ANC Chair Steps Down

Elizabeth Miller, Chair of the ANC, announced last week that she is stepping down from the Commission effective this Friday. She cited the fact that a relatively sudden house sale meant she and her family had to find a place to live and the house they settled on is outside SMD 07. The city is fairly strict about residency requirements (unlike Congress), so the move necessitated the resignation from the Commission.

Elizabeth has served on the Commission since 2019, a fact I had to double-check because it is genuinely hard for me to believe that she hasn’t been on the ANC longer. I’ve had to unique pleasure to observe her work on the Commission as both an outside observer and a fellow colleague. She has been a forceful and energetic advocate for causes important for the community, none more impactful than her passionate fight for improvements at Jelleff Recreation Center. And beyond her explicit work as a Commissioner, she excels as building community through efforts like Takeout Tuesday, Christmas caroling and the Georgetown community cookbook.

Perhaps having me as a colleague is another reason she’s stepping down; a few months of me can do that sometimes. But for my part I am genuinely gutted to lose her from the ANC. It’s such a benefit to have a colleague who speaks so clearly and directly about where she stands. Having her on your side of an issue is like holding a straight flush. But disagreeing with her is a blessing itself. You’ll know straight away where the disconnect is. And either you can work towards resolving it or you can simply agree to disagree. In either event, the page is turned and the next challenge met in good faith and cheer.

Losing her from the Commission is a blow, but luckily for all of us she’s not going far and will continue to be an invaluable member of the community, in whatever capacity she undertakes.