How Can I Help?
Being an ANC means that I spend some of my time working on citywide policy matters, such as resolutions in support of a new bottle return and refund bill or in support of DC's immigrant communities. I also help connect neighbors to one another and bring to light the important organizations supporting our community, like Ward 4 Mutual Aid, Free DC, City Blossoms, and the Brightwood Family Success Center, among many others. I get to work on 4D-specific issues, like standing up our new Grants Committee and helping revamp our community grants process.
But a key element of my role is helping residents navigate government services and deal with the little hassles and joys that come with living in our beautiful city. Sometimes it's a real pain to track down 311 requests over and over for an illegally parked construction vehicle, or figure out how to make sure that inspectors actually show up at a renovation at the right time to spot illegal construction. But when we figure it out (always in partnership with the neighbors who report the issues to me), it's so satisfying to actually fix these little things! Small wins add up to big gains in quality of life for all of us. So keep sending in your complaints and concerns, keep making 311 requests (seriously, those are important), and keep being patient please with me and the city staff whose job it is to get these things done.
Other News
It's my birthday this week and I'm making a light newsletter! Take a look at the government news below, fresh from my ANC inbox, and please reach out if you're excited to plan a block party. I'd be delighted to share what I and my neighbors have learned, and connect you to other experienced experts.
Thank you,
Commissioner Eliza Cava
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Government (and Community) News You Can Use
Office of Attorney General (OAG) Supports Tenants in Heat-related problems
As we head into cooler weather, a reminder that OAG Mediation prioritizes no heat or lack of heat complaints from District tenants – when it is the landlord’s responsibility to provide heat. Mediation also prioritizes utility disconnections, such as loss of water, electricity, or gas. Mediation will send out a letter to the responsible party the same business day.
The best way for tenants to connect with OAG Mediation about a priority complaint is to call the OAG Consumer & Tenant Hotline at 202.442.9828 and leave a message. Or, the tenant can submit a consumer complaint online at oag.dc.gov/complaint.
Trash & Recycling Updates, Street Sweeping and Leaf Collection, and Neighborhood Cleanups
In observance of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Holiday on Monday, October 13th, DPW will not collect household trash, recycling, and food waste collection on Monday, October 13th; collections will be on a slide schedule beginning on Tuesday, October 14th, through Saturday, October 18th.
Many of our spring services will conclude at the end of this month and our fall/winter season operations will resume in the coming weeks. Be sure to download the MyDPW app (available via Apple & Google Play Stores on mobile devices) and subscribe to our DPW Newsletter (dpw.dc.gov/dpwnewsletter) for leaf collection updates and all things DPW!
Leaf Collection Season is Coming! Street sweeping ends on October 31st, and Leaf collection will begin on Monday, November 3rd, 2025, for DPW-serviced households.
If you were unable to attend the 2025-2026 Leaf Collection Briefing Presentation, we have recorded the meeting to ensure everyone can access the information. The recording is now available for you to view at your convenience: https://youtu.be/PxhE4rWE3lY.
Helping Hand Program: Through the Helping Hand Program, DPW offers assistance to community groups that organize Saturday neighborhood clean-up projects. The program runs seasonally from March 1st to November 1st. Applications must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the event. This year’s application deadline is October 24th. For more information visit: https://dpw.dc.gov/page/Helping%20Hand%20Neighborhood%20Cleanup
Changes Coming to Metro Green Line
Metro will perform critical work on the Green Line in December to improve safety and reliability. The work includes both station closures and single tracking. Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow additional travel time.
December 6-7: College Park, Greenbelt Station Closures. The Green Line will not operate between Hyattsville Crossing and Greenbelt from Saturday, Dec. 6, through Sunday, Dec. 7. Green Line trains will run every 10 minutes, with Local and Express shuttle buses replacing trains between Hyattsville Crossing and Greenbelt. Crews will be renewing train signaling control rooms.
December 16-30: Single tracking between U Street and Georgia Av-Petworth. From 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, through Tuesday, Dec. 30, the Green Line will single-track between U Street and Georgia Av-Petworth stations while crews complete track, communications, and lighting upgrades. All stations will remain open, with Green Line trains running every 16 minutes. Yellow Line trains will run every 8 minutes on both weekdays and weekends.
Metro scheduled this work during the holiday season, when ridership is typically lower, to minimize impacts on customers.
Crews will replace rail and fastening systems, renew communications and signal equipment, and restore lighting infrastructure.
For more information, visit the winter major construction page.
Next Steps: Yellow Line to Greenbelt. Once construction ends, the planned Yellow Line extension to Greenbelt will begin on Dec. 31. Half of the Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Greenbelt, and the other half will operate between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Square.
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