Council Connection

BOARD OF HEALTH TO HOST PANEL DISCUSSION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THIS TUESDAY

Community members are invited to attend Prevent and Respond: A Panel Discussion on the Health Impacts of Domestic Violence on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the Board of Health, is hosting this important event as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

According to law enforcement, domestic violence cases are up 11% in the county, and make up a large percentage of homicides.  Nationally, more than 12 million men and women are victims of domestic violence every year, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

The panel discussion will be held in the Council Hearing Room at The Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, 1301 McCormick Dr., Largo, MD 20774, and include insight from PGPD Chief Malik Aziz; Prince George’s County Sheriff John Carr; Dr. Denise McCain, Director of Prince George’s County Family Justice Center; Dr. Elizabeth Aparicio, University of Maryland School of Public Health Associate Professor; and Christine Cooley, Manager of the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center at University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center.

For more information, or to sign up to speak or comment, click HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER ORIADHA LAUNCHES #NOMORE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN

On Monday, October 1, Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7) launched her 2024 #NoMore Domestic Violence campaign, on the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Oriadha’s campaign encourages victims of domestic violence to ask for help, and for those around them to offer support, as victims escape harmful and potentially dangerous relationships. Oriadha, who is a survivor of domestic violence, also shared a resource guide and backed new legislation Del. Ashanti Martinez (MD-22) plans to introduce at the state level. That bill would require insurance companies to cover cosmetic surgeries for domestic violence scars and injuries. Council Member Oriadha emphasized that survivors can be re-traumatized by seeing scars from domestic violence, and many don’t have resources for cosmetic surgery. “I have scars that can only be healed through surgery, and there are scars that most won’t see, but I see them every day,” she said.

EMPLOY PRINCE GEORGE’S BRIEFS COUNCIL ON STATE OF WORKFORCE

At the Council meeting on Tuesday, October 2^nd, Walter Simmons, President & CEO of Employ Prince George's, presented the current state of the workforce in Prince George’s County. Council members learned that the population in Prince George’s County is growing, but the labor force participation rate is falling. More employees are returning to in-person work, but automation and AI use are also trending upward, according to the report. Per capita income in the county grew nearly six percent from 2017 to 2022, adjusted for inflation. To view the full report, click here.

HHSPS COMMITTEE MOVES FAVORABLY ON POLICE TRANSPARENCY LEGISLATION

On Thursday, October 3, the Health, Human Services, and Public Safety Committee unanimously moved favorably on CB-76-2024, which clarifies the responsibility and authority of the county’s Administrative Charging Committee.  The ACC is involved with reviewing police misconduct allegations in any jurisdiction in the county. This bill would move legislation enacted in Prince George’s County in 2022 in line with state law by clarifying that the ACC is responsible for reviewing complaints of misconduct, not initiated by an involved citizen, against officers both on and off duty.

PHED COMMITTEE MOVES FAVORABLY ON LEGISLATION LIMITING NEW CONVENIENCE STORES

Also on Thursday, the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee moved favorably on CB-62-2024, a bill that would limit the number of convenience stores in the county. The proposal by Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7) would bar any new convenience stores from moving into a three-mile radius of an existing convenience store, not including gas stations.  A county map shows a large majority of the convenience stores in the county are inside the Beltway.  “We have a huge issue with the overconcentration of these convenience stores, which are really not even convenience stores,” Oriadha told the committee.  “They call themselves convenience stores, but they don’t operate as such.  They are just tobacco shops with chips and soda.”

October 7 - GOFP Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

October 8 - County Council - 9:30 AM - Agenda Briefing

October 8 - County Council - 9:45 AM - Proclatmations

October 8 - County Council - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

October 8 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 11:00 AM - DETAILS

October 8 - Sitting as the Board of Health - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

October 9 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - Virtual Meeting

October 10 - TIEE Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

CHAIR IVEY HONORED WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD AWARD

Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington (PPMW) honored Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5) with its prestigious Ally Award at the annual Impact Gala on September 28^th. Each year the organization honors leaders who have served as champions for sexual and reproductive health equity, access, and education. Maryland First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore was also a recipient. Nearly 500 guests gathered for the event, which featured artist Common, and raised $144,000 for Planned Parenthood.

COUNCIL MEMBERS BLEGAY AND ORIADHA HOST AFRICAN CULTURAL NIGHT AWARD CEREMONY

Council Members Wala Blegay (District 6) and Krystal Oriadha (District 7) hosted the highly anticipated African Cultural Night Award Ceremony at the Hampton Conference Center on September 27^th. The celebration shined a spotlight on the vibrant African culture that flourishes in the county while honoring the significant contributions of African community leaders. The event featured cultural performances, an African fashion show, and award presentations, in addition to distinguished speakers including Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, and fellow Council Member Edward Burroughs (District 8). It was a wonderful evening of unity, celebration, and cultural pride!

COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON CELEBRATES BERWYN HEIGHTS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT CENTENNIAL

Council Member Eric Olson (District 3) had a fantastic weekend celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department and enjoying the festivities at New Carrollton Day and Berwyn Day! It’s always wonderful to connect with the community at special events like these.

COUNCIL MEMBERS HAWKINS AND ORIADHA PARTNER ON BLOOD DRIVE FOR SICKLE CELL PATIENTS

Council Members Krystal Oriadha (District 7) and Calvin Hawkins (At-Large) partnered with the Sickle Cell Coalition of Maryland and Top Ladies of Distinction Maryland to host a sickle cell blood drive. Sickle Cell Disease affects about 100,000 people in the US, and more than 90% are African American. Blood drives like this one are critically important for sickle cell patients who often require frequent blood transfusions to manage their condition. The generosity and support of all who donated and participated is truly appreciated!