Elections will be held at the Cal Anderson Park Shelter House on Thursday, June 25th. The polls will be open from 7-9pm.

This year, the Council is expanding its leadership committee to seven positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and three "At-Large" representative positions.

Over the last year, the Capitol Hill Community Council has held various meetings that have addressed a number of community concerns and developments. The Council also organized the "Capitol Hill Halloween Walk" and the development of the "Capitol Hill Discount Dollar" as well as supporting "Unpaving Paradise" fundraising for John and Summit Park.

2009 Candidates

Jennifer Power - President
Charlette LeFevre - President
Hong Chhuor - Vice-President
Kami Bodily - Vice-President
Clark Smith - Secretary
Tony Russo - Treasurer
Debbie Kirchhauser - At-Large Representative
Web Crowell - At-Large Representative
Josh Mahar - At-Large Representative

Our community gathered in a well-attended forum to elect you as the voice and face of the Capitol Hill Community Council — that includes all of us who live and work on Capitol Hill.

I was lucky to participate in just about every meeting of the new Council and sit on its steering committee. A fascinating, and at times frustrating, process. One with a great result. I applaud you guys and thank each of you for the time and energy you'll contribute.

I want to mention one thing that stuck with me following the election. During candidate speeches someone mentioned "twisting the arm" of the editor of a local paper (Doug Schwartz of the Capitol Hill Times, no?) A former officer of the CHCC pointed out that the editor happened to be sitting in the audience, 10 feet away from the candidate who proposed the arm twisting. Everyone chuckled.

It was clear this former officer knew the editor. On election day I don't expect the same of our new officers, but I encourage you to do the same in the coming months. Sit down with your local news reporters and ask them what stories they see emerging in the community. Have coffee with local business owners. Attend meetings of other Capitol Hill community groups. I'm glad to hear you'll regularly attend the farmer's market — find more of these venues.

Please make it a priority to get out in the community — the council itself. The first year will entail lots of formalities, structures and frameworks. Bylaws, board, government filings, oh my! But structure yourself in and around the people you represent. For instance, if you want to speculate on conflicts of interest, take time to get to know the person who you believe represents the conflict over and above vague understandings of "IRS codes."

This council is about people. Relate to them, represent them, rally them!

Thanks again for representing us.

James

Andrew Taylor and Roberta conducted the elections.
Thanks to Crave restaurant for supplying the snack tray.

1) Meet the CHCC officer candidates at Smith
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Smith
Street: 332 15th Ave E
Facebook event page

2) Meet the CHCC candidates at the Sunday market on Broadway
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2008
Time: 11:00am - 3:00pm
Location: just behind the Broadway Bank of America
Street: 10th Ave East and East Thomas
Facebook event page

If we are to gain public trust in the council and to ensure that officers and committees are "independent, impartial, and responsible to the community" we should have a strong Conflict of Interest policy which should be fiercely upheld.

Recommend IRS policy be incorporated into bylaws:
"The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect this tax-exempt organization's (Organization) interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Organization or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations."

If you have any questions for the candidates, please post them here. This is also a place for general discussion of the candidates and the upcoming elections. Fire away!

Best, Daniel