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The Ward 5 Report:
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
March 15, 2013
Hello Ward 5,
This week, we experienced another act of senseless violence in our community. The shooting that occurred on North Capitol Street and New York Avenue, NW was tragic, and my prayers are with the victims and their families.
This is yet another horrible example of how gun violence continues to plague our community. This sort of violence is a symptom of a much broader problem affecting the District of Columbia as well as communities throughout our nation. It is critically important that we mitigate the root causes of crime and develop public safety strategies that address crime holistically.
Public safety is a top priority. It is vitally important that every resident feel safe in their home, within their community, and in the streets of our great city. It is equally as important that we hold perpetrators of these types of heinous crimes personally accountable for their actions. I will continue to work with my colleagues and all of you to enhance public safety in the District of Columbia.
Best,
Ward 5 Highlights:
Councilmember McDuffie Held Community Engagement Office Hours at Casey Trees
On March 14, Councilmember McDuffie held the Ward 5 Community Engagement Office Hours at Casey Trees in the Brookland community. During the meeting, Councilmember McDuffie outlined his policy agenda, addressed the need for additional green space in Ward 5, discussed the need to provide affordable housing to our most vulnerable residents, and heard input on how his office could better serve the community.
The Community Engagement Office Hours is a tradition that Councilmember McDuffie started shortly after taking office. These meetings are designed to give Ward 5 residents a venue to voice their concerns and offer suggestions without having to travel to the John A. Wilson Building. The next Community Engagement Office Hours will be held on Saturday, April 13, at the New York Avenue Recreation Center, located First Street and New York Avenue, NW from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Councilmember McDuffie Welcomes DC Links, Inc. During Their Legislative Day
On March 13, Councilmember McDuffie welcomed the DC-area Links, Incorporated to the John A. Wilson Building as part of their Legislative Day. The Links, Incorporated is an organization of accomplished, dedicated African-American women who are active in the community.
"I applaud the work that the Links continues to do around the arts, health and human services, and servicing our youth," said Councilmember McDuffie. "Additionally, I appreciate the work they are doing to strengthen our communities and enrich the lives of countless residents throughout our city."
To read more about the organization, visit http://www.linksinc.org/.
Councilmember McDuffie Celebrates Sunshine Week
In celebration of Sunshine Week 2013, Councilmember McDuffie was the featured speaker at the D.C. Open Government Coalition's annual "D.C. Open Government Summit." Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote a dialogue on the importance of open government and freedom of information. This non-partisan, non-profit initiative is celebrated in mid-March each year to coincide with James Madison's birthday on March 16.
"I view government transparency and freedom of information as the cornerstone of good democracy and public engagement," said Councilmember McDuffie. "As Chair of the Committee on Government Operations, I recognize that I have an important role in restoring faith in government by strengthening our laws and providing diligent oversight."
The D.C. Open Government Coalition works to enhance the public's access to government information and ensure the transparency in the D.C. government. The event is co-sponsored by the National Press Club's Freedom of the Press Committee, the Society of Professional Journalists, D.C. Professional Chapter and American University's School of Communications, Journalism Division.
For more, visit www.sunshineweek.org.
Legislative Updates:
REMINDER: Hearing on "Medical Marijuana Cultivation Center and Dispensary Location Restriction Amendment Act of 2013"
On March 20, the Committee on Health is holding a public hearing on Councilmember McDuffie's Bill 20-30 the "Medical Marijuana Cultivation Center and Dispensary Location Restriction Amendment Act of 2013." This public hearing will be held in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW at 1:00 p.m.
The bill allows for five medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the city, which the Mayor may increase to eight, and calls for a limit of no more than two dispensaries per ward. In addition, the bill sets further limitations of no more than one dispensary in a ward where there are five cultivations centers registered to operate, and no more than six cultivation centers per ward.
Councilmember McDuffie would like residents from Ward 5 to testify in person or submit written testimony. Residents interested in testifying should contact Ronald King at the Committee on Health at rking@dccouncil.us or 202-741-0909. Please also inform Councilmember McDuffie's staff that you plan to testify by contacting Stephanie Liotta Atkinson at satkinson@dccouncil.us or 202-724-8918.
Committee on Government Operations Holds Hearings on Campaign Finance Reform
On March 21, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D- Ward 5), Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations, will convene a public hearing on B20-0003 The "Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform Amendment Act of 2013; and, B20-0037 the "Campaign Finance Reform, Transparency and Accountability Amendment Act of 2013." Though the measures being considered encompass more topics, this hearing will only focus on the following issue: "What, if any, appropriate restrictions should be placed on campaign contributions from contractors?"
The purpose of this hearing is to give the public the opportunity to comment on the aforementioned issue. There will be an opportunity to discuss other topics covered in the above listed measures on a later date.
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.
Announcements
DDOT Seeking Public Input on its Neighborhood Block Party Management Process
The District Department of Transportation's (DDOT) Public Space Regulations Administration (PSRA) is hosting a public meeting on March 20 to allow members of the public to comment and ask questions about its management process for neighborhood block parties.
Representatives from the Metropolitan Police Department, Fire Department, Deputy Mayor's Office for Public Safety and the PSRA team will be on hand to listen to the public and answer questions. PSRA took over the public space permitting process for neighborhood block parties nearly a year ago and is aiming to improve the process by collaborating with the community and other government agencies.
The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m., and will be held at the DDOT PSRA Permitting Center, 1100 4th Street, SW. For information about the Public Space Permits please, visit the Public Space Regulations Administration web-page or contact the Permitting Center at 202-442-4670.
DHCD to Host Final Pre-Solicitation and Capacity Building Workshop
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will host the third and final Pre-Solicitation and Capacity Building Workshop, which will provide tips on responding to the Department's request for proposals.
The workshop will begin at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 27, and will be held at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, 1100 Alabama Avenue SE. This will be the final workshop prior to the announcement of DHCD's Notice of Funding Availability in April. For more information, visit http://dhcd.dc.gov/.
Fort Totten Square Construction Job Fair
Fort Totten Square, a mixed-use project currently under construction at 300 Riggs Road, NE is seeking construction workers and will be holding a job fair on Saturday, March 23. The job fair will take place on the corner of Riggs Road and 3rd Street, NE from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The anticipated trades that will be at the fair include: mechanical, electrical, plumbing, concrete, rough carpentry, masonry and roofing/waterproofing.
Participants are encouraged to bring a resume or other documentation of work experience. For more information, please visit www.FortTottenNews.com.
**Ward 5 Events:
Councilmember McDuffie, or a member of his staff, will attend the following events:
Monday, March 18 – The Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting will take place at St. George's Episcopal Church, located at 160 U Street, NW, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19 – The Ward 5 Council on Education meeting will take place at the Lamond-Riggs Library, located at 5401 South Dakota Ave, NE, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19 – ANC 5E will hold its monthly meeting at the Summit, located at 116 T Street, NE, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20 – ANC 5C will hold its monthly meeting at the 5th District Police Station, located at 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27 – ANC 5A will hold its monthly meeting at the Potomac Lighthouse PCS, located at 4401 8th 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.
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