Neighbors,
Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than when my staff and I
are able to address real and everyday problems faced by the
residents of Ward 5. We have countless examples of success
stories where a resident, civic association president, or
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) contacts our office
about an issue and we are able to advocate on behalf of the
community to get a responsive result from our government
agencies. Those are true examples of partnership and
collaboration for a better Ward 5.
One example you may have recently read about in the Washington
Post is in Langdon Park. Our office
became involved after a concerned resident noticed activity at an
otherwise inactive property and contacted their single member
district ANC commissioner, who in turn reached out to my office.
I immediately drafted a disapproval resolution for one of the leases,
and it was subsequently rescinded by the Mayor. I have directed
the City Administrator to engage the community on the other two
agreements, and those meetings are currently being organized.
With all of the recent rain, we are now witnessing another success
story where the community and I partnered to solve a
long-standing issue. Just a few months after being sworn into
office in 2012, there were three major rain storms within 10 days
causing flooding in the Bloomingdale and Eckington neighborhoods.
There was several feet of standing water on Rhode Island Avenue
and damage to dozens of homes. The flooding was an issue the
District had been trying to resolve for decades. Residents
demanded a solution and I quickly went to work on their behalf.
Although we were told by city officials and the utility company
representatives that they could not begin work on the problem for
several years, the community and I did not stop. My staff and I
sent dozens of emails, passed out sandbags during storms,
introduced bills, established a task force, and demanded our
leaders tour the area to see how the residents of these
communities were suffering. I am proud to say that the agencies
responded. We saw the results during last weekend's heavy rains.
Instead of experiencing more flooding because the work was just
starting, we instead saw the results of the completed massive
underground tunnel equipped to handle large quantities of water.
Without question, Ward 5 is unstoppable and most effective when
we partner and work together. I look forward to continuing to
hear your concerns and to advocate on your behalf for an even
greater Ward 5.
In Service,
Kenyan
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In
this issue of the Ward 5 Report:
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Summer Office
Hours in Ward 5
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Senior Economic Development Advisor (and Brookland
resident) Cyril Crocker at Community Office Hours talking to
Woodridge resident Michael Triebwasser and Askale Shiferaw, owner
of Askale Cafe.
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The Office of Ward 5
Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie has been hosting summer
Community Office Hours at various locations throughout Ward 5
during the D.C. Council Summer Recess period. Please stop
by to discuss issues of importance to you and your neighbors.
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This schedule is subject to
change based on late breaking events and will continue to be
updated throughout the summer with more dates, times, and
locations. Please visit the following website for the most
up-to-date information: www.KenyanMcDuffie.com/summer2017
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Important
Information If You Use Auto-Pay For DC Water
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DC Water has launched a new web
portal for customers to make payments and view water usage. The
new web portal is a significant upgrade from DC Water’s first
generation product that debuted in 2000.
Customers must register to take
advantage of these more secure and easy-to-use services for
paying a bill and understanding water usage. DC Water customers
who previously signed up for an online account will need to
re-register. For now, only property owners and property managers
on behalf of owners, can register to use the new portal, though
DC Water plans to offer tenants and other third parties access,
with property owner approval, in the near future.
Those who were participating in
recurring credit card or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments
will need to re-enroll in those functions, as well as the e-bill
option. Anyone, whether a property owner, tenant, family member
or other third party, can now make one-time payments for a water
bill. New functions coming this year include a mobile app for
payments and text to pay as well as email to pay. Visit dcwater.com/customer for more information.
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Councilmember
McDuffie discusses the NEAR Act
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Talk Poverty, a news website
that is a project of the Center for American Progress, recently
covered the funding and upcoming implementation of Councilmember
McDuffie's Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR) Act of
2016.
Councilmember McDuffie discusses
his personal experiences which tie into the origins of the bill,
and how the NEAR Act is addressing root causes of violent crime:
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"District of Columbia city
council is quietly implementing one of the most progressive
crime bills in recent history. The Neighborhood Engagement
Achieves Results (NEAR) Act of 2016, sponsored by Democratic
Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, represents a dramatic and
desperately needed shift in how the nation’s capital will
approach violent crime."
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Community
Meeting Summer Recess Schedule
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Community groups often go into
recess during the summer. Below is the recess schedule for Ward 5
community meetings. There are often last minute changes or
special meetings, so please check directly with the organization
to confirm the information below.
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Tuesday, August
8 - Ward 5 Day at the National Building Museum
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On Tuesday, August 8, Ward 5
residents are invited to visit the National Building Museum's
summer exhibit, Hive, with complimentary admission from 9-11am.
Story time and mobile library book check-out will be provided by
D.C. Public Library. Visit go.nbm.org/hive for more information.
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Saturday,
August 12 - Evening Splash Party at Langdon Pool
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DC Department of Parks and
Recreation (DPR) is hosting a series of late evening, community
pool parties. For the first time, Langdon Pool will be hosting
one of the parties on Saturday, August 12.
Date: Saturday,
August 12
Time: 6:00
PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Langdon
Park Pool, 2860 Mills Ave NE
RSVP: http://www.dcsplashparty.splashthat.com/
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Saturday,
August 19 - Chuck Brown Day
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Bring lawn chairs or a
blanket and enjoy a full afternoon of FREE entertainment as we
celebrate and remember Chuck Brown at the 3rd Annual Chuck Brown
Day at Chuck Brown Memorial Park. Join the We Are One Tribute
Band, EU feat. Sugar Bear and closing out the day is the Chuck
Brown Band crankin' all of your Chuck favorites. Hosted by Chris
Paul. Food trucks on site, kids activities area, and The Chuck
Brown Foundation will be giving out free backpacks for the kids
Date: Saturday,
August 19
Time: 3:00
PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Chuck
Brown Memorial Park, 2901 20th Street NE
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Thursday,
August 24 - Othello, Presented by the Shakespeare Theatre Company
on Ward 5 Night
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Each summer the Shakespeare
Theatre Company presents a series of free Shakespeare
performances that are open to the public, known as "Free For
All." Again this year, Ward 5 residents are invited to the
Shakespeare Theatre Company's Free For All production of Othello
on Thursday, August 24.
Space is limited so email or
call to reserve your tickets today. Generally, ticket quantities
will be limited to 4 tickets per family, but please reach out if
you require more tickets.
Date: Thursday,
August 24
Time: 8:00
PM
Location: Shakespeare
Theatre Company 610 F Street NW
To RSVP: Email
mcrawfordriddick@dccouncil.us or call
(202) 724-8028
Tickets
quantities are limited and will be offered on a first come, first
served basis.
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