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As we approach the end of another year, I want to take some time to reflect on our accomplishments from the past year as well as to think about how we want to move forward in years to come. This year started with the Council's oversight and budget process, as always - unlike other years, though, our budget process took up almost the entire year! While I was disappointed in a number of the provisions of the budget, I was pleased to have the opportunity to represent my constituents and cast a meaningful "no" vote on the budget as a whole. Along the way, I worked to obtain some important concessions to protect small businesses and families from some of the most egregious new provisions.
After finally moving past the budget, our docket was largely dominated by ethics reform. While I did not agree with some of my colleagues' proposals, I thought Councilmember Bowser did a good job crafting a consensus bill in a difficult political climate. I have said all along that I support enhanced disclosure requirements, more rigorous enforcement when violations are discovered, and more meaningful penalties assessed on violators. We can't have a system where politicians view the prospect of a relatively small penalty as simply a cost of doing business, particularly when such a penalty, even if incurred, can be paid with campaign funds rather than out of an elected official's own pocket.
Looking forward, I was pleased to introduce the "Community Bank Small Business Lending Program Act of 2011" at our last legislative session this year. I was joined by 11 of my 12 colleagues in the introduction of this bill, which would encourage the District government to promote small business lending by placing deposits of city accounts in locally based community banks and requiring those banks to redeploy those assets in loans to District small businesses. The program will promote the growth of local small businesses, enhance the creation of new jobs for District residents, and provide an overall stimulative effect to the District's economy.
Even though I'm elected to be a legislator, I always say half my job is working in the neighborhoods - perhaps the most important half, and often the most rewarding! Working to facilitate projects such as the Georgetown Waterfront Park, streetscape enhancements throughout the Ward, the O Street Market, the O and P Streets project in Georgetown, and responding to a tremendous volume of constituent requests is something I really enjoy. Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office if there is anything we can ever do for you.
In closing, my staff and I would like to wish you and yours a happy holiday season. This is always a wonderful time to spend with friends and family and to be thankful for all the blessings we enjoy. This is our last newsletter for the year - Happy New Year and we will see you again in January!
Jack
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Evans Celebrates the Holidays
at St. Mary's Court
Evans entertains residents at St. Mary's Court annual holiday party.
In what has become a holiday tradition for over twenty years, Councilmember Evans this week played Santa Claus for the senior residents of St. Mary's Court in Foggy Bottom at their annual holiday party. Residents dressed up, enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and holiday cheer, and joined "Santa Jack" in singing Christmas carols.
"This is by far one of my favorite Christmas traditions," said Evans. "The residents of St. Mary's Court are always happy to see Santa and again this year a good time was had by all."
St. Mary's Court is a non-profit corporation operating a residential living facility for seniors 62 years of age or older or individuals with accessibility needs. Sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, it is financed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
For additional information on St. Mary's Court, please click here.
Amorde Brabham is Evans' senior citizen liaison.
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DDOT Proposes Ward 2 Bicycle Lane Expansion
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Flickr photo by willshitedc
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The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) recently announced a series of potential bike lane additions and improvements in Ward 2 for 2012.
Included among the improvements are new bike lanes along M Street between Massachusetts and New Hampshire Avenues, NW, as well as on L Street between Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Avenues, NW. Additionally, "sharrows," or shared lane markings are planned for 11th Street, NW.
"I am especially pleased that DDOT is moving forward with bike lanes on L and M Streets," said Evans. "We often hear from citizens that these east-west routes are important to cyclists and I have advocated for the addition of these lanes since they were first discussed."
DDOT's complete 2012 Proposed Bike Lane map can be viewed here.
The additional lanes were announced at a meeting of the DC Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC). For additional information on the BAC, please click here.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' DDOT liaison.
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Evans to Hold Committee Hearing on i-Gaming
January 26
Councilmember Evans, Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Revenue, has announced a public hearing on i-Gaming to be held on Thursday, January 25 at 10:00am in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). The hearing will continue until all witnesses have testified or 1:00pm and will recess. The hearing will resume at 6:00pm to ensure that working residents interested in testifying have an opportunity to do so.
As a follow up to the June 29 Public Oversight Roundtable on the matter, the committee is providing another opportunity for the DC Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board to provide an update on the series of community meetings held in the fall of 2011, as well as implementation efforts of i-Gaming in the District. This measure was included in Title VII, Subtitle G. Lottery Modernization Act of Bill 18-1100, the "Fiscal Year 2011 Supplemental Budget Support Act of 2010," which is now Law 18-370.
Also to be discusses at the hearing is Bill 19-474, the "Lottery Amendment Repeal Act of 2011," which would amend the Law to legalize Lotteries, Daily Numbers Games, and Bingo and Raffles for Charitable Purposes (DC Law 3-172) and eliminate online gambling.
"I look forward to continuing the dialogue about the i-Gaming proposal," said Evans. "This hearing will provide valuable feedback as we move forward and give the public an additional opportunity to voice any concerns and opinions about internet gaming in the District."
The Committee invites the public to testify at the hearing. Those who wish to testify should contact Sarina Loy, Committee Assistant at (202) 724-8058 or sloy@dccouncil.us, and provide your name and organizational affiliation (if any) by 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 25. Witnesses may specify whether they would like to testify at the 10:00 am portion or the 6:00 pm portion. Witnesses should bring 15 copies of their written testimony to the hearing.
The Committee allows individuals 3 minutes to provide oral testimony in order to permit each witness an opportunity to be heard. Additional written statements are encouraged and will be made part of the official record. Written statements may be submitted by e-mail to sloy@dccouncil.us or mailed to: Council of the District of Columbia; 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.; Suite 114; Washington, DC 20004.
Ruth Werner is Evans' Committee Director.
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DPW Services to be
Affected by Holidays
The Department of Public Works (DPW) announced this week how services will be affected in observance of Christmas (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 2).
Trash and Recycling Collections:
For the weeks of December 25 and January 1, collections will begin Tuesday and will run through Saturday. In Ward 2, Monday and Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday, and Tuesday and Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday. Trash and recycling containers should be put out for collection no earlier than 6:30pm the night before collection and removed from public space by 8:00pm on the collection day.
Parking Enforcement:
DPW will not enforce parking meters, residential parking, and rush hour lane restrictions Monday, December 26, and Monday, January 2. Normal enforcement will resume Tuesday, December 27, and Tuesday, January 3. DPW will enforce parking regulations Saturday, December 24 and December 31.
Holiday Tree Collections:
Holiday trees and wreaths will be picked up curbside from January 3 to January 14. Remove all decorations and place the greenery in the treebox space in front of your home between Monday, January 2, and Monday, January 9. Please do not put the trees in plastic or cloth bags. Trees collected between January 3 and 14 will be recycled.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Director of Constituent Services.
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Councilmember Evans recently announced a public hearing to be held on Monday, January 9 at 10:00am, in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) to discuss Bill 19-512, the "Age-in-Place and Equitable Senior Citizen Real Property Act of 2011." This bill would amend section 47-863 of the District of Colombia Official Code to increase the eligible gross adjusted income limit to $125,000 for the purpose of qualifying for a 50% deduction in computing real property tax liability; and to re-define the terms "household adjusted income" and "residence." "This legislation is important for our senior population and I am proud to have introduced it," said Evans. "This bill will provide important relief for our aging in place population." The Committee invites the public to testify at the hearing. Those who wish to testify should contact Sarina Loy, Committee Assistant at (202) 724-8058 or sloy@dccouncil.us, and provide your name and organizational affiliation (if any) by 10:00am on Friday, January 6. Witnesses should bring 15 copies of their written testimony to the hearing. Ruth Werner is Evans' Committee Director.
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2011
Greater Washington Catalogue for Philanthropy
Help support community-based nonprofits in the
Greater Washington region this holiday season. The Catalogue represents some of the best & most effective nonprofit agencies in the area.
And they need your help!
For additional information, please click here.
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Councilmember Jack Evans
1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Suite 106
Washington, DC 20004
202-724-8058
jevans@dccouncil.us
www.jackevans.org |
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