How can we make the District of Columbia truly “One City?”
Making genuine progress toward creating “One City” is the Mayor’s highest priority. Mayor Gray has said that One City “is the recognition that all District residents, no matter their differences, are bound together by a common destiny and a shared desire to make the city even better for the people who live here. Regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ward or neighborhood, we all want a vibrant, sustainable city, where all residents have an opportunity to provide for themselves and their families, where every neighborhood is safe, where every student goes to a good school, where every tax dollar is spent wisely on a government that works, and where citizens’ voices really count.” Yet the District government cannot achieve this goal alone.
We’d like your thinking on some of the specific questions that we’ll be wresting with at the summit:
- How do we grow and diversify the economy?
- What do DC government, businesses, and non-profits need to do to help people who aren’t currently job-ready get the skills they need to find work, especially in growing sectors of the economy?
- In order to have healthy, thriving infants and toddlers, what District government services and resources will be most important for our families and communities?
46 results found
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6 votes
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4 votes
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Expand the Capital Bikeshare system with more stations to further reduce traffic congestion and parking shortages
Everyone complains about traffic congestion and lack of parking but real solutions to these problems are hard to come by. Increasing reliance on biking is a tried and true way to solve both problems.
The Capital Bikeshare program has been a huge success with a recent expansion bringing the total number of stations to over 140 stations, but membership and usage is still growing so fast there's often full and empty stations where and when they're needed most.
There are also many areas of the city without stations making the system unusable for those who live or work in those…
6 votes -
Maximize Public Wi-Fi
The landscape of public communications has changed, and those who have lower incomes are hobbled by the monopolies of our internet service providers. The city needs to continue to expand offerings for free and public Wi-Fi access across the city and outside the bounds of public buildings. Metro Stations, Bus Stops, and Public Parks are all places where people stop and wait and could be going online. But beyond that are DC resident homes who cannot afford the monthly service cost for internet access. By expanding public Wi-Fi we could give people an option to use the internet in the…
21 votes -
My idea is that if more dc residents would come together, we can make the city a better place to live,
The residents of dc, if we could work together more, we could make the city a better place to live, also if you could put more officers on the streets, and put cililians in the stations, we all can have a job. thanks..
5 votes -
20 votes
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City Officials should not Accept Lobbyist Overtures
There is NOT place in the government for lobbyist activities. Lobbyist courting DC officials, especially in areas that are underrepresented, should not be the norm. There is no real need for affordable housing lobbyist to court DC officials when the landlord/tenant arena is being eroded by the industry. Already there is a separate court for housing providers. This is sick and disgusting. If you are hiring the best of the best, there would be no need to have discussions with lobbyist. DC cannot justify the salaries its paying to city employees because the employees for the most part are NOT…
1 vote -
NO STATEHOOD FOR DC
The District of Columbia should not be afforded statehood until something is done to rid the city of all these unethical occurrences in the government. The Council should not get a pass by passing legislation it NEVER read. You can't blame Gandhi for passing the 2009 legislation legalizing online gambling. The City Council SHOULD HAVE READ THE BILL IN 2009. If there were anything in the bill that was NOT clear, the staffers should have made the proper inquiries. The City Council should institute government clearances for all positions that remotely is responsible for City funds. The thefts could be…
1 vote -
Whistleblower Statute is ALL WRONG
The current whistleblower statute places the whistleblower in a precarious position. Rarely would District employees seek to blow to the whistle to save the City money because the statute places the burden on the potential whistleblower. How can the City stop the endless instances of embezzlement when the City's sole statute has the effect of destroying the messenger. Whistleblower reports should be change to include an internal review by an ethics officer. I am NOT referring to Willoughby, because his office is truly ineffective. The recent story concerning DHCD blamed the lowly employee and not the supervisors responsive for giving…
1 vote -
Cut out the parking zone permit program as it exist. I live in Ward 6, if I want to visit Ward 4 I should not be treated like some tourist.
Ward parking is ridiculous. If I live in Ward 6, I should not be treated like a tourist if I want to park in Ward 4. District residents should be permitted to park in any Ward they desire irrespective of their home Ward. Seems quite ridiculous that tourists from other states are treated the same as residents who visit Wards other than their home Ward.
25 votes -
7 votes
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STOP OUTSOURCING PROJECTS (JOBS) TO CONTRACTORS
STOP OUTSOURCING PROJECTS (JOBS) TO CONTRACTORS
District of Columbia Government must stop outsourcing projects (Jobs) to contractors when DC Government already have full time employees (FTE) on board to carry out the very projects which are awarded to contractors and the FTEs has to provide guidance and/or directions to contractors on any awarded contract.
1 vote -
Set up a citywide advisory board of former ANC Commissioners
Make use of this ever-increasing group of people; their experience and wisdom can be valuable to the wellbeing of the city. Require that issues they address be citywide in nature to avoid interference with the duties and perks of sitting commissioners. Advice on broad issues as seen by people from all parts of the city working together could be quite useful - I know because I served 12 years as an ANC Commissioner.
2 votes -
Create an accessible and navigable database for youth programs
Create an accessible and navigable database for youth serving programs in the city that allows youth, parents, direct service providers, and organizations to access to existing age appropriate programs, asses resource distribution and better understand where youth are interacting with the city in out of school spaces. Use this as a platform to connect providers and build toward a more collaborative approach to service provision that shares information, reinforces common positive youth development themes, and supports youth and families through all of their daily, weekly, and yearly transitions. Eventually develop several user interfaces that interact with each stakeholder group, encouraging…
4 votes -
DC Govt - Program Mgrs will not promote or hire DC residents even if qualified
The Mayor and Council of the District work hard to promote opportunities for the people of the District of Columbia, but their are people in postions of power and authority that will not hire or promote DC residents, even though, they have the skill set to be an actual contributor of their government. But, when DC Program Managers hire people outside of DC, because they want their friends in the position, then resident don't stand a chance.
All of us know that 70% is outside of the District and 30% is made up of the residents of the District.
How…7 votes -
Co-create Asian American destination in Chinatown DC...
Help students, seniors, local residents, community builders, mentors and others plan the next steps for the fulfillment of the vision of Mayor Gray and the Chinese/Asian community for Chinatown DC as a unique Asian American destination. Make available funding to provide resources for this worthwhile project.
23 votes -
Protect the City's Renters
Creating parameters that protect renters from hidden charges. Creating a partnerhship with developers that allow moderate (not low income) income people to have an affordable unit to rent. Unless you are poor or make $100,000 property managers say you can not afford to live in their apartments but most of us do not qualify for rent subsidy.Market rate apartment are out of moderate income people's reach.
4 votes -
Promoting Citizen Engagement
Investing in communicating to the public (especially those most susceptible to being disenfranchised) the importance of participation in the District's decision-making process as well as in neighborhood/ward organizations is crucial to the "One City" concept. I think if the city took a poll (especially in the neighborhoods where citizens are most disenfranchised) about political/gov. services knowledge, the city would be surprised as to the lack of knowledge regarding how to engage. So many citizens in DC express their disappointment and frustration with DC's gentrification and I think some of this frustration stems from not being part of or participating in…
1 vote -
We need more Permnament Housing for the District Residence!!!!!!!
HOUSING FOR ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8 votes -
Citywide Participatory Budgeting
Follow cities from Brazil to Canada, from Chicago to NYC, in giving residents a meaningful voice in how city funds are spent to improve neighborhoods. Participatory budgeting creates a process for involving neighborhoods where people come together and discuss local needs and then set priorities for how city funds should be allocated to benefit neighborhoods and the city as a whole. Neighborhood representatives from across the city then come together to agree on citywide priorities. This grassroots process ensures real economic democracy. No backroom deals.
17 votes