The following oped I penned appeared in today's Dupont Current:
There has been much discussion in recent weeks concerning Hank's Oyster Bar's application to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to expand into the vacant building next door and add outdoor seating during reasonable business hours. Unfortunately, a vocal minority -- the self-appointed "stewards" of 17th Street -- has met this responsible small business's attempts to grow with fierce opposition.
What would a Hank's expansion mean for our neighborhood? It would mean that rather than 20 customers outdoors, we could potentially see 40 sitting outside on the days where it's not too hot, too cold, too windy or too rainy. The outdoor hours at Hank’s would not change from the current closure of 11 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends. I represent the residents directly across the street from Hank's, and in more than two years as a commissioner I have never received a noise complaint.
Indeed, this expansion would come with added benefits, including a handicap-accessible restroom for patrons. And more of our friends and neighbors would be able to enjoy the culinary works of art of master chef Jamie Leeds. More of our unemployed or underemployed residents could work as servers, bartenders, chefs and hosts. More local food growers, delivery personnel, garbage haulers and linen cleaners would support Hank's expanded business.
But time and time again, we hear the argument, "Seventeenth Street has too many liquor licenses and will turn into Adams Morgan." Fine, that's a fair argument. But in reality, what do many dislike about Adams Morgan? The fine dining at Cashion's Eat Place? The delicacies of La Fourchette? Because that's what Hank's should be compared to.
Or do we dislike the crowds and noise of Madam's Organ and Heaven and Hell? The fights that break out in front of Millie & Al's and Pharmacy Bar? The littered streets from jumbo-slice shops?
Our decisions as to the types of licensed venues we support or oppose can have long-term ramifications. Rather than simply protest every Alcoholic Beverage Control license as a knee-jerk reaction, we should support the expansion of responsible businesses like Hank's and bring accountability to the less-than-desirable management of offending venues.
You see, at the same time Hank's was applying for expansion, which these "stewards" protested, another 17th Street business applied for a license renewal and met no resistance whatsoever. This is the only establishment on 17th Street with outdoor hours until 2 a.m. seven nights a week. This bar is currently contesting $4,000 in fines for illegal construction without permits or approval from the advisory neighborhood commission or the Historic Preservation Review Board. It has been investigated by the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration seven times since 2009 and accumulated fines totaling at least $8,250 for everything from sales to minors to having no Alcoholic Beverage Control-licensed manager on duty to not selling food. In recent weeks this establishment has been visited on more than one occasion by the Metropolitan Police Department for public safety issues involving customers.
Where is the outrage here? Where are the protests? Why single out Hank's -- a responsible business owner -- while another operates with impunity?
I am disappointed in my neighbors for their double standard. Enough is enough. Allow Hank's to move forward and expand. Drop your protests and work to keep Hank's in Dupont and serving the thousands of residents who enjoy it. Perhaps in supporting more upscale restaurants like Hank's, we can keep out badly managed bars and taverns that are the real threat to turning 17th Street into another Adams Morgan.
Jack Jacobson is a member of the Dupont Circle advisory neighborhood commission.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Washington Blade Article on PFOX
I'm mentioned in the article below, which you can find HERE. Also, last night the Dupont Circle ANC passed a similar resolution; I was joined by five of my fellow commissioners in approving the resolution. It is unclear why Commissioner Bhavna Patel abstained.
Council members ask Fenty to ‘invalidate’ PFOX award
Lou Chibbaro Jr.
May 13, 2010
Six members of the D.C. City Council and seven LGBT-supportive organizations signed on to a petition calling on Mayor Adrian Fenty to invalidate a certificate of appreciation he awarded to the leader of the anti-gay group Parents & Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays.
The mayor’s office issued an apology last week for what it said was a “staff error” that led to the award being mistakenly issued last November to PFOX Executive Director Regina Griggs for her “dedication, commitment and outstanding contributions” to the group.
The petition, which was to be delivered to the mayor’s office Thursday, says its signers appreciate Fenty’s acknowledgment that the award was a mistake. But it says further action by the mayor is needed.
“This mistake has empowered an anti-gay organization to increase its fundraising and to legitimize itself in ways it would not have otherwise been able to,” it says.
“PFOX believes that homosexuality is a mental disorder that needs to be cured by ‘reparative therapy,’” says the petition. “Not only is this harmful to young people struggling to understand their sexuality, but every major medical, psychological, and educational association in America says it is wrong, ineffective, and dangerous.”
The Council members who added their names to the petition are Michael Brown (D-At Large), Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), and Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7).
Also adding their names to the document were gay Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Jack Jacobson and four gay elected officials from the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. They include Rich Madaleno and Anne Kaiser of the Maryland House of Delegates, Adam Ebbin of the Virginia House of Delegates, and Patrick Wojahn of the College Park, Md., City Council. Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff also signed on.
“It is incredibly important for Mayor Fenty to make it clear that PFOX doesn’t have the support of the District of Columbia,” the petition says. “To do that, he must invalidate the certificate of appreciation and publicly condemn PFOX for its policies that undermine the dignity of LGBT people and threaten the mental and physical health of the most vulnerable of our community.”
It adds, “We find this course of action to be necessary and our names below indicate our formal request for the mayor to act affirmatively to bring this situation to a prompt and meaningful end.”
A spokesperson for the mayor’s office could not be immediately reached to determine the mayor’s response to the petition.
The organizations signing the petition include Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network; Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays National; Metro D.C. PFLAG; Trevor Project, Americans for Democratic Action; Greater Washington Americans for Democratic Action; and Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
D.C. gay activist Lane Hudson, who said he was among a small group of local activists who started the petition effort through a Facebook network, said most of the organizations signing the document were approached because of their role in supporting LGBT people likely to be negatively impacted by groups like PFOX.
He noted that the Trevor Project, for example, works to prevent LGBT teen suicide. LGBT activists have said the “reparative therapy” programs advocated by PFOX have been shown to increase negative self-esteem among LGBT youth, putting them at greater risk for depression and suicide.
Hudson said the organizers of the petition had not heard back from all of the D.C. Council members approached to add their names. Hudson, who is supporting D.C. Council Chair Vincent Gray’s candidacy for mayor, said he did not ask Gray to sign the petition because doing so would give it the appearance of a partisan political effort.
“I didn’t want to put him in the position to look like this is a political move on his part, because this is about more than politics,” he said.
Gray issued a statement last week calling the mayor’s certificate of appreciation for the PFOX leader an “embarrassment” to the city and an insult to the LGBT community.
It could not immediately be determined whether gay D.C. Council member David Catania (I-At Large), whose name wasn’t on the petition as of Wednesday night, planned to sign on to the document or chose not to.
Council members ask Fenty to ‘invalidate’ PFOX award
Lou Chibbaro Jr.
May 13, 2010
Six members of the D.C. City Council and seven LGBT-supportive organizations signed on to a petition calling on Mayor Adrian Fenty to invalidate a certificate of appreciation he awarded to the leader of the anti-gay group Parents & Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays.
The mayor’s office issued an apology last week for what it said was a “staff error” that led to the award being mistakenly issued last November to PFOX Executive Director Regina Griggs for her “dedication, commitment and outstanding contributions” to the group.
The petition, which was to be delivered to the mayor’s office Thursday, says its signers appreciate Fenty’s acknowledgment that the award was a mistake. But it says further action by the mayor is needed.
“This mistake has empowered an anti-gay organization to increase its fundraising and to legitimize itself in ways it would not have otherwise been able to,” it says.
“PFOX believes that homosexuality is a mental disorder that needs to be cured by ‘reparative therapy,’” says the petition. “Not only is this harmful to young people struggling to understand their sexuality, but every major medical, psychological, and educational association in America says it is wrong, ineffective, and dangerous.”
The Council members who added their names to the petition are Michael Brown (D-At Large), Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), and Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7).
Also adding their names to the document were gay Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Jack Jacobson and four gay elected officials from the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. They include Rich Madaleno and Anne Kaiser of the Maryland House of Delegates, Adam Ebbin of the Virginia House of Delegates, and Patrick Wojahn of the College Park, Md., City Council. Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff also signed on.
“It is incredibly important for Mayor Fenty to make it clear that PFOX doesn’t have the support of the District of Columbia,” the petition says. “To do that, he must invalidate the certificate of appreciation and publicly condemn PFOX for its policies that undermine the dignity of LGBT people and threaten the mental and physical health of the most vulnerable of our community.”
It adds, “We find this course of action to be necessary and our names below indicate our formal request for the mayor to act affirmatively to bring this situation to a prompt and meaningful end.”
A spokesperson for the mayor’s office could not be immediately reached to determine the mayor’s response to the petition.
The organizations signing the petition include Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network; Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays National; Metro D.C. PFLAG; Trevor Project, Americans for Democratic Action; Greater Washington Americans for Democratic Action; and Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
D.C. gay activist Lane Hudson, who said he was among a small group of local activists who started the petition effort through a Facebook network, said most of the organizations signing the document were approached because of their role in supporting LGBT people likely to be negatively impacted by groups like PFOX.
He noted that the Trevor Project, for example, works to prevent LGBT teen suicide. LGBT activists have said the “reparative therapy” programs advocated by PFOX have been shown to increase negative self-esteem among LGBT youth, putting them at greater risk for depression and suicide.
Hudson said the organizers of the petition had not heard back from all of the D.C. Council members approached to add their names. Hudson, who is supporting D.C. Council Chair Vincent Gray’s candidacy for mayor, said he did not ask Gray to sign the petition because doing so would give it the appearance of a partisan political effort.
“I didn’t want to put him in the position to look like this is a political move on his part, because this is about more than politics,” he said.
Gray issued a statement last week calling the mayor’s certificate of appreciation for the PFOX leader an “embarrassment” to the city and an insult to the LGBT community.
It could not immediately be determined whether gay D.C. Council member David Catania (I-At Large), whose name wasn’t on the petition as of Wednesday night, planned to sign on to the document or chose not to.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Resolution on PFOX
Resolution for Mayor Adrian Fenty to rescind a Certificate of Appreciation to Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays
Offered by Commissioner Jack Jacobson (2B04)
May 12, 2010
Offered by Commissioner Jack Jacobson (2B04)
May 12, 2010
Whereas, Mayor Adrian Fenty issued a Certificate of Appreciation to Regina Griggs, Executive Director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays, on November 16, 2009; and
Whereas, the Mayor has indicated that this Certificate had been issued in error, but has not invalidated nor rescinded the Certificate; and
Whereas, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays is an anti-gay organization which believes that one's sexual orientation is a mental disorder that needs to be cured by "reparative therapy", in direct contrast to every major medical, psychological, and educational association in America which conclude that reparative therapy to "cure" one's sexual orientation is wrong, ineffective, and dangerous; and
Whereas, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays is currently distributing literature reflecting its view to public school students in Maryland; and
Whereas, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays has been empowered by the Mayor's Certificate of Appreciation to increase its fundraising and legitimize itself in ways it would not have otherwise been able to without such a Certificate.
Therefore, be it Resolved, that ANC 2B requests that Mayor Fenty invalidate and rescind his Certificate of Appreciation and publically condemn Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays for its policies that undermine the dignity of LGBT people and threaten the mental and physical health of the most vulnerable of our community.
Statement on Club Central Resolution
Statement on Club Central Resolution
Commissioner Jack Jacobson (2B04)
May 12, 2010
Commissioner Jack Jacobson (2B04)
May 12, 2010
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for bringing up this resolution and thank you to the ABRA Committee for your hard work on this difficult issue. Unfortunately, the resolution before us today is not a resolution that I can support at this time, for a number of reasons. While well intentioned, I think the resolution is overbroad and may have unintended consequences throughout Dupont Circle.
The genesis of this entire discussion was predicated on a belief that the Metropolitan Police Department ("MPD") requested our aid in alleviating congestion and overcrowding due to robust seating capacity in the "Club Central" area, particularly during late nights and early mornings when the clubs let out. I believe that an initial assessment from MPD that the Club Central district has "too much" capacity has been misinterpreted; indeed, when I spoke with PSA 208 Lt. Scott Dignan at the April 2010 monthly PSA meeting, he denied that MPD requested the ANC take action to quell the capacity of taverns and nightclubs within the Club Central zone and noted that such an initiative was beyond MPD's purview and the scope of their authority.
Moving to the actual resolution, I believe it would be improved if the sections related to entertainment endorsements for existing operators were removed. Entertainment endorsements do not add capacity to existing establishments, and therefore are beyond the scope of the originating discussions with MPD. These endorsements merely permit establishments to provide entertainment to patrons that occupy the capacity that had been previously been approved by ABRA and DCRA, as well as this body.
I also feel that the resolution would be markedly improved if we provided potential establishment owners or operators greater guidance on locations within ANC 2B upon which we may look favorably for CN or CT license applications. While a small number of 2B residents are impacted by peace, order and quiet issues in and around "Club Central", a greater number of 2B residents would be impacted were these night clubs and taverns to be located near 14th and U, on upper 18th Street, and on upper Connecticut Avenue; or on 17th Street or west P Street, where liquor moratoriums currently exist. This pressure could conceivably prompt the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) to not renew or to prematurely cancel existing moratoria in Dupont, or to not allow new moratoria in other areas that are situated in much more densely residential areas.
As inconvenient as this aspect of our neighborhood is to some residents who purchased homes situated cheek-by-jowl to these CT and CN establishments, I see no more appropriate area within Dupont to cite them. And I am loath to suggest these establishments be located in other areas of the City. My constituents are currently able to walk to Club Central; many of them moved to this neighborhood for that very reason. They are not able to walk to New York Avenue, NE, the southwest waterfront, or other areas sometimes miles away from Dupont. That leaves my constituents the unenviable choice of paying for expensive cab trips across town or to choose to drive after imbibing drinks – neither of which I find acceptable alternatives given the facts presented.
I would also encourage the inclusion of language in the resolution that addresses other non-CT or CN licenses that may serve alcohol, such as CR licenses for restaurants. If we are not putting restaurants on notice of our intent to oppose their operation within Club Central, I see no harm in stating it so that there is no confusion when they apply for licenses. Additionally, more restaurants in the zone would leave less potential real estate available for CN or CT operators, and should similarly be encouraged in my view.
Finally, I would encourage the resolution to direct the Chairman to mail a copy of the final resolution to all licensed establishments in Club Central, since with the entertainment endorsement language in tact, the resolution will impact existing operators, and not simply new operators coming into the area.
Thank you again, Mr. Chairman and ABRA Committee members for all of your hard work on this resolution. While I'm disappointed I'm not able to support this resolution as written, I recognize the great depth the Committee attempted to add and I admire the effort to not simply say "No" to our neighborhood businesses.
The genesis of this entire discussion was predicated on a belief that the Metropolitan Police Department ("MPD") requested our aid in alleviating congestion and overcrowding due to robust seating capacity in the "Club Central" area, particularly during late nights and early mornings when the clubs let out. I believe that an initial assessment from MPD that the Club Central district has "too much" capacity has been misinterpreted; indeed, when I spoke with PSA 208 Lt. Scott Dignan at the April 2010 monthly PSA meeting, he denied that MPD requested the ANC take action to quell the capacity of taverns and nightclubs within the Club Central zone and noted that such an initiative was beyond MPD's purview and the scope of their authority.
Moving to the actual resolution, I believe it would be improved if the sections related to entertainment endorsements for existing operators were removed. Entertainment endorsements do not add capacity to existing establishments, and therefore are beyond the scope of the originating discussions with MPD. These endorsements merely permit establishments to provide entertainment to patrons that occupy the capacity that had been previously been approved by ABRA and DCRA, as well as this body.
I also feel that the resolution would be markedly improved if we provided potential establishment owners or operators greater guidance on locations within ANC 2B upon which we may look favorably for CN or CT license applications. While a small number of 2B residents are impacted by peace, order and quiet issues in and around "Club Central", a greater number of 2B residents would be impacted were these night clubs and taverns to be located near 14th and U, on upper 18th Street, and on upper Connecticut Avenue; or on 17th Street or west P Street, where liquor moratoriums currently exist. This pressure could conceivably prompt the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) to not renew or to prematurely cancel existing moratoria in Dupont, or to not allow new moratoria in other areas that are situated in much more densely residential areas.
As inconvenient as this aspect of our neighborhood is to some residents who purchased homes situated cheek-by-jowl to these CT and CN establishments, I see no more appropriate area within Dupont to cite them. And I am loath to suggest these establishments be located in other areas of the City. My constituents are currently able to walk to Club Central; many of them moved to this neighborhood for that very reason. They are not able to walk to New York Avenue, NE, the southwest waterfront, or other areas sometimes miles away from Dupont. That leaves my constituents the unenviable choice of paying for expensive cab trips across town or to choose to drive after imbibing drinks – neither of which I find acceptable alternatives given the facts presented.
I would also encourage the inclusion of language in the resolution that addresses other non-CT or CN licenses that may serve alcohol, such as CR licenses for restaurants. If we are not putting restaurants on notice of our intent to oppose their operation within Club Central, I see no harm in stating it so that there is no confusion when they apply for licenses. Additionally, more restaurants in the zone would leave less potential real estate available for CN or CT operators, and should similarly be encouraged in my view.
Finally, I would encourage the resolution to direct the Chairman to mail a copy of the final resolution to all licensed establishments in Club Central, since with the entertainment endorsement language in tact, the resolution will impact existing operators, and not simply new operators coming into the area.
Thank you again, Mr. Chairman and ABRA Committee members for all of your hard work on this resolution. While I'm disappointed I'm not able to support this resolution as written, I recognize the great depth the Committee attempted to add and I admire the effort to not simply say "No" to our neighborhood businesses.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
14th St. Zoning & Borderstan Article
A quick update to let everyone know that the zoning regulations for 14th Street (ARTS Overlay District) have been temporarily changed. The former regulation held that linear footage along 14th Street could be no more than 25% occupied by liquor licensed establishments. This threshold was reached last month, and Zoning increased the percent to 30% on an emergency basis, and will be considering a 50% occupancy rule this summer.
Why does this matter?
Well, there are a ton of empty & deteriorating buildings (or empty lots) along 14th Street. But because restaurants like to serve alcohol to their customers, new restaurants couldn't operate in the available space. So the customers who wanted to go to the 14th Street theaters couldn't get dinner before the show or drinks after. And the buildings remain empty because retail has changed dramatically in recent years.
The Logan Circle ANC wisely sought to address this issue, and last year established a diverse & informed committee to come up with a set of recommendations to address the issue. The committee came back with a recommendation that the linear footage restriction be raised from 25% to 40-50%. The Logan Circle ANC unanimously endorsed the report. So did the Dupont Circle ANC. The Cardozo-Shaw ANC endorsed the report as well, though it was not unanimous.
I'm very glad that all the Commissioner on the Dupont Circle ANC see the value in increasing this percentage, and I look forward to supporting the permanent regulation increase with my colleagues.
Finally, Borderstan did a great job letting folks know just what an ANC commissioner is and what we do. Take a quick read. I'm quoted!
Why does this matter?
Well, there are a ton of empty & deteriorating buildings (or empty lots) along 14th Street. But because restaurants like to serve alcohol to their customers, new restaurants couldn't operate in the available space. So the customers who wanted to go to the 14th Street theaters couldn't get dinner before the show or drinks after. And the buildings remain empty because retail has changed dramatically in recent years.
The Logan Circle ANC wisely sought to address this issue, and last year established a diverse & informed committee to come up with a set of recommendations to address the issue. The committee came back with a recommendation that the linear footage restriction be raised from 25% to 40-50%. The Logan Circle ANC unanimously endorsed the report. So did the Dupont Circle ANC. The Cardozo-Shaw ANC endorsed the report as well, though it was not unanimous.
I'm very glad that all the Commissioner on the Dupont Circle ANC see the value in increasing this percentage, and I look forward to supporting the permanent regulation increase with my colleagues.
Finally, Borderstan did a great job letting folks know just what an ANC commissioner is and what we do. Take a quick read. I'm quoted!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Seeking Summer Campaign Intern
Jack Jacobson is a local elected official in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC. He was first elected as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) in Dupont in March 2008 in a special election in a four-way race, and was subsequently reelected to a full term in November 2008, receiving more votes than any other Commissioner in Dupont Circle. Jack serves as the Public Safety Liaison for the Dupont Circle ANC as well as ANC 2B Treasurer. His primary issues include constituent services, LGBT affairs, public safety and economic development.
Summary of Intern Duties
Seeking a campaign intern to undertake all aspects of a campaign and prepare candidate for his anticipated reelection campaign in November 2010. This internship is extremely flexible (perfect if you have another full- or part-time summer job) and nearly 100% independent. Candidates will be expected to undertake duties with little supervision, though constant communication is expected. Independence, creativity, and attention to detail are paramount. The ideal candidate will be an incoming sophomore or junior at a DC-area school, will live in the District, and will have a desire to work on larger campaigns in the future. Tasks are as assigned but shall include the following:
- Creating and executing a reelection campaign plan;
- Database creation and updating;
- Opposition research;
- Attending monthly ANC, public safety and other community meetings in Dupont;
- Updating campaign Web site/Twitter/Facebook, including drafting articles for publication;
- Door knocking and voter identification;
- Graphic design and campaign literature creation; and
- Fundraiser organization and execution.
No office or computer is able to be provided by the campaign for this unpaid internship, though it is possible (depending on fundraising and campaign expenses) that a small stipend may be paid to the successful candidate. Candidate has significant experience supervising interns.
Requirements
If you are enrolled in an accredited college or university and have a strong academic record, you are invited to apply for this campaign internship. It's a great opportunity to exhibit leadership, creativity and independence. Interns must be proficient in social media and writing and be deadline-oriented, attentive to detail, and a strong surrogate for the campaign/official.
To Apply
Please provide a cover letter, availability, and resume by May 10 to jack@friendsofjack.com.
04.13.10 Testimony in Support of Mike Silverstein
Below is my testimony in support of Chairman Mike Silverstein's appointment to ABRA:
Testimony of Commissioner Jack Jacobson, ANC 2B
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Mike Silverstein
Confirmation Resolution of 2010
PR 18-0793
Tuesday, April 13, 2010; Room 123
Committee on Public Works and Transportation, Jim Graham, Chairperson
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee:
Thank you for holding this important hearing on the "Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Mike Silverstein Confirmation Resolution of 2010." I'm here today to testify in support of Chairman Silverstein's confirmation to one of two vacant seats on the Control Board.
I got to know Mike through our joint service on the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission, where his leadership, knowledge and fairness prompted me to support him as Chair of our Commission. It's a role in which he has flourished, and as a community, I am happy to say that we have all benefited from his leadership.
I could go on about his personal characteristics and traits that make him the right person for this position, but I'm here today to address a few key technical points that I believe you should consider in your deliberations which in my mind make Mike uniquely qualified to serve on the Control Board.
First and foremost is his lengthy experience working fairly and equitably with residents, business owners and community groups alike on alcohol licensing issues throughout Dupont Circle. I have found Mike to be a pragmatic, realistic and detail-oriented. And when either business owners or residents refuse to negotiate or make unrealistic demands on the other party, he serves as the voice of reason to bring all parties back to the table and reach consensus. To my knowledge, he has never failed to date.
He knows so much about ABRA issues because he lives in Ward 2, which has more licensed establishments than the other seven wards combined. Additionally, with over 100 licensed establishments in his single member district, Mike personally represents more licensed establishments than any other commissioner in the city. He knows the rules and regulations backward and forward, and would be able to "hit the ground running" as a member of the Control Board.
One particular issue with which Mike has intimate knowledge that I believe no other member of the Board possesses to the same degree is his firsthand experience of what a liquor moratorium zone is, why it's important to certain neighborhoods, and how they operate in practice. Mike lives within the bounds of the Dupont West Moratorium Zone, and has shepherded the moratorium through the ANC several times, including shepherding amendments to the moratorium through the commission and ABC process. When I chaired the Dupont East Moratorium renewal committee last year, I frequently turned to Mike for advice, counsel, and guidance. With his assistance, we were able to pass a resolution through the Dupont ANC for a modified renewal which garnered the votes of all nine 2B Commissioners – quite a feat, given the often-toxic nature of moratoria to businesses and residents alike.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that there are a growing number of establishments throughout the city – not only in Dupont – that are owned by and/or service the city's diverse gay and lesbian community. As a gay man living with his long-time partner, Thomas DeFeo, Mike will bring a personal touch to the Board's interactions with the LGBT community that cannot be replicated by our straight allies. This is extremely important to me in my SMD, in which three major gay licensed establishments are located.
I could obviously go on ad nauseum in support of my good friend, but I want to give others an opportunity to boast of his qualifications as well, since he will not do so himself. I'm happy to answer any questions that the Committee may have. Thank you.
Testimony of Commissioner Jack Jacobson, ANC 2B
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Mike Silverstein
Confirmation Resolution of 2010
PR 18-0793
Tuesday, April 13, 2010; Room 123
Committee on Public Works and Transportation, Jim Graham, Chairperson
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee:
Thank you for holding this important hearing on the "Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Mike Silverstein Confirmation Resolution of 2010." I'm here today to testify in support of Chairman Silverstein's confirmation to one of two vacant seats on the Control Board.
I got to know Mike through our joint service on the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission, where his leadership, knowledge and fairness prompted me to support him as Chair of our Commission. It's a role in which he has flourished, and as a community, I am happy to say that we have all benefited from his leadership.
I could go on about his personal characteristics and traits that make him the right person for this position, but I'm here today to address a few key technical points that I believe you should consider in your deliberations which in my mind make Mike uniquely qualified to serve on the Control Board.
First and foremost is his lengthy experience working fairly and equitably with residents, business owners and community groups alike on alcohol licensing issues throughout Dupont Circle. I have found Mike to be a pragmatic, realistic and detail-oriented. And when either business owners or residents refuse to negotiate or make unrealistic demands on the other party, he serves as the voice of reason to bring all parties back to the table and reach consensus. To my knowledge, he has never failed to date.
He knows so much about ABRA issues because he lives in Ward 2, which has more licensed establishments than the other seven wards combined. Additionally, with over 100 licensed establishments in his single member district, Mike personally represents more licensed establishments than any other commissioner in the city. He knows the rules and regulations backward and forward, and would be able to "hit the ground running" as a member of the Control Board.
One particular issue with which Mike has intimate knowledge that I believe no other member of the Board possesses to the same degree is his firsthand experience of what a liquor moratorium zone is, why it's important to certain neighborhoods, and how they operate in practice. Mike lives within the bounds of the Dupont West Moratorium Zone, and has shepherded the moratorium through the ANC several times, including shepherding amendments to the moratorium through the commission and ABC process. When I chaired the Dupont East Moratorium renewal committee last year, I frequently turned to Mike for advice, counsel, and guidance. With his assistance, we were able to pass a resolution through the Dupont ANC for a modified renewal which garnered the votes of all nine 2B Commissioners – quite a feat, given the often-toxic nature of moratoria to businesses and residents alike.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that there are a growing number of establishments throughout the city – not only in Dupont – that are owned by and/or service the city's diverse gay and lesbian community. As a gay man living with his long-time partner, Thomas DeFeo, Mike will bring a personal touch to the Board's interactions with the LGBT community that cannot be replicated by our straight allies. This is extremely important to me in my SMD, in which three major gay licensed establishments are located.
I could obviously go on ad nauseum in support of my good friend, but I want to give others an opportunity to boast of his qualifications as well, since he will not do so himself. I'm happy to answer any questions that the Committee may have. Thank you.
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