm surprised by this comment. Roberts has a pretty long list of accomplishments as a commissioner, and I know that he regularly hosts clean-ups and other events. Knowing the time and effort he puts into his commissioner work, I can assure you it is definitely not a resume thing for him. Henderson is certainly higher profile, but that's because she's highly vocal and puts a great deal of effort into self-promotion. Have you tried reaching out to him personally? I'd encourage you to do so. Here's his email address: 5D03[at]anc.dc.gov

inked said...

11:39,

I assume you, and anyone else reading this, also realizes that (just to be clear in case someone reads this thread and is confused) Roberts is not running against Henderson. They represent different Single Member Districts. The Commission chair is elected by the other commissioners, and not by the voters at general elections.