ANC seat draws contenders

The ANC commissioner seat for twelve square blocks sandwiched between Georgetown University and Wisconsin Avenue, also known as ANC2E SMD03, now has at least one official contender and possibly more. Jeff Jones, a member of several Georgetown neighborhood committees, is throwing his hat in the ring with encouragement from the position's eight-year veteran Bill Skelsey.

The seat has also drawn interest from tax attorney Michael Savage, a resident of O Street, who is collecting signatures to run for the seat as well.

Jones, a father of three out-of-the-house children, lives with his wife Robin on P Street. The self-described entrepreneur says he works in a recycling business. Although he's looking to spend time on the ground as a commissioner of the ANC, he also works part-time as a pilot. Jones says, "My priorities are helping my family, my work, and supporting the community."

Jones said he received a call from his friend, Skelsey, a few weeks ago, asking him to consider running. Jones was initially reluctant because, he says, he wanted Skelsey to run again. Once Skelsey assured Jones he wasn't interested in signing on for another two years, Jones filed a petition to run. Skelsey told the Dish that Jones "would make a great commissioner" calling him a "hard worker" and "committed to the community."

Regarding Georgetown University's controversial expansion plans, Jones says he is reserving judgment until all the facts are in. He points out that the university hasn't filed its campus plan with the city. "I would have to see what was actually filed to have an opinion," he says. As of right now, Jones maintains that he "can see both sides." On the one side, Georgetown University wants to grow. On the other, Georgetown residents don't want students to overrun their neighborhood.

The Citizens Association of Georgetown (CAG) and the Burleith Citizens Association have voiced strong opposition to the plan to add thousands of graduate students without adequate traffic and parking planning. The citizens groups say the expansion plan will create hardship for residents and exacerbate campus-community tensions.
 
In reference to Skelsey's leadership, Jones says, "We're very much in line on many different issues." Jones wants the ANC to stay on its current path.

"This, sort of, is a natural thing for what I'm already doing within the community. I don't see this as something where (Jones quotes a hypothetical beleaguered candidate) 'Hey, I get really pissed off about this. I want to go and fix it," said Jones.

A member of the Citizens Association of Georgetown (CAG), Jones is not a  stranger to local neighborhood politics. He says he's teamed up with ANC2E treasurer Ed Solomon on safety issues in the community. He's also worked with the University Relations Committee and sat down with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), the Department of Public Works (DPW), and other organizations.

Calling Jones a fan of the area is an understatement. Having moved into Georgetown three or four years ago, Jones says, "From day one it has been tremendous. Our neighbors are fabulous. It's just been a wonderful experience."

He's looking to become commissioner because, he says, "I enjoy working with the people," adding, "We live in tight quarters here, but we've all got to get along."

If elected, Jones plans to continue the ANC tradition of "balancing out very strong opposing opinions and thoughts and needs by different groups," he says diplomatically. Jones stresses the importance of weighing different interests before making a decision in regards to zoning variance discrepancies and the university expansion project.

Jones says he has heard his neighbors talk about growing their families and needing new additions for their homes.  He says,"You have to be receptive to what the families or whoever is living there (needs) to keep their quality of life and maintain a vibrant neighborhood.  You can't just say no for no's sake."

Jones has little to say about the District's government beyond ANC 2E because he says his "focus is on our local community." At the end of our conversation, Jones says, "I'm not taking myself too seriously. I just want to do the best I can in the community."

The Georgetown Dish plans to post its exclusive interview with Michael Savage, the O Street resident collecting signatures to run, this weekend.