DC Government

Examiner Reports on “Transit Stop Safety Zone”

By Prince Of Petworth

The Examiner’s Michael Neibauer reports, D.C. Council proposes transit stop ‘safety zone’:

“Citing rising crime in and around District transit stops, D.C. Council members have proposed a new 50-foot “safety zone” where virtually any crime committed would carry extra jail time and civil penalties.

The measure seeks to deter crimes “where we know people are proven to be targets,” said Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas Jr., who co-introduced the bill Tuesday with at-large Councilman Michael Brown. Criminals “prey on these persons who go back and forth using our public transportation system,” he said.”

Think this would help deter crime?

Graham Announces Re-election Campaign

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“In an email to supporters, D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) formally launched his 2010 re-election campaign.

“We should all be proud of the progress we’ve made,” Graham said in the email, “But there is more work to be done addressing the challenges created by these tough economic times.”

Graham was first elected to the D.C. Council in 1998. In 2006 he won re-election with 86% of the vote in the Democratic primary and 97% in the general election.

“Ward One is home to the most amazing people I have ever met,” said Graham. “In Ward One there is an abundance of great ideas, hope and hardworking people with a shared commitment for a better future. We are faced with challenges everyday, but we tackle them by working together and building on our accomplishments. It is an honor to represent the residents of Ward One.”

Support for Graham across Ward One –the most culturally diverse ward in D.C.– is indicated by the backing of an overwhelming majority of ANC Commissioners including, in a preliminary list, support from 5 of the 8 ANC Commissioners in Adams Morgan. Tenant leaders in the big buildings lining 14th Street and key Ward 1 business leaders including Kamal Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl, Andy Shallal of Busboys and Poets, and Constantine Stavropolous of Tryst/Diner have endorsed Graham.

In his email, Graham cited accomplishments in his fight for safer neighborhoods, preventing gang violence, tenant rights and affordable housing, environmentally friendly cost-effective urban transportation, small business opportunities, creating jobs, and better schools. A detailed list of these accomplishment is available on the campaign website, www.JimGraham2010.com.”

Mayor Fenty/CM Bowser Walk-Though on 14th St NW tomorrow

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“Mayor Adrian Fenty will join Councilmember Muriel Bowser and various, city agency department heads for a walk-through tomorrow, Thursday, starting at 9:30 am from 14th Street NW at Spring Road NW.

Agencies to be represented by agency directors and other top tier, professional staff include the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, the Department of Health, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Transportation, the Office of Latino Affairs and the Metropolitan Police.

The purpose of the walk-through is to focus on community issues that need to be addressed – including streetscape issues along 14th Street NW in Ward 4.

Community members are welcome to join us.

The walk will start at 9:30 am at 14th Street NW at Spring Road NW and head north along 14th Street NW. Councilmember Bowser’s staff has said the group will proceed into the 16th Street Heights section of the 14th Street commercial corridor.”

Dear PoP – Street Cleaning Issues

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by perryolf

“Dear PoP,

It seems like the city has ended street cleaning quite abruptly this year. I received this message on the U Street Email list and thought it would be helpful for others to know to not pay any street cleaning tickets they may have received since Friday November 6th:

A Message from DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. on the Suspension of Street Sweeping, as of Friday, November 6:

“I made the decision at 12 noon on Friday (November 6th) after watching a street sweeper on its route. There was a trail of leaves behind the sweeper. I then went to the shop to see if the mechanics could modify any part of the sweeping mechanism so that we could continue the program through November 20th. Unfortunately they could not. The manufacturer changed the design of the sweeper on the newer models.

“It just didn’t seem to make any sense to continue the sweeping program when we were not doing an effective job. A lot of folks move their vehicles for the program. It seemed to be the right thing to do to give them some relief even if I didn’t give them a lot of notice.

“I apologize to anyone who received a street sweeping ticket because they should not have. I will administratively void any ticket that is issued this week for a street sweeping violation. It is not necessary that you send me your ticket number for the street sweeping violation. I can look it up and void it.”

And I just saw the following from CM Graham:

“I want to thank those that called and wrote my office yesterday regarding street sweeping and tickets.

Here is what we know. There was much confusion caused by the Dept. of Public Works’ quick decision to suspend street sweeping last Friday. This resulted in very little warning to residents as there was only one announcement of the decision.

This week, tickets were issued to residents who moved their cars to comply with sweeping regulations unaware that cleaning was suspended. In all of these cases, residents receiving tickets lived on streets where parking was allowed on one side only, except on days of street cleaning. I requested and received assurance that the Dept. of Public Works will review and dismiss such tickets. Only tickets issued for violating a date and time restricted zone connected to the same day of street cleaning will be rescinded.

If you have received such a ticket, please contact Ms. Nancee Lyons at the Dept. of Public Works for help. Send the ticket information to [email protected].”

New Protest Poster Rules

By Prince Of Petworth

Michael Neibauer reports in The Examiner:

“Under the new regulations, posters that promote a “specific event,” like a protest march or an election, may go up anytime before the event, but must come down 30 days after the event. The rules also allow anyone to affix a non-event related poster in the public space for up to 60 days, as long as it is not lewd, indecent or vulgar.”

Originally signs had to go up and come down within 60 days. Do the new regulations make more sense?

Leaf Collection Schedule Released

By Prince Of Petworth

From a Press Release:

” “We expect to collect up to 10,000 tons of leaves, to be turned into compost, an organic treasure for District gardeners,” said Director Howland. “Compost will be available to individuals, community groups and gardening clubs between March and October next year.”

Residents should place leaf piles on curbside space, rather than in the street or in storm drains. Piles should contain leaves only. Tree limbs, bricks, dirt, rocks, or other items can damage leaf collection equipment. Leaves placed in the street reduce on-street parking and can create a fire hazard. Residents can also bag leaves, instead of piling them, for collection by DPW trash trucks. Because plastic bags can damage equipment, DPW requests that paper rather than plastic bags are used. Residents with alley trash collection may place their bagged leaves next to their trash container for collection with the trash, as truck capacity allows. Bagged leaves will not be composted.

Every street in the District will have at least two collections during the fall. Snow and ice storms can cause changes to the leaf collection schedule. DPW’s leaf collection schedule, including the date when each street is scheduled for leaf collection, will be mailed to each household that uses DPW trash and recycling services. The brochure also provides detailed instructions on how residents should prepare their leaves for collection. This information can also be found on DPW’s Web site at www.dpw.dc.gov.”

Ellwood Thompson’s Update – Mayor Fenty at NCHCA Meeting Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth

We’ve been following the development of Ellwood Thompson’s status in opening a new store in DCUSA in Columbia Heights. Following is the latest word. If you’d like to see them make the move make sure you let Fenty know.

From an email:

“Ellwood Thompson’s will be appealing to Mayor Fenty for funds to begin construction at DCUSA. The Mayor will be at Tubman Elem School tonight (Wed) for a forum to include discussion of “commercial development” starting at 7pm at the meeting of the North Columbia Heights Civic Association. He also can be contacted through dcgov.org under “contact the Mayor”.”

“North Columbia Heights Civic Association Presents:

Wednesday, November 4, 7:00 P.M. at the Harriet Tubman Elementary School (Irving and 13th St. NW)

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COMMUNITY FORUM WITH MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY

For more details, and more information on NCHCA: http://northcolumbiaheights.googlepages.com/”

Council Member Bowser “introduces legislation to remove assessment cap on home renovations”

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“In today’s legislative session, Councilmember Bowser introduced the “Home Improvement and Age-in-Place Incentive Act of 2009,” which will remove the assessment cap credit on home renovations. This bill provides an economic incentive for homeowners, most especially seniors, to renovate their homes.

District law currently limits the increase on a homeowner’s property tax bill to 10 percent above the previous year’s assessment. This cap, however, does not apply if a homeowner undertakes renovations that result in at least a 10 percent increase in property value. In this scenario, the entire value of the renovations as well as the market price are captured and taxed accordingly. Councilmember Bowser said “Not only does this law adversely affect lower-income homeowners but also seniors who must renovate their homes to make them, at the very least, habitable so that they may age-in-place.”

If passed, homeowners, including seniors, may renovate their homes, install a first-floor bathroom, fix a roof, install a wheelchair lift, or replace windows. Further, this bill will permit owners of lower-valued homes to benefit from the tax break to the same extent as owners of high-valued homes.”

Now, I can renovate my kitchen! Do you guys think this legislation is a good idea?

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