Meet the Candidates: Mitchell Baer for 3F03

This is the latest in our 2022 “Meet the Candidates” series featuring the candidates for ANC 3F, and the recently redistricted areas they are seeking to represent.

The single member district that will be ANC 3F03 as of January 1st needs no introduction… from us. Mitchell Baer, the sole candidate for the seat, has done the job for us.

Here is his statement:

I am running to serve as Commissioner for ANC single member district (SMD) 3F03, which is an irregular boot-shaped area comprised of single-family homes and several apartment buildings along Connecticut Avenue, bounded by Albemarle Street and Military Road on the north (connected by Broad Branch Road on the northwest boundary), Tilden Street to the south, and Beach Drive on the east. It includes a large area of Rock Creek Park (RCP), along its the Soapstone Valley extension; a valuable resource to the residents in the ANC/SMD. A part of Howard University Law School and Hillwood Estate is also in the district. I feel that these non-voting resources are also my constituents and will be a part of my responsibilities as commissioner.

I would like to further my involvement in issues that impact our community, including the ongoing DC Department of Water reconstruction of the Soapstone Valley tributary and the re-lining of main sewer lines within the valley; pedestrian accessibility, safe streets and traffic safety; the development/re-development of vacant retail space and other buildings in the ANC corridors; sustainable management of city park and RCP trails and facilities; establishment of dedicated bike and bus lanes; and issues of resident safety, well-being, and welfare.

After almost 40 years as a resident of the DC area, we moved to the Park Van Ness apartments 3 years ago. I now hike and maintain city park and RCP trails, bike on the closed-to-most-vehicular-traffic section of Beach Drive, run through the Forrest Hills neighborhoods, swim in the Jackson-Reed High School pool, and use the buses along Connecticut Ave and the Metro for most of my errands, when I am not otherwise walking.

I have experience with community governance organizations and their role and interaction with local jurisdictions. Our apartment overlooks the current Soapstone Valley project, we are across the street from the Days Inn and up the block from the Burke school. I have a good understanding of the issues facing the residents of the ANC and have had discussions with many residents to understand their concerns and hopes for our neighborhoods. I want to ensure that their issues have an advocate within the ANC and the broader District government.

You can contact Mitchell Baer at [email protected].