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Ward 3 Update:
Dear Neighbors,
Recent newsletters have largely focused on the return to school and the District's COVID-19 metrics (if you missed Monday's note on schools, it is available: here), so today I would like to share an update on the upcoming redistricting process, non-coronavirus agency updates, and special community events in Ward 3. While those items are listed further on in this update, here I would like to talk about an important change in ticketing policy just announced by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT).
To provide some background, two weeks ago I held a site visit at a recently reactivated stop sign camera at the intersection of 37th Street and Whitehaven Parkway NW. Many neighbors may be familiar with this particular camera, as it has issued nearly $1 million worth in fines since being reactivated in March of this year—with many drivers receiving multiple tickets before even receiving notice of their first infraction. This circumstance is very frustrating, not only because it gives the impression that the camera is simply a revenue generator, eroding the public's trust in government, but because the conditions in which that camera was operating did not improve public safety at the intersection.
Speeding and red light/stop sign violations are exceptionally dangerous, and studies show us that it is the certainty of enforcement that results in driver compliance and enhanced safety conditions. That means providing adequate signage, clearly painted lines, properly calibrated cameras, and immediate indicators to the driver that there has been a violation (such as a light flash and/or the prompt notice of a fine). In this circumstance, drivers who were rolling through that stop sign would continue to roll through that stop sign for as many days or weeks as it took to receive the mailed citation.
This is not an issue isolated to this particular camera, and I have been calling for a two week warning period prior to issuing citations whenever a new camera is installed or upgraded. And today I received confirmation from DDOT's Director Lott that he would be implementing this policy effective October 1st. He also noted a number of other upcoming improvements at this particular site, such as additional signage and road paint. I'm very glad that DDOT has adopted this policy, especially ahead of the additional camera deployments scheduled for the next fiscal year. Ultimately, we can have strict automated traffic enforcement while also being fair.
Regards,
Mary
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World Trade Center Steel Now Part of the District |
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The piece of steel beam pictured left was recovered from the World Trade Center after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Today, it will be installed outside the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Training Academy as a permanent symbol of the sacrifice and selfless heroism of our first responders on that day and every day since.
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A very special 'thank you' to Vito Maggiolo of FEMS who worked tirelessly to bring this piece of World Trade Center steel to the District |
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Enjoy Art All Night in Ward 3! - The District's free overnight arts festival is back in-person this year! Art All Night will take place this Friday and Saturday across sixteen neighborhoods that will feature visual and performing arts, painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, dance, theater, film, and poetry.
There will be plenty of events for families and adults and three Ward 3 neighborhoods will be participating this year. Art All Night is also a perfect opportunity to support our local businesses and beloved neighborhood restaurants.
Celebrate Art All Night in Ward 3:
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Van Ness - Friday, September 24th - 5:00 pm to Midnight |
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Van Ness Main Street's Art All Night 2021 will include caricature artists, Flamenco dance, a pop up gallery and more all along Connecticut Ave in Van Ness, Forest Hills & Wakefield.
Click HERE for the Full Schedule
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Glover Park - Friday, September 24th - 6:00 pm to Midnight |
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The Glover Park Main Street is celebrating Art All Night with live music, a wing eating contest, upcycled art, jewelry, crafts, rosé tastings, and more!
Click HERE for the Full Schedule
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Tenleytown - Saturday, September 25th - 7:00 pm to Midnight |
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Spaces throughout Tenleytown will transform into silent discos, interactive art exhibits, and performances spaces featuring more than 150 local visual and performing artists.
Click HERE for the Full Schedule
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Visitor Parking Passes Extended Through the End of 2021 |
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Update from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) - Previously set to expire on September 30th, 2021, the 2020 Annual Visitor Parking passes will now remain valid until January 2022.
DDOT recently launched a new ParkDC Permits online portal in the effort to reduce instances of fraud and the selling of visitor parking passes. Unfortunately, the proposal has proven to be quite difficult for residents, because it involved printing out a pass each and every time it was need. There are many practical problems with this requirement. Councilmember Cheh has asked that DDOT go back to the drawing board to work out a better proposal and, in the meantime, delay the implementation of the new program. DDOT has agreed to this and extended the 2020 passes through the end of 2021.
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Redistricting to Begin this Month |
Redistricting in DC - The District's Ward, ANC, and SMD boundaries are informed by the results of the the US Census and, now that preliminary census data has been released, the District is gearing up to begin our local redistricting process. The basis of the redistricting process is to ensure that each Ward has generally the same population size, plus/minus 5%.
The map below details the population change by Ward from 2010 through 2020:
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As you can see, Ward growth has varied drastically. While Ward 3 grew by 8.1% in the past ten years, Ward 6 has grown by nearly 42%. Given the District's current population of 689,545 residents, the average population per Ward should be adjusted to around 86,193 people, plus/minus 5%. With this number in mind, Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 all fall within the acceptable population range. Ward 6 is above the range and Wards 7 and 8 are below it, meaning that Ward 6 must shrink in size while Wards 7 and 8 must grow.
The Ward boundary redistricting process will generally follow the timeline below:
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September 29th - The first public hearing by the Council's special Subcommittee on Redistricting will be held (please click here for hearing details)
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Late September-Early October - Redistricting Map Training - The DC Office of Planing (OP) has launched redistricting mapping website to enable residents to map out new boundaries to be submitted for official consideration. A series of trainings will be held to teach residents how to navigate/use the mapping portal
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October - Public hearings on each Ward boundary
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Late October - A final public hearing for outstanding Ward boundary issues
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Late November - The Subcommittee marks up the Ward redistricting legislation
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December 7th - 1st Council vote on the Ward redistricting legislation
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December 21st - 2nd Council vote on the Ward redistricting legislation
Once the Ward boundaries are set, the ANC boundary redistricting process will begin:
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December 2021 - Ward task forces are assembled to evaluate ANC boundaries
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February 2022 - Ward task forces submit their recommendations
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March - April, 2022 - Public Hearings will be held on ANC boundaries
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May 2022 - The Subcommittee marks up the ANC redistricting legislation
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June 2022 - The Council votes on ANC redistricting legislation
My colleague Councilmember Elissa Silverman is the Chair of the special Subcommittee on Redistricting. If you have any specific process questions for the committee, please reach out to [email protected].
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In Case You Missed It: A Potential Return for the Uptown Theater |
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From Urban Turf - Landmark Theatres in Talks to Reopen DC's Uptown Theater
DC's most iconic movie theater may be on the verge of coming back to life...
"Landmark is in preliminary talks about operating the Uptown," Michael Fant, vice president of real estate and development, told UrbanTurf. "We are currently looking at the potential for reopening the theater."
Built in 1936, the 800-seat Uptown Theater closed in March 2020 as operator AMC's lease came to an end.
Read the Full Story
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Help Spread the News: DC Ivory Sales to End October 1st |
Upcoming Animal Advocacy Event - Next month, Councilmember Cheh's Elephant Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Trafficking Prohibition Act goes into effect, banning sale of ivory and rhino horn in the District of Columbia. While there are some narrowly tailored exemptions that would permit a sale, such as an antique that is documented to be over 100 years old where ivory constitutes 20% or less of the piece, this is a momentous step in eliminating one of the largest ivory markets in the United States.
It is imperative that businesses become aware of the new restrictions that will be in effect on October 1st, and DC Voters for Animals is coordinating an Ivory Walk to local antique stores to help spread the news among potential local sellers:
What: Ivory Walk to End Wildlife Trafficking
When: October 1st, 5PM
Where: Meet in front of the Pinstripes, Georgetown
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Ending this Update on a Happy Note:
Spotlight on a Woodley Park Business - Lebanese Taverna Steps Up for Afghan Refugees
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From The Washington City Paper - Feeding Arriving Afghans Was an Easy Decision for Lebanese Taverna Family
"When word came that thousands of Afghan refugees would be landing at Dulles in late August after their country fell to the Taliban, World Central Kitchen mobilized to make sure those reaching the U.S. after a harrowing journey would be greeted with a hot meal. The nonprofit’s first call was to Grace Abi-Najm Shea, one of five siblings behind Lebanese Taverna.
Having collaborated with Lebanese Taverna previously, WCK Chef Tim Kilcoyne wanted to know if their team could produce 1,000 meals within a couple of hours. “We rallied the troops and got a couple hundred meals from each of our locations and delivered them,” Abi-Najm Shea says. “It was a no-brainer.”
Abi-Najm Shea spent the next two weeks elbow deep in pots of lamb, rice, and spinach, rising as early as 6 a.m. After packing meals that WCK will reimburse, she ferried them to the airport. Of the 61,298 meals WCK served there between Aug. 25 and Sept. 10, 5,037 came from Lebanese Taverna."
Read the Full Story
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Our Office is Open!
Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.
You may continue to reach us via phone through our main line at (202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services requests.
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