March 2021

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

February Meal Distribution to District 4 Seniors

The District 4 Team and I hosted February Senior Meal Grab and Go events on February 25^th in Greenbelt and February 26^th in Bowie.  Please click here to view a video produced by the City of Bowie spotlighting the February 26^th event.

Virtual Community Partners' Meeting

Wednesday, April 7th

9:00 AM 

The Community Partners' Meeting is held in collaboration with County staff from the offices of the Department of the Environment (DoE), Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) and the Department of Permitting, Inspection and Enforcement (DPIE) for citizens and residents of Prince George’s County. All members of the public are invited to join this virtual public meeting.

Join us for the next virtual Community Partners' Spring Meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

To ensure there is time to answer your questions during the meeting, please provide questions in advance by emailing Brittani Garner by April 5th. There will be a Q & A after presentations.  Please click here to register.

Bowie Business Incubator COVID-19 Business Recovery Assistance Program

The Bowie COVID-19 Business Recovery Assistance Program provides online technical assistance activities to help Bowie businesses meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, build resilience and accelerate their post-pandemic economic recovery.  The Bowie Business Recovery Program is collaboration between the Bowie Business Innovation Center (Bowie BIC) business accelerator and the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce GBCC), funded by the City of Bowie.  For more information, to see a calendar of confirmed activities for upcoming months and to register for Bowie Business Recovery Program activities, please click here.

The (Virtual) 36th Annual Women’s History Month Luncheon - Thursday, March 25th

Please join County Executive Angela Alsobrooks on March 25 at the (virtual) 36^th Annual Women’s History Month Luncheon and salute this year’s winner of the Gladys Noon Spellman Award and all of the other Prince George’s Proud honorees.  Last day to purchase your ticket is Wednesday, March 24^th.

There will be a great lineup this year. The guest emcee will be the lovely Jacquie Gales Webb, Peabody award-winning producer, performer and host of the number one Sunday Afternoon Gospel music program on 96.3 WHUR. With her soothing and distinct voice, she has interviewed almost everyone you can imagine on her show. Get your tickets today by clicking here.  If you have questions, please call 240-695-6410. Thank you!

March is Women's History Month! The Center for Performing Arts Honors Phenomenal Women in the Arts

The Center for Performing Arts (CPA) at Prince George’s Community College is a premier facility that nurtures and develops our students’ passions for dance, music, theater, and communications. The CPA houses the College’s robust offerings of performing arts academic programs and supports student success in the creative arts field.  For more information about the program please click  here.  You may also send an email or call the ticket office at 301-546-7269.

Youth@Work/Summer Youth Enrichment Program

The Youth@Work/SYEP is an award-winning, nationally-recognized program and has been one of the County’s signature programs for more than 30 years. The program is a key component of the County Executive’s Proud Priorities (Youth Development) and helps young people launch careers by providing them with free job readiness training and paid employment at government, nonprofit, and business worksites in Prince George’s County and the greater Washington, DC area.

The Youth@Work component offers youth ages 18 to 22 opportunities to apply for permanent and temporary jobs that begin prior to the summer, while the summer youth enrichment program offers youth ages 14 to 22  enriching entry-level summer employment.

The County remains committed to ensuring the safety of our young people and will take the necessary precautionary safety protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic.   

This year’s program will include virtual learning opportunities for youth, as well as limited in-person employment opportunities.   Please click here for more information.

Fame Jazz Band Program Applications Due March 20, 2021

The FAME Jazz Band brings together middle & high school students from Prince George’s County Maryland who are fearless and eager to grow in their artistic expression, as well as maintain high academic standards in the classroom.  Students must live and/or attend school in Prince George’s County, this is a tuition free program. 

Subcomponents of the FJBP include STEM tutoring and mentoring, music theory instruction, high school and college prep, and FAME’s signature Summer Music Technology, and Instrumental and Songwriting Enrichment Summer Intensives.

FAME's programs are currently virtual, however they will gradually return to on-site activities as COVID-19 conditions permit.  For more information, please call 301-805-5358 or email.

Sheriff Melvin C High Scholarship Opportunity and Positive D.A.Y. Information

The Sheriff Melvin C. High Scholarship Fund is proud to announce the opening of the application period for the 10^th  annual Melvin C. High Scholarship Program.  Each year Sheriff High awards scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to commendable Prince George’s County High School graduating seniors.  This year, four (4) scholarships will be awarded. 

The application submission period is underway, and runs through Friday, April 16, 2021. Application packages mailed to the Office of the Sheriff must be postmarked no later than April 16, 2021.  Completed application packets may also be submitted via email. 

Also, as a community service of the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff, there’s an amazing program within the Community Partnership Division called the Positive D.A.Y. Program. It is a mentor program that is currently in 17 of the county’s public middle schools.  This is yet one more reason to be proud to live in Prince George’s County.  Take a look at how the program is making a positive change in the lives of our children by clicking here.

Ready for Work Nonprofit Capacity Building Cohort 1 Graduation

On March 18^th I was pleased to join with Dr. Monica Goldson. PGCPS CEO,  and Council Chair Calvin Hawkins, II, , as well as Councilmembers Dannielle Glaros and Derrick Leon Davis for a virtual program, ‘Prince George’s Proud’ to  honor the graduates of the first Cohort of the Ready for Work Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative program hosted by Fair Chance and Venture Philanthropy Partners (VPP)+Raise DC.  Congratulations to the graduating non-profits and their dedicated leaders: Rev. Gail Addison of End Time Harvest Ministries, Joseph Fisher of First Generation College Bound, Brooke Kidd of Joe’s Movement Emporium, and Toni Lewis of the Foundation for the Advancement of Music and Education.  To view the graduation event, please click here.  For information on the Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative, click here.

Message from

Council Member Turner

Welcome to the March 2021 edition of the 4^th District Legislative Email Newsletter.   Hopefully, the Daylight Savings Time and the spring season gives us all a fresh start.  Please see important updates on COVID-19, the County Budget and other important matters in the County and the 4^th District.

Upcoming D4 Events

March Meal Distribution to District 4 Seniors

The District 4 Team will again join me to host Senior Meal "Grab and Go" events on March 25^th at the Green Ridge House in Greenbelt, and March 26^th, at the Bowie Senior Center.  These free meal distribution efforts, in partnership with the Prince George's County Department of Family Services, the cities of Bowie and Greenbelt, distributed over 1,000 frozen, pre-packaged meals and fresh produce prepared by Martin's Catering to District 4 senior residents 60 and older.  For more information and to sign up, please click here.

Proposed FY 2022 Budget Submitted

On March 11^th, County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks released her proposed County Operating and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budgets, including funding for the County and the Prince George’s County Public School system.  The proposed FY 2022 Budget includes $4.5 billion in operating funds, an increase of $56.7 million or 1.3% over the FY 2021 Budget. The General Fund totals $3.78 billion, an increase of $63.6 million or 1.7% over the FY 2021 Budget. This year’s budget was constrained due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the County has not seen any declines in revenues, the County has also not seen typical growth. Due to these constraints, the overall growth in the budget only totaled 1.3%, to ensure the County would be better positioned to emerge from the pandemic.  For information on the FY 2022 Proposed Budgets, please visit this link. 

The Council strongly encourages the participation of our residents in the Council’s virtual budget public hearings and meetings.  Virtual budget hearings are scheduled on April 6th – Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (bi-county budget); April 12th – Community Development Block Grant; April 20th – Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (bi-county budget); April 26th and May 4th – County Budget.   Budget meeting schedules are subject to change.  For updated information on the Council Budget Review and Adoption Process, meetings and public hearings, visit the Council’s FY 22 Budget Portal.

COVID-19 UPDATES

County Moves to Phase 2 Opening

County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks announced that effective on March 12th the County has moved into Phase 2 of our Reopening Plan, which includes guidelines for several businesses and other establishments to reopen or expand current capacity limits.  Businesses and other establishments must continue following all other safety guidelines, including the enforcement of masks-wearing and social distancing. In addition, unless otherwise expressed in the Executive Order, indoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 20 persons and outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 50 persons.  A full list of updated guidelines, as well as a copy of the Executive Order, are available online.  Please click here to print guidelines sheet.

New COVID-19 - Vaccination Updates

The County Health Department has been getting a smaller share of the vaccine while the State uses Six Flags for the entire State (not just Prince Georgians) or to private pharmacies that may not be following the phase requirements.  I would encourage you to contact the Governor on this as well by clicking this link, or calling 410-974-3901 to express your opinion. The County moved into Phase 1C of its vaccine distribution plan as of March 15th.  We again urge that County residents MUST fill out the pre-registration form in order to receive their COVID-19 vaccination appointment from the County.  Phase 1C includes seniors 65 years and older adults (age 65-74), health and human service workers and public safety workers not covered in Phase 1A, and essential workers at high risk of exposure, including food and agriculture workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and postal service workers.  In addition, the Prince George’s COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Hotline is now available by dialing 311 and pressing #. Hotline staff will assist seniors and others who have trouble accessing the Internet, with completing the pre-registration, and will also follow up later to schedule appointments via phone as appointments become available.

County Vaccination Locations We strongly encourage all Prince Georgians to pre-register for your COVID-19 vaccine with the County, State or private providers.  Please remember that the County does not manage nor control appointments, or distribution for any site except those operated by our County Health Department.  Here are are additional ways to sign up for various vaccination locations in the County:  Prince George’s County Health Department Locations: Health Department Cheverly Health Center; Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Complex; Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex; Laurel Beltsville Senior Activity Center; and Mobile Vaccination Units. Appointments: Individuals who live or work in Prince George’s County should fill out an online pre-registration form to be added to the waiting list. Individuals who are unable to complete an online form, should call 311 and press # for assistance. Six Flags America Theme Park (Not County- Operated) Appointments: Sign up for appointment updates or get more information for State of Maryland Mass Vaccination Sites by visiting this link.   Older adults in Phase 1 can call the Maryland Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center at 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829) to schedule vaccine appointments at mass vaccination sites. The call center is open seven days a week from 7 AM to 10 PM. Safeway Pharmacies (Not County-Operated) Locations: Several Safeway pharmacies are offering COVID-19 Vaccinations in the County. Appointments: To learn more information and view available appointments online, click here. Giant Food Pharmacies (Not County-Operated) Locations: There are several Giant Food pharmacies offering COVID-19 Vaccinations in the County. Appointments: Learn more and view available appointments online by clicking here. CVS Pharmacies (Not County-Operated) Locations: Several CVS pharmacies are offering COVID-19 vaccinations across the State, including a location in the City of Bowie. Appointments: Learn more and view available appointments online by clicking here. Hospital Clinics (Not County-Operated) Locations: Major hospital systems in the County are are operating their own vaccination clinics. Appointments: To locate hospital clinics offering vaccinations, for more information on appointments, please click here.

New COVID-19 State Vaccine Sign Up

You can now pre-register for vaccinations at one of the State’s mass vaccination sites (Six Flags in Prince George’s County).  Again, pre-registration ensures you will be notified when you are able to make an appointment if you are eligible to receive a vaccine.  Use the following link or call 855-MD-GoVax (855-634-6829).

We thank you again for your patience and understanding as the County implements this complex mass distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced the opening of the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on March 4, 2021, offering relief to landlords on behalf of renters experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Landlords of multi-family, single-family, condominium and cooperative rental properties with eligible tenants suffering from financial difficulties or loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to apply if they hold a valid County rental license.  Please click here to print flyer. Tenants can apply on their own if their landlord will not apply on their behalf. DHCD has also partnered with several community organizations that will offer free assistance to landlords and tenants with completing and applying.  Visit the DHCD website at to learn more about the application process and required documents, and to complete an application.

School System Re-Opening Discussion

The County Council hosted Dr. Monica Goldson and her team to discuss the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) plan for re-opening on a hybrid in-person learning starting April 8^th.  Please click here to view the March 18th briefing.

In addition, PGCPS will host a series of telephone town halls to hear from and offer updates for families and members of the community to provide updates on the return to in-person learning.  All parents and guardians will receive a phone call from the school system. If you do not receive the call, please dial-in at 844-734-8766.

Simultaneously, Spanish translation will be available. Call 508-924-5155 on Monday, March 22^nd and Wednesday, March 24^th.

Monday, March 22 — Academics: Virtual Learning and Hybrid Learning, 6 p.m.

• Dr. Judy White, Chief of Academics
• Dr. Lisa Spencer, Instructional Technology & Support Director
• Dr. Kia McDaniel, Curriculum and Instruction Director
• Dr. Sheila Jackson, Family and School Partnerships Director

Wednesday, March 24 — Health, Transportation and Operations, 6 p.m.

• Barry Stanton, Chief of Operations
• Dr. Helen Coley, Chief of School Leadership and Support
• Dr. Rudy Saunders, Transportation Director
• Karen Bates, Nursing Supervisor

Tuesday, April 6 — Student Town Hall, 5 p.m.

• Dr. Monica Goldson, CEO
• Ninah Jackson, Student Member, Prince George’s County Board of Education

For additional information on the School Re-Opening Plan and FAQs, please click here.

Prince George's County School Board Adopts CEO Goldson's School Safety Reform Plan 

(School Board Plan to Immediately Remove SRO Program Not Supported)

The Prince George’s County Board of Education voted on March 1st to adopt School CEO Dr. Goldson’s Recommendations for School Safety and Security. This included each of the five (5) recommendations of the County’s Police Reform Task Force, and outlined current and future fiscal year budgetary and policy actions to implement the recommendations.   A School Board proposal to immediately remove these School Resource Officers (SRO) program from all County public schools, including those officers from the cities of Bowie and Greenbelt, serving Bowie and Eleanor Roosevelt high schools were rejected. 

By way of background, the SRO program, operating pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding between the PGCPS and County Police Departments, provides County and municipal (in the case of high schools in the cities of Bowie, Greenbelt and Hyattsville) police officers to assist school system security operations, primarily in County high schools.  These officers are specifically trained for schools and interactions with students and staff.  In addition, the General Assembly passed the Maryland Safe to Learn Act of 2018, assuring certain safety requirements and reporting in every school in the state, including those with SROs.

In 2020, the school system voted to allow the County’s Police Reform Task Force to review the issue of school safety and the SRO program.  The final report was released in December 2020 and included five (5) recommendations for school safety and SRO program reforms in County schools. These recommendations included reallocation, training and data collection; the recommendations did not include the immediate elimination of the SRO program.  On February 5, the County Executive announced that she accepted 46 of the 50 Police Reform Task Force recommendations, including those on the school safety and SRO programs.  For a copy of Dr. Goldson's recommendations, please click here.

I thank community members who contacted the School Board to express your position on this issue.

The County Council Celebrates Women's History Month 2021!

As always, please reach out to my office for any assistance you may need as we are operating remotely at this time.  For more up-to-date information on the County’s response to COVID-19 and other activities, please follow me on my official Council Facebook page.  

I am Sincerely Yours in Service,

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