This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
This week brought both urgent constituent issues and major updates from the Council and Congress. I’ve continued to hear from residents who are still not receiving normal trash and recycling collection, and I continue to advocate to DPW for improved service. At the same time, we’re navigating ongoing oversight hearings, preparing for the FY27 budget, and responding to congressional overreach that threatens democratically passed support for working families in DC. I’ll continue sharing updates on what we’re doing, what’s next, and how neighbors can get involved.
Community News
Responding to Fatal Traffic Collision in Petworth
I’m devastated by the tragic traffic collision that took place this afternoon at Georgia Avenue, Upshur Street, and Kansas Avenue, which MPD reports resulted in a fatality. My team and I are in close contact with FEMS and MPD as we work to gather more details and ensure accurate information is shared as it becomes available. At this difficult time, I am holding the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected in our thoughts and prayers. As a result of the collision, Georgia Ave between Varnum and Taylor St was shut down to traffic as MPD conducted their investigation. Please stay safe and look out for one another on our streets, and I will continue to update you as we learn more.
Updates on Trash and Recycling Service
More than two weeks after the winter storm, too many Ward 4 neighbors are still experiencing missed or inconsistent trash and recycling collection. While DPW has stated that service has returned to a regular schedule, that has not been the reality for many households. My office has received hundreds of calls, emails, and 311 reports, and we have been in direct contact with executive and DPW leadership to push for immediate action. The lack of reliable service is unacceptable, and we are continuing to share detailed reports from residents and demand consistent follow-through. Based on conversations I have had with city leadership, here are the steps being taken right now:
- DPW reassigning 80 seasonal staff to support trash and recycling collection
- Deploying alternative trucks to help reduce the backlog
- DPW is exploring the use of private haulers to stabilize service
I appreciate the frontline DPW workers who have been working long hours under difficult conditions. At the same time, staffing challenges cannot excuse prolonged gaps in basic sanitation services. Trash and recycling collection are core city functions, and executive and DPW leadership must ensure they are delivered reliably.
As oversight hearings continue, I will press for accountability, better preparedness, and stronger coordination so service gaps like this do not happen again. I encourage you to continue submitting 311 requests, share your experiences for the hearing record, and contact my office directly — your reports strengthen our advocacy. We will not let up until service is fully and consistently restored.
Attorney General Files RICO Lawsuit Against DC Slumlord
On Thursday, the Office of the Attorney General announced an unprecedented RICO lawsuit against the Razjooyan family, alleging an extensive real estate fraud scheme including buildings in Wards 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8. The lawsuit details an extensive pattern of exploitation, from decreasing the available housing supply to forcing tenants to live in unsafe and undignified conditions.
This problem is not abstract for our community. I have heard from dozens of residents who have been subjected to unsafe housing and ignored maintenance requests due to landlords’ abuse of DC’s housing subsidies. This lawsuit is the kind of accountability tenants have been demanding, and I’m grateful to OAG for using every tool available to pursue justice and protect residents.
This work also reinforces why I introduced the Housing with Integrity Act. Public housing dollars should create safe, stable homes, not reward landlords who neglect properties or game the system. My legislation would create meaningful consequences for landlords who consistently fail to meet basic housing standards, ensuring landlords meet clear standards of safety and habitability.
Council News/Legislative Updates
DC Fights Back Against Congressional Interference
This week, we witnessed yet another assault on our democracy and right to self-governance. On Thursday, the Senate passed a disapproval resolution to overturn a local DC law that expanded our Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit—a law already democratically passed by the DC Council to meet the real needs of families struggling to afford the cost of living across the District.In the aftermath of this blatant overreach, the Council is considering our options in how to respond to protect DC families.
This attempt to override one of DC’s locally passed laws is not an abstract change—it would have real consequences for working families and the District’s overall budget. For thousands of District residents who have already filed their taxes, the disapproval resolution could mean uncertainty and confusion about which rules to follow. As we approach the FY27 budget process, this interference could also affect when the mayor’s budget is sent to the Council and the timing of the budget’s passage. I will continue to update you as the issue progresses and as we explore every avenue to defend our community’s voice in decisions that affect our lives.
Hearing from the Community on the FY27 Budget
Creating a budget that truly meets the needs of our community starts with hearing from neighbors, and on Tuesday, I was grateful to hear from so many of you at my Ward 4 Budget Forums. Your questions, ideas, and priorities will directly inform my budget letter to the mayor, where I’ll lay out my priorities for investments in Ward 4.
In past years, the mayor’s budget proposal has included harmful cuts to some of the programs neighbors rely on most, including housing support, healthcare access, food assistance, and childcare. This week, I joined my colleagues in calling on the mayor to protect human services funding in the FY27 budget. Ward 4 families and residents across DC deserve a budget that reflects our values and protects the services that keep people safe and stable.
I also want to remind you that there are more opportunities to make your voice heard throughout the budget process. Ward 4 neighbors can reach out to your at-large representatives on the Council, some of whom will also host budget town halls in the weeks to come. Since the budget begins with the Council receiving the mayor’s proposal, I encourage you to attend the mayor’s budget forums, which will be announced on communityaffairs.dc.gov. Neighbors should also be sure to testify at budget oversight hearings, which will be scheduled after the Mayor’s budget is submitted. The more neighbors share their priorities, the more our community’s voice is represented in the budget process.
Performance Oversight Hearings Continue!
It’s been another packed week on the Council as we continue through performance oversight hearings. These hearings are how we make sure DC agencies are working for you, and that our government is meeting the real needs of our communities. If you want to have your voice heard directly, I encourage you to sign up for some of the upcoming hearings.
Next Wednesday, the Committee of the Whole will hold a hearing for DC Public Schools and the DC Public Charter School Board. Also on Wednesday, there will be hearings on the Department of Health and the Department of Small and Local Business Development. Then on Thursday, there will be a hearing on the Department of Aging and Community Living. Lastly, on Friday, there will be a hearing for the Department of Energy and the Environment. Your perspective matters, and your experience can shape the decisions that affect all of us—sign up to testify now!
Community Resources
DC Services for Presidents Day Weekend
With Presidents Day this coming weekend, DC government services will be modified on Monday, February 16th. Metrorail and Metrobus services will run on a holiday schedule, and DC Public Schools will be closed for the holiday. In general, agency-by-agency updates are shared 1-2 days before federal holidays on the mayor’s webpage. For more updates on DC services this weekend, visit dc.gov.
Georgia Ave Construction Updates
Starting Wednesday, March 4th, DDOT will be conducting resurfacing work on Georgia Ave NW from Peabody St to Quackenbos St NW. The work is expected to be complete by Friday, April 3rd, weather permitting. Work will take place Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 3:30pm and Saturday from 7am to 7pm. Curbside parking may be restricted during repair work. Emergency no parking signs will be posted at least 72 hours in advance. For questions about this work, you can reach out to Mohamend.Mirghani@dc.gov.
DC Bar Pro Bono Center Resources
The DC Bar Pro Bono Center has extensive resources for tenants, nonprofits, small businesses, probate support, immigration support and more, making it easier for District residents to access free or low-cost civil legal help. Built in collaboration with a wide network of legal service providers, the DC Resource Bridge is designed to make access to justice simpler, fairer, and more effective. To get started, call 202-933-HELP (4357).
Roosevelt HS Seeking Host Families
This spring, Roosevelt High School is welcoming seventeen students and three chaperones from Christian von Mannlich Gymnasium in Homburg, Germany. During their visit to Washington, DC, from Friday, May 29, through Tuesday, June 9, these students will have the wonderful opportunity to experience life in our community by staying with local host families. Host families play a meaningful role in this exchange by providing dinner during the week and meals on weekends, spending time together during weekend activities (either organized by the host family or the exchange program chaperone), and sharing insights about Washington, DC, and life in the United States. If you are interested in opening your home and being part of this rewarding cultural exchange, please complete this form.
Brightwood Family Success Center Food Distribution
The Brightwood Family Success Center is hosting its February food distribution on Friday, February 20th from 2 to 4pm. Each household will receive one standard food bag containing non-perishable and perishable food items, as available. Prepared food bags will also be available for households without kitchen access. Registration is strongly encouraged. Please ensure you complete the registration form by Friday, February 13th.
Support Ward 4’s Open Book Foundation!
This year, Ward 4-based organization An Open Book Foundation is nominated for Project for Awesome, an annual event raising awareness and funding for charities around the world. An Open Book Foundation is dedicated to promoting literacy and educational equity by connecting students in the DC area with authors, illustrators, and books. To vote for An Open Book Foundation, visit projectforawesome.com and vote for their video from February 10th to 18th!
Riggs Road & South Dakota Ave Park Community Meeting
On February 24th from 6:30 to 7:30pm, join the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) for a community meeting to discuss the initial designs for improvements to the park at the intersection of Riggs Road & South Dakota Avenue NE. To RSVP and find more information on the project, visit DPR’s website.
Neighborhood Events
Petworth Peanuts Book Exchange and Winter Carnival
Petworth Peanuts’ Book Exchange and Winter Carnival will take place on Sunday, February 15th from 2 to 6pm at Hook Hall. This fun event will include over a thousand donated kids’ books available for free, plus, tons of free kids’ entertainment, giveaways, and more. Check out the full map of porch locations where book donations can be dropped off, and the event page for more details for attendees.
Black History Month Bingo with Iona Senior Services
On Friday, February 20th, I’m excited to co-host Black History Family Reunion: A Day of Fun and Games with Iona Senior Services. The event will take place from 10am to 1pm at Lamond Rec Center (20 Tuckerman St NE) with food, drinks, crafts, bingo, line and hand dancing, and much more. If you’d like to attend, visit Fort Stevens or Lamond Rec Center and register with DACL by Tuesday, February 17th.
Takoma Park Farmers Market Back Open!
The Takoma Park Farmers Market is back on Sundays from 9am to 1pm on the border of Takoma and Takoma Park, 6931 Laurel Ave! Come out and support your local farmers and stock up for the week ahead. Vendors offering seasonal and greenhouse produce, cheese, milk, meat, eggs, breads, baked goods, prepared foods, whole grains, flour and more will all be in attendance.
Christ Lutheran Church Pancake Dinner
On Tuesday, February 17th from 7 to 9pm, Christ Lutheran Church (5101 16th St NW) is hosting a pancake dinner open to all neighbors. Join for a cozy meal shared with members of the community.
Black History Month Exhibit at Zenith Gallery
From now until February 28th, Zenith Gallery is hosting a Black History Month exhibit, featuring works from more than a dozen artists. Artist talks will take place every Saturday at 2pm at Zenith Gallery, 1429 Iris Stret NW.
Elevation Legacy Counseling Launch Event
On Saturday, February 28th from 1pm to 3pm, Zion Baptist Church (4850 Blagden Ave NW) is hosting a launch event for Elevation Legacy Counseling. Elevation is a new community-based initiative designed to help seniors protect their homes, preserve generational wealth, and make informed legacy decisions with dignity and clarity. Elevation Legacy Counseling provides a trusted space for difficult conversations around property, family, and legacy, counseling sessions and workshops for seniors and families, focused support that reduces crisis intervention, and a bridge between faith institutions and vetted housing, legal, and aging-service partners. Please join on February 28th and share with a neighbor.
Petworth Porchfest Set for May 30th!
It’s official: 2026 Petworth Porchfest is scheduled for Saturday, May 30th! There will be music on porches from 2 to 7pm and on the main stage from 5 to 8pm. The rain date will May 31st. As neighbors gear up to take part in the festivities and enjoy all our local artists and businesses have to offer, I encourage you to read this article from Petworth News highlighting how neighbors can volunteer and take part in Porchfest. The article also highlights my Porchfest Permitting Act, which the Council recently enacted to make sure neighbors can host Porchfest events without unnecessary bureaucratic barriers. Can’t wait to see you all at Porchfest!
Important Reminders
Office Hours in the Community
Ward 4 office hours are happening every Wednesday afternoon at Fort Stevens Rec Center from 12 to 1pm, followed by office hours at Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center from 1:30 to 2:30pm. Community members can stop by and speak one-on-one with a member of our team about DC government services or our work in the Ward 4 community.
Support for Federal Workers
As many in our community face unprecedented challenges, I’m grateful to everyone who is stepping up to support neighbors. The Office of the Mayor has rolled out fedsupport.dc.gov, sharing resources for federal workers who have been laid off or impacted by recent cuts. I also want to remind neighbors of resources on my website for federal workers impacted by recent actions and neighbors facing the threat of immigration enforcement, compiled with the help of Councilmember Nadeau. DC government and the DC Council are also hiring for a range of positions, and I encourage community members to take a look at the open positions and share with a neighbor.
Ward 4 in News
Washingtonian: These Vintage Resellers Teamed Up to Reimagine a Storied DC Secondhand Shop
Petworth News: Petworth PorchFest returns in May 2026! Register to host or perform!
Petworth News: A fun Book Exchange & Carnevale at Hook Hall, hosted by Petworth Peanuts
Next Stop…Riggs Park: National Park Service Neighborhood Updates
Next Stop…Riggs Park: Councilmember Robert White FY27 Budget Survey & Townhall
WAMU 88.5: In the wake of mass layoffs, hundreds rally to support The Washington Post
The 51st: D.C. deserves better than Bezos
Ward 4 Dispatch: Snow Response, Budget Forum, and TranspoBINGO!
These are news articles that mention Ward 4 or pertain to events in our community. Councilmember Lewis George does not write or endorse their content but shares them for community awareness.
On Saturday, I was grateful to join neighbors in Ward 7 as Chair of the Committee on Facilities to discuss safety, accessibility, and other important issues facing the District. Thank you to the Hillcrest Civic Association for welcoming me and to all the neighbors who joined for their thoughtful questions.
Have a relaxing Valentines and Presidents Day Weekend, Ward 4!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
