Friend --

Will someone please tell me where has the Fall gone? I feel like I blinked and we went from Labor Day to Thanksgiving. Anyway, before everyone turns to family and turkey (or maybe Tofurkey?) and hopefully a chance to rest over Thanksgiving, I wanted to share a quick update ahead of the holiday. Jumping right in: 

The Brickies are Next Thursday: If you haven't already, please RSVP and plan to join me at our 2019 Brickie Awards next Thursday evening at DC Water's beautiful new headquarters right on the waterfront. If you haven't been, it's a free party open to Ward 6 residents where we take time to recognize and honor Ward 6 neighbors, businesses, and community organizations that have helped make our community special. It's a great time and our annual get-together. Over 200 people are already RSVP’d for our annual holiday party! Don't miss it!

100 Units of Permanent Supportive Housing Coming to Hill East: Last week, the Council voted unanimously to approve a contract bringing 100 units of Permanent Supportive Housing to Reservation 13, which is good news. We need to be building more housing at all income levels. What was incredibly frustrating for neighbors and me was the complete lack of communication around the project, which was modified in October to add in 25 more affordable homes and shift to a specific model called Permanent Supportive Housing. If you want to know more about it, I posted a long Facebook message before the vote. Needless to say, I expect communication to improve moving forward as District agencies must recognize they need to involve neighbors in the process from the beginning. Still, I fully support this plan now that everyone has been briefed and believe it will provide an important home to many neighbors as we finally see Reservation 13 start to be built out.

Ward 6 Public Safety Meeting: I want to thank the many Ward 6 neighbors who carved out an evening to roll up sleeves and discuss public safety. As I floated between different break-out sessions, the conversations were diving into the details on everything from creating avenues for kids to get to and from school safely to supporting vulnerable people in violence interruption to ways to empower our returning citizens so they can contribute to our community. I said at the beginning of the night that I wanted this to be a different public safety meeting. It feels overly broad to say that public safety is a complex challenge, but that's the truth. There are a lot of folks working and we have to be able to push on many fronts at the same time. I appreciate the chance to have some bigger conversations with Ward 6 neighbors on how those efforts are going and what more can be done. If you'd like to review the presentation I made at the beginning of the night, you can find it here. 

Related: This Post report on how 1 in 3 DC residents have experienced gun violence or know someone who has demonstrates why we have to start viewing gun violence as a public health crisis.

Getting a Ward 6 Senior a Warmer Home in time for Thanksgiving: Last week, a senior resident living in Ward 6 reached out for help heating her home after her furnace stopped working. Being on a fixed income, she couldn't afford the prices being quoted to her for a replacement panel. Thankfully, she gave our office a call. My constituent services team was able to quickly connect with a program at the Department of Energy and the Environment, including helping ensure she was qualified and marked as such in the system. We just got word this week that she's scheduled to receive a new furnace and panel. I'm incredibly thankful for all involved to make it happen so fast with cold temperatures always around the corner. 

Oversight on the city's failed response to the Kennedy Street Fire: In my role as Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, I held a joint oversight hearing with Chairmen Phil Mendelson to look at the many ways the city failed a family living in a dangerous home before and after a deadly fire broke out. We're going to get this fixed.

No One Has Oversight of Metro Transit Police. That's a Problem: I also held a joint oversight hearing with Councilmember Robert White to look at Metro Transit Police's practices, particularly when interacting with communities of color. The hearing was called following a troubling interaction along U Street that was the latest in a series of violent stops. One thing most people don't realize - because WMATA is a tri-jurisdictional authority, no state legislators have oversight of its police department, which is problematic because there's almost no way for residents to have their voice and concerns heard. Even worse, when there's an incident, WMATA's unique compact limits the damages a victim can seek, which limits accountability. Still, I am thankful to MTPD Chief Ron Pavlik for being part of the conversation. Greater Greater Washington has more on what the hearing revealed.

Related: I wrote a letter to WMATA urging them not to sacrifice headways and bus frequency if they extend the 74 bus in Southwest to Audi Field. We need to do both and not cut service for Southwest residents who depend on the bus daily. GGW analyzes the issue.

Tyler Elementary Has a Fun New Playground: Last weekend, we celebrated a new playground at Tyler Elementary School by breaking in the swings and testing out the slides. This was something I worked to fund in the budget two years ago, knowing Tyler students and the surrounding neighborhood needed a good playground that brings the community together. A big thanks to the Tyler parent leaders that helped raise this issue and work with us to deliver on a great new playground! If you have the chance, stop by soon before it gets too chilly!  

Small Business Saturday is This Saturday: This Saturday is Small Business Saturday - a growing national movement to recognize the vital role our small and local businesses play in our communities. Of course, Ward 6 knows that already because Ward 6 our local shops! Still, it's tough to be a small and local business in the District -- which is why I introduced two bills that would make it easier to do business here. Still, I want to plug that Small Business Saturday can mean some great deals if you're looking to shop for the holidays or just get something for yourself. Be sure to check out special promotions being run by Shaw Main Streets, Eastern Market Main Street's The Holly Days, or just head out and see what you find. Please #ShopLocal!

Expansive Rights for Survivors and Victims of Sexual Violence Signed Into Law: Earlier this month, the Council unanimously passed a major bill I helped shepherd through that dramatically expands the rights victims and survivors of sexual assault have. It’s survivor-focused reform that ensures there is no wrong door for someone that has experienced sexual violence and needs help. Yesterday, the Mayor signed it into law. This law gives more victims the ability to have control in the aftermath of a sexual assault and throughout the process. It expands where they can receive that support. At its core, the law requires a "victim advocate" be made available to any all survivors age 13 and up. This advocate helps ensure the victim understands their options independent of any criminal proceedings. You can read more in the Post. 

Interested in the Future of Eastern Market? There's a strategic plan underway now to plan for the future of our great Eastern Market and ensure it remains competitive in the future and true to its history. You can follow along here and learn more about getting involved.  

No, the Nats Winning Does Not Mean We Should Build An NFL Stadium at RFK: WAMU did a story looking at what, if anything, changed in how people feel about stadiums and neighborhoods after the Nationals won the World Series. Of course, there's a world of difference in how active Nats Park is compared to any NFL stadium, so my stance remains pretty clear: Hail No!

Related: Post poll finds majority support an NFL stadium, but fewer support using tax dollars or using public land...such as RFK? I think when more residents understand the trade-offs an NFL stadium would demand, that support will keep dropping. 

I Went Camping on Kingman Island: It was great and WAMU tagged along. Hopefully more of this to come!

Two Bills to Help Native American Residents Preserve Their Heritage: November is Native American Heritage Month and to mark it, I introduced two bills that would help preserve their heritage. First, I think Native Americans should be able to list their tribal affiliation on their birth certificated. And second, I think DC should honor a fishing agreement dating back to 1666. More from DCist.

Final Office Hours of 2019: I'll be holding one more office hours this year at Lot 38 in Capitol Riverfront/ Navy Yard. Stop by and let's chat about the neighborhood. 

Finally, I hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving - if you're traveling today, be safe. And as always, thanks for reading.

Charles Allen

P.S. - I'm serious, don't forget to RSVP for The Brickies right now! It'll sneak up on you otherwise.