DC Government

“Bowser Administration Announces Implementation of the Death with Dignity Act of 2016”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

Ed. Note: WAMU reports:

“Last week, the House Appropriations Committee voted to advance a measure introduced by Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) that would repeal the D.C. legislation. The measure would need to be approved by both chambers of Congress and President Donald Trump in order to go into effect.”

From the Mayor’s Office:

“The Bowser Administration announced the implementation of the Death with Dignity Act of 2016, passed by the DC Council in November 2016. The rules and regulations, effective today, ensure the orderly implementation of the local legislation.

The Death with Dignity Act of 2016 establishes a process by which competent, terminally ill residents of Washington, DC can legally obtain a physician’s prescription for medications to end their lives in a humane and peaceful manner. Today’s implementation comes after consultation with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Councilmember Mary Cheh who introduced and championed the legislation, Attorney General Karl Racine, and other District stakeholders. (more…)

“We hope those who illegally and recklessly operate these vehicles will see this as a symbolic gesture that this type of behavior won’t be tolerated”

By Prince Of Petworth

From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department would like to inform the public that it’s destroyed dozens of ATVs and dirt bikes that were seized for being illegally operated in the District of Columbia.

On Saturday, July 15, 2017, a total of 62 off road vehicles were destroyed at a contractor’s lot in Capitol Heights, Maryland, producing 14,180 pounds of recyclable metal.

The vehicles were left abandoned in public spaces or seized for their involvement in criminal offenses. These vehicles were either unregistered or their owners failed to claim them.

Video of their destruction can be seen here: (more…)

“I called the cops, they drove by once. Saw nothing. Then called 911 two more times. They never returned.”

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader reports an incredibly disturbing event that happened 3am last night around Jefferson and Kennedy Street, NW. Ed. Note: I have the video but am only posting this still because I want to blur out the face.

“…a half naked woman was banging on my door at 3am. A man coaxed/pulled her away. I called the cops, they drove by once. Saw nothing. I went and checked my security cameras and got footage. Then called 911 2 more times. They never returned. I gave up 50 minutes later. I went out and looked and couldn’t find anyone. I was up until 4:10am waiting and they never came back. I told the operator I had footage of this. It’s insane.”

The Deal with those “Keep Kalmia Safe” Signs

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I keep seeing signs in Kalmia stating “keep kalmia safe” oppose Brandon todd’s bill DC22-57. Do you know what bill that is?”

Thanks to Liz for sending from Change.org:

“We write to you, our elected officials, as residents of Washington, DC who are deeply concerned about public health and safety risks due to increased traffic from Jemal’s Gateway DC near the intersection of Kalmia Road, Georgia Avenue, Alaska Avenue and Eastern Avenue, also known as the “Georgia Eastern” project, as currently proposed.

Bill B22-00057 seeks to close a public alley to help facilitate the Georgia Eastern project. If the project is built as currently proposed, we believe it will pose a public health and safety risk that is not acceptable to the neighborhood of Shepherd Park.

The developer estimates an increase of up to 351 cars/hour at peak hours on Kalmia Road NW. As residents of Kalmia Road and the surrounding streets, we know such an increase is just not physically feasible without a dangerously high safety risk imposed on residents. (more…)

“This is the first raise for tipped workers in the last 12 years.”

By Prince Of Petworth


I spotted this note on U Street

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Bowser marked the first increase to DC’s minimum wage under the #Fightfor15 legislation that she introduced in 2016. Effective July 1, 2017, the minimum wage for District workers will increase from $11.50 per hour to $12.50 per hour, and the minimum wage for tipped workers will increase from $2.77 per hour to $3.33 per hour. This is the first raise for tipped workers in the last 12 years. (more…)

“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.”

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