DC Government

“Banneker Pool has become almost impossible to get into for recreational lap swimming, thanks to its being constantly booked for club swimming.”

By Prince Of Petworth


2500 Georgia Avenue, NW

Update from DPR’s Director of Communications Gwendolyn Crump:

“The DC Department of Parks and Recreation’s Aquatics Division has been providing four (4) lanes to the public during the lap swim time. DPR’s DC Wave swim program uses Banneker pool in the morning. It seems there is a large senior crowd in the pool during this time, as well. Guests may be under the assumption that only two (2) lanes are available. DPR will immediately place lap lane speed signs to help direct guests in the early morning. DPR continues to work hard to ensure that our programs and public swimmers can share space.”

A reader forwards a letter sent to the Department of Parks and Recreation Director:

“I am a regular lap swimmer, and was excited to buy a house in Pleasant Plains, where I could be close to Banneker Pool. I have, however, been sorely disappointed by the lap swimming facilities. Last Monday at 9am there were only 2 lanes for about 18 swimmers. All of the other lanes were occupied by swim clubs. Last Wednesday and Friday there was only 1 lane, and many swimmers left. This morning, Monday, I was in the middle of my swim when I was informed that there were no longer any lanes for recreational swimmers, and that we had to try to swim in the well area, where there are no lane markers and many water walkers. This is dangerous, as the chances of collision are very high. When I asked why there were no lanes for non-club swimmers, I was told that club swimmers pay to reserve lanes, and that they have priority. It was suggested that I, who live beside the pool, should find another pool in which to swim, so that club swimmers from across the city could use my local pool without the inconvenience of having to share it. (more…)

Street Light Collapse. “That means that the bolts were just sitting in the holes and the entire pole was just balancing on the base.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I was sitting on my porch on Warder St NW the other morning and heard a very loud crash a few doors down. I went to investigate and saw a light pole had fallen and smashed a car. A contractor was parallel parking a van and a ladder attached to the roof bumped the pole. No big deal – contractor’s fault. The scary part is the second two pictures. The pole is supposed to be held in place on the base with nuts and bolts. If you look at the very rusty bolts, you can tell that there obviously haven’t been nuts on them in a very long time – maybe years. That means that the bolts were just sitting in the holes and the entire pole was just balancing on the base. It kind you wonder how many of these giant light poles are barely attached and a danger. There’s no way a ladder bumping into the pole should have brought it down.”

“Last year, the number of 311 requests for rodent abatement increased by 65 percent from 2,300 in 2015 to more than 3,500 in 2016”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, as part of Back to Basics DC, Mayor Bowser highlighted three District projects aimed at decreasing the rodent population in Washington, DC. The Mayor was joined at the announcement by the Director of the Department of Health Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, Chief Technology Officer Archana Vemulapalli, representatives from the Department of Public Works, and community members.

“One of the most important ways we are moving DC forward is by investing in initiatives and technology that make our city healthier and cleaner,” said Mayor Bowser. “We are taking a comprehensive and 21st century approach to an old problem, and we ask that the community continue to help us by reporting rodent issues to 311. Working together, we can reduce waste and keep our streets clean.”

Because most rodent activity stems from inappropriately stored garbage, the District’s rat abatement projects focus on improving how the city, businesses, and residents manage trash. The efforts bring together resources from the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Office of Unified Communications (OUC), the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), and the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). (more…)

It’s Official We are back to Washington, DC

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Maryland Route 5

We knew it was coming but it still stings to get the official word from the DMV:

“The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) is now issuing driver licenses and identification cards with the jurisdiction as Washington, DC. The new credential, which the agency has been issuing since June 1, 2017, has the same Cherry Blossom design as the driver licenses and identification cards that DC DMV began issuing in November 2013 with the jurisdiction as District of Columbia. Currently, DC DMV has four different credentials in circulation and all are valid until the expiration date: (more…)

Former Ward 1 Council Member Jim Graham Dies

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Adam Fagen

From a press release:

“Today, Ward 1 D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau issued the following statement following the news that former Ward 1 D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham passed away:

“I offer my deepest condolences to the friends and family of Councilmember Graham. It was no secret that we did not always see eye to eye, but there was no question as to his deep love for the people of Ward 1. As a Councilmember he leaves a legacy of fierce advocacy on behalf of District residents. As the director of the Whitman Walker Clinic his tireless work fighting for LGBTQ rights and to end HIV/AIDS was pioneering and touched lives across the District and around the country. In his many years of service, he was dedicated to leaving the world a better place than he found it. He will be missed.”

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Bowser released the following statement on the passing of former Councilmember Jim Graham:

“Jim Graham embodied DC values. Jim was a fierce champion for Ward 1 and led the way in fighting to preserve and protect affordable housing in booming neighborhoods. He was also a tireless advocate for LBGTQ rights and access to health care. Jim welcomed all neighbors and showed us that DC’s diversity alone does not make us great, but instead our embrace and celebration of our diversity does.

“I am saddened to hear of the passing of Councilmember Graham, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Today, as I fight to include more Washingtonians in the District’s prosperity, I do so on the shoulders of leaders like Jim who fought to prove that moving DC forward means leaving no residents behind.”

“It’s absurd and defies logic.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

The letter below, that I have sent to Lucinda Barbers, Director of DMV, explains the situation.

Dear Director Babers:

I am writing to bring to your attention the absurd circumstances and poor customer service that I recently encountered at the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) while attempting to update my address and secure my current vehicle registration sticker, which was mailed to my previous address after I renewed my registration and paid online. I am requesting your help to resolve this issue.

After filling out the requisite forms and waiting my turn at the DMV office on M Street SW, I was stunned when I was told that I could not move forward on receiving my current vehicle registration because I owed $1,120 in unpaid tickets from 2007/2008 timeframe on a Ford Ranger with Virginia plates that was registered in my name at that time. I replied that I had most assuredly paid those tickets a long time ago, as required by DMV when I sought to register my vehicle in Washington, DC. When I moved from Virginia to DC and, in turn, switched my driver’s license and the vehicle registration on that same Ford Ranger to DC in 2008, per DMV’s rules I had to pay all outstanding tickets at that time. Further, in the intervening decade, I re-registered that Ford Ranger in DC multiple times, subsequently bought a new vehicle and registered that vehicle in DC, and renewed my DC driver’s license—all actions which require back tickets to have been paid. Why, a decade after the fact, does the DMV now think I have not paid my old tickets?! It’s absurd and defies logic. (more…)

“Our diversity is what makes us stronger, and we will not relent in promoting and defending DC values”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Miki J.

From the Mayor’s Office Saturday:

“Mayor Bowser issued the following statement regarding the nooses found in Washington, DC over the past week:

“We are an inclusive city, and we do not tolerate signs of hate, ignorance, and fear. I have directed the Metropolitan Police Department to investigate these incidents, the Office of Human Rights to activate our hate crimes protocol, and the Office of Religious Affairs to engage faith leaders to be a resource for residents. We also ask the public to call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text 50411 if you have information about these incidents.

Our diversity is what makes us stronger, and we will not relent in promoting and defending DC values. We do not take these incidents lightly, and we will not accept that signs of hate are signs of our time.”

There was a time the White House did stuff like this…

By Prince Of Petworth


via @MayorBowser

Mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted the scene last night:

“Tonight the Wilson Building turns green in honor of DC’s continued commitment to the #ParisAgreement. #ClimateMayors”

Full statement on the Paris Agreement from the Mayor’s Office:

“Washington, DC will continue to work with cities and countries around the globe to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The effects of climate change are already here, and without proper planning and collaboration, they will continue to get worse. (more…)

View More Stories