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?
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.”
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/”
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?
I know folks have generally not been too happy with Mayor Fenty’s performance lately. But I have to give him props for fixing up tons of parks around town. It seems like every weekend I’m finding a new park that’s getting fixed up. This one is on N St., NW just east of 7th.
Photo from DDOT
They tweet:
“Here’s a photo from a partial roadway collapse on Meridian Place, NW. The 1400 block is closed.”
And here’s an odd occurrence from FEMS:
“FEMS responded to a report of an explosion at 5201 Connecticut Ave NW # 608. Explosion was due to bug fumigation spray igniting the pilot light on the stove. Windows in unit 608 were shattered. There were no injuries and no relocations. DCRA was notified, responded and declared the building safe.”
“Dear PoP,
I don’t know if anybody outside the neighborhood has seen this, but there is some serious flooding happening on Rhode Island Ave NW, about ten to twenty feet before 1st St. in front of the dry cleaner’s. This picture is from yesterday, but when I walked outside today the puddle had overtaken the entire street. Cars were going through the water at less than 5mph, creating a bit of a traffic jam. Any idea if this is some sort of sewage/drainage problem? Or is this a normal occurrence in Bloomingdale?”
I’ve seen this scene in many neighborhoods around DC. I’m fairly certain it is caused by clogged sewage drains. You can report a problem here or just call 202-612-3400. Anyone else note some flooding around town?
“Dear PoP,
My husband and I recently moved to near NE / H street and are working to improve our home. One obstacle we’ve run into is the light pole in the back alley. It currently sits in the middle of the property line, preventing full access to the backyard. Here is a picture. We cannot fully open the gate or park our car because of the limited width of the lot that the light pole creates.
I’ve contacted DC’s Dept. of Transportation, specifically someone in infrastructure project management. He was a very helpful individual, and moved along our request to have the light pole moved about 8ft (to the end of the property line). Unfortunately, the request was denied by his superiors. That means we’d have to pay the cost of moving the light pole instead of the city. The individual gave me a ballpark figure of around $5000 to move the light pole, and an additional $2800 if the light pole is old and should be replaced. Do you know, or do your readers have knowledge of another avenue that we can pursue? Do you think contacting our Alderman Tommy Wells might resolve this? We simply want the light pole moved about 8ft to the end of the property line, but don’t feel it’s just that we should have to front 100% of the costs; especially if the pole needs to be replaced.
Sincerely,
Chrystina”
Hmm, I can see that would be incredibly frustrating. This is something you should definitely bring to the attention of your Council Member’s office. However, I’m not sure he’ll be able to do anything about it. If the pole sits on city property and you bought the house this way then I’m not sure if the city will be obligated to move it. But I’m just guessing. We have some incredibly knowledgeable readers here so perhaps they’ll be able to give some specific advice. But most definitely approach your constituent services rep. from Wells’ office!
Ed. Note: The above photo was taken after this weekend’s shooting on Upshur Street. It really saddened me how beautiful the street looked. I was thinking how this photo should be a “sweet street scene” but now is affiliated with a crime post…
From Councilmember Muriel Bowser:
“Neighbors-
We are all appalled by this week’s violence. I will be convening a Special Meeting on Crime this Wednesday, October 28, 7pm at the ROC, 801 Shepherd St NW.
Chief Cathy Lanier and 4D command staff will address concerns and actions necessary to increase public safety.
The meeting will focus on:
– recent homicides in Petworth at Safeway and 1200 Bl Crittenden ST with updates on the investigations.
-Increased reports of sounds of gun fire
and MPD response
– Gang activity in 4D, and neighboring 3D and 2D.
-Petworth Metro station safety
Do not hesitate to reach me with any questions or concerns, 202-491-4842.
Muriel”
“Dear PoP,
As of ten minutes ago (ed note: received at 12:37 am) this was the scene outside my apartment at 17th and Crescent in Adams Morgan. Saturday morning a water main broke and took about 17 hours and change to fix from about 7 AM when work crews arrived until 11:30 PM when the water went back on and big metal plates were left to cover the street.
The past two nights private contractors (the trucks say “Flippo Construction”) have arrived around 7 PM to shut down the street and work on the giant hole in the middle of 17th. A neighbor has confirmed they are not there during the day, only at night.
Putting aside the fact there’s a generator and stadium lights outside my bedroom window, I’m compelled to ask, how is this cost efficient? This section of 17th has little traffic any time, but is downright dead during the day. Why wait until night and pay crews more, and pay for energy to run a generator for lights?”
This has to be because of traffic flow right? Can cars get around the hole during the day? If not why would they wait until evening to fix it?