Two Petworth parents advocate for more DPR swim lessons

Two Petworth parents advocate for more DPR swim lessons

As every parent who has ever tried to sign their child up for DPR swim lessons knows, it’s next to impossible. In Ward 4, DPR lessons are only offered at Takoma Rec Center, not at Roosevelt High School nor at any outdoor pools like Upshur.

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Voice your opinion on the redistricting of ANC and SMD boundaries this Sunday

Voice your opinion on the redistricting of ANC and SMD boundaries this Sunday

The DC Council will host nine meetings on redistricting of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and their Single Member Districts. You can register to speak at an upcoming public meeting.

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What do you want to ask the 2020 Ward 4 Council candidates?

What do you want to ask the 2020 Ward 4 Council candidates?

Petworth News will be interviewing each candidate for Ward 4 Council, and you get the opportunity to submit questions for the interview. This year there are currently three candidates vying for the Ward 4 seat: incumbent Brandon Todd, Janeese Lewis George, and Marlena Edwards.

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Councilmember’s Corner: Let kids play – save parent play groups!

Councilmember’s Corner: Let kids play – save parent play groups!

On Thursday, October 31st, the Council’s Committee on Education held a public hearing on the Parent-led Play Cooperative Amendment Act of 2018. This legislation, temporarily enacted in emergency form last month, would fully exempt parent-led play co-ops from the regulatory requirements imposed on formal child care facilities. I voiced my full and enthusiastic support for the legislation. We cannot allow this critical service for families to be regulated out of existence.

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Councilmember’s Corner: Addressing maternal mental health disorders 

Councilmember’s Corner: Addressing maternal mental health disorders 

One significant but often overlooked component of maternal and infant well-being is mental health. According to the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, at least 20% of mothers suffer from pregnant and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.

After studying the problem more closely, I knew something had to be done. I am proud to report that legislation I introduced in 2017 to improve maternal mental healthcare has recently become official law in the District of Columbia.

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Councilmember’s Corner: Protecting immigrants from extortion

Councilmember’s Corner: Protecting immigrants from extortion

I am making a concerted effort to double down on our sanctuary city policies and reaffirm that all people, regardless of immigration status, are welcome and worthy of protection in the District of Columbia.    

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Councilmember’s Corner: 2019 budget wins (education, public safety & more)

Councilmember’s Corner: 2019 budget wins (education, public safety & more)

From education and recreation, to public safety, to human services, housing, infrastructure, and beyond, this budget makes the strategic investments necessary to build a thriving, safe, and inclusive District.

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Councilmember’s Corner: Giving blind and visually-impaired students a fair shot

Councilmember’s Corner: Giving blind and visually-impaired students a fair shot

Earlier this month, after meeting with members of the Ward 4 and DC blind community, I introduced legislation that would improve Braille education for blind and vision-impaired students in DC public and public charter schools.

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Councilmember's Corner: Calling on Maryland & Virginia to join DC’s full assault weapons ban

Councilmember's Corner: Calling on Maryland & Virginia to join DC’s full assault weapons ban

While the District remains a leader in gun control, boasting some of the nation’s strictest gun laws, a gaping and deadly systemic flaw remains – assault weapons illegally brought into DC from other states with looser restrictions. To address this, I introduced a “Sense of the Council” Resolution earlier this month calling on Virginia and Maryland to join the District of Columbia in fully banning assault-style weapons.

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Councilmember's Corner: Petworth Community Market needs your support

Councilmember's Corner: Petworth Community Market needs your support

Last year, the Petworth Community Market came to me with an urgent concern. Due to a District-wide increase in parking meter fees, the Market faces an 800% increase in their meter costs that threatens the sustainability of their future operations.

As soon as I heard, I knew I had to act, and I'm asking for your help.

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Councilmember's Corner: Net Neutrality in the District

Councilmember's Corner: Net Neutrality in the District

Last week at City Hall, I chaired a Public Roundtable on the subject of Net Neutrality. The goal of the roundtable was to better inform District residents on what net neutrality is and what the repeal might mean for customers, students, and small businesses. We heard testimony from a number of witnesses, including members of the public, subject matter experts from a range of institutions, and government officials.

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Several Petworth businesses push back on DC Council over Shell gas station moratorium

Several Petworth businesses push back on DC Council over Shell gas station moratorium

The Shell gas station at the corner of Georgia Avenue, Upshur Street and Kansas Avenue has been the subject of recent press due to the moratorium on the sale of service stations in DC. A group of Petworth business owners have sent a letter to the DC Council in support of the redevelopment to create more housing density in the neighborhood.

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Councilmember’s Corner:  Protecting your internet privacy rights

Councilmember’s Corner:  Protecting your internet privacy rights

As more and more of our personal and professional lives are centered around the internet, privacy protection has become an issue at the heart of life in a digitally-connected era. It is imperative we have robust protections in place, and a new bill in front of the DC Council sees to that. 

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DC animal welfare laws strengthened as Momma's Law passes DC Council unanimously

DC  animal welfare laws strengthened as Momma's Law passes DC Council unanimously

Momma's Law, otherwise known as the Standard of Care for Animals Amendment Act of 2017, passed the DC Council today with a unanimous vote, ensuring stricter animal welfare laws in the District.

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