April 2017
District 4 Newsletter
In This Issue
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City of Greenbelt News
 

City of Bowie News



Connect to Bowie Business 
 Innovation Center (BBIC)

Prince George's County
Public Schools


FBI Relocation Decision Delayed
On March 10th, the United States General Services Administration (GSA) announced that it has further delayed the decision on the re-location of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Headquarters because of budgetary concerns.  Despite the fact that former U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski had secured $645 million in funding, the selection of the site for the $2 billion project, including two sites - Landover Mall and the Greenbelt Metro - in Prince George's County was delayed. The County, Federal delegation and I are disappointed with the additional delay.
Colours Performs at 
Bowie Center for the 
Performing Arts
Enjoyed the performance and music of Colours "Teen: A Musical Experience" at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts on March 13th.  Under the direction of Jason Cook, Colours has expanded its performance program to Bowie High School.
For more information, please visit Colours website at  www.coloursprogram.org 
Lessons in Leadership 
with David Trone
David J. Trone, founder & owner of Total Wine & More was the featured speaker during the Leadership Greater Washington (LGW) "Lessons in Leadership" breakfast on March 15th.   Mr. Trone is a successful business leader who but he is now seeking to become a public servant.
Greenbelt ACE Educators Awards

I was pleased to join in honoring the 2017 Teacher and Professional Awardees at the City of Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Education (ACE) program on March 13th.  Great dedication and stories for those serving our children in Greenbelt area schools.  For the Greenbelt News Review story, please visit http://greenbeltnewsreview.com/news-stories/ace-city-recognize-outstanding-educators-in-greenbelt-schools/.
Youth Leadership Bowie
Visits the County Council
I was pleased to discuss the importance of County Government with the 2017 class of Youth Leadership Bowie on March 17th. The students participated in discussions of the role and responsibilities of the County Council, conducted a mock Council hearing, and enjoyed lunch.
Joe's Movement Emporium
"United We Move" Gala
    
Congratulations to Brooke Kidd, the board, staff and honorees of Joe's Movement Emporium on the "United We Move" Gala, held on March 18th. I was pleased and honoree to support my Leadership Greater Washington (LGW) classmate, Dr. Charlene Dukes in celebration of the arts in Prince George's County!
Public Safety Valor Awards Recognition
 
On March 21st, the County Council recognized  the Prince George's County Public Safety agencies in preparation for the 40th Annual Public Safety Valor Awards Luncheon to be held on April 26th.  The program honors outstanding members on the Prince George's County Police, Fire and EMS, Corrections Departments, and the Sheriff's Office for acts of valor and courage.
BIRC Spring 
5K Run/2K Walk
 
T he District 4 Team joined in the  37th Annual Spring 5K Run/2K Walk hosted by the Bowie Interfaith Recreation Council (BIRC) at the Bowie Town Center on March 24th. This fun community event financially benefitted the Bowie Food Pantry. Thanks to the District 4 Team for participating. It was a great and fun day.
Bowie Green & Earth Day Activities

Bowie Green Expo - April 8th from 12-4pm, Kenhill Center.  The Bowie Green Expo is a free, family-fun event open to the public. Visit http://www.bowiegreenexpo.org/

Rain Barrel Workshop - April 19th, 7pm, Bowie City Hall in Room 181.  The Bowie Lions and the City will co-host a free rain barrel workshop.  For information. Visit http://www.cityofbowie.org/923/Rain-Barrels

Annual Arbor Day Celebration - April 29th, 10am, Acorn Hill Park.  The City's annual Arbor Day ceremony will be the planting of an Arbor Day Tree and recognition of the cooperation between the City of Bowie and the City's residents.

For all the events, please contact the City's Watershed Manager, Tiffany Wright, at 301-809-3043 or twrigth@cityofbowie.org
Greater Bowie Commerce
 2017 Bowie High School Job
and Career Fair
Free Tax Sale Clinics
The FAME Jazz 
Band Annual Concert
with Special Guest 
The D.C. Boys Choir
Summer Camp 2017 Guide
For more Information, please click below:

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


Rhonda C. Tinsley

Administrative Aide

rtinsley@co.pg.md.us


 

Dear 4th District Resident, Business & Supporter -
  
Welcome to the April 2017 edition of the 4th District Legislative Email Newsletter.  The County Council will begin our Fiscal Year 2018 County Budget consideration pursuant to the County Charter over the next two months.  I hope you will follow and participate in the process.  
 County Executive 
Proposed FY 2018 Budget Released



County Executive Rushern Baker, III released his Proposed FY 2018 Budget on March 15th. The Proposed FY 2018 Budget for all operating funds is $3.84 billion, an increase of $130.7 million or 3.5 percent over the FY 2017 budget. The General Fund accounts for 84.1 percent of all spending in FY 2018 and as proposed will increase by $113.6 million or 3.6 percent. This fund supports most County Government services and programs including education, public safety, general government, public works, the environment and other critical services. The FY 2018 proposed budget is framed by a growing economy that is experiencing growth in both the real estate and job markets as well as the impact of a full year of MGM National Harbor related revenues.

To view the Budget in Brief - please link here

For the actual Proposed FY 2018 Operating budget - please link here

For the proposed FY 2018 Capital budget - please link here
County Council Budget Public Hearings


The County Council received the Fiscal Year 2018 Operating and Capital Budget proposals from County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III on March 15th.  Pursuant to the County Charter, the County Council must adopt a new and balanced spending plan for the County on or before June 1.  The Council's budget review process, now underway, will continue to examine the County's Structural Deficit challenges which were recently considered by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Addressing Prince George's County's Structural Deficit.    Community engagement is critically important, especially to the Council's budget review and adoption process.  Meetings schedules are subject to change.  

For updated information on the Council budget process, committee work sessions and public hearings, visit the Council's FY 2018 Budget Portal, http://pgccouncil.us/Budget  

To view live streaming and on-demand video of budget work-sessions and public hearings http://pgccouncil.us/Live    
District 4 Social Media Forum
 
Pictured above: Council Member Turner with the guests speakers.  Pictured below: Council Member Turner with Bowie High School Principal and members of the PTSO.  Photo Credit: John Edmunds, Council Office of Communications.
On March 21st, I co-hosted in partnership with the Bowie High School Parent Teacher Organization and Bowie High School, a social media workshop entitled #GetHipOnSocialMedia to share on the benefits, dangers, and overall safety concerns around social media use. The #GetHipOnSocialMedia featured presentations from  District II Commander,   Major Steven Yuen, Prince George's County Police Department; Yvonne Robinson,     Juvenile Division Chief,   Prince George's County Office of the State's Attorney; and  Jennifer Hanley,  Family Online Safety Institute, ( Vice President, for  Legal and Policy).

Whitehall Elementary School EGATE Award

C ouncil Member pictured with Principal Christian
March  9thalong with the Maryland State Department of Education and the
Prince George's County Public School Board of Education,  I w as pleased to reco gnize Whitehall Elementary School in Bowie for receiving the Maryland Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education (EGATE) Award. The EGATE Award recognizes public school programs that offer superior and equitable gifted and talented education. Whitehall is one of only 10 schools statewide selected for this honor this year. Congratulations to Principal Prentice Christian, teachers, staff, students and parents on the honor! Go Wildcats!
Tulip Grove Renovation Contract Approved  

An artist's rendering of the façade of the new Tulip Grove Elementary School. Construction is expected to begin in a few weeks after numerous delays, with completion set for July of 2018. - Original Credit: (Courtesy of Prince George's County)
On March 9th, the Prince George's County Board of Education approved the contract for the long-overdue renovation of Tulip Grove Elementary School.  The $23 million project, consists of an additional 15,000 sq. ft. to the 42,275 sq. ft. building. Additional improvements planned are a new gymnasium, science rooms and computer labs. Construction is expected to begin this spring and take 16-18 months to be completed.  The renovated school, delayed by three years, is expected to be ready for the 2018-19 school year.

MoMENtum Forum on Domestic Violence
On March 18th, I participated with other engaged men of all ages on our role and responsibilities in preventing and addressing domestic violence in Prince George's County.   Th e MoME Ntum conference, under the leadership of Elana Belon-Butler, Director; Jackie Rhone, Division Manager; and staff of the County's Department of Family Services, hosted over 300 guests at Martin' s Crosswind Camelot. It  was a call to action to men and women to identify and address the underlying causes and signs of domestic violence in the County.
Blue Sunday Restaurant Reopens

I was pleased to join with Blue Sunday Bar and Grill Owner Leo Gao and new  General Manager Astrit Krasniqi for the reopening of the restaurant in Hilltop Plaza.  Despite the tragedy earlier this year, I salute their decision to continue to serve the Bowie community and their workers by reopening. For the Bowie Blade story visit http://www.capitalgazette.com/bowie_bladenews/ph-ac-bb-blue-sunday-reopen-20170320-story.html. 
 
DPW&T Free Mulch Madness Giveaway

The County Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) will be allowing residents to pick up free mulch derived from Christmas trees collected after the holiday. Non commercial vehicles only. This is a rain or shine event.

DPW&T Clean Up, Green, Up

The County Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPWT) will be hosting with its Community Partners the Spring Clean Up/Green Up on Sat. April 29th.   This year the District 4 Team will be teaming up with the Community Association of South Bowie (CASB) for efforts on Church Road.   For information, please click  here.
Help Keep the County Clean: 
Download PGCLitterTRAK


PGCLitterTRAK is a smartphone application, developed by the Prince George's County Department of the Environment (DoE).  It is designed to assist County residents, community organizations and businesses with reporting any trash and debris collected during individual and group clean-up events.

Information submitted through PGCLitterTRAK, including bags of litter removed, items collected and litter pick-up locations will help DoE meet a trash reduction rate of 170,628 pounds per year within the Anacostia River Watershed. Data provided will also help DoE develop real-time maps cataloging litter collected throughout the County. For more information or to sign up, please click link  http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/formcenter/environment-7/pgclittertrak-user-signup-form-86
WMATSafe Track Surge #14 Service Plan

Metro announced its service plan for the next SafeTrack surge at the northern end of the Green Line. Originally planned as a longer period of continuous single tracking, Metro will instead conduct Surge #14 as a "shutdown" to reduce the duration of the project and mitigate the impact to customers elsewhere along the Green Line.
 
Surge #14 will be conducted in two phases. The overall surge will run from Saturday, April 15, through Sunday, May 14.
   
For more information, 
please see the news release:

County Vehicle Use Board Seeks Public Input
 
The County Vehicle Use Review Board, established by Council Resolution 001-2017, is seeking public comments on County vehicle policies.  The Board is scheduled to submit its recommendations by June 30, 2017.  The County Vehicle Use Review Board meetings are open to the public.  For additional information or to comment, please visit - http://pgccouncil.us/550/Vehicle-Use-Review-Board
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.  

Have a great April (my birthday month). My wishes to those who will observe Passover and Easter this month.   As always, please reach out to my office for any assistance you may need.
   
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.