headcand.gif (1946 bytes)
hruler04.gif (5511 bytes)
DCWatch home  Archives home

Back to Jeffrey Gildenhorn main page

Jeffrey Gildenhorn
Mayoral Candidate
The Speech given by Jeffrey Gildenhorn at his Kick-Off Rally
June 6, 1998

Unlike my opponents, I am not a Politician, a Lawyer, or an Accountant. First and foremost, I am a Washingtonian, a native-born Washingtonian, with deep roots in the city, a product of the public school system in the District of Columbia, and proud of it. For the past 35 years I have been a small Businessman owning and operating 11 businesses in the District of Columbia.

Although I do not have a track record on the City Council, I have a record of consequence in business. I have created jobs for thousands of people, providing goods and service for Washingtonians and visitors alike. I am a nostalgic type of guy, a prisoner of my past; fondly but sadly remembering Washington institutions that have either moved out of city, gone bankrupt, or just closed its doors.

These include: Raleigh Haberdasher, Garfinkles, Georgetown University Shops, Woodrow and Lothrop, Charles Earnest Jeweler, Hayman Cash Register Co., Miles Sandwich Shops, Ida’s Department Stores, Posin’s Delicatessen, Perpetual Bank, District Grocery Stores, Dart Drugs, McArthur Theater, Hot Shoppes, Washington Redskins, Washington Senators, Woolworth Five & Dime, Little Tavern, Howard Theater, Georgetown Theater, Hahn Shoes, Schupp’s Bakery.

Now is the time to pass the torch to a new generation of Thinkers, a progressive Businessman who is not afraid to be a Risk Taker, who is a creative entrepreneur, yet compassionate and sensitive; placing people before numbers.

I have a vision for this city — an “Economic Renaissance” for Washingtonians. An economy that can boast a downtown metropolis parallel to New York City’s Times Square, neighborhoods that proudly cultivate their own individuality and ethnic origin, a college for higher education, The University of the District of Columbia that will be the educational showpiece for higher learning.

Reaching east of the River in Ward 8, I visualize a city within a city, developing the grounds of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, supporting a strip neighborhood shopping center, affordable housing, a mega grocery and pharmaceutical store, and a trade school to help generate jobs for those who cannot attend college.

Applying “Creative Economics,” I as your Mayor, will encourage businesses to move in the District of Columbia by offering them an investment tax credit equal to the amount of sales tax they collect in the first year of business, provide that they sign a minimal six year lease; couple this with the removal of riot scarred buildings on 14th Street, New York Avenue, Benning Road, and Bladensburg Road, I can turn these “blights” into viable businesses.

Putting people before politics, I as your Mayor will continue to support Senior Citizens, insuring that they receive excellent health care, live in well-maintained buildings, and be an integral part of our communities. Not forgetting our youth, which represents our future, I will continue the summer job youth programs, that builds character and responsibility, and is an imprint to build upon later on in life.

Turning to our city service, I will insist on accountability from our Police Department starting with bottom-up management, and will insist on nothing less than perfection when it comes to protecting our citizens. Our teachers, students, and parents must work together to make our educational system in the Nation’s Capital the model for which All cities should emulate.

I will strive for professionalism in the Department of Consumer Regulatory Affairs and fairness in the Office of Traffic and Adjudication. I will strive for cohesiveness with out city’s Rank and File, and include them in our decision-making policies.

I feel as Your Mayor, the days of the Control Board will be numbered, and Full Democracy will return to the District of Columbia.

For the first time in 16 years, you have a choice. You can choose one of three lawyers who have failed you on the city council or an accountant who puts numbers before people. I put People before Numbers. I call upon YOU, the Citizens of the District of Columbia to look into your heart and choose Jeffrey Gildenhorn, the Voice for All People.

Thank You very Much, and God Bless

JEFFREY GILDENHORN


Send mail with questions or comments to webmaster@dcwatch.com
Web site copyright ©DCWatch (ISSN 1546-4296)


Send mail with questions or comments to webmaster@dcwatch.com
Web site copyright ©DCWatch (ISSN 1546-4296)