DC Government

Signs of Spring – Residential Street Sweeping Starts Tomorrow March 1st

By Prince Of Petworth

street sweep
Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc

From DPW:

“RESIDENTIAL MECHANICAL STREET SWEEPING TO RESUME MAR. 1, PARKING ENFORCEMENT OF STREET SWEEPING VIOLATIONS BEGINS MAR. 8

Residential street sweeping season to continue through October 31.

The Department of Public Works announced today that residential mechanical street sweeping will resume Tuesday, March 1. Signs are posted that identify the days of the week and hours of the day when parking restrictions will be enforced so the sweepers can clean the streets effectively. The fine for violating this restriction is $45. (more…)

Did You Know the DC Paid Family Leave Act Won’t Include Federal Employees?

By Prince Of Petworth

family leave
Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I recently found out that the latest version of the act (proposed by Phil Mendelson) will not provide DC residents who are federal workers with any maternity or paternity leave. I’m not sure if you’re a federal worker, or know much about federal benefits, but federal employees currently do not receive any maternity or paternity leave. I imagine federally-employed residents make up a significant part of the District’s constituency, and would be outraged to learn that they are being excluded from what is supposed to be one of the most progressive pieces of legislation before the DC Council.

My husband spoke to the legal team at the DC Council for about 15 minutes and their argument was basically that federal workers already “have good benefits” despite his protest to the contrary. The DC Council also said that OPM didn’t like the idea, and coordinating with them would be hard. This person then went on to explain that it’s really for people with low incomes, which I also pointed out was not true unless DC also planned to discriminate against wealthy people who are not federal employees. Of course, none of these are valid arguments to discriminate against federal workers. It was a very frustrating conversation and hopefully we can do something about this quickly because as of now, we have been stripped from the bill!”

“DCRA Strengthens Illegal Construction Enforcement”

By Prince Of Petworth

leaning_tower

From a press release:

“The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) announced today that the agency has added regular weekend inspections to address illegal construction. Weekend tours of duty for illegal construction inspections will enable DCRA to respond to weekend complaints as they are submitted.

“Illegal construction affects safety and quality-of-life for residents and businesses,” said DCRA Director Melinda Bolling. “With weekend inspections, we intend to stop more illegal construction while it’s in progress and strengthen the deterrent against doing it in the first place.” (more…)

Epic Frustration After an Attempted Scooter Theft

By Prince Of Petworth

rumpshaker

“Dear PoPville,

On Wednesday afternoon, two youths tried to steal one of my scooters (as seen on sweet city ride: the rumpshaker). I was coming out of the bathroom when I heard a small crash outside, and would have thought nothing about it except for that a friend had pointed out two suspicious looking kids pointing at the front of our house earlier in the day. I wasn’t there, so I cannot attest to whether the kids were suspicious looking or just pointing very suspiciously. When I ran to my bedroom window, I saw two teens pushing the scooter out of my back gate. I found them in the alley attempting to hotwire? the rumpshaker; however, all they did was figure out how to open the front storage area. Having just underwear and wool socks on, I gave them a good scare (as the sight of me in my underwear would), knocking one of the kids to the ground and doing my best to come up with curse words. They ran down the alley and I wheeled the scooter back inside and called the police who said they would “canvas the area.” (more…)

“not pushing back against this location because we have a “Not In Our Back Yard” mentality – we’re pushing back because we already have homeless shelters at our doorsteps”

By Prince Of Petworth

with or against
Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

From an email:

“On Thursday night Mayor Bowser hosted a community meeting at New Cannon Baptist Church in Ward 5 to discuss her plan to end homelessness in all 8 wards. The community was told that the city intends to build a homeless shelter at 2622 25th Place NE in the neighborhood of Langdon. Many residents attended the event and expressed their strong opposition to the proposed location, citing concerns for both for the homeless families and the additional impact on the community which has numerous homeless shelters already.

Statement from Rhys Gerholdt (a Langdon resident near the proposed location): (more…)

The Petitions Have Started: “Mayor Bowser: Respond to the D.C. emergency!”

By Prince Of Petworth

ems emergency
Photo by PoPville flickr user Miki J.

From Avaaz:

“A medical director of DC emergency medical services just released a scathing resignation saying “people are dying needlessly because we’re moving too slow”. There are obvious solutions – but internal politics are holding up reform.

To DC Mayor Muriel Bowser:

We call on you to enact bold reform to address the egregious state of Washington D.C.’s Emergency Medical Service. EMS should operate independently from the fire department, and both the fire department and EMS should have all the resources they need to respond excellently to the city’s calls for help.

Sign and share the urgent petition with everyone.”

“I knew our EMS system had problems, but had no idea it was this bad”

By Prince Of Petworth

ems emergency
Photo by PoPville flickr user Miki J.

Starting to get a few emails about this – Susan comments:

“Just read the resignation letter of Jullette Saussy. OMG I knew our EMS system had problems, but had no idea it was this bad. Why can’t the city keep people like her employed? Our EMS system needs a major overhaul, but likely the Mayor will appoint another person from within and we’ll be stuck with the incompetence.

Here is her letter.”

DOEE’s new RiverSmart Innovation Grants “will provide funding for innovative projects that positively impact the District’s watersheds and waterbodies”

By Prince Of Petworth

Green Summer crew10
photos courtesy DOEE

From an email:

“The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is now accepting applications for the new RiverSmart Innovation Grants program, which will provide funding for innovative projects that positively impact the District’s watersheds and waterbodies. DOEE anticipates awarding multiple grants of up to $20,000 each. Applications are due by 4:30pm on February 29, 2016.

This week, DOEE is holding two informational meetings: tonight at 7pm at the Benning Library (3935 Benning Road NE, Minnesota Ave Metro) and Thursday, February 11 at 1pm at its offices (1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor, NOMA/Gallaudet Metro). The meetings will start with a short presentation. Q&A to follow.

Click here to download the Request for Applications.

Contact information: [email protected] or 202-535-2679”

trash capture

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