DC Government

CM Tommy Wells Removed from his Chairmanship of the Committee on Public Works & Transportation

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by flickr user thisisbossi

Dear PoP,

I’m surprised you haven’t reported on this already.

I am infuriated by our current leaders’ corruption. Council Chair Kwame Brown is removing Councilman Tommy Wells from his Chairmanship of the Committee on Public Works & Transportation and the metro board. This sort of demotion is unprecedented in DC.

Tommy Wells has been outspoken in fighting for improved bike lanes in the Committee. He criticized DC’s DOT for potentially cancelling the L/M St bike lane plans recently–and asked why they’re prioritizing suburbanites over a transportation route for many DC residents. A leadership replacement would further delay any bike infrastructure plans.

Also, Tommy Wells’ committee reported on Brown’s leasing of two fully-loaded luxury SUVs this year ($24,000/yr for each one–we pay for them). It was Wells’ committee’s responsibility to investigate this. Did he really expect Wells to lie for him and try to hide it?

Either Kwame is worried my bike lane is too intrusive–he needs extra room to get down the road with his black-on-black SUV and the gray-on-gray at the same time. Or he’s sending a message to his Council–speak out against Kwame and his corruption and you’ll be stripped of your power.

The shameful acts just don’t end. Tommy needs to stay. Kwame needs to go.

Please let readers know they can contact DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown ([email protected]) and urge him to change his mind–or the rest of the City Council so they can tell him he’s gone too far.

Also, on L/M St bike lanes–Tommy Wells said that they may be cancelled.”

Dear PoPville – Anyone Have Experience with Pay by Phone Parking Meters?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if anyone in PoPville has used the new pay by phone parking meters and can share whether the system works reliably or not? I have seen the DDoT press releases and some meters near my work with a green sign touting the ParkMobile smartphone app. But when I went to download the Android app, the reviews were mixed to bad, saying it was unreliable and people still got tickets.

At least the credit card multi-space meters give you a paper receipt. With ParkMobile, the fact that you’ve paid is supposed to be communicated to parking enforcement’s device, but it’s unclear to me how I would fight a ticket if there was a glitch or if the parking enforcement people claim I hadn’t paid. It would be really convenient to pay by phone, but I’m reluctant to create another online account linked to my credit card unless I know it’s going to work and be useful to me.”

Last we spoke about pay by phone parking options in Dupont there were mixed responses. Anyone use the system recently?

DC DMV Announces Increased Fees

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From an email:

As of today a Road Test and Knowledge Test are no longer free and will now cost $10 each and a duplicate license will now cost $20. Do you think it’s fair to require people to pay for a road test and knowledge test?

On a side note, I thought it was a bit random that when you click on the DMV link for more info about the fee increases, in addition to English you find documents in (Zhong wen) Chinese (but no other foreign language).

DC Police Officer Takes Leave Because of Breastfeeding Policy

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

A reader forwards the following email:

[BirthOptionsAlliance] DC Police Officer forced to take leave w/o pay because she wants to BREASTFEED!

A mother in DC needs our help! She is DC Police Officer and has been forced to take leave w/o pay which obviously is putting a financial strain on her family, because she wanted to continue to breastfeed her baby after returning to work. The job initially providing support, quickly changed their tone, when the mother complained about the sanitary conditions of the nursing rooms which were reported to not be up to code. At this point she was told that she would essentially have to choose between her job or continuing to breastfeed her baby.

Fox5 explains:

The new moms say they’re being required to wear bullet proof vests when on duty, which can be quite painful. One of them says it’s so bad she’s being forced to take leave without pay.

Chief Cathy Lanier defended her policy Monday saying there is not much more that she can do.
The Chief said when you are talking about mothers nursing their babies for a year or more its tough to be more accommodating than she’s already been.

Do you think DC is being unfair in its policy? What have police officers who breastfeed done in the past? What do you think is a reasonable time before breastfeeding officers are required to return to their normal duties?

H Street, NE Street Car Deployment Delayed Until “Fall 2013”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

Thanks to everyone for sending links to yesterday’s WTOP story:

The earliest any streetcar will roll through the streets of the District is now expected to be 2013 — and late 2013 at that, WTOP has learned.

“2013 is what we are telling people now,” John Lisle, spokesperson for the D.C. Department of Transportation, tells WTOP. “We’re probably looking at the fall of 2013.”

A source also tells WTOP that the Anacostia segment of the streetcar system — which was supposed to be the first segment running — has now moved in back of H Street. An environmental review process is currently underway on the Anacostia line segment, and service on that line now isn’t likely until somewhere nearer 2014, or possibly even later.

So I guess that makes 2033 for Georgia Ave…

Dear PoP – DC government planning to open online gambling site, set up gambling parlors in libraries? seriously?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by flickr user Orin Zebest

“Dear PoP,

Just saw this article in the Post:

The bright glass-and-copper library on Benning Road NE just beyond the Anacostia River opened last year as an anchor for redevelopment and a refuge for the mind.

Now, District officials are deciding whether they should use the gleaming outpost in a depressed section of the city for another pioneering purpose: as a gateway to online gambling and the promise of millions of dollars in government revenue.

If I am reading this correctly, the DC government is going to set up an online gambling site using public safety infrastructure, then install computer terminals in libraries to allow people to gamble!!!  This was apparently snuck into some bill by Michael Brown.  I can’t imagine a more egregious and horrifying thing for the city government to do and I hope you will spread the word to maybe stop this from happening.

I honestly think this is the most shocking and outrageous idea that council has ever cooked up.”

We spoke about DC launching on line gambling sites here and here.

The Post article also says:

Library officials are considering how to approach the gambling venture. Library spokesman George Williams said the libraries “are looking at everything. We haven’t made a decision yes or no at this moment.”

Michael Brown, the council member who played a central role in advancing gambling in the District, said that it’s not appropriate everywhere. “I would not like to see folks being able to play at a library or a rec center,” he said.

So if it does go live – where, if at all, do you think this gambling should be allowed?

Dear PoPville – Small minority opposed to Margot’s Chair schedules meeting w/ Mayor’s Outreach Office

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to let you and your readers know about a “walk-through” of 11th Street taking place tomorrow which is being hosted by the mayor’s office and a group opposed to Constantine Stavropoulos’s effort to bring a Tryst/Diner/Open City type establishment to 11th Street.

The following message was posted at the 11th Street dog park over the weekend:

“Residents have requested a site walk thru of the 11th street corridor to encourage dialogue and responsible planning of this low-density commercial zone in light of the proposed project, Margot’s Chair coming to their community. Petitions that have circulated through the community have gathered over 200 signatures of residents that are opposed to a business coming to their community of this scale and operating on a 24 hour clock, 7 days a week… Please join us Wednesday 29th at 2:00 pm at 3415 11th street NW. – Francisco Fibres – Office of the Mayor”

It would have been helpful if the mayor’s folks had done a better job getting the word out (I’ve only seen this one sign), and that a time was chosen when most working residents could partake, but as I imagine that is exactly what the opposition group wants. I am confident that the vast majority of neighbors and nearby residents could not be more excited about Margot’s Chair coming to Columbia Heights, the redevelopment of a long vacant eyesore, the much needed jobs the eatery will bring to the area, and the additional security that more eyes on the street will provide. I encourage everyone to contact the Mayor’s office and notify them that a better time needs to selected so that as many people, not just those with an anti-revitalization agenda, can attend. Francisco Fimbres can be contacted at [email protected], (202) 442-8119 or (202) 664-6119″

UPDATE From Francisco Fimbres [confirmed via seperate email from Mr. Fimbres]:

Dear Mr. Krieger:

I am concerned about your messaging to the community. This is not a joint walk-thru or initiative. We are not hosting this meeting. You requested a meeting on site and we agreed to participate. The purpose of our site visit was to listen and observe. Our office is not taking any position on this matter. Your invitation to community stakeholders comes across as, if we are endorsing your position or rallying behind your cause. We are not.

At this time, our office is cancelling our site visit pending further review of your petition.

Best,
Francisco Fimbres

Final Thoughts on the Caribbean Day Festival

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville Flickr user yostinator

The Caribbean day festival is normally one of my favorite days in DC. I am devastated by what happened late Sat. afternoon. I am also saddened by many of the generalizations made on all sides in the subsequent discussions about the violence. Having said that, the violence itself, particularly the fight on Georgia Ave near Banneker Pool has upset me more than I can properly articulate:

I need the Mayor to comment on this. Say something. Anything. Tell me you saw the clip above. Had I not been sent the clip I wouldn’t have even known it happened. This in the streets of Washington DC. Not just any street but one of our main avenues. Chaos of this magnitude can not be ignored. The Mayor’s silence terrifies me.

I believe the festival is a beautiful event. I’ve gone for many years and during the parade I have never felt an ounce of discomfort or fear of violence. During the parade. It is my deepest hope that this year’s troubles were an aberration. If we abandon the Caribbean Festival I personally believe we will be abandoning a piece of our soul, a piece of who we are. A piece of what makes us such a unique, amazing, and fun place to live. I appreciate that the Festival is not for everyone. That is fine. I’m told many residents in New Orleans actually hate Mardi Gras. But can you imagine New Orleans without Mardi Gras? For me, I can’t imagine Georgia Avenue in the summer without a Caribbean day Festival.

Mr. Mayor, just let me know that you recognize mistakes were made this year and you’ll do everything in your power to make sure they will not be repeated next year. Please.


Photo by PoPville flickr user rjs1322

Dear PoPville – Removing a Carport/Garage

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user D©Bloom

“Dear PoPville,

I bought a house with a “garage” built over the car port. I put that in quotes because the thing looks like a chicken coop and I have no idea how it was ever used as a garage. I was going to wait until I could save up to get a new one built before I tore this one down so that I wouldn’t have to go through getting a garage permit (I heard that was possible). The problem I am having is that I have discovered chairs and blankets in there and a friend has seen people smoking in there (they ran away before we could call the police). So my questions are:

1- Do I need a permit to tear down a non-functioning garage over a car port?
2- Does anyone have any recommendations for anyone who can tear down
and haul away the garage?”

Heads Up: Don’t turn on 7th St, NW from H Street

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Not being a frequent car driver I don’t know if the signs prohibiting this are new or not, but there a two traffic operations people on foot writing tickets when people turn from H St onto 7th St in Chinatown. It’s nice to see enforcement of traffic rules as it will hopefully encourage better driving and each of the turning cars was heading into pedestrians with a walk signal, but I really hope they didn’t just put up the signs (they look rather new) and put people out to make money off those who hadn’t noticed them yet.”

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