pictured above right -- John Ralls and Michael Ramirez

Week of February 3, 2006

202.724.8058
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue • NW • Room 106 • Washington • DC • 20004

Evans comments on release of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
 The District has once again (the fifth) produced an on time and "clean" audit and has accomplished nine years of balanced budgets -- this truly speaks to the turnaround in DC's financial management. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), which was recently released, is DC's annual audit of revenues and spending. The District is unique in that it produces a yearly audit four months after the close of the fiscal year.

"An A+ performance for the District's fiscal management," Councilmember Evans said. "This is good news that brings great prospects for DC, including the opportunity to improve our schools in ways that have never been available to us before. The financial credibility given us through the leadership of Mayor Williams will go a long way toward making DC an even better place to live, work and invest in the future.

"However, it is incumbent upon the Mayor, Council and Chief Financial Officer to continue to make the tough decisions - from examining the core agency missions to demanding greater efficiencies and cost savings. True, we achieved our ninth balanced budget, but this does not mean we are finished with our economic challenges. We continue to have the highest tax rates in the nation with very few reductions in sight."

The District must find remedies to its inherent structural imbalance, which prevents it from addressing pressing infrastructure needs and requires it to maintain higher than average tax rates. In May 2003, the US General Accounting Office (GAO 03-666) confirmed that the DC government has a structural imbalance estimated to be between $470 million and $1.1 billion. This large, long-term imbalance is caused by the District's large percentage of tax-exempt real property, its inability to tax non-resident income generated within its borders, and the state-like functions it must support.

Through the exercise of responsible government, DC has once again become a model city in and with which to do business. The challenge that we continue to face is ensuring that the prosperity reaches all people, in all communities of our city.

For more information, contact Evans' Committee Clerk, Eric Goulet.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.02.03.06.htm#CAFR
DC is one step closer to becoming smoke free
The debate within the DC government is over in regards to Bill 16-293, the "Department of Health Functions Clarification Amendment Act of 2005", commonly referred to as the "smoke free" legislation. With Mayor Williams transmitting the legislation to Congress for review, the critics and supporters must now talk with those members to ensure its ultimate passage or failure. The legislation has a 30-day Congressional review period, after which, it may become law.

Once the Congressional review period ends (expected to be March 2006), smoking will be prohibited in all public places of employment and enclosed public spaces except clubs, nightclubs, taverns, brew pubs, and restaurant bars. As of January 1, 2007 all the exceptions will also be included in the prohibition. Waivers may only be granted to restaurants, bars and clubs able to demonstrate a significant negative financial impact on their businesses because of the new ban.

Areas exempted from the no smoking requirement include tobacco bars, outdoor dining areas, outdoor nightclub/tavern/bar patios, hotel rooms, retail tobacco outlets, and certain medical treatment or research institutions. Tobacco bars are considered to be cigar bars, hookah cafes, taverns, brew pubs and similar establishments where at least 10% of total revenue is generated by over-the counter tobacco sales.

The legislation, which the DC Council passed on January 4, authorizes the Department of Health to inspect all places of employment and enclosed public places to ensure smoking is prohibited. Fines will be levied on an establishment if found to be in violation.

If you have any comments or concerns about this legislation, you are encouraged to contact Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

For more information, contact Evans' Legislative Analyst, Ruth Werner.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.02.03.06.htm#SMOKE
Having problems with Medicare Part D? Legal Aid Society hosting weekend event
 With the recent changes to Medicare and the numerous calls from constituents to Councilmember Evans' office, he is encouraging those with questions to attend this weekend's Legal Aid Society clinic. At this clinic, which will be Saturday, February 4 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, low-income Medicare recipients can meet with specially trained lawyers to get help understanding their options under the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program.

Additionally, attendees can gain knowledge on low-income subsidies and receive help deciding which Medicare plans to enroll. The Society can also help with problems individuals may be having receiving their medications or assist low-income DC residents who need help getting their prescriptions filled under the new drug plan.

Since January 1, thousands of DC residents who relied on Medicaid for their prescriptions must now use a private Medicare drug plan. These and other low-income recipients have experienced significant problems in recent weeks.

This Saturday's session will be in two sites -- no appointment is necessary.

  • The Legal Aid Society of DC - 666 11th Street NW, Suite 800 - Orange, Blue or Red Line to Metro Center (11th and G Streets); and
  • Bread for the City - 1640 Good Hope Road SE - Green Line to Anacostia or Bus B2 or U2.

For more information, contact Legal Aid's Jennifer Mezey (jmezey@legalaiddc.org) or Sarah Lichtman Spector (sspector@legalaiddc.org) at 628-1161.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.02.03.06.htm#MEDICARE
Heurich House Foundation in need of emergency funds
 For almost 50 years, the Brewmaster's Castle has been in the public domain as a DC Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. It has served the public through numerous educational and cultural programs, as a public event venue, the country's most intact late-Victorian house museum and the first fireproof residence in the nation's capital.

In 2003, the Heurich House Foundation (HHF), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public foundation, was formed with encouragement from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and significant public support. The foundation was formed in order to address the emergency of the irretrievable loss of the Brewmaster's Castle through its imminent sale to a restaurateur who planned to disperse the site's original furnishings and collections, and convert this historic site into a private club.

There is to be a fundraiser at the Heurich House tomorrow, Friday, February 3 from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. Councilmember Evans is urging everyone to attend the event and make a tax-deductible donation in an effort to save this historical landmark. The Castle must raise $250,000 by February 15 to meet their current bank payment. Contributions may be made at www.brewmasterscastle.com.

To completely save the Heurich House, $5,450,000 must be raised by June 2008 in order to secure the site's purchase. If it is unable to raise the funds, the Foundation will have to place the Brewmaster's Castle up for sale on the open market. The only thing standing in the way of preservation of this historic site is completion of its purchase.

For more information or to contribute, contact HHF at 1307 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, 429-1894 or email to info@heurichhouse.org. Please also contact HHF if you know of a potential contributor who might like to hear from us.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.02.03.06.htm#HHF
Civil rights icon Coretta Scott King
First, it was Lou Rawls and now this week Coretta Scott King, the wife of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. passed away on January 31 after respiratory failure, related both to a serious stroke she suffered in August and cancer which was diagnosed last year. Coretta was a widow, a mother and most of all, a symbol of the American society. She became the first woman to deliver the Class Day address at Harvard and the first woman to preach at a statutory service at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Coretta became a liaison to international peace and justice organizations even before Dr. King took a public stand in 1967.

After the tragic death of her husband in 1968 Coretta continued to serve the cause of justice and human rights; her travels took her throughout the world on goodwill missions to Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia. In 1969, she founded the multimillion-dollar Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Coretta saw to it that the center became deeply involved with the issues she said breed violence -- hunger, unemployment, voting rights and racism. In honor of her husband, Coretta led the successful campaign to establish Dr. King's birthday, January 15, as a national holiday in the United States.

Coretta will long be remembered for speaking out against racial profiling, mandatory minimum sentences and attacks on affirmative action but also upholding the spirit and integrity of her husbands dreams. She will be missed.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.02.03.06.htm#KING
Hearing on one-time relocation of licensees displaced by the proposed ballpark
Within the footprint of the Washington Nationals' proposed permanent stadium in Southeast, DC are several commercial establishments with liquor licenses that generally cannot be moved to new locations. At a public roundtable on January 31, the Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs heard testimony in favor of Bill 16-589, "The One-Time Relocation of Licensees Displaced by the Ballpark Amendment Act of 2006", which will assist the displaced businesses.

"Residents and visitors to our nations capital from all over the world should have the opportunity to visit adult-oriented entertainment establishments at their discretion," Evans said. "However, we must work with those establishments within the stadium footprint who have been displaced and wish to continue operationing in DC."

The legislation, as it is currently written, would assist five adult-oriented entertainment licensed establishments currently located on or near the ballpark footprint. However, if the businesses were to relocate, they would still be subject to approval by the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration.

Additionally, by law these "CM" or "M" zoned licensees are not able to be within 600 feet from a building with a certificate of occupancy for residential use or a lot or building with a permit from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs for residential construction on the premises.

The next step for this legislation is a mark-up, which has yet to be set, by the Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
For more information, contact Evans' Committee Clerk, Eric Goulet.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.02.03.06.htm#DCRA
Do you have an opinion on the future of the DC Public Library System?
With each issue the DC Council takes on there are groups who are on both sides of the debate, however there are also issues, which don't have opposition, but full support. One of those issues, which Councilmember Evans has taken up, is what to do with our DC Public Library system. Evans encourages residents interested in libraries to attend a "Listening Session" hosted by Mayor Williams' Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of the DC Public Library System.

"The collaboration between residents and the DC Council on various issues is excellent," Evans said. "It has become a priority to finalize our plans for the library system. There is no reason for our library system to lag behind while our schools, government offices and facilities are modernized. I hope you come to one of the 'Listening Sessions' and express your opinion on how we can better utilize the space and functionality of our libraries."

During the Listening Sessions, citizens will discuss the Task Force recommendations and share their ideas on transforming DC's public libraries into a system that serves their needs. The sessions will last 90 minutes and will include a review of the Task Force recommendations, a DVD presentation on libraries and a group discussion.

Please select the following links to read the draft reports:

Following is a complete schedule of Listening Sessions to be held at neighborhood libraries around the city:

  • Saturday, January 28 - 1:30 pm, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, 727-0321
  • Tuesday, January 31 - 6:30 pm, Cleveland Park (Ward 3), 3310 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, 282-3080
  • Tuesday, February 7 - 6:30 pm, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, 727-0321
  • Saturday, February 11 - 12:30 pm, Petworth (Ward 4), 4200 Kansas Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20011, 541-6300
  • Wednesday, February 15 - 6:30 pm, Georgetown (Ward 2), 3260 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007, 282-0220
  • Tuesday, February 21 - 6:30 pm, Mt. Pleasant (Ward 1), 3160 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010, 671-0200
  • Saturday, February 25 - 12:30 pm, Northeast (Ward 6), 330 7th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, 698-3320
  • Monday, February 27 - 6:30pm, Francis A. Gregory (Ward 7), 3660 Alabama Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20020, 645-4297

Sign language interpreters will be made available upon request at least 14 days in advance of the desired session. To request a sign language interpreter, participants should call 727-2145 (TTY/Voice) or email janice.rosen@dc.gov.

Simultaneous Spanish-language interpretation will be offered at the February 11 and February 21 sessions for those who wish to listen and comment in Spanish. To reserve a Spanish-language listening device, interested parties must call 727-1188 at least 14 days in advance.

For more information, contact Evans' Legislative Analyst, Ruth Werner, visit the DC Public Library online or contact the Marketing Director of DC Public Libraries, Monica Lewis at 727-1186.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.02.03.06.htm#DCPLS

Evans urges young adults to apply early for summer internships
Each year, Councilmember Evans writes several recommendations for Ward 2 students in search of summer internships with local non-profits, corporations and facets of DC and Federal Governments. This year, Evans is adding to his list of potential summer employers, the US State Department's (USSD) 2006 Summer Clerical Program, but students must act quickly as the deadline for applications is February 4.

"Summer internships are quite useful to our young adults as they are a means of preparing them for life after finishing high school or college," Evans said. "We have several programs in Ward 2 and, around the city, providing employment opportunities during the summer, and some of our outstanding students are offered permanent positions."

The USSD vacancy announcement is currently available on-line at http://www.careers.state.gov/student/index.html. To qualify for a Summer Clerical position, you must be:

  • A US citizen, age 16 or older at time of appointment;
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.,) seeking student;
  • Taking at least half-time academic/vocational/or technical course load in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4 year college or university, graduate or professional school;
  • Able to complete a background investigation to determine eligibility for a security clearance.

Positions at the GS-1, GS-2, GS-3 & GS-4 levels also have varying minimum requirements for school and/or work experience.

For more information, visit the Summer Clerical Program at http://www.careers.state.gov/student/prog_sumcler.html.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.02.03.06.htm#SI
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