DC Government

“You might have read some of the recent coverage of the latest city government screw-up”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

You might have read some of the recent coverage of the latest city government screw-up: Serve DC (in the mayor’s office) didn’t bother to file DC’s grant paperwork with the Corporation for National and Community Service this year, which is going to cost the city $3.75M in federal funding that goes to support the work of City Year (those nice young people in the red jackets), and two early literacy intervention nonprofits, Literacy Lab and Reading Partners.

Many studies show that it’s vitally important that kids be reading at grade level by the fourth grade. At that point, they’re no longer reading to learn to read, they’re reading to learn all their other subjects, so if they’re behind in reading by the fourth grade, they quickly end up behind in all their subjects, and they often never catch up.

In 2017, only 19% of DC’s fourth graders from low-income families could read at or above grade level. Kids who are reading at or above grade level by fourth grade are four times more likely to stay in school and graduate, creating a firm foundation to be successful in life. That’s what Literacy Lab and Reading Partners exist to do.

I’m a volunteer with Reading Partners. We were due to receive $560,000 to fund 30 AmeriCorps positions in the 2019-2020 school year. That represents 20% of our budget. (more…)

“Today I’m taking a whole day off of work to go to a walk-in hearing at the DMV to prove where I live, that my car isn’t actually a Volkswagen, and a stop sign doesn’t exist.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I have the flip side to the recent story of an abandoned vehicle with thousands of dollars in tickets not being booted/towed for months. My car has been impounded for a week for 2 tickets. I contested one a year ago, but never received a ruling. The other I never received. Neither are legitimate: (more…)

#GoodSignDC “a new initiative that calls on residents and motorists to help DC Government replace or clarify confusing and broken signs around DC”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

From the mayor’s office:

“We also kicked off #GoodSignDC – a new initiative that calls on residents and motorists to help DC Government replace or clarify confusing and broken signs around DC. Residents are encouraged to report signs in need of attention to 311 or by using #GoodSignDC on social media (please include a photo and location).”

Notes from Last Night’s ANC 1A (Columbia Heights) Public Safety Committee Meeting by Bill DeBaun

By Prince Of Petworth

Bill DeBaun lives with his wife and child in Columbia Heights. Thanks to Bill for taking the time to write this up.

“Last night there were about 20 attendees at the ANC 1A Public Safety Committee meeting at District Bridges in Columbia Heights. The panel last night consisted of representatives from the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. A representative from the Department of Behavioral Health was supposed to attend but couldn’t make it. Notably there was no MPD representative (it appears that was last month, next month will be representatives from community-based organizations engaged in the ANC). During introductions, half or more of the attendees noted they were there out of concern for Columbia Heights’ recent shootings. Attendees identified homelessness, public substance abuse, stop and frisk, underfunding of the NEAR Act, and concerns about MPD training exchanges with Israel, among other issues, as concerns.

Judy Williams ([email protected]) was the DHS representative and discussed her and her team’s work with homeless engagement and meeting those living on the street where they are and connecting them with available resources. She noted there are currently two members of her team on homeless outreach (for the whole city!) and two focusing specifically on opioid outreach and K2 monitoring/prevention (also for the whole city). There was some discussion about whether or not an additional three positions on these teams were funded and just not filled yet or whether funding was pending (I wasn’t clear on where that shook out from my notes, apologies.) K2 (“spice”) is a big problem in Columbia Heights’ plaza, and she noted that they try to keep tabs of what the K2 “hot spots” are to try to put cold water on them by being present as a deterrent and monitoring those who have bad reactions to the drug. (more…)

“Ticketed but not Towed”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Rex Block

Rex writes:

“This car has been sitting (illegally parked) in the same spot since September 2018 (six months as of this writing) — the oldest citation dates to September, and has been collecting paper ever since. City records indicate the vehicle has over $3000 in outstanding unpaid parking fines, but for some reason, it does not get booted or towed.”

“Going on four years of owning our home and nearly two years of seeking resolution from a city that is either unwilling or unable to provide an actual resolution.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

In September 2015, my wife and I bought our home in the Woodridge area of D.C. While it was further out than was ideal, the price was right and the neighborhood seemed up and coming. For the most part, the up and coming part remains true. However, there is an exception. A neighboring house is the blight of our existence in Woodridge. Further, it is the historic blight of many of our neighbors.

Here is some transactional history on this vacant and blighted fire, health, and safety hazard of a house: (more…)

Another Chance To Learn About Your Real Property Tax Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth


4200 Kansas Ave. NW at Georgia and Upshur

From an email:

“Tax Commissioner Keith Richardson and members of his senior management team will be on-hand to discuss home values, the assessment appeals process, and tax relief programs that are available to reduce your tax liability.

This time we’ll be at Petworth Neighborhood Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW, on March 26 from 6:30-8pm.

Presenters: (more…)

“Mayor Bowser Kicks Off Potholepalooza 2019, Celebrates Beginning of the Maryland Avenue Streetscape Project”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Bowser kicked off Potholepalooza 2019 and celebrated the beginning of the Maryland Avenue NE Streetscape Project. Due to record rainfalls in 2018, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has seen a significant increase in reports of potholes across the District.

“Potholes are frustrating and dangerous, and with a record-number of potholes this year, we’re, once again, doubling-down on our efforts to get them fixed,” said Mayor Bowser. “As Potholepalooza gets started, we continue urging residents to report potholes and other dangerous road conditions to 311. Working together, we can ensure that our streets, sidewalks, alleys are safe for all who use them.”

Since January 1, 2019, DDOT has received 7,550 pothole service requests and filled more than 5,300 potholes. For comparison: Last year, between January 1, 2018 and March 18, 2018, DDOT received 3,295 requests. (more…)

“So, why is this island causing so much carnage?” An Update

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Update: I walked out the house [Saturday] to get my weekly stash of fresh bagels from Call Your Mother and came upon new activity at Georgia Ave. and Morton Street NW. This time crews appear to be either modifying or removing the islands.

Within about a week of the initial installation the islands had proper and plentiful signage and the lanes had been properly marked. I’m definitely curious about what’s happening here.” (more…)

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