Tom Whitley is a 16-year resident of D.C.’s Forest Hills neighborhood, and a newly elected advisory neighborhood commissioner. On Tuesday, he defeated Frank Winstead, who was best known for fighting local restaurant Comet Ping Pong’s popular outdoor pingpong tables.
Why did you run for ANC?
The main reason I ran, and I’m glad I defeated the other guy, is my friends thought he was a difficult person. His position with regard to the stores on the Politics and Prose block [of Connecticut Avenue] wasn’t really well founded. That’s why I did it.
Are you a pingpong player?
Historically I played, but not much lately. Apartments don’t really leave a lot of space for pingpong.
Are you business friendly?
If they’re really doing a good job for the community we should support them.
What do you love about Forest Hills?
Fantastic accessibility to the region through the Metro and other transportation. The fact that there are lots of amenities within walking distance. I mean, endless. We spend a lot of time on the streets here in this part of town.
What do you do for a living?
Fourteen years I’ve been a tour guide, a certified master guide. There’s a lot of embassy visits, the [National] Cathedral, Mount Vernon. I’m also certified in Annapolis. It’s not just four shots on the Mall.
What do you recommend that tourists see?
I certainly think it’s important for people who come to Washington to grasp the meaning and power of the Mall. It’s too bad we can’t get people up to the west terrace of the Capitol. When I take a tour up there I tell them to stop quickly and take a picture. The police don’t allow walking up there anymore. And God knows you visit Abraham Lincoln.
Do you expect the Forest Hill ANC to keep you busy?
The area really isn’t very controversial. This particular area on Connecticut Avenue isn’t zoned for a lot of growth so that’s not very likely. We don’t have the Tenley/Wisconsin Avenue kind of problems.
