October 2020

QUICK LINKS

Prince George's County Government

Chair Turner's Facebook Page

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

Multigenerational Center Feasibility Study Virtual Meeting

D4 Grab and Go Seniors Thanksgiving Meals

I am excited to host my District 4 Thanksgiving Seniors Meal Grab and Go event on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at the Bowie Senior Center Parking lot.  This drive up, no contact, free meal distribution effort,  in partnership with the Prince George's County Department of Family Services and the City of Bowie, will distribute frozen, pre-packaged holiday meals prepared by Martin's Catering to senior residents 60 years or older who are District 4 residents only.  Please see flyer above for additional information. All completed registration forms are required by Thursday, November 12 and may be returned via email to Evelyn Archie, District 4 Community Outreach Coordinator. For additional information, please call 240-619-9775.  

Beltway Plaza Halloween Event

Booooowie Baysox Halloween Disc Golf Event

Time is running out to register for your tee-times for this Saturday's Halloween Disc Golf Event at Booooowie Baysox Stadium!  A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Fisher House Foundation, an organization that builds comfort homes where military and veterans families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. Make your plans to join us this Saturday.  Please click here to purchase tickets.

Fire/EMS Department Prestigious Honor

On October 23^rd, Vice-Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II and I joined Prince George’s County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (PGFD) Chief Tiffany Green for the presentation of the prestigious 2020 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award to the department.  The Prince George’s County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (PGFD) was one of three honored recipients selected by the Congressional Fire Services Institute and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, for the award named in honor of former Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes, recognizing fire departments and organizations for leadership in advancing firefighter health and safety.

District Four Seniors Grab and Go in Greenbelt and Bowie

On October 9^th and 16^th the District 4 team and I, working with the Cities of Greenbelt and Bowie, the County’s Department of Family Services, and community volunteers, conducted our second Senior Grab n Go event which served seasoned citizens with the distribution of more than 250 pre-packaged meals in Greenbelt and 750 meals in Bowie.  We were joined by Greenbelt Mayor Pro Tem Emmett Jordan, Delegate Geraldine Valentino Smith, and Bowie City Council Member At-Large Ingrid Harrison and respective City staffs.

PGPD District II Back to School Supply Drive

Pictured with new District II Commanding Officer and PGPD command staff.

On October 10^th I joined the Prince George’s County Police District II and Reid Temple Church for their Faith and Blue School Supply Drive in Glenn Dale.  Pictured with new District II Commanding Officer and members of Reid Temple’s organizers.

Bowie Pantry Food Drive

I joined the 23^rd Legislative District Team of State Senator Douglas J.J. Peters, Delegates Geraldine Valentino Smith and Ron Watson, Bowie Council Member At-Large Ingrid Harrison and the City of Bowie on October 4^th in a food collection drive to support the efforts of the Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund.  For additional information and to support, visit this link.

Message from Chair Turner

Welcome to the October 2020 edition of the 4^th District Legislative Email Newsletter.  This Email Newsletter provides an update on our County’s current COVID-19 efforts, recent activities in the County and the 4th Council District and voting options in the upcoming November 3^rd General Election.

County Coronavirus Response Update

On October 13^th the County Council adopted CR-101-2020, a resolution extending the County State of Emergency until November 17^th, allowing the County to move towards recovery.  The County will stay in a modified Phase II opening as announced by County Executive Alsobrooks on October 8^th.  For additional information on current Phase II requirements, please click this link.  The County Council continues to operate virtually pursuant to the Council’s Emergency Operations Procedures which became effective on March 17, 2020, as amended.

In addition, please visit the County Health Department’s dedicated coronavirus web page, including our County Dash Board to receive the latest updates on COVID-19 in the County.  You can also call the Health Department's Coronavirus Hotline at 301.883.6627, daily between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. for COVID-19 specific information, including updates on testing, recent orders and openings.

All County businesses with questions about whether they can open and how they can operate as Prince George’s County moves through its phased reopening, should send an email to Experience Prince George’s or call 311.

Utility Payment Assistance

The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) recently ruled that the moratorium on residential terminations by utilities in Maryland ended on October 1^st and terminations can proceed starting November 15^th.  There are several recommendations for customers to avoid service shutoffs but it starts with customers reaching out to make plans and seeking assistance. Here are a number of options and contact information for the major utilities:  

• Payment Plans: Eligible customers, residential and commercial, may request a payment plan to make their bills more affordable.
• Customers can apply for energy assistance through the Maryland Department of Human Services, by contacting their Local Energy Assistance Office, or by calling the Office of Home Energy Programs at 1-800-332-6347.

BGE – The most important step that residential customers who are not current on their BGE bill can take is to contact BGE at 1-800-685-0123 and by visiting BGE's website as soon as possible. 

Pepco - The most important step that residential customers who are not current on their Pepco bill can take is to contact the company at 202-833-7500 and visit Pepco's website as soon as possible.  Customers should never wait until they are in a crisis to contact them. 

Washington Gas - Please call 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427) to speak with a Customer Advocate, or visit their website.  Please note during these challenging times, wait times can be extended.

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Water - Water is essential to protecting public health, especially during a pandemic. WSSC Water understands that many customers are struggling to pay bills, and remains committed to helping customers with their WSSC Water bills. There are several options for customers who may need assistance.  Learn more by visiting their website or call 301-206-4001 for Customer Service Advisors ready to help. 

County DHCD Emergency Rent Assistance

The Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) relaunched the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on October 27, 2020, offering relief to landlords on behalf of renters experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Owners, landlords or property managers may apply for each tenant’s delinquent rental payments that began after April 1, 2020. The monthly amount of assistance is based on the actual rent only. The rental assistance is capped at $1,800 per month for up to 6 months.  For an owner, landlord or property manager to apply for funding on behalf of their tenants, the tenants must meet certain eligibility requirements.  DHCD is administering this program through its online Owner/Landlord Portal. Please visit the DHCD website to learn more about the application process for the second Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

Halloween COVID-19 Safety

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential for virus transmission associated with some Halloween activities, the Prince George’s County Health Department is not allowing indoor haunted houses and does NOT recommend traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating this year. If you choose to trick-or-treat, you can reduce the transmission risk by staying with members of your household and closely following health and safety guidelines.  For the full guidelines, please visit the Health Department's website.

Prince George’s County Council and Board Of Education Advance Alternative Construction Financing Project To Build Six New Schools

The Prince George’s County Council and Board of Education approved a historic Alternative Financing Construction (ACF) project, a first of its kind school construction model in Maryland and the nation. On October 20^th the Council adopted CR-100-2020 approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the governing document that will guide the County’s collective roles and responsibilities as we proceed down the path for this groundbreaking public-private partnership approach to building the new schools. This novel, innovative and collaborative school construction model is an exciting undertaking, and the Council looks forward to traveling this critical journey jointly with County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County Schools CEO Dr. Monica Goldson, the Board of Education, and state lawmakers, for the benefit of our children and residents.  For more information on the project, please visit the PGCPS website.

Early Voting Dates and Election Day Locations

Monday, October, 26, 2020 through Tuesday, November 3, 2020 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

I hope you will fulfill your civic duty and participate in this critical Election.  Actual ballots are to be mailed to those who submitted applications starting in late September. Voting by mail is very easy - just fill out your ballot, sign the envelope, and drop it in the mail or the drop boxes listed below.  REMEMBER – YOU MUST SIGN THE OATH ON THE ENVELOPE FOR YOUR BALLOT TO COUNT!  Postage is pre-paid, so you don't need to add a stamp. All ballots must be postmarked by November 3^rd to be counted.  For vote by mail instructions, please click here.

I encourage everyone to fill out their ballots as soon as you receive it   Once you have your ballot completed, you have several ways to make sure it is received by the Board of Elections. Once again, “Make a Plan” on how you will deliver your ballot. You can personally (1) drop your completed ballot at the Prince George’s County Board of Elections Office; (2) you can place it in a designated ballot drop-off box; (3) you can place it in the mail using free postage; or (4) you can personally bring it to a designated Early Voting sites or Election Day Vote centers.

Drop Box Locations

If you prefer to not mail your completed ballot, you can drop your ballot at a ballot drop box location from Monday October 26, 2020 through Monday November 2, 2020 at any of the eleven (11) drop box locations at the Early Voting sites (see below) during this period.  In addition, you can drop your ballot at ballot drop box locations on Election Day November 3^rd at the thirty (30) Election Day Vote centers.

Voting in Person

Although we strongly encourage you to vote by mail, you can vote in person at one of the Prince George’s County’s Early Voting sites on Election Day.  If you choose to vote in person, please be prepared for long lines, wear a mask and socially distance yourself.

Early Voting Dates and Locations 

Monday, October, 26, 2020 through Monday, November 2, 2020 - 7AM - 8PM

There are forty-one (41) total vote locations for in-person voting in the County - eleven (11) Early Voting locations and thirty (30) Voting Centers open on Election Day.  Polls will only be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Please click here to view the list of Early Voting and Election Day sites:

If there are any issues during in-person voting, please ask for a Provisional Ballot.  For additional information or questions, please call the Prince George’s County Board of Elections at (301) 341-7300 or visit this link.

As always, please reach out to my office for any assistance you may need as we are operating remotely at this time.  Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

I am Sincerely Yours in Service,

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