Ward 5 Report (dated 07-03-2013)

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie <dcdocs@dc.gov>

Sent: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 5:31 PM
Subject: The Ward 5 Report: Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie

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The Ward 5 Report: 
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
July 3, 2013 

Hello Ward 5,

I would like to wish everyone a happy Fourth of July! I hope you and your family have an opportunity to take time and truly enjoy our nation’s birthday. As we celebrate our independence, let us not forget our fellow Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our independence, both here and abroad.

I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday!

  

Councilmember McDuffie Takes a Stand for Better Pay for D.C. Residents

This week, Councilmember McDuffie rallied with the organization Good Jobs Nation to call attention to inequities in wages, benefits, and working conditions for low-wage federal contract and concessions workers.

“Here in D.C., the richest five percent of households have an average income of $473,000, said Councilmember McDuffie. “At the same time, the poorest 20 percent of households have incomes averaging under $10,000. This is unacceptable in our nation’s capital.”

Last month, Councilmember McDuffie introduced a resolution in the Council calling upon the Department of Labor and the President to ensure that workers employed through federal contracts, concessions, and leases in D.C. receive sufficient pay and benefits to adequately support themselves and their families, in dignity, and without public assistance.

A video clip from the rally can be viewed here.

Legislative Update:

Councilmember McDuffie Convenes a Public Hearing on Several Bills

On July 8, Councilmember McDuffie, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations, will convene a public hearing on several bills within the committee. The public hearing will be held in Room 123 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W., at 10:00 a.m.

 A list and a description of each bill can be found here.

Persons wishing to testify may contact Ronan Gulstone at (202) 478-2456 or email: 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 from the hearing. 

Councilmember McDuffie Announces Roundtable on Public Financing of Elections

On July 11, Councilmember McDuffie will hold a public roundtable on the feasibility of public financing of District of Columbia elections. Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing should contact Ronan Gulstone at (202) 724-8028, or via e-mail at rgulstone@dccouncil.us, and provide their name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Tuesday, July 9th. The public hearing will be held in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W., at 11:00 a.m.

Announcements:

DPW Observes Independence Day

The Department of Public Works (DPW) has announced how services will be affected Thursday, July 4^th when the District observes Independence Day. Trash and recycling collections and street and alley cleaning will be suspended. Parking enforcement will be suspended, except in the Nationals Stadium neighborhood where all parking regulations will be enforced. All services will resume Friday, July 5^th.

The Ft. Totten Transfer Station, located at 4900 John F. McCormack Drive, N.E., will be closed. Residents may resume bringing bulk trash and recyclables on Friday, July 5^th between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday trash and recycling collections will “slide” to the next day. Thursday’s collections will be made Friday and Friday’s collections will be made Saturday. For additional information, visit www.dpw.dc.gov.

DPR Announces the 2013 Independence Day Holiday Schedule

The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced their 2013 Independence Day holiday schedule. All DPR summer camps, recreation/community centers, indoor aquatic facilities and administrative offices are closed for the holiday.

Outdoor aquatic facilities and children's pools will operate on a revised holiday schedule. Benning Park, Fort Stanton and Langdon Park outdoor pools will be closed on Independence Day. Spray parks will operate on their normal schedule, with the exception of Columbia Heights Community Center.

Ward 5 Aquatic Facilities Hours For Thursday, July 4, 2013:

• Harry Thomas Sr. Pool (1743 Lincoln Rd., N.E.) || Hours: 12 pm - 6 pm
• Theodore Hagans Pool (3201 Fort Lincoln Dr., N.E.) || Hours: 12 pm - 6 pm

Please note that fireworks are not allowed on ANY DPR properties, fields or courts.

For additional information, visit www.dpr.dc.gov.

Reminder: Free Summer Meal Sites in D.C. for the Summer

D.C. Free Summer Meals Program is FREE to all children ages 18 and younger. There is no application necessary to receive a meal. Children ages 18 and younger can show up at a D.C. Free Summer Meal site during meal time. To find a site near you, residents can call 311 or text 202-6565-EAT. For more information, visit www.dcsummerfun.dc.gov.

Reminder: Heat Advisory for Seniors

Summer is upon us, and temperatures could approach 100 degrees, with higher heat indexes. The D.C. Office on Aging has a few helpful tips to help seniors beat the heat:

• Make contact with homebound or at-risk senior clients to let them know of the heat alert and air quality alert.
• Ask seniors to stay at home or reduce outdoor activity.
• Ask neighbors, friends and relatives to check on frail or isolated elderly individuals.
• If you discover the temperature is too hot when checking on a homebound senior, assist the senior in trying to keep cool.
• Advise seniors to stay indoors and not to go out between the hours of 10am and 3pm.
• Tell seniors to stay cool by taking frequent baths and showers, drinking water, wearing light clothing, turning on air conditioners and fans, and go where they can cool off.

Here’s a list of the Senior Wellness Centers that are designated cooling centers. Each center is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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For more information, please visit www.kenyanmcduffie.com or contact our office at (202) 724-8028. Follow Councilmember McDuffie at twitter.com/CM_McDuffie and/orfacebook.com/KenyanRMcDuffie.