From: "Jackson Jr, Darrell
(Council)" <djackson@dccouncil.us>
To:
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2012 4:48 PM
Subject: The Ward 5 Report: The
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Ward 5
The Ward 5 Report:
The Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Ward 5
December 14, 2012
December 14, 2012
Come Join Councilmember McDuffie For The Ward 5 Holiday Party
Councilmember McDuffie invites you to the Ward 5 Holiday Party on Thursday, December 20. This will be a time for Ward 5 residents to gather for an evening of great entertainment, food and fellowship. The festivities will be held at Gallaudet University’s Sorenson Language and Communication Center, located at 800 Florida Avenue, NE from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Parking is available at the Field House parking lot or in the Hanson Plaza garage.
We hope to see you there!
This week, Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (D – Ward 5) sent a letter to Mayor Vincent Gray (D) urging him not to expend additional government resources on the lawsuit to operate a charter bus lot at the Alexander Crummell School in Ivy City or in further pursuit of the project.
On December 10, the D.C. Superior Court issued a preliminary injunction halting the District from operating a charter bus lot at the Crummell School until the city consults with Ivy City’s Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) and conducts an environmental screening of the project.
“The Alexander Crummell School is a nationally-designated historic landmark that has fallen into disrepair – largely due to the city’s neglect,” said McDuffie. “The school is in the heart of the blossoming Ivy City community that has been clamoring for resources to enhance the quality of life for residents.”
Mayor Gray was quoted as saying, “’I didn’t talk to anybody about preserving Crummell … That school has been used as a homeless shelter, it’s been vacant. I have been a part of no discussions like that.’”
While Councilmember McDuffie agrees that there is no plan to displace the residents of Ivy City, “It is unsettling that there really is no plan to invest positive resources in the community,” said McDuffie. “The community wants and deserves workforce development initiatives, recreation for youth, and educational opportunities. I urge the Mayor to divert the resources being expended on this lawsuit to develop and execute a plan for the benefit of Ivy City’s residents.”
Click here to read the full text of McDuffie’s letter.
Councilmember McDuffie Host Walkthroughs in the Woodridge and North Michigan Park Neighborhoods
On December 8, Councilmember McDuffie hosted two community walkthroughs with DC Government officials and Ward 5 residents.
Councilmember McDuffie joined the Michigan Park Citizens Association, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and Terry Bellamy, Director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to address traffic concerns along South Dakota Avenue, NE. The walkthrough provided the Councilmember and DDOT with an opportunity to hear from residents, to see pedestrian safety concerns and to see areas where the speed limits were not being enforced. Councilmember McDuffie is working with DDOT to assure that proper measures are taken to address the residents’ concerns.
Afterwards, Councilmember McDuffie joined the District Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Department of General Services (DGS), Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs), MPD and other community stakeholders to hear from the residents about their safety concerns at the Langdon Park Recreation Center. The walkthrough provided an opportunity to identify areas where residents wanted to see heightened security, as well as, improvements to the facilities available to the residents who utilize the recreation center. Councilmember McDuffie, DGS, MPD and DPR are working together on the various requests made.
McDuffie Celebrates ANC Commissioners for their Commitment to Ward 5
On December 11, Councilmember McDuffie honored the outgoing ANCs for their service to their Single Member District and Ward 5 as a whole.
Councilmember McDuffie offers the following statement for to the Commissioners:
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity in serving as an ANC.
“As a Commissioner, you have worked tirelessly on matters of public policy including decisions regarding planning, street revitalization, social services programs, health and public safety. You have also worked closely with the people in the community and assisted neighbors with navigating the networks of our city’s agencies. Your decision to serve as an ANC demonstrates your commitment to bettering your community and Ward 5 as a whole.
“Again, thank you for your dedication to the residents of Ward 5. I have no doubt that you will continue to find ways to serve our community.“
Councilmember McDuffie Welcomes Councilmember Bonds
This week, Councilmember McDuffie joined his colleagues to welcome Councilmember Anita Bonds (D - At-Large). Councilmember Bonds was appointed by the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee to hold the vacant at-large seat until a special election takes place.
“I would like to welcome Councilmember Bonds to the Council,” said McDuffie. “I look forward to working with Councilmember Bonds to improve the quality of life for Ward 5 residents, as well as the residents across the city.”
McDuffie Condemns Vandalism of the Faith United Church of Christ
Recently, Faith United Church of Christ of Washington, D.C. was targeted with hateful graffiti on three of its buildings. Vandals wrote on the walls of the church, including the phrases "No low income housing" and “No more ghettos.” The church, located in Ward 5’s North Michigan Park neighborhood, has proposed to build modest wage housing for senior citizens, which the North Michigan Park Civic Association and other community stakeholders have recently voiced their opposition to the new development.
Councilmember McDuffie released the following statement about the vandalism:
“Recently, many of the residents in the North Michigan Park community have voiced their concerns over the proposed development, between the Faith United Church of Christ and the Retirement Housing Foundation, to build senior housing in their neighborhood. I stand with and support the Commissioners from ANC-5A, the North Michigan Park Civic Association and other community stakeholders in opposition of the proposed venture.
“However, I am deeply troubled by the recent events that took place on the church’s property. This kind of hateful act has no place in Ward 5. Vandalism, and any other illegal acts of this sort, will not be tolerated in our community. My office is working closely with the MPD, the Faith United Church of Christ and community stakeholders to make sure that we locate the responsible parties.
“Lastly, I encourage the community to continue to have a robust dialogue and voice their concerns about the proposal. However, it is important to note that violence and vandalism have no place within these conversations.”
Legislative Updates:
District of Columbia Fire and Casualty Amendment Act of 2012
Councilmember McDuffie introduced the District of Columbia Fire and Casualty Amendment Act of 2012 in September. The bill requires insurance companies to clearly state that homeowner’s insurance does not cover all risks and to list the additional optional coverage available to the homeowner. The bill further requires insurance companies to notify applicants that homeowner’s insurance does not cover losses from flood and to explain how flood insurance may be obtained.
This week, the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs held a hearing on December 12. To read the complete text of the bill, click here.
Announcements:
The Office for Planning and Economic Development Offering Small Business Capital Improvement Grant
The purpose of the Small Business Capital Improvement Grant is to support existing small businesses, attract new small businesses, increase the District's tax base and create new jobs for District Residents. The Deputy Mayor will be awarding individual grants, between 7th & North Capitol Street NW, up to a maximum of $85,000 each to support and foster growth amongst small businesses.
Grant funds may be utilized to reimburse the grantee for the purpose of capital expenditures to improve the subject property. All projects must be physically located within the boundaries or have direct frontage on the boundaries set forth. To see if your small business qualifies within the boundaries, click here.
Interested applicants can apply for a Small Business Capital Improvement Grant by clicking here. Application deadline is Friday, February 15, 2013 4:00 p.m. To learn more about the program and the application process, informational sessions will be held on Monday, January 7, 2013 at Banneker Recreational Center, located at 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. and on Monday, January 14, 2013 at the Kennedy Recreational Center, located at 1401 7th Street NW from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
DC Water Announcing Outages for 7th and Florida Ave NE
On Monday, December 17, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. DC Water contractors will be at 7th Street NE and Florida Ave NE to tie-in a newly installed water main into the water distribution system. The 1100 Block of 7th Street NE between L Street NE and Florida Ave NE; and 635 Florida Ave NE will be affected and will be notified of the scheduled water outage.
Upcoming Ward 5 Events:
Sunday, December 16 – Brookland’s Annual “Celebration of Lights” will take place at the Wohlfarth Galleries beginning at 6 p.m.
Monday, December 17 – Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting will take place at St. George’s Church beginning at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 18 – Ward 5 Council on Education meeting will take place at Lamond-Riggs Library beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 20 – Fort Lincoln Civic Association Board of Directors meeting will take place at the Wesley House Senior Apartments beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 20 – Councilmember McDuffie’s Ward 5 Holiday Party will take place at Gallaudet University at their Sorenson Language and Communication Center, located at 800 Florida Avenue, NE from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
For more information, please follow us at twitter.com/CM_McDuffie, facebook.com/KenyanRMcDuffie or contact us at (202) 724-8028.
Darrell Jackson, Jr.
Communications Director
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Ward 5
1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 506
Washington, DC 20004
202.355.4257 (mobile)
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