Ward 5 Councilmember McDuffie's latest Ward 5 Report - dated Friday, 03/22/2013

Here you go:

The Ward 5 Report: Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 03/22/2013 11:25 AM EDT

 

The Ward 5 Report:
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
March 22, 2013

Dear Residents,

I was saddened to hear about the fatal hit and run that took place last night near the New Samaritan Baptist Church. My thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family, Bishop Michael Kelsey, and the parishioners of New Samaritan Baptist Church. As a result of this incident, we are working with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to address pedestrian safety issues in this area.

Additionally, many of you share my concerns with the current proposal by Department of General Services (DGS) to co-locate the new Brookland Middle School with the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center. As I reiterated at the recent School Improvement Team (SIT) meeting, DGS must continue to engage the community and review all designs on the table, including the initial schematics of two separate facilities.

I also noted that many residents had difficulty attending the past SIT meetings because they have been occurring in the evenings on weekdays. Per my request, DGS has agreed to host a meeting this coming Saturday, March 22, at 11 a.m. in Turkey Thicket’s large conference room. We have instructed DGS to bring copies of all proposed designs.  I encourage all residents to please bring your questions and comments.

Our Ward 5 students need, and deserve nothing short of, a new, high quality middle school. Thank you.

   

Ward 5 Highlights:

The Ward 5 Small Business Advisory Council Holds Its Inaugural Meeting

On March 19, Councilmember McDuffie held the inaugural meeting for the Ward 5 Small Business Advisory Council. The Ward 5 Small Business Advisory Council exists to support Councilmember McDuffie in his efforts to represent the interest of Ward 5’s diverse business community. The Council will provide input to the Councilmember on issues and challenges impacting the business community; provide a forum for the exchange of relevant information and ideas; and identify ways to foster expanded opportunities for existing businesses as well as attract new businesses.

“It is important that we create a healthy dialogue for new and existing small businesses to share their concerns with civic leaders,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “The Council will help me better understand the needs of the small business community in Ward 5 and allow us to work together to identify resources and opportunities for growth.”

Councilmember McDuffie Honors Lemonade Day

This week, Councilmember McDuffie presented a ceremonial resolution in honor of Lemonade Day DC. Lemonade Day DC, founded by students at George Washington University, seeks to empower today’s youth to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.

Lemonade Day is designed to teach children how to start, operate and own a business. By running a lemonade stand, Lemonade Day empowers children to learn goal setting, development of business plans, establishing a budget, and customer services skills.

DC’s first Lemonade Day will take place on April 14. To read more about the organization, visit http://dc.lemonadeday.org.

Every year H&M and Mentor Foundation USA conduct a T-shirt Slogan Design Contest to encourage high school students to express what motivates them to stay drug free now and in the future.

Over 40 high schools in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area participated in the contest. The winning slogan was "Drug Free Works for Me" by Betsy Somanji, an 11th grader from Phelps Architect Construction and Engineering High School in Ward 5.

““Drug Free Works for Me” is a clever and cool slogan with an important message for our youth,” said Councilmember McDuffie in a letter presented to Betsy. “Your design creatively brought the issue of staying drug free to the forefront, and demonstrates that you can get one step closer to achieving those dreams when you make the right decisions in life. When people see someone wearing your shirt, they will get the message that you can be successful and stylish at the same time.”

For more information on the Slogan Design Contest and to see additional pictures from the event, visitwww.mentorfoundationusa.org.

Councilmember McDuffie Honors DCPSC During Their Centennial Anniversary Celebration

Last week, Councilmember McDuffie presented the D.C. Public Service Commission (DCPSC) with a ceremonial resolution during a luncheon celebrating their Centennial Anniversary. DCPSC was established by the US Congress in 1913 as an independent District Government agency to regulate the electric, natural gas and telephone companies serving the District. 

Legislative Updates:

Councilmember McDuffie Holds Hearing on BOE’s Preparations for the Upcoming Special Election 

On March 26, Councilmember McDuffie, as Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations, will convene a public oversight roundtable on the Board of Elections’ (BOE) preparations for the April 23 Special Election. This public hearing will be held in Room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW at 10:00 a.m.

This public roundtable will include a review of topics such as staffing, polling place worker training, technology improvements, facilities preparation, public outreach efforts, voter database management, and the estimated cost of the special election.

Persons wishing to testify may contact Ronan Gulstone at (202) 478-2456 or email at rgulstone@dccouncil.us. If you are unable to attend but wish to provide comments, you may submit written testimony to the Office of Councilmember McDuffie (Room 506) or via email to Ronan Gulstone within 10 days of the hearing.

Announcements:

PUBLIC NOTICE: BOE Announces the Relocation of Precinct No. 70 and No. 77 for the April 23 Special Election

Please be advised that Precinct No. 70 will be relocated from Burroughs Elementary School, located at 1820 Monroe Street, NE, to the Perry Street Prep PCS at Taft, located at 1800 Perry Street, NE. The relocation is necessary because the current facility is not available for the Special Election.

Additionally, Precinct No. 77 will be relocated from Delta Towers Apartment, located at 1400 Florida Avenue, NE to the Joseph H. Cole Recreation Center, located at 1800 Perry Street, NE. This relocation was necessary because BOE has received numerous complaints about the inadequate space and long lines at Delta Towers.

BOE will notify all registered voters in the precincts of these changes. If you have any questions, please contact BOE at (202) 727-5704 or visit http://dcboee.us    

Chuck Brown Park Amphitheater Update

On March 23 at 10 a.m. the Department of General Services will host a meeting to provide updates on the Chuck Brown Park Amphitheater. This meeting is a follow up to the January 26 meeting where representatives from D.C. Government presented their initial plans for a proposed amphitheater at the new Chuck Brown Park located at Langdon Park Recreation Center. The meeting will take place at the Washington Center for Aging, located at 2601 18th Street, NE. For more information, visithttp://ancnolan.com/meeting.

DMV Reschedules Opening of Rhode Island Service Center to April 2

The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has rescheduled the opening of its Rhode Island Service Center in Northeast to Tuesday, April 2. Located in Rhode Island Row at 2350 Washington Place, NE, Suite 112N, the Service Center will be open for business Tuesday – Saturday from 8:15 a.m. – 4 p.m. The DMV Ribbon Cutting is also rescheduled for Wednesday, March 27 at 10 a.m.

With the new opening date for the Rhode Island Service Center, the Temporary C Street Service Center located at 301 C Street, NW will now close on Friday, March 22. Adjudication Services, which is in the same building as the Temporary C Street Service Center, will remain open.

DDOT Holds Community Meeting on the Future of Transportation

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will be hosting four community meetings to talk to residents about the future of transportation in the District. DDOT will be in Ward 5/6 on March 26 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Ludlow Taylor Elementary School, located at 659 G St. NE.

moveDC will be the City's first long range transportation plan that looks at all modes (bus/circulator, metro, car, sidewalks, streetcar, biking) together. Please come out and let your voice be heard. For more information, visit www.wemoveDC.org.

**Ward 5 Events:

Councilmember McDuffie, or a member of his staff, will attend the following events:

Wednesday, March 27 – ANC 5A will hold its monthly meeting at the Potomac Lighthouse PCS, located at 4401 8^th Street, NE, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 27 – ANC 5B will hold its monthly meeting at Guildfield Missionary Baptist Church, 1023 Otis Street NE, beginning at 6:30 p.m. 

** Councilmember McDuffie’s public schedule is subject to change.