Commissioner Namatie Mansaray voted as new ANC 4C Chair as commission makes changes
/“This is about leadership,” said Commissioner Namatie Mansaray, who was voted in as the new ANC 4C chairperson. (Screen grab of virtual meeting.)
by Maya Gold
On Monday, July 12th, ANC 4C voted to remove Commissioner Paul Johnson as chairperson on a vote of 8-2 in favor. Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Yvette Marbury-Long voted against the motion. While Johnson will no longer be serving as chairperson of ANC 4C, he will still serve as a commissioner representing the 4C07 Single Member District.
After Commissioner Johnson’s removal, Commissioner Namatie Mansaray (4C06) was voted in as chairperson. The vote was 8-0 in favor, with Johnson and Marbury-Long abstaining.
Vice-Chair Audrey Duckett opened the proceedings with a brief explanation of the commissioners’ motivations to remove Johnson. Duckett said that Johnson’s actions have been “intentionally divisive.” She gave an example of a time where Johnson’s leadership had been obstructive: the Office of the Attorney General had issued a warning that the ANC’s affordable housing guidelines weren’t compliant with DC law. Duckett drafted a statement to make this information public. A few hours before the meeting, Johnson suggested pulling the statement, which Duckett agreed to.
“He has not coordinated any action on this issue since then,” Duckett said. “He has since spread disinformation among the community about the actions that the commission has taken.”
Vice-Chair Audrey Duckett said that Johnson’s actions have been “intentionally divisive.” (Screen grab of virtual meeting.)
Commissioners Ulysses Campbell, Namatie Mansaray, and Yvette Marbury-Long also spoke.
Campbell and Mansaray supported the removal of Johnson as Chair. “We are seeking direction and to be led in a manner that’s conducive to the oath we took,” Mansaray said.
Both Campbell and Mansaray denied that race played a role in Johnson’s removal.
“I can tell you that the decision to remove Commissioner Johnson is in no way motivated by implicit bias or racism. Nor would I have anything to do with such goings-on,” said Campbell.
“Even stating that this is a race-based issue can have broader and far reaching implications than can be imagined,” Mansaray said. “This is a matter of leadership, about the ability to run meetings, to work alongside colleagues who were also elected by the community to represent a sliver of this soon-to-be 51st state. This is about the ability to bring people together instead of being divisive.”
Commissioner Marbury-Long spoke in support of Johnson. “I feel like he’s been objective. I did not have any problem with his leadership,” said Marbury-Long. “But at this time, it’s up to the community,”
“I value my reputation,” Commissioner Johnson said. “I have personal integrity. I’m an upstanding member of this community. I am a family man and a doting father. I have relationships in the community, in my neighborhood, and throughout this ANC, and this sort of defaming in a vague, highly personal matter is something that is more than unfortunate — it’s not right. I will, where possible, refute this sort of framing and this sort of vague damaging of my good name.”
Commissioner Paul Johnson denied any wrongdoing. He will remain as a seated commissioner for Single Member District 4C07. (Screen grab of virtual meeting.)
“It’s just a fact of the matter that the fear of Black men is used and is often a trope to discredit Black men and Black people,” Johnson continued. “And from what I can ascertain from all of the comments that I’ve heard from my colleagues — and it’s also important to note that Duckett’s comments are the first that I’ve heard of this — all I’ve gotten is vague charges of fear and being afraid. What is it about myself that is so fearful?”
During a 20-minute public comment period, most comments were against Commissioner Johnson’s removal. Ward 4 residents noted that public meetings have been well run and voiced support for Commissioner Johnson’s tenure.
“As chairman, Mr. Johnson sought to put an end to the status quo,” said resident James Williams. He went on to allege that other ANC commissioners had been involved in several unethical acts, accusing Commissioners Jonah Goodman, Maria Barry, and Ulysses Campbell of involvement in a policy that was ruled illegal, noting the commissioners had not been held accountable. He requested an official meeting that Commissioner Vanessa Rubio recuse herself from the development of the old Station 22 Firehouse on Georgia Avenue, and asked for access to the ANC’s financial records. “I will do everything in my legal political power to ensure those involved in Johnson’s removal are not re-elected.”
There was confusion about the grounds for Commissioner Johnson’s removal. The last comment after nearly an hour of discussion, made by reporter Gordon Chaffin at Street Sense DC, asked why the commissioner was being removed from office. Johnson followed up after this question.
“I think it’s a bit disingenuous that you don’t want to give a cause or reason,” Johnson said. “You cite issues at the outset that are difficult to respond to that haven’t been brought up before.”
Vice-Chair Duckett replied to Chaffin’s question, saying that “To dig in and provide more examples would be unkind.”
With the closing of the public comment period, the votes happened quickly. Within a matter of minutes, Commissioner Johnson was voted out and Commissioner Mansaray was installed as the new chairperson of ANC 4C.
“We are committed to getting the work done within the community and for the community,” Mansaray said.
(7/15 Update: Some quotes by Commissioner Mansaray have been updated.)
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