Clark Ray: Hader Replacement a “Nomination Emergency” – “Mandates Collaboration; Time to Put DC’s Politics of Distrust Aside”
WASHINGTON, DC — Clark Ray, candidate for DC City Council, At-Large, made the following statement regarding the resignation of Dr. Shannon Hader as Director of DC’s Office of HIV/AIDS Administration:
“Filling this vacancy is a nomination emergency, because the HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a crisis in the District of Columbia.
“Dr. Hader was a stabilizing force, and brought her office further along in its struggle to reform and improve operations, but that job is by no means finished.
“In the neighborhoods where I have spent a majority of my time, HIV/AIDS continues to shatter lives and families with a pace usually seen in far less prosperous nations.
“The issues here are complex–everything from housing to mental health services and much more, they’re all integral to people knowing their HIV status, getting access to treatment, and staying on their treatment regimens.
“This is a nomination emergency. The Mayor will have to apply the most rigorous search and nomination discipline possible. This position, above all, mandates collaboration with City Council and impacted communities. There’s been a lot of tension and distrust in our city government, especially in this election year: now’s the time for everyone to put all of that aside.”
