Dear Neighbors,

I hope you enjoy the new format for our Ward 3 Updates. My goal is to make these updates easier to read so that you can get the information you need quickly, and so that my office can include more events and reminders useful to Ward 3 and beyond. We have added a section for helpful reminders applying to Ward 3 residents as well as space for events submitted by you, my neighbors. Please let me know what you think!

Humane Hero Award

Earlier this month I was honored to receive the Humane Hero Award from the Washington Humane Society at their 10th Annual Sugar and Champagne Affair event. The award was given to recipients for their commitment to end animal cruelty and pet homelessness, and I am happy that I have been able to do so serving on the Council. This year’s event was the largest, and most attended in its history (even our four-legged friends were present), and all the funds raised will be used to help Washington Humane Society complete its mission of being a voice for the District's animals. 

Roundtable on PEPCO Response to the January 26th Snowstorm

As you may know, the reliability of the District's electric grid has been a major concern of mine. This past Friday, I participated in the Council's roundtable to discuss PEPCO's response to the January 26th snowstorm. At the roundtable I asked PEPCO and the Public Service Commission about the inadequate restoration time during and after January’s storm and PEPCO’s poor reliability ratings over the past five years.Nationwide, PEPCO ranks in the lowest quartile of reliability measures.

In January, I introduced the Reliable Service Amendment Act of 2011 to demand reliable electric service for District residents. If enacted, the legislation would establish reliability performance standards and authorize the Commission to impose penalties on utilities that fail to meet those standards.

Video of the hearing: Part 1, Part 2.

Funding Approved for Janney Underground Parking Garage

As one of the District’s premier public schools, Janney Elementary School in Tenleytown is experiencing sustained enrollment growth. To accommodate all of the in-boundary students who wish to attend Janney and to provide a first class environment for our students to learn, the District is modernizing Janney’s existing facility and building a 36,000 square foot addition. To ensure that Janney students have sufficient play space, the District has designed a parking garage to be built underneath Janney’s new artificial turf field. Over the past few weeks, I have been working hard to secure the additional $4.1 million needed for this garage and I am pleased that the Council voted to approve it this week. Janney’s modernization project is on-schedule to be completed in August 2010 and I look forward to celebrating the opening of the newly modernized Janney this summer.

Upcoming Events

February 25: Deadline to Order a Personalized Paver to Support Wilson High

Did you miss the December deadline to place an order for a Wilson personalized paver? Good News! The building contractors for the new Wilson have agreed to a brief window of opportunity to place new paver orders. These personalized pavers will be permanently set around the new entryway at Wilson during the current renovations. This would make a GREAT gift for your favorite past, present, or future Wilson Tiger.  Don’t forget to order one for your 2011 Wilson Graduate! For a donation of $100 you can purchase a 4" x 8" paver to commemorate your Wilson student, favorite teacher, club, sport, or group of friends. Proceeds will support the PTSA-led Woodrow Wilson High School $75,000 Capital Campaign celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Wilson. Order forms are available at www.wilsonhs.org (link on lower right hand side of page under “Latest Files”). The deadline for all new orders is Friday, February 25, 2011. Questions? Contact Beth Van Hanswyk at bvanhanswyk[at]yahoo[dot]com.

February 27: Chat with Cheh

Please join me on Sunday, February 27, 11:30-1PM at Cosi (5252 Wisconsin Ave NW) for my regular Chat with Cheh. I would like to hear from you, and I will also have members of my staff present to provide assistance if you are facing a difficulty with a District agency.

March 3: Winter Constituent Services Fundraiser

On March 3, 2011, at 6:30PM I will host my winter Constituent Services Fundraiser at Ireland’s Four Fields Restaurant and Pub at 3412 Connecticut Ave NW. Click here to RSVP and I look forward to seeing you!

March 8: DC Water Town Hall Meeting

A number of residents have recently asked questions regarding your water, so DC Water General Manager George Hawkins and I are co-hosting a town hall meeting to talk about water projects and other issues. The meeting will be Tuesday, March 8th, 2011, from 6:30-8:00PM at the Windows Lounge on the University of the District of Columbia campus (Building 38, 2nd Floor). Please join us to talk about water rates, drinking water, infrastructure, clean rivers, billing issues, job opportunities and more. You can even RSVP to the meeting via Facebook.

Reminders

• March 13th - Daylight Savings Time Begins: At 2:00 AM turn your clocks and watches ahead to 3:00 AM
• April 18th - Tax Deadline this year: you will have until April 18th to file your Federal and District Taxes