Council Connection

COUNCIL MEMBERS REPRESENT PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ON MULTI-DAY TRADE MISSION IN SOUTH KOREA

Vice Chair Sydney Harrison (District 9) and Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) are on a trade mission in South Korea representing Prince George's County alongside representatives from the Economic Development Corporation and Prince George’s County business owners. The mission brought the group to Seoul and Cheonan, allowing the Council Members and other county representatives to discuss and foster trade and cultural exchange between Prince George’s County and these two South Korean communities. Vice Chair Harrison and Council Member Fisher visited LG's Science Innovation Park where they experienced the future of robotics, vehicles, and home entertainment. The group also met with potential South Korean business partners, had dinner with Cheonan Mayor Park Sang-don, and attended the Cheonan World Dance Festival alongside representatives from 28 other countries.  Vice Chair Harrison was one of only two international attendees selected to address the crowd. Prince George's County has developed and maintained a trade and cultural exchange with Cheonan since 2016.

COUNCIL CONSIDERS BILLS TO CHANGE SPECIAL ELECTION PROCESS AND TIMELINE

At the Council meeting on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the Council had first readings of a series of bills that would make changes to special elections for County Executive and County Council. Bills sponsored by Council Members Tom Dernoga (District 1), Calvin Hawkins (At-Large), and Edward Burroughs (District 8) would eliminate special primary elections, and allow all political parties to run in one general election. The bills require the date of the special election to be on a Tuesday that is at least 90 days, but not more than 100 days following a County Executive or Council vacancy. CB-94-2024 would change the law for Council special elections and CB-95-2024 would change the law for County Executive special elections. The measures are emergency legislation and would take effect immediately if passed.

Two separate bills, CB-92-2024 and CB-93-2024, would change only the timeframe for special elections, requiring at least 100 days from a vacancy to a special primary election and at least 100 days from the primary to the special general election. This comes after the Office of the Maryland Attorney General advised that under state law, more time is needed to schedule special elections than county law currently provides. The bills are also emergency legislation and are sponsored by Council Members Wanika Fisher (District 2) and Ingrid Watson (District 4).

LEGISLATION TO CREATE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTY DATABASE MOVES FORWARD

Additionally on Tuesday, the Committee of the Whole unanimously moved favorably on legislation that would create a public database of all short-term rental properties in the county. CB-66-2024, sponsored by Council Member Ingrid Watson (District 4), would require the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement to develop and maintain the database, which would include contact information for the short-term rental’s host, an emergency contact, the property’s address, and a list of any outstanding code violations.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE BRIEFED ON EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

Representatives from Prince George’s Community College, Employ Prince George’s and Prince George’s County’s Office of Human Resource Management joined the Education and Workforce Development Committee on Monday, September 23^rd to discuss the county’s labor force for youth and young adults, as well as job prospects for graduates of Prince George’s Community College. The presentation, led by Prince George’s County’s Office of Human Resource Management, provided insight on the number of applications submitted from youth and young adults (14-22 years of age), as well as county youth employment programs including the Youth@Work Internship Program, the Summer Youth Enrichment Program, and Volunteer Internship Program. Walter Simmons, Executive Director of Employ Prince George’s, discussed the organization’s efforts to increase Career and Technical Education enrollment and completion within Prince George’s County Public Schools, as well as strategies for marketing certifications for apprenticeship and career training programs.

October 1 - County Council - 1:00 PM - Agenda Briefing

October 1 - County Council - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

October 1 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 2:30 PM - DETAILS

October 1 - County Council - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

October 3 - PHED Committee - 10:30 AM - DETAILS

October 3 - HHSPS Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

CHAIR IVEY TO HEADLINE DIGITAL EQUITY PANEL DISCUSSION, ATTENDS RALLY AGAINST BULLYING

Registration is now open for a virtual forum on digital equity headlined by Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5).  Ivey will be joined on the panel, on October 9^th at 1 pm, by Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Alexander Austin, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System CEO Dr. Mark Winston, and Crown Castle Public Affairs Manager Ashley Greenspan.  Panelists will share their analysis of internet connectivity in the county and share insight into how the county is working to connect more of its residents to highspeed internet and the technology required to take advantage of all that it has to offer.  Sign up to attend the virtual hearing HERE.

Chair Ivey attended Edmonston's 5th Annual Hands Across the Bridge Unity Rally, expressing deep gratitude to the Town of Edmonston for its continued effort to unite the community against bullying and bring awareness to mental health support in the county. It was an inspiring event with mayors from various municipalities around Prince George's County.

COUNCIL MEMBER WATSON HOLDS SECOND ANNUAL “PICK IT UP!” EVENT

Council Member Ingrid S. Watson (District 4) held her second annual "Pick It UP!" anti-litter and beautification event on September 21st at Glenn Dale Commons, bringing residents together to pick up trash around the community and promote a cleaner environment for everyone to enjoy. As a dedicated advocate for a cleaner and greener community, Council Member Watson is passionate about addressing the issue of litter in county neighborhoods. She believes that by working together, we can make a positive impact on our streets, parks, and public spaces.

COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY HOSTS MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM

Also on September 21^st, Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) hosted a Mental Health Symposium at Reid Temple AME Church in Glendale, an event in honor of Josh Miller, a beloved friend who tragically died by suicide. The symposium raised awareness, fostered discussion, and provided crucial resources for individuals struggling with mental health challenges. The symposium was in collaboration with NAMI-PG, Community Crisis Service, Inc., Black People Die by Suicide, Africans for Mental Health, Office of the Sheriff, State's Attorney's Office, Prince George's County Health Department, The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, CareFirst, and Reid Temple AME Church. The event featured Jade Mathis, a renowned mental health advocate, and a panel discussion on the importance of mental health education, breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness, and promoting proactive care for individuals and families.

COUNCIL MEMBERS HOST A BLOOD DRIVE AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HIGHLAND PARK

Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5) and Council Member Calvin Hawkins (At-Large) donated blood at First Baptist Church of Highland Park's "Power in the Blood" blood drive. The Council Members commend the church and the Red Cross for hosting this blood drive dedicated to sickle cell disease patients. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder and patients often require blood transfusions. The disease predominantly impacts African Americans, and about 40% of Maryland sickle cell patients live in Prince George's County. Black blood donors are crucial because they’re more likely to have compatible blood types. A total of 77 donors registered, including 20 first-time donors, and of the 58 units collected, 47 of those units were African American units. All 47 of the African American units will be tested and prioritized for patients with sickle cell disease.