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.