Last week we reported that D.C. Appleseed's newest online initiative to encourage residents to identify pressing problems in the District and propose solutions had kicked off with a bang, eliciting submissions on everything from car-free roads to legalized marijuana to how to best fix the city's schools.

As of today, there are 105 submissions. After the jump we feature some of the highlights, from the serious to the not-so-serious, from the way to fight HIV/AIDS to the snack tax.

Re-Open the City Museum (Ward 6)

One problem is the District's failure to fully capitalize on the great influx of tourists, in order to further local interests. Another is the city's palpable economic and racial divisions. Each year, millions of tourists come to the District, learn all about the national government, but remain ignorant about life outside of the federal district. The City Museum was a fantastic way to build pride among District residents while simultaneously educating outsiders about the city's uniqueness...The museum must have a permanent exhibit addressing congressional representation. This exhibit could encourage non-local visitors to write their representatives on behalf of District residents and discuss local issues impacted by congressional oversight. The museum should encourage different local communities to learn about each other, hopefully building coalitions and removing the unfair stigma attached to certain communities.

Get Rid of the White House (Ward 6)

Once symbolic of the open connection between the President and common Americans, the White House has become a fishbowl. Its occcupants cannot venture outside without an army of security, and those outside its iron gates cannot venture near when the President is within shouting distance. Every time the President leaves the residence, streets are blocked in the heart of Downtown. The Ellipse is cleared when the helicopter lands. And Pennsylvania Avenue remains closed, shutting off an important East-West transportation route. Even with all the security, the White House remains a huge security risk for ordinary D.C. residents and workers. It must be a sad and lonely existence inside those walls. I imagine the Secret Service is nervous even when the President looks outside the window. I think the residence of the President and his family should be moved to Camp David, or even to the Naval Obervatory, where the VP now lives. The White House could be turned into a museum. Having the President among us is a quaint anachronism in the age of terror -- one that we can no longer afford.

Bury I-395 (Ward 6)

Bury 395 South, which cuts the city off from the Anacostia. This elevated freeway cuts a psychological swath through the heart of the District. It would not be an easy thing to do, but like the Metro, it would ultimately improve the city tremendously.

Require Metro Employees to Metro to Work (Ward 1)

As most DC-area residents can attest, the DC Metro system has numerous flaws - buses that don't run on time, trains that break down, crowded vehicles during rush hour and extremely long waits at off-peak hours to name a few. However, these problems will never be resolved if the WMATA employees - from the bottom to the top - don't experience them on a daily basis like other area commuters. Therefore, I propose *requiring* all WMATA employees - and board members - to take Metro to and from work every day (with some exceptions, of course). They can ride, transfer, and park for free as an incentive, but they should all have to experience daily Metro commuter frustrations like the rest of us.

Stomp Out HIV/AIDS (Ward 5)

The rate of HIV infection in the district is astonishingly high. It is time to develop a widespread mass media campaign that will get to the root of risky sexual decisions and behaviors that lead to HIV infection.

Enforce a Loitering Law (Ward 5)

In the District of Columbia, there is no loitering law. If there was a loitering law, once individuals gathered and began to become disorderly, the police should be allowed to disburse the crowd and possibly do identity checks, especially if there is suspicion of any illegal activity.

Impose a Snack Tax (Maryland)

It seems that most litter results from single serving consumables such as sodas, candy and snacks. I propose that these items, and others to be designated, be taxed and the proceeds used to pay for clean up efforts.