December 2016
District 4 Newsletter
In This Issue
Quick Links
  
City of Greenbelt News
 
City of Bowie News


Prince George's County
Public Schools

Food & Friends
Thanksgiving Help
The District 4 team and I enjoyed a great morning of volunteering with Food & Friends at their facility in Washington, DC on November 22nd. We assisted in the preparation and packing of over 3,500 meals to be served and delivered to residents for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Pictured with my Montgomery County Council colleague Craig Rice, and Food & Friend Executive Director Craig M. Shniderman. Thanks to former D4 member and Government Relations Manager Altmann Pannell for organizing. Visit Food & Friends for more information and to volunteer.
Prince George's Chamber of Commerce Legislative Holiday Reception

Pictured with State Senator Peters

 

I was pleased to join State Senator Douglas J.J.Peters (the new Senate Majority Leader), and Chamber President/CEO David Harrington at the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce Legislative Holiday reception at the Woodmore Country Club on December 1.
District 4 Principal's Breakfast
 I was honored to host the principals and staff from public and private schools located in District 4 for an annual appreciation breakfast this month.
 
School Board Member Lupi Quinteros-Grady (District 2) spoke during the event.
Greenbelt Lions Club Breakfast with Santa 
On December 3rd, I attended the  Greenbelt Lions Club at the Greenbelt American Legion Post 16 Annual Breakfast.
Mission BBQ
Toys for Tots
I was happy to attend the Toys for Tots event hosted by Mission B-B-Q in Greenbelt on December 3rd.
Pictured with the owner and outreach director.
Cities of
Greenbelt and Bowie
Holiday Celebrations
  
City of Greenbelt

I enjoyed celebrating the start of the holiday season with the Christmas tree lightings, caroling and Santa and Mrs. Claus in Greenbelt and Bowie. Each city's event featured the choirs from local schools including Greenbelt Elementary and Samuel Ogle Middle schools, respectively.
 
City of Bowie
Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) Winter Conference
 In early December, I participated in the MACO Winter conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD and moderated a panel on County Financial Management with Ted Zaleski, Budget Director for Carroll County. Visit MACO for full coverage.
 

Congressman Steny Hoyer Holiday Event
I was pleased to join newly re-elected U.S. House of Representatives Minority Whip Steny Hoyer during his annual holiday gathering at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 89 on December 12th.
Pictured with Congressman Steny Hoyer and Jolene Ivey, former member of the Maryland House of Delegates.
Council of Governments 
Annual Meeting
I attended the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) Annual Meeting on December 14th in DC. We heard from Maryland U.S. Senator-Elect Chris Van Hollen, Congressman-Elect Anthony Brown and Norm Ornstein, from the American Enterprise Institute, on the Federal expectations for 2017.
Pictured with 2017 MWCOG Prince George's Leadership and colleagues Board Vice Chair Derrick L. Davis and Corporate Vice President Karen R. Toles
Bowie State University Winter Commencement
 
BSU President Dr. Burnim and speaker Dr. Carla Hayden.
I was pleased to attend the Bowie State University 2016 Winter Commencement ceremony on December 15th. The keynote speaker, Dr. Carla Hayden, is the first African American women appointed to head the Library of Congress. She previously served as the CEO on the Enoch Pratt Library system in Baltimore. Congratulations to the graduate Bulldogs! 

District 4 Staff

 

Tomeka C. Bumbry

Chief of Staff/Legislative Aide

tcbumbry@co.pg.md.us

  

Evelyn J. Archie

Constituent Services Aide

ejarchie@co.pg.md.us


Ingrid S. Harrison

Community Outreach Coordinator

isharrison@co.pg.md.us


Rhonda C. Tinsley

Administrative Aide

rtinsley@co.pg.md.us

Dear 4th District Resident, Business & Supporter -
 
Welcome to the  end of year edition of the 4th District Legislative email newsletter. With the completion of the County Council's legislative work for 2016, we take this time to look back and make an assessment of the  accomplishments we have made in the County and District 4 over the past year. Several of the positive outcomes in 2016 include the adoption of the FY 2017 budget, the positive decision on the County's new Regional Medical Center in Largo and the openings of MGM National Harbor and the Bowie Marketplace.
 
As we move in to 2017, it will be a year of decisions with the expected announcement on the new FBI location, further movement on the Purple Line and economic development opportunities in the County and District 4. However, we look forward to addressing the challenges we face and we strive to continue providing excellent services to the residents of this County.
 
Below are some recent activities, events and highlights in the County and the 4th Council District for your information.
County Taxicab Improvement Bill Passed
 
On November 15th, during the final session for Legislative Year 2016 the County Council  adopted Council Bill 9-2016, amending the County Code to address taxicab regulations and reducing the age and mileage maximums of taxicabs approved to operate in Prince George's County. The legislation, which was discussed in the Transportation, Housing and the Environment (THE) Committee (the committee I chair), also creates a standard level for driver conduct and training, and seeks to increase the size and availability of accessible taxicabs for residents of the County.  Under the legislation, taxicabs operating in Prince George's County must be no more than 7 years old and have less than 200,000 miles, however there are exceptions for hybrid and handicap accessible vehicles. Currently, taxicabs may be no more than 10 years old and have less than 300,000 miles.  CB-9-2016 would also require taxicabs to display a copy of the Passenger Bill of Rights, detailing the obligations and standards that must be met by taxicab operators and companies, and sets standards and requirements for taxicabs to be designated as service vehicles that may pick up passengers at designated destination attractions, as identified and maintained by the Prince George's County's Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T).  I want to thank all the stakeholders involved in passage of this comprehensive bill to improve transportation services to the residents of the County.

MGM National Harbor Opening
Media announcement  County Executive Baker, MGM President Jim Murren, Gov. Larry Hogan, and Maryland Senate President Senator Mike Miller.
Pictured with Bowie artist Ronald Beverly, Executive Director, PGC Arts & Humanities Council and D4 Chief of Staff Tomeka Bumbry.
 
CM Turner with the MGM Lion
MGM National Harbor made its historic debut in Prince George's County and the Capital Region during a series of official grand opening festivities on December 8. Delivering incredible views of Washington, D.C.'s iconic monuments and unrivaled room, spa, entertainment, shopping and dining offerings, the $1.4 billion resort introduced an experience unlike anything on the East Coast.  Earlier that day, media and guests joined executives from MGM Resorts International, key state and local officials and partners of the property for a press conference in The Theater at MGM National Harbor. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan welcomed guests and shared his excitement alongside Maryland Senate President Mike Miller and Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III.  Visit MGM to experience MGM National Harbor.

Greenbelt Lake Forebay Project

On December 3rd, I attended the kickoff program for the opening of the Forebays at Greenbelt Lake. This successful public-private partnership between the City of Greenbelt, Prince George's County Department of the Environment and the Clean Water Partnership, headed by Corvias, included the dredging and environmental design improvements for this important stormwater management feature in Greenbelt. This was one of the first projects by the County to meet our obligations under Federal and State law to address stormwater requirements.
Bowie Health Center Tour

 
On December 15th, I joined Dimensions Healthcare System CEO Neil Moore, Bowie Health Campus Vice-President Mark Arsenault, Bowie Health Campus Director Joan McHale and Emergency Center Services Medical Director Dr. Lyons for a discussion and tour of the newly renovated Bowie Health Center. Dimensions, using both State and hospital capital funding, completed an $8 million improvement this year to provide an additional 12 all private emergency rooms, new Cat-Scan and Ultrasound services and a larger patient waiting area to service our residents.
Winter Festival of Lights


 
A holiday favorite since 1986, the Winter Festival of Lights offers a winter light show with 1 million lights stretching through Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro from November 25 through January 1. This spectacular holiday drive-through event features more than one million twinkling lights, wonderful themed displays, and one of the tallest tree displays in the state! And, don't forget to make a difference this season! Please bring canned goods/non-perishable items for donation to local food banks.  Sponsorships opportunities available at all price points. Please call 301 249-1622. Visit the website here
Bowie Library Closing
For Renovations


 
The Prince George's County Memorial Library System will close its Bowie Branch Library for renovations beginning December 30, 2016 for approximately six months. The book drop will remain operational for the first two months of the renovation. A main-street-themed children's room with replicas of a fire station and a pizza parlor, a revamped teen space, a bookstore café with vending machines, a new meeting room kitchenette, new restrooms, eight study rooms and new customer service desks are some of the new features customers will enjoy when the library reopens. Other renovation enhancements include additional electric outlets for mobile devices, new lighting, carpet and paint. Built in 1968, the Bowie Branch Library received its last major renovation in 1999. During the Bowie Library closure, alternative after school arrangements will be necessary for students that frequent this branch. Nearby branches are South Bowie, Greenbelt and Laurel.
         


Holiday Schedule for Yard Waste and Trash Collection
 
 
 
During the Christmas holiday, yard waste will be picked up on Monday, December 26 and, during the New Year holiday yard waste will be collected on Monday, January 2. Regularly scheduled trash collection during the Christmas holiday will occur Tuesday, December 27 through Friday,December 30 and during the New Year holiday trash will be picked up Tuesday, January 3 through Friday, January 6.
4th District Email Newsletters

 

This Email Newsletter provides regular communication, updated events, activities and issues important to residents, business owners and other stakeholders in the County Council's 4th District. I hope you find the information useful. Feel free to contact us to submit items for consideration.  

I wish you and your families a great holiday season and a Happy New Year! It has been our pleasure to serve you, the residents of District 4 and Prince George's County in 2016. Cheers to a great 2017!

 
I am Sincerely Yours in Service,  
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
Honorable Todd M. Turner
County Council Member - 4th District
 
 

  
 
Service. Community. Progress.
 
4 th Council District areas include Bowie, Glenn Dale, Greenbelt, Westchester Park, parts of Lanham-Seabrook and Upper Marlboro.