Greetings District 8 Neighbors!
What an incredible time to be in District 8! This issue has some very exciting news of launches, events and updates in our District.
You may have noticed all of our schools have electronic marquee signs providing messaging for the schools and the communities. More changes are coming to our District that you will see in coming weeks. I have been working with Department Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) to beautify the District. You will begin to see flowers and landscaping in the next few weeks. Let's do our part in keeping District Gr8 yards and neighborhoods pleasing to the eye and healthy to our environment.
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Our environment is a significant part of our mental and physical health and an area that I have always addressed and sought to secure improvements because of the dire needs we have. With outdoor areas becoming exceptionally important to us, since the pandemic, I am pleased to share that I have acquired funding to replace Captains Cove Neighborhood Park and to expand our bike trails.
I am working with Senator Ben Cardin's office to work on earmarks for stormwater infrastructure funding, as well as transit connecting Southern Prince George's County's business corridors. Specifically, the request is for dedicated bus rapid transit lanes from Amazon's National Landing to connect the six miles to Prince George's County National Harbor and extending eastward up Oxon Hill Road, St. Barnabas Road and Allentown Road to create a mixed use corridor to house ancillary businesses to support Amazon.
I have had several meetings with Gregory Slater, Maryland Secretary of Transportation, discussing Oxon Hill Road and Allentown Road improvements and new pervious paver sidewalk system with beautification in the form of hardscaping and landscaping to mitigate flooding which creates a modern streetscape.
In this issue, there are features on:
- Registration Link to our Joint Transforming Communities Virtual Meeting - June 29, 2021
- Launch of the District 8 Global Air Drone Academy (GADA) S.T.E.A.M. Camp for our youth and information on additional exposure opportunities
- District 8 CIRCULATOR service begins July 6, 2021.
- PGC Link service
- Juneteenth National Holiday
- District 8 Food Distribution
- Emergency Rental and Utilities Assistance Program (ERAP)
- NACo Annual Conference - Gaylord Hotel
- Lake Arbor Jazz Festival - National Harbor
- Community Town Hall - Meet New Police Chief Malik Aziz
- Climate Action Plan Meeting
- Public Hearings - Proposed Hot Lane Toll Rates
- Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Complex
- Justice - Service Dog Missing
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Happy Father's Day to all of the amazing Dads! Often times, there are other men in our families or our circle who are also instrumental in our lives. Thank you to all of the wonderful role models, who encourage and support us and instill values and provide lessons in our lives. May you have a wonderful day and feel loved and appreciated! |
We will be hosting a Joint Transforming Communities Meeting on Tuesday, June 29th - 6:30-8:30 pm. Register and join House Delegate Jay Walker, District 26, agency leaders and me for a meeting to pose your questions, concerns and ideas. Updates and pertinent information will be provided and answers to questions you have. We want to hear from you! Register Here
We launched the Global Air Drone Academy (GADA) on June 19th, at Oxon Hill High School. GADA will be providing S.T.E.A.M. drone education workshops, June 19th – July 17th, for District 8 elementary, middle school and high school students. I have also partnered with Colonel Schaff, Joint Base Andrews Air Force Base, and the intelligent community, for our youth to receive additional exposure opportunities and seminars.
The first day of the GADA camp, excitement was in the air, especially launching on Juneteenth day! An instructor said he couldn't wait to get to the camp on this historical day, which made it even more meaningful to share this program with our youth. One young elementary student said he wanted to attend GADA so he could have a birds eye view like Iron Man. It was incredible to see our youth learning about the drones and even getting a sampling of flying on the first day.
The academy will instill knowledge and discipline by offering a hands on experience. The students will learn:
- Career and entrepreneurial opportunities in the emerging drone industry
- How to become a licensed drone pilot
- Drone Safety, rules and ethics
- Drone Flight Skills Training
- Real-World Applications of Drone Technology
- Drone Racing and Competition.
S.T.E.A.M. is a part of our essence. We have always had many leaders in the field. Just to mention a few, Shirley Ann Jackson, the inventor of the Caller ID, and Kathrine Johnson, a mathematician for NASA. Moreover, George Washington Carver, a Botanist and inventor of the many uses of peanuts to Alan Emtage, a computer scientist. How exciting to think that this exposure could be creating more renowned future leaders!
Last year, March 16, 2020 was slated for the launch of our South County CIRCULATOR in District 8 to begin free transportation, weekly services, to pick up our seniors at their District 8 senior apartment buildings to take them to Southern Regional Technology Sports Complex, Rivertown Commons, Tanger Outlets and MGM. The CIRCULATOR route locations in our District would provide outings for seniors to shop, dine, exercise, go to medical appointments, and enjoy social time with friends, before being taken back to their apartments. The seniors were elated and ready to take their first ride and then Covid-19 came with a vengeance and halted the Circulator routes and our lives.
I am happy to announce that now that the pandemic restrictions are being lifted, we are launching our South County CIRCULATOR in District 8 services for our seniors on July 6, 2021! The CIRCULATOR will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You will be provided FREE Transportation to get out and enjoy the weather, spend time with family and friends, go have lunch, shop, exercise, and take in some sunshine. I want you to live your best life!
CIRCULATOR maps and schedules are below for your convenience.
The Prince George's County (PGC) Link runs Monday - Friday between 10:00 am - 3:30 pm. Map below shows the operating area for the PGC Link.
The Prince George's County (PGC) Link runs Monday - Friday between 10:00 am - 3:30 pm, accepts only same day reservations. Map below shows the operating area for the PGC Link. In the South County, Fort Washington service area, you can take PGC Link anywhere within the 17-square mile service area. Passengers will not be picked up or dropped off in areas outside the zone. For more information and to learn more about the fares and the PGC Link Transloc App, Click https://bit.ly/3wHAB25
 President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris signed the bill on June 17, 2021, making Juneteenth a federal holiday. This is the first federal holiday approved since Martin Luther King Jr. Day, nearly 40 years ago. The Prince George's County Council is celebrating the first official Juneteenth holiday in the County.
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Marking the date that the last enslaved people learned of their freedom, the month of June and the nineteenth day were combined to form the word Juneteenth. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. Juneteenth is an official holiday recognized in over 43 states and the District of Columbia.
The Prince George's County 2021 Emergency Rental and Utilities Assistance Program (ERAP) helps eligible households who have been financially impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The program provides payment assistance for renters who need help with rent and utilities.
Applications will be accepted until funds are no longer available.
Click Here for more information and apply
The Lake Arbor Jazz Festival Show - Rebirth at the South Pointe At National Harbor is being hosted in District 8 - July 1 - August 1, 2021
Four top headliners shows are Sold Out, but the other shows still have tickets for this incredible jazz festival. Find the show for you, Click Here
Meet Kevin Alexander, Executive Producer of the Lake Arbor Jazz Festival, Click Here
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RESCHEDULED: The community conversation with County Executive Alsobrooks and Acting Police Chief Malik Aziz has been rescheduled to Monday, June 21, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Join them in person at Suitland High School or virtually via YouTube. Residents can ask questions at the town hall or submit questions in advance here: http://bit.ly/PGCTownHallJune21
PUBLIC HEARINGS SET FOR PROPOSED HOT LANE TOLL RATE RANGES FOR PHASE 1 SOUTH: AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE I-270 TO I-370.
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has scheduled public hearings as part of the toll rate range setting process public comment period for proposed High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes in Phase 1 South: American Legion Bridge I-270 to I-370. The public comment period opened May 20 and continues through August 12. Written and voicemail comments are now being accepted, and the hearings will provide additional opportunity to comment on the proposed toll rate ranges for the record through public or one-on-one testimony.
The MDTA will hold two in-person testimony hearing sessions, 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 12, at the Hilton Washington D.C./Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Center in Rockville, and two call-in testimony hearing sessions, 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 14. During the hearings there will be no formal presentation and no responses to questions can be given. The public can listen live to the hearings via telephone or livestream at mdta.maryland.gov/ALB270TollSetting.
Click this link for more, Phase 1 South Toll Rate Range Setting_FINAL_Press Release No2_06.07.2021.docx
The Training Source has a grant to provide free job training to Prince George's County residents living within three miles of MGM as well as a grant to provide training to survivors of domestic violence.
For more information about The Training Source, Click thetrainingsource.org
To register for next information session, Email infosession@thetrainingsource.org
Call The Training Source - 301.499.8872
Congratulations to all the students, principals, educators/team members, parents and members of the students village for making it to the end of a very challenging school year! You did it! You pushed through and thrived through the unknown, with a year of many historical firsts. Best wishes for a great summer, you earned and deserve it! Stay Safe and Healthy.
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As of June 14th, the operating hours for the Southern Regional Aquatic Wellness Center will be:
Monday/Wednesday: 9am-9pm
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday: 6am-9pm
Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday: 11:30am-6pm
Please note there may be scheduled programs during certain hours of the day. It is best to contact and/or visit the facility to confirm the pool availability to meet your specific needs. Check out the website here https://bit.ly/3wJSuNQ
In the evenings, the community will have access and be able to use the facility during the following times:
- 6pm-8pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays (2 lap lanes will be available for drop-in lap swimming & water walking)
- 8pm-9pm on Mondays - Thursdays (entire lap pool and warm water pool available for drop-in use)
- 12pm-9pm on Fridays (general swim which includes lap swimming and water walking)
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We apologize for communicating in our May 25 Orange Alert that Justice the service dog was found and reunited with the owner. Unfortunately, this is not the case and Justice is still out in the community.
UPDATE: Justice was last spotted on Sunday, May 16, 2021, in the area of Livingston Road & Swan Creek Road, Fort Washington, MD.
Justice has a very crucial role in the life of the owner. A service dog helps a person with a disability lead a more independent life. Service animals are specifically trained to work with a person with a disability which makes it easier for its owner to accomplish one or more major life activities, including caring for oneself, working, performing manual tasks, sleeping, walking, and numerous other activities.
Please call (407) 922-9551 if you have seen Justice or have any information that will lead to a successful reunion.
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