A reader spots a mistake that, admittedly, I’ve probably made a few times too.
DC Government
1624 Q Street, NW
From a press release on June 9th:
Popular and award-winning Dupont Circle restaurant Hank’s Oyster Bar was informed by Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) investigators on Friday evening, June 8, that the establishment would be required to shut down operation of half of its outdoor dining patio pending review of a prior ABC Board decision approving termination of a “Voluntary Agreement” with six area residents.
The sudden and unexpected order came without prior notification and in advance of an ABC Board hearing on the matter scheduled for Wednesday, June 13. The visit by agency investigators came in response to complaints by the small group of original licensing objectors.
The ABC Board’s decision in November 2010 to terminate certain operating restrictions imposed as a result of lengthy negotiations by the business with a small group of six alcohol-licensing opponents had been legally challenged by the protestors. The establishment, located near the corner of 17th and Q streets, N.W., has encountered multiple licensing protests by the ad hoc group since opening in 2005 despite operating without violation of city regulations and being supported by the overwhelming majority of neighborhood residents.
On May 17 the District Court of Appeals directed the ABC Board to review its decision to ensure that all requirements of the termination process had been met, noting that the regulatory language specifying termination standards was poorly written and difficult to understand. Although the appeals court had issued the ruling over three weeks ago, no directive had been issued by either the court or the city requiring any action by the restaurant pending city agency review.
“Having our popular outdoor dining area suddenly shut down without advance warning and as a result of a spurious complaint by the small group of only six objectors who have been harassing the business since we opened seven years ago is shocking,” said Leeds, who was on-site at the time of the surprise visit by city inspectors. “We haven’t even had our ABC Board hearing on this ongoing nuisance protest,” she continued, “and to be told as the summer season begins that we have to eliminate half of our patio seating is unwarranted and unfair.”
Although the matter had been previously scheduled to come before the ABC Board at a meeting next week, resolution of the licensing issue may take a number of weeks or months.
“Quite frankly,” Leeds added, “it is long overdue for the city government to decide whether it is going to continue to allow small gangs of disgruntled residents opposing every liquor license application to delay and destroy progress by the small business community in providing the social amenities desired by local residents in our neighborhoods.”
In a statement to the neighborhood released on Saturday, Leeds indicated “the right of a group of five residents to hold up a license application should be eliminated from the law. Otherwise the situation I find myself in will undoubtedly occur again.”
The prominent and respected local businesswoman and chef, owner of Hank’s Oyster Bar locations in both Dupont Circle and Old Town Alexandria (Va.), plans to open a third location this summer on Capitol Hill at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.
Leeds released an open letter to the Dupont Circle community over the weekend.
Full letter after the jump. (more…)
Photo via DC Council Chair
From NBC Washington:
“Sources confirm charges will be filed soon against D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown for personal finance fraud, News4’s Tom Sherwood reported.”
Yesterday readers emailed and tweeted @PoPville:
“DCgov cut down3 mature trees from N side of 1400R NW in name of “responding to resident concerns about security”.
I took photos yesterday afternoon and saw three trees were removed on the north side of the 1400 block of R St, NW near the alley. I emailed MPD who confirmed the trees were removed for public safety although I do not know if it was a result of “resident concerns.”
This year, on May 6th there was a shooting on the 1400 block of R St, NW. And on May 7th a reader shared a a horrible mugging incident that occurred by the alley on the 1400 block of Q St, NW.
Do you think the removal of these three trees will increase the safety on that block?
Here’s what it looked like before from Google street view. It is the first three trees on the right hand side of the photo near the alley:
Photo via google street view
Today:
Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99
From a press release:
Mayor Vincent C. Gray today announced that he has nominated three experts in ethics and law to the District’s newly created Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (Ethics Board). Former D.C. Attorney General Robert Spagnoletti will chair the panel, and former Commodity Futures Trading Commission Deputy General Counsel Laura Richards and communications and regulatory consultant Deborah Lathen will serve as the board’s other two members.
The body is responsible for investigating alleged violations of ethics laws by District government employees and public officials. In addition, the board will issue new rules and regulations regarding the ethical conduct of employees and public officials, and conduct mandatory training on the D.C. government’s Code of Conduct.
“These nominees have extensive experience in law, public service and ethics as well as sterling professional and personal reputations in our city,” Mayor Gray said. “I have faith that they will serve the people of the District well in safeguarding the trust that our residents place in their elected representatives.”
The legislation that created the Ethics Board dictates that it will consist of three members, no more than two of whom may come from the same political party. Members will be appointed by the Mayor to serve for six-year terms (except for the initial appointees, who will serve staggered terms). Appointments to the panel must be confirmed by the D.C. Council.
“Mrs. Laura Richards is an excellent choice for the DC Board of Ethics and Government Accountability,” said Bob Kabel, Chairman of the D.C. Republican Committee. “The Board is best served with a diversity of opinions and Mrs. Richards would bring just that. Her judgment and perspective on the Board should be welcomed by the D.C. Council and the District. The Mayor made a strong choice by nominating Mrs. Richards and we are thankful that he was inclusive of the District’s Republican Party when making his selection.”
Ethics Board members are prohibited from holding office in District political organizations; endorsing or opposing District candidates for public office; or soliciting funds for, or contributing to, District political organizations or candidates. Board members cannot be lobbyists or convicted felons.
Other duties include conducting mandatory training on the Code of Conduct; operating a confidential, anonymous telephone hotline to receive information about possible violations of the Code of Conduct; and appointing the director of the District’s Open Government Office and the director of the Ethics Board’s office.
More on the nominees after the jump. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Rich Renomeron
Dear PoPville,
Last year we bought a house in Columbia Heights with a very nice finished basement. We’re looking into whether it is legally rentable, according to the byzantine guidelines of our fair city. An initial search turns up no Certificate of Occupancy for the property (the first requirement for renting a basement, before you get a business license). We’ve been told that, what with the many required inspections, architectural plan submissions, and fees, we’re looking at at least $5000 just to get the C of O – never mind whether we have to do any work to get the basement in line with code!
My question is not whether that is a plausible price (it’s ridiculous, but I can see it reaching that point), but whether DCRA was making any effort to decrease the price or streamline this process for non-commercial basement landlords or those whose property is likely under code. Years ago a earlier PoPville question seemed to incentivize DCRA to get their act together with the Rent My DC Basement site, but its been defunct for over a year and doesn’t seem like it was terribly helpful or went very far to make this process easier or more affordable. Is DCRA still working on reforms for basement rentals?
Are they aware they are incentivizing potential landlords to rent illegally? What’s crazy is that I could rent my whole house – basement included – without having to jump through a quarter of these hoops.
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A reader spots a DC Public Library Police car and asks:
“To get overdue library books back?? Has anyone else seen this cruiser, or know what the story is? thanks!”
Remember Detective Mr. Bookman:
I don’t judge a man by the length of his hair or the kind of music he listens to. Rock was never my bag. But you put on a pair of shoes when you walk into the New York Public Library, fella.
Let me tell you something, funny boy… You know that little stamp? The one that says New York Public Library? Well, that may not mean anything to you, but that means a lot to me. One whole helluva lot. Sure, go ahead, laugh if you want to. I’ve seen your type before — flashy, making the scene, flaunting convention. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking… Why’s this guy making such a big stink about old library books? Let me give you a hint, junior. Maybe we can live without libraries, people like you and me…. Maybe. Sure, we’re too old to change the world. What about that kid, sitting down, opening a book right now in a branch of the local library and finding pictures of pee-pees and wee-wees in The Cat in the Hat and The Five Chinese Brothers. Doesn’t he deserve better? Look, if you think this is about overdue fines and missing books, you’d better think again. This is about that kid’s right to read a book without getting his mind warped. Or maybe that turns you on, Seinfeld… Maybe that’s how you get your kicks… You and your goodtime buddies… I’ve got a flash for you, joy boy. Partytime is over.
In 2009 flickr user justindc also saw the vehicle:
In the comments an officer wrote:
“Yes seriously. I am an Officer with this agency and we do respond to calls for service just like MPD or DC Protective Services would. Alot of people don’t realize it but the library is Government property. As a result this department is staffed with government police officers, (083 series) and charged with the law enforcement responsibilities for the system. there are 30 facilities citywide owned and operated by the dcpl and with all the crime in the city it spills over into these buildings, ( government property) daily. All types of incidents occur from thefts, assults, destruction of property, etc. And yes the library is safe because of us. This department has done alot and will continue to do so. Also we are the same job series and have the same duties and mission as DC Protective Services- protect government property, staff, an the public. We just wear a different uniform. Any other questions please feel free to twitter DCLIBRARYPOLICE.”
Though DCLIBRARYPOLICE appears to be inactive on twitter today.
DC Public Library’s Media Rep. confirms that the Library does have a police department. More info coming later this afternoon.
Dear PoPville,
This manhole cover, on the northeast corner of Kansas Ave. and Webster St., dates to 1908. I understand that most of the housing in this part of Petworth came much later. So, do you think the manhole cover comes from elsewhere or is the sewer system really that old? Perhaps someone in PoPville knows the local history?
Good eye!
The DC Water website has a really interesting history section:
The District’s sewerage system, one of the oldest in the United States, began around 1810, when sewers and culverts were constructed to safely drain storm and ground water from the streets. These drains were not all built at the same time, and were not linked together to form a “system” as we know it today.
By 1850, most of the streets along Pennsylvania Avenue, from First to 15th Street, had spring or well water piped in, thus creating the need for our first sanitary sewage process. Sewage was discharged into the nearest body of water. In 1859, the Washington Aqueduct was supplying river water city-wide to the District and this, together with the surge in population during the civil war, quickly created a marked increase in water pollution in the nation’s capital. Before the end of the war, there were epidemics of smallpox, typhoid and malaria, which took many thousands of lives. These epidemics prompted the Federal Government to investigate the problem of sanitary sewage.
From 1871-1874, a general construction program was undertaken by the Board of Public Works, building approximately 80 miles of sewers. Although the amount of construction was impressive, much of the work was poorly planned, structurally unsound and hydraulically inadequate. As a result of the program and up until 1880, the foul conditions in the Washington canal and along B Street (now Constitution Avenue) were eliminated by the construction of the B Street and Tiber Creek Sewers and filling in the canal. However, the problem was transferred to the marshes along the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.
Up to this time, the sewerage system that served the District was a combined system that carried and discharged both sanitary sewage and stormwater into localways. In the 1890’s, there was considerable difference of opinion among engineers as to the desirability of retaining such a system.
A Board of Engineers appointed by President Benjamin Harrison recommended that the combined system be retained but, in addition, that extensions be built to serve new areas as a separate system, using separate lines to carry stormwater and sanitary flows. The Board also recommended that all the sewage flows be discharged at a point far enough down the Potomac River to prevent their return to the environs of the city. This discharge point is still located at Blue Plains, the southernmost tip of the District. Upon further recommendation from the Board, construction of a system of large interceptor sewers was undertaken to collect and carry sanitary sewage and some stormwater to a pumping station on the bank of the Anacostia River and to the discharge point at Blue Plains. The implementation of those recommendations accounts for the major portion of the current sewage system.
Map of Metropolitan District – Sewerage, 1911 via DC Water
From MPD:
Give a Tip. Get Paid.
Your tip is completely anonymous — and you will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Call (202) 727-9099 if you know someone who has a gun or you know where illegal guns are being hidden in your community.You’ll be doing the right thing and helping to take another gun off the street.
How It Works
Providing a gun tip anonymously is easy and safe. The tipline is open 24 hours a day. Note the following guidelines:Calls to the anonymous Firearm Tip Line will be checked for veracity prior to rewards being paid.
Callers do not need to identify themselves to be eligible to receive a reward.
The process is absolutely anonymous — calls can not be traced to identify the source of the call.
Rewards are paid for tips that result in a firearm recovery and/or arrest. Reward amount varies depending on the number and type of firearm(s) recovered and whether any arrests are made as a result of the tip, not to exceed $1,000.
Tips are assigned a unique AMS Tip Number. To receive payment, callers must retain this number. After seven days, callers may contact the Public Information Office at (202) 727-4383 to check on the status of the tip. If the tip has been deemed reliable, PIO staff will provide additional instructions.
Payment will be made through a single-use debit card through the DC Office of Finance and Treasury. Instructions on how to obtain the debit card will be provided at the time a tip is verified and payment is approved.
No identification necessary.
Dear PoPville,
I cross Georgia in my car every day and there are several intersections there where parking is allowed so close to the corner that it is hard to see oncoming traffic. Based on the need for parking I’ve just rolled with it. But when a car parks beyond the signs it gets near impossible to look for oncoming traffic without inching into the nearest lane on Georgia. The other day at, I think, Decatur and Georgia I spotted this car illegally parked and severely limiting the view of traffic on Georgia as I tried to cross. Turns out it was a photo enforcement vehicle. So, supposedly in an effort to make streets safer by nabbing speeders, they actually create a dangerous situation where drivers have difficulty crossing at intersections.
In the attached picture you can see how far past the crosswalk I am and I still have a tough time seeing if any cars are coming.
This can’t be something the city allows, right?