Final Community Candidate Forums Set For This Week

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

The last two community candidate forums are set for this week. The Ward 6 forum is scheduled for today and Ward 5’s for tomorrow. "The Ward 6 councilmember plays a significant role in shaping public policy throughout the city, but an outsized role in shaping what will impact you and your neighbors in Rosedale, H Street, Capitol Hill and Southwest," says Elissa Silverman, one of the forum's coordinators, who’s on staff at the Fiscal Policy Institute. “Wednesday night's forum will offer voters a chance to hear candidate priorities not only for the city, but for your block as well." Questions will focus on the need for procurement reform, the role of Project Labor Agreements, how to ensure affordable housing in the District and how to expand the number of quality jobs that pay a living wage in the District, among others. “This is an important opportunity to hold candidates to our agenda, educate our members about candidates' positions and show our power,” explains Alya Solomon, legislative and political assistant for the Metro Council, which has partnered with DC Jobs with Justice and many other community organizations to host the series of candidate forums throughout the city. The Ward 6 candidate forum will take place at Christ Our Shepherd Church, 801 N. Carolina Ave, SE 7:30-9p. The Ward 5 Candidate forum will take place at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Ave NE at 6:30-8P. The program will start promptly at 6:30P. For more information contact Ruth Castel-Branco at 202-974-8281. – photo: Ward 5 Councilmember Harry “Tommy” Thomas Jr. is seen speaking to union volunteers during the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO’s Labor-To-Labor canvassing walk on Saturday, August 21; photo by Chris Garlock