Leo Pinson is a candidate in the upcoming Democratic primary for Ward 6 City Council race in September. Pinson served from 2000-2003 as Neighborhood Services Coordinator, where he cited nuisance properties, arranged bulk trash pickups and worked to bring restaurants and bars into compliance with ABC and public space regulations. These services, often taken for granted, are among the fundamentals of quality neighborhood living. No one debates that Pinson’s tenure as NSC made a difference in the lives of people who live in Ward 6. Too often in Washington, getting dumped trash picked up or alleys restored to some semblance of order is an exercise in urban futility. This public service is Pinson’s great strength, and his web site illuminates in great detail these accomplishments that allow him to trumpet himself as a man who gets things done. As a candidate for City Council, he hopes to translate these small and large urban victories into votes from appreciative residents. In addition to his work in Ward 6, Pinson has been a substitute teacher and is an active member of the Metropolitan Police Reserve Corp. As Officer Pinson, he patrols Capitol Hill streets and alleys as a volunteer active duty policeman on an alternating weekly schedule. Pinson is married and earns his living as a consultant and has been a Hill resident since 1997.
What is your vision for Ward 6?
I want to see that the people in Ward 6 are all accounted for by the person who represents them. The current opinion is that Sharon Ambrose is representing [only] Capitol Hill. I hear that from northeast, H Street and Southwest. I have worked with the community throughout the ward . As the Neighborhood Service Coordinator I have developed lots of relationships. I want to see people in the ward involved.
Why do you want to be on the City Council ?
I think I’m the best prepared person for leading the Ward. I‘ve been part of change. I know how to get things done. My campaign motto is: problem solving, not politics. Quote me: Politics is often an excuse for doing nothing. You can always hide in the bureaucracy. My view of myself? I’m not reactive. I’m proactive. I’m very hands on. I would like to co-locate my constituent services in the ward. I see the Wilson Building as a place to hide; that should not be the case.
How much time do you plan on campaigning?
I campaign every day. Each day I do something, and especially on weekends. I spend time in the streets. And at ANC meetings.
How much money do you expect to raise?
I don’t know. Whatever is necessary. I would like to raise enough money to do the campaign. But with money comes the expectation that you are going to do something for someone. I have a message. No amount of money will change that. Tommy ( Wells ) has a lot of money. He also has significant liabilities. If you have been on the School Board and performed as ineffectively as he has, yet you are an advocate for placing children first, I don’t know how voters will be able to right that in their minds. I am not looking to buy opinions. Whatever money is required, that’s what I want to have.
What strategy will you use to counter Wells lead in money and organization?
Facts. The numbers speak for themselves. The lack of ideas. The inaction of taking care of the business of education in this ward. The lost time when you are in a position to make policy in a school system and you find yourself where we are now. You have to ask: what have you been doing? In the same fashion partnerships play into how you perform on the School Board. [What does it say] if you can’t get the system, which is flush with money, to fix the windows at Tyler Elementary School, which was the case for years.
What do you see as the principal issues of Ward 6 ?
A lot of it is development. Reservation 13. The Anacostia Waterfront. Revitalization of the Southwest Waterfront, not just the mall. Affordable housing - big time! I am very concerned about H Street [and] its revitalization. There are too many carry-outs and personal grooming shops. It needs sit down restaurants, a book store.
What are your thoughts about the use of Reservation 13 for a new hospital ?
Trying to push the hospital down the throats of the people of Hill East makes me wonder. I think there will be some sort of medical facility. I hope it is not a hospital. A hospital is where you go for emergencies. What is ailing the black community is not the lack of hospital beds, but a lack of care. No medical center until a Certificate of Need is conducted. I don’t think a hospital or [hospital] beds are the answer. Greater Southeast already exists. We need clinics. Howard hasn’t demonstrated that it can run Howard University Hospital.
What is your thinking about development in Hill East ?
I don’t have a strong opinion one way or the other. Developers came to the community, e.g., Providence Church. That project is going forward. I would like to see developments connected to the community, even if they are matter-of-right as with Harris Teeter at 3rd & H St. But when they came to the ANC, they weren’t prepared.
What is the most important development in Ward 6 in the past five years ?
Exponential increases in housing costs and what it has done to neighborhoods. Ward 6 is more and more unaffordable to most people. Most first time homebuyers don’t have $500,000. And rents are pretty high as well.
What are your thoughts about the closing of public schools in Ward 6 ?
It needs to be done carefully. My reservations with consolidation? We are wasting money in schools that are under utilized. What I am hearing is there are mixed feelings. It needs to be carefully done.
What is your thinking about the now-done stadium deal and cost overruns?
I’ve seen the designs. I like the look of it. Baseball has done a good job. The view will be something. My reservation was the deal that was made.
Can you comment on crime and safety in Ward 6 ?
We still don’t have enough officer visibility. The officers are not happy with the system. They enjoy policing. The difficulties [are] in papering a case [writing paperwork after an arrest]. When I make an arrest, and we have to be in court in the morning and then report at 2:00 am for duty. This is disruptive to officer’s lives.
What about the leadership of Police Chief Ramsey?
I would not be unhappy if this was his last year. He hasn’t been helpful to the Reserve Corps in what we are trying to do.
What are your thoughts about job creation, especially insuring that DC residents get a fair share of jobs?
Unemployment hits the black community disproportionately. I’d like to see manufacturing increased. We could be fabricating things. I would like to see more high tech. Like XM Satellite.
You have a significant list of accomplishment on your web site. How does that compare with the other candidates in the Ward 6 race?
I am not aware that Curtis [Etherly] has any accomplishments. The Board of Trade, serving with [At-Large Reupublican Councilmember] Carol Schwartz. This is a Democratic primary - what is he doing in it? I couldn’t see helping Republicans. I’m not aware he has any in Ward 6. Tommy (Wells) has a record in education that speaks for itself. It is a record to run from, not on.
What do you mean when you write on your web site that the “District is providing a product called education to a community that is largely unreceptive”?
The product is education. As a teacher what has shocked me is how unprepared kids are when they come at 8:30. The are dirty. They behave as though this is the first opportunity to use the rest room. Parents are unreceptive. A high level of instruction is necessary. We need to get to the root causes for both parents and kids. For too many parents it is mandatory for their children to show up. Not because it is the right thing That’s scary. The product doesn’t seem to be valued by parents and kids.
What about Wells’ service troubles you?
I’m the best prepared and most knowledgeable in the ward to lead it. What I don’t like is there is a history of ineffectiveness. I think it is unlikely that someone who has not demonstrated the ability to deal with one segment of city government can deal with many segments of city government.
What is your commitment to public schools ?
People have already paid for public schools. I went to them. I believe in them. If public schools were doing the job, there would not be charter schools. You can’t knock the charters for that. A children’s education is too important.
What do you think of the concept of co-location, that is, having charter school co-exist with public schools in the same building)?
It depends on the fit. A charter at McKinley [Technology High School] would go hand in hand. A well-structured charter school in a failing public school would be [a disservice to] the charter school. At Terrell the good kids and the bad kids are fighting after school.
I have campaign advisers. I am running my campaign. I have not found that competent person that I can entrust my reputation too.
Can you name your advisors?
No, all of them are in Ward 6. There are many who are federal employees. There could be potential Hatch Act violations involved.
I would want people to know I will have office hours [if I am elected]. Once or twice a week. I will be visible. The Wilson Building provides the ability to hide. It takes you away from reality.