Yukia Hugee, lives in North East and is part of the It’s Time DC coalition.
PoP-Ed. posts may be written about anything related to the District and submitted via email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail please include PoP-Ed. in the subject line.
Photo by PoPville flickr user DCbmyers
Ed. Note: You can read “The DC Council will vote Tuesday on legislation that would place severe restrictions on short-term rentals in DC.” posted yesterday here.
Commercial Airbnb Hosts Add Strain on Single Mothers Across D.C.
By: Yukia Hugee, single mom and Northeast D.C. resident
Safety is a main concern for any mother. This concern is only heightened for a single mother, like myself, that lives in a hustling and bustling city like D.C. and is safety is always one of the main concerns I have for my young family and I. Consequently, knowing the members of my community that surround me, work near my home, and protect my neighborhood is very important to me as I raise my children in our vibrant city.
That is why I am so disheartened to see my community unwrapped by commercial operators running illegal hotels that are creating a revolving door of strangers who don’t have an attachment to our community.
That isn’t creating a safer neighborhood for me or my family – it’s breaking it down. Read More
Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick
Jim Havard lives in Hill East. PoP-Ed. posts may be written about anything related to the District and submitted via email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail please include PoP-Ed. in the subject line.
Open Letter to DC Communities and the DC Council
By Jim Havard
DC Short-Term Rental Legislation – An Allowance Should be Made for “Plus One” Properties, Without “Caps”
The DC Council will vote Tuesday on legislation that would place severe restrictions on short-term rentals in DC. The bill on the table would, among other things, ban any short-term rentals from properties outside of the primary residence, and limit owners pursuing short-term rentals when away from primary residences to 90 days a year. To be clear, the primary impact of this legislation for DC would not be to regulate some big corporation (like AirBnB or VRBO); rather, it would be to cripple short-term rental small businesses in DC, including those owned by local people – like widows, seniors, and parents with challenging medical conditions – who are renting out their small “plus one” properties in an effort to make ends meet. These folks should be allowed to keep their businesses; this bill is too restrictive and should be amended. Read More
Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin
Ed. Note: A case to Vote No on Initiative 77 will be posted at this time tomorrow.
By Melissa Boteach and Eliza Schultz
We, like many of our fellow D.C. residents, have seen the “Save Our Tips” signs all over town. As anti-poverty advocates and researchers, we take seriously the argument that we should listen to people who are directly affected by a given policy. There are many well-intentioned people who plan to vote against Initiative 77 – the ballot initiative that would phase out the sub-minimum wage earned by tipped workers by 2026 – because they know servers, mainly in higher-end restaurants and bars, who are against it.
But we also know many servers (in D.C. as well as in the eight states that don’t have a separate tipped wage) and can tell you that a big reason you’re not hearing a lot of voices from tipped workers in favor of Initiative 77 is due to fear of retaliation. Workers are literally walking into their places of employment bombarded with signs saying “Save Our Tips” – even right above where they clock in. Publicly speaking out when you’re already economically insecure and need the job is difficult.
The debate in D.C. over 77 has been riddled with misinformation and one-sided arguments, funded by a corporate campaign that is paying tens of thousands to consulting firms so that they don’t have to pay their workers more.
To that end, we wanted to share some facts on 77 with you: Read More
Photo by PoPville flickr user Miki J.
PoP-Ed. posts may be written about anything related to the District and submitted via email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail please include PoP-Ed. in the subject line. The following was written by Paul Williams, President of Historic Congressional Cemetery, and Kelly Carnes, cemetery staffer and yoga instructor.
Last weekend, Washingtonians missed out on one of the hottest yoga trends to date: goat yoga. Historic Congressional Cemetery, which has hosted eco-goats twice and a weekly yoga program, was denied the opportunity to bring goat yoga to the District by the DC Department of Health.
The event, previously schedule for July 22, would have featured three classes in which 10 baby goats joined the yogis on their mats to romp, play, crawl, and cuddle while the yogis practiced a gentle (mostly seated) sequence designed to educate them about the specific physiological traits that make goats unique like their incredible balance and fortified digestive system. Educational materials were integrated into the previous eco-goats visits too and each event brought hundreds of new visitors to the cemetery, raising awareness and funds to help preserve this iconic local landmark.
The DC Department of Health’s reasoning? Director LaQuandra Nesbitt claims that the yogis and goats pose a danger to each other, even though this style of practice has been embraced all over the country, including Louisville, Kentucky where she was the leading public health expert before taking her post in DC.
What does the goat’s farmer and caregiver, Mary Bowen, think of the excuse that yogis could potentially fall on and injure goats? In her own words the excuse is “ridiculous,” as is the notion that the cemetery would need to hire a wildlife expert to be on hand for any such event. News flash, DoH, goats are not wild animals! In fact the domestication of goats begins 10,000-11,000 years ago!
Supposedly there is also a “no touching” policy barring any interaction with livestock lest it lead to zoonotic disease transmission, and yet, when it was brought to the Department of Health’s attention that the Mount Vernon BID is hosting their annual petting zoo in Mt. Vernon square on July 29, they knew nothing about it. I guess we should all go into quarantine-mode for the impending goat-flu that is about to bring Washington to a screeching halt. Read More
Photo by PoPville flickr user Pablo Raw
PoP-Ed. posts may be written about anything related to the District and submitted via email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail please include PoP-Ed. in the subject line.
“Free Wi-Fi For All of DC
Brandon Todd
Council of the District of Columbia, Ward-4
Chair, Committee on Government Operations
Today, I will be introducing the Wi-Fi Task Force Act of 2017. This bill would create a task force to provide comprehensive policy recommendations on how the District can efficiently provide free wireless internet access thru the construction and operation of a municipality broadband network. Communities across the United States are already successfully operating municipal broadband networks and it is time for the District to foster the development of advanced broadband facilities and services for our communities, residents and visitors.
The District government has forged ahead with inclusive and diverse policies such as increasing the living wage, the minimum wage and expanding the Marion Barry Summer Youth Program with the aim to improve income equality for all District residents. A municipal broadband network providing free wireless internet to the entire District is the next step. Read More
Joshua Louria lives in Mount Pleasant in ANC1D01.
PoP-Ed. posts may be written about anything related to the District and submitted via email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail please include PoP-Ed. in the subject line.
I didn’t think the Mount Pleasant ANC could get any worse, and then a shouting match erupted between two commissioners at the November meeting. The Library police had to break it up. This time they were fighting over a resolution to support paid family leave. Jack McKay had vigorously opposed the resolution in 41 emails to ANC commissioners, arguing that “it will please some constituents to pass a motherhood resolution that advises that there be a Paid Family Leave program, of some sort. But that’s a done deal, and therefore a pointless exercise” (In fact the Mayor and the Post editorial board are trying to kill the legislation). Read More
“Dear PoPville,
If anyone who lives along upper 14th Street haven’t already seen this video, it’s worth taking a look.
It’s shocking that four men could plan a homicide at a busy gas station, visibly put guns into their pants, run an entire block, murder someone, and flee the scene without being caught. We haven’t seen anything this brazen along these few blocks in years, probably since 2010. I suspect some of your readers may think this sort of incident is common on the 3400-3600 blocks of 14th Street, but it most certainly isn’t.
This incident was a result of less aggressive policing along this stretch, the elimination of undercover vice, and, in my view, a lack of interest among our politicians in upper 14th Street. I emailed Councilmember Nadeau about this; I explained that I believe the problem is the growing tolerance of the crack cocaine trade and a lack of pressure on MPD to have more of a presence in this area.
I told her that I believe her agenda that so often concerns national progressive issues isn’t going to help us prevent homicides. Her office’s response to these sorts of emails has often been that the meager money she’s secured for Clean Teams and a Main Street program, or that a federal law closing the gun show loophole, will have the effect of interdicting homicides in Columbia Heights. Invariably, her office lists her accomplishments or refers us to her newsletter. Read More
OK, maybe the project took way too long to carry passengers. Maybe it cost way too much money for what we got. Maybe it is beyond comprehension that it doesn’t run on Sundays. We can debate whether or not there should’ve been a dedicated lane but I’m moving beyond that. This is not the fault of the streetcar. This is the fault of the driver of the automobile. Shame on you Scion driver. Shame on you. The world does not revolve around you. You can’t just double park because you’re only going to run into the store “for a second”. No. No sir. NO MORE. Move your damn car and find a spot like everyone else. This nominee was at 4th and H St, NE – the streetcar didn’t catch up to me until 13th Street.
And by the by, this applies to all people double parking on busy streets with or without streetcars, especially during rush hour. I’m talking Georgia Avenue, Connecticut Avenue, you know who you are. I repeat, the world does not revolve around you and your schedule. Move your damn car.
Should you spot a selfish jackwagon double parked in front of a streetcar, or during rush hour please send a photo to [email protected] with a location/time where you saw it. If it turns out there was a life threatening emergency or a baby was being born I promise to offer up a prompt apology.
Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil
Christopher Cordingley lives in Penn Quarter.
PoP-Ed. posts may be written about anything related to the District and submitted via email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail please include PoP-Ed. in the subject line.
Leaving work last Wednesday, I got on a Capital Bikeshare and headed up to Capitol Hill. Crossing 7th Street NW and turning onto Pennsylvania Avenue something unfamiliar happened on this regular commute. I had to wait to enter the bike lane; there were six solo riders in line heading east. I would expect this kind of traffic on the National Mall a block south, but not on Penn. I prefer riding on Pennsylvania Avenue versus the Mall because it feels more mechanical; it offers a direct comparison to a car and I like it.
When Metro shut down for 24 hours to do inspections on the system, locals griped about riding the bus and surging Uber prices. But there was one system that was working to help the community stay connected, Capital Bikeshare. Since becoming a member, in August of 2013, I have taken 835 trips totaling 1,384 miles, burning an estimated 59,526 calories and saving 57.4 gallons of gas. As a quite dismal and fortunately retired bike racer, it’s not surprising that I would choose to bike over ride a bus, metro, or taxi. A bike has always been an opportunity to turn the aggravating task of commuting into a stimulating chance to work hard, be aware, and breathe fresh air. That is why I commute by bike. You should join me. Read More
Ed. Note: PoP-Ed. posts are received unsolicited. If you have an issue you’d like to discuss please email [email protected]
The following was written by Doug Siglin – Executive Director, Anacostia Waterfront Trust:
“The National Park Service announced last week that it plans to close the Buzzard Point Marina, on the Anacostia River near its confluence with the Potomac. The 58 people who have docked their boats at the marina’s slips, some for many years, are understandably dismayed.
What I found most interesting was the National Park Service’s comment, according to the < a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/buzzard-point-marina-to-close-in-december-after-half-a-century-of-use/2015/09/03/ef35c4c2-5288-11e5-933e-7d06c647a395_story.html" target="_Blank">Washington Post story, that it “will study other recreational opportunities on the Anacostia River.” I am cautiously optimistic that this is true, and that because of it, the closing of the marina ultimately might turn out to be a good thing.
In an era of shrinking appropriations from Congress, the National Park Service needs to conserve scarce funds and, the sad truth is, the Buzzard Point Marina is a casualty of these constraints. Fortunately, there is strong demand coming from the community for a new vision for the Anacostia Waterfront and broad support for improving access from the numerous organizations responsible for its administration.
As a person who has spent much of the last 20 years working in and around the Anacostia, I have experienced firsthand the need for kayaking, canoeing, rowing, sailing and other water based recreation on the river. While the loss of the Buzzard Point Marina may reduce these opportunities a little, it could also allow the National Park Service to redirect resources toward expanding water-based recreation upstream as part of the Anacostia Park experience.
I implore the National Park Service to use this opportunity to invest in the future of “upstream” communities near the Anacostia in Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 by providing not only additional water recreation, but additional park-based recreation as well. Anacostia and Kenilworth Parks are huge, and not nearly as well programmed as they should be. Such a pledge could also spur action by others to finally address the lingering environmental problems preventing DC residents from swimming, fishing, boating, and playing in their own public backyard.
Legacy toxins from past industrial use, some carcinogenic, hide untreated in the riverbed, and each fresh rain washes tons of chemicals from roads, parking lots, and other hardscapes into the Anacostia. Unless these sources of pollution are finally addressed, and it will require the efforts of more than the National Park Service, then expanding recreation access will only go so far.
Now that we know Buzzard Point Marina will close in December, all of us who are committed to the future of the Anacostia Waterfront must redouble our efforts to create new ways for the community to engage with the river and complete the important environmental work that remains.”
