I asked each candidate to fill out a questionnaire, the answers to which I would publish on the site. Below are the answers to a few prepared questions.

Read the full in-person interview with Calvin Gurley >

Calvin Gurley is running for the Ward 4 Council seat in the District of Columbia. A resident of Takoma, Calvin feels very vested in the health and well-being of DC residents. An active emailer on the area listservs, Calvin often shares his thoughts on DC government issues. Known also for his ubiquitous campaign signs, Calvin is running for DC Council for the third time. He thinks his passion, drive to help residents and his legislative ideas make him the best candidate for Ward 4 Council.

You can find Mr. Gurley's campaign online at CalvinGurley.com

What is your current profession?
Accountant for the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Please briefly describe why you are running in this election cycle for Ward 4 Councilmember?

I am taking a leadership role to maintain the public trust by working with the Mayor to address the emergency that threatens our children's mental and physical health; the variable lead levels found in D.C. drinking water.

To resolve the crime issue in Ward 4 and to take the fear out of the hearts of residents. To finally improve our school system and provide an equal opportunity for all children to get a decent education, a high school graduate degree, a job and an affordable rental housing unit.

I am the only Candidate in Ward who informs Ward 4 citizens on current issues, operations of the District Government and concerns on waste, fraud and abuse.

I am the only candidate who is concerned about your children being poisoned by lead in the DC Public School's drinking water. I have sent out warnings and where to obtain a Lead Water Test Kit to test your home for lead in the supplied water. Mr. Todd doesn't care to inform his constituents or your and sorry, Mr. Andrews is not informed.

I have informed residents to solicit Chief Lanier so Ward 4 can win the third-place selection to receive additional police protection from her 2016 Summer Crime Prevention Initiative Program. Mr. Todd doesn't care to inform Ward 4 and Mr. Andrews is not informed.

I have fought against the installation of Smart Meters and pushed the D.C. Council to follow Montgomery County's decision to fine PEPCO $1 million dollars due to their failure to deliver (for years) reliable service to D.C. customers... especially for those who live in Ward 4.

Provide a quick overview of your professional and/or personal background and experience, including volunteer work, activism, and what you have done to help residents that qualifies you as a great choice for Council.

President Fairlawn Civic Association in Anacostia, S.E.
Vice President Orange Hat Neighborhood Patrol (the 1st Chapter in the District)
President Takoma Civic Association
Member, Mayor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Housing.

Uncle George Gurley closed the PEPCO Generating Plant on Benning Road after children and residents suffering from upper respiratory problems.
Sister - Carolyn Bowling an ANC Commissioner Ward 6B
Brother - 1st District MPD Officer- managed England Boys & Girls Club
Brother - former Fire Inspector, D.C. Fire Department
Family has contribute their service to the District of Columbia for years.
Conducted Back to School Program for Ward 4 children -supplied donated school materials and backpack to students.
Conducted a Christmas Party for 4th District MPD Officers

In brief, what are your Legislative Priorities?

To reduce crime in Ward 4 and to decrease the fear that many residents have in their neighborhood.
Increase the number of Police and Fire Fighters by operating a Fire Cadet and Police Cadet Program in every high school so residents will be provided police protection and fire department services from residents who are from the District.
Provide job opportunities to all Ward 4 residents who want to be employed.
Create affordable rental units for Ward 4 working class residents, college graduates and families.
Provide all D.C. Public Schools with the necessary resources, qualified teachers and the Arts, Instrumental Music Program, Performing Arts curriculum to encourage students to attend school in their own community.

I graduated from Payne Elementary School located on Capitol Hill. It was recently reported that Payne Elementary School and two other District elementary schools were tested and have high levels of lead in the school's drinking water.

I humbly request that all parents of children who attend D.C. Public and Charter Schools "demand" that their child's school be tested immediately for lead in the drinking water. Lead in drinking water that is consumed by young children adversely affects their development. Parents take this very seriously.

Share your position on Education issues in Ward 4.

The Washington Teachers Union has not been able to obtain a signed negotiated contract with Chancellor Henderson. D.C. Fire Fighters were given a retro-active overtime payment that was held-up for several years. But, the teachers are still fighting DCPS for their retro-active salary increase.

DCPS schools need social services counselors, additional special education teachers and security at each school.

The District needs to offer students Vocational Schools to acquire an apprenticeship into the areas of plumbing, electrician, carpentry, wielding, barbering, beautician, nursing, hotel hospitality and the culinary arts.

Share your position on Transportation issues in Ward 4.

Our Ward faces a heavy rush hour period of traffic that lasts beyond 8:00 pm. Additionally, the traffic lights do not assist in the moderate flow of traffic existing the District.

I would research the possibility of returning 13th Street as a rush hour corridor that provides two lanes for incoming and existing commuters. I would research other methods to improve the flow of traffic. Our streets are badly in need of repaving.

I would push for the U.S. Congress to contribute more to WMATA.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing Ward 4 regarding Crime and Public Safety? What are you solutions to help fix these issues?

To reduce crime in Ward 4 and to decrease the fear that many residents have in their neighborhood.
Increase the number of Police and Fire Fighters by operating a Fire Cadet and Police Cadet Program in every high school so residents will be provided police protection and fire department services from residents who are from the District.
Provide job opportunities to all Ward 4 residents who want to be employed.
Create affordable rental units for Ward 4 working class residents, college graduates and families.
Provide all D.C. Public Schools with the necessary resources, qualified teachers and the Arts, Instrumental Music Program, Performing Arts curriculum to encourage students to attend school in their own community.

Do you think the current focus on affordable housing in Ward 4 is correct? How would you balance affordable housing with the increased rent and home prices?

The local Average Median Income (AMI) is based upon a metropolitan composite of average family income which includes the suburbs of Maryland and Virginia at around $109,000. When a truthful measure of the Washington, D.C. areas will reveal the AMI as being around $35,000 the national average. The AMI is used to price newly developed rental housing prices that is granted to the District's low income resident.

Our working class residents, college graduates (carrying outstanding students loans) with entry level salaries and working families need affordable rental units that accommodates one third of their take-home-pay.

What is your opinion of "pop-backs"? (Whereby homeowners or developers are extending the rear portion of homes by ten feet or more.)

I have an issue with Pop-Ups. However, D.C. homeowners have been extending their homes (rear portion) for decades, its called an extension. It may be a Florida room or an extension to add an upstairs bedroom and extend kitchen with an enclosed patio. No problem.

Do you believe DC government and existing regulations (DCRA, Zoning Commission, etc.) favors homeowners / residents more, less or equal to for-profit developers? Is there enough residential availability in Ward 4 for the expected growth over the next 20 years?

Hundreds of predominantly black families in Washington, D.C., are preparing to be forced from their homes to make way for massive redevelopment projects in the nation’s capital city.

Scattered throughout Washington are four neighborhoods – Barry Farm, Lincoln Heights/Richardson Dwellings, Northwest One, and Park Morton – that have been targeted by the District government for their concentration of poverty, high crime and economic segregation. The neighborhoods and the homes in them will be razed and new “mixed-income” units as well as commercial spaces will be built in their stead.

The city government claims that the neighborhoods have been targeted for redevelopment because of the deteriorating nature of the communities coupled with federal budget cuts to housing programs.

There is not enough of "affordable" rental housing available for the current number of Ward 4 residents who are financially challenged.

How would you define gentrification? Do you believe Ward 4 and in particular, the Petworth, Brightwood and Shepherd Park neighborhoods, are experiencing gentrification?

Gentrification is gentrification, no other opinionated definition is needed.

Yes, parts of Ward 4 are experiencing gentrification.

Do you think the residents of Petworth, Brightwood and Shepherd Park neighborhoods are positively or negatively affected by gentrification, or no impact at all?

The positive is that the area is receiving newer development of housing but rental rates have highly increased. Even though residents complained for years for a new Safeway at Randolph and Georgia the influx of new, wealthier homeowners furthered the push for Safeway to build a new store. (However, with the increase pricing of resale homes comes an increase in higher property taxes. This dilemma have financially challenged long time residents and seniors on fixed incomes. Yes, there are the Homestead Act and Senior's Discount but these supplements are "fixed" and are edged out by the annual increase on property assessment values)

Achievement levels for students in public and charter schools have remained low without significant gains. It appears that gentrification is no match against D.C. failing schools...especially from the third grade to high school. Our public schools' low graduation rate for high school students is alarming and shameful.

The steady increase of crime, especially random shootings of persons, of homes and residents' property in Ward 4 has to be addressed by prevention (the visibility of police) and not by statistics or an announcement of the alleged criminal being apprehended by authorities.

My brother was a MPD officer at the First District. I know about policing and the current issues within the police force through close relationships with my brother's partner(s) and other friends who are on the police force.

Any additional thoughts you'd like to share?

I have always kept the residents in Ward 4 updated, briefed, informed and knowledgeable about issues, problems and concerns in Ward 4. While the current D.C. Government keeps our residents in the dark.

Read the full in-person interview with Calvin Gurley >

I appreciate the time that Calvin Gurley spent speaking with me and answering questions. Be sure to check out the in-person interview with Calvin. If you have questions for the candidate, feel free to post them below or contact the campaign directly. As a reminder, Petworth News is not endorsing a candidate, only offering interviews and overviews of their campaign positions.