Prince George's Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks
Dear Prince Georgians:
I want to thank everyone who attended the FY2021 Budget Hearing. I am always Prince George’s Proud and impressed with the high level of participation that takes place when Prince Georgians come together to share their fruitful and constructive recommendations.
Your testimonies and feedback truly shape our County government’s fiscal priorities. We will use the feedback we received from the community and our County agencies to finalize our proposed FY2021 budget in the coming weeks. We are excited about this upcoming budget, because we know it will fund many of our shared priorities for Prince George’s County.
In addition to the FY2021 Budget Hearing, I had the honor of joining residents with the Roblee Citizens Association on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. I want to thank you the residents of the Roblee Citizens Association for welcoming our caravan of County agencies, as well as bringing up a number of issues and concerns in your community. Your attendance, participation, and thoughtful input made the evening a true success!
This meeting was the start of our “Prince George’s Proud Tour” for this spring, and I am truly excited to attend a number of civic association and HOA meetings over the next few months. Since the start of our Administration, our team has attended well over 500 community events and meetings. Our Prince George’s Proud Tour will be a continuation of our initiative to bring your County government directly to you.
I look forward to seeing you at various community meetings and events over the next few months as we continue building a high-performing government that better serves our community.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
County Executive Alsobrooks Serves as Guest Conductor for Prince George’s Philharmonic
County Executive Alsobrooks conducting the national anthem.
On Saturday, February 15, 2020, County Executive Alsobrooks attended the Prince George’s Philharmonic Concert at Prince George’s Community College. She served as a special guest conductor for the orchestra, conducting the national anthem to open the program. We want to thank the Prince George’s Philharmonic for providing over 50 years of musical entertainment and education to Prince Georgians.
To see a recap of the event, click here. To learn more about the Prince George’s Philharmonic, click here.
County Executive Alsobrooks Delivers Keynote at County Council Black History Program
County Executive Alsobrooks served as the keynote speaker for the Prince George’s County Council Annual Black History Program.
On Wednesday, February 19, 2020, County Executive Alsobrooks attended the County Council’s Annual Black History Program to deliver the keynote address. In her speech, she discussed the rich history of Prince George’s County under the event’s theme, “Prince George’s Proud: Roots to Royalty.” There were also a number of special performances from our young people in celebration of Black History Month. You can view a recap of the event online here.
Students Celebrate Completing Their First Novels in the Young Writers Program
County Executive Alsobrooks congratulates students who successfully completed the Young Writers Program.
Several students in Prince George’s County recently celebrated the completion of their very first novels. The Prince George’s County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, worked with these students in its Young Writers Program to help aspiring writers complete their first novels. County Executive Alsobrooks attended the celebration and offered inspirational words of wisdom to these talented Prince Georgians.
Help Manage Your Diabetes at Free Health Department Classes this Spring
 Starting March 5, 2020, the Health Department is offering free classes to Prince George’s County residents to help them take charge of their health if they have diabetes, pre-diabetes or have been diagnosed as borderline diabetic. The Diabetes Self-Management Program is led by the Department’s trained health and wellness instructors. They will help manage your stress, build your strength and endurance, and help you develop a healthier lifestyle.
Classes meet once a week in Clinton or Largo until April 16, 2020. Register now and start your journey to living well!
Free Pet Parenting Classes
 Learn what it takes to be a responsible pet owner and a great family host to a four-legged friend for its lifetime. This FREE 1-hour class will cover a broad range of topics, such as time, cost, food, toys, medical care, pet safety, social activities, and more.
Classes meet the third Saturday of each month at noon. The next class is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2020, at the Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center - 3750 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro.
Call 301-780-7220 to register for this class!
Do Your Part! Recycle Plastic Bags
 Did you know many grocery stores have bins outside the entrance for you to recycle plastic bags? Do your part and recycle plastic bags to help reduce our carbon footprint for future generations. Learn more at our new Beautification Initiative website.
Census March Madness Block Party & Basketball Clinic
 Join us at the Census 2020 March Madness Block Party on Saturday, March 28, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Suitland Community Center. This fun, family-friendly event is free to all. There will also be an opportunity for residents to complete their Census form online at the event.
In addition, please come out and participate in our basketball clinic. All registered participants for the clinic will receive a basketball, a pair of Nike slides, and socks! Boys and girls ages 6 -15 are eligible to participate. Register for the basketball clinic here. We hope to see you there!
Senior Census Bingo
On Senior Census Day, please join us for a day of Bingo! Learn about the importance of the Census and how to complete your Census, all while enjoying Bingo. Senior Census Day will be hosted at seven locations throughout the County on Friday, March 20, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This event is free and open to County residents ages 60 and better with a M-NCPPC Senior ID. If you need an ID, you can sign up at any senior activity center or community center.
To register, please visit pgparksdirect.com and search for “Census.” For more information, call 301-446-3400 or email seniors@pgparks.com. We hope to see you for a day of Bingo!
Census Fact Check Discussion
 We are joining forces with a number of partners to host a Census Fact Check workshop in March. This workshop will be a discussion on the "citizenship question,” digital security and potential misinformation campaigns surrounding the 2020 Census. Representatives from our office and the Census Bureau will be available to answer any of your questions or concerns about the 2020 Census.
The workshop will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2020 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Bladensburg Community Center Gym (4500 57th Avenue, Bladensburg, MD). You do not need to RSVP to attend. We hope to see you there!
VIDEO: Why the 2020 Census is Important
 In a few weeks, residents will start receiving information in the mail to complete their 2020 Census. Achieving a complete count is critically important, because it determines the amount of federal funding we receive for our schools, roads, hospitals and more. We've lost out on $363 million in federal funding from the last Census due to an undercount, so we need everyone to be counted in the 2020 Census. Learn more about the importance of the Census by watching our recent video here.
County Executive Alsobrooks Testifies on Kirwan Legislation
County Executive Alsobrooks joined with other elected officials to testify in support of Kirwan legislation.
On Monday, February 17, 2020, County Executive Alsobrooks appeared before a joint House and Senate Committee Hearing in Annapolis to testify on Senate Bill 1000/House Bill 1300, “The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.” This legislation focuses on implementation of the Kirwan Commission recommendations.
The County Executive stated her support for the Kirwan recommendations, and also noted how Prince George’s County has already begun implementing some of these recommendations. With the $53 million in Kirwan funding we received from the 2019 Legislative Session, we were able to increase teacher salaries and increase Pre-K offerings in our County.
We will continue fighting for transformative education reform for all Prince Georgians and Marylanders during this legislative session.
IN THE NEWS: Housing Demand & Job Growth Soar in Prince George’s
 Not only are we the top job creator in the State of Maryland, but our housing market is also booming. With continued investments, especially around our 15 metro stations, we will maintain this impressive economic growth for years to come. Learn more about our job and housing numbers from a recent WUSA9 story.
IN THE NEWS: PGPD Officer Uses Music to Help Resident with Autism
 Corporal Payamps of our Police Department responded to a call earlier this week and quickly used his talent and training to help calm a young man with autism. We salute Corporal Payamps for going above and beyond the call of duty to assist a Prince Georgian. See the story from NBC Washington here.
IN THE NEWS: Kevin Durant Producing Documentary on Prince George’s County
 NBA player and Prince George’s County native Kevin Durant is working on a documentary showcasing our County and the large number of Prince Georgians that have played in the NBA. We are definitely excited about this upcoming documentary from one of our hometown heroes. To learn more about Kevin Durant’s plans for the documentary, read a recent news article here.
IN THE NEWS: Eleanor Roosevelt High School Graduate Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 List
 We want to extend our congratulations to native Prince Georgian and Eleanor Roosevelt High School alum Kenny Harris II on being named to the Forbes list of 30 Under 30 in Science. Kenny currently works at Goddard Space Flight Center and is an advocate for the importance of mentorship in the STEM field. Read more about him in a recent news story here.
“Health Matters” Free Community Expo Helps Hundreds Get Healthier
Health Department Chronic Disease Program Manager Trina Frazier, left, WUSA-TV President and General Manager Richard J. Dyer President, center, and Health Department Health and Wellness Associate Director Deborah McGruder, right, at the Health Matters expo February 19th.
The Health Department’s Annual American Heart Month Community Health Expo on February 19, 2020 was a success!
The expo brought dozens of local and regional public health and medical experts together at the Kentland Community Center in Landover to give hundreds of residents free health screenings (blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, HIV), a variety of fitness classes (Zumba, yoga, dance) and health-related demonstrations (CPR, Narcan, healthy cooking).
The Health Department would like to thank our community vendors and our organizing partners, WUSA9 and the County's Department of Parks and Recreation. Thank you to the residents who attended, as it was great to see you!
Teen Summit 2020: No Excuse for Dating Abuse
 On Thursday, February 13, 2020, The Department of Family Services, in partnership with M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, hosted our Teen Summit: No Excuse for Dating Abuse in Upper Marlboro. The purpose of the event was to promote healthy relationships, discuss warning signs of dating abuse and encourage teens to think and take responsibility for their actions. The free event, hosted by WKYS Radio Personality Deja Perez, featured live performances, open mic discussions on dating abuse, health and wellness vendors, refreshments, counseling, live poetry and concluded with a runway fashion show.
Spring Brings New Opportunities with the Department of Parks and Recreation
 Free Lacrosse 101 Clinic Series introduces the game of lacrosse to boys and girls ages 5 to 14. You can RSVP at www.pgparks.com/ParksDirect. Upcoming clinics will occur at Upper Marlboro Community Center on February 23, Kentland Community Center on March 8, and Suitland Community Center on March 15. Q&A sessions are held after each clinic to provide participants and parents with information about upcoming spring lacrosse programs.
First Tee Junior Golf classes are a great way for beginners to learn the game of golf and important life skills. Register at The First Tee. Classes start in March at Paint Branch, Enterprise and Henson Creek golf courses, as well as Kentland Community Center. Operation 36 is an innovative golf development program for juniors, designed to teach students to play the game. PGA professionals will teach the program at Enterprise Golf Course starting in March. Register at pgparks.com/ParksDirect, and reference registration code: 27676.
Join our Team! Career opportunities within the Youth & Countywide Sports Division include: Countywide Sports Coordinator, Countywide Sports Specialist(s), and Permitting & Field Operations Manager. To view and apply, please visit our website.
DPIE's Enforcement Division: The Keeper of the Code
Property Standards Inspector Ron Waters checks records in the field.
Branches from a tree toppled by lightning several years ago lie twisted in the yard of a house in Fort Washington. Greasy spots mark a driveway where a mechanic moonlights repairing vehicles in front of his Beltsville home. The top of a delivery truck peeks over a 6-foot illegal fence surrounding a corner lot in Clinton.
Violations of Prince George’s County Code, such as these, frequently are reported to the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement's (DPIE) Enforcement Division. Enforcement, one of seven divisions of DPIE, is charged with overseeing investigations of code violations at residential, commercial and industrial properties. The division’s mandate is to maintain the safety and aesthetic value of the County's communities by enforcing property standards requirements.
If you would like to report a possible code violation, contact CountyClick 311, which will route the complaint to DPIE for investigation.
If you are interested in having an Enforcement Division staffer speak to your community group or HOA, call 301-636-2053.
Office of Veterans Affairs Update
Dr. James Dula and Thomas Johnson discuss Census participation for veterans.
The Office of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce we will begin publishing locations and times veterans may pursue VA Claims assistance. One of our top priorities is to ensure veterans have information required to process VA claims in a timely manner. We sincerely hope this information will offer both convenience and greater awareness of services.
Vet Center: 7905 Malcolm Road, Clinton, Maryland 20735. Open Monday’s 9 AM to noon. Call if necessary at 301-752-3915.
Bridge Center at Adams House: 5001 Silver Hill Road. Call for an appointment Tuesday to Thursday at 301-817-1923.
Prince George's Community College: Call for an appointment Tuesday to Thursday at 301-546-1834.
For additional information, please call the Office of Veterans Affairs at 301-952-3904 or 301-780-8260.
Community-based Partnership Offers Infrastructure Solutions Through Stormwater Management
Contractors work on green infrastructure improvements.
Green infrastructure practices continue to be leveraged across the country as a mechanism for managing stormwater runoff to reduce pollution and impairments to local waterways. As jurisdictions and municipal leaders seek solutions to operate and maintain aging and outdated infrastructure, local and regional subcontractors are expanding their technical knowledge and capabilities into stormwater and green infrastructure programs to gain the training, skills, and tools they require to grow and expand their businesses. The Clean Water Partnership (CWP), a community-based partnership between Prince George’s County and Corvias, has created a model that overcomes barriers by investing in training and mentoring for local small businesses and infrastructure professionals while bringing improvements to stormwater management initiatives on the ground.
So far, the CWP has seen over 100 individual projects completed, which have treated over 2,200 acres of public and private land in Prince George’s County. Through local partnerships, CWP has exceeded its goals for County-certified small, minority and women-owned businesses by 47 percent. Through its Contractor Development and Mentor Protégé Program, the CWP has trained and mentored over 25 local firms on the technical skills and business practices that better position them for bid and award of contracts as part of this effort. In total, CWP has contracted with over 70 companies that have contributed to the significant improvements to green infrastructure in the County.
Read the entire article in American Infrastructure Magazine here.
Prince George’s County Municipal Officials Serving with the National League of Cities
The following municipal officials in our County have been appointed or elected/selected to serve on National League of Cities (NLC) Committee/Advisory or Constituency groups for 2020-2021. Congratulations and thank you for your service to NLC representing Prince George’s County!
Emerging Technologies Advisory Group
Councilmember Henri Gardner, City of Bowie
Mayor Eugene Grant, City of Seat Pleasant
Mayor Pro Temp Emmett Jordan, City of Greenbelt
Vice Mayor Jonathan Medlock, City of District Heights
Councilmember Denise Mitchell, City of College Park
Mayor Patrick Wojahn, City of College Park
Community and Economic Development Committee
Mayor Pro Temp Emmett Jordan, City of Greenbelt (Vice-Chair)
Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee
Councilmember Judith Davis, City of Greenbelt
Human Development Committee
Councilmember Leta Mach, City of Greenbelt
Councilmember Shireka McCarthy, City of Seat Pleasant
Information Technology and Communications Committee
Councilmember Robert Day, City of College Park
Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee
Councilmember Silke Pope, City of Greenbelt
Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee
Councilmember Michael Leszcz, City of Laurel
Councilmember Denise Mitchell, City of College Park
Hispanic Elected Local Officials Constituency Group
Councilmember Victor Olano, Town of Brentwood
Mayor Rocio Treminio-Lopez, Town of Brentwood
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Local Officials Constituency Group
Mayor Patrick Wojahn, City of College Park
National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Constituency Group
Councilmember Shireka McCarthy, City of Seat Pleasant
Councilmember Denise Mitchell, City of College Park
Mayor Colin Byrd, City of Greenbelt
Councilmember Henri Gardner, City of Bowie
Councilmember Jacqueline Goodall, Town of Forest Heights
Councilmember Harryette Irving, City of District Heights
Councilmember Pamela Janifer, City of District Heights
Councilmember Carletta Lundy, Town of Bladensburg
Mayor Shawn Maldon, Town of Capitol Heights
Vice Mayor Jonathan Medlock, City of District Heights
Councilmember Cynthia Miller, City of District Heights
Councilmember Valerie Nicholas, City of Laurel
Councilmember Kelly Porter, City of Seat Pleasant
Councilmember Donjuan Williams, City of Glenarden
Councilmember Reveral Yeargin, City of Seat Pleasant
Mayor Takisha James, Town of Bladensburg
Elected to the NLC Board of Directors
Mayor Patrick Wojahn, City of College Park
Women in Municipal Government
Councilmember Harryette Irving, City of District Heights
Mayor Takisha James, Town of Bladensburg
Councilmember Pamela Janifer, City of District Heights
Councilmember Carletta Lundy, Town of Bladensburg
Councilmember Cynthia Miller, City of District Heights
Councilmember Valerie Nicholas, City of Laurel
Race, Equity and Leadership Council (REAL)
Mayor Patrick Wojahn, City of College Park
University Communities Council
Mayor Patrick Wojahn, City of College Park
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