Local News Update

Lots of local news relevant to the greater H Street neighborhood area today...

Councilmember Tommy Wells introduced legislation to allow H Street small businesses to defer their spring property tax bills until the fall and the bill was passed unanimously. The bill is designed to help offset the challenges posed to area merchants by the ongoing streetscape project. Wells achieved similar results for H Street and Eastern Market vendors to address construction issues last Spring.

DC Council also voted unanimously to censure Marion Barry after receiving a report that he engaged in unethical conduct by funneling a city contract to a girlfriend and taking a cut of the contract and steering $54,000 in earmarked contracts to another confidant among other issues. Barry was striped of his committee chairmanship and the public corruption allegations were referred to the U.S. Attorney's office for possible criminal charges.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) announced that street cleaning would resume Monday, March 22.

Councilmember Wells also introduced legislation to address "dangerous animals" and their negligent owners today.