At-Large Council Candidates Discuss Needs of D.C. Seniors

On April 23, the District of Columbia will hold a special election to fill an At-Large seat on the DC Council.  The winner of this election will represent the needs and interests of all District residents.  As such, AARP DC created two opportunities for persons to share those needs and interests directly with the candidates. 

On March 13, AARP DC co-sponsored a forum in Ward 5 with So Others Might Eat.  Six of the seven candidates (Anita Bonds confirmed, but cancelled) listened to residents and shared their positions on a number of issues, including homelessness, affordable housing, domestic violence, and the living wage.  All six also committed to support the transformation of the District into an Age-Friendly City – a place where persons of all ages are able to live and thrive – if elected, and provided substantive ideas of how to get there.  

A week later, AARP DC joined with the AARP Washington Highland/Anacostia Chapter to host an At-large Candidate Forum at Congress Heights Wellness Center.  The 100 member audience was largely made up of persons 50+, most of who lived in the Ward.  Again, six of the seven candidates attended (Anita Bonds confirmed) and responded to the audience’s concerns.  All candidates shared their positions on the state of DC Schools, public safety, and ethics reform.  Moreover, all candidates noted how they would ensure that the needs and interests of older adults are valued as the District develops economically.  They had a wide range of responses:

Matthew Frumin – Reduce property tax burden on seniors, take advantage of resources such as villages and zoning changes to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and improve transportation services to appointments 

Patrick Mara – Provide good public transportation, support older adults who drive, plan housing development to ensure that older adults are not displaced

Perry Redd – Need tax justice, use District revenue surplus to provide tax relief for seniors

Elissa Silvermann – Provide property tax relief, better oversight of Office on Aging, ensure better access to current services available to seniors, improve public safety

Paul Zuckerberg – Opposed to Pepco’s proposed tax increases and lobbyists influencing the DC Council
Michael A. Brown – Supports subsidies for grandparents raising grandchildren, wants to improve safety so seniors can sit on their porches, provide property tax relief.

We encourage you to become an Age-Friendly Cities Builder and receive special, up-to-date information about the Age-Friendly Cities initiative.