DC Government

“Mayor Gray & Health Officials Release 2011 Annual Report Showing Progress on Addressing HIV/AIDS, STDs, Hepatitis and TB in the District”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo via @MayorVinceGray

From a press release:

Today, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and officials from the D.C. Department of Health (DOH) released the 2011 District of Columbia HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Epidemiology Annual Report. Additionally, DOH officials released a new study on heterosexuals and HIV infection rates in the District and announced new recommendations for medical providers to start treatment immediately for all persons newly diagnosed with HIV.

The report found that 14,465 residents of the District of Columbia – equal to 2.7 percent of the population – are living with HIV. The 2.7 percent exceeds the World Health Organization definition of 1 percent as a generalized epidemic.

Additionally, the report found that:

· The HIV infection rate in all racial/ethnic groups in the District exceeded 1 percent of their respective populations, with African Americans disproportionately impacted at 4.3 percent.

· The number of deaths among persons with HIV in the District decreased by almost half in four years – from 399 deaths in 2006 to 207 in 2010.

· Men having sex with men and heterosexual contact are the two leading transmission modes of new HIV cases.

· Among STDs, there were 5,592 new cases of chlamydia, 2,104 new cases of gonorrhea and 134 new cases of primary and secondary syphilis reported.

· There were 3,127 cases of hepatitis B and 13,236 cases of hepatitis C diagnosed between 2006 and 2010.

· 43 new cases of TB were reported.

In line with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the report highlights progress the District has made to reduce the burden of the disease on District residents:

Increasing Access to Care and Improving Health Outcomes

· The number of new AIDS cases decreased by 32 percent, from 700 in 2006 to 477 in 2010.

· Between 2005 and 2009, 4,879 HIV cases were diagnosed.

· In approximately 89 percent (4,347) of cases diagnosed between 2005 and 2009, the patients were linked to HIV medical care by the end of 2010.

· Of diagnosed cases, 2,730 HIV cases (60 percent) achieved viral suppression.

· Average CD4 count at diagnosis jumped from 355 in 2009 to 391 in 2010. Overall, the average count has nearly doubled from 191 in 2006.

· The number of deaths among persons with HIV decreased by almost half, from 339 in 2006 to 207 in 2010.

Reducing New Infections

· The number of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the District decreased slightly, from 853 cases in 2009 to 835 cases in 2010. However, there has been a 24 percent reduction from the 1,103 cases diagnosed in 2006.

· There have been no children born with HIV in the District since 2009.

· There was a 72 percent decrease in the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases attributable to injection-drug use from 150 in 2007 – prior to significant investment in the District’s needle-exchange program – to 42 in 2010.

· STD rates dropped between 2009 and 2010: chlamydia cases by 15 percent (from 6,568 in 2009 to 5,592 in 2010); gonorrhea cases by 18 percent (from 2,567 in 2009 to 2,104 to 2010); and primary and secondary syphilis by 17 percent (from 162 in 2009 to 134 in 2010).

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoPville – Converting Blighted Community Library Kiosks

By Prince Of Petworth


1300 H St, NE

Dear PoPville,

I’m sure you’ve noticed the District’s “Community Libraries” or Kiosks before. There was one on the 1300 block of H St. NE, called The R. L. Christian Community Library, which was repurposed, at least temporarily, into some sort of pop-up laboratory… There are a handful of these blighted buildings still around the District, and the Department of General Services is hoping to sign license agreements with groups for the “use and reactivation of the properties.” I know personally that the Sursum Corda Kiosk (135 New York Ave., NW) is especially dilapidated, and unfortunately, is adjacent to a newly refurbished playground and community center. Maybe PoPville can spread the word and spark interest in these properties, so they can stop contributing to urban decay:

DGS request for Short Term Property Use

Ed. Note: The H Street NE location was previously used as a Temporium.


135 New York Ave., NW

Marion Barry Wants to Block or Slow Down the H St Streetcar

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Last week we learned that DDOT had selected a team to complete H Street/Benning Road streetcar line. Thanks to all who sent in links to the Washington Post article:

D.C. Council member Marion Barry has launched a last ditch effort to slow or derail the city’s planned street car line on H Street, arguing it’s not been well-thought out and is too expensive for the number of riders it will serve.

Council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), chairwoman of the Committee on the Environment, Public Works and Transportation, said Barry’s resolution could delay council approval by at least 45 days. Cheh warns that could increase the price of the contract.

Another Scandal for the District

By Prince Of Petworth

From WJLA:

“The man who Mayor Vincent Gray appointed to the head of the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development apparently resigned in the midst of a sex scandal in Philadelphia, according to reports.”

From WPVI:

“PHA staffers had complained to HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) officials that Kelly was having a consensual affair with a woman he had appointed to a senior staff position and, that despite having little or no credentials for the post, he was approving her for large pay increases.”

So I guess we don’t have the most rigorous vetting process…

D’oh

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader spots a mistake that, admittedly, I’ve probably made a few times too.

Saga of Hank’s Oyster Bar’s Outdoor Seating Continues

By Prince Of Petworth


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…)

Three Trees Removed From 1400 Block of R St, NW for Public Safety

By Prince Of Petworth

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:

“Mayor Vincent C. Gray Nominates Experienced Legal Experts to District’s Board of Ethics and Government Accountability”

By Prince Of Petworth


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…)

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