On January 2, 2021, 19 newly-elected representatives were sworn in for the five Ward 7 Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs). The ceremony, like much of the campaign, took place virtually, with Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray (D) administering the oath of office.
The large incoming class means that many Ward 7 ANCs will meet in January with a majority of their seven seats filled by new commissioners. They come to a difficult job in a difficult time, meeting virtually to help residents confront the all-too-real issues raised and, in many cases, exacerbated by the pandemic, including issues of health, public safety, education and housing.
Commissioners serve two-year terms without pay. Each commissioner represents a Single Member District (SMD) of approximately 2,000 residents. The ANCs’ main role in the District is to be their neighborhood’s official voice in advising the District government (and Federal agencies) on things that affect their neighborhoods.
Meet your newly elected representative below. Learn more about ANCs by visiting anc.dc.gov.
Racquel Codling (7F04) moved to Washington D.C. in 2001 after graduating from the University of Tampa in Florida to pursue her master’s from Howard University. She became a proud Ward 7 homeowner in 2006.
Codling said that she entered the race to represent ANC 7F04 because she wanted to impact policy that will bring real change and make a difference in her community. “SMD 7F04 deserves equal support and access to our government and community leadership,” she said. “My goal is to be our champion and voice in community decisions that impact 7F04.”
Codling said she has observed several major issues that exist in her SMD, and that there will be a need to prioritize based on the immediate needs of the community. To begin with, she wants to increase the reach of the ANC, and especially to ensure that not only homeowners but also apartment residents are feeling supported and connected to the community leadership.
She sees a need to focus on crime and public safety, rent costs and affordable housing, quality public education and support for teachers, job creation and training programs, road improvements and discouraging what she characterizes as excessive littering.
Codling wants to amplify the concerns of Ward 7 residents and push them to the front of the line. “It’s no longer acceptable for Ward 7 to be treated like the stepchild of our city,” she said. “I look forward to being their champion and voice on community issues that directly impact 7F04 and Ward 7.
The new commissioner said she wants to work on connecting, establishing and building relationships with constituents. She encourages people to reach out to her directly with comments and concerns.
Reach Commissioner Codling at 7F04@anc.dc.gov
