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Reality Check
Independent Insights About Life and Living In the District of Columbia

The Coming DC Fiscal Crisis — Unspoken Truths Behind DC Government’s Budgeting Shell Games >
Citizen Control of DC Schools Empowers All of Our Children — A Proposal for Educational Excellence >
Funding What Matters In Ways That Empower — A Sustaining Plan for MLK and Community Libraries >
Mayor Williams' Truth Comes Home to Roost — How Our Former Mayor May Have Sold Us Out Again >
Yet, Another Mind-Boggling District Land Giveaway — Losing DC Land From Crackhead Economics >
School Management 101: Getting It Right This Time — Bring Back Neighborhood School Councils >
DCICC Bylaws     -     DCICC Core Beliefs     -     DCICC Principles     -     We the People
We Value Your Comments, Criticisms and Questions: DCIndependents@gmail.com

The DCICC Mission: Citizen Control

The mission of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control (DCICC) political party is to ensure that every elected and appointed public official, plus agencies or agents, of D.C. government are under genuine citizen control. Our mission is to guarantee that the common rights, interests and actual public priorities of D.C. citizens — as defined only by District citizens — are fully, vigorously and effectively implemented. Our foundation is genuine and complete citizen control, full District government accountability, overall fiscal responsibility, competent governance, and real respect for all citizens of our Nation’s Capital. Join us to ensure that our local government and our public officials are fully accountable to the people.

PLATFORM & PRINCIPLES

District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control (DCICC), officially representing registered District of Columbia voters who are registered members of DCICC, is proud to present its platform and principles to empower all District citizens. Our common values are rooted in our mission to create and sustain genuine social, economic and political empowerment through full and effective citizen control of DC government and genuine good governance for all citizens of the District of Columbia.

As a political party we cannot officially represent DC voters who identify themselves and register as no party (independent) voters, as listed by the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics, and who are independent of any political party. However, DCICC fully respects and can accept the support of any District citizen. We also support the right of any District voter that prefers to not be affiliated with any political party or principles as a no party (independent) voter. We are encouraged by the increasing numbers of voters that truly understand, support and assist our mission. District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control — founded, organized and operating on specific political, socioeconomic and fiscal principles — represent only registered District of Columbia voters who are registered members of DCICC. We shall be known as District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control, founded on the Constitutionally sound principles of full citizen control of District of Columbia government, genuine fiscal accountability, fully open government and good governance by all elected DC public officials, appointed public servants, as well as publicly funded agencies and agents — “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
(See DC Board of Elections for a list of other registered District of Columbia political parties.)

THE PLATFORM of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control is overall, effective and good governance that enables genuine social and economic empowerment. This higher standard of governance is fiscally accountable and fully responsible to all citizens of the District of Columbia.

We are determined to ensure that DC Government focuses equitable resources and revenue to enable residents to have full control over the management of their communities.

Enabling genuine socioeconomic empowerment through truly democratic organization, access and action is our core purpose.

THE PRINCIPLES of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control are: 1) the promotion and permanence of fully open government, 2) genuine fiscal accountability, 3) fully accountable spending of public revenue for actual public priorities, 4) long-term effective socioeconomic empowerment, and 5) a truly democratic political process and access for every District of Columbia citizen. These principles, as such, are non-negotiable and permanent. Moreover, these principles and all related elements are sustained without compromise or favor.

Principle 1
The Promotion and Permanence of Fully Open Government
a) Ensure that all DC Government spending and related activities are fully open to the public.
b) Ensure that all DC Government operations are fully open for public assessment and revision.
c) Ensure that agencies and entities receiving taxpayer funds are fully accountable to the public.
d) Ensure that all line items of every DC Government budget are fully accountable to the public.
e) Ensure that all DC Government meetings and related transcripts are fully open to the public.
 f ) Ensure that all DC Government information is always reader-friendly and comprehensible.
 
Principle 2
Genuine Fiscal Accountability
a) Ensure that DC Government is focused and takes action on actual public priorities.
b) Ensure that DC Government spending is fully open for public review before any action.
c) Ensure that any District Government official or agent is held fully accountable for any fiscal activities or actions that disable, dilute, damage or destroy the fiscal integrity of the District.
 
Principle 3
Fully Accountable Spending of Public Revenue for Actual Public Priorities
a) Ensure that all DC Government spending initiatives are fully presented to all District citizens.
b) Ensure that District citizens have final review and approval on all DC Government spending.

Principle 4
Enable Effective and Sustained Socioeconomic Empowerment
a) Ensure that all DC Government officials, agents, activities and actions are fully engaged in enabling genuine social and economic advancement for all District citizens.
b) Ensure that all DC Government activities are effectively focused on immediate, interim and long-term strategies enabling genuine socioeconomic empowerment for all District citizens.
c) Ensure that DC Government focuses equitable resources and sufficient revenue to enable residents to have full control over the management of their communities.
d) Ensure that the District of Columbia's environmental policies promote and protect good health while strengthening fiscal stability.
e) Ensure that DC Government focuses equitable resources and sufficient revenue to enable community control over the management of public education and neighborhood schools.
 f ) Ensure that DC Government focuses equitable resources and sufficient revenue to sustain family-friendly neighborhoods with genuinely affordable housing.

Principle 5
A Truly Democratic Political Process and Access for Every District of Columbia Citizen
a) Ensure that all District citizens are fully informed about every element of the local and national election process.
b) Ensure that all District candidates for public office receive genuinely full, fair and balanced communication of their campaign and candidacy to promote a truly informed electorate.
c) Ensure that all District candidates for political office gain ballot access exclusively through a payment of $500 dollars to Board of Elections and Ethics for a general campaign fund for all balloted candidates. Candidates must also have personally collected at least 500 valid non-partisan petition signatures to gain ballot access.
d) Ensure that District citizens age 17 and older are eligible to vote in the District of Columbia.
e) Ensure that District citizens who are ex-offenders, with no outstanding criminal offenses or current engagement in criminal activities, are eligible to vote in the District of Columbia.

A  Foundation for Statehood Through Genuine Good Governance and Real Citizen Control
We believe the entirety of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control’s mission, beliefs, bylaws, platform and principles, as stated herein, will build a firm foundation designed to sustain a clearly higher level of measurable results in how District citizens are governed and how we allow ourselves to be governed. It is also our informed belief, when connected to genuine good governance and real citizen control, that this foundation will empower DC citizen efforts to attain statehood and real respect for the District of Columbia.

Reality Check
Independent Insights About Life and Living In the District of Columbia

The Coming DC Fiscal Crisis — Unspoken Truths Behind DC Government’s Budgeting Shell Games > Citizen Control of DC Schools Empowers All of Our Children — A Proposal for Educational Excellence > Funding What Matters In Ways That Empower — A Sustaining Plan for MLK and Community Libraries > Mayor Williams' Truth Comes Home to Roost — How Our Former Mayor May Have Sold Us Out Again > Yet, Another Mind-Boggling District Land Giveaway — Losing DC Land From Crackhead Economics > School Management 101: Getting It Right This Time — Bring Back Neighborhood School Councils > DCICC Bylaws     -     DCICC Core Beliefs     -     DCICC Principles     -     We the People We Value Your Comments, Criticisms and Questions: DCIndependents@gmail.com MORE REALITY CHECK >

District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control
The Vigilant Eagle

The airborne vigilant eagle symbol for District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control represents our eternal commitment and vigilance to sustain and protect the priorities and interests of all District of Columbia citizens. This character and capability is strengthened by a unified and formidable tenacity embodied by DCICC members dedicated to protecting the diverse common interests and rights of District citizens, regardless of ethnicity, economic status, gender, physical disability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or political affiliation.

As a political party we do not represent DC voters who identify themselves and register as no party (independent) voters, as listed by the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics, and who are independent of any political party. However, DCICC fully respects and can accept the support of any District citizen. We also support the right of any District voter that prefers to not be affiliated with any political party or principles as a no party (independent) voter. We are encouraged by the increasing numbers of voters that truly understand, support and assist our mission. District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control — founded, organized and operating on specific political, socioeconomic and fiscal principles — represent only registered District of Columbia voters who are registered members of DCICC. We shall be known as District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control, founded on the Constitutionally sound principles of full citizen control of District of Columbia government, genuine fiscal accountability, fully open government and good governance by all elected DC public officials, appointed public servants, as well as publicly funded agencies and agents — “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

DCICC Bylaws

ARTICLE 1 - NAME
The name of this political party shall be District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control, and will be abbreviated or stated in our bylaws and elsewhere as DCICC. DCICC will be representative of duly registered District of Columbia voters who register through the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics as members of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control political party. DCICC will not be representative of voters who define themselves, or are registered as, independent or "no party" as in independent or unaffiliated with any political party. DCICC is representative of voters who become DCICC party members and espouse specific political and socioeconomic beliefs and principles as defined herein.

ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSES
The purposes of the DCICC are: a) to organize and maintain an official and effective political organization for voters in the District of Columbia; b) to promote the principles, objectives and platform of the DCICC as outlined in Article 7, Sections 1-3; c) to secure the public election of all duly nominated DCICC Independent candidates; d) to initiate, assist and coordinate DCICC activities in the District of Columbia; e) to engage in fund raising for the DCICC to support the activities stated above; and f) to engage in other activities that are reasonably necessary and proper to accomplish the aforementioned purposes of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control.

ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. General Members are duly registered District of Columbia voters who are members and non-elected officers of the DCICC. Executive Members are duly registered District of Columbia voters who are elected DCICC officers engaged in the administration of the DCICC. All voter registered with the DCICC shall be known as District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control.

Section 2. The number of General Members in the DCICC shall be unlimited. General Members can be members of the DCICC indefinitely at their own choosing. General Members cannot be officially registered with any other political party. However, all DCICC members can embrace other political philosophies and the principles of other parties that are compatible, supportive and complementary to the Core Beliefs of the DCICC. Additionally, this embracement must never change, dilute or misdirect the full intent and content of any part of the DCICC Mission, Core Beliefs, Bylaws, Platform, or Principles at any time without full consent of the entire body of all DCICC General and Executive Members. General and Executive Members of the DCICC must be at least age 18 years old, legal United States citizens (without dual or multiple citizenships), full time District of Columbia residents, and not be a registered voter in any area outside the District of Columbia. District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control does not, and will not, discriminate in its membership admission, administration or any membership activities based on ethnicity, economic status, gender, physical disability, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. DCICC will be vigilant and consistent in the enforcement of this zero tolerance discrimination policy.

Section 3. Executive Members include the Chairperson, two Vice Chairpersons, eight Ward Chairpersons, four Ward Vice Chairpersons per ward, Secretary, Treasurer, General Counsel, two Citizen Advocates, and a Youth Advocate. Ward Chairpersons (currently 8 for the eight Wards of the District of Columbia) and Ward Vice Chairpersons (limited to 4 per ward) serve as public advocates and representatives for the specific concerns and needs of DCICC members residing in their Wards. Citizen Advocates serves as public advocates and representatives for non-DCICC members and citizens of the District. The Youth Advocate (minimum age 16) serves as the public advocate and representative for District citizens who are non-DCICC and DCICC members under the legal voting age of 18. Executive Members cannot be officially registered with any other political party, or be representatives for or participants in another political party. However, Executive Members and General Members can embrace other political philosophies and principles of other parties that are clearly compatible, complementary and supportive to the Mission, Core Beliefs, Platform and Principles of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control. Additionally, this embracement must never change, dilute or misdirect the full intent and content of any part of the DCICC Mission, Core Beliefs, Bylaws, Platform, or Principles at any time without full consent of the entire body of all DCICC General and Executive Members.

Section 4. Only DCICC General Members, with two years of DCICC membership, can present and elect candidates to fill vacancies among the Executive Members for the unexpired portion of any Executive Member's vacancy. Candidates for any Executive Member vacancy can only be presented and elected at a regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose.

Section 5. The DCICC Chairperson, in consultation with three or more other Executive Members, shall serve as the official spokesperson for District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control. All official public and media statements representing the DCICC will be presented by the Chairperson.

Section 6. (a) The DCICC will maintain a fully self-supporting Empowerment Fund to finance all necessary, and fully accountable, activities and expenditures that effectively sustain and grow the DCICC. (b) All members of the DCICC are encouraged, without obligation, to contribute money to the DCICC Empowerment Fund. (c) The Executive Members shall annually, by resolution, set the required total annual monetary contribution needed for the Empowerment Fund and the terms of payment, and shall provide each DCICC member with a published copy of all monies and assets acquired. (d) The Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons shall publish to all DCICC members the entire record of all expenditures made from monies or assets in the Empowerment Fund.

ARTICLE 4 - MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. General Member Meetings of the DCICC are held on the second and last Saturday of each month from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. The Chairperson presides over all General Member meetings, and is assisted by other Executive Members. All Executive Members are required to attend all DCICC meetings.

Section 2. (a) Executive Member Meetings are held on the second Saturdays in January, March, May, July, September and November from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m., and as otherwise called in a manner consistent with these bylaws. General Members of the DCICC have the option, but are not required to attend every Executive Member Meeting. At least 50 General Members must be present before an Executive Member Meeting can commence. (b) However, if for any reason 50 General Members are not present for an Executive Meeting to commence, a commencement vote by at least 50 percent of the attending Executive Members can start a Meeting. All Executive Members are required to attend each Executive Member Meeting. Executive Members that are absent from three or more General Member or Executive Member Meetings each within a year are removed from their post and replaced through a special election by the Executive Members and at least 50 General Members. Executive Members can be officially removed from membership by a two-thirds majority of the General Membership.

Section 3. Election of Executive Members: A majority from the entire body of General Members shall elect Executive Member candidates every four years beginning in 2010. The founders of the DCICC will serve as the Executive Members until 2010 and will be eligible for re-election at that time. Executive Members can only serve a maximum of three consecutive or non-consecutive four-year terms for any Executive office, and must be DCICC members for two years before their first nomination. Only DCICC General Members can present and elect candidates to fill vacancies among the Executive Members for the unexpired portion of any Executive vacancy. Candidates for any Executive vacancy can only be presented, elected and filled at a regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose. General Members seeking Executive Member election must be nominated by 50 other DCICC General Members, who have been DCICC members for two years, to be eligible as a candidate.

Section 4. At the end of a founder's Executive Membership eligibility for election, the Executive Member gains the title of Executive Advisor. The only responsibility of an Executive Advisor is to serve Executive and General Members in an advisory role on diverse DCICC matters. Executive Advisors have no official administrative duties in the ongoing affairs of the DCICC.

Section 5. When not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws, and excluding the commencement of meetings, Robert's Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall govern all meetings of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control.

ARTICLE 5 - MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS
Section 1. No-Party voters, or registrants who have renounced their affiliation and participation with another political party in the District of Columbia, are eligible for DCICC membership. New General Members must at least 18 years old (except the Youth Advocate), be of good moral character consistent with the standards of the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics and have registered with the DCICC at the Board. Members have the option to exercise leadership by regularly attending DCICC meetings, circulating primary election petitions, distributing general election campaign material on behalf of DCICC candidates, and disseminating diverse official DCICC information. All DCICC members are encouraged to support the DCICC Principles, Objectives, Platform, Core Beliefs and DCICC candidates who have been nominated in any District of Columbia election. DCICC members are not obligated to support any DCICC approved nominee for United States President, Vice President or other federal office as well as District of Columbia office. DCICC members have the option to exclusively support DCICC District of Columbia candidates of their choice.

Section 2. Any member wanting to make nominations from the floor during a General Meeting for a DCICC office or DCICC membership, as well as amendments, must notify the DCICC Secretary three business days (72 hours) before a General Meeting. The Secretary must be notified no less than three business days before a General Meeting about person(s) to be nominated, and for which office, at which balloting will occur. A notice must be in writing and signed by the nominator and nominee. The nominator and nominee must have been full and active DCICC General Members for at least two years before notifying the Secretary.

Section 3. Any General Member or Executive Member of the DCICC will be removed from membership or office for cause by a two-thirds collective majority vote of the General and Executive Members voting at any regular or special meeting of the DCICC. Public notice of any proposed removal action must be given to all DCICC Members. Causes for removal include malicious misrepresentation, solicitation for any special interest entity, misuse of assets, theft, intimidation, threat, or engagement in any illegal activity.

Section 4. All General and Executive Members must be legal United States citizens (without dual or multiple citizenships). Before assuming their membership and duties, Executive Members must take and subscribe to the following oath (which is the same as that taken by the Members of the Congress of the United States): "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against an enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of this office (membership) on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

ARTICLE 6 - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
The bylaws of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control shall take effect and be in force immediately upon certification of the DCICC with the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics. Thereafter, these bylaws may be amended by a majority vote from all current General and Executive Members present at a meeting called in accordance with Article 4, Section 2, of the bylaws. The details and reasons for any proposed amendment to the bylaws shall accompany the notice for the meeting at which action on the amendment to the bylaws is proposed.

ARTICLE 7 - PRINCIPLES, OBJECTIVES AND PLATFORM
Section 1. The Principles, in summary, of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control are:
1) the promotion and permanence of fully open government, 2) genuine fiscal accountability,
3) fully accountable spending of public revenue for actual public priorities, 4) long-term effective socioeconomic empowerment, and 5) truly democratic political access for every District of Columbia citizen. These principles, as such, are non-negotiable and permanent. Moreover, these principles and all related elements are sustained without compromise or favor.

Section 2. The Objectives of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control are to disseminate, promote and support or present candidates that adhere to the five-point Principles of the DCICC above, as well as effectively hold public officials and their agents fully accountable for its implementation through effective and good governance.

Section 3. The Platform of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control is overall, effective and good governance that enables genuine social and economic empowerment. This higher standard of governance is fiscally accountable and fully responsible to all citizens of the District of Columbia. Enabling genuine socioeconomic empowerment through truly democratic organization, access and action is our core purpose.

We the People We are the people’s political party of the District of Columbia, affirmed by a clear mission, core beliefs and principles, representing only the people’s interest — not special interests. We are the District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control, an organized party of the D.C. electorate — certified by the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics. The DCICC was born from a simple, yet profound and necessary, need to ensure that our District of Columbia government — including every elected public official and servant or agent elected or appointed to it — is fully accountable to the rights, interests, priorities and control of District citizens. We affirm that only genuine and full accountability is the true foundation and standard of democracy, and the Constitutional authority of citizen control. We are definitely not unidentifiable twist-in-the-wind swing voters serving as political pawns for anyone seeking election. We effectively believe, practice and are organized around very specific political, socioeconomic and fiscal principles. The DCICC will never support any candidate (independent, Independent or other), who does not adhere to our very specific mission, principles and 10 core beliefs related to truly accountable and genuine good governance, all rooted in actual socioeconomic and political empowerment for every District citizen. We never engage in activities that don't truly serve the best interests of D.C. citizens. As a political party we cannot officially represent D.C. voters who identify themselves and register as no party (independent) voters, as listed by the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics, and who are independent of any political party. However, DCICC fully respects and can accept the support of any District citizen. We also support the right of any District voter that prefers to not be affiliated with any political party or principles as a no party (independent) voter. We are encouraged by the increasing numbers of voters that truly understand, support and assist our mission. District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control — founded, organized and operating on specific political, socioeconomic and fiscal principles — represent only registered District of Columbia voters who are registered members of DCICC. We shall be known as District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control, founded on the Constitutionally sound principles of full citizen control of District of Columbia government, genuine fiscal accountability, fully open government and good governance by all elected D.C. public officials, appointed public servants, as well as publicly funded agencies and agents — “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control (DCICC) is an active and registered political party approved by the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics (DCBOEE: Administrative Hearing 07-002 — Memorandum Opinion and Order). The DCICC is the only citywide D.C. political party and organization exclusively and vigorously representing the common interests, goals and hopes of District citizens seeking genuine good governance, fiscal responsibility and full accountability through citizen control in the Nation's Capital. Simply, we are vigilant activists and advocates on behalf of the people’s interests. District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control actively promotes, enforces and adheres to a zero tolerance anti-discrimination policy. As such, the DCICC and its related entities do not (and will not) discriminate in any of its membership, administrative, electoral, organizational or partnership activities based on ethnicity, economic status, gender, physical disability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or previous political affiliation. DCICC is actively seeking and vetting District of Columbia citizens as political party officers, and are thoroughly representative of the eight wards and diverse communities within our city-state. Simply, if you desire to be an active advocate for good governance, genuine accountability, and sustainable socioeconomic empowerment for all District citizens, contact us. You must be a full-time D.C. resident and certified US citizen. Currently, there are numerous officer openings for ward chairperson and ward vice chairpersons. In this capacity, you will have a major responsibility as a key catalyst and activist for change at the ward and community level. Ward chairpersons and vice chairpersons engage diverse citizens, government officials, organizations, business leaders and other significant entities on behalf of the DCICC's mission to put citizens in full control of their communities. Your multiple rolls as a proactivist (aware, attentive and active on issues before they become a problem), activist and advocate for citizen control in your community will be the most significant factor making the difference between effective change — and little or no change. In partnership with the DCICC's operations and activities is the District of Columbia Independents Committee (DCIC) — a political party committee whose purpose is to support and promote the Mission, Core Beliefs, Platform, Principles, and activities of the DCICC. The DCIC is registered with the District of Columbia Office of Campaign Finance. In addition, the DCICC’s and DCIC’s foundation is strengthened by the fact that every D.C. government official, appointee and agent are in fact hired and paid employees of the people. Therefore, as affirmed in our nation’s Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration, we the people are the rightful authority over every official activity, initiative, resource and entitlement of all public servants and services employed, initiated or funded by District of Columbia citizens. Effectively, we are the employers of our publicly paid officials and agents. "Government of the people, by the people, for the people" will be our touchstone. Our primary mission is full District government accountability to every District of Columbia citizen. We are full time activists and advocates dedicated exclusively to the interests of District citizens. As such, unlike other political parties and organizations, District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control will serve as vigilant and active representatives who fully, vigorously, consistently, comprehensively and exclusively protect the people’s interests — ensuring that full and effective D.C. government accountability and responsibility to District citizens is consistently respectful, competent, clear, and never compromised. Dennis Moore, Chairperson Miriam Moore, Vice Chairperson dcindependents@gmail.com & dcvoter@dcindependents.org 202 . 441 . 8528 Dennis Moore Chairperson Dennis Moore campaigned in 2002 as an Independent D.C. mayoral candidate, and recently as the Progressive Republican candidate for District mayor during the 2006 elections. From his early years as a late 1960’s Harlem student rights activist,  to a network radio national, international and United Nations news journalist-producer for 18 years — an adult education teacher, corporate communications specialist, and Internet entrepreneur over the last 16 years — he also uses his corporate, federal, and D.C. government public affairs expertise (Office of the Chief Financial Officer and DCPS) to advocate for systemic citizen control in the Nation’s Capital. He believes totally accountable District governance, genuine fiscal competence and effective socioeconomic empowerment are rooted in citizen control of all D.C. public policies. The 55 year old self-described ”proactivist” is also a father of two, grandfather of three, and husband of DCICC vice chairperson Miriam Moore. His truly abiding faith in the principles, purpose and power of our U.S. Constitution and true democracy is the foundation he uses to put ordinary people fully and effectively in charge of their government — and especially in charge of the people elected, appointed, hired, authorized and paid by citizens to manage it effectively. “The mission is to empower people, and truly effective results are the only bottom line,” he emphasizes. dennis@dcindependents.org Miriam Moore Vice Chairperson Miriam Moore has been an avid Independent since the 1980s, and ran as an Independent Ward 5 councilmember candidate during the 2006 District elections. She has been a career legal specialist in intellectual properties and patents for the last 23 years. Growing up in low income public housing in Bronx, New York City, in the 1960s and 70s — and becoming a high income intellectual property legal professional living in Brooklyn’s Park Slope — provided a broad and personal perspective on diverse urban issues, including gentrification. Her engaging observations and writings on effective community empowerment and urban policy affords Moore a strong sensitivity on issues about citizen control and local government accountability. The 43 year old vice chairperson, mother, and wife of DCICC chairperson Dennis Moore, is spearheading a proactive and long-term effort to bring District government effectively in line with the actual socioeconomic, genuine accountability and good governance priorities of diverse everyday D.C. citizens. She sees her role simply as a catalyst for the real change that thousands of longtime and newer District citizens have expected and invested in — and is most determined to ensure that all D.C. citizens have genuine oversight with measurable high returns on that investment. “Truly empowered citizens are the District’s greatest socioeconomic asset,” she regularly affirms. miriam@dcindependents.org

For the People and By the People Since our certification by the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, DCICC has been actively recruiting and vetting diverse qualified candidates for Ward Chairpersons, Ward Vice Chairpersons, and other Executive Members. Executive Members and General Members of DCICC can embrace other political philosophies and principles of other parties that are clearly compatible, complementary, supportive and sustaining to the Mission, Core Beliefs, Bylaws, Platform and Principles of District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control. The people are our greatest asset. We take great pride in our meticulous effort to attract ordinary clear minded District citizens who are self-empowered activists and advocates firmly focused on the common interests D.C. citizens, and our mission for citizen control. As a political party we cannot officially represent D.C. voters who identify themselves and register as no party (independent) voters, as listed by the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics, and who are independent of any political party. However, DCICC fully respects and can accept the support of any District citizen. We also support the right of any District voter that prefers to not be affiliated with any political party or principles as a no party (independent) voter. We are encouraged by the increasing numbers of voters that truly understand, support and assist our mission. District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control — founded, organized and operating on specific political, socioeconomic and fiscal principles — represent only registered District of Columbia voters who are registered members of DCICC. We shall be known as District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control, founded on the Constitutionally sound principles of full citizen control of District of Columbia government, genuine fiscal accountability, fully open government and good governance by all elected D.C. public officials, appointed public servants, as well as publicly funded agencies and agents — “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” General and Executive Members of the DCICC must be at least age 18 years old, legal United States citizens (without dual or multiple citizenships), full time District of Columbia residents, and not be a registered voter in any area outside the District of Columbia. Youth Advocates, as non-Members, can be active participants in various DCICC activities if they are at least 16 years old. Youth Advocates are the DCICC foundation to the District’s future. District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control actively promotes, enforces and adheres to a zero tolerance anti-discrimination policy. As such, the DCICC and its related entities do not (and will not) discriminate in any of its membership, administrative, electoral, organizational or partnership activities based on ethnicity, economic status, gender, physical disability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or previous political affiliation. E-mail or call us if you want to be a full partner in making real change in D.C. governance — ensuring that all District public officials focus and work on the people’s priorities. Your Comments and Ideas Are Most Welcomed! 202.441.8528 dcindependents@gmail.com & dcvoter@dcindependents.org

OUR CORE BELIEFS

OUR PLATFORM & PRINCIPLES

OUR BYLAWS

Reality Check Independent Insights About Life and Living In the District of Columbia The Coming D.C. Fiscal Crisis — Unspoken Truths Behind D.C. Government’s Budgeting Shell Games > Citizen Control of D.C. Schools Empowers All of Our Children — A Proposal for Educational Excellence > Funding What Matters In Ways That Empower — A Sustaining Plan for MLK and Community Libraries > Mayor Williams' Truth Comes Home to Roost — How Our Former Mayor May Have Sold Us Out Again > Yet, Another Mind-Boggling District Land Giveaway — Losing D.C. Land From Crackhead Economics > School Management 101: Getting It Right This Time — Bring Back Neighborhood School Councils > DCICC Bylaws     -     DCICC Core Beliefs     -     DCICC Principles     -     We the People We Value Your Comments, Criticisms and Questions: DCIndependents@gmail.com MORE REALITY CHECK >

Citizen Control of D.C. Schools Empowers All of Our Children It is abundantly clear that newly elected mayor Adrian Fenty and certain members of the D.C. Council want to diminish or effectively remove citizen (parent) control and oversight throughout our publicly funded school system. At the very least, this is a very dangerous assault on democracy and citizen control in the District of Columbia. Politics and politricks must end, and replaced with a truly empowered partnership of parent and teacher control — the most critical element missing in academic achievement over the last 20 years in D.C. This joint effort is effectively different from the "parent involvement" touted and never fully implemented or practiced by District of Columbia Public Schools and diverse D.C. government officials. A student-focused partnership expands academic achievement due to onsite real time oversight by the actual participants and beneficiaries in the school system — parents and teachers. In cities like New York, Chicago and elsewhere "best practices" are actually found at the community level where citizen control and initiatives are key elements for systemic and consistent academic success. Even New York’s “best practices” model touted by mayor Fenty & Friends doesn’t work well for most New Yorkers, including the New York Times in a recent editorial. We may not get to talk to “Big Apple” parents and students or read the New York Times regularly — despite mayor Fenty’s self-serving selective references to mayor Michael Bloomberg’s public schools “takeover” model — you don’t need to travel north to realize this D.C. flavored scam of mayoral ambition and autocracy doesn’t even pass the reality test for keep-it-real New Yorkers. Mayor Fenty should’ve taken the “A train” uptown to fully consult parents, educators, students and community officials at the prestigious Harlem Children’s Zone and Thurgood Marshall Academy. Beyond the obvious photo-opportunity tour of downtown New York City with “Big Apple” bigwigs, Fenty & Friends would have seen abundant certified evidence of “best practices” in modern urban education systems at work and effectively serving low to middle income families. Reading research papers by renown educator Pauline Lipman would also help in knowing the dangers of top-down autocratic public school control by politically motivated bureaucrats and their special interest handlers. The attempt by Fenty & Friends to use the US Congress to circumvent input and control by District citizens (democracy) is a bully tactic by local bureaucrats who fear genuine District government accountability. For all the talk about “bringing hope” to D.C. citizens about good governance and progress, public servant Fenty is only serving himself and other D.C. autocrats that fear real citizen involvement and oversight in the details of District governance and power. Citizen power is about to be trampled by an energetic and smiling Trojan horse. Fortunately, based on the logic of many District government officials, D.C. is not an abbreviation for dumb citizens, or docile constituents. Creating empty chairs to throw more money at is fiscally and operationally irresponsible. Surely, it takes no leap of logic to understand that public services and facilities funded by citizens should also be controlled by citizens. Autocrats are inherently political and shortsighted, and quickly become dysfunctional, evasive, unaccountable, arrogant and corrupt. Haven’t we learned this lesson from current events on a federal level? District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control only supports full citizen control of a D.C. school system funded by our hard earned tax dollars. If our school system is to improve in the ways that best serve our children, then citizens must be the controlling partners that guide and empower it. Fenty & Friends must understand — despite their smartest-people-on-the-planet arrogance — it’s about our children, our school system, our money, and D.C. public officials work for us. We, the people, are the true owners of their official entitlements and the authority entrusted by us — clearly defined as democracy. The DCICC strongly backs a proactive plan that redevelops D.C. public and charter schools into citizen controlled non-tuition Public Academies standardized by 10-student class sizes. Our academy concept is designed to enhance greater attention to individual student needs and academically empower all children, particularly our special education achievers, with a stronger, empowering and challenging educational program. At a basic level, we believe our plan fosters a truly student-focused District educational system where children are accomplishing basic reading and introductory mathematics by age 3, not grade 3 — with an infrastructure where college attendance or post-high school professional occupation training is a standard accomplishment. Citizen-parent oversight and control is a key element throughout. Reestablishing empowered Neighborhood School Councils, elected and organized by parents, educators, and neighborhood citizens to manage individual schools, will ensure that the quality and level of “customer” oriented service effectively serves diverse end-users — us. Oversight by a genuinely empowered and fully elected state Department of Education, Board of Education and Superintendent of Curriculum is a more streamlined and publicly accountable system than the top-down multilayered maze that autocrat Fenty proposes. An all-citizen elected system, effectively accountable only to the people, is the foundation that enhances the checks and balances on dysfunctional and autocratic power. Also, experienced and effective public administrators know that keeping it simple and accountable are critical elements in organizational effectiveness. We, the people, know the system is working when our children are prepared for college, successfully start life in a chosen occupation, or create a successful District-based business. We all benefit exponentially when there is a true partnership with citizens to benefit our students. In our Excellent Schools Plan (ESP), the standard elementary to high school curriculum includes comprehensive English, general sciences, technology, practical to advanced mathematics, environmental studies, critical analysis, strategic thinking, conflict resolution, performing arts, fine arts, American culture, world cultures, social science, government studies, entrepreneurship, and personal finance. Additionally, courses will include writing, public speaking, interpersonal communication, literature, language arts (Spanish, Hausa, Swahili, Yoruba, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Aramaic, Cherokee, French, Italian, Russian, Latin, Greek, German, and Portuguese), pre-college studies, life management, team dynamics, citizen activism, physical fitness, martial arts and health education. Senior Academies provide diverse career training courses and paid apprenticeship programs for students (computer repair, software and Internet programming, electrical and electronics repair, plumbing, carpentry, automobile repair, healthcare services, and small business development), complemented by rigorous academic studies, and extended full week neighborhood-based student services.