Council Connection

SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION HELD FOR DISTRICT 5 COUNCIL SEAT

The County Council did not meet on Tuesday, March 4, in observance of Election Day for two special primary elections in the county. Prince George’s County hosted a county-wide election to fill the County Executive position vacated by Angela Alsobrooks when she became a US Senator and an election in District 5 to fill Chair Jolene Ivey’s previous County Council seat vacated by her move into an At-Large seat.

In the District 5 Council race, Democrat and former Prince George’s County Board of Education member Shayla Adams-Stafford won the Democratic nomination. She will now face off with Republican Fred Price, Jr., who ran unopposed for the GOP nomination. In the County Executive Special Election, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy won the Democratic nomination, and, so far, unofficial election results have Jonathan White leading for Republicans.

The special general election will be on June 3. The winners of that election will be sworn into office thereafter.

PHED COMMITTEE BRIEFED BY PLANNING DEPT., REVENUE AUTHORITY

On Thursday, March 6, the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee met for two briefings, one with the Prince George’s County Planning Department and one with the Prince George’s County Revenue Authority.  Planning Department Director, Lakisha Hull, and Deputy Director of Administration, Tony Felts, provided an overview of their Fiscal Year 2025 strategic direction as well as insight into current projects and programs. Denise Robinson, the Executive Director of the Revenue Authority, and Chief Real Estate Officer, Nicole Hall, updated Council Members on completed projects like the Hamilton Manor Apartments in Hyattsville, current projects, like the Town Square at Suitland Federal Center and the Suitland Redevelopment Project, and future projects like a mixed-use housing and commercial development on 93 acres of land near the Bowie State University MARC station.

March 10 - EWD Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

March 11 - General Assembly - 9:00 AM - DETAILS

March 11 - County Council - 10:30 AM - Agenda Briefing

March 11 - County Council - 11:00 AM - Proclamations

March 11 - County Council - 11:30 AM - DETAILS

March 12 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM - DETAILS

March 12 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

March 12 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

March 12 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

March 13 - TIEE Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

March 13 - GOFP Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.

SIGN UP FOR SUMMER CAMPS STARTS WEDNESDAY

This summer, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County will offer more than 450 unique camp sessions to meet the needs of families. Sessions will feature arts, sports, nature, coding, sign language, video games, and more! Explore offerings in the summer camp brochure here. Registration for Prince George’s County residents begins Wednesday, March 12 at pgparksdirect.com.

COUNCIL MEMBER DERNOGA HOSTS VIRTUAL CONVERSATION WITH SEN. VAN HOLLEN

On Thursday, March 6, Council Member Tom Dernoga (District 1) hosted a virtual community conversation with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). Sen. Van Hollen answered questions submitted by residents and provided an update on key federal issues and their impact to Prince George’s County residents. With approximately 50,000 federal employees calling Prince George’s County home, federal decisions have a direct impact on our community’s economy and quality of life. You can view the discussion on Council Member Dernoga’s Facebook page.

COUNTY HOLDS CAREER AND RESOURCE FAIR FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

This Wednesday, March 12 at 10AM, Prince George’s County is holding a Federal Employee Career Transition & Resource Fair at The Hotel at University of Maryland in College Park. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with potential employers, discover job openings, and gain access to valuable resources. Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/FedRes312 

COUNCIL MEMBERS SUPPORT POLICE PROMOTIONS

Council Members congratulated newly promoted officers with the Prince George’s County Police Department, commending their dedication and commitment to protecting our community. Council Vice Chair Edward Burroughs (District 8) and Council Members Wanika Fisher (District 2) and Ingrid S. Watson (District 4) attended the event.

COUNCIL MEMBERS MEET WITH VICE PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA

Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7), Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6), and Fire Chief Tiffany Green proudly welcome His Excellency Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, to Prince George’s County. As home to one of the largest Liberian diaspora communities in the U.S., the county celebrates its deep cultural and historical ties with Liberia. Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships, coordinating the donation of decommissioned equipment to support Liberian communities, and furthering international cooperation and shared development goals.

COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY HOLDS AI TASK FORCE MEETING, CELEBRATES OPENING OF NEW SALON, READS TO ELEMENTARY CHILDREN

The Prince George’s County Artificial Intelligence Task Force, which includes Council Member Wala Blegay, met on March 6 at the University of Maryland, uniting key leaders from academia, business, and the community to shape the future of AI in the county. Discussions focused on AI innovation, workforce development, and securing funding, including efforts to apply for National Science Foundation grants. Launched in 2024, the AI Task Force is a collaboration between the University of Maryland, Bowie State University, Prince George’s Community College, local tech firms, and government agencies. Its mission is to position Prince George’s County as a leader in AI research, innovation, and workforce development.

Council Member Blegay was proud to celebrate the grand opening of Salon Top Curl in Mitchellville, a transformative space designed to support recent beauty school graduates and uplift the community. This salon provides hairstyling, manicures, pedicures, esthetician services, and continuing education that allows new professionals to refine their skills and gain hands-on experience. Council Member Blegay also read to students for Lake Arbor Elementary School’s African American Read-In. This is part of a nationwide effort to encourage communities to read together, centering African American books and authors.