Zahid Rathore - ANC 5B07

09/17/2026

Yet again, last night's ANC 5B meeting ended with a toxic discussion. In this instance the conversation was focused on the Education Committee.

There is valid concern about whether our ANC committees reflect the diversity of the broader community. As commissioners, we have made real efforts to recruit people with different backgrounds, experiences, neighborhoods, and perspectives.

There continues to be a misunderstanding of the role and duties of the ANC and the committee structure. First and foremost, our primary mission is to advocate for residents to the government. Additionally, we are not paid - we are volunteers as are committee members. We can recruit and we can ask people to participate but we cannot force anyone to serve.

The conversation turned toxic when demands were made to account for committee members by race, gender, and how long they have lived in DC. Another resident suggested that committee membership requires being a "native Washingtonian."

I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion of being a Washintonian as a requirement. There is no place for racial tests, demographic tests, or some arbitrary residency test for who is allowed to serve their community. I have lived in Washington for 24 years. That is longer than I lived where I grew up. Am I a Washingtonian yet? If not, when do I become one? At 25 years? 30? 40? And who gets to decide?

There is an important conversation to be had about representation, including the history and experience of longtime residents. But that conversation cannot become a mandate to tell other residents that they are somehow less legitimate because of their race, where they were born, how long they have lived here, what street they happen to live on, or where their children attend school.

If you believe a committee or the ANC itself is missing voices that need to be there, there is a very practical solution: volunteer. Encourage someone you think should be represented to volunteer. Send us names. Help us recruit. But standing on the sidelines and demanding that volunteers justify their race, gender, birthplace, or years of residency is outrageous.

So, respectfully, if you think the committee or the ANC is missing someone, either run or volunteer yourself or help us fill the seat.

08/03/2026

Huge update for the residents of the 3000 block of Monroe St NE:

DDOT has completed a preliminary design for drainage and pavement improvements in the Monroe Street alley between Monroe Street and Clinton Street. The plans show that the alley and the drainage system underneath it will be substantially rebuilt. The work will include repaving the alley in concrete, installing new storm drains and catch basins, and adding new underground pipes and manholes near Clinton Street to better collect and carry away stormwater.

The plans also show that the existing drainage system is complicated and appears to have some problem areas, including a manhole that was full of water when surveyed and several underground pipes that could not be fully inspected. However, the plans do not include a detailed written explanation of the flooding history or specific impacts on individual properties.

Construction will occur in phases and will temporarily affect alley access, driveways, and traffic on Clinton Street. The contractor will be required to coordinate with affected residents and reopen the roadway and alley at the end of each workday where possible.

These are only 30 percent design plans, so the project is still in the early engineering stage. DDOT has not yet provided a construction start date, final schedule, contractor, or project cost.

04/27/2026

District Department of Transportation is currently studying safety and traffic conditions around DC Public Schools John Burroughs Elementary as part of the Safe Routes to School program. This effort will directly shape recommendations to improve how students, families, and the community travel to and from the school each day.

This could include changes like traffic calming, safer crossings, pickup and drop off adjustments, and potentially broader street design changes.

Community input is critical; every voice and opinion need to be heard.

If you live nearby, have a child at Burroughs, or travel through the area regularly, please take a few minutes to complete the survey below. DDOT uses this feedback to guide what improvements are prioritized and implemented.

Survey link:
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8778002/0e10f4673991

Please select Burroughs Elementary in the drop down. The more input they receive, the better the outcome will reflect the needs and concerns of the full community.

Thank you for helping make our neighborhood safer for everyone.

2026 Safe Routes to School Survey.

04/05/2026

Thank you to all who attended my March 30 SMD meeting, where we heard a presentation from the owners/operators of The Rumble Room (2915 RIA NE). Based on community feedback, I have drafted a Settlement Agreement.

A Settlement Agreement is a legally binding document that establishes the rules governing a business's operations. Once approved, it becomes part of the liquor license and is enforceable. This is how our neighborhood can set clear expectations upfront rather than reacting later.

The draft addresses key concerns raised by neighbors, including:
• Hours (including Sundays)
• Noise and outdoor music limits
• No outdoor activity after 10 PM
• Alcohol staying on premises
• Security and loitering
• Trash and cleanliness
• Parking and traffic

Of course, the draft is just that, a draft, and not perfect. If you’d like to review the draft, send me a message, and I’ll share the link. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the community.

12/08/2025

Happy sixty seventh day of school to all those at DC Public Schools!

SIX SEVEN!

11/26/2025

I spent Monday morning touring 5B07 with Robert from District Department of Transportation Urban Forestry Division. It was a great chance to see our neighborhood through an arborist’s eyes. We identified at least four new spots where trees can go, and I learned a lot about how the city thinks about plantings and long term canopy growth.

DC has one of the highest planting rates in the country which means we are using a large portion of the places where trees can feasibly be planted. It is something to be proud of and shows our city’s real commitment to a healthy canopy.

Even with that progress, Ward 5 still needs more tree lined streets. Rhode Island Ave in particular has many gaps that we should close. That will take consistent advocacy and partnership with DDOT so we can expand shade, cool the corridor, and make our streets more inviting.

If you see an empty tree box in the neighborhood, you can help. Submit a 311 request, and the city will plant a tree there if it's feasible. Small actions like that add up and help us grow a stronger canopy for the whole community. For more information see:

DDOT's Urban Forestry Division (UFD) is the primary steward of Washington DC's ~170,000 public trees and has a mission of keeping this resource healthy, safe, & growing! Trees in the city are critical to our well-being. Among many other benefits, these trees improve our air and water quality, cool o...

11/15/2025

This video says it all: some buffon feeling entitled to do donuts in the middle of the day at 24th and Monroe. Neighbors have been saying for years that traffic is dangerous, and to date, nothing’s been done.

District Department of Transportation TSI process isn’t working. It relies on police reports and crash data that completely miss things like this. If no one files a report, it’s like it never happened.

We need a better approach. Relying on Washington Metropolitan Police Dept. alone won’t solve the problem either. Doorbell cameras are everywhere now. The City should be using that footage to identify and hold reckless drivers accountable. Our residents and pedestrians deserve better!