DCCA and Single Homelessness in Dupont Circle – Request for Volunteers
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There are systemic problems in DC’s housing policies and social support systems which leave an increasing number of single people, disproportionately elderly and of color, homeless and unsheltered on the streets of our neighborhood. The situation is increasingly dire. The pandemic is threatening the lives of the single homeless, threatening them on the streets and it is threatening them in the shelters. Recent reports are highlighting that the infection rate in this population is horrendous. At the same time, frustration about the growth in encampments is stretching the patience of local residents leading to political pressure for removal of encampments. Both of these crises will be magnified by the imminent ending of the DC emergency moratorium on evictions.
DCCA's new Board members Nick Manning and Tim Norman, together with DCCA President Glenn Engelmann, have volunteered to form a DCCA committee to consider whether and how DCCA could usefully assist in mitigating the crises confronting single homeless people in DC and in our neighborhood in particular.
Nick, Tim, and Glenn have been discussing the challenge with local organizations and reviewing the rather voluminous array of DC reports. Their tentative objective is to develop some community-based proposals for a way forward for ending single homelessness.
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ANC2B Votes to Support 17th And 20th Street Bike Lanes
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ANC2B voted to approve the 20th Street NW DDOT NOI with a proposal for a temporary extension north of Massachusetts Ave. DCCA was supportive of the NOI and ANC's decision.
With respect to 17th Street, over the objections of DCCA and others, the ANC voted to support DDOT's NOI with several requested modifications. The ANC rejected requests to delay the process to allow for more time for public input and serious consideration of the impact of the pandemic on how best to configure this important neighborhood gathering center. We are disappointed in the ANC's decision to support a flawed plan in the hope that perhaps a few of the many glaring issues might be addressed during the compressed timeline established to finalize the plan. DCCA will be submitting comments to DDOT and will share the principals for those comments with the membership for comment in the next week or so.
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Upcoming DCCA Member Social Hour:
Dupont History
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DCCA Members will soon receive an invitation to our next videochat social hour.
The member-only invite for the
July 16th
online gathering will arrive by email. This evening event will feature a special presentation on the History of Dupont Circle and will include a shared and free flowing conversation about Dupont's buildings, artists, authors, and political activists.
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Interested in joining DCCA? For a modest members fee you will gain access to members-only programming, events, discounts, special news alerts and the opportunity to vote on DCCA measures.
The fee also supports the technology we use to update the neighborhood with this online newsletter, gardening supplies to upkeep public spaces, community grants to support neighborhood work, and the other supplies and services required for our all volunteer Board to carry out the important advocacy work that helps make Dupont a special place to live.
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The pandemic caused many of us to adapt our 4th of July traditions in order to safely enjoy the holiday while maintaining social distance. For those who missed the fireworks display on the national mall,
DCCA member Phil Carney has shared some truly impressive photos of the show. DCCA hopes all of you had a happy and healthy Independence Day.
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DC COVID-19 Updates and Response
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As always you can find the DC Government's COVID-19 informational update
here.
The page contains continually updated news, resources, testing sites and data on the public health emergency.
- They Mayor's July 8 Situational Update can be found here.
The testing curve has flattened but the virus has not been eradicated. Click
here to see the update and review the reminders on remaining vigilant with safety guidelines.
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DCCA Pocket Park Dedication in Memory of Ellen McDougall
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The acts of caring for our neighborhood often go without recognition but on a sunny spring day in May DCCA honored
Ellen McDougall a Dupont resident who spent time creating a beautiful green space in a small pocket park. With each colorful bloom, Ellen's care touches Dupont residents in a quiet and special way.
Owen, Ellen's nephew who lives in Dupont Circle in a building that overlooks the garden shared some thoughts on Ellen's contribution:
"Ellen believed in the power of beautiful public spaces. Working in the Freedom Garden plot on T Street was her favorite way to unwind while giving back to her neighborhood.
In early work with DC's Department of Parks and Recreation and later as a city planner for the General Services Administration she worked to commemorate public spaces. She would be touched beyond measure to know that there is a remembrance of her at Freedom Garden."
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Thank you Ellen -- we are grateful and proud to honor you and carry on the work you began.
You are missed but not forgotten.
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And we continue to honor the work that DCCA volunteers do in maintaining green space and beautifying our neighborhood today.
Thank you to the garden leaders
Phil Carney, Kathy Davin, Robin Diener,
Phil Jones,
Marcy Logan and the architect and caretaker of the gorgeous pocket park that now bears Ellen's name,
Rebecca Martin. And thank you to the countless helpers who come by to water, weed, and plant.
Like gardens, neighborhoods thrive when we work together -- we encourage you to join in to volunteer and/or to be mindful of the ways we can all look out and care for our shared spaces. For more information about helping send an
email to DCCA.
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Sure you know the off the beaten path treasures like the Einstein Memorial, Hillwood Estates or a favorite nook in Rock Creek park to read a book without urban traffic. But do you
really know your stuff?
Kick back and
take the
Washingtonian
's Big DC Quiz on your next lunch break to test your local chops!
Click
here to test your DC smarts.
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How to Become
an ANC Commissioner:
Petitions Now Available
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Your Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC)
provides people with a greater say in the matters that affect their neighborhoods, to bring government closer to the people and to bring the people closer to government. ANCs are a unique feature of the District's Home Rule Charter since 1976.
Dupont Circle is represented by ANC2B with nine Commissioners. Each Commissioner has a Single Member District (SMD) and represents about 2,000 residents. Corcoran Street NW neighbor Susan Meehan served on the first Dupont Circle ANC. The Ward 2 ANC map can be viewed
here
.
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners
are non-partisan, serve two-year terms without pay and are elected at DC Elections in November in even-numbered years.
The ANCs' main job is to be their neighborhood's official voice in advising the District government (and Federal agencies) on things that affect their neighborhoods. Although not required to follow the ANCs' advice, District agencies are required to give the ANCs' recommendations
"great weight"
on certain issues.
Moreover, District law says that agencies cannot take any action that will significantly affect a neighborhood unless they give the affected ANCs 30 days advance notice. This includes zoning, streets, recreation, education, social services, sanitation, planning, safety, budget, and health services. The ANCs may also initiate recommendations for improving city services, conduct neighborhood improvement programs, and monitor resident complaints.
--
Qualifications:
To have your name on the November 3, 2020 ballot you must be a registered voter and
have lived in your Single Member District (SMD) for 60 days prior to turning in your nomination petition. The deadline for turning in your petition this year is Wednesday, August 5th, 2020 t
herefore you must have begun living in your SMD no later than June 6th, 2020. The petitions are now available at
dcboe.org
.
Because of covid-19 there will be a different procedure this year for nomination petitions. Instead of requiring the signatures of 25 other registered voters of your SMD, only 10 will be required. Petitions will also be available electronically, and they may be turned in electronically. More information on these procedures will be on the Board of Elections website (
dcboe.org
) once they are available.
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D.C. Reports Highest Number Of New COVID-19 Cases In Nearly A Month -
LINK
Dockless Electric Bikes Are Coming To Capital Bikeshare This Week -
LINK
D.C. Council raises gas and other taxes, rejects tax increase on wealthy, during first budget vote -
LINK
Here is the Nationals 2020 schedule for a shortened 60-game season -
LINK
Beefsteak has closed in Dupont Circle -
LINK
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Membership runs through the calendar year.
DCCA membership is open to residents, businesses and supporters of the Dupont Circle neighborhood according to the Association's Bylaws.
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Dupont Circle Citizens Association | info@dupont-circle.org | www.dupont-circle.org
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