DC Government

“Tis the Season to Recycle Holiday Trees and Greenery”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

Thanks to A. for sending “Too Soon?” Well, given our track record…

From DPW:

“Holiday Trees and Greenery will be collected December 27 – January 31. Residents in DPW-serviced households are asked to call 311 to make an appointment to schedule their collection between December 27 – January 10.

Trees and Greenery should be placed in front of residents’ homes or taken to the drop off locations where they will be composted and made available to residents at no charge. Please remove all ornaments and lights and do not place trees and greenery in bags. (more…)

“I submitted paperwork back in mid-October but it seems to have gone into a black hole.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering whether anyone has had success applying for DC Water’s LPRAP – Lead Pipe Replacement Assistance Program – which went into effect in October?  I submitted paperwork back in mid-October but it seems to have gone into a black hole.  If folks have had their application successfully submitted can they provide the name of the contractor they used and how much the whole project cost?  The name of the contractor is particularly useful because the process does require a certain amount of paperwork on their end as well, which is not something every contractor is willing to do.”

“This is where my nightmare begins.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I purchased a 3-bedroom townhouse Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) in NE DC as a single person in 2011. After 7 years of ownership, I made the decision to sell my townhouse and purchase a market rate home. Per the restrictive covenants attached to my ADU property, I contacted DC’s Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to request the maximum sales price be determined. This is where my nightmare begins. (more…)

Councilmember McDuffie: “In response to a spate of recent violent incidents in Ward 5, last week I shared that I would be providing a more detailed update”

By Prince Of Petworth

From Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie:

“Neighbors,

In response to a spate of recent violent incidents in Ward 5, last week I shared that I would be providing a more detailed update, as well as hosting a series of community conversations around public safety. I called upon Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to increase patrols and have been working with both MPD and Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) to confront recent challenges. Please find below specific actions taken by MPD and ONSE in response to my requests.

Finally, I want to invite all residents to attend and participate in one of three upcoming community conversations on public safety taking place this Saturday, December 14, Monday, December 16, and Wednesday, December 18 (full details below). While I understand the notice for these meetings is relatively short, I did not want to delay these important conversations.

In service,

Kenyan

Update from the Metropolitan Police Department:

The Fifth District Crime Suppression Team is targeting all of Brentwood, Langdon, Edgewood, and Brookland neighborhoods on a daily basis, 7 days a week.

Additional officers and beats: (more…)

“This past week has been crazy booting and towing by the city.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

“Dear PoPville,

This past week has been crazy booting and towing by the city. Yesterday there were 6 on our street booted in the AM and towed by the afternoon. We saw a ton of tow trucks today as well. We live in Bloomingdale. Is this happening in every neighborhood? Just seems bizarre all at once after months/years of really nothing.”

Another reader asks:

“Was shocked today when I found my car was booted for $100 in past due parking tickets. Apparently I under paid one ticket by $10, and had an outstanding street cleaning ticket of $45 from July that had doubled. (more…)

D.C. Attorney General “Sues Greyhound for Air Pollution Violations at Union Station”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user C Buoscio

From the Attorney General’s Office:

“Attorney General Karl A. Racine today filed a lawsuit against Greyhound Lines Inc. for allowing buses to idle at Union Station for longer than the legal limit, polluting the air and endangering the health and safety of commuters and workers. A joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) documented 50 Greyhound buses parked, stopped, or standing at Union Station with their engines running for longer than the three-minute legal limit, many for more than 20 minutes. With this lawsuit, OAG is seeking to collect at least $216,000 in penalties, reimbursement for costs of the investigation, and a court order to stop Greyhound from violating the District’s air pollution control laws moving forward. (more…)

“Has anyone been able to get OTR waive the interest on their taxes under these circumstances?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I received a non-filer complaint in early November concerning my 2015 taxes. I usually file by mail and did that year as well. Unfortunately, when I checked back through my 2016 statements, it does look like OTR never cashed the check I sent them. After many weeks of back and forth, OTR said they are willing to remove the penalty, a modest amount of about $130. The interest, which compounds daily at an APY of 10% and is much more (more than half of my original tax amount), they refuse to waive. My total bill is less than $1000, so no attorneys or CPAs will work with me. (more…)

“In the District, low-income riders comprise 48% percent of bus ridership, compared with 18% of rail ridership.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user small craft

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a new research project within The Lab @ DC to study the impact of low-income transit subsidies on transportation equity in the District. The study, which includes collaboration with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), will help determine if subsidies for low-income residents increase the use of transit and overall well-being. The study will go before the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board at its December 12 meeting for approval.

“Through innovative investments and initiatives, we can make our public transportation system more equitable and affordable for our residents,” said Mayor Bowser. “A strong, sustainable, and reliable public transit system keeps our city growing and thriving. This study will guide best practices on how we can effectively use transit subsidies to give more Washingtonians a fair shot.”

In the District, low-income riders comprise 48% percent of bus ridership, compared with 18% of rail ridership. Much of this discrepancy is likely caused by the higher cost of rail. Low-income riders are also less likely to receive a subsidy from their employer or be able to afford other transit options. (more…)

“this is the second year in a row that DPW hasn’t completed this job on our block”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I live in Woodridge and our street was slated for leaf collection last week. We used the ‘new’ DPW app and got the notification on Fri. Nov. 22 that leaf collection would happen the week of 11/25-30. I and many neighbors followed the protocols and had leaves ready for pickup on 11/25. It was the holiday week and the crew showed up on 11/30 with their blowers and rakes and prepped the piles for vacuuming up by the truck. We saw the truck around the corner vacuuming up another nearby block around RI Ave and Monroe NE so had faith that they would turn the corner and finish the job on our street. They never showed up and it’s apparent that many other streets around the block weren’t collected either; (more…)

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