December 2019

QUICK LINKS

Prince George's County Government

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

M-NCPPC Parks & Recreation

PAST EVENTS

I hope you enjoyed the Council's  "Around the County" TV show during Legislative Year 2019.  As program host, I truly enjoyed interviewing all my guests about their service to the community and discussing the progress of Prince George's County.  My thanks to you for viewing.  Stay tuned for more "Around the County" program in Legislative Year 2020!  To view previously recorded programs, please visit my Council Chair web page.

Welcome Delegate Nicole Williams

Congratulations to new Maryland State Delegate Nicole Williams, recently appointed by the Governor to fill a seat representing the 22^nd Legislative District, which includes the City of Greenbelt.  I look forward to work together on behalf of the County, as the Maryland General Assembly convenes in January  in Annapolis convenes in January.

New Horizons Holiday Party

I stopped by the New Horizons' Annual Holiday Celebration on December 13^th. Thanks to Ron Vaughn, board member and staff for their service to those with developmental disabilities.

District 4 Principals Breakfast

I was pleased to host my annual Appreciation Breakfast for Principals, staff and parents from public and private schools located in the 4^th Council District on December 11^th.  I want to thank Dr. Alvin Thornton, Chair of the Prince George’s County Board of Education, and the Neighborhood Design Center, for their presentations. 

COG Annual Meeting

I attended the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) Annual Meeting on December 11^th in  the District of Columbia. Congratulations to COG Board Officers, including Chair and District 6 Council 6 Council Member Derrick L. Davis, Vice Chairs Robert White (District of Columbia) and Vice-Chair and Christian Dorsey (Arlington County).  Prince George's County Council Member Sydney Harrison joins the Board as a Council representative.

MACO Winter Conference

Members of the Prince George’s County Council joined nearly 700 government leaders and legislators participating in the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Winter Conference, December 4^th – 6^th, in Cambridge, Maryland.  Members either moderated and/or participated on several panels, including traffic congestion, the 2020 Census, Vision Zero and Maryland's Mission for Roadway Safety and participated in a discussion about the Kirwan Commission State and Local Education Funding Recommendations, during the Large County Coalition luncheon.  To view photos from conference, please click here.

The Arc Prince George's County

I attended the Arc Prince George's County Family and Community Open House with holiday gifts from Blue Cross-Blue Shield with Rob Malone, Arc Executive Director, on December 18th.

Greetings from Chair Turner

Welcome to the 2019 Year-End Holiday/edition of the 4^th District Legislative Email Newsletter.  With the completion of the County Council’s legislative work for the year, we take this time to reflect and assess our work and accomplishments throughout Prince George's County and the 4^th District. 

As 2019 comes to a close, below for your information,  are some recent activities, events and highlights in the County and the 4^th Council District for your information.

2019 Year in Review

With the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2020 $3.6 billion balanced County General Fund Budget; the progress of the County's Zoning Rewrite with initiation of the Countywide Map Amendment (CMA) process; implementation of the County’s Comprehensive Housing Strategy - Housing Opportunities for All; the first in the nation Alternative Construction Financing (ACF) program supporting a unique approach to school construction in Prince George’s County, we can point to several positive outcomes in 2019 for the County.  In addition, we passed several important pieces of legislation, expanding fair housing policies; codifying the County’s administrative policy in non-criminal immigration enforcement, banning the use of single plastic straws and stirrers, and establishing regulatory requirements for small cell facilities placement in the County for the future 5G network.

The County Council will reconvene on January 7, 2020, focused on our legislative priorities in Annapolis, including critical funding.

2020 County Council Leadership

On December 3^rd the Prince George’s County Council unanimously reelected me to serve a second consecutive term as Council Chair for Legislative Year 2020.  During the Gavel Exchange Ceremony, I remarked about the importance of working together: “We will continue to build on the strong collaborations we have established with the County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks, state lawmakers, regional and municipal government leaders, our communities, businesses, nonprofits, and other County stakeholders. These partnerships are already bettering the lives of our residents and move us closer to the coveted signature wins for Prince George’s County.” 

I look forward to serving, alongside Council Vice-Chair, At-Large Council Member Calvin S. Hawkins, II, my Council colleagues, County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks, the 4th Council District and the County residents.

For the press release and photos, visit the following link.  For a copy of the Washington Post story, please click here.

County Executive Alsobrooks Recognizes Council Leadership

Chair Turner and Vice-Chair Hawkins are pictured with County Executive Alsobrooks at the 2019 Red & Gold Senior Holiday Gala on December 4th.

Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks, acknowledged the new Council leadership team: “Congratulations to County Council Chair Todd Turner on his re-election as Chair, and to Council Member Calvin Hawkins on his election as Council Vice-Chair. I look forward to working with both of you and the entire County Council in 2020 as we continue to make progress for our residents.” 

Prince George’s County House Delegation Testimony

On December 11th, Vice-Chair Hawkins and I provided testimony during the 2020 Prince George's County House Delegation Public, on County local bill PG-302-20 to allowing a speed camera on Church Road.  PG 302-20, proposed by Delegates Erek Barron, Marvin Holmes and Ron Watson seeks to address speeding and a recent pedestrian death.  For information on local bills in the Prince George’s House Delegation, visit the Delegation webpage.

County 2020 Census Efforts Gearing Up Every 10 years, a complete count of every person in the United States helps identify and allocate federal funds. For each person in Prince George’s County who fails to be counted, the County loses federal funding for your community.  In 2010, it is estimated that Prince George’s County had a 75% response rate, the lowest in the State, and, as a result, lost approximately $330 million in funding over the last ten years.  On April 1, 2020 - you can be counted by responding online, by mail, or by phone.  For more information, materials and opportunities to assist in your community, click here.  To apply for a Census-related job, visit the website.

Legislative Year 2018 Annual Report The 2018 Annual Report is available online for you to revisit the Inaugural, new initiatives and activities of the Council.  It was a year of changes for the Prince George's County Council. View the 2018 Annual Report and other previous reports by visiting our Annual Reports web page.

2019-2020 Holiday Waste Collection Schedule

I wish you and your families a great holiday season, Hanukkah, Christmas and start to the New Year.  It has been my pleasure and the joy of my 4th District Team,  to serve you, the residents of the 4^th District and Prince George's County, this past year.  Here’s to a great 2020! 

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