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Ward 4 Weekly — 4/11/18
April 11, 2018
Dear Neighbor,
Spring has finally come to the City of Washington! With the cherry blossoms, chirping birds, and warm weather, nature’s annual revitalization brings a new energy to the District. After some lingering cold, we have all exited winter hibernation mode and are enjoying our city’s natural beauty, from the Tidal Basin, to Rock Creek Park, to our local neighborhood green space. Neighbors are stopping on their walks around the block to catch up with one another, and communities are coming together to pick up litter, plant trees, and spruce up the neighborhood. With Spring, a civic energy has been reawakened across the city.
I encourage neighbors to apply that civic energy towards engaging with the most important process of our government — the budget. The budget process determines what priorities our government focuses on and how resources are allocated. Last month, Mayor Bowser submitted her budget to the Council, and, over the coming weeks, we will hold hearings to make final decisions on the use of our resources. A number of Ward 4 priorities received funding in the Mayor’s budget, and I encourage all Ward 4 residents to testify at the upcoming DC Council budget hearings to ensure that these items remain in the final document.
Our Ward and city are fortunate to have an abundance of civically-engaged residents who care deeply about their community. I look forward to continuing to hear from neighbors about how our budget can advance common interests and move our city forward.
Enjoy the beautiful weather!
Sincerely,
Brandon T. Todd Councilmember, Ward 4 #Ward4Proud
Legislative Update
Legislative Meeting: On Tuesday, April 10, the Council met in room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building for their monthly Legislative Meeting. Councilmember Todd introduced three bills: “Blind Students Literacy and Education Rights Act of 2018,” “Cyber Civilian Collective Act of 2018,” and “Small Business Cybersecurity Tax Credit Act of 2018” Councilmember Todd’s Introductions: “Blind Students Literacy and Education Rights Act of 2018” B22-0781
Visually impaired students are sometimes pushed to use devices to read print instead of learning Braille. Those who later lose their sight are then illiterate — unable to read print or Braille. This bill ensures that student Individualized Education Programs include provisions for Braille education and establishes a robust Braille education system, including standards for Braille proficiency and instruction, a requirement that materials be capable of meaningful reproduction in Braille, and a requirement that teachers are certified in accordance with Braille literacy standards.
In fiscal year 2016, government agencies reported 30,899 information-security incidents. This bill creates a program to allow civilian volunteers with experience addressing cybersecurity incidents to volunteer to provide assistance during a cybersecurity incident.
“Small Business Cybersecurity Tax Credit Act of 2018” B22-0783
Like governments, businesses are also vulnerable to cyberattacks. For small businesses, one data breach may mean that they are forced to close their doors. This bill encourages District small businesses to protect their future by establishing a $1,000 tax credit when a CBE or certified SBE purchases data breach insurance.
Upcoming Government Operations Budget Hearings: To register to testify at a hearing, or to learn how to submit written testimony, contact Faye Caldwell at fcaldwell@dccouncil.us or (202) 724-6663
Friday, April 13 in room 120
Office of Administrative Hearings
Office of the Inspector General
Tuesday, April 24 in room 123
Office of Veterans Affairs
Office of LGBTQ Affairs
Office of the Chief Technology Officer
Thursday, April 26 in room 500
Executive Office of the Mayor
Office of the City Administrator
Office of the Senior Advisor
Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel
Office of the Secretary
For more information regarding hearings or legislation, please contact my Legislative Director, Keiko Yoshino, at kyoshino@dccouncil.us or (202) 724-8052.
Week In Review
Councilmember Todd Supports Healthy Living At Jack & Jill of America, Inc. Washington, DC Chapter’s
6th Annual Family Fitness Day
Sunday, Councilmember Todd attended the Washington, DC Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc.’s 6th Annual Family Fitness day at Shepherd Field. The Councilmember was delighted to participate in this annual Ward 4 tradition and speak to the importance of healthy living for the whole family. And everyone loved the free Ward 4 water bottles!
To learn more about the he Washington, DC Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc, visit jackandjilldc.org
At Council’s Tuesday legislative meeting, Councilmember Todd presented Ward 4 resident Margery Goldberg with a Ceremonial Resolution honoring the 40th anniversary of Zenith Gallery and recognizing her significant contributions to the artistic community in the District of Columbia and the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area. To learn more about Zenith Gallery, an artistic gem of Ward 4 located at 1429 IrisStreet NW, visit www.zenithgallery.com.
Councilmember Todd Hosts Successful
Inaugural Ward 4 Small Business Summit
Today, Councilmember Todd hosted 200 Ward 4 small business owners, DC government agency personnel, as well as private and community partners for the Inaugural Ward 4 Small Business Summit. The event brought together under one roof all the resources and information that Ward 4 small businesses need, including a DC Government customer service center to provide regulatory and permitting guidance, workshops and panels, a Q & A with Councilmember Todd, and information on Ward 4 economic development plans. In attendance were business owners of all types from every corner of Ward 4, who were grateful for the opportunity to access critical information and establish contacts that will help their businesses grow and prosper.
Councilmember Todd thanks Peoples Congregational Church for hosting the summit. He is also grateful to Loretta S. Caldwell, Kelly Shuy, and Paul Ruppert of the Planning Committee, as well as all the government, private, and community-based participants whose expertise and involvement made the event such a success. The Councilmember can’t wait for next year’s summit!
Mark Your Calendar
Annual Ward 4 Bike Ride: Sun, April 22nd, 10:00 AM, 9th & Upshur Bikeshare
Celebrate Earth Day at the Annual Ward 4 Bike Ride with Councilmember Todd, Rachel Maisler (Ward 4 Representative to the D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council), and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). The approximately 8-mile loop will begin and end at the Upshur St & 9th St, NW bikeshare station, and will feature bicycle infrastructure and sites of significance in Ward 4. We’ll depart at 10:00 AM (changed from original time of 10:30) and move at a relaxed pace, stopping to discuss ways to enhance bikeability. Exact route to be determined. Join us afterwards for refreshments at a local establishment. Bring your friends and family, and make sure to wear a helmet!
10th Annual Rock Creek Extreme Cleanup:
Saturday, April 14th, 9 – 11:30 AM, Carter Barron
Join Rock Creek Conservancy for our 10th Annual Rock Creek Extreme Cleanup. Volunteers will clean-up the lands, banks, tributaries, and waters of Rock Creek throughout Maryland and D.C. Our goal is total stream cleanup of Rock Creek and its tributaries, the parks connected to Rock Creek, and the neighborhoods near Rock Creek where trash originates. We work closely with the National Park Service and Montgomery County Parks.
Date and Time: Saturday April 14, 2018 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am Where: Volunteers will meet near Carter Barron by the Picnic Pavilion off of Stage Rd NW. Parking is available in the lots.
East Rock Creek Village Open House: Sun, April 22, 3-5 PM
Learn more about how to enhance your quality of life or that of your loved one or neighbor! Come to an Open House at our office for conversation and light refreshments:
Sunday, April 22 — 3:00pm to 5:00pm
East Rock Creek Village is a nonprofit organization in upper Ward 4 committed to helping our neighbors (age 50 or older) age in place. We are not a real estate development or a retirement community. We are a neighbor-to-neighbor network with volunteers providing services such as transportation, running errands and doing tasks around the house plus social and educational programs and activities.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Come and bring your neighbor! Or let us know of someone who might be interested so that we can invite them personally.
We are on the DC side of Eastern Ave between Georgia Ave and 12th St NW. There is plenty of parking behind the building. Enter by the driveway to the right of our office door. For more information — www.eastrockcreekvillage.org; 202.656.7322, info@eastrockcreekvillage.org
Ward 4 Earth Day Community Clean Up:
Sat, April 21st, 12-2:30 PM, Triangle at 14th & Kennedy St
JOB OPPORTUNITY:
Ward 4 Council Office Seeking New
Administrative/Assistant Scheduler
Are you or someone you know looking for a new professional opportunity? Do you value public service and seek a rewarding work experience? Are you #Ward4Proud and want to show it? The Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd is seeking a new Administrative Assistant/Scheduler, and would be delighted to review your application! Learn more about the opportunity, including required qualifications, job duties, and application instructions here: dccouncil.us/files/user_uploads/job_listings/VacancyAnn-AdministrativeAssistantCDC-18-01_(1).pdf.
New Public Safety Website Launched:
Learn About NEAR Act, Crime Stats & More
Recently, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice launched a new website, saferstronger.dc.gov, to track the Bowser Administration’s “Safer Stronger DC” initiative, a comprehensive and citywide public safety agenda to prevent violence, including a mix of legislative, budgetary, and administrative measures. The website outlines the breadth of the programs and initiatives.
Of particular interest to many Ward 4 residents will be an update on the implementation status of the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR) Act, a comprehensive piece of public safety legislation that uses a public health approaches to prevent violence and reduce incarceration. Councilmember Todd was proud to vote in support of this bill and support its full funding. Learn more at saferstronger.dc.gov/page/near-act-safer-stronger-dc.
April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
This April, we commemorate National Child Abuse Prevention Month, where we recognize the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect, and promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families. During the month of April and throughout the year, communities are encouraged to increase awareness and provide education and support to families through resources and strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect. This year, there are numerous events and resources in which to participate in the District: www.brandontoddward4.com/blog/national-child-abuse-prevention-month-2018-dc-events-resources.
To show your support in the fight against child abuse, you can wear blue on Friday, April 20th and stay updated with the DC Child and Family Services Agency at cfsa.dc.gov.
Councilmember Todd is a firm believer in protecting the health and safety of our children, which is why he introduced the Adverse Childhood Experiences Task Force Act of 2018, which would establish a specialized Task Force to identify evidence-based solutions that reduce children’s exposure to adverse childhood experiences. Adverse childhood experiences, or “ACEs,” are stressful or traumatic events in a child’s life that are strongly related to the development of a wide range of health problems. The bill will have a public hearing on July 11th — all are encouraged to contact the Committee on Health if you are interested in testifying regarding the legislation.
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