November 2017
District 4 Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE
QUICK LINKS!

Council Member Turner's
District 4 Website


Prince George's County Public Schools

Connect to the City of Bowie

Connect to the City of Greenbelt
District 4 Spotlight
UMD Intern for the Day - Owen Kahn

The 4th Council District welcomed Owen Kahn, a sophomore double major in political science and history, as part of the University of Maryland College Park's Intern for a Day shadow program.  Owen attended the County Council's regular session, committee work sessions and interviewed employees on the role and responsibilities of the Legislative Branch in County government.  We wish Owen well in his studies and government future.
Bowie News
Happy Go Lucky's Luncheon
I was pleased for another opportunity to host the Happy Go Lucky's senior group on November 8th for lunch and discussion of issues and programs available from the County.   Thank you to President Gloria Brown and presenters Sharon Johnson, Shaundra Bellamy and Deborah McBroom.
Greenbelt News

Greenbelt News Review 80th Anniversary

The 80th Anniversary of the Greenbelt News Review was recognized on November 16th with the premiere of "Defending Utopia", a documentary on the history of Greenbelt's hometown newspaper, at the Old Greenbelt Theatre.
UPCOMING EVENTS!

NAMI-PGC GIVING November 28

Join NAMI Prince George's County on #GivingTuesday for a night of great food and music. A portion of the proceeds from the night will go toward resources and educational materials for NAMI programs and initiatives. #GivingTuesday is a global initiative transforming how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season.   Support NAMI this day!   Can't attend and would like to donate to the cause? For more information, please visit the website www.namipgc.org/giving-tuesday.
PAST EVENTS!

Prince George's Association of Realtors Breakfast
November 8

I brought greetings on behalf of the County Council at the Prince George's County Association of Realtors (PGCAR) Annual Legislative Breakfast in Greenbelt on November 8th.  Great discussion about the shared goals and partnership for improving housing options and programs in the County.
Maryland Department of Transportation County Road Show
November 2
Pictured with Council Member Dannielle Glaros, Council Member Obie Patterson and MDOT Deputy Secretary Ponts.

On November 2nd the County Council hosted the annual Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) "Road Show", which highlights State and County transit & transportation priorities for the State's 6-Year Consolidated Transportation Plan (CTP). Council Members, State Representatives and the public raised issues and concerns, including Metro, Maglev, pedestrian safety, litter and maintenance issues on State roads in the County, with MDOT representatives.
Prince George's County Public Works and Transportation Open House 
November 1
 
I was pleased to attend and speak at the Prince George's County Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) 4th Annual Open House on November 2nd at their Forestville headquarters.
Washington Business Journal Halloween Fun
October 31
I was pleased to join with fellow Washington regional leaders in getting in the Halloween spirit.  To read the story, please click here.
State of the Arts in Prince George's County
October 30
  Kudos to the Prince George's County Arts & Humanities Council for their "State of the Arts" forum at the Publick Playhouse. Please visit their  website to learn more about the positive impact the arts have on the County's economic development.
Governor Bridge Road Green Up, Clean Up!
October 28
Another successful Governor Bridge Road community clean up. Thank you to our Adopt-A-Road partners: Longleaf Homeowners Association, Toyota of Bowie, the Bowie Baysox and my District 4 Team!
The Future of Greater Washington II Forum
October 26
Pictured with Melissa Bondi, Community Enterprise Partners, David Jackson, CEO, Agape Health Group, Inc. (County Business), and Council Member Dannielle Glaros.

I participated in the Leadership Greater Washington forum "The Future of Greater Washington II," hosted in partnership with Leadership. Arlington, Baltimore, Fairfax, Howard County, Loudoun, Montgomery, and Prince George's, to share cross-regional initiatives focused on economic growth, housing and transportation in the region.
Prince George's Providers Council's 3rd Annual Disability Employment Awards
October 12
Pictured with Council Member Mary Lehman, President Ron Vaughan and Bea Rodgers

I was pleased to attend and speak at the Prince George's Providers Council's 3rd Annual Disability Employment Awards breakfast.  They honored employers, employees & provider staff in recognition of employment opportunities for those with disabilities in the County.

Contact the 

District 4 Staff

Tomeka Bumbry

Chief of Staff/Legislative Aide

tcbumbry@co.pg.md.us


Evelyn Archie

Community Outreach Coordinator

ejarchie@co.pg.md.us


Jarryd Hawkins

Constituent Services Aide

jthawkins@co.pg.md.us


Rhonda Tinsley

Administrative Aide

rtinsley@co.pg.md.us

Dear 4th District Resident, Business & Supporter -

Welcome to the November 2017 edition of the 4th District Legislative Email Newsletter.  As we recognize the service and sacrifice of our veterans and the Thanksgiving holiday, I thank you for the opportunity to serve as your District 4 Council Member.  The County Council concluded Legislative Year 2017 this month, and will convene again December 5th for our ceremonial Exchange of the Gavel and review of this year's work on behalf of the County.
 
Below are some highlights and updates as well as upcoming events in the County and the 4th Council District.
Maglev Update

As you   may be aware in 2015 Governor Larry Hogan, Jr., through the Maryland Transit A dministration (MTA), sought $28.7 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to conduct an Environmental Impact Study (EIS), under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to review alternatives routes, the environmental, economic and other impacts for the Superconducting Maglev (SCMAGLEV) train between Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD.

On October 13, 2017, MTA reduced the number of alternatives for the EIS/NEPA to three, each of which impact Bowie (E-1), Glenn Dale (E-1) and Greenbelt (J & J-1) in my District.  Thank you to the hundreds of residents that attended the Open Houses at Bowie State University on October 14th and at Laurel High School on October 25th.  I strongly believe that because of our joint efforts the alternatives were substantially reduced prior to the Open Houses in October.

As your Council Member, I share your concerns about the potential impact this project will have on the County.  I strongly urge you to reach out to the Federal, State and Project officials listed to express your position on this matter.  To view the proposed alternatives, register for updates and to comment, please visit the Project website at www.bwmaglev.info.  I will continue to monitor this process and work with our Federal and State representatives so our voices are heard on this project.   For a link to related Maglev stories, please visit:
Stay Sharp on Social Media Seminar

Pictures provided by Tristian Johnson, Trisography Flix & Art Designs.


On November 18th I hosted, in partnership with Bowie State University, In Reach, Inc., AC Pollard Event Staffing, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Iota Gamma Omega Chapter and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, "Stay Sharp on Social Media," a seminar on networking, cyberbullying and safety.  This seminar was a free event open to all public and private, middle and high school students, as well as their parents/guardians.



"Stay Sharp on Social Media" featured presentations by Assistant State's Attorney, Yvonne Robinson; Department of Defense IT Specialist, Tabitha L. Ruffin; Dr. Roselyn Aker-Black; Motivational Speaker, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Rebecca Kissoon; and Relationship Therapist; Online Sports Connoisseurs, Richard and Dorian Brooks, and Terry Speigner, NGEN. The day's event also included our key note speaker CJ Blair; special guest MCs from 93.9 WKYS FM radio personalities Angie Ange and DJ Freeez; performances by Lil Key, door prizes and social media workshops. Thank you to all those that attended.  To view additional pictures of the event, please click  here.
University of Maryland Capital Region Health/Bowie Health Center Forum

Pictured with Mayor Fred Robinson and UMMS leadership.
On November 13th the City of Bowie and I hosted an information session to provide an update on the transition of the Dimensions Healthcare System to the University of Maryland Capital Region Health, including the future of the Bowie Health Center. To view the presentation,  click here
District 4 Veterans Breakfast 
and Listening Session
 
I was pleased to have United States Senator Chris Van Hollen as the featured guest for my 4th District Veterans Breakfast on November 4th at the Greenbelt American Legion Post 136. Thank you to Mike Moore,  Post Commander, C urtis Cutler, Prince George's County Veterans Coordinator, and the District 4 staff for a successful event.
Bowie High School Field Dedication
Joined by State Senator Doug Peters and Bowie High School Principal Robynne Prince.

Homecoming celebration and dedication of the new turf field at Bowie High School on October 21st. There was a lot of pride & celebration for the senior class and the Bulldog family.  For more information on the new turf field, please visit this  link.
Board of Education Town Hall and State Graduation Audit Report


The County Council hosted an Education Town Hall meeting with CEO Kevin Maxwell, School Chair Segun Eubanks and School Board Members on October 23rd, including updates on the School system performance audit and the capital improvement and maintenance programs in the County, including for District 4 schools. To view the presentation from the meeting, please  click here or visit the Capital Gazette's article link    for their coverage of the evening.  

Shortly after our Town Hall, the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE) released the findings of their Audit of the graduation rates for 2016 and 2017 in County high schools.  PGCPS provided a briefing to the County Council on November 7th on its response to the audit and the County Council approved a letter on November 14th addressing our concerns and requiring additional information and follow up.  For a full copy of State Audit report, please click here.   For County Chairman Davis' statement, please visit the County's website.

Thanksgiving Holiday Brings Changes
to County Waste Collection


Residents receiving County-contracted trash and recycling collection service will see a change due to the Thanksgiving holiday.   Only Thursday  and Friday customers will be impacted by the holiday service schedule change. Thursday customers should now place their garbage and recycling carts out on Friday, Nov.  24 and Friday customers should place their carts out on Saturday, Nov. 25 instead of their usual collection days.   For more information regarding the holiday waste collection, contact County Click 3-1-1 or visit DOE website.
Upcoming District 4 Development

Whitemarsh ("Jesuit") Property Rezoning:

My office recently received notification that a rezoning application for the Bowie Whitemarsh ("Jesuit") Property (A-10039) on MD 450 has been filed with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) Prince George's County Planning Department.  This project has garnered significant interest in the Bowie community.  As an application for rezoning it must undergo review by both the M-NCPPC Planning Board and by the County Zoning Hearing Examiner (ZHE) before coming to the County Council sitting as the District Council (in our Land-Use authority).  In addition, since this property is near the City of Bowie, the City Council may also conduct meetings and take a public position on the application (please contact the City of Bowie at www.cityofbowie.org for their review process).
 
Woodlands at Reid Temple Senior Housing:
 
Reid Temple Community Development Corporation has also filed development plans (Detailed Site Plan-16044/Preliminary Plan of Subdivision-4-16034) with the Prince George's County Planning Department for the Woodlands at Reid Temple, a 252-unit apartment housing for the elderly building and associated site improvements, located on the east side of Glenn Dale Boulevard (MD 193), approximately 170 feet north of its intersection with Daisy Lane.  This project has also garnered significant interest in the Glenn Dale community.
 
Since these applications have been filed and will be cases before the District Council, communication with me, is not allowed outside of the case arguments.  When an application is filed, under Section 2-296 of the Prince George's County Code - Ex Parte Communication, I am limited in my communication with residents on the pending zoning matter.   If you are not already a Party of Record on these cases, please visit the Prince George's Planning Board website - www.pgplanning.org - for instruction on participating and receiving notifications in this matter.  In addition please feel free to call the Clerk of the Council Office at 301-952-3600 for further information concerning the requirements of a pending District Council case, or if you have any questions.
 
2006 East Glenn Dale Sector Plan Minor Amendment:
 
Prior to our recess, the County Council adopted CR-99-2017 to initiate a minor amendment process under the County Zoning Code to the Adopted 2006 East Glenn Dale Sector Plan to update the plan and strategies for the area between Prospect Hill Road and Daisy Lane, including the Glenn Dale Golf Course.  This is in response to the property owners, as well as the Glenn Dale Citizens Association, to address the potential future development in this area.  Notification will be provided for a joint public hearing between the County Council and Planning Board scheduled for February 6, 2018 to garner public input and comments.  For a copy of the resolution, please visit the County's website.

 4th District Email Newsletters
 
T his Email Newsletter provides regular communications and updates on events, activities and issues important to the residents, business owners and other stakeholders in the 4th  County Council District. I hope you enjoy the e-news information. Feel free to contact us if you would like to submit information for consideration.  Have a great day!

I wish everyone a safe and pleasant Thanksgiving and start to the holiday season.  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.
 
 4th Council District areas include Bowie, Glenn Dale, Greenbelt, Westchester Park, parts of Lanham-Seabrook and Upper Marlboro.



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