DC Government

“THIS MARCH MADNESS: PLACE YOUR BETS ON DC” by Tony Tomeldon

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Lorie Shaull

The following was written by Tony T, “Tony Tomeldon is a DC native, dad of three all-virtual students, husband of a physical therapist and owner of The Pug, Partner at Union Trust and Brookland’s Finest.”

THIS MARCH MADNESS: PLACE YOUR BETS ON DC

It goes without saying that this damn virus has impacted a huge number of businesses in DC. I’ve lost track of the bars and restaurants that have closed, and the friends who have watched their dreams disappear. We say it over and over again, but even in the best of times, our margins are incredibly narrow. The grants and aid packages have been very helpful, but as a friend says, we’re not running P & Ls we’re running L & Ls. Also, don’t forget congress gave us territorial aid, not state aid. We still need help.

Last year, DC legalized sports betting for wagering on games through apps and in-person. I’m too emotionally involved in my teams to bet. My big gamble was getting involved in the hospitality business. Someday, I’ll let you know if that bet paid off. I’m just a bartender, so it may be above my paygrade, but I’m hoping (almost begging) that some of the tax revenue raised on betting in DC can be used to help my industry. (more…)

“Gun Violence Prevention Emergency Operations Center (EOC), launched as part of a new comprehensive gun violence prevention program, Building Blocks DC”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the launch of the Gun Violence Prevention Emergency Operations Center (EOC), as part of a new comprehensive gun violence prevention program, Building Blocks DC. The EOC, a first-of-its-kind in the nation to deploy a public health approach to gun violence prevention, is located in the heart of Historic Anacostia in Ward 8.

“Today we are recognizing the scourge of gun violence for what it is: a public health crisis that requires a whole-government approach focused on people and places in our community,” said Mayor Bowser. “Too many lives have been taken, too many families have been traumatized, and too many neighborhoods have been left broken. With Building Blocks DC, we are committing to reversing these trends, saving lives, and better supporting our residents and communities most impacted by gun violence.”

Building Blocks DC will engage people most at-risk of becoming a victim or perpetrator of gun violence and focus initial efforts on working with individuals who: (more…)

“We got a permit and have been told we need a “wall check”.

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Jim Havard

“Dear PoPville,

We are building a front porch on a DC rowhouse that originally had a porch but somewhere through the years it was removed. We got a permit and have been told we need a “wall check”. Contractor told us it has to be performed by a private surveyor and could cost $900-$2300.

I called DCRA to ask about this and the first answer they gave me was, no you can schedule that through us for free. So I called today to schedule and naturally, someone else gave me a different answer and had me send an email inquiring with the surveillance office. (more…)

“Mayor Bowser Celebrates Frederick Douglass’ Birthday by Announcing October 1 as Opening Date for His Namesake Bridge”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Airbus777

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Ahead of Frederick Douglass’ birthday on February 14, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced that the District’s new bridge bearing his name is expected to open October 1, 2021. DDOT further honors Frederick Douglass and Black History Month with the release of Frederick Douglass Builds a Bridge, an interactive video for school-aged children that explains the process of building a bridge. (more…)

“Data will be collected for research purposes only.” Still, Please Don’t Drive in the Bus Only Lanes

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

“Today, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced plans to install on-bus automated enforcement cameras on two DC Circulator buses to gather data about how DC’s Car Free Lanes are being used. The pilot is scheduled to begin on February 16, 2021 and will continue through April 15, 2021.

“Under Mayor Bowser’s leadership, DDOT continues to prioritize improving the reliability and efficiency of bus travel in the District through the Car Free Lanes,” said Interim DDOT Director Everett Lott. “The data we collect through this pilot will be used to evaluate how we can make our current and future Car Free Lanes safer and operate more efficiently.” (more…)

“Approximately 2,500 Vaccination Appointments Will Become Available to Residents in Priority Zip Codes on Thursday”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, DC Health announced that on Thursday, February 11 at 9:00 a.m., approximately 2,500 vaccination appointments will be made available to DC residents who live in priority zip codes and are 65 years old or older and/or work in a health care setting.

The priority zip codes are focused in Wards 5, 7, and 8 and include: 20422, 20011, 20017, 20018, 20002, 20001, 20019, 20020, 20032, 20593. Priority zip codes include areas of the city where residents are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, including number of cases and mortality rate. Wards 5, 7, and 8 are being prioritized because they have the lowest percentages of residents who are 65 and older who have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

On Friday, February 12 at 9:00 a.m., DC Health will make approximately 2,500 additional appointments available for all District residents who are 65 years of age and older and/or health care workers in DC.

To date, more than 1 in 3 DC seniors have already received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (more…)

“Are they not supposed to be cleaning that up on a regular basis?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

A neighboring property is undergoing construction – it’s legal construction, with permits. It’s being done by a developer, but it’s changed hands, so we don’t know who the poc is now. There appears to be a lot of accumulated construction debris in the backyard for a while. Are they not supposed to be cleaning that up on a regular basis? Do we complain to DCRA or someone else? Any guidance would be appreciated.”

“Police escorting large protests/marches to maintain traffic safety is one thing, but this is excessive and clearly intimidating.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

As if we needed more evidence that the DC police budget is extremely inflated and misdirected…this scene from Columbia Rd NW between 18th and 16th on the evening of 2/6/21. A small group of peaceful protesters (30-40 people tops; I’m guessing racial justice-focused based on their chants, but I do not know the organizing group nor do I speak for them) walked down Columbia Rd while a disproportionately large police presence preceded them AND followed them. In the attached image, the only group NOT circled is the protestors.

Police escorting large protests/marches to maintain traffic safety is one thing, but this is excessive and clearly intimidating. (more…)

“you can title/register/tag/etc. your car at tag and title shops in the area”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

With all the posts about how hard it is to get an appointment at the DC DMV, I had to share that you can register your car without going to the DMV!

Back in November, I bought a used car from an auto shop in Maryland who could not process DC tags. I haven’t owned a car since living in DC, so I had to go to the DMV to get tags before I could take it off the lot. Like many readers, getting an appointment was IMPOSSIBLE.

So I did some digging and learned that you can title/register/tag/etc. your car at tag and title shops in the area. (more…)

“Settlement Resolves OAG Suit Alleging Shaw Gym Ignored Legal Requirements for Mask Use, Social Distancing, and Sanitization”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Diane Krauthamer

From the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia:

“Attorney General Karl A. Racine today announced that Urban Athletic Club, a District gym chain, will be required to pay a penalty of $10,000 to resolve allegations it had misled consumers and failed to comply with emergency COVID-19 health and safety requirements. In a December 2020 lawsuit, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) alleged that Urban Athletic Club violated the District’s COVID-19 public health emergency orders and consumer protection laws by allowing customers to exercise at its Shaw location without masks, adequate distancing, or proper equipment sanitization. After OAG filed suit, the company entered into an interim agreement requiring it to begin enforcing the COVID-19 orders at its clubs. As part of the settlement, Urban Athletic Club must pay $10,000 to the District and continue complying with COVID-19 safety requirements and District law over the next year. (more…)

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