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The upcoming D.C. Council elections promise to highlight the dearth of civic-minded residents interested in public service. But the city is already having trouble attracting candidates to lower levels of government. In a recent D.C. Register, the Barry administration published a list of vacancies on the city’s many boards and commissions. The Taxicab Commission is missing eight of 13 members. The Child Fatality and Review Commission needs nine public members. The Private Industry Council is seeking 24 members, the Violence Against Women Council is short a whopping 31 members, and the Emergency Medical Services Committee, a 28-member body, is looking for 28 members. Since board members usually get nothing but coffee and doughnuts for their trouble, city officials emphasize that the application process is quite simple. The vacancy announcement advises the public: “Individuals should not hesitate to nominate themselves.CP