DC Government

DC’s Population Grows 2.7% to 617,996

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user amarino17

Thanks to all who sent emails. From the census press release yesterday:

“Among states and equivalents, the District of Columbia experienced the fastest growth between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, as its population climbed 2.7 percent. This marks the first time it led states and equivalents in growth since the early 1940s. D.C. ranked 35th in percent growth between the 2000 and 2010 censuses.”

The Post notes:

“The increase of 16,000 people, if accurate, represents more than half the total gain during the entire decade that preceded it, which was the first decade in half a century that the city did not shrink in size.”

Dear PoPville – 911 Responding to Anonymous Calls for an Animal in Distress

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Massoud Adibpour

Dear PoPville,

I dialed 911 twice last night and once this morning. On my walk home last night, I heard a loud growling/snarling coming from a basement unit on my street, which to me sounded like a dog either in extreme distress or in a fight. I called animal control, but because the animal was not outside and thus not under their jurisdiction, they directed me to the police. This was around 9 PM.

I did not feel comfortable leaving my contact information with 911; I wanted my concerns to be anonymous because I live on the same block and do not want to get involved in a potentially scary scenario involving my neighbors. The person I spoke with at 911 said that I would not be required to come outside and speak to the police, but that they would dispatch someone to check out the property. I left my first name and cell phone number, but did not receive a call later on to update me on what they found, if anything.

Around midnight, I heard more sounds coming from what sounded like the same unit. This time, though, it sounded like the dog was hurt or in danger. I called again, and 911 said they would dispatch someone to look into it. Once again, I didn’t hear anything further from them. The sounds seemed to stop, or at least were not keeping me awake anymore, so I assumed that it was worked out overnight.

However, on my way to work this morning, I heard more distressed sounds coming from what I assume is the same animal. It appears that he/she was still inside the unit, so I called 911 for the third time. I was connected directly with the police dispatch, who told me that she did not have any updates for me from last night. Here is what concerned me the most: she said that unless I was willing to speak with police when they arrived, there was not much they could do. I expressed my concern that this prevents neighbors from calling when they think someone needs help for fear of inflaming a situation with someone on their street, and she agreed that this is problematic. The last thing I want is for these particular neighbors to find out that I’m the one who called. If there is, in fact, something shady happening at that house, I certainly do not want to be on their radar.

I guess my question to you and to your readers is this: have you called 911 with an anonymous tip before? If so, were they helpful, or did they expect you to step outside and give a statement, which would defeat the purpose of giving a tip anonymously?

Further, I am very worried about the animal(s) living in this unit. This is not the first time I’ve heard a disturbance from them before, and I don’t know who else to call if both animal control and the police are not doing a whole lot to help. If there is an abusive situation, something needs to be done. Any advice or information you could provide would be very helpful.

Friday Question of the Day – From the Forum – Getting Involved in Local Politics?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Andy uploaded a bit of a provocative question to the forum yesterday:

Many of us yuppies you see on PoP have decided to make DC home, long-term. And many of us are politically savvy, heck, many of us even work in politics or public affairs or communications work professionally.

But not a ton of people you see represented here are involving themselves politically in the District.

And you know many of us roll our eyes at the thing we read about or see ourselves every day, whether it’s business permitting headaches, bike lanes or DC council ethics. So I think we should all consider where we belong in making the District a better place. If not now, when?

So, what should we do to get involved? What is appropriate? Are there rules of thumb for diving into DC politics?

Dear PoPville – Snow Plows on Display?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I were walking home from the Christmas tree lighting and saw lots of DC’s snow plows lined up on Constitution Ave. No snow in sight. Was this some kind of display? I had heard that we had recently bought several new plows (they even had plastic on the seats in several of them!). Any idea what it was about?”

Hmm, I know yesterday the DC government had a snow emergency exercise:

“In preparation for the winter season, Mayor Gray and agency officials will participate in a Severe Winter Weather Tabletop Exercise (TTX) December 1. The goal of the exercise is to engage agency officials, D.C. Council staff, business leaders, community stakeholders and as regional and federal partners in the practice and discussion of severe-winter-weather scenarios involving agency preparedness, planning, response and recovery for both large and small events.

WHAT/WHO: Mayor Vincent C. Gray, D.C. agency directors, D.C. Council staff, regional and federal partners, and business and community leaders will participate in a severe-winter-weather tabletop exercise in preparation for the upcoming season.

WHEN/WHERE: Thursday, December 1, 2011
9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Headquarters 2 Building (HQ2)
1900 Pennsylvania Avenue NW”

Of course that was only a tabletop exercise. Anyone know more about the display of snow plows yesterday?

Attention Scofflaws! Now’s your chance to return your Library Books with no Penalties

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user mosley.brian

From a press release:

“Beginning Monday through Feb. 5, 2012, the DC Public Library will forgive fines on overdue, lost or damaged books, CDs, DVDs, and other library materials. The campaign, entitled “Check it In” aims to encourage users who have avoided the library because of outstanding fines or fees to return and use the library.

“Libraries exist to give people access to books,” said Ginnie Cooper, chief librarian for the District of Columbia. “When fines and fees keep people away from the library, we need to find ways to encourage them to return. We hope giving people amnesty from fines andfees will do just that.“

To have a fine forgiven, cardholders can return overdue or damaged books or other library materials to any DC Public Library and speak with a library employee to update their account. For lost books, cardholders can speak with a library employee to have their account cleared.

For many years, the Library has not charged fines on overdue children’s books.

“Children’s books have carried no fines because we want to make sure that all children have access to books,” added Cooper. “Ultimately, we want the same access to adult books.”

Additionally, library cardholders are encouraged to visit any DC Public Library during this period to update their customer account with changes in email addresses, mailing addresses or phone numbers.”

$1 Fuel Surcharge in Taxi Cabs Extended Until March 5, 2012

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

“Dear PoP,

The $1.00 fuel surcharge expired on the 17th, but every cab I have taken since then has tried to charge me the surcharge. It would be a service to your readers to let them know.”

I put a call into the DC Taxi Commission and was told that the $1 fuel surcharge has been extended until March 5, 2012. It was previously extended from July 25, 2011 – Nov. 17, 2011. New stickers indicating the March 5, 2012 extension will be placed in taxi cabs.

Incidentally there is a meeting about a rate increase on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, at 10 am in the Old Council Chambers at 441 4th Street, NW.

Reader Reports Council Member Marion Barry Parks Jaguar in front of Fire Hydrant on Barracks Row

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I saw him park and walk in to the restaurant (I was walking out of Matchbox). Taken at 845p on Sunday, November 27. He parked and walked in to Senart’s Oyster and Chophouse on 8th St SE (Barracks Row) and sat at the bar. As you can see from the photos, he is blocking a fire hydrant.

Anyway, you can put it in the “for what it’s worth” pile.”

There def. seems to be a certain sense of entitlement among some members of the council…

Ed. Note: In March Council Member Marion Barry’s silver jaguar was booted for unpaid parking tickets.

Dear PoPville – Starting a Home Office Problems

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve been running a little side business doing web development and decided things are going well enough to make things official for my little home office: business license, trade name, etc. However, in order to get my business license I first need a Home Occupation Permit. And since I do not own my apartment, I need an approval from my landlord, Borger Management. However, the property manager reports they simply do not allow home offices, which I’m finding a little difficult to believe.

I understand having discretion over activities that would impact other tenants but for professionals who just need a laptop, cell phone, and mailing address? So NO ONE in any of their apartments works from home? Is this kind of simple ban even allowed? Anyone else have experience with this?

Livid in Lanier Heights”

Oversight of the new direction of the Lincoln Theatre has been delegated to the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“Today, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Victor L. Hoskins took the first step in moving the Lincoln Theatre towards a new long-term sustainable plan for the future. Oversight of the new direction of the Lincoln Theatre has been delegated to the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH), the District’s agency for arts and culture.

“Creating a long-term sustainable structure for the management and operations of the theatre is one of the District’s highest priorities. I felt it was important to move in that direction by asking DCCAH to develop a comprehensive plan for its future operations in consultation with community members and the outstanding arts related organizations we have in the city,” said Victor Hoskins, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Mr. Hoskins continued, “With less and less resources in the city, we must be diligent in our fiduciary responsibilities regarding all District-owned assets.”

Future plans include the introduction of an artistic director to facilitate the long-term artistic vision for the theatre and work on needed upgrades within the theatre itself.

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the U Street Theatre Foundation for their support of the Lincoln Theatre. The DCCAH is embracing the opportunity make this once great theatre a valued treasure in the city again,” said Lionell Thomas, Executive Director for the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

The Lincoln Theatre, built in 1922, has featured some of the most influential entertainers in American history, including Duke Ellington, Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Nat King Cole, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and Sarah Vaughn who performed regularly.”

We spoke about the Lincoln Theatre’s troubles here and here. Does placing oversight with the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities a good idea?

Dear PoPville – Is it a Good Idea to Use Resources to Repave Functional Alleys?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I’m hoping you or your readers can provide some information. As you know, Hobart St in Mt. Pleasant is kind of different: no cross streets, but with long alleys paralleling it on either side. Recently, the entire north alley was torn up and re-bricked (I assume by the city). Do you have any knowledge about why this happened, or about whether similar work is planned for the south alley? I’d be curious to know what your readers think about whether this is a good idea. It is certainly very nice now, but seems somewhat of a waste of money given that it was functional before. After all, it’s an alley.”

It’s funny but I’ve always been impressed with Mt. Pleasant’s alleys. As one who wonders alleys probably more than most – I think Mt. Pleasant’s are the nicest in the city. I wish the powers that be paid as much attention to the Deauville/Monsenor Romero apartment building that burned down at 3145 Mt. Pleasant St, NW in March 2008. But back to the alley – I’ll ask DDOT if they can share their schedule of repaving alleys.

Though not related to this situation DDOT did send an interesting press release yesterday announcing:

“District’s First Green Alley Pilot Project Now Underway

Today the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) launched its first Green Alley Pilot Project, initiating construction in an alley in Northeast Washington. The Green Alley Pilot is aimed at reducing the quantity and improving the quality of stormwater run-off within the District’s right-of-way (ROW). The program is being implemented in partnership with the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“Our green alley program demonstrates how we are continuously evolving to ensure that our infrastructure and operations remain sustainable, said DDOT Director Terry Bellamy. “The green alley concept has the potential to shape how we design our right-of-way beyond our alleys.”

Although many alleys include a significant amount of impervious surface, most do not have stormwater controls, such as water quality catch basin or grate inlets. To mitigate this, green alleys use sustainable design and Low Impact Development (LID) techniques that reduce the amount of stormwater and pollutants entering the sewer system by increasing water infiltration and treatment on site.

Throughout the United States, Green Alley projects are being used as an effective and innovative way to manage storm water runoff and pollution. In Chicago, for example, more than 80 green alleys have been successfully completed since 2006.

Three initial Green Alley sites are included in DDOT’s pilot program. The sites are located along the Watts Branch Watershed in northeast Washington at the following blocks:

· Alley between 54th Street, Blaine Street, 55th Street, & Clay Street
· Alley between 56th Street, Eads Street and 57th Street
· Alley between 58th Street, Dix Street, 59th Street and Clay Street

DDOT will construct Green Alleys by replacing gravel, impervious concrete or asphalt surfaces with permeable concrete, asphalt or brick paver materials. Permeable pavement has pores or openings that allow water to pass through the surface, then percolate down through a gravel layer and into the soil below rather than running off into sewers.

DDOT estimates it will take approximately two months to complete each alley. Upon completing the work DDOT will monitor these four sites to determine the effectiveness and durability of the materials.”

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