April 2019

QUICK LINKS

Prince George's County Government Council

Chair Turner's Web Page

District 4 Web Page

Prince George's County Public Schools

Connect to the City of Bowie

Connect to the City of Greenbelt

Bowie BIC

CouncilConnection

Prince George's County Memorial Library System

Bowie Branch

South Bowie Branch

Greenbelt Branch

PAST EVENTS

Bowie-Collington DeMolay Government Day

On April 16th, the young men of Bowie-Collington DeMolay came to visit and learn about the legislative process.  The Order of DeMolay is an oganization dedicated to preparing young men to lead successful, happy, and productive lives. Basing its approach on timeless principles and practical, hands-on experience, DeMolay opens doors for young men aged 12 to 21 by developing the civic awareness, personal responsibility and leadership skills so vitally needed in society today.

Council Honors Championship Bowie State Bulldogs Football Team

Pictured with Dr. Aminta Breaux, President, Head Coach Wilson and Captain Amir Hall.

I  was honored to join my Council colleagues on April 16th to recognize the 2018 CIAA Championship Bowie State University Bulldog Football Team. 

City of Greenbelt Council Worksession

Presenting on April 15^th at the City of Greenbelt Council's worksession of the County's recently completed Comprehensive Housing Strategy - Housing Opportunity for All - to develop an inclusive housing policy in the County.  Pictured with Estella Alexander, Acting Director, Prince George's County Department of Housing and Raymond Skinner, Chair, Affordable Housing Commission.

Bowie State University Annual Scholarship Gala

On April 13^th, I attended the Bowie State University Annual Founders Day Scholarship Gala, which honored former County Executive Rushern Baker. The BSU Foundation provides scholarship and financial assistance to eligible students attending Maryland’s first Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

Bowie Green Expo

On April 13^th I stopped by the Bowie Green Expo, the City's annual event highlighting environmental friendly products and vendors.

Bowie Baysox Opening Night

I had the pleasure of throwing out the first pitch (and it didn't bounce) for the 2019 Bowie Baysox season opener on April 11^th. Good luck to General Manager Brian Shallcross  and the team. Please click on video to watch my pitch.

Kaiser Permanente Grand Opening

I was pleased to join County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Council Members Dannielle Glaros (District 3) and Jolene Ivey (District 5) in welcoming Kaiser Permanente to their new home in New Carrollton on April 4^th, as part of the County's focus on Transit Oriented Development (TOD).

Antonio Doss (SBA) third from left; Rachel "Jo" Sanchez (Capital One) fourth from left; Prince George's County Council Chair Todd M. Turner, sixth from left; Lisa Smith (Bowie BIC) seventh from left and Mark Lawrence (Bowie BIC/Inncuvate) announced the launch of the 8(a) Accelerator at a Kick-Off Breakfast with the 8(a) business community on April 4.

Bowie BIC 8A Accelerator Kick-Off

On April 4^th the Bowie Business Innovation Center (Bowie BIC), in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and with funding from Capital One, launched the FIRST 8(a) Accelerator in America beginning April 18.  The Bowie BIC 8(a) Accelerator is an intense business development program to give 8(a) certified companies the edge they need to win more government contracts.  For information, visit their website:

County Commission on Common Ownership Public Meeting

Scenes from the first community Meet and Greet of the County's Commission on Common Ownership Communities on March 30^th. For additional information on the COC Commission, please click here.

Greenbelt ACE Educators Awards

ACE Educators and City Council Front row form left: Patrick Gleason, Eleanor Roosevelt High School ;Manuela Pagusan, Greenbelt Middle School ;Ayla Slonaker, Greenbelt Elementary School ;Lauren Dustin, Magnolia Elementary School ;Jasmine Giddings, Springhill Lake Elementary School, Jennifer Acree, Dora Kennedy French Immersion ;and Nina Honore, Turning Point Academy. Second Row from left: County Council Todd Turner, School Board Rep Joshua Thomas, Colin Byrd, Leta Mach, Emmett Jordan, J Davis, Silke Pope, Rodney Roberts and Ed Putens. (Photo by: Beverly Palau)

I was pleased to join the Greenbelt City Council in honoring the 2019 Teachers & Professional Awardees at the City of Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Education (ACE) program on March 25^th. Great dedication and stories for those serving our children in Greenbelt area schools.  For the Greenbelt News Review story, click on website.

National Capital Radio & TV Museum Award Dinner

Congratulations to the awardees from National Capital Radio & Television Museum's Annual Spring Fundraiser held at National Electronics Museum on March 24^th. This Bowie based museum in celebrating its 20th anniversary. Visit https://ncrtv.org to discover this "hidden gem".

Appearance on Kojo Nnamdi Show

I was pleased to join Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood as a guest on WAMU's "The Politics Hour" to discuss issues impacting Prince George's County.  To listen to the show, please click here.

Greetings from Chair Turner

Welcome to the April 2019 edition of the 4^th District Legislative Email Newsletter.  The Maryland General Assembly concluded April 8^th on a sad note, but provided some successes for the County.  In addition, the County Council is fully into our Fiscal Year 2020 County Budget review process, pursuant to the County Charter, which will continue until the end of May.  Please see some updates and events coming up.

Council Mourns Passing of Speaker Michael E. Busch

The Prince George’s County Council extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the Honorable Michael E. Busch, Maryland’s Speaker of the House of Delegates, upon his unexpected passing.  This is a sad time in our state of Maryland. We also offer our thoughts and prayers to the entire Maryland Legislature, especially to the members of the House of Delegates, who are mourning the loss of the longest-serving Speaker in the state’s history.  Please click here to read the entire Council Statement.

County Concludes Successful General Assembly Session

When the General Assembly adjourned on April 8^th, Prince George’s County was provided $1.5 billion in State Aid for Fiscal Year 2020, an increase of $92.5 million over Fiscal Year 2019.

This included passage of HB 662, a bill to allow for the adaptive reuse of the Glenn Dale Hospital site.  For the Washington Post story on the Hospital, visit the following link.

Council Vice-Chair Rodney C. Streeter, At-Large Council Member Calvin S. Hawkins, II, At-Large Council Member Mel Franklin, District 3 Council Member Dannielle M. Glaros and I joined with County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks and Prince George’s County Senate and House Delegation leadership and members for a press conference on Friday, April 12th to highlight the successful legislative agenda.

Around the County!

Watch the new County Council Cable show, “Around The County” featuring Council Chair Todd M. Turner!

Service. Community. Progress

Upcoming Events

County Council Budget Public Hearings

The County Council will conduct public hearings on aspects of the County Executive’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2020 County Budget pursuant to our budget and fiscal responsibility under the County Charter.  Please see the flyer below with upcoming public hearings on aspects of the Proposed Budgets that you can participate in.  For the County Council’s FY 2020 Budget page, including reports and reviews, please click on this link here.  The Council is required by the County Charter to adopt the budget by June 1^st.

Growing Green with Pride Community Clean Up

On Saturday, May 4, 2019, please consider joining Countywide clean-up entitled “Growing Green with Pride” from 8 a.m. until Noon.  Following the clean-up, all participants are invited to attend a free celebration with food, prizes and entertainment at Watkins Regional Park (additional details are provided on the flyer below).  You may register your organization or as an individual.  Registration is required in order to receive free supplies for your organization.  For more information and to register, please visit the website or please call Stacy Howard at (301) 499-8523 or email at sdhoward@co.pg.md.us.

The County and Department of the Environment (DoE) is sponsoring a Mulch Madness Giveaway in the spring to provide an opportunity for citizens and residents to receive free mulch. The mulch for this event is derived from the Christmas trees that are collected or dropped off for recycling. The Mulch Madness Giveaway is held in conjunction with Earth Day, and is just one of the many departmental programs. For more information and specific dates for the next Mulch Giveaway, check the local paper, county website, local cable station, or dial 3-1-1.  For more information, please click on the following County link.

Mulch Madness Giveaway

Bowie Center for the Performing Arts Programs

Please enjoy several of the upcoming performances and programs at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts over the next few months.  The flyer below is for the Center's upcoming Spring Dance Show 2019.  For more information on this show and additional programs, please visit the Center's website.

Nominations for the Inaugural Youth Service Awards

Blueprint For The Future of Prince George's County Schools

Enjoy the rest of April (my birthday month).  I hope you enjoyed the Easter holiday and the recognition of Passover.  As always, please reach out to my office for any assistance you may need.

I am Sincerely Yours in Service,

Hon. Todd M. Turner
Council Chair
4^th Council District