DC Government

Friday Question of the Day: Who you gonna vote for and why? (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth


Thanks to a reader for sending in the great shot of a ‘house divided’ above

“Dear PoP,

So in recent weekend outings of mine, I can’t help but see the incredibly enthusiastic Vincent Gray campaign volunteers/staff. So, I begin my research into who I’m going to vote for, which turns out is a little difficult. I can find summaries of debates and interactions, but I want a side-by-side unbiased comparison of where they stand on various issues. I know Gray is running on an education platform, but what else is he planning to do to improve the city–and how is it better than what Fenty’s already doing?

I’m sure opening this up as a question of the day on PoP could yield some strange/inappropriate responses, but myself and I’m sure some other people out there wouldn’t mind digging through those comments to find something of value. Just something to think about before November 2.”

Actually the primary is September 14 so you only have a month to decide! So another reader asked that I put up a more updated Mayoral Poll:


For those who’ve been following the campaign – who are you going to vote for and why?

Dogs By Day/Green Pets Moving from 1724 14th St, NW Needs Your Help to Re-Open

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the news and an email from the owners of Dogs by Day/Green Pets. The reader mentions that they believe the proposed new site is at 1711 Florida Ave, NW. The owner of Dogs by Day is requesting your help to obtain a C of O:

Hello Friends and Neighbors,

As many of you already know, Dogs by Day and GreenPets are moving out of our current location to a new building a few blocks away. We are being forced to move for a number of reasons; mainly the building is no longer safe and the landlord refuses to do any repairs. In addition, the landlord thinks a large restaurant would pay more rent than we have offered, so unfortunately, we must leave. The good news is we found a wonderful new building with a terrific landlord only a couple blocks away. We have also found a second location a couple of blocks south as well. We’re hoping that with these 2 locations we’ll be able to serve you even better than we can now.

That being said, we need your help to move forward. As is true with all dog care facilities, we must apply for a special Certificate of Occupancy no matter how long we’ve been in business. We are fortunate to have a meeting scheduled for this Friday the 13th to discuss this issue. We are urging all of you who are willing to write a letter of support and or sign the petitions we have at the front desks of both Dogs by Day and GreenPets.

We have been in business for over 11 years and we’d very much like to continue for another 11 years. Please help us and fax your letter to the number listed below. Any words of support would be most appreciated.

Board of Zoning Adjustment
441 4th Street, N.W.
Suite 210S
Washington, DC 20001 *
Fax # (202) 727-6072***

I apologize for the urgency however, we need letter of support submitted by noon, Friday, August 13th. Please fax once you completed your letter.

Thank you so very much for your prompt attention to this matter.

Gratefully,
Linda Welch
Owner
Dogs by Day, GreenPets
1724 14th St NW

Dear PoP – How Do Tax Assessments Work?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Faucetini

“Dear PoP,

I thought I’d float this by you to see if any of your readers had thoughts on this: I was reviewing my tax assessment for 2011 and comparing it to that of my neighbors across the street who have the exact same floor plan as me. I have 500 more square feet of land than they do, but they operate the 1st and 2nd floor of their house as a boarding house and the basement as a day care center so I would expect taxes to be adjusted for each situation.

Normally, I have always paid about $20.00 per square foot more then them, but according to my 2011 assessment I will pay a whopping $57.00 per square foot more then them. My tax bill went from $515,720.00 to $448,220.00, and theirs went from $400,610.00 to $242,679.00 though neither house has had any improvements or changes.

Does anyone understand how tax assessments are determined in this city? Are there lawyers that can help me get a more fair assessment?”

I think that there is a cap on how much property tax can be raised. So if your neighbor has lived in their home for 30 years and you’ve lived in yours for 3 then the neighbors assessment will be a lot lower. If your neighbor bought her house for $30,000 in 1974 and the tax can only go up no more than 10% a year or something like that then hers will be lower. Does that make sense? This case sounds a bit more confusing so I’m not sure my explanation applies. Anyone else have any guesses/explanations?

Is it possible to discuss DC’s Problems without bringing up race?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user BrennaLM

Over the weekend there was a lengthy discussion/debate about the huge fight that took place on metro Friday night. I knew some folks would bring up the issue of race but I was surprised to see almost the entire debate devolve into the issue of race. I think when the debate is framed in this manner it does a great disservice to DC. Rather a great disservice to understanding, identifying and fixing DC’s problems. You see, in my opinion, whenever these conversations devolve into a discussion simply of race, it misses the point. The point being: How do we fix these problems? In 2010 to blame all the serious problems the city faces solely on the race of some of its residents is absolutely ridiculous and absurd.

On Saturday, Washington Post columnist Colbert King summed it up nicely in his column about the Mayoral election:

“This is not something to cheer but to regret. Not out of sympathy for Fenty. But out of concern for a city so trapped in its past that it can’t see the problems before its face — problems that are neither black nor white.”

So when do you think DC and its residents will mature to a point that we can discuss the major problems we face for what they are – major problems? Major problems that, sadly, plague many towns and cities regardless of the race/ethnicity of their inhabitants?

Fenty Administration Releases Proposed Medical Marijuana Regulations

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From a press release:

“Mayor Adrian M. Fenty today introduced proposed regulations for the implementation of the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Amendment Act of 2010. The Act gives the Mayor the power to regulate the cultivation, possession, distribution and use of medical marijuana.

The DC Council unanimously passed the bill on April 20, 2010 and it was signed by Mayor Fenty on May 10, 2010. After the allotted 30 days granted to Congress to review the bill, it became effective on July 27, 2010. The new regulations will now undergo a 45-day public comment and Council approval period.

“All District residents deserve access to the full slate of medical treatments available,” said Mayor Fenty. “My Administration will work to ensure that medical marijuana is dispensed safely and efficiently.”

The bill allows physicians licensed by the District to recommend medical marijuana to residents with qualifying medical conditions or who are undergoing qualifying medical treatment. A physician may recommend medical marijuana for the following medical conditions: HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, conditions characterized by severe and persistent muscle spasms, cancer or any condition that cannot be effectively treated by ordinary measures. Physicians may also recommend medical marijuana to mitigate the side effects of some medical treatments.”

A reader also wrote in saying that they heard a radio report saying the city may dispense medical marijuana for free to the needy who get a prescription and this would be the only place in the country where that happens. Anyone else hear that radio report?

Dear PoP – DDOT Directing Traffic?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

What is up with the increasing number of DDoT employees directing traffic at intersections with working traffic lights? I noticed this first around the construction at Park and 14th, and at Florida and New York (at the latter it was not needed), but it seems to be spreading. This morning, there was a guy directing traffic, for no apparent reason, at 9th and O – the light was working fine, there is no construction there, and it isn’t even a spot where traffic regularly backs up during rush hour!

Is this some kind of job creation scheme? If so, I’d like to know who to start complaining to – it seems like a huge waste of tax dollars.”

Hmm, I’ll send this to DDOTDC on twitter and see what they have to say. Could they possibly be crossing guards for children on a school route? Has anyone else noticed folks directing traffic at intersections without construction or other visible problems?

Groundbreaking of Upshur Dog Park

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Vikrum Aiyer

From a press release:

“Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Jesús Aguirre joined the Friends of 16th Street Heights, Ward 4 residents and dog enthusiasts for a groundbreaking of Upshur Dog Park, 4300 Arkansas Avenue.

“We are excited to begin work on this exciting new dog park,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “The dog park program is a great example of public-private partnerships that leads to additional resources and activities for all residents.”

DPR Director Jesús Aguirre stated, “DPR is proud to continue to build dogs parks across the District of Columbia. The groundbreaking of Upshur Dog Park is a landmark moment for pet owners in Ward 4 as they will soon be able to enjoy their first official dog park.”

The new 9,000 square foot dog park will be in ADA-compliance and boasts:

* Fencing and gates
* Landscaping
* A tool shed
* Benches and picnic tables
* A dog fountain and water bowls

When completed in October 2010, the $286,000 park will be maintained by a partnership between DPR and the Friends of 16th Street Heights, the sponsoring community organization.”


Photo by Vikrum Aiyer

Dear PoP – Ward 4 straw poll tonight

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user KJinDC

“Dear PoP,

I got a flyer that the Ward 4 straw poll is tonight – are you planning to post anything on your site? I’m not really sure what it means…is it just a test vote before the vote? Anyway, it was hard to find any info about it online, but I could find out at least where/when it is:

Wednesday, August 4th, from 6 to 8 pm at the St. George Ballroom and Conference Center at 4335 16th Street, NW.”

Anyone know some details behind these straw polls? Who sets them up? If you live in Ward 4 for tonight do you have to show proof of residence? Anyone put much weight behind these polls?

PoPville had its own Straw Poll back in April.

National Night Out Tonight!

By Prince Of Petworth


Download flier in pdf here – nno_10_flier

From MPD:

“On Tuesday, August 3, thousands of DC residents are expected to join with their neighbors, police officers and other community leaders in celebrating National Night Out. From community cookouts to open houses – block parties, candlelight vigils and athletic events – DC is gearing up for the 27th annual celebration of “America’s Night Out Against Crime.” The citywide kickoff will begin at 6 pm at the Trinidad Recreation Center. Public safety characters McGruff the Crime Dog® and the National Knight® will be available to meet attendees and have their photos taken. In addition to the numerous activities taking place at the kickoff event, communities across DC – in all seven police districts – have scheduled NNO events during the late afternoon and evening hours.”

Columbia Heights will be having a block party at 5pm at 3200 Hiatt Place, NW. You can see a list of all the block parties/events here.

Anyone Know What These Signs Are All About?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia

I must’ve seen 5 or 6 of these all over town these weekend from Petworth to Bloomingdale. I also noticed the one above located at the corner of 5th and I Streets, NW in Mt. Vernon Square. Sciasia noted “thanks for the parking lot” in the PoPville flickr pool – anyone know what is supposed to be built on this parking lot? Anyone else notice these signs around town?

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