Thank you to everyone who stopped by the H Street Festival, Barracks Row Festival, or our Evening Office Hours over the last week or so! It's always a lot of fun to be able to talk with neighbors this way! As we head into the weekend, please stay tuned to weather updates and the latest information for the possible impact of Hurricane Joaquin. Here are several safety tips.

Council Is Back in Session

Two weeks ago, the Council came back into session and a flurry of legislation was introduced. Over the summer, we've talked a lot about public safety in our communities, both how to respond when a crime occurs as well as how to prevent crime in the first place. I introduced two pieces of legislation to try to make some improvements. First, I drafted a bill to create a tax credit for residents who purchase and install security cameras to help MPD in their efforts to keep neighborhoods safe. Second, working with Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (who also chairs the Council's public safety committee), I co-introduced a comprehensive bill aimed at crime and violence prevention in our neighborhoods. This important bill is modeled after successful efforts in communities like Richmond, California, and seeks to put a lot of intervention best practices in place. These are two good ideas we're working on at Council, though just part of solution.

I also introduced an important bill to create a Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency. Climate change is no longer a future event. The District’s climate is changing now and impacting our natural resources, our built environment, our public health system, and more. This initiative will require the District to undertake a cross-sector approach - both within and outside government - to assess and mitigate the current and coming climate change impacts. Climate change cannot be successfully addressed piecemeal, bringing all the related agencies and industries together ensures mitigation and adaptation are priorities as the District moves forward when planning and designing policies, programs, and projects.

WMATA Cuts Service at Stadium-Armory Station

Following a recent transformer fire reducing available power for trains at the Stadium-Armory, WMATA has made several service reductions - including eliminating stops by the Orange and Silver lines. These cuts will have significant negative results for residents of Hill East, Rosedale, Kingman Park, and others who depend on this station. Further, this station is a lynchpin of transit for students traveling to Eastern High School, employees working at nearby facilities such as St. Coletta of Greater Washington, and persons traveling to RFK Stadium and the DC Armory for special events. I have met with the General Manager of WMATA and asked him to reconsider this decision. I have requested that WMATA provide more information about the impact of the fire and other ways the system can adapt to reduce the harm created for the communities, services, and events that rely on the Stadium-Armory station. You can read a copy of my letter to the WMATA Board here.

A few other quick items you might be interested in:

New Businesses in Shaw! Earlier this week, Shaw Main Streets helped cut the ribbon on 14 new and expanding businesses! The bustling 7th and 9th Street NW corridors are helping revitalize neighborhoods and creating hundreds of new jobs. Read more about Shaw's big day here.

The Literacy Lab is hiring! They are currently recruiting tutors for full-time positions doing early literacy intervention work in public schools across the District and in Ward 6. Literacy Lab tutors are rigorously-trained, full-time positions, supported by a multi-tiered coaching structure with ongoing professional development. In return for their service, tutors receive an education award, a modest living stipend, and basic health coverage. A link to their application can be found here. 

DC Public Library needs your your help in charting a path for the future. DCPL has embarked upon a strategic planning process in order to better align their resources with the needs of the residents they serve. In the coming weeks, they will be collecting input from the community and partners to help develop a strategic plan to prioritize and enhance their core programs and services.

Please take their 5-minute online survey, available through October 14, or attend a community meeting (light refreshments provided) on Monday, October 5, 6-8 p.m., at Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Library. You can find more information about the DC Public Library strategic planning process here.

Lots of upcoming events!

Monday, Oct. 5, 6-8 pm: DC Public Library Strategic Plan Community Meeting - Shaw Library
Saturday, Oct 10, 10am-2pm: SW DC Waterfront Boat Home Tour
Friday, October 16, 8-9:30am: Ward 6 Community Office Hours in Southwest
Saturday, October 17, 6:30-11pm: Capitol Hill Community Foundation's Literary Feast
Friday, October 23, 8-9:30am: Ward 6 Community Office Hours in Hill East
Saturday, October 24, 12-4pm: Pumpkin Palooza at Gangplank Marina Park
Friday, October 30, 5:30-7:30pm: Hill-o-ween at Eastern Market
Saturday, November 7, 6-10pm, Hilly Awards

Upcoming Legislative Hearings of Note (see the full Council calendar here)

Friday, Oct 2, 2pm: Public Hearing on Tree Canopy Protection Amendment Act of 2015
Wednesday, Oct 14, 1pm: Public Hearing on Public Charter School Fiscal Transparency Amendment Act
Wednesday, Oct 21, 4:30pm: Education Roundtable on Issues Facing DC Youth
Thursday, Oct 22, 10am: Roundtable on Modernization of DC Public Library Facilities
Wednesday, Oct 31, 10am: Body-Worn Camera Program Hearing 
Monday, Oct 26, 10am: Public Roundtable on Strategy for Economic Development Along the Anacostia River
Tuesday, Oct 27, 10am: Hearing on Safe At Home Act of 2015

As always, thank you for your support and please let me know if there’s anything I or my staff can do to help you or your neighborhood.

Charles Allen