Linda Cropp, Democratic candidate for
City Council Chairman in the
September 10, 2002, primary election
Brochure
September 2002

ADDRESSING THE FAITHFUL AT THE METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
(LWC in the pulpit at the mayor's consecration of leadership council)

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

As the chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia and one of your elected representatives, I pledge to continue to work on your behalf. I am proud to report that we have developed and passed five balanced budgets, attesting to the ability and desire of our government to operate within our means. This also drove the Congressionally mandated "District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority (Control Board)" to suspend operations as of September 30, 2001. We will meet future challenges head on by continuing to make the hard fiscal decisions while making provisions for our most vulnerable citizens.

I am mindful of the concerns that you have brought to my attention. You can already see the progress we've made in addressing those concerns. I have heard you speak of issues which include, our YOUTH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, our VULNERABLE RESIDENTS, EDUCATION and PUBLIC SAFETY. By continuing to work with the Mayor and my colleagues on the Council, and with you our citizens, our upward mobility will continue. The solutions to many of the concerns and issues that we currently face are vested in our residents, businesses and visitors. Therefore, I am striving to include and involve our young people, our senior citizens, our business community, the faith community and you in this process. 

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

The young people of our city require our care and nurturing. Today's youth are faced with a myriad of challenges that requires parents, teachers and government to work together to address. Our schools, recreation facilities, youth employment and health care are critical areas of concern. The resources dedicated to the needs of our youth must be utilized in such a manner to provide positive and beneficial experiences that will improve the quality of life. When addressing the needs of young people, we must take a holistic approach beginning in early childhood and including all stages of development though young adulthood -- our students at the University of the District of Columbia. As our young people grow, develop and mature, we must provide them with health and safe environments.

Through the budgetary and governmental oversight responsibilities, the Council can assist our youth by focusing governmental resources to equip schools, provide and expand recreational and physical activities, provide job and career training as well as post-secondary educational opportunities in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States. We have witnessed increased opportunities for our young people to attend colleges and universities across the United States through scholarships, in-state tuition programs and foundation grants. 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Economic development must address all sectors of business and community. The major ingredients of sound economic development include businesses, real estate and housing, employment, education, public safety, etc. The growth and development that we experience in our downtown area should serve as a driving force to positively impact our communities and neighborhoods. Our residents should be encouraged to participate in the growth of our city in the high tech area, the expanding sports and entertainment industry, tourism and our traditional employment categories. 

The District of Columbia enjoys a new level of respect on Wall Street from major companies interested in moving to our city, the thousands of tourists who visit us from around the world, and, most importantly, our residents. A well-run government is crucial to our continued growth and success. Our government has made tremendous strides in fiscal management, community planning and development, infrastructure improvements and other areas across the spectrum. By recognizing and maintaining our areas of strength and concentrating on our areas in need of improvement, the District of Columbia, and our citizens as a whole, will prosper. 

PROTECTING VULNERABLE RESIDENTS

Very often our city is described as becoming increasingly inhabited by the very old and the very young, the very rich and the very poor. The extremes illustrated here emphasize three of the vulnerable sectors of our population. A significant number of our residents are living longer. Our added years of longevity also present us with a new set of issues. Our elderly population (many of whom are on fixed income) requires additional resources for Elderly Day Care Programs, Medicaid, subsidized housing, and many other expenditures that address the quality of life. Also, we are proud to proclaim significant increases in the quantity and quality of life for our residents with HIV. We are living longer, and we should live better!

Children should not be faced with concerns that prevent them from growing and maturing. As a city we recognize that there are increasing numbers of students in need of Special Education that is specifically designed to address their particular disabilities. The education of children is a top priority. 

Many of our elderly, our youth and our families are faced with circumstances and costs that present overwhelming obstacles to their lives and senses of well-being. Our concerted efforts to coordinate the services of government and the private sector to identify needs and provide services continue to increase, although the areas of housing, food, quality education, medical attention, and public safety still affect far too many of our residents. We will utilize our best efforts and design first-class initiatives so that no one is left behind.

THE HONORABLE LINDA W. CROPP
CHAIRMAN

Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 724-8032