The Georgetown Metropolitan

The dawn of modern electric cars is great for the environment. But they need to be charged. While most Americans can simply charge them in their suburban garages or driveways, people living in neighborhoods like Georgetown face a much steep challenge adopting this new technology. Since most Georgetowners don’t have a garage or off-street parking spot, they have no natural place to charge their cars while at home.

This is an issue GM first flagged way back in 2019. That was when GM first started noticing residents who simply ran a charging cord across the sidewalk and to their car. This practice presents a host of problems. The most obvious is that it is a big tripping hazard. Even when residents try to cover the cord, it still can bunch up and catch the toe of an unsteady walker. Additionally, over time the cord can easily become torn and a shocking hazard. And beyond these safety concerns, they’re just really ugly strewn about. They also open the door to the possibility that homeowners begin to feel entitled to always park immediately in front of their house, which is simply not a right we can logistically recognize in Georgetown.

And until recently, this practice was illegal although it’s unclear whether the city ever tried to enforce the law. Earlier this year, WAMU ran a piece showing the lengths one driver on Capitol Hill went to run cables up and through trees to charge his cars. Although he received one note from a neighbor complaining, the city had taken no action against him.

But this summer, the city did finally take action. But not to stop him, but to give him a green light. This summer, DDOT issued guidance that permits residents citywide to string cables across the sidewalk. The only substantive requirement is that the car-owner puts a cover over the cable and remove it from the sidewalk when not using it.

My ANC campaign is underway! If you live in northwest Georgetown, you’ve hopefully seen some of my signs around. I hope you like them!

If you’d like to support my campaign, I’d be hugely grateful if you would be willing to display one of these lovely signs in front of your house. Signs in front of neighbors’ houses are so much more persuasive than yet another one up on a lamppost. If you’re willing, shoot me an email at mathewsforanc@gmail.com and I’ll bring one by!

Better yet, if you’d be willing to gather some of your neighbors over to your house sometime for a meet and greet, I’ll bring the wine, it’ll be fun!

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The crazy story how the ashes of a legendary DC journalist ended up in Jack Evans’ basement.
• GU commits to supporting its undocumented students.

The District Department of Transportation is holding a virtual public meeting tonight to discuss plans that would eliminate a third of all the Circulator bus stops in Georgetown.

The proposal is described in this map below:

The red dots represent bus stops on the chopping block. Specifically the proposal would eliminate stops at Wisconsin and R, Wisconsin and P, M and Thomas Jefferson St., and M and 28th St. This would reduce the number of stops in Georgetown from 18 to 12.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• A detailed look at various transit improvement proposals that could come to Georgetown.
• Interesting dive into the Aged Women’s Home.

At the request of a reader, who is also a Hyde-Addison parent, GM is going to run the monthly PTA update as a way to better get the good word out on Hyde to the Georgetown community. Here’s this month’s!:

It’s time for the monthly update for neighbors of Hyde Addison Elementary School!
The 2022/2023 school year has begun. The first day of school was August 29 th for grades K through 5 and September 1 st for the PK-3 and PK-4 classes. For the 2022/2023 school year, Hyde has 380 total students, withan average class size of 19 (not including Hyde’s PK 3 class which is capped at 16).

Though I have lived in Georgetown and Burleith for almost 15 years, my family is new to the school, with one student in Kindergarten and another in PK3. We love heading to school each day. I am always happy to answer your questions about the school. By the way, the school’s playground is open to the public on weekends and all are welcome to enjoy this community resource (but please don’t leave behind trash or any other items).

Hyde’s PTA is in the midst of its largest fundraiser of the year “The Great Envelope Race,” with a goal of
raising $40,000 to cover school needs beyond the basics provided to the school from its budget from the city. Every donation helps (my wife and I gave $800!) and I encourage you all to consider giving. Learn more here:
hydegift.com

Separately, if you are interested in supporting the school by eating pizza, mark your calendars! &pizza (1335 Wisconsin Ave in Georgetown) is hosting a fundraiser benefiting Hyde’s PTA on Tuesday 9/13 from 11am- close. When the code “HYDE” is used at checkout either in the store or on the &pizza app, Hyde PTA’s receives 50% of the sale.

Your support of Hyde is welcome and much appreciated!  
Sincerely,
Phil Mone
R St in Burleith

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• This Friday at 10am is a Day of Service at the Mt Zion and Female Union Band Society cemeteries in Georgetown. No experience necessary. Come out to help preserve this priceless cultural landmark.
• And while you’re in that neck of Georgetown, stop by the multi-family yard sale.