COUNCIL MEMBER DENI TAVERAS ADDRESSES STATEWIDE COALITION PRESS CONFERENCE REGARDING HISPANIC/LATINO CENSUS 2020 PARTICIPATION

District 2 Council Member Deni Taveras was among the speakers participating in the Maryland Hispanic/Latino Coalition Census 2020 Press Conference, on Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Langley Park Community Center in Hyattsville. Joining Council Member Taveras at the podium to highlight the importance of ensuring a complete and accurate count of Hispanics/Latinos in the 2020 Census were U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer, Maryland Secretary of Planning Robert McCord, U.S. Census Bureau Regional Director Fernando Armstrong, Maryland State Senator Malcolm L. Augustine, Maryland State Delegate Joselyn Pena Melnyk, and Maryland State Delegate Wanika Fisher. READ event coverage in this week’s edition of The Sentinel.   LEARN MORE about Census 2020 and Prince George’s County.
#PGCensus2020  #ProudToBeCounted

GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST MEETING OF LEGISLATIVE YEAR 2020

During the 2020 General Assembly Session, the Council’s General Assembly Committee, chaired by District 6 Council Member Derrick Leon Davis, reviews and recommends positions on selected proposed state legislation that may have potential impact on Prince George’s County. The full Council considers these recommendations and may formally take a position, which is shared in a letter to State leadership.   WATCH the General Assembly Committee’s first meeting of the 2020 Legislative Year, held on Tuesday, January 28th, which included discussions about proposed state legislation focusing on matters ranging from education funding to transportation and environmental concerns.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REVIEWS PROPOSED 2020 TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES LETTER

The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) met on Tuesday, January 28th, to discuss the Proposed Joint Signature Letter to Maryland State Acting Transportation Secretary, Gregory Slater, regarding the 2020 Priority Projects List for the FY’ 2020-2025 State Consolidated Transportation Program. The Council voted to hold the letter in COW for further conversation.   WATCH the COW meeting.

COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES SESSION; WELCOMES CAAPA STUDENT MUSICIAN; APPROVES PROPOSED CORRESPONDENCE

The Council welcomed a visit from Terri Allen, Executive Director of the Coalition for African-Americans in Performing Arts (CAAPA), and supporters.  CAAPA also offered a sample of the classical music performed by the talented and gifted young people enrolled in their program, during Council session on Tuesday, January 28th.  13-year-old Layla EL Amin, an 8th Grader at the Maya Angelou French Immersion Elementary School in Temple Hills, representing CAAPA, performed a selection in the Council Hearing Room, entitled “Perpetual Motion – Little Suite No. 6, by Karl Bohm, on her violin.  Brava!  In legislative action on Tuesday, the Council approved the Chair’s signature on a letter to the Senate Delegation Chair, Senator Joanne C. Benson, and House Delegation Chair, Delegate Erek L. Barron, transmitting the position of the County Council on proposed State legislation.  Council Members also approved the Chair’s signature on a letter to County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks, transmitting the Council's 2020 Legislative Calendar and Appointments Schedule.   WATCH Tuesday’s Council Session.

DISTRICT COUNCIL CONVENES TO REVIEW ZONING CASES The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on zoning matters, met Tuesday, January 28th, immediately following the Council session.  The District Council reviewed several land-use cases during Monday’s session.  WATCH to view the full agenda, including consideration of a new zoning case, and pending finality cases.

COUNCIL CHAIR TODD M. TURNER PROVIDES TESTIMONY TO SENATE DELEGATION; ADDRESSES SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION BILL

The Prince George’s County Senate Delegation hosted its first public meeting of the 2020 Legislative Session on Wednesday, January 29th, to outline legislative priorities, hear from County leadership and discuss future opportunities for our County.  Council Chair Todd M. Turner (D) – District 4, provided a legislative update in his presentation to the Delegation.  Council Vice Chair Calvin S. Hawkins and District 7 Council Member Rodney Streeter were also present for the meeting. 

Council Chair Turner also addressed the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, January 29th, in support of SB 229, proposed legislation to expand County consent on new toll road and bridges in the State. The bill is co-sponsored by committee members - Senator Malcolm Augustine and Senator Joanne Benson.

COUNCIL VICE-CHAIR CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II, HONORED BY MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING POLICE DEPARTMENT

Council Vice-Chair and At-Large Council Member Calvin S. Hawkins, II, was recognized on Tuesday, January 28th, by the Maryland National-Capitol (M-NCPPC) Park Police Department for his support of their Secret Santa Community Outreach program last year. Collectively, M-NCPPC efforts supported a third-grade student from the Maya Angelou French Immersion School and his family, by supplying them with clothing, food and a safe space during the winter holiday months. Accepting the honor, Council Member Hawkins said he was proud to have supported this initiative alongside Park and Planning law enforcement.

COUNCIL MEMBER TOM DERNOGA HOLDS COMMUNITY PARTNERS BREAKFAST

District 1 Council Member Tom Dernoga hosted a Community Partners Breakfast on Monday, January 27th, at Vansville Elementary School. PG Census 2020 and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission presented on Census2020 efforts to get everyone counted in Prince George’s County , and the Countywide Map Amendment process, respectively.

DISTRICT 6 COUNCIL MEMBER DERRICK LEON DAVIS AND COUNCIL CHAIR TODD M. TURNER ADDRESS FAIRWOOD RESIDENTS REGARDING PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY

Addressing residents attending the Fairwood Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Work Group Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, January 23rd, District 6 Council Member Derrick Leon Davis and Council Chair Todd M. Turner (D) – District 4, encouraged continuing community efforts to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, and walkability in the Fairwood community.  The Work Group established last year, is working to improve traffic safety along Church Road. At the Town Hall meeting, residents received updates on Work Group activities and achievements - increased enforcement, speed limit reduction along Fairwood Parkway, and the implementation of additional pedestrian signage. 

They were also advised of pending community approval of speed humps and a traffic light at the intersection of Fairview Vista Drive and Church Road that is anticipated to be installed by the summer of 2020.  Additionally, Council and community support for PG 302-20, a proposed state bill that would provide a speed monitoring and enforcement tool on Church Road. Council Members also urged residents to participate in legislative processes, including the Maryland General Assembly Session; the County’s Zoning Ordinance Rewrite; the upcoming Bowie and Vicinity Master Plan process; and the Council’s FY 21 Budget Review.

COUNCIL VICE-CHAIR AND AT-LARGE COUNCIL MEMBER CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II, HOSTS “CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN: MARYLAND’S BLUEPRINT FOR EQUAL EDUCATION” IN SOUTH COUNTY

Council Vice-Chair and At-Large Council Member Calvin S. Hawkins, II, hosted “Conversations with Calvin: Maryland’s Blueprint for Equal Education,” the third and final event in a countywide series focusing on the Kirwan Commission and Education Funding in Prince George’s County, on Saturday, January 25th at Harmony Hall Regional Center in Fort Washington.   The event featured a presentation and discussion with Council Member Hawkins, and Board of Education Chair Dr. Alvin Thornton, on the future of education funding as it relates to the Kirwan Commission, and what the Commission’s recommendations will mean for Prince George’s County. Council Chair Turner was on hand to welcome event participants and answer questions. District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison also supported the event.

DISTRICT 9 COUNCIL MEMBER SYDNEY HARRISON, COUNTY’S SUMMER YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROGRAM, AND THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS TEAM UP TO SIGN UP COUNTY YOUTH FOR SUMMER JOBS

On Saturday, January 25th, District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison, in partnership with the County’s Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP), and the Prince George’s County Office of Community Relations, hosted a Summer Youth Employment Sign-Up event at Frederick Douglass High School. As young people in District 9 applied for summer employment, Council Member Harrison praised the vision of County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks and the work of the Summer Youth Enrichment Program, Office of Community Relations, and Office of Human Resources Management, to provide this important opportunity for the County’s youth.  Applications for the 2020 Youth@Work/Summer Youth Enrichment Program will be accepted through February 28.

#DrivingItHome
AT DISTRICT 8 HIGH SCHOOLS

District 8 Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker dedicated this week, January 21 -24, to reinforcing the #DrivingItHome initiative at District 8 high schools. Featured events included driving simulation programs; presentations focusing on the far-reaching implications of irresponsible driving; #DrivingItHome success stories; and safe driving discussions among students.  Informative and impactful information was shared, and students reaffirmed their commitment to apply what they learned as drivers and passengers. Additionally, the Fort Washington Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. participated in the week’s activities by offering onsite voter registration to students, making room for approximately 100 new voters in the next election!

COUNTY OFFICIALS REACT TO PRINCE GEORGE’S SENTINEL CLOSURE
JANUARY 30, 2020  

The Prince George’s County Sentinel, after 42 years in business, ceased publication on Thursday, January 30th, under the current ownership.   The Sentinel has been an effective storyteller for our County, and as a business and local employer, the local paper has also contributed as a partner in our County’s economic development progress. Thank you.  The impact of losing yet another community newspaper will be lasting.  READ, “County officials react to Prince George’s Sentinel closure” by José Umaña , published in Thursday’s final edition.

PRINCE GEORGE'S 
COUNTY COUNCIL
__________________

TODD M. TURNER
CHAIR
DISTRICT 4

CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II
VICE-CHAIR
AT-LARGE

MEL FRANKLIN
AT-LARGE

THOMAS E. DERNOGA
DISTRICT 1


DENI TAVERAS
DISTRICT 2


DANNIELLE M. GLAROS
DISTRICT 3

JOLENE IVEY
DISTRICT 5


DERRICK LEON DAVIS
DISTRICT 6

RODNEY S. STREETER
DISTRICT 7

MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER
DISTRICT 8


SYDNEY J. HARRISON
DISTRICT 9

UPCOMING MEETINGS
NEXT WEEK:

FEBRUARY 3 - 7
________________

COUNTY COUNCIL 
Sitting as the
DISTRICT COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 3 - AGENDA

COUNTY COUNCIL
Sitting as the
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
FEBRUARY 3 - AGENDA

GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 4 - AGENDA

COUNTY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 4 - AGENDA

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 5 - AGENDA
MEETING DETAILS

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 5 - AGENDA
MEETING DETAILS

PLANNING, HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 6 - AGENDA
MEETING DETAILS

SAVE THE DATE

COUNCIL’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM

The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which guarantees and protects the right of women to vote.  DON’T MISS M-NCPPC’s Black History Month 2020 Exhibition, “Black Women & Politics: To the Ballot and Beyond” at Harmony Hall Regional Center in Fort Washington.  January 26 - March 29, 2019 

Stay tuned for updates about upcoming episodes of “Around the County,” a production of the County Council, focusing on service, community and progress in Prince George’s County.

“Around the County” airs on Prince George’s Community Television (CTV), Government and Public Affairs channels—Comcast Channel 70 and Verizon FIOS Channel 41; and Public Access channels - Comcast Channel 76 and Verizon FIOS Channel 42, on Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.; Thursdays,11:30 a.m. & 8:30 p.m.; and Fridays,6:30 p.m.  Visit CTV for more information.

IMPORTANT LINKS

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Video Archive

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