A Divided ANC6D Elects Kramer Chair for a Second Term

(L-R) Chair, Rikki Kramer; Vice Chair, Bob Link; Secretary, Bruce Levine; Treasurer Ron Collins. 

A Divided ANC6D Elects Kramer Chair for a Second Term

By Larry Janezich

Posted January 8, 2023

Monday night, ANC6D re-elected Commissioner Rikki Kramer for a second term as Chair of the Commission.  The eight member board split 4-4 between Kramer and ANC6B01 Commissioner Bob Link.  Former head of the DC Office of ANC’s – Gottlieb Simon – who presided over the vote, had announced prior to the vote that in event of a tie, the commission would continue to vote until one candidate attained a majority of commissioners present and voting.  After the first vote, however, Link withdrew his nomination, apparently convinced that the votes would not change in subsequent ballots and the commission would enter a prolonged and divisive period.

Link was subsequently elected Vice Chair by acclamation after Commissioner Bruce Levine (nominated for the post by Kramer) refused the nomination.  Commissioners Levine and Commissioner Ron Collins were then elected Secretary and Treasurer without opposition. 

In remarks delivered prior to the vote, Kramer praised the members of the commission who she called talented and dedicated.  She also acknowledged that despite the fractiousness, competition and frustration which had sometimes characterized the commission’s meetings, the members had always remained committed to the commission’s goals, including adherence to the Small Area Plan, diversity, mixed development, green space, common areas, affordable housing, a clean environment, SW renewal, and traffic safety.  She thanked constituents for pushing the commission to do better. 

But many observers would agree with her characterization of the commission’s meetings, which have lately become noteworthy for their level of acrimony.  Some of that is attributable to personalities and ambition.  Some of it is the old guard vs. the new guard. But there are numerous structural and procedural problems which affect the commission’s functionality.  The commission appears to be unfamiliar with Roberts Rules of Order, the concept of “regular order,” and how the work of the commission could be expedited by the use of a parliamentary procedure called “unanimous consent.”  All of that is procedural but there are other problems.  ANC6D is among the least transparent of the four ANCs on Capitol Hill or touching its borders.  Unlike most other ANCs, it routinely withholds making public the agendas of commission meetings until hours before the meeting.  Agenda items are often inadequately described.  For years, ANC6D was the only ANC of the four covered by CHC which operated with no committees.  Several years ago an Alcohol Beverage Committee was appointed and recently a fledging Transportation Committee has been authorized.  Prior to that, commissioners discussed alcohol licensing, zoning, and transportation issues privately and informally with petitioners before discussing them in public before the full ANC at their once-a month-meeting.  The commission still lacks a Planning and Zoning Committee.  And until recently, the public and press were not allowed to witness the “Administrative Meetings,” where issues are discussed prior to formulating an agenda for the next ANC meeting. 

There’s work to be done here and SW residents have much to hope for that some of that will be done not only by ANC6D but within ANC6D.