Bringing the World to Prince George’s County  September 25, 2015

An Update from Council Chairman Mel Franklin

September 25, 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 3

Bringing the World to Prince George’s County  September 25, 2015

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 for a 2nd year as Chairman of the Prince George’s County Council. Over the last two years, 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.

Sept. 29 Council Transportation Town Hall Mtg: Destination Prince George’s – Northwestern High School

Join the Prince George’s County Council at its “Destination Prince George’s” Town Hall Meeting: “The Importance of Creating Sustainable, High Quality Economic Development,” on Tuesday, September 29, 2015, 7PM, Northwestern High School, 7000 Adelphi Rd., Hyattsville, MD 20782.  Join the Council and make your voice heard about how transportation infrastructure – transit, roads, bus, etc. — plays a key role in economic growth and job creation in our County.

October 31 Prayer Breakfast: Ending Domestic Violence in Prince George’s County
     

October is domestic violence awareness month and I am pleased to be the Host Sponsor of “What’s Going On: Setting Your House in Order,” feat. U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black, a Prayer Breakfast, Colony South Hotel, 7401 Surratts Rd., Clinton, MD 20735, Sat., Oct. 31, 9AM-12PM, sponsored by Still I Rise, Inc. to raise awareness and funds for a new shelter for domestic violence survivors in South County.  The tickets are $50 per person.  It has been my privilege to partner with Still I Rise, Inc. over the last 5 years in the effort to end domestic violence in our county and improve wellness opportunities for women.  Please join this effort on October 31st. Prince George’s County still leads the state in reported cases of domestic violence.

The County Council Pays Tribute to the Honorable James E. Proctor, Jr. (1936-2015)

The Prince George’s County Council joins with our residents in mourning the loss of Delegate James “Jim” E. Proctor, Jr. and we extend our thoughts, prayers and love to Jim’s wife, Susie, and his children, grandchildren and extended family. Throughout his 25 years as a State Delegate and many years as an educator, he brought an unmatched passion, advocacy, and persistence to the issues that mattered most for his constituents. We celebrate the life and the memory of Delegate James E. Proctor, Jr.
Full Statement: https://www.melfranklin.net/chairman-mel-franklins-statement-on-the-passing-of-delegate-jim-proctor/

COMMUNITY NEWS YOU CAN USE

MGM National Harbor Procurement and Job Opportunities

The $1.3 Billion MGM National Harbor Destination Resort construction is well underway and there are substantial procurement and job opportunities during the construction and operation of MGM National Harbor.  For more info on job opportunities at the project, go to:http://www.mgmnationalharbor.com/jobs/creating-jobs.aspx. For more info on becoming a vendor for the project, go to:http://www.mgmnationalharbor.com/suppliers/default.aspx.

Congratulations to Prince George’s Parks!

“On Sept. 15, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) won the
prestigious 2015 National Gold Medal Award for excellence in Parks and Recreation Management.
The Gold Medal is one of the highest professional awards available to parks and recreation
agencies throughout the country and involves a stringent qualification and judging process.”
For more info: http://www.mncppc.org/Assets/Commission/News+Release+Gold+Medal+2015.pdf
Now let’s get the Southern Area Aquatic and Recreation Complex (SAARC) built!

Join the Fight Against Litter in the County: Adopt-A-Road or Median

Want to help keep the environment in your community clean and neat? The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) Adopt-A-Road/Median Program can be your ticket to participation in a cleaner, neater community, either where you live or where you work. You will gain a sense of achievement and a sense of pride in your community by volunteering to aid in its upkeep.
To sign up: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/PublicWorks/Services/AdoptaRoad/Pages/default.aspx

County Council Marks Hispanic Heritage Month

Council Hispanic Heritage Program – Wednesday, Oct. 14, 11:30AM-1PM, County Administration Bldg., 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Observation of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) started in 1968 and was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.  September 15 is a significant date because it is the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

Chairman’s Fall Issue Survey – Thank you!

Thank you to all of you who took the Fall Issue Survey in the last edition of Prince George’s Rising.  We heard you.  Your top issue was “Fostering more and better economic development to increase high quality jobs, support small businesses, and provide more amenities.” We are hard at work at doing just that.  Thank you for your comments and feedback.  If you’d like to still vote or comment in the poll before it closes on October 1, please do so here: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07ebgvjyp9idubhaco/start

Support Prince George’s County’s Farmers Markets

The Univ. of MD Extension Center provides a detailed list of our many farmers markets in the County.  They are a great opportunity to find fresh, locally grown produce.  Please take a look at this info and support our local agriculture: http://www.pgcountyfarmfun.com/

NiaImani CHOICES Inc. to Formally Launch – Oct. 8

From NiaImani CHOICES: Incorporated in 2013, NiaImani CHOICES is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit community based organization dedicated to providing grassroots education and outreach services to disadvantaged residents of communities in Maryland and surrounding states. NiaImani CHOICES  was founded by Charlisa Watson, president of CRW & Associates, an award-winning, full-service consulting firm based in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The Oct. 8 Launch Event will be held at 6PM at Lake Presidential Golf Club (3151 Presidential Golf Club Dr, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774).
For more info: http://www.niaimanichoices.org/programs-resources/

Thank you, Community! Family & Friends Day/ Convoy of Hope/ College Fair

We’ve had a tremendously successful few weeks of events that I’ve been privileged to help sponsor, from the more than 2000 residents and 150 businesses/nonprofits who attended Prince George’s County Family & Friends Day on Aug. 30, to the thousands who joined us in the rain on Sept. 12 for the Convoy of Hope at Evangel Assembly in Temple Hills where 1200 volunteers distributed over $1 million in humanitarian relief supplies and services, or the 2000+ students and over 100 colleges and universities who attended the Sept. 17 PTSO College Fair.  Thank you to all of the volunteers, F.A.M.E., Evangel Assembly, River Jordan Project, and PTSO Inc.  Prince George’s is Rising and the best is yet to come!

OTHER IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESOURCES (Updated 9/27/15)

Prince George’s County Announces Solar Energy Co-op
Neighbors in Prince George’s County have formed a co-op with the help of MD SUN, supported by the Prince George’s County Government and its Sustainable Energy Program, to make it easier for residents to save money on the purchase of solar panels and build a community interested in solar energy.
For more info: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/CentralServices/News/Pages/Join-the-Prince-Georges-solar-energy-co-op-today.aspx

On Sept. 28, Clark Construction to hire 400 at Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation Open House: The Concrete Division of the Clark Construction Group and the Economic Development Corporation are hosting a Recruitment Open House on Monday, September 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the EDC Offices at 1400 McCormick Dr., Suite 308-A, Largo, MD 20774, to fill 400 skilled and unskilled general laborer positions.  The positions start at $13/hour, plus benefits, with the possibility of career advancement.  Job seekers are asked to bring government issued identification in the form of a valid driver’s license, passport, state identification card along with their social security card.  Ex-offenders are welcome to apply. Free parking is available. For more information, contact Charmin Lloyd at cdlloyd@co.pg.md.us.

Central Committee Voting and Civic Engagement Meeting – Sept. 28: The Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee cordially invite you to join us at a PUBLIC CONVENING to educate and empower the Prince George’s County community about the importance of voting and civic engagement. Monday, September 28, 2015, 7-9 p.m. Rollingcrest Community Center, 6120 Sargent Road, Chillum, MD 20782. www.pgdems.com

2015 PGCPS Public School Construction Procurement Outreach Event – Oct. 1: This event will take place at Southern Regional Technology & Recreational Complex located at 7007 Bock Road, Fort Washington, MD, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  This is an opportunity for subcontractors to meet with prime contractors currently working in the school system and talk with buyers and leaders from various Prince George’s County Public School (PGCPS) departments, local governments and school districts and to obtain information on financing, insurance and bonding. For more info: Wes Owens on (301) 780-5830 or via email Wes.owens@pgcps.org.

Purple Light Nights Lighting Ceremony – Domestic Violence Awareness – Oct. 1
The Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff is hosting the “Purple Light Nights ®” lighting ceremony on October 1, 2015 to begin Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The “Purple Light Nights®” lighting ceremony symbolizes a continuing need to raise awareness and a unified voice against domestic violence. The lighting ceremony will be held at County Administration Building, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Dr., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, Oct. 1, 2015 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Potomac Watershed Study Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Oct. 2
October 2, 11:00 a.m., 2201 Bryan Point Road, Accokeek, Maryland 20607
The first zero carbon footprint building in the county! To learn more about this innovative environmental facility:http://fergusonfoundation.org/living-building-on-the-potomac/

27th Annual NAACP Hester V. King Freedom Fund Gala – Oct. 3
From the Prince George’s County NAACP:  “With endearing excitement, the Prince George’s County Branch of the NAACP invites you to celebrate our 80th Anniversary.” Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. The celebration shall take place at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 3501 University Boulevard, East Hyattsville, Maryland 20783.

35th Annual Kinderfest – Oct. 4
Join us for the 35th Annual Kinderfest, Sunday, October 4, 2015, 12 noon-5 pm
See you there! Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20774
For more info: http://www.pgparks.com/Kinderfest.htm

NiaImani CHOICES Inc. to Formally Launch – Oct. 8
The Oct. 8 Launch Event will be held at 6PM at Lake Presidential Golf Club (3151 Presidential Golf Club Dr, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774).

District Heights Domestic Violence Forum – Oct. 10: The City of District Heights Police Department, in a continuing effort to raise awareness about domestic violence, is sponsoring a forum Saturday, October 10 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the District Heights Municipal Building, 2000 Marbury Drive, District Heights, Maryland.  We will hear from guest speakers, as well as victims, who will share their experiences of living with this tragic situation.  Heavy refreshments will be served.

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

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

Request Pothole Repair
Go to 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