Photo by PoPville flickr user Andrew Pasko-Reader
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and Uber announced the launch of a 911 integration pilot in the District of Columbia, allowing DC Uber passengers to utilize an in-app emergency button that will notify the Office of Unified Communications of an emergency and instantly share their real time location, car make/model, and license plate number with 911 call takers. (more…)
Photo by PoPville Flickr user Joe Newman
“Dear PoPville,
Does this cross a line… or is this a common practice? The DC Board of Elections posted a PDF of all names and addresses of registered voters in D.C.
I understand that registered voter info is somewhat public information; but to have all the data nicely packaged in one list smells funny to me.
Thoughts?”
From the D.C. Department of Health:
“Dear PoPville,
I bought a house in late February that had to be renovated. I was unaware that bins could be obtained for free within 90 days of purchasing a property; I missed that boat as the renovation took 6 months. I ordered and paid for the bins 12 days before I moved in (the website says that delivery would take place within 5-7 business days of the order). I have been in the house since the beginning of October and still do not have bins that were ordered more than a month ago. Numerous calls and emails to DPW Dept of Solid Waste and still nothing. They state they are a little behind in delivery. The only actual delivery I have received was a certified letter from DPW with a fine for improper storage of solid waste. Any ideas on how to get them to deliver or whether or not I should fight the fine?”
Photo by PoPville Flickr user Tim Brown
Now that we got the whole stamp situation sorted, sorta – let’s move on to the meat of the issue. A reader has requested on open thread on the upcoming election so here it is. Personally I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts about the At Large Council Race that has gotten rather contentious lately. But feel free to talk about all the races you plan on voting for from Mayor to Ward to State Board of Education down to your local ANC.
For those looking for voting guides, DCist has a good one here and Greater Greater Washington has one dedicated to ANC races here.
So, let’s start with the At Large Race are you leaning – Bonds, Reeder, Silverman (no relation) or other?
And whoever you’re gonna vote for – please do vote!
Photo by PoPville Flickr user ken_1001
From the Mayor’s Office:
“On Thursday, October 25, at 3:00 p.m., Mayor Bowser will kick off a Traffic Safety Blitz along Massachusetts Avenue at 1st Street, NE, to raise awareness about the dangers of double parking, blocking the box, obstructing bike lanes, and other violations that threaten the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. The Traffic Safety Blitz will be conducted by the Bike Force, a newly created group of parking enforcement officers managed by the Department of Public Works (DPW). The goal of the Bike Force is to gain a better understanding of the challenges District cyclists face and to address these challenges in real-time. (more…)
Photo by PoPville Flickr user Lorie Shaull
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Today, Mayor Bowser released the following statement regarding the suspicious packages sent to public officials:
“I have been briefed by my Public Safety and Justice (PSJ) officials, including the Deputy Mayor for PSJ, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, on the suspicious packages sent to multiple individuals. The District is maintaining an open communication with our federal partners and we are vigilantly monitoring the situation. There is no additional, credible threat to the District at this time, but we urge all who may see something to say something immediately by calling 911.”
From MPD:
“Multiple packages containing possible explosive devices, similar to the one pictured below, have been located in NY & DC.
If you see any suspicious activity similar to these incidents, please do not hesitate to call 911.”
From the New York Times: (more…)
Stock photo of set back pop up
“Dear PoPville,
I’m wondering if you have heard reports from other readers about new action from DCRA (motto: doing our best to frustrate DC homeowners) that would essentially mean the end of popups across the city. I live in a rowhouse in a historic district in the city and have spent over a year working on a partial third story addition to my home. Typical with historic district requirements, the third floor addition was to be a partial third floor- set back from the front so that it was not visible from the street. This was a modest addition- not some developer monstrosity and we had the support of our neighbors, historic and our ANC. (more…)
A reader reports:
“I just called the Board of Elections — they said the envelope needs two Forever stamps.”
Update from DC Board of Elections website:
“Dear PoPville,
I am an absentee ballot voter in DC and had seen the PoPville item on postage and absentee ballots.
I called DC Board of Elections [DC BOE] and asked if or how much postage was required to mail an absentee ballot.
At first, I was told “a stamp” would do it, then I was told “two stamps” “should” cover it.
I asked what “two stamps”? I was told “regular stamps”.
I also asked why there was nothing on the envelope to indicate if postage was required or that additional postage was required as there has been in past elections.
The mail in envelope used to state in the top right hand corner that additional postage was required.
I asked how much postage exactly was required to mail in my ballot. Why should someone use $1 when 65 cents might be enough? I was transferred to someone’s voicemail. (more…)
Photo by PoPville Flickr user Nathan Castellanos
From an email:
“I wanted to let you know that Attorney General Karl A. Racine, speaking moments ago at the Mayor-Council Breakfast, announced that our office has begun investigating the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington regarding clergy abuse.
Here is the relevant portion of his remarks:
“While we generally don’t talk publicly about our confidential enforcement activity, I can report that our office has launched a civil investigation into whether the Archdiocese – which is a nonprofit institution – violated the District’s Nonprofit Act by potentially covering up allegations of sexual abuse of minors. According to the law, nonprofits are required to work for a public purpose; if they are in fact covering up child sex abuse, that is clearly not in the public interest. Our investigation brings the count of states with open investigations to 14.”
In addition, AG Racine announced a new portal for victims of clergy abuse in DC to report their abuse to our office. Below is a post about it that has just gone live on our blog (available online here).
New Way for Victims to Report Sex Abuse by Clergy (more…)