Prince George's Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks
Dear Prince Georgians:
As you know, the 2022 Maryland Gubernatorial General Election is quickly approaching, and we wanted to take this opportunity to share some important information regarding the upcoming election. The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 8. Early voting will be held from Thursday, October 27 through Thursday, November 3.
As the election approaches, we are encouraging all Prince Georgians to check the status of your voter registration. While the deadline to register to vote has passed, residents may register during early voting and on Election Day if you meet the criteria for Same Day Registration. To register during early voting or on Election Day, you must present a Maryland driver’s license or an MVA-issued identification card. Residents can check the status of your voter registration by visiting the Board of Elections website here.
While residents can vote in person, we also want to remind you that you can also vote by mail. To request a vote by mail ballot, contact the Board of Elections at 301-341-7300 or visit the Board of Elections website here. In addition, residents can also text VBM to 77788 to complete a vote by mail application. The deadline to apply for a vote by mail ballot is Tuesday, November 1, and the deadline to apply for an electronic vote by mail ballot is Friday, November 4. However, please don’t want until the deadline if you want to vote by mail. Submit your application as soon as possible.
If you have already applied for and received your vote by mail ballot, you may submit your completed ballot in any of the 38 safe and convenient drop boxes that are available throughout the County. Please be sure to sign the oath on the return envelope before submitting your ballot. You can view the list of drop box locations here to find the drop box nearest you.
As we approach Election Day, we are encouraging all Prince Georgians to be Proud to Vote during this election season. We encourage you to take a friend, family member, or coworker with you to the polls and make your voices heard. For more information on the general election, voter registration, and the vote by mail process, contact the Board of Elections at 301-341-7300 or visit their website here.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Growing Green With Pride Recap
 The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) hosted the Fall 2022 Growing Green with Pride community cleanup day on Saturday, October 15. Nearly 5,000 Prince Georgians of all ages were out cleaning and beautifying neighborhoods across the County. We had a total of 124 sites, where volunteers planted approximately 2,690 plants, 430 shrubs, 490 trees, 1,770 flowering perennials, 10,000 daffodils, and installed 2,240 bags of mulch. In addition, 18.41 tons of litter were collected. We want to thank DPW&T and all of the volunteers that came out to help clean and beautify the County.
Litter Blitz Update
Thank you to the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) crews for continuing to work hard during the litter blitz and mowing blitz! After 4 weeks, DPW&T crews have collected 108 tons of litter, mowed 972 acres of grass, and completed street sweeping on 378 curbed miles of County-maintained roadways.
Camp Springs Civic Association
 County Executive Alsobrooks was proud to join the Camp Springs Civic Association for their monthly meeting, and was excited to see everyone in person after joining a virtual community meeting last year. There was a robust discussion on crime prevention, beautification efforts, economic development, and other important issues that we will continue to work together to address.
Future of Prince George’s with BisNow
 County Executive Alsobrooks was excited to join BisNow for their “Future of Prince George’s County” event on Thursday, October 13. The event featured a number of panels and discussions on economic development and affordable housing in the County. The Alsobrooks Administration continues to be laser-focused on growing and developing in a smart way, investing in development along our transit corridors and preserving and creating affordable housing for residents.
Hispanic Business Luncheon
 On Wednesday, October 12, County Executive Alsobrooks joined business owners from across the County at the Hispanic Business Luncheon, hosted by the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. This year’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month, “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation,” was so fitting for our Hispanic business community which plays a critical role in our local economy.
Latino Professionals Mixer
 County Executive Alsobrooks attended the County’s very first Latino Professionals Mixer, hosted by our Latino Advisory Board in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Tuesday, October 11 at Tacos a La Madre. The event brought together residents, community leaders, business owners and stakeholders, with the goal of connecting and creating pathways for further collaboration within the Latino business community. The County Executive was also proud to present a proclamation to the owners of Tacos a La Madre, celebrating their storefront that has been open for over a year now.
Recharge Your Family’s COVID Protection
 The County Health Department encourages residents and their families to get the new bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine that was recently approved for individuals ages 5 years and older. The updated booster targets the original strain that emerged at the onset of the pandemic and Omicron subvariants.
You are eligible for the updated booster doses if it has been at least two months since you completed your initial vaccination series or if it has been at least two months since your last booster dose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) updated COVID-19 vaccination guidance can be found here.
We encourage eligible individuals to connect with your health care provider, child’s pediatrician’s office, or a nearby pharmacy (CVS, Giant, Safeway, etc.) about receiving the updated bivalent booster dose to maximize your protection against severe COVID-19 symptoms. Appointments at Health Department clinics are also available for eligible County residents and employees. Visit the County Health Department’s website here for more information.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
Vaccine Supply & Administration
- The County Health Department has provided over 226,500 vaccinations, including more than 28,400 additional doses to those fully vaccinated.
- The County Health Department has provided 464 vaccinations at the Cheverly Health Center and Maternal/Child Health Center at Laurel to date in October.
- Our mobile units have provided 56 vaccinations in the community to date in October, focusing on homebound and senior residents.
- More than 19,300 vaccinations have been provided to children ages 5 to 11 years since the vaccine became available for that age group in November 2021.
- Nearly 400 vaccinations have been provided to children under the age of 5 since the vaccine became available for that age group in June 2022.
Vaccination Locations
 The County Health Department no longer operates a standing mass vaccination clinic. The COVID-19 vaccine is available through the County’s mobile vaccination units or at the Cheverly Health Center and Maternal/Child Health Center at Laurel, by appointment only. There are a number of vaccination sites available in Prince George’s County that are not operated by the County. Please remember that we neither manage nor control appointments or distribution for any locations not operated by the County Health Department.
Prince George’s County Health Department
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Cheverly Health Center and Maternal/Child Health Center at Laurel: To schedule an appointment, individuals should visit the County Health Department website here.
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Mobile Vaccination Units: The County’s mobile vaccination units are typically reserved for homebound residents and other high-risk residents who require assistance in getting access to the vaccine. Individuals who are interested in our mobile vaccination units should call PGC311 and press # for assistance.
Additional Non-County Operated Sites
- Please use our County Vaccine Locator to find additional vaccination sites operated by pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare partners.
Progress Toward Vaccination Goals
- Over 1,843,400 vaccinations have been provided to 736,445 County residents, including 627,343 second doses and 479,634 additional doses.
- As of October 18, the CDC is reporting 95% of adults ages 18 and older have received at least one vaccination in the County, and 86.8% are fully vaccinated.
- When including all residents ages 5 and older, 95% of residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 82.9% are fully vaccinated.
- The CDC reports 51.7% of residents ages 18 and older who are fully vaccinated have received a booster or additional dose as of October 18.
- Approximately 2.4% of County residents ages 6 months to 4 years, 37% of County residents ages 5 to 9 years and 66.4% of County residents ages 10 to 19 years are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Community Partnership Grant Program
 The Office of the County Executive is accepting applications for the Community Partnership Grant Program through Friday, November 4. Non-profits that provide community-based services in Prince George’s County are encouraged to apply. Learn more and find the application here.
Legal Representation for Police Reform Boards
 Prince George’s County is seeking to retain independent, outside legal counsel to represent the Police Accountability Board and the Administrative Charging Committee. Both of these bodies were created in response to the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021, and its amendments. In addition, the County enacted CB-21-2022 to implement the State law within the County.
It is anticipated that separate attorneys/firms will be retained for each body. Please note that in addition to the Prince George’s County Police Department and the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff, there are approximately 24 municipalities within the County to whom the law is also applicable and therefore may be addressed by these boards. Some of the municipal law enforcement agencies are small in terms of the number of police officers they employ.
Attorneys/firms wishing to be considered should submit materials no later than November 4, 2022. To read the full announcement, visit the Police Accountability Board website here.
Join the Fight Against Alzheimer’s
 Join the County Health Department and hundreds of communities nationwide at the 2022 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday, October 29! This annual event raises funds and awareness for Alzheimer's research, care, and support for all those facing Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. This year’s walk will be held at the National Harbor Capital Canopy (201 Waterfront Street, Oxon Hill, MD 20745). Register or donate here.
8th Annual Green Summit
 The Department of the Environment (DoE) is excited to host the 8th Annual Green Summit! The summit will return to the Kentland Community Center on Saturday, October 22 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Join DoE for a day of fun, green vendors, and workshops focusing on our environmental impacts, such as litter, composting, clean air and energy, flooding, recycling, and more! The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register for the summit here. For more information, please contact Brittani Garner at BGarner@co.pg.md.us.
Climate Resident Advisory Group on Climate Action and Environmental Justice Applicants Now Being Accepted
Community members who are passionate about climate action, environmental justice, and resiliency are encouraged to apply to be a part of the Climate Resident Advisory Group on Climate Action and Environmental Justice. Individuals must be ages 16 years and up (parental permission must be provided for participants under 18). In addition, all members must be County residents and may represent County-based non-profits, faith-based entities, social organizations, and schools. The County will strive to achieve representation that reflects the geographic, age, economic, gender, and racial diversity of the County.
The advisory group is formed by the signing of Executive Order No. 5-2022. Members will serve on the Climate Implementation Task Force to help guide the County’s Climate Action Plan implementation and will advise on strategies and actions to propel the County toward a climate-ready future with a carbon-neutral goal of 2045.
A virtual information session was held on Wednesday, October 12, detailing the roles and responsibilities of the advisory group. To read more about the rules and procedures, visit the Department of the Environment’s (DoE) website here.
Electronics Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day
 The Department of the Environment (DoE) announces its second Electronics Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Disposal Day on Saturday, October 29, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Friendly High School in Fort Washington. Non-commercial items collected at our Acceptance Sites will be collected during this disposal event. To view the list of acceptable items, visit the DoE website here.
Spooktacular Adoption Month is Happening Now
 Don't let the ghosts and goblins of Halloween prevent you from adopting a pet this October. Now is the perfect time to adopt a dog and take advantage of our special $10 adoption. For dogs that require spay or neuter services, the price is $125 plus the $10 pet license fee. For more information, visit the Department of the Environment website here to view our adoptable dogs during this SPOOKTACULAR event, then call 301-780-7200 to begin the adoption process. Carve out some time for our pet adoption event!
Remember to adopt, don't shop when adding a furry member to your family!
New Affordable Housing Community in Upper Marlboro Opens to County Residents
 Marlboro with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Gateway at Peerless is a 62-unit multi-family housing complex, consisting of townhouse structures and a mid-rise apartment building with designs that provide enhanced aesthetics and amenities for its residents.
The Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic Development Angie Rodgers joined the development team of Conifer Realty, LLC and Episcopal Housing Corporation for a ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of this new construction rental community. The County provided Housing Investment Trust Fund (HITF) dollars of $1.5 million and a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to help bring this project to fruition.
These DHCD finance tools help developers generate and preserve housing that is affordable for Prince George’s County residents. Additionally, the Housing Authority of Prince George’s County provided eight project-based vouchers to this development, making it possible for low-income families to live in a brand-new construction development with all the amenities needed to enjoy a safe, healthy, and quality lifestyle.
Project HIRE 2022 Graduation
 On Thursday, October 6, the Department of Family Services’ (DFS) Project HIRE program recognized the achievements of their latest round of apprentices at the Project HIRE Apprenticeship Program Graduation. The event, held at the Comfort Inn Conference Center in Bowie, celebrated the accomplishments of the apprentices, supervisors, and job coaches.
Project HIRE provides individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, between the ages of 18 and 25 years, with a paid job training experience with a County Government agency. Apprentices are placed within a host County agency for one year and have an opportunity to enhance current skills, learn new skills, and gain on the job work experience.
This cohort will join a growing alumni base of Project HIRE apprentices that have completed the program since its inception in 2018. Project Hire Program Coordinator, Valerie Berkeley, presented the group with an official proclamation from the Office of the County Executive, acknowledging Thursday, October 6, 2022, as Project HIRE Day in Prince George’s County. For more information on the Project HIRE program and to see pictures from the event, visit the DFS website here.
Trot for a Turkey
 Help families in need by running or walking through the beautiful Winter Festival of Lights. For more than 30 years, visitors to the annual festival have been dazzled by twinkling light displays as they drive through Watkins Regional Park. This year, you can register to walk or run through the 3-mile course and see the dazzling displays up close. The registration fee includes a long-sleeve commemorative t-shirt and provides one turkey for a local family. Register here.
Proud Prince Georgian Spotlight:
Ms. Merlene London
 Ms. Merlene London has been a proud Prince Georgian for 50 years. Originally from Meridian, Mississippi, Ms. London moved to Washington, D.C. in August 1963. She went on to attend Howard University, graduating in 1968. Ms. London retired from the Prince George’s County Public School System in 2010 after serving 32 years as a music teacher. She is a member of the Camp Springs Civic Association and serves on the membership committee, helping to recruit members. Ms. London attends Ward Memorial A.M.E. Church, where she is in charge of the Men’s Chorus. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, going to the National Harbor, and visiting her local senior center. She is the proud mother of three children and one granddaughter. Ms. London says that she loves Prince George’s County and can’t see herself living anywhere else!
Florencia Farm Grows Cultural Vegetables
 Photo Courtesy of AGDaily
Prince Georgian John Manirakiza is the farmer at Florencia Farm in Upper Marlboro and one of the Prince George’s Soil Conservation District’s Cooperators. Mr. Manirakiza grows mostly African ethnic vegetables that are not usually found in local grocery stores. He is also a recipient of the 2022 Brighter Future Fund Award, which provides grants to assist farmers in successfully launching, growing, and sustaining farms. Check out this article to learn more about Mr. Manirakiza and Florencia Farm.
Prince George’s Goes Pink
 County Executive Alsobrooks launched the Prince George’s Goes Pink initiative in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month of October, the County is working to bring awareness to the impacts of breast cancer on individuals and families across the world. Check out this story to learn more about the initiative.
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