Miriam Moore bills herself as an independent who “wants to take D.C. off the path of gentrification, corporate over-development and a District government that doesn’t work.” She has lived in Ward 5 since 2001. Moore faces Democrat Harry “Tommy” Thomas and D.C. Statehood Green candidate Carolyn Steptoe in November’s general election. Her husband, Dennis Moore, is running as a Republican write-in candidate for mayor.
What would you do to increase affordable housing in the District?
I would seek to build family-friendly neighborhoods that will remain affordable [for] many years to come. I would look beyond developer-controlled housing production and propose community land trusts and taxpayer-funded limited equity housing that would allow communities to control the resale price of these units and keep them affordable.
Is the word “gentrification” a dirty word?
Gentrification is a dirty practice affecting socioeconomic groups regardless of their ethnicity. Gentrification prices low-to-middle-income D.C. residents out of theircommunities. This is not the path to safer streets and economic development. These things can exist in a low-to-middle-income environment where people are empowered to progress.
Should there be above- or below-ground parking garages accompanying the new baseball stadium?
The deal that the District negotiated for the baseball stadium is perfect example of bad decisions that send the city into a scramble for cash to cover shortfalls. No more public money should go into this money pit, so cost overruns associated with the parking garage should be privately funded.
If he is elected, Adrian Fenty is considering a takeover of D.C. Schools. What are your views on that, and do you feel Clifford Janey has been an effective schools superintendent so far?
I support mayoral takeover of the school system if it ultimately leads to community control of individual schools. Following the Chicago model, I would seek the support of the Ward 5 community to form Neighborhood School Councils that who would be responsible and accountable for all aspects of school management.
What’s your favorite D.C. restaurant?
I have equal amounts of love for Ben’s Chili Bowl and Colonel Brooks Tavern.
