As we commemorate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, I must reflect on the profound experience of my journey to Israel this past week at the invitation of the American Israel Education Foundation. From visiting the Sea of Galilee to the Old City of Jerusalem, I was reminded of the modest yet transformational life that Jesus Christ lived on Earth. Following this example, Dr. King carried the full armor of God into battle as he and the leaders of the civil rights movement led an historic, nonviolent struggle to right the wrongs of freedom and equality under the law that had eluded people of color since the founding of our Republic. Dr. King was joined by many faiths in the civil rights struggle, notably by rabbis and clergy from the Jewish community. This bond between the African-American and Jewish communities flows naturally from a shared experience of struggle, tragedy, and triumph. Let us never forget the words of Dr. King from that Birmingham jail that, “we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” May we always remember, regardless of race, color or creed, that we are all in this together.

 

#princegeorgesrising

Resource Conservation Plan for Prince George’s County, MD

Latest Update:

Just Announced! Upcoming Community Input Sessions:

 Tuesday, January 5, and Wednesday, January 6, 2016. Click here to download event flyer.

Environmental Input Session

When: Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Where: Hyattsville City Hall Administration Building, 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781

 

6:30 p.m.—Light refreshments

7:00 p.m.—Input session begins

 

Rural and Ag Input Session

When: Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Where: Baden Fire Hall Administration Building 16608 Brandywine Road, Brandywine, MD 20613

6:30 p.m.—Light refreshments

7:00 p.m.—Input session begins

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The Countywide Resource Conservation Functional Master Plan (the “Resource Conservation Plan” or “RCP”) will combine the related elements of green infrastructure planning and rural and agricultural conservation into one functional master plan in order to streamline the process, meet state requirements for planning elements, and more efficiently update existing plans and maps.

For more info, go here: http://www.pgplanning.org/Projects/Resource_Conservation_Plan.htm

 

Bringing the World to Prince George’s County  December 24, 2015

       

An Update from County Councilman Mel Franklin

December 24, 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 5

Prince George’s Rising is a countywide newsletter designed to empower communities with key information and issues of concern. It is my honor to serve you on the Prince George’s County Council. Over the last several years, including the immediate past two years as Chairman, I have worked with my colleagues on the Council to move our County forward. With your help, we are “Bringing the World to Prince George’s County.” For more information, please go to https://www.melfranklin.net or e-mail me at mel@melfranklin.net.

 

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

 

 

Senator Mikulski secures $390 million for new FBI headquarters; Advocates for Prince George’s Location
     
From the Wash. Post: “Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) has secured $390 million for a new FBI headquarters as part of the spending agreement that was negotiated by Democrats and Republicans in Congress…. Mikulski and her fellow Maryland lawmakers have been pushing vociferously for their state to land the headquarters and the 11,000 workers it would hold. State officials have promised to invest millions in road improvements to bring the FBI to Greenbelt or Landover in Prince George’s County, rather than to Springfield, Va.” Full story:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/mikulski-secures-390-million-for-new-fbi-headquarters-in-dc-suburbs/2015/12/16/4c735a1a-a364-11e5-b53d-972e2751f433_story.html

 
Over 400 Residents Participated in the November Conversations with the Chairman; Community Leadership Council Proposed
   
From Greenbelt on Nov. 9, District Heights on Nov. 10, and Clinton on Nov. 17, hundreds of county residents joined me at this fall’s Conversations with the Chairman and shared their hopes and ideas about the future of our County, including the need for a closer relationship between county government and the community. These conversations were the beginning of a sustained effort to reverse declining voter participation in the issues of local government, which impacts our daily life more significantly than any other level of government. This fall’s conversations have spawned a proposed Community Leadership Council, an organized network of residents communicating directly with county leaders, organized by neighborhood or community (voting precinct), to advocate for the issues and interests of the county on behalf of their neighbors. For more information about the Community Leadership Council, go here: http://tinyurl.com/conversationswiththechairman. To sign up for the Community Leadership Council, go here: https://www.melfranklin.net/join-the-prince-georges-county-community-leadership-council/.

 

Prince George’s Rising to Expand Next Year

Thank you for the positive feedback to the Prince George’s Rising newsletter.  In 2016, Prince George’s Rising will be issued on a more frequent, twice-a-month basis and in a variety of new mediums to provide more timely information on a variety of subjects of importance to local residents.  Happy New Year!

COMMUNITY NEWS YOU CAN USE

2016 Summer Youth Jobs Program Kick-off Open House – Jan. 9, 10AM

From SYEP: The Youth@Work/Summer Youth Enrichment Program (Youth@Work/SYEP) is gearing up for the Summer of 2016! You are cordially invited to attend and participate in the Youth@Work/SYEP Job Readiness Training Program Open House scheduled for Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Prince George’s Community College, Largo Student Center, The Rennie Forum at 10:00 a.m. As part of the County’s commitment to its youth, the Youth@Work/SYEP is offering a series of job readiness and life skill training workshops to prepare youth for the workforce through a partnership with Prince George’s Community College and Prince George’s County Public Schools.  The youth who successfully complete the job readiness training will have preference in selection for 2016 summer youth job positions. Last year, over eight hundred (800) youth voluntarily participated in these workshops. Jan. 9 Kick-off flyer here:http://tinyurl.com/syepopenhouse

Councilman Franklin Salutes the Opening of the District VII Station; Urges More Funding for Police Officers

“The ribbon cutting and opening of the new District VII Police Station in Fort Washington earlier this month was a tremendous victory for residents across the County …. Now we must work to provide the additional officers that will be needed to ensure the success of District VII. The Council recently requested the restoration of funds to the Police Department to fund an additional class of officers this fiscal year to improve police staffing countywide, including in District VII. It is my hope that this request will be honored.”
Full Statement: https://www.melfranklin.net/councilman-franklin-salutes-the-opening-of-the-district-vii-station-urges-more-funding-for-police-officers/

Congratulations to the Newest Appointment to Maryland’s Highest Court: The Honorable Michele Hotten

Congratulations to Prince George’s County’s own Judge Michele Hotten, sworn in this week to serve on Maryland’s highest court, the Maryland Court of Appeals. Governor Larry Hogan made an excellent choice in selecting Judge Hotten and the residents of Prince George’s County salute her achievements.  Judge Hotten is the first woman and African-American from Prince George’s County to be appointed to the Court of Appeals. According to the Post: “The first in her immediate family to attend college, [Judge] Hotten earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and her law degree from Howard University School of Law, where she was a member of the Howard Law Journal…. Hotten has served in the judiciary for 21 years, the past five on Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals. Timothy F. Maloney, a Greenbelt, Md.-based attorney and a member of the appellate nominating commission, said that “her life story and her life’s work were very impressive to the commission.”
Full Post Article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/michele-hotten-is-officially-sworn-in-to-serve-on-marylands-highest-court/2015/12/22/9a9fab62-a8b4-11e5-bff5-905b92f5f94b_story.html

Prince George’s County Charter Schools Lottery Is Still Open

For interested parents and students, the county’s public charter school lottery is open now but will be closing in 35 Days.  To participate in the lottery, go here: http://lottery.pgcps.org/

The Prince George’s County Family Justice Center Seeks Volunteers

The Family Justice Center (FJC) is a collaboration of public and private agencies in Prince George’s County, Maryland designed to provide support, services and resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse and exploitation.  The FJC is seeking volunteers in the following areas: Receptionist and Intake Positions; Hospitality and Childcare Positions; and Office Service Positions. Requirements to Become a FJC Volunteer: Must be at least 18 years of age; Complete a Volunteer Application; Successfully complete a criminal background investigation with the Sheriff Department and DSS Child Services; and Must agree to work at least 32 hours (4 days) per month.
For more info, please see view this flyer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R4LkiBqk2WBXOxFcySF4p8xiSNYXaQg94dCM788OPsI/edit?usp=sharing

Community Crisis Services: For those in Prince George’s who are struggling, help is a phone call away

“Living on the street and braving winter temperatures can bring about deadly consequences for the homeless, destitute and people dealing with mental illness. But inside a Hyattsville building, there is a team of counselors fielding phone calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from 15 entities that are helping people find food, emergency housing and even a reason to live. ‘Our mission is to offer nonjudgmental crisis intervention and suicide prevention through our 24-hour hotline service,’ said Tim Jansen, executive director of Community Crisis Services. He is the leader of a compassionate army that includes 10 full-time and 25 part-time staff members and many volunteers.”
Full Wash. Post Article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/for-those-in-prince-georges-who-are-struggling-help-is-a-phone-call-away/2015/12/01/52fe50a2-9229-11e5-a2d6-f57908580b1f_story.html

OTHER IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention/Still I Rise, Inc.
Call (301) 868-4903 or go to http://www.stillirisemd.org or call 211

Apply for the Homeowners/Renters Tax Credit Program
Call 1(800) 944-7403 or go to http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/htc.html

Apply for the Homestead Tax Credit Program
Call (866) 650-8783 or go to http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/homestead.html

How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment
Call (301) 952-2500 or go to http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/appeal.html

Free Legal Assistance: District Court (Upper Marlboro) Self-Help Legal Resource Center
Call 410-260-1392 or go to http://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/districtctselfhelpctr.html

County-Based and Minority Business Procurement Opportunities and Certifications
Call (301) 883-6480 or go to http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/SupplierDevelopment/Pages/default.aspx

County Employment and Workforce Assistance
Call (301) 583-4650 or go to http://www.pgcedc.com/workforce-services

For constituent concerns, please use County Click 311: http://countyclick.princegeorgescountymd.gov or call 311

Request Pothole Repair: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/PublicWorks/Services/RoadwayImprovements/Potholes/Pages/default.aspx

Find Your Elected Officials:
Contact your County Council Member at http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/countycouncil/Pages/default.aspx
Contact the County Executive at http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/ExecutiveBranch/Pages/default.aspx
Find out and contact your state and federal elected officials at http://mdelect.net

View the Prince George’s County Code at http://www.municode.com/library/md/prince_george’s_county/codes/code_of_ordinances



Is a resource you need not here?
Check https://www.melfranklin.net or contact me at: Mel@MelFranklin.net

 

Wednesday’s ribbon cutting and opening of the new District VII Police Station in Fort Washington is a tremendous victory for residents across the County, but especially in southern Prince George’s County (“South County”). The District VII Station will eventually expand the reach of the Police Department in South County, thereby reducing response times and alleviating pressures on the resources of neighboring police districts. For more than a decade, South County civic and elected leaders have advocated for this station and overcome many obstacles to make this day possible. I would like to thank my Council colleagues and the County Executive for funding the construction of this Station. Now we must work to provide the additional officers that will be needed to ensure the success of District VII. The Council recently requested the restoration of funds to the Police Department to fund an additional class of officers this fiscal year to improve police staffing countywide, including in District VII. It is my hope that this request will be honored.