Dear Ward 5 neighbors,
Today is a sad day as we mourn the loss of a pillar of our community: Pierpont Mobley. Pierpont grew up in DC, was a long-time Ward 5 neighbor, and was a champion of civil rights as an equal employment opportunity advocate and public servant. His career spanned four federal administrations as he worked for the U.S. Drug Administration, the White House, the Executive Office of the President, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Interior, and the Bureau of Mines. He and his wife of 58 years, Jeanette Mobley, have been politically active in the District for decades and their influence is hard to rival.
It would be difficult to overstate my gratitude for Pierpont and the Mobley family. Pierpont was full of integrity, steadfast in his democratic commitments, and a true force for good. In 2024, he released a book detailing many of his experiences in the District, titled The Black Side of the White House. I mourn his passing alongside his many loved ones and I am inspired by the legacy he leaves us—a legacy of humble and clear-eyed public service. Please join me in sending love and prayers to Jeanette and the family in this time of grief.
By now you’ve likely seen the news and begun to prepare for this weekend’s forecasted winter storm. While feelings about snow vary—from those excited about snowball fights to those more concerned about power outages and staying safe—District agencies are focused on treating streets and preparing for impacts to city services. Here are some important notices and reminders:
- The Mayor has declared a State of Emergency, effective immediately, including a Snow Emergency from 12:00 p.m. Saturday, January 24, until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 27. This means all vehicles must be moved off of Snow Emergency Routes no later than 12:00 p.m. tomorrow (January 24).
- I confirmed through oversight last year that DDOT is responsible for clearing all pedestrian bridges in Ward 5 (check out this map), and I reached out to Director Kershbaum to ensure they’re prepared for this weekend’s storm.
- My team is in touch with DDOT and DPW about snow plowing routes in Ward 5 to ensure teams are prepared for responding to areas that have historically been overlooked for treatment and plowing.
- Do you anticipate you will need help with shoveling, or are you able to lend a hand and help neighbors with shoveling? Be sure to sign up here.
- With the expected sleet and ice, the concern for power outages increases. Accumulated ice can cause downed trees and power lines, which account for nearly half of all power outages during storms. Keep items charged, have power banks available, use flashlights instead of candles to avoid fires, and be prepared to bundle up in case of the loss of heat.
- In the event of a power outage, Pepco asks all customers to report outages in any of the following ways:
- Online at pepco.com/storm
- Pepco’s free mobile app
- Text 48-710
- Call 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662).
- In the event of downed power lines, remember that they should never be approached or touched even if they don’t appear to be live or sparking. Call Pepco to report fallen power lines.
- In the event of a power outage, Pepco asks all customers to report outages in any of the following ways:
I know many neighbors are also concerned about trash and recycling collections, school closures, and other city services. The headline is that while District agencies are doing all they can to prepare, we also know that severe weather means trash collections will be delayed, and other city services will likely see disruptions. As always, neighbors can reach my office at ward5contact@dccouncil.gov or 202-724-8028 for any issues with city services, but we know that we will need to be patient next week while crews work hard to safely clear the snow and get the city back up and running. Let’s look out for one another this weekend!
