Click to skip the intro and go straight to Dipa Mehta’s statement
In early October, ballots for the November 3rd election will start arriving in the mailboxes of registered voters. The names on the ballots will include the candidates for president and at-large members of the DC Council. And, if you live in ANC 3F (which encompasses much of the 20008 Zip code’s northern half), you will see at least one name on the ballot for your single member district.
Though you will get to cast your vote for just one ANC candidate, we think you should get to know them all. As a group, they will vote on resolutions and otherwise be granted “great weight” by DC agencies considering local issues. We invited the candidates for the seven seats on 3F to send us statements and we are publishing them in order of SMD.
We’ll post the statements from the two incumbents, David Cristeal of 3F01 and Monika Nemeth of 3F06, at the end of the series, and we started with Alexandria Appah in 3F02.
Next up: Dipa Mehta, who is running unopposed in 3F03.
My name is Dipa Mehta and I have lived in Forest Hills since 2004 with my husband, two teens and a cute labradoodle.
I am running to serve as Commissioner for single member district 3F03, which is an area comprised mostly of single-family homes with a few apartment buildings along Connecticut Avenue and the daylighted Broad Branch Stream to the north and Soapstone Valley to the south. I would like to further my involvement in issues that impact our community, including pedestrian and traffic safety, the development of vacant retail space in the Van Ness corridor, issues of environmental sustainability, and affordable housing.
In 2013, I joined the Van Ness Vision Committee, a committee of the ANC whose goal was to make our corridor of Connecticut Avenue more vibrant and attractive. Two years later, that Committee applied for and won a grant to be designated as Van Ness Main Street. I was a founding Board Member of VNMS and Chair of the Economic Development Committee for the Van Ness corridor of Connecticut Avenue.
I worked closely with several businesses, including Bread Furst, Acacia Bistro, and Italian Pizza Kitchen, to win Great Streets Grants awarded by the District. I led the effort to draft a position paper and testified before DDOT to oppose Chick-fil-A’s application for approval to operate a drive through at the Burger King site due to traffic and pedestrian safety concerns. Most recently, I negotiated a Letter of Intent with senior staff of the University of the District of Columbia regarding their commitments to lease commercial real estate in Van Ness.
As Commissioner, I would work to further the interests of the local community, respond to constituent issues, and continue to promote the sustainability, economic vibrancy and walkability of this neighborhood that I love.
You can contact Dipa Mehta at [email protected].
Tomorrow: Stan Wall of 3F04.
Marjorie Rachlin says
I am glad to hear you are running, since you clearly have experience with our neighborhood issues. The ANC is an important body which gives residents the opportunity to bring up new problems and comment on solutions to old ones.
Mary Beth Ray says
Dipa, I can’t think of anyone more qualified or dedicated to serve our beautiful neighborhood. We will be fortunate indeed to have you represent us on the ANC!
Janet Forlines says
Dipa is highly qualified to serve as our commissioner. She is committed to ensuring our neighborhood remains a wonderful place to live. Dipa, thank you for your dedication!
Nikhil Nelson says
Thank you Dipa for your commitment to local government, you have made a tremendous difference in my life already.