Glover Park Gazette February
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Glover Park February 2020 The Monthly Newsletter of the Glover Park Citizens' Association So, What’s Going on with Our Buses? Randy Rieland t’s a question that’s been asked a lot Park Community Center at Stoddert for the the WMATA board members that Glover since word got out about proposals in January meeting of the Advisory Neighbor- Park had recently received a Main Streets WMATA’s FY2021 budget calling for hood Commission (ANC). WMATA repre- grant from the District to boost its struggling Ielimination of the D1 route from GP to sentatives had been scheduled to speak, but business community, and that a cut in bus Franklin Square (14th and K Streets, NW) and cancelled because the agency’s board had not service would “work at cross-purposes” with the 30N and 30S buses that run on Wisconsin yet reviewed a final list of proposed changes. that effort. Avenue, through Georgetown and all the way ANC Vice-Chair Jackie Blumenthal “That grant was awarded with the ex- to Southeast DC. The WMATA plan also has urged the crowd to show up at upcom- pectation that businesses will come in,” Poteat recommended cutting the rush-hour 37 buses ing meetings where the bus routes will be said in an interview. “But it’s going to be hard- on Wisconsin and combining the D2 with the discussed, including the next ANC meeting er for them to hire wait staff or sales people if G2 route so that instead of ending at Dupont at Stoddert on February 13. “The only thing public transportation gets cut. That will make Circle, the trip would continue through that really makes a difference is a big turnout it harder for people from other parts of the Logan Circle to Howard University. by the public,” she said. “We’re all in this city to become employed here.” together.” Another speaker at the WMATA meet- Say What? “This is an issue that transcends income ing was Sydney Forrester Wilson, senior class How this will actually affect the quality and level and age group—more than many other president at the Duke Ellington School for the frequency of bus service here, however, issues,” said Ray Phillips, a Tunlaw Road Art. She pointed out that many of its students remains unclear until the transportation resident at the ANC meeting. “WMATA live in other parts of the city and rely on the agency provides more details, including its needs to look at not only where its ridership current bus service. rationale for considering the changes. That is coming from, but also where its tax revenue “Eliminating those bus routes will have should happen within the next week or so, is coming from. A lot is coming from this a significant negative impact on our school kicking off a public comment period and neighborhood.” community,” she said. “There’s no alternative.” leading up to public hearings late in February. The proposed route changes are part of a In a meeting with the District Depart- D Bus Defenders budget that can’t increase by more than 3 per- ment of Transportation, WMATA officials More than a dozen Glover Parkers took cent, due to a strict restriction on operating said the agency remains committed to Blumenthal’s advice and showed up at the costs. The plan also calls for a fare hike of maintaining or increasing frequency on high- WMATA Board of Directors meeting a few 10 cents on Metrorail during peak hours, volume routes and improving overall on-time days later. Most shared stories of how they and a weekend flat rate of $2. Metrobus fares performance. The agency also said any and many others they know depend on would not change for those using SmarTrip recommendations to drop routes is not due reliable bus service—and not just for those cards, but bus riders paying with cash would to low ridership, but rather to redundancy or who live in the neighborhood, but also face a 25-cent increase. Any changes that inefficient use of buses. for students, employees of local stores and ultimately are approved will go into effect While WMATA is suggesting the pro- businesses, and caregivers for older residents. July 1. posed changes represent more of a restruc- Among those who spoke was Elisa To stay up to date on upcoming meet- turing of routes than a cutback in service, Poteat, who has spearheaded an online peti- ings and hearings on bus route changes, go to neighborhood residents are wary, judging by tion campaign that as of this writing, has https://anc3b.org/saveourbuses/. You also can the overflow crowd that showed up at Glover gathered about 800 signatures. She reminded find a link there to sign the petition. Save Our Buses! ANC3B meeting, February 13, 7 p.m., Stoddert Let WMATA know how much Glover Park relies on its bus service! 2 Join In • Make a Difference Glover Park Participate • Get Involved • Engage Glover Park Citizens' Association (GPCA) President Karen Pataky ([email protected]) Save Our Buses...................................1 1st Vice President Jack Everett ([email protected]) 2nd Vice President Allen Tomlinson ([email protected]) President’s Report.............................3 Treasurer Maggie Simpson ([email protected]) Secretary Sally Everett ([email protected]) Sergeant at Arms Frank Martorana ([email protected]) GPCA February Agenda..................3 Federation Reps Patricia Clark, Frank Martorana, and Karen Pataky GPCA January Minutes....................3 Membership Director Allen Tomlinson ([email protected]) Glover Park Day Amanda Gant and Cheri Meyer ([email protected] and [email protected]) ANC3B News.......................................4 Stoddert Liaison Lisa McCluskey ([email protected]) Gazette Staff Commercial Strip Update...............5 Editor Sheila Meehan ([email protected]) Contributor Randy Rieland Glover Park History...........................6 Design and Production Lisa McCluskey Contacts Parenting in the Park.......................6 Advertising Maggie Simpson ([email protected]) Editorial [email protected] Delivery Maria O'Donnell ([email protected]) Guy Mason Programs......................8 The Gazette is distributed throughout Glover Park by volunteers. If you do not receive the AARP Tax Aid......................................8 Gazette and/or would like to volunteer, contact Maria O'Donnell ([email protected]). Responsible letters to the editor will be published as space allows. What’s new in Glover Park? Check us out on both Facebook and Twitter! Protect Your Back..............................8 Call us at: 202-379-4824. Glover Park Village Green..............8 Visit www.gpcadc.org to keep up with community news! If you love living in Glover Park, get involved! Join the Glover Park Citizens' Association today! Generously support the group that takes care of your neighborhood. Preserve the family-friendly quality of our community. Communicate your ideas to improve your neighborhood. Act locally to get things done. 1 Adult / Glover Park Resident = $20 Return form and fee to GPCA, P.O. Box 32268, Washington, DC 20007 2 Adults / Same Address = $35 Make check payable to GPCA. 3 Adults / Same Address = $50 4 Adults / Same Address = $60 1 Senior / Glover Park Resident = $15 Name(s) 2 Seniors / Same Address = $25 1 Adult / Non-Resident / Non-Voting = $20 Address 1 Senior / Non-Resident / Non-Voting = $15 Business / Corporation / Non-Voting = $75 US Military Veteran / Active or Retired = $5 Discount Total Enclosed: $____ / Date:_______ Email Glover Park Gazette 3 President’s Report Glover Park Citizens' Association Meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Stay Local and Battle WMATA GP Community Center at Stoddert Karen Pataky Agenda Police Report s we ready ourselves for 2020, it’s icy weather is anticipated. Warning to dog not to soon to remind every eligible walkers: antifreeze in the melted runoff tastes Pathways to Housing: Lina Permut Glover Parker to make certain they sweet and kills quickly! Georgetown Public Library: Linda Jones Aare registered to vote. And it’s time to anticipate Valentine’s Meeting Signs WMATA Proposal to Eliminate Day. Head to our new Trader Joe’s for lovely Glover Parkers may have noticed the six new Multiple Bus Routes bouquets and a grand array of chocolates and signs reminding neighbors to attend Glover other sweet treats. Park Citizens’ Association meetings on the Glover Park Village Green Thinking about taking a sweetheart out first Tuesday of each month. Sadly, one sign Guy Mason Classes/Activities for a scrumptious dinner? Enjoy one of our has already “disappeared.” Your GPCA plans more classic restaurants: Old Europe, Dump- to reuse them every month and we retrieve Treasurer’s Report lings and Beyond, Arcuri, Sushi Keiko, Sprig them immediately after the GPCA meeting. Membership Report and Sprout, or Casolare. The Indian and Nep- alese offerings at Laliguras might be an elegant Bus Routes Under Siege Secretary’s Report surprise or check out the newly renovated and Lastly, WMATA (Washington Metropolitan New Business expanded Slate/Xiquet for tapas and paella is Area Transit Authority) plans to cut back Check www.gpcadc.org and th expected to be open by the 14 . All are a short mightily on our bus service. Their proposals the Glover Park listserv for updates walk away. would cancel D1, 30N, and 30S, and merge Yes, this is encouragement to “shop and (with no details yet!) D2 with G2.These beloved D buses at the January 16 WMATA dine locally”! And please try to stop in every- cuts will be dreadful for residents who work Board meeting. where else on Wisconsin Avenue to help our or attend classes or shop anywhere in DC. To hear more and make your views neighborhood renaissance. Students who attend Hardy, Duke Ellington, known, attend the ANC3B’s meeting on and Wilson come from all over the District, February 13 at Stoddert at 7 p.m. WMATA Snow Reminders as do the those who work along Wisconsin will be there this time and we trust there If winter and snow ever arrive, know that your Avenue.