Dear Ward 8 Residents,

I am pleased to announce that we concluded the performance oversight hearings for the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs last week.

We carefully considered each agency's witness testimonies, requests, concerns, challenges, and triumphs during this process. Additionally, I am proud of my staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure we asked poignant questions and held agency officials accountable for quality assurance. I am committed to working on behalf of DC residents to ensure that we maximize the potential of each agency and provide the best services possible.

As we move into budget season, I met with Mayor Bowser on Monday, February 26th, to discuss the funding priorities we need in Ward 8 and citywide.

Your support and involvement are essential as we navigate these critical discussions and decisions. Please continue to share your feedback, ideas, and concerns so that we can work together to create a thriving community in Ward 8.

I remain dedicated to representing your best interests to the best of my abilities. Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility, and together, we can make a positive difference in our neighborhood.

Warm regards,

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation is excited to share with the community that Ballou Aquatic Center is now open to the public!

Ballou Aquatic Center
3401 4th Street SE | 20032
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 6 - 8 am; 5 - 9 pm
(CLOSED 8 am - 5 pm for DC Public Schools operation)

Recreation For All Community Grants
Rec for All grants provide support to programs, activities, and events that will engage youth, provide recreation opportunities, and promote skill development.
Calling All DC-based non-profits, businesses, and community organizations!
The application window for #RECforALL ([link removed][0]=AZX7UKMJMZXRuI3LwXYro9SxtXoKieFdr8iXHMhJOEhH0vCzBQBTsYpa8G7OdFP9InmEIAdcUM9h9b8tUKBoVBt3j-JaPT_2IO4TRJYKBw6UhNYbWIOHUtd8wyot6pKxsEaLZ2I5ytke9buozY64-QnW7GSxdchIOzNPVIBzQtmbUA&__tn__=*NK-R) Community Grants is open. Via @dcdpr ([link removed][0]=AT2z2HzO_ZKP_m69nSll9LlZXgEwWbiKkG92UzPfjrzLBjFERVB71M_l6EX4r6zLR7wI2jHNcHP3y2w3UnuZA_Fm3Wv3vl6HT0G4rNhNNKdMJmEkQ7begOpflb_peBC4MjGO_xFNyRDUf3dEMbmHM7j21cSA1houFzD3H7Qi_4mC6WyLneH-0w)
4 Types of 💰 #DCGrants ([link removed][0]=AZX7UKMJMZXRuI3LwXYro9SxtXoKieFdr8iXHMhJOEhH0vCzBQBTsYpa8G7OdFP9InmEIAdcUM9h9b8tUKBoVBt3j-JaPT_2IO4TRJYKBw6UhNYbWIOHUtd8wyot6pKxsEaLZ2I5ytke9buozY64-QnW7GSxdchIOzNPVIBzQtmbUA&__tn__=*NK-R)
🔹 Support
🔹 Engagement
🔹 Event and Travel
🔹 Programming
To learn more visit: [link removed]

Citywide Budget Engagement Forum #2

When: Wednesday, February 28 @ 5:30 p.m.
Where: Brookland Middle School (1150 Michigan Ave NE)
RSVP: tinyurl.com/FY25BEFBrookland ([link removed])

DDOT has served a notice of intent to ANC8F for Navy Yard Resident Feedback:

As requested from a resolution from ANC8F, DDOT has decided to convert Half Street SE between M ST SE and N Street SE to a one way. ANC8F also requested VAN Street to be one-way, but according to the TSI (Traffic Study Input) pedestrian traffic and the southeast corridor safety project, they decided to KEEP VAN ST bidirectional.

Residents will have till March 28 to submit comments. Modification will take place on or about April 29^, 2024.

[link removed]
Legislative Updates ()

This week, The Committee of the Whole held a performance oversight hearing. The oversight hearing included testimonies from the University of District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board, the State Board of Education, the Office of Student Advocate, the Ombudsman for Education, and the District of Columbia State Athletic Association. Furthermore, there was a Performance Oversight Hearing with the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety.


The Criminal Code Reform Commission and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice testified on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. In this oversight, the government witnesses discussed the changes in the agencies, including more testimonies of oversights and further drafting in the criminal code and criminal offenses.

The Council is still reviewing The Secure DC bill, which seeks to crack down on illegal gun possession, lower the bar for retail theft crimes, implement drug-free zones, expand pretrial detention for those who are charged with violent crimes, expand DNA collection from suspects, and enhance sentencing among other provisions.

Councilmember Trayon White and his team are reviewing amendments to the Secure DC bill to ensure the civil rights of the people of Ward 8. The Second Reading of the Secure DC bill will take place on March 5, 2024. If the bill passes the Second Reading, it will move to the Mayor’s office for review.

We are still in performance oversight. This week and next week, there will be daily hearings by the various committees to learn more about the agencies under their purview. This week, the COW, The Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, the Committee on Business and Economic Development, and the Committee on Housing, among other Committees, have oversight this week. You can find the calendar here ([link removed]) .
[link removed]
WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR STORIES!
Councilmember Trayon White introduced three bills to help District residents resolve motor vehicle debt and extract themselves from the punitive system created by our government to collect parking and traffic tickets.

Join Councilmember Trayon White in sharing your stories about DC parking ticket penalties, motor vehicle debt, and the challenges you face with DC's ticket collection system. Since Councilmember Allen is not listening, this is your chance to be heard through these video testimonials. Your experiences can make a difference.

Sign up to share your story here: www.tinyurl.com/parkingfeesdc

CHECK OUT THE BILLS:

"Fair Motor Vehicle Fines and Penalties Amendment Act of 2024" ([link removed]) : This bill would prohibit parking, standing, and tickets issued by automatic traffic enforcement systems from doubling after 60 or 90 days. Instead, it provides a reasonable penalty of $10 to $15 to cover the cost of debt collection.

"The Ticket Amnesty Amendment Act of 2024" ([link removed]) : This bill would authorize a 6-month period where penalties - the doubling of fees on past traffic enforcement and automatic traffic enforcement (tickets from cameras) are waived and allow residents to pay only the initial amount of the infraction during this 6-month window, and would waive penalties on any ticket issued prior to January 1, 2024.

"Motor Vehicle Registration Access Amendment Act of 2024" ([link removed]) : Allows an applicant to register a vehicle despite failure or inability to pay any unpaid debt to the District government, including traffic fines, penalties, and other debts. Under this legislation, the Mayor may limit one vehicle registered per resident for those with outstanding fines.


FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jules Jessie, 202-812-8329, [email protected]
Committee Updates ()
The Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs has completed its performance oversight season for FY24. We are now awaiting the release of the Mayor's FY25 Budget on March 20. Beginning on March 25, the Committee will begin its budget oversight season for FY25. Below is the prospective schedule for budget oversight hearings:
On Wednesday, February 28th, the Committee staffers will join Councilmember White and the executive team at DPR on a visit to the historic Alexander Crummell School, the site for the new Crummell Recreation Center, in Ivy City in Ward 5.
Mommas Safe Haven hosts its DC's Youth Got Talent Black History Showcase at THEARC Theater.

February 26, 2024
Councilmember White joined Mommas Safe Haven ([link removed]) in celebration of 10 years of service at its DC's Youth Got Talent Black History Showcase. For a decade, Beverly Smith and her team have been phenomenal with youth development. In several communities, they have given a platform for youth to be creative and express their many talents.
Hands on Heart Training Program aims to bridge the healthcare gap east of the river.

February 24, 2024

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Metro DC Chapter organized a Hands-on-Heart CPR Training event at the Anacostia Library. Councilmember Trayon White was invited to extend greetings to the participants. While there, Councilmember White took the opportunity to undergo a high-pressure reading, with the results indicating normal levels. As we observe Heart Health Awareness Month, it is essential to prioritize regular health checkups to maintain overall well-being.
MPD's Cadet Program is looking for DC residents ages 17-24 to join its program.

February 27, 2024

Councilmember Trayon White's Constituent Services team attended the Anacostia Coordinating Council meeting, where they had the pleasure to speak with Damon Johnson, who is the Program Coordinator for DC's Metropolitan Police Department's (MPD) Cadet program.

The MPD is currently looking for DC residents aged between 17-24 who are interested in becoming a cadet. Youth can start the cadet program as early as their junior year in high school.

The starting wage for high school Cadet Corps participants is $18.01, and the starting salary for the Cadet Corps is $37,626. This position comes with various benefits such as College Tuition for an Associate Degree in police enforcement, you will be paid while in school as well. Benefits include, dental, vision, paid holidays, medical care and more. If you are interested, you can contact Damon Johnson via email at [email protected] or via telephone at 202-715-7367.
Informative and heated conversations take place in Ward 8 regarding the Secure DC bill.

February 21, 2024

MPD's 7th District Citizens Advisory Council, Councilmembers Brooke Pinto and Kenyan McDuffie, and Commander Makal of 7th District held a community meeting regarding the Secure DC legislation to discuss components of the bill. Councilmember Trayon White attended the meeting to provide opening remarks.

Although it became a heated discussion at times, it was very informative, and passion filled the conversation.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE: [link removed]


** Quick Links
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* Check out the 2020 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Check out the 2021 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Check out the 2022 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Visit our website NEW WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION ([link removed])
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Council of the District of Columbia . 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW . Suite 400 . Washington, DC 20004 . USA