September is here…Happy Labor Day!
Labor Day was created to pay tribute to American workers who have made contributions and achievements. The pandemic made us all pause and take notice of the essential workers who labor daily for the good of all of us. The Labor Day holiday also marks the end of the summer for many. Families and friends often gather for their last cook out and gatherings, and we transition from summer vacations to back to school.
Some Prince George's County Office buildings have re-opened to the public. For those departments/agencies, click Here
On Wednesday, September 8th, Prince George's County Schools open their doors for the start of the 2021/2022 school year and the Prince George's County Council resume our virtual County Council meetings.
August has been filled with lots of activity and the last two weeks have been full of new beginnings, transition, and proven results of our resiliency. Being at MACo's Summer Conference, connecting with other lawmakers and my engagement with District 8 residents, I continue to witness our strength. Strength shown, whether it is through our eyes smiling with our masks on, or our conversations of how we continue to move forward and the appreciation of having that opportunity, and sharing plans to better our lives and our communities.
Read on to see a special District 8 tribute, the excitement happening in District 8 and some areas we have been focused on. In this issue, the following will be covered:
* Environmental Meeting and Tour with Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources, Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio
* Fox5 Zip Trip National Harbor
* Bike Rides for Wellness & Cause
* Zoning Ordinance Countywide Map Amendment
* Ribbon cutting: State-of-the art Tucker Road Ice Rink
* Women's Equality Day - Joint Base Andrews
* District 8's Global Air Drone Academy - Joint Base Andrews
* Backpack Distribution - 2021-2022 School Year
* Ribbon cutting: Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center
* MACo Summer Conference
* District 8 Business Spotlight - Mahogany Books
* District 8 Spotlight - Olympic medalist
* District 8 Special Tribute
* District 8 Partners & Sponsors
* District 8 Food Distribution
* District 8 Team
|
On Tuesday, August 31st, Delegate Jay Walker, District 26, initiated a meeting and tour of environmentally sensitive areas in Legislative District 26/Councilmanic District 8 with Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources, Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio. The tour included the Fort Washington Marina at Captain’s Cove, which is in the process of being leased by the National Park Service. At the Marina, Delegate Walker addressed the need for dredging with Secretary Haddaway-Riccio and members of the National Park Service.
Walker moved the tour to the proposed K-8 site, then downstream to waterfront properties suffering from silting, resulting from weak stormwater infrastructure and irresponsible development. The last stop was a property in the historic Silesia section of Livingston Road, where they noticed several environmental infractions.
I was happy to join the tour with Delegate Walker and take Secretary Haddaway-Riccio to the historical St. John Church, where we walked to the Henson Creek and discussed restoration and resiliency. The aged stormwater infrastructure has caused many years of devastation. Since I took office, I have continued to raise the environmental, physical/mental health, and fiscal challenges our constituents and communities have had to endure. The problems continue to exacerbate, especially with the heavy rainfalls we are experiencing. Maryland State Delegate Jay Walker is tackling the issue, by engaging state agencies. We are working together for county and state input as we seek solutions to protect our homes, health, and environment.
What a beautiful day in District 8! Enjoyed sharing with Fox 5’s Steve Chenevey and Jeannette Reyes the uniqueness of District 8 and our focus on community wellness. If you missed this feature today, Click https://bit.ly/3jI3g3l #DistrictGr8
It was nice to see some of the constituents for the first time in eighteen months at the Zip Trip and meet new people. After the ZipTrip, I enjoyed a bike ride on our trails with State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy.
 
I was honored to be selected to receive the 2021 "VOICE OF CHANGE AWARD" by Fort Foote Baptist Church, Reverend Dr. Joseph W. Lyles, Pastor, First Lady Sheila M. Lyles and the Black History Committee. This award means so much, as it is given by the people in the District that I serve. The "VOICE OF CHANGE AWARD" is given to two people who have brought meaningful change, ongoing commitment and dedication to the citizens of District 8.
Congratulations to Dr. Michelle Craig, the other award recipient of the 2021 "VOICE OF CHANGE AWARD". Thank you Dr. Craig for the tremendous outreach work you have provided in our community. We share a commitment to serving others and making our community better.
Thank You Fort Foote Baptist Church for this award, I am dedicated to continue to use my voice for transformational change for a healthier and vibrant District 8 community.
Last Friday, I had a fantastic day of cycling the Henson Creek Trail with a wonderful group, including Prince George’s Co. State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy. We were joined by Sergeant Calvin Charles who is collaborating with us to initiate cycling groups around the county to get us all moving on our beautiful trails. We are planning pop-up refresher classes on cycling maneuvering skills and road safety, too. District 8, Sergeant Calvin Charles and the Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a bike rodeo and "It's Time to Ride" sessions to teach middle and high schools how to become cyclists. Everyone should know how to ride a bike…Stay tuned!!!
On August 5th, I co-hosted a District 8 bike ride, on the Henson Creek Trail with Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris County, in support of the Texas delegation fighting against voter suppression. Our ride was in solidarity with the delegation, appreciating their sacrifice and commitment in coming to Washington D.C. to avoid a quorum to delay the voter suppression Bill from passing. Though their opposition was overturned, I am certain their focus will remain to attain the freedom to vote for all persons. Cycling for a purpose!
The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council and Prince George’s County Planning Board of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will hold virtual joint public hearings on September 13 and 14 at 5:00 p.m. to solicit comments from the public on the Countywide Sectional Map Amendment (CMA). The CMA is the second phase of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite project that will apply the new zoning regulations to properties in the County.
This is important, for you to be aware of, because the County’s Zoning Ordinance institutes the development in our communities. Zoning laws determine what can be built on land in the county, i.e., what (the use/purpose), where (location), and how many businesses or properties can be built. All communities scale of retail, housing and businesses, non-profit entities are included in the zoning laws. The public hearing is part of a process leading to the approval of a new zoning map, thereby implementing the zones contained in the new Zoning Ordinance for Prince George’s County adopted by the Council through Council Bill CB-13-2018 on October 23, 2018.
Background information
2014
The Prince George’s County Council began studying and working on the process of updating the fifty-year-old Zoning Ordinance.
2018
The Prince George’s County Council passed legislation (CB-13-2018) on October 23, 2018, officially initiating steps that would lead to implementing a new zoning map, which is the Countywide Map Amendment.
2019
In July 2019, the Prince George’s County Council authorized the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (N-MCPPC) to prepare a Countywide Map Amendment to implement the zones contained in a new Zoning Ordinance adopted by the Council. This has been an arduous process and was delayed during the pandemic, but is reaching completion.
Copies of the proposed zoning map are available free of charge at the following locations: Hillcrest Heights Community Center, 2300 Oxon Run Drive, Oxon Hill, MD 20745, Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex, 7007 Bock Road, Fort Washington, MD 20770, Wayne K. Curry Sports & Learning Center, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD 20785, the County Administration Building, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center, 7120 Contee Road, Laurel, MD 20707, and the project web page at http://zoningPGC.pgplanning.com
PUBLIC HEARING - MUST REGISTER BEFORE 3:00 PM on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021
Persons who wish to speak at the public hearing must register in advance before 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at https://pgccouncil.us/458/Public-Hearing-Notices-Sign-Up-to-Speak (scroll to bottom of page)
Written testimony will be accepted in electronic format, rather than by U.S. mail and may be submitted through the online portal, emailed to clerkofthecouncil@co.pg.md.us or faxed to (301) 952-5178.
Written comments may be submitted through the close of business on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 when the record of public hearing testimony will close.
For more information on the Zoning Ordinance for Prince George’s County and CMA, visit zoningpgc.pgplanning.com , call 301-952-4944 or email zoningpgc@ppd.mncppc.org
 
Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker was honored to be invited by 316th Commander, Colonel Tyler R. Schaff and 89th Airlift Wing Commander, Colonel Matthew Jones, as the only civilian panelist for the 2021 Women's Equality Day (8/26/21) at Joint Base Andrews. The other women panelists were Chief Master Sergeant Peterson, Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Command Chief, Captain Jenkins, a Phoenix Horizon C-37 pilot and special projects OIC, 99th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Andrews and Junior enlisted member, Airman First Class Stevens, a Squadron Aviation Resource Manager at the 1st helicopter squadron.
The socially distanced event was well attended by Commanders, Chiefs, First Sergeant and the men and women across Joint Base Andrews and Prince George's County and was live streamed virtually on Facebook. A few questions were posed to the panel, before the moderator opened the session up for the sessions attendees to ask questions.
The discussion was very transparent, and attendees shared personal stories with emphasis on the need for more equality for women in the armed forces. While some of the women attendees, who have served for years, attested things are changing, they acknowledged there is still much work to be done. Council Member Anderson-Walker stressed the importance of self-care and managing your life, by staying positive and moving towards your goals. Council Member Anderson-Walker also raised the equity issue vs. equality, stating establishing an even playing field is a vital first step before addressing equality.
Having these open forums and providing safe spaces to communicate are important. The leadership who hosted the event, agreed with the panelists and the attendees, affirming the need for safe place forums to continue addressing the equality concerns, and most importantly, actions being taken to meet the equality goals.
To view the session, Click https://fb.watch/7POu7Iy9uu/
We continue to appreciate our meaningful partnerships with District 8 - Joint Base Andrews!
Building upon years of planning and convening with Joint Base Andrews (JBA) Command has flourished into a wonderful partnership allowing exposure experiences for students. This two-week camp exposed students to various applications of Drone uses. Students built, coded, and piloted their drones during the 3 hours in- person Saturday sessions at JBA and an additional 1-hour Wednesday evening virtual sessions. We look forward to our students achieving drone pilot licenses, corporate and intelligence community (IC) internships, as well as sponsored clearances while in high school.
|
 The JBA camp was held in the World Renown SparkX Center, which is the Force's newly minted Tech Incubator. Our students participated in an hour tour of the facility with demonstrations of modeling everything from airplane part fabrication to metal 3D printers used to create drones in-house. The smaller groups were able to also test their recently acquired skills in the Global Air Drone Academy's flight zones built out in the training space.
Continuing to build exposure experiences for our youth with unique STEAM approaches to learning, enable them to balance creativity and their critical thinking skills.
Enthusiasm was in the air! You could see it and feel it, by all present, at the Saturday, 8/28 Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Tucker Road Ice Rink. Thanks to Elizabeth M. Hewlett, Chairman, Prince George’s County Planning Board and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the M-NCPPC team, Bill Tyler, Department of Parks and Recreation, State Delegates, and Alexandria Briggs-Blake and Yvette McAdams, Tucker Road Ice Rink Stakeholder Group Members and everyone who contributed to this state-of-the-art facility.
The facility is constructed to accommodate two National Hockey League (NHL) regulation ice rinks. Currently one is under roof with ceiling mounted figure skating safety harnesses. The Artic-themed 48,860 square feet structure pays homage to Marylander Matthew Henson, who explored the Artic seven times over 23 years. Matthew Henson is the great-great uncle of actress/philanthropist Taraji P. Henson, an Oxon Hill High School graduate (1988).
The ice rink indoor community accommodates ice skating, figure skating and ice hockey, with a National Hockey League (NHL) Regulation Ice Rink with seating for 300-35O spectators.
The building also has flexible classroom/party room, a vending cafe snack bar, dance studio, a skate rental space, 6 locker rooms, 2 officials’ changing rooms and a family restroom/changing area. One can sit in the double sided fireplace lounge area and pull out your laptop and work, host meetings, get coffee or host events, workout or people watch in the functional indoor space.
Lessons are available to learn to play hockey and for toddlers, youth, and adult to learn how to skate.
Take time to go see this spectacular District 8 community gem that is back in operation, allowing more generations to be introduced and enjoy getting on the ice!
As you head back to school, keep these 6 tenets of #DrivingItHome in mind. Let's change the driving culture!!
Thanks to our partnerships with District 7 Police Station and Silver Hill Fire Department, we distributed 200 backpacks filled with supplies.
We are partnering with The Furlough Cheesecake Sisters next week to provide teachers supplies. #DistrictGr8 #CommunityStrong
I was honored to attend the ribbon cutting to the new lobby and entrance area of Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center, on Monday, August 30, 2021. My mother, Dr. Beverly Anderson, a former Board Member of Fort Washington Medical Center, worked tirelessly on the growth of this medical center.
This is just the beginning of many expansion plans Adventist HealthCare FWMC has for its facilities for the benefit of their patients in southern Prince George's County.
 
Enjoyed a productive Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) summer conference in Ocean City with Maryland lawmakers. The conference theme was “Resilient, Responsive…,Ready. I reconnected with my colleagues from around the state, in-person and work collectively on promoting and implementing best practices in healthcare, utilization of ARP funds, housing, infrastructure, equity and public safety.
I was honored MACo invited me to moderate a session addressing distracted driving, "Eyes on the Road: Vehicles and Vision Zero". I opened with the pertinent message of my initiative #DrivingItHome that we must change our driving culture to protect ourselves, other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and people on other modes of transportation. It was a very informative, well attended session with an excellent panel, Ragina Ali, AAA, Christine Nizer, MVA/MDOT, Mark Etzbach, Acusensus, and Capt. Jim Brown, MOCO police.
Thank You to MACo's Executive Director Mark Sanderson for his continued great leadership and successfully hosting the in-person conference during a pandemic.
Have you visited MahoganyBooks, District 8’s new bookstore? MahoganyBooks, a family-owned business, held their grand opening on August 7, 2021. Come out and support MahoganyBooks first store in Maryland, at the National Harbor.
Watching the Men’s 4x100 medley relay win Gold tonight made me reflect on the 1996 Olympics, where the Men’s 4x100 won the medal. Mark Henderson, fellow Prince Georgian, my neighbor and former swim coach was on the Butterfly leg of the medley. He has had a tremendous impact on me. Lots of life lessons learned in the pool related to perseverance, preparedness and sportsmanship. Thank you Mark!!!
Wikipedia: Mark Andrew Henderson (born November 14, 1969) is an American former competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder. He is an Olympic gold medalist, three-time World champion, two-time Pan American Games champion, four-time Pan Pacific champion and five-time U.S. National champion. He competed at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, where he was the butterfly leg of the gold medal 4×100-meter medley relay, which set the world, Olympic, American, and U.S. Open records.[1]
I attended the Celebration of Life Services on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 for Mayor Habeeb-Ullah Muhammad, the 14th Mayor of Forest Heights, Maryland and presented a Proclamation on behalf of the Prince George's County Council which declared:
"NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Proclaimed by the Prince George’s County Council that in memory of Mayor Habeeb-Ullah Muhammad, Tuesday, August 31, 2021, is declared “MAYOR HABEEB-ULLAH MUHAMMAD DAY” in Prince George’s County"
Mayor Muhammad was loved by so many and shared alot of wisdom with those she knew. A resident of The Town of Forest Heights for over 40 years, who served two terms on the Town Council of Forest Heights and as Councilmember representing Ward III, her community. Her first term as Mayor began in March 2017. We appreciate Mayor Muhammad's contributions to Forest Heights and the legacy she leaves.
I want to take this time to THANK the Partners/Sponsors who have supported our community efforts in District 8 and for the county we love so much. This page is being updated with additional partners/sponsors. Grateful, realizing that We Are All in This Together!
I want to introduce you to our D-8 team, two new team members joined us on August 16, 2021. Demetrius Keller and Marise Awai-Bourne moved on with new ventures last month.
Demetrius Keller served as D-8 Constituent Service Program Manager. Demetrius earned his MSW-Social Work and has started a new position with at risk youth.
Marise Awai-Bourne served as D-8 Legislative Aide and Scheduler to Councilwoman Anderson-Walker. Marise is rededicating her passion to her DMV Cake Art business, baking and creating delectable delights.
Clairee Britt-Cockrum, District 8's new Legislative Aide/Scheduler, has served in leadership roles on State boards and committees, analyzing issues strategically, increasing awareness of State/Federal legislation and developed viable solutions to advance new legislation. Clairee has a Bachelor of Science, Government & Politics, University of Maryland, 1995.
Telicia Farmer, District 8's new Legislative and Constituents Administrator, is a recent graduate from Bowie State University– May 2021, Bachelor of Science, History & Government and the Head Captain of the Bowie State Cross Country, Track and Field Team. Telicia has served as an intern in the Maryland Senate, Maryland House of Delegates, and in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
*******************
Clairee and Telicia are innovative, critical thinkers with research and collaborative team skills. We are excited to welcome Clairee and Telicia to our District 8 Team!
Here are the District 8 Team Members with their contact information, for your convenience.
Phone Number for the District 8 Office: 301.952.3860
Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker
E-mail: CouncilDistrict8@co.pg.md.us
Our team members are here to serve you! Continue to take care of your self-care and stay safe and healthy!
|
