Last week, the DC Board of Elections certified the results of the general election. For ANC races in Lamond-Riggs, incumbent ANC commissioners Geoff Bromaghim (4B07), Alison Brooks (4B08), LaRoya Huff (4B09), and Gordon Fletcher (5A08) all won reelection and will continue to represent their single member districts (SMDs). One new commissioner was elected to represent ANC 5A01 in Riggs Park.

Besides ANC 5A01, ANC 5A will welcome two other new commissioners, in ANC 5A02 and ANC 5A06, in January. I asked the newly elected individuals to share a little about themselves with residents.

5A01

Damion McDuffie, Sr. ran unopposed and was elected to represent ANC single member district 5A01, which encompasses the southern portion of Riggs Park and UDC’s Bertie Backus campus. I know Mr. McDuffie as a neighbor as we live just a couple of blocks from each other. I am happy that he decided to serve on the ANC considering no one really wanted to step into the role. (For those who might be wondering, Damion is Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie’s brother). He provided written responses to a few questions, printed below.

How long have you lived in the neighborhood?

My family and I have lived happily and peacefully on 7th Street for 16 yrs now. In Ward 5 and as a DC resident for 47 yrs now.

What is your professional/civic background?

I currently serve as a Case Manager for the Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizens Affairs (MORCA) assisting men and women with their transition home from prison. Connecting them with essential services, programs and organizations in the District. Prior to MORCA, I served as a Constituent Services Representative for Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). During my time as a Constituent Representative, I  was able to assist thousands of District residents with issues involving federal agencies such as the US Postal Service, the US Park Service, the Social Security Administration, US Immigration and Naturalization Services and many other federal agencies. Issues ranging from mail delivery, lack of response from federal agencies, immigration concerns to dumping in federal parks. My main area of focus due to my education and work experience in the field of Criminal Justice were federal agencies that dealt with federal DC inmates such as the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the US Parole Commission, and Court Services and Offender Services.

I assisted incarcerated federal DC prisoners across the United States by acting as a mediator and representative for Congresswoman Norton when resolving inmate concerns with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the USPC. By helping incarcerated individuals find the resources and connections needed to resolve issues and address concerns, I was able to assist them with their successful transition back into society. 

As an experienced community activist and leader, I have dedicated more than two decades of my life and professional career to supporting District residents, particularly those who are Returning Citizens and justice-involved individuals. I devote considerable amounts of time to building a better Washington through volunteerism and supporting initiatives focused on empowering DC residents, DC Returning Citizens and justice-involved individuals as well as our DC youth. 

What do you hope to accomplish on the ANC?

– Single Member District Meetings
– ANC 501A Social Media Platform
– Enhance Communication and Engagement with Community Based Organizations, Government Agencies, and Elected Leaders
– Responsive and Inclusive Leadership

5A02

Charles Lockett ran unopposed and was elected to represent ANC single member district 5A02. ANC 5A02 includes the part of North Michigan Park east of South Dakota Avenue NE as well as Fort Circle Park at South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. Anyone who has attended ANC 5A meetings in recent years should be familiar with Mr. Lockett, as he is not shy about making his opinion known.

Mr. Lockett and I spoke by phone. He is a retired, disabled Vietnam veteran and worked in facilities management for a number of public and private sector entities. Mr. Lockett’s goal for serving on the ANC is to make the neighorhood safe and clean for everyone.

5A06

Derrick Holloway, Sr. ran unopposed and was elected to represent ANC single member district 5A06, which covers some of Pleasant Hills west of Fort Totten Park. I spoke with Mr. Holloway briefly by phone. Residents will have an opportunity to hear more from Mr. Holloway when he is is seated on the commission, but he did say that I can share that he is a former three-term ANC commissioner. He represented the area when it was part of ANC 5C before ANC boundaries were redrawn following the 2010 census.

Congratulations to the newly elected commissioners.