March 2, 2022

Ward 3 Update:

Dear Neighbors,

The District's public [1]vaccination data portal touts that 73.1% of
District residents are estimated to be fully vaccinated, however; when
looking at the Ward-level data, not a single Ward is listed at above 61%
fully vaccinated. In fact, all but two Wards are below 60%. This data
discrepancy was previously noted to me by both my staff and a Ward 3
neighbor, and we finally have some clarity on this matter from DC Health:
* Evidently, the Ward-level and neighborhood-level vaccination maps
represents an incomplete data set. Vaccination data is reported to DC
Health from a number of sources, including vaccine providers in other
jurisdictions, and the agency often receives incomplete forms, illegible
handwritten forms, forms without a resident's address or demographic data,
etc.
* Therefore, there has always been a significant pool of vaccination
records that are incomplete to the extent that DC Health isn't able to
paint a fully accurate picture of the Ward and neighborhood-level
vaccination rates
* According to the agency, the reported Ward-level rates are likely
underestimates, and the District-level rate is more reliable

If we are to move forward without the assurance of mask wearing or
vaccination requirements in indoor congregate settings, what I see as
valuable community protections that have contributed to our decreasing case
numbers, then DC Health must be clear and upfront in reporting our
vaccination rates and positive case numbers. To anyone accessing the data
portal, the absence of proper context or even a disclaimer about the
inconsistencies presented undermines the claim that D.C. is above the 70%
fully vaccinated threshold. Residents need accurate data in order to make
the best safety decisions for themselves and their families, and DC Health
told me that they will look for ways to properly update the website.

Regards,

Mary

A Quick Update on Visitor Parking Passes

Yesterday, the Council unanimously passed a measure from Councilmember Cheh
to extend the validity of the District's hard copy 2020 Visitor Parking
Passes (VPP) through November 25, 2022.

This extension will provide the District with additional time to prepare
for and fine-tune the new [2]ParkDC VPP system. Residents are still welcome
to use this new portal in addition to retaining their hard copy passes.

Ward 3 Quick Reads

Saving DC Heritage Trees - Area developers are brazenly cutting down the
District's heritage trees –with full knowledge that it is illegal– with the
expectation that they will absorb the cost of the fine. Yesterday, the
Council voted in support of Councilmember Cheh's legislation to immediately
grant the Urban Forestry Division with stop work authority in order to
intervene in illegal removals and save heritage trees in real time.
* To read more on this threat to old growth trees in the District, click:
[3]here.

Pre-2012 Metro Cards Have Expired - Metro’s oldest SmarTrip cards, those
purchased before 2012, will no longer be accepted at faregates and
fareboxes as of March 1st. Any remaining balance on residents' old cards
will not be lost and can be transferred to a new card at any time.
* Visit [4]Metro’s Card Replacement page for step-by-step instructions on
how to receive a replacement card and transfer your current balance.
SmarTrip cards purchased before 2012 can be identified by the serial number
on the back. All newer cards start with “0167” and no further action is
needed. SmarTrip cards that start with any other serial number need to be
replaced (as pictured see below)

The Melvin Hazen Park & Trail Renamed - In an acknowledgement of Melvin
Hazen's role in the dismantling of Reno City in the 1930s and 40s and the
largescale displacement of African American residents from what is now Fort
Reno Park, the National Park Service has officially renamed the Melvin C.
Hazen Park & Trail to Reservation 630.
* For the history on this renaming effort, please see [5]The Forest Hill
Connection and [6]The Washington Post

Return of the Walk to End Homelessness - Friendship Place has announced the
return of the in-person Friendship Place Walk to End Homelessness! The
event will be held on April 30th on the National Mall. To sign-up as an
individual, start a walking team, or to join an existing team, please go to
[7]Friendship Walks.

Legislative Spotlight - The Healthy Hospitals Act

Councilmember Cheh has re-introduced the [8]Healthy Hospitals Act to jump
start the transition toward healthier and more nutritious meal options for
patients, guests, and staff at District hospitals.

The legislation, which is based on a 2017 resolution by the American
Medical Association, would require that:
* Meals include a variety of healthy foods that are low in saturated fat,
sodium, and added sugars
* Vegetarian and 100% plant-based options be made available
* Healthy beverages are prioritized over sugar-sweetened drinks, thereby
ensuring that sodas and sugary drinks are not the default drink option
available
* Eliminates the availability of processed meats classified as
carcinogenics
* Requires that water always be made available at no charge

“Healthcare providers have long advised us that nutrition is essential to
health, yet go into any hospital and you will see sugary drinks, processed
meats, and foods high in added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat —the very
same foods we know are making us sick." - Councilmember Cheh

Pictured Left: Councilmember Cheh and physician & nutritionist Dr. Vanita
Rahman join Fox 5 to discuss the critical need and benefits of the "Healthy
Hospitals Act of 2022."

To watch the segment, click: [9]here.

In Solidarity with the Ukrainian People

Standing with Ukraine - Pictured Above: (left and right) The Frederick
Douglass Memorial Bridge and the John A. Wilson Building illuminated in
blue and yellow and (center) the flag of Ukraine installed along
Pennsylvania Ave NW, all in in support of the Ukrainian people.
Councilmember Cheh has circulated a Sense of the Council Resolution to her
colleagues to formally denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine and to call
on Congress to formally condemn the Russian invasion and to continue and
expand immediate, aggressive sanctions until all Russian military forces
withdraw from Ukraine.

Growing Momentum for Councilmember Cheh's "No Senior Hungry Act"

From WUSA9 - Proposed legislation could end food insecurity for seniors in
DC

"We live in the most powerful country in the world and we have thousands of
seniors who are left hungry," said Winnie Huston with D.C. Greens.

Huston is a food policy strategist at D.C. Greens -- a non-profit that
works to promote health equity in the District. This organization is
pushing the No Senior Hungry Omnibus Amendment Act of 2021, which many hope
could be the saving grace for hungry seniors by regulating and putting
folks in charge of the efforts to end food insecurity.

[10]Read the Full Story

A Safety Update on the Days Inn

Safety Update - Police have made an arrest in the homicide that occurred on
January 27th at the Days Inn in the Forest Hills neighborhood. 18 year-old
Gerald Thomas, a Maryland resident, was arrested and charged with Second
Degree Murder While Armed in the shooting death of 20 year-old Dasha
Cleary, also of Maryland.

The Attorney General's Office is investigating the Days Inn as a nuisance
property, which, if conclusive, will provide the Attorney General with the
ability to pursue improvements to the site through litigation.

In addition, the Second District Police Department has assigned an officer
to patrol this stretch of Connecticut Avenue (from Cleveland Park up
through Forest Hills) daily to provide increased visibility and serve as a
crime deterrent along the corridor.

Mark Your Calendar - Streetscape Updates Coming to Cleveland Park

Upcoming Community Meeting - The District Department of Transportation
(DDOT) will be holding a public meeting on March 7, 2022 at 6:30 pm to kick
off construction for the Cleveland Park Streetscape and Drainage Project.
The Cleveland Park Streetscape and Drainage Project will focus on:
* The recurring flooding problem near the Cleveland Park Metro Station
* Improving pedestrian safety
* Implementing several green infrastructure improvements

Please click [11]here for the meeting link, registration, and additional
project information. For all project updates including the projected
timeline, traffic advisories, and photos, please visit
[12]www.clevelandparkstreetscape.com

Councilmember Cheh Joins Fox5 to Discuss Dangerous Driving

From Fox 5 - Leaders call out lack of action against reckless drivers

Cars with dozens of unpaid traffic tickets remain on the streets of D.C.
One resident says he gets multiple tickets a day at his address in the name
of someone who hasn't lived there for years.

Garrett Hennigan is looking for answers. He posted to Twitter showing the
endless stream of citations that come in the mail for a man who used to
live at his address more than seven years ago. The former resident
allegedly has a car registered in Virginia.

Councilmember Mary Cheh has been fighting for change. Hundreds of thousands
of vehicles across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are eligible for booting,
according to Cheh. In his tweets, Henningan says this person has a laundry
list of tickets totaling nearly $30 thousand dollars worth of fines.

"Our citizens ought to be outraged by this and outraged not just because
this person is getting away with all of this but outraged because what
they’re doing is dangerous to the public," Cheh said.

[13]Watch the Full Segment

Help Contain Bird Flu by Reporting Sick Animals

From WUSA9 - See an unusual number of dead birds? Report to local animal
agencies to help contain bird flu

City Wildlife is asking members of the community to report "unusual numbers
of dead wild birds" to local animal and wildlife organizations...Sick birds
could have symptoms like swollen eyes, coughing, nose and eye discharge,
sneezing and coughing; head or neck positioned abnormally and uncoordinated
movement such as swimming in circles; swollen legs and feet and patchy,
discolored skin; and increased deaths within a flock.

To report sick or dead birds:
* Email the [14]Department of Energy and Environment; call City Wildlife
at 202-882-1000; or call the District's Animal Care and Control at
202-723-5730.

[15]Read the Full Story

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Help Beautify the Van Ness Main Street

[16]

Planting Season is Right Around the Corner - Friends and neighbors of all
ages are invited to join master gardener Kathy Sykes in planting seeds and
flowers in the tree boxes along Connecticut Avenue in Forest Hills to add
to the growing perennial gardens and pollinator corridors started in 2019!
* From March 26th through April 17th, volunteers will gather every
Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 PM to help plant along the corridor
* Volunteers should bring gloves and their favorite gardening tools (all
other supplies will be provided) and dress in comfortable clothes
* This volunteer activity is perfect for all ages!

To volunteer, please contact Kathy directly with your available dates/times
and she'll provide the day's exact planting location closer to your
volunteer date. Please include 'Bulb Planting' in the subject line and send
an email to: [17][email protected].

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are
teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to reach us via [18]email or phone through our main line
at (202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent
services requests.

[19]Facebook [20]Twitter [21]marycheh.com

FOLLOW MARY

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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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