More Comments: ANC 2E Commissioners and Candidates

The Georgetown-Burleith-Hillandale Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E is chaired by Ron Lewis, who is retiring, as are Tom Birch and Jeffrey Jones. At present, the commission consists of Lewis, Birch, Jones, Vice-Chair Bill Starrels, Ed Soloman, Mara Goldman, Monica Roache and Reed Howard. Only two single-member districts are contested, although all are on the ballot. In 2E03, Greg Miller and Richard Murphy will vie for Jones’s seat. In 2E05, which is mostly Georgetown, south of M Street to the Potomac River and Roosevelt Island, another candidate — Lisa Palmer — will run against Starrels. Election Day is Nov. 8.
In the Sept. 28 issue, The Georgetowner asked the commissioners — on the ballot and retiring — and the new candidates to answer some questions about themselves, their vision for the neighborhood and the city and what they consider the neighborhood’s most pressing issue. Here is Part 2 of that conversation, with excerpts of comments from contenders in the two single-member districts only.

**2E03 Candidate Greg Miller**
*Sustainability coordinator for Georgetown University, lives on N Street.*
*gmiller31@gmail.com*
Most Pressing Issue:
The last six years have seen a sea-change in our community’s civic priority list. We’ve successfully created a positive framework for town-gown relations and continued to promote smart, business-friendly growth in our historic context. I believe the greatest challenge we now face is how to shape the character of our community in the coming century. How do we respond to a city rapidly changing around us while preserving our historic identity? We must lead the evolution of our city by example through demonstrating excellence in our own planning and development.

**2E03 Candidate Richard Murphy**
*A retired lawyer who serves as counsel to ANC 2E on a pro bono basis, lives on P Street.*
*rgmurphy48@gmail.com*
Most Pressing Issue:
I have learned from my experience as counsel to the ANC that there are a myriad of discrete issues that could come before the commission during the next few years, but it is impossible to predict which ones will take center stage. Instead of attempting to identify specific issues, I believe we should focus on finding ways to bring the disparate elements of our community together to address issues that affect us all as they arise. The collegial process that led to the development of the new Georgetown University Campus Plan provides a wonderful example of how difficult obstacles can be overcome if we are committed to working cooperatively to find solutions that meet the needs of our entire community.

**2E05 Candidate Lisa Palmer**
*A nonprofit fundraiser, who sits on three nonprofit boards, mother of twins, lives on South Street.*
*georgetownpalmer@gmail.com*
Most Pressing Issue:
I believe that our most important and pressing issue is the intersection between traffic congestion and safety. Particularly in my SMD, first responders have significant difficulty reaching homes on the end of Water Street and on or around the Paper Mill streets. Cars and pedestrians are consistently in each other’s way on K Street/Water Street. Wisconsin and M continues to be a dangerous intersection where pedestrians have difficulty safely crossing the street, which leads to vehicular backups up and down the north-south corridors. I believe that we need to spend significant time working with our friends at the GBID who have been working to develop plans which tackle these issues and to work alongside DDOT to implement changes to a traffic pattern which is currently both unsafe and untenable.

**2E05 Commissioner Bill Starrels**
*(in office since 2000) A mortgage loan officer, lives on 31st Street.*
*bill.starrels@gmail.com*
Most Pressing Issue:
There are many issues that a good ANC commissioner needs to focus on. Working with the Metropolitan Police Department helping to keep Georgetown safe. Helping Hyde-Addison, Hardy Middle School and Duke Ellington School. Working closely with Georgetown University and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. The new 20-year agreement on a Campus Plan announced this month is an affirmation of how we work together. Working with business interests to bring in fine restaurants and stores. Honoring historic preservation, while allowing for modern needs.