Announcement-
Let's party at my official meet and greet!
Join me at Senate Square, 201 I St. (Eye St.) NE on Tuesday May 6th from 6-8 p.m. (look for the fountain and balloons out front) for complimentary hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and cocktail. Come meet me, enjoy my cocktail "Rachael on the Rocks", listen to music, eat, drink and be merry! Take a tour of the building and meet new neighbors. Beer, wine and cocktail from H Street Martini Lounge. So come on out because you deserve to have a good time for FREE. Yes...this is a totally free community event!
If you can't come to my official meet and greet, you can also drop by and see me at Sidamo this Saturday May 3rd anytime from 1-2 p.m. I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas about the neighborhood.
Please visit my web site
See you there!
Rachael Hall
www.VoteRachaelHallDC.org
21 comments:
What will she do to get a grocery store at 3rd and H?
To expand on Anon 12:05's point--
I think the most important thing for our new ANC rep is attracting, and keeping, new businesses to our area. We've had so many stores/bars/etc. open on the West End lately, and we need to keep the momentum going. I haven't really heard either candidate express concrete ideas on this point.
If someone had those skills, and the desire to take it to that level so be it, but generally I'd have to say that attracting businesses is a bit outside the scope of a Commissioner's duties. Although the petition that Alan Kimber circulated is an example of something anyone could do.
I disagree that assisting with economic development is not part of the ANC Commissioner's job.
In fact, the DC website states:
"The Advisory Neighborhood Commissions consider a wide range of policies and programs affecting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and the District's annual budget."
Economic development in our little sleepy hollow of west H St. means bringing more business here and I'm voting for the candidate that makes it a priority.
I think the problem is more that ANC Commissioners don't really have any tools to actively bring businesses to the neighborhood. They can't provide financial incentives, though we can help the efforts to publicize the growth and potential of the neighborhood--like the petition Inked mentioned. They also can work with Office of Planning and the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development to work to get support for H Street.
End of the day, though, on the grocery at 3rd & H Street NE (and in many possible sites for businesses), it is the developer who controls the property, and the District that is in a position to offer real incentives to locate there.
One good piece of news/rumor I heard recently is that the H Street Coop group is discussing the possibility of taking up to 20-25,000 square feet (roughly half of what was originally allocated for the proposed Harris Teeter.
Best,
Alan Kimber
Meant to say the coop is at least considering trying to get 20-25,000 square feet in the 3rd & H Street project, which would provide a smaller, more intimate alternative to corporate chains.
Alan
Yes, but you missed the paragraph under that one that sort clarifies that the above paragraph refers to each of those things as they pertain to dealings with government agencies. I'm saying direct recruitment of businesses is outside the scope of a commissioner's duties. You would need training, money, and some serious time to attract businesses.
The ANCs present their positions and recommendations on issues to various District government agencies, the Executive Branch, and the Council. They also present testimony to independent agencies, boards, and commissions, usually under the rules of procedure specific to those entities. By law, the ANCs may also present their positions to Federal agencies.
I probably wasn't clear. I don't expect an ANC rep to bring a grocery store. But I would like to hear how they're going to increase support for the businesses we have in the area now.
I'm sure Rachael has a good reason she's using H Street Martini Lounge for her party, but I would have liked to have seen her use someone from the ANC for which she's running, i.e., drinks from Pap & Petey's, flowers from Noveau Fleur, etc.
I don't mean to suggest that either Rachael or Tony needs to open a business or single-handedly keep the ones we have running. I just would like to hear the ideas they have on how to help local merchants.
I should note that I think Rachael's alley plan is great.
anonymous and inclusive said....
I think that Rachael is right on target for reaching out. She is being hosted by Senate Square and that is certainly within our ANC boundaries. However, Rachael's reaching out to Martini's tells me that she is a "can do" candidate with enough foresight to understand that in order to make something happen for your "neighborhood" you might have to reach beyond because as Ink said ANC commissioners can present their positions to district agencies and officials as well federal agencies. Would hate to see a commissioner miss out on an opportunity for our neighbor because the "go to" folks were outside of our boundaries. Rachael seems to be the kind of candidate who can put us in a position to leverage some clout so that our concerns will be heard.
i dunno. artists are fickle, and shackling yourself to the martini lounge is just not up my 'alley'.
all 'politicos' say one thing and end up doing another. she has zero experience, and the last things artists know about is business.
i'm very skeptical, and am waiting to hear from other candidates.
Anonymous 6:48
“Zero experience”
Can you read? I encourage you to visit her site again or if you haven’t, take the time to. ALL of her meet and greets are in her single member district so what’s wrong with supporting other establishments on H? If you knew anything about supporting the community, you’d realize that we need to support ALL of the businesses on H st. not just the ones in a particular SMD. I’m so sick of having the same cookie cutout commissioners i.e. uptight government employees or lawyers or something similar. I think she would be a refreshing change and she’s native to D.C. These implants come into the neighborhood and think they know more about the city than people who grew up here. It’s clear that Rachael has done a lot of good things in the neighborhood and Alan Kimber is supporting her so he obviously thinks she’s the better candidate. She's getting my vote.
Sorry. My last comment was for "ms. hall has starry eyes"
Does she even read this blog? No response to our question? Agree, her resume looks weak.
Just a quick reminder that this is just an informal blog, not an official place for information exchange. I notice Ms. Hall does provide [on her website] both an email address and a phone number-
rachaelhalldc[at]yahoo.com 202.288.4492. It looks like she will also be at Sidamo today from 1-2pm, so maybe that would be a good place to ask these questions.
I'm writing in Poo Poo on my ANC Ballot.
Anonymous and Inclusive
To Ms. Hall has starry eyes and as an artist, they know nothing about business. Ms Hall has starry eyes must be too busy to be a part of main stream America and apparently is deaf and blind to the business acumen of the famed and brilliant Annie Leibovitz - an artist extraordinare, to just name one. The Library of Congress has named her a "living legend" and her work has occupied both the number 1 and number 2 spots for best cover for the past 40 years. You have got to know something about business to reach such lofty heights. You can learn a thing or two from an artist, like exploration outside of the box. I bet you thought that "artists" only drew pictures.
Thank you for your comments. As a life long resident in our city, it doesn't take formal experience to care about and have an active role in the growth, development and prosperity of our community. When I was approached by Alan Kimber to consider running for his ANC 6C05 Commissioner seat, I didn't hesitate because I am determined to make our neighborhood the best it can be and address the many needs of individuals and families that make up our community.
Over the years, I have been involved in a number of community activities, some of which you may have read about on my web site VoteRachaelHallDC.org. My deep rooted dedication to the community is as a concerned parent who looks to the future hopeful that someday soon, we will live in a community that has similar amenities, conveniences and economic development as in other parts of the city. Furthermore, our kids should be able to play in a safer, cleaner community with better lighting, more green space, and free from prostitutes and drug paraphernalia.
My quest to become ANC Commissioner is about improving the quality of life for all of us. It’s about working smarter to guarantee that we are represented at the bargaining table – negotiating and demonstrating leverage by showing that we are united as a community. As a team, we can do everything within our powers to make positive changes in our neighborhood. I welcome and encourage you to attend my meet and greet on Tuesday at Senate Square and share your thoughts and ideas with me.
One more thing to mention is that all H st. businesses need our support. The economy seems to be heading toward a recession and consumers are keeping a closer watch on their spending habits. As a result, businesses may need to be creative to get people out. One thing that could be done, for example, is to have special community events at these establishments. I have had a series of “meet and greet” gatherings at Sidamo and my next is at Senate Square. Neighbors will be able to go on tours of the building. This is great promotion because many have heard about Senate Square, but few have actually taken a tour of the facilities. Similarly, Nouveau Fleur offers lessons in herbal gardening. This is a great way to keep patrons coming back for more.
Perhaps another basic but equally important idea is word of mouth. Getting the word out to people, particularly to those who don’t frequent the neighborhood, may be the best way to get more people excited and interested in visiting our neighborhood. This is an effort that we should all partake in.
As Inked outlined, I can be e-mailed at rachaelhalldc@yahoo.com or called at 202.288.4492. I would be happy to talk to you.
Dear Anonymous 12:05 p.m.
Now, tell me what would you do as an individual to get a grocery store at 3rd and H Street NE and how do you plan to work with either of these individuals who may be the next ANC commissioner? Have you ever heard of the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Office of Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and other entities that focus there attention on bringing growth to the city. Most development activities popping up around the city are mixed use activities and have both housing and commercial components. I do not believe one ANC Commissioner has that kind of clout to single handedly bring a grocery store to 3rd and H Street and any other major development to the city. ANC Commissioners do not control budgets of that magnitude but the District government does. ANC's work along with government to encourage development in their communities and other activities. Furthermore, the ANC commissioners do not supercede their City Council members for their respective wards but work with those individuals. By the way, have you heard of Kemi Gray who was a welfare mom in NE. She served as a catalyst to get things done in her NE neighborhood. I believe she lived in either public housing or low-income housing. I cannot remember which but she got out there, rolled up her sleeves, and had a tremendous impact on her community at Kenilworth Parkside. It takes one person to light that spark, to get people focused on their neighborhood and bring the community along to encourage on hands involvement and growth. These ANC commissioners do not get paid a dime. When you are sitting down having a nice hot meal or relaxing, they are out there beating the pavement, on the phone calling city government, and anybody else they can to get the services their neighborhood needs. If you want a grocery on 3rd Street, get involved, go to some of these planning and zoning meetings so you will know what is going on or what is planned for your neighborhood. You do your part and help them to do their part. Change starts with one and others follow. Anybody who gets out there and run hard for an ANC commissioner's seat that pays no salary during these terrible economic times, use their time and energy beating the pavement begging for votes, catering often times to a bunch of ingrates who do nothing to help to improve there own community has to be either crazy or totally committed to making a difference.
Dear Hardcore
Very well stated and I am in total agreement. It is the work of the entire community to ensure that economic growth for the district as a whole is realized. One community or one neighborhood lacking can be problematic for everyone. Those of us that are native Washingtonians know that crime and upkept neighbors are not an isolated incident and they tend to spill across the borders of neighborhoods and communities.
I have attended a few of Rachael Hall's events as well as Tony Rich's. Mrs. Hall seems to have a deep rooted sense of caring for her community and rightly so, she is native to the district. I do not sense her objective is a political one but one to ensure that her children and the children of her neighbors, friends etc. realize a true sense of community and prosperity.
You are the best!!!! Thank you so much for coming to my meet and greet at Senate Square on yesterday, May 6th. It was a pleasure gathering with my neighbors and allowing you to get to know more about me. We will come together many more times in the very near future as concerned neighbors working together as we resolve issues that are common to all of us in the community. This is what it's about; getting to know your neighbors, looking out for each other, keeping your hands on the pulse of the neighborhood, and working together for the betterment of all. In doing so, we become vested in each others' well-being and the caretakers of our community. I hope that the meet and greet answered some of your concerns regarding my capabilities and sincerity to promote an agenda that will improve services and weigh in on future development activities for our neighborhood. As your next ANC 6C05 commissioner, promoting your community needs will be my priority.
Please remember to vote May 14th at the Heritage Foundation (214 Massachusetts Avenue NE) at 7 p.m. Also, you must vote in person and only have to stay long enough to vote.
Thank you again for making the evening such a great success,
Rachael Hall
www.VoteRachaelHallDC.org
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