The Ward 5 Report: Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie

The Ward 5 Report:
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
July 12, 2013 

 

Hello Ward 5 Residents,

Our community suffered a great tragedy this week with the loss of 7-year-old Michael Kingsbury. On behalf of Ward 5, I want to offer my deepest condolences to Ms. Kingsbury and her entire family. I want to personally thank each of you for coming together as a community during this tragedy to help your fellow neighbors. I know that the family greatly appreciates all of the kind words and prayers during this most difficult time.

My office will continue to work with ANC 5D and other stakeholders to keep you posted on funeral and other arrangements. Any resident wishing to provide support to the Kingsbury family can contact Marchim Williams in the Mayor's Office of Community Engagement at (202) 340-7141 or marchim.williams@dc.gov.

Again, thank you Ward 5 for expressing such kindness during this difficult time.

Best,

 

Councilmember McDuffie and Mayor Gray joined Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. to welcome Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to the District for their Centennial Celebration.

Councilmember McDuffie met with D.C. faith-based leaders at the John A. Wilson Building to outline his vision for Ward 5.

 Ward 5 Highlights

 Councilmember McDuffie, Woodridge Warriors and Ward 5 Recognized at Nationals Stadium

On Sunday, July 7th, Councilmember McDuffie was joined by close to 200 Ward 5 residents for Ward 5 Day Out at Nationals Park. The Councilmember and his family were invited onto the field to be recognized before the Nationals took home another victory against the San Diego Padres. In addition, baseball players from Ward 5’s own Woodridge Warriors got an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take the field with the Washington Nationals starting lineup. See additional pictures here.  

Legislative Updates

Councilmember McDuffie Introduces Legislation Enhancing the District’s Ethics Laws

This week, Councilmember McDuffie introduced legislation enhancing the District’s Ethics Act by requiring a sweeping review of the city’s Code of Conduct, strengthening ethics rules governing public employees, and refining the authority of the city’s Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA). A central feature of the bill is a mandate that BEGA examine the city’s Code of Conduct and develop a consolidated universal code applicable to all employees and elected officials.

Additional details on the bill can be found here. This morning, the Councilmember discussed the bill in an interview with WTTG Fox 5 News. In case you missed it, you can view the interview here.

Announcements

Great Streets Grant Initiative

Over the past several months, Councilmember McDuffie ushered through the Council legislation designating three Ward 5 corridors as Retail Priority Areas: Bladensburg Road, North Capitol Street, and Rhode Island Avenue. Recently, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) announced that it will take advantage of these new Retail Priority Area designations by making grants available to businesses on Bladensburg Road and Rhode Island Avenue (a similar program was previously offered to businesses on North Capitol Street). The Great Streets Grant Initiative is now accepting applications for grants of up to $85,000 to support and foster growth amongst small businesses. This week, Councilmember McDuffie issued a letter outlining the program.

D.C. Health Exchange Town Hall

On July 20, the D.C. Health Benefit Exchange Authority will host a D.C. Health Link Community Town Hall Meeting. Experts will share information and answer questions about the Affordable Care Act and discuss quality, affordable health insurance plans for individuals, families and small businesses offered on D.C. Health Link, the District’s new online health insurance marketplace. The new Medicaid options will be discussed also.

The meeting will take place at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, located at 1100 Michigan Avenue, N.E., from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.dchealthlink.com.

Ward 5 Conversation on the Future of Public Education

Councilmember David Catania will hold a meeting to discuss the Future of Public of Education in the District of Columbia. Summer conversations are being held in all 8 wards. The forum will take place on Saturday, July 13^th at the Woodridge Neighborhood Library, located at 1801 Hamlin Street, N.E., beginning at 10:30 a.m.

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For more information, please visit www.kenyanmcduffie.com or contact our office at (202) 724-8028. Follow Councilmember McDuffie at twitter.com/CM_McDuffie and/or facebook.com/KenyanRMcDuffie.