Prince George's Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks
Dear Prince Georgians:
This week in Prince George’s County, voters finished casting their ballots in what has been an unprecedented election during an unprecedented year. While there were a number of changes to the election process for the general election, I am proud to say that in Prince George’s County, we were able to conduct a smooth election with historic turnout that allowed every voter an opportunity to cast a ballot safely.
Similar to other jurisdictions across the State, there are still ballots being counted in Prince George’s County. Our local Board of Elections will continue to work hard to count ballots until every ballot has been counted. Unofficial results for Prince George’s County are available on the State Board of Elections’ website, and those numbers will continue to be updated as ballots are counted.
I want to thank everyone at our Board of Elections for their hard work in carrying out an unprecedented election, and for continuing to work hard to ensure every vote is counted. I also want to thank all of our election workers, who volunteered their time to help ensure a smooth and safe election process in our County. Finally, I want to thank Prince Georgians for being so engaged and helping us spread the word about the voting process for this election.
I also want to remind everyone that November marks Native American Heritage Month, a time when we celebrate the rich history and culture of Native Americans, as well as recognize the important contributions they have made to Prince George’s County and our nation. I encourage all Prince Georgians to learn more about the history of this month by participating in several virtual events hosted by the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System.
Next week on November 11, we are also recognizing Veterans Day. Prince George’s County has the largest population of military veterans of any county in the entire State of Maryland, and I would like to thank and commend the more than 60,000 veterans that call Prince George’s County home.
While this Veterans Day will look much different due to the pandemic, I encourage all Prince Georgians to honor and thank those who have so bravely served our country. I want our veterans to know that your County Government has your back, because it is our turn to serve you for having served us.
I also want to remind our veterans that we have created the Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) in Prince George’s County, led by Dr. James Dula. Dr. Dula and our Commission for Veterans have been doing an amazing job of connecting our veterans to the resources and services that they need and deserve, even during this pandemic. If you would like to connect with the OVA, please call 301-780-8260.
Finally, I want to provide two updates on public transportation options for Prince Georgians. Starting this Saturday, November 7, we will launch Saturday service from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM for several active lines on “TheBus.” Saturday service will be available on routes 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 26, 30, 32, 33, 35 and 36. These lines provide connectivity in Langley Park, West Hyattsville, New Carrollton, Largo, Forestville, Camp Springs, Upper Marlboro and Brandywine. Residents can find route and schedule information at mypgc.us/thebus.
On Monday, November 9, we will launch “Prince George’s Link,” a flexible, on-demand microtransit shuttle service being piloted in the Fort Washington area from National Harbor to East Swann Creek Road. The pilot service will run for six months and may become part of the Department of Public Works and Transportation’s (DPW&T) regular service.
Like other rideshare services, Prince George’s Link uses a smartphone app for riders to schedule customized curb-to-curb microtransit trips. A small neighborhood-friendly shuttle bus will pick riders up and drop them off anywhere within the defined service boundaries. The cost to use this service is only $2.00 per trip, making Prince George’s Link more affordable than traditional rideshare services, which could cost riders more than five times the amount for a similar trip. Learn more about the pilot program here.
As a reminder, face coverings are required on all forms of public transportation in Prince George’s County. In addition, social distancing guidelines will be enforced on TheBus and Prince George’s Link. These safety precautions will ensure riders and our transit operators remain safe.
Despite the pandemic, I am proud that we continue to move forward with new initiatives and programs that will improve the quality of life for all Prince Georgians.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Stand Up & Deliver
 We are continuing to work hard to address food insecurity in our County, and we want to provide information on next week’s distribution locations for our Stand Up & Deliver program.
Tuesday, November 10 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)
- St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church – 7501 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, MD
Wednesday, November 11 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)
- Metropolitan Seventh-Day Adventist Church – 6303-G Riggs Road, Hyattsville, MD
Friday, November 13 at 12:30 PM (Groceries)
- Victory Grace Center/Port Towns Elementary School – 4351 58th Avenue, Bladensburg, MD
- Ebenezer A.M.E. Church – 7707 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, MD
- Faith Temple No. 2 Free Will Baptist Church – 211 Maryland Park Drive, Capitol Heights, MD
Saturday, November 14 at 10:30 AM (Groceries)
- Ebenezer Church of God – 7550 Buchanan Street, Landover Hills, MD
Additional food distribution locations can be found on our website by clicking here. This map is updated regularly. If you are able to make a contribution to our Stand Up & Deliver program, please click here to donate.
Flu Shot Clinics
 As we move into the winter months, still in the midst of this pandemic, it is more important than ever for Prince Georgians to get a flu shot. For residents who have health insurance, we encourage you to make an appointment with your primary care provider or a local pharmacy to get a flu shot as soon as possible.
The Health Department is also hosting several free flu shot clinics for County residents. To get a flu shot at one of these clinics, residents must schedule an appointment. To view all upcoming Health Department clinics and to schedule an appointment, click here.
COVID-19 Testing Remains Free
 Remember, the County Health Department offers free COVID-19 tests for individuals with or without symptoms that have been exposed to or are suspected to have been exposed to a COVID-19-positive person. All County-run testing sites accommodate testing for those in a car or on foot.
You do not need an appointment, a doctor’s prescription, or insurance to get tested, however, you must present identification. There will be no questions about immigration status at any of our testing sites. If you have health insurance, you must present your insurance card. Testing is provided free of charge (no out-of-pocket cost or co-payment regardless of insurance).
To learn more about COVID-19 testing in Prince George’s County and to find a testing site near you, please visit the Health Department’s Coronavirus page.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program Relaunch
 The Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is now offering relief to landlords on behalf of renters experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic through the relaunch of our Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Landlords holding a valid rental license with occupied rental units are eligible to apply for funding.
Landlords may apply for each tenant’s delinquent rental payments beginning on or after April 1, 2020. The monthly amount of assistance is based on the actual rent value less all late fees, interest, and other costs associated with the tenant’s default. County assistance is capped at $1,800 per month for up to 6 months.
The deadline to apply is November 10, 2020, but landlords are encouraged to apply immediately as funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more and apply here.
Youth Sports Strategic Plan
 The Youth and Countywide Sports Division, the new division of the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission created as part of our Youth Sports Initiative, is developing a Youth Sports Strategic Plan to create new sports programs and strengthen existing ones. The plan will also work to improve facilities available through the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Division wants to hear from our residents as they develop this new plan. Make sure your voice is heard by visiting the Youth Sports Strategic Plan website.
Upcoming Events from the Department of Parks & Recreation
 The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation is offering soccer classes and pickup games for those ages 12-18 throughout the fall. Sign up today at pgparksdirect.com.
On November 18 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, the Department will provide a special Thanksgiving meal for our residents who are 60 or better and individuals with disabilities. Registration in advance is required. Learn more and register here.
Prince George’s County Virtual Snow Summit
 The annual Prince George’s County Snow Summit will be held virtually on Thursday, November 19, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Using a virtual platform will allow residents and business owners to safely obtain important information in preparation for the upcoming winter season. Attendees will have the opportunity to view and hear presentations from the following agencies:
- Department of Public Works and Transportation
- Department of the Environment
- Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement
- Office of Emergency Management
- Office of Community Relations
- Fire/EMS Department
- Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
- Maryland State Highway Administration
Registration is required for this event. Sign up here. Find more information, including helpful hints for snow, on the Department of Public Works & Transportation’s (DPW&T) website. For updates during inclement weather, follow DPW&T on Twitter and Facebook at @PGCountyDPWT.
Prince George’s Forward Task Force Members Discuss Education with Congressman Anthony Brown
 On Thursday, October 29, members of the Education Recovery Subcommittee of our Prince George’s Forward Task Force joined Congressman Anthony Brown for a virtual discussion on education. Panelists included Dr. Darryll Pines, President of the University of Maryland, Dr. Aminta Breaux, President of Bowie State University, and Dr. Monica Goldson, CEO of Prince George’s County Public Schools. The discussion centered around the state of education during the pandemic and recommendations from the Task Force to improve education in Prince George’s County. Watch the entire discussion here.
Prince George’s County Cultural Arts Study
 The Cultural Arts Study would like to learn more about how residents connect with the arts and cultural expressions in Prince George’s County. Please take 10 minutes and participate in the online survey. If you missed the virtual community meeting, please visit the Study’s website to view the presentation, hear ideas shared at the meeting, and learn more about the Cultural Arts Study.
Virtual Joint Public Hearing on the Countywide Sectional Map Amendment
 The Prince George’s County Council and Prince George’s County Planning Board of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will hold a virtual joint public hearing on November 19, 2020 at 5:00 PM to solicit comments from the public on the Countywide Sectional Map Amendment (CMA). The CMA is the second phase of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite project that will apply new zoning regulations to properties in the County.
The CMA is intended to implement the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations by placing property in the new zone that is closest in uses and purposes to the property’s current zone. The public hearing is part of a process leading to the approval of a new zoning map, thereby implementing the zones contained in the new Zoning Ordinance for Prince George’s County adopted by the County Council through Council Bill CB-13-2018 on October 23, 2018.
Click here to learn how to participate in the public hearing and submit comments. For more information on the Zoning Ordinance for Prince George’s County and the CMA, click here, call 301-952-4944 or email zoningpgc@ppd.mncppc.org.
Economic Development Corporation’s “Takeout Tuesday” Series Features Island Fin Poke in Bowie
 Our Economic Development Corporation continues their “Takeout Tuesday” series, highlighting local restaurants across Prince George’s County. Check out their latest video which features Island Fin Poke in Bowie, the only stand-alone poke shop in Prince George’s County. Watch the video here.
Proud Partners of Stand Up & Deliver
 We are Prince George’s Proud of all our partners who continue to support the Stand Up & Deliver program. We want to thank partners like Dr. Jazz and Victory Grace Center, as well as Rev. Dr. Delman Coates and Mt. Ennon Baptist Church. Check out our videos featuring Victory Grace Center and Mt. Ennon Baptist Church.
NEWS: Prince George’s County Preparing for Snow and Ice
 Our Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) is already preparing for potential snow and ice during the winter months, making sure we have everything ready to go to keep our roads clear and our residents safe. On October 23, they held a virtual dry run of our snow response plan. Learn more about DPW&T’s planning efforts here.
NEWS: Prince Georgians Step Up to Serve as Poll Workers
 We are Prince George’s Proud of residents who stepped up to serve as poll workers during an unprecedented election. Thank you to all who served our community and helped ensure a smooth and safe election process. Check out this news story about Taiwo Ajayi, a first-time poll worker in our County, from WJLA/ABC7.
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