January 16, 2020
Dear friends,
Happy New Year! I hope 2020 is off to a positive start for you. The County Council jumped into the New Year with our first District Council session on Monday, January 6 and County Council on Tuesday, January 7.
Please be sure to sign up for Council Connection to receive a weekly wrap up of Council business on Friday afternoons. We launched Council Connection in 2018 when I was Council Chair and I'm proud that it continues to be an easy way for residents to follow the work of the Council.
I also recommend you bookmark the Council's
live streaming page.
Here you can view upcoming agendas, watch live Council and committee sessions, and review archived videos.
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Kaiser Permanente, Central Kenilworth Avenue Revitalization (CKAR) CDC, Neighborhood Design Center and Christian Life Center are celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a Health Fair at Templeton Elementary School on Saturday, January 18, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Volunteers and attendees are invited kick off the morning at
Templeton Elementary, 6001 Carters Lane, Riverdale, for lots of free activities including: flu vaccinations, health screenings, yoga, zumba, soccer, activities, giveaways and produce distribution.
All those who are able are asked to stay and assist with interior projects at Templeton Elementary. Some will be asked to head over to Riverdale Elementary. At both schools volunteers will complete interior projects such as painting, installing new furniture, and more. Please note:
*Students can receive service hour credit for volunteering.* Be sure to go to Templeton Elementary first even if you would prefer to assist at Riverdale ES.
Litter Reduction & Plastic Bags
I hope you will join me in making 2020 the year Prince George's County addresses plastic bags littering our parks, roadways, and neighborhoods. This year I am working closely with Delegate Mary Lehman and others to support PG 401-20 will give Prince George's County the authority to consider imposing a five-cent fee on plastic and paper bags. The bill will allow the County Council to initiate a conversation with County residents on the best way to reduce this scourge on our health and environment, just like Montgomery County, Howard County, and Baltimore City have done ahead of us. Each jurisdiction has charted their own approach to this challenge. Passing PG 401-20 will give Prince George's County the ability to explore the different options other counties have used.
I am also strongly supporting The Plastics and Packaging Reduction Act sponsored by Delegate Brooke Lierman and Senator Malcolm Augustine. It is my hope that their legislation will pass this year, making PG 401-20 unnecessary. However, because legislation in Annapolis is often uncertain until the last minute, and because Prince George's County cannot afford to wait one more year to reduce the number of plastic bags littering our neighborhoods and waterways, I hope you will join me in supporting both bills.
The bottom line is that single-use plastic bags are a large source of the litter across Prince George's County. They are virtually un-recyclable and do not biodegrade. They clog our recycling facilities and storm drains and are carried into our waterways. They are ingested by birds, fish and marine animals and pollute our food. They breakdown into microplastics and pollute our water.
Education Funding
Probably the hottest topic in Annapolis this year is the discussion on funding the recommendations from the Kirwan Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education.
Click here
to read the informational flyer the County Executive shared with the Prince George's County General Assembly Delegation. Click here to learn more about the Kirwan Commission and read their reports.
School Construction
As always, don't hesitate to reach out to me or a member of my staff if we may assist you in any way.
Together Strengthening Our Community,
