This week, a select group of Arlington Democratic party members will choose a nominee for the seat formerly held by Erik Gutshall. We recommend eligible party insiders select Takis Karantonis as their first choice and then Nicole Merlene or Chanda Choun as second and third choices in the ranked-choice ballot.
By Alex Baca (Housing Program Organizer) • May 4, 2020
On Thursday, May 7, a select group of Arlington County Democratic party members will choose a candidate to represent their party in a July special election to replace former supervisor Erik Gutshall. Candidates Chanda Choun, Barbara Kanninen, Nicole Merlene, and Takis Karantonis are all running for the seat.
Since the first “modern” DC public school was built in 1864, and promptly named for the mayor who built it, the public school and charter school systems have named 255 schools for individual people. Among them are 32 known slave owners, 10 former slaves, 10 abolitionists, 2 people who joined the Confederacy, 17 civil rights leaders, 26 presidents and 32 mayors or other city officials.
By David Alpert (Executive Director) • May 4, 2020
A little over a month ago, GGWash had to postpone our annual birthday party. At the time, it was an extremely difficult choice, but we at GGWash are all grateful we opted to be cautious and didn’t put our community’s health at risk. I am thrilled to announce that despite the unexpected change of plans, you all rallied behind us and we raised $26,024 as part of our annual birthday drive.
By Wyatt Gordon (Virginia Correspondent) • May 4, 2020
After a whirlwind General Assembly session during which the Virginia legislature reviewed thousandsmorebills than ever before, Governor Ralph Northam finally had his chance to weigh in. See how his amendments will impact transit for the state and the region.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam expects “Phase 1” of the commonwealth’s easing of restrictions will likely begin on Friday, May 15 and said his stay-at-home order will become a “safer at home” recommendation. Virginia will publish guidelines for industries like restaurants, retail, fitness, personal care and grooming, and entertainment. (ARLnow)
In response to activists calling on legislators to cancel rent during the pandemic, DC Councilmember Mary Cheh (Ward 3) is sponsoring emergency legislation that would require residential and commercial landlords to work out rent repayment plans with tenants who are struggling during the crisis. (Ally Schweitzer / WAMU)
The Maryland Department of Transportation will begin construction on a bike lane and narrower travel lanes on a one-mile stretch in Bethesda of Maryland Route 187, also known as Old Georgetown Road. This follows two separate incidents in 2019 where drivers struck and killed two teenage bicyclists along this section of road. (Brandon Millman / WTOP)
Doctors at DC hospitals have noticed fewer patients filling cardiac wards and other treatment wings as more deaths occurred in private residences and other buildings, including nursing homes, and outdoors. Between March 1 through April 15, 138 people were pronounced dead on the scene, a 74% increase over the same period in 2019. (Peter Hermann / Post)
In DC’s Edgewood neighborhood, a developer applied to add a 151-unit building to the southwest corner of the 792-unit Edgewood Commons community. The new units would be available to people aged 60 and older and earning up to 60% of the median family income. (Nena Perry-Brown / Urban Turf)
An architectural firm applied for a historic preservation review to retrofit 1318 9th Street with nine apartments and office space. Lift Lounge, an event space for legal cannabis gifting, currently operates at this address. (Nena Perry-Brown / Urban Turf)
Although cities can learn from this pandemic experience, it’s important to generalize the lessons to better prepare for all types of risks and strengthen the resilience of communities, health, and physical infrastructure. (Todd Litman / Planetizen)
