Dear Ward 5 neighbors,
We are days away from Christmas and the New Year, and I am optimistic about the future of our Ward 5 community and the District! I’ll admit that this has been a challenging year, but I remain grateful for your ongoing support and the ways neighbors look out for one another. Just this week, my office coordinated with State Board of Education Ward 5 Representative Henderson in delivering many of the coats and toys neighbors donated at the Ward 5 Holiday Party. Children in Brookland Manor, Carver Langston, and the Sterling (Ward 5’s family emergency shelter) were the recipients of dozens of toys and coats, making this a special holiday, thanks to your generosity.
As the year winds down, I want to remind neighbors that the Ward 5 Council office will be closed December 23 to January 2 for the holidays while the Council is on recess. But the secret is that we’re still monitoring things, so feel free to reach out to us. If the matter is urgent or an emergency, we will circle back immediately. If not, we will reach out in the new year.
The District Government will have modified services and observe Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on Sunday, December 24 and Monday, December 25, and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day on Sunday, December 31, and Monday, January 1, 2024. You can read an extensive list here, but I want to share a quick overview of impacted services:
- All DC Public Libraries will be closed on December 24, December 25, December 31, and January 1.
- Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) recreation centers, community centers, and indoor aquatic centers will be closed on Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1. DPR facilities will operate at normal hours on Tuesday, December 26 and Tuesday, January 2.
- DC Public Schools will be closed Friday, December 22 through Tuesday, January 2 and will reopen on Wednesday, January 3.
- DPW trash and recycling collection will “slide” one day into Saturday the week of December 25, and again the week of January 1.
- The Fort Totten Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, December 25, and Monday, January 1. It will reopen to the public both weeks on Tuesday (December 26 and January 2).
- All DMV locations will be closed on Saturday, December 23 and Monday, December 25. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, December 26. Customers are encouraged to use online options by visiting dmv.dc.gov or downloading the agency’s free mobile app.
- DDOT will suspend construction and work zones for non-emergency work in roadways, alleys, and sidewalks within the District’s right of way on Monday, December 25, and Monday, January 1.
- All parking enforcement will be suspended on Monday, December 25, including Streetcar ticketing and towing, as the Streetcar will not run on December 25.
This edition of the Ward 5 Weekly newsletter also includes information on Teen Break Time and Free Youth Meals during DCPS’ Winter Break, important public safety updates, the progress of leaf collection, important WMATA news on Red Line closures, the re-opening of applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on January 2, Holiday Tree and Greenery Collection from DPW beginning January 3, lots of District programs to benefit from, and more. Additionally, please note that this will be my last newsletter to you in 2023. See you in 2024!
