|
In The Beginning . . . Born and raised in Harlem during the turbulent 1950s-1960s, to firm and nurturing self-empowered parents, required that I have a genuine sense of activism and personal responsibility. Though I have worked as a network radio news journalist, local radio news director, government and finance public affairs specialist, adult education teacher, and Internet news publisher (BOOKSandWORDS.com) for the last 25 years, I'm still an assertive citizen-activist at heart. This activism also stems from my high school and college days as a student activist for minority student and education  issues. This was bolstered earlier by my parent's traditional and "DO something about it!" outlook on various social issues while growing up in New York City and Savannah, Georgia. As the older son of an Army paratrooper father from Harlem and a senior insurance clerk mother from Georgia, I learned a lot about the critical importance of empowerment and real accountability. My greatest achievement as a high school student activist was helping to successfully negotiate an expanded citywide employment program for qualified Black and Latino teachers, including high school college preparation courses, career-oriented classes, and an ethnically sensitive history and culture curriculum for Black and Latino students during 1969-71. The student, parent, teacher and community coalition, I was the student representative for, laid an equitable and solid foundation in New York City's plan for public school teacher diversity and curriculum improvements existing today. This is why educational and socioeconomic empowerment remains my priority over 30 years later -- a priority I will definitely act on as Mayor Moore.
 The Inside Outsider . . . The reality behind DC government is actually worse than the public perception. I have worked in key areas inside District government for District of Columbia Public Schools Office of the Superintendent (Office of Parent Affairs), and in public affairs for the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. My public affairs duties afforded me great access, insight and indisputable evidence about all that is exceptionally right and far too much that is genuinely wrong in District government. Quite frankly, from my perspective as someone engaged in helping to smooth the public image of these agencies, the dysfunction is far beyond what the public actually sees and suffers. Most specifically, I was a witness to the shell game policies that shifts money from critical public needs that ends up in blind budgets for short term special interest projects and  events -- Grand Prix racing, new convention center, summer Olympics sports promotion, luxury development, Major League Baseball stadium, and the list goes on -- all of this, and more, while our school system still deteriorates, unaffordable housing increases, HIV/AIDS infections expand, random violent crimes continues, overtaxed homeowners are stressed, District government operations remain dysfunctional, and greater numbers of residents give-up and leave. As mayor, I will merge tested and practical policies, with innovative ideas and effective action. At every level and agency of my administration I will aggressively promote a climate of competent administration, long-term fiscal responsibility, effective-friendly citizen services, and genuine full accountability to every DC resident. Under the leadership of a Moore Administration, the District of Columbia will be the first choice home of diverse and empowered everyday people -- whether you work hard to earn $10,000 or $100,000 per year.
 The Discontent of Many . . . District discontent continues and, in many respects, it has increased throughout diverse socioeconomic communities. Many have chosen to leave DC. By now, it should be no surprise that our discontent has less to do with our affiliation to an ethnic group, economic strata, or political party. Our discontent is deeply rooted in the serious lack of accountability and effective action on the actual needs of everyday residents. This discontent can and must be eliminated by a mayor that has the genuine will and innovative leadership to act in the best interest of District of Columbia citizens. I also know, at this particular time, a Republican mayoral candidate in a city-state dominated by Democratic public officials may seem like an impossible challenge. But, I confidently believe and know that diverse District voters are way ahead of the usual crop of unaccountable officials and candidates making the same self-serving predictable promises. No doubt, we can no longer find comfort in public officials who are comfortable with another four-plus years of unaccountable, misguided, stale and arrogant governance. Older and younger DC voters, longtime and newer residents, as well as families of diverse incomes know the true source behind the decline of truly affordable, safe and productive living for all residents. Moreover, we know it is time for real change. My mayoral candidacy represents real choice for change. I am empowered by the many DC residents, like you, who told me the time has come for leadership of change -- a change to policies and priorities for people.
 The Proactivist Candidate . . . Having lived and worked in Washington-DC for nearly 20 years, I've discovered that my professional pursuits have not relieved me from a very avid and highly informed interest in activist politics. During the 2002 DC mayoral elections, I vigorously explored my potential as an Independent candidate for mayor, rooted in people-oriented policies and higher standards of governance. Unfortunately, the deep discontent among diverse voting and non-voting District residents about our local electoral process, the distraction of campaign scandals, and voter disgust from the usual cast of candidates left limited opportunities to motivate major attention. As a loyal and aware DC resident, I deeply empathize and understand the reasons for this discontent -- and what can be done to change it. Any candidate that cannot fully guarantee a continuous commitment to people-oriented priorities does not deserve your vote. I will not be that candidate or mayor. Leadership that ignores this responsibility does not deserve to lead.
Empowerment & Potential . . . During many family and professional experiences in and beyond the District, there was always this strong sense of a greater potential for DC life and living that was being suppressed. As a 53 year-old father of two and grandfather of three with a wealth of experiences, I have no doubt that our greater potential will come from leaders dedicated to immediate and long-term  policies of empowerment for Washington's most challenged communities, struggling middle class, and our private sector partners. The history and warnings are totally clear on the dangers of cities and officials that grow socioeconomic divisions among its citizens. Public officials that are serious and single-minded about empowering people must build the strongest bridge between this divide. Leadership that clearly understands the shared benefits of having successful communities everywhere in the District must be elected to grow our empowerment. I have always said that 'The Nation's Capital', "our hometown," and the people that sustain it must be the most obvious examples of what's best in America. My public policy priorities will insure that our local government, public officials and capable public servants are held fully accountable for aiding and strengthening the empowerment of every District of Columbia resident. The challenges ahead, and the expectation of obstacles, will be motivation for greater innovative effort. Effective people-oriented policies will be the foundation of a Moore Administration. This is the foundation a united District of Columbia will be built on. Unlike any other DC mayor, genuine empowerment will be my standard.
Real Choice for Real Change . . . My candidacy is about the real choice and real change we have all expected for the last twelve years. We now know, more than ever, this is the time to BE about making change rather than TALK about it. Our ability to choose the best in us can overcome what we have settled for over the years. I am completely confident in my ability to effectively empower every District resident through people-oriented priorities. |
|
|
|
Maurice G. Fitzgerald - The Washington Informer
|
Nearly 20 years ago, when I first came to permanently live in the District of Columbia from Harlem, there was always a strong sense of what was best about DC, and its greater potential. The sense of family, community, upward mobility, and years of family gatherings with local DC relatives and friends from the 1960s to 80s only strengthened what I already knew. Our hometown, 'The Nation's Capital' and the global center of democracy, can be a real reflection of our true collective potential for genuine socioeconomic empowerment -- our exponential potential.
As Mayor Moore, I will provide a new and higher standard of leadership and motivation that enables diverse District government agencies, proactive public servants, vital community groups, neighborhood associations, families, youth energy, senior wisdom, neighborhood small businesses, DC-based organizations and diverse members of our valuable corporate sector to empower all District residents.
It has always been my contention that the present and future of the District of Columbia resides in the collective potential of its people. The purpose and responsibility of elected public officials is to provide effective leadership and resources that are accountable, forward thinking, and rooted in present day realities -- a paradigm shift benefiting people. Every DC resident, including the diverse businesses that serve and support us, should be treated respectfully and attentively as a strategic investment for the greater good of our city-state.
We have the potential to be a major new state that serves as an example for other sovereign states to follow. History has proven, throughout many civilizations, a society’s greatest potential resides in its people. As I clearly learned from working on Wall Street to K Street, a carefully managed investment produces exponential dividends that enriches and sustains us all. We, and the investment we make in ourselves, are the true source of exponential potential. District leadership that settles for anything less deserves no opportunity to lead.
 |
|
Dennis Moore
Mayor For A New Washington
|
|
 |
|
