DCCA Election Monday

On Monday evening, members of Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) will hold elections for the Association's leadership and for board member positions. As many know, there is a slate that was nominated by an independent nominating committee, as well as four individual candidates who were nominated from the floor for competitive positions.

There are many reasons that there are contested elections this year. DCCA has had issues with a declining membership base as well as a lack of defined goals in the community. One may exacerbate the other, and the organization and community relationships have suffered due to this decline.

The dialogue regarding Monday's election has often been personal and destructive during the past six weeks, and many in the community have perpetuated the negative campaigning - I count myself among those, regretably.

However, I fundamentally believe that contested elections are good for the community. They get more people engaged, and they force candidates to make their positions known and work to garner votes. I believe that, in the long run, this contested election will also be good for the community, though on Tuesday morning it may not seem that way. Regardless of the outcome of the election, there will likely be board resignations and resignations among the general membership. It is my great hope that whomever is elected on Monday night, on Tuesday morning they reach out to everyone in the community and bring us all together to move forward in a constructive and inclusive manner.

On Monday night, I will be voting for the slate nominated by the nominating committee, chaired by Ellen Mercer, who is highly regarded and respected in the community. In particular, I believe that nominees Ron Clayton (President), Susan Dunn (2nd Vice President), Marisa Uchin (3-year director term), James Dudney (3-year director term) and Maureen McLellan (2-year director term) have the experience, the vision, and the character to work with everyone in our community to lead us forward as one inclusive organization. It is these individuals for whom I will be voting on Monday, and I urge you to do the same.

Finally, on Tuesday morning, regardless of the outcome of Monday night's elections, I stand ready to work with DCCA's new leadership and board of directors. I hope you will do the same.

Jack