Prince George’s Rising – May 11, 2017

An Update from Councilman Mel Franklin

May 11, 2017 | Volume 3, Issue 3                                                                                                                     

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 on the Prince George’s County Council. Over the last several years, including two years as Chairman, 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 and putting Jobs First. For more information, please go to https://www.melfranklin.net/news/ or e-mail me at mel@melfranklin.net.

 

On FOX 5, Highlighting the New Prince George’s County Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys

On Wednesday, April 26, during the 6:30PM show, I joined Shaun Yancy and Jim Lokay live on FOX 5 to discuss the new Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys in Prince George’s County.

See the FOX 5 interview clip here: https://tinyurl.com/fox5-interview-melfranklin

“This legislation will put in place a permanent structure in our local government to address the unique issues of fatherhood absence and the vulnerable circumstances of countless young men and boys in our communities, which is critical to building stronger families in Prince George’s County.  The Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys will build on a national model for implementing community-based programs and policies to improve the socio-economic and cultural conditions for promoting responsible fatherhood and improve outcomes for our youth.”

Press release: https://www.melfranklin.net/prince-georges-county-to-establish-commission-on-fathers-men-and-boys/

 

Support for Wage Funding for Developmentally Disabled Organizations

On Tuesday, I endorsed the two-year $7 million ($3.5 million per fiscal year) “gap” or bridge grant funding request of the Prince George’s County Provider Council, a coalition of over two dozen organizations in the County that care for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The funds would prevent losses in employment by assisting providers in compensating for the widening gap between state and local minimum wage laws over the next two fiscal years.

Full press release: https://www.melfranklin.net/councilman-mel-franklin-endorses-wage-funding-for-developmentally-disabled-organizations/

 

House Passage of ‘Trumpcare’ Will Hurt Working Families in Prince George’s County

“Women’s Health is not a Pre-existing Condition” at Ebenezer AME Women’s Health Event – May 6, 2017 video here: https://tinyurl.com/franklin-says-defeat-trumpcare

“Today’s passage of Trumpcare by the Republican-led House of Representatives is an extreme right-wing attack on the middle class, the poor, the sick, and the elderly.  Passing this bill before anyone knows how much it will cost and how many people it will leave uninsured is one of the most irresponsible acts in the history of the U.S. Congress.  Trumpcare eviscerates protections against discrimination for pre-existing conditions and it allows for a huge tax on the elderly and the sick by insurance companies.  Trumpcare will cost lives and hurt working families.  I strongly urge the Republican U.S. Senate to avoid bringing economic catastrophe to one sixth of the U.S. economy and reject Trumpcare for the well-being of all Americans.”

Full press release: https://www.melfranklin.net/councilman-franklin-condemns-house-passage-of-trumpcare/

 

Bringing Better Retail to Prince George’s County

In spite of our recent momentum and successes like Tanger Outlets, Whole Foods, Nordstrom Rack, Wegmans, Brandywine Crossing, Dave & Busters, and MGM National Harbor, one of the most common concerns that people have had for many years is about attracting higher quality retail to Prince George’s County.  While our local government can do many things, making high end retailers and restaurants go where we want them to go is not one of them.  Those are private sector business decisions.  The best we can do is create an economic and planning environment that encourages high quality business and job creation, recognizing that we share a region with competing jurisdictions with among the highest median incomes in the world.  Nonetheless, we continue to work hard on this issue and initiated a retail study to get a better sense of why retailers were attracted to certain areas.

For more info, go here: https://www.melfranklin.net/bringing-better-retail-to-prince-georges-county/

 

Don’t Forget to Take the Once A Week Trash Survey Feedback Survey

Please take the 45-Day Feedback Survey about the change from Twice-A-Week to Once-A-Week Trash Service in Pr. George’s County: https://www.melfranklin.net/councilman-mel-franklin-launches-once-a-week-trash-feedback-survey/

Last year, the County changed waste pick-up service from twice-a-week to once-a-week to save money, promote recycling, and match other nearby jurisdictions.  This was a controversial change with many residents.  Please take this survey above and give me your feedback about this change in service.

NBC 4 Story: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Prince-Georges-Residents-Get-Chance-to-Review-Once-a-Week-Trash-Pickup-419501663.html

 

Prince George’s County Family & Friends Day is August 27, 2017:Please stay tuned for more details about our annual countywide festival.

 

COMMUNITY NEWS YOU CAN USE

 

MGM National Harbor Local Impact Grant Application – DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 15^th

Prince George’s County Local Development Council (PGCLDC) announced that the deadline for the new grant program for non-profits that serve Prince George’s County in the defined impact area around MGM National Harbor has been extended to Monday, May 15, 2017.  The extension is designed to encourage more non-profits  to apply for funding,  These  grants will enable organizations to expand community-based programs and services within the three mile radius around the new MGM National Harbor gaming facility.

For full info, go here: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/17823

 

The Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program

The Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program provides funding for low-income older adults who may need financial assistance in order to afford placement in an assisted living facility and enables individuals to continue to reside in the community. The assisted living facility combines housing with supportive services by offering congregate meals, housekeeping personal services and 24-hour supervision.

For more info: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/1722/Long-Term-Care

 

M-NCPPC Regional Law Enforcement Career Fair, Friday, May 19, 2017

M-NCPPC (Park and Planning) will hold a Regional Law Enforcement Career Fair, Friday, May 19, 2017, 9am-4pm. It will be held at the Prince George’s County Sports & Learning Center, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD 20785.

 

PSEG Energy Center Career Internship Program: Apply Now!

**Application Deadline: May 19, 2017**

From PSEG: The PSEG Energy Center Career Program is working in partnership with Prince George’s County Public Schools to place students into internships that will be paid to learn the basics of power plant operation and safety. Below you will find the information you need to begin a rewarding career in the power generation business.  The first cohort of 4 graduates did a wonderful job and should be congratulated: Ruth Ayers, Brandyn Butler, Jaylen Powell, and David Smith.  The next cohort will be substantially larger.

For full info: https://www.melfranklin.net/pseg-energy-center-brandywine-career-internship-program-apply-now/

 

Knowledge Equals Youth Success (KEYS) Internship Program – Information Session May 15 – Workforce Development

For more info, go here: http://www.princegeorgesworkforce.org/youth/keys-program/

 

Maryland Expungement Clinic – May 17

Maryland Legal Aid will expunge Maryland criminal records and provide brief legal advice for child support issues.  To attend this event, you must first complete a registration profile with the Maryland Workforce Exchange.  You can do this online at https://mwejobs.maryland.gov or in person by visiting the One Stop Career Center at 1801 McCormick Drive, Suite 120, Largo, MD 20774.

For more info: http://www.princegeorgesworkforce.org/mc-events/expungement-clinic/?mc_id=1222

 

From Crime Data to Government Spending, Explore “Data Prince George’s”

From Wash. Post: “Data from the Prince George’s County government became easier to access … after the county relaunched a website that gives the public the power to probe, download and search data sets about everything from building permits to crime.”

For DataPrinceGeorge’s, go here: https://data.princegeorgescountymd.gov/

For the Wash. Post story, go here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/open-data-portal-encourages-residents-to-analyze-their-government/2017/03/06/ff82b40a-0288-11e7-b1e9-a05d3c21f7cf_story.html?utm_term=.c8509549ae98

 

OTHER IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESOURCES

 

Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention – Call 211

Still I Rise, Inc. Call (301) 868-4903 or go to http://www.stillirisemd.org

Prince George’s Co. Family Justice Center/The Next Step: http://www.princegeorgescourts.org/358/Prince-Georges-County-Family-Justice-Cen

 

Employment/Workforce Training

The Training Source: http://thetrainingsource.org/

No Opportunity Wasted: http://www.nooppwasted.org/

Training Grounds Inc.: http://traininggroundsdmv.org/

Prince George’s Community College Workforce Development: https://www.pgcc.edu/Programs_and_Courses/Workforce_Development_Institutes.aspx

 

Maryland Veterans Resource Guide: http://veterans.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/04/4-12-17-Resource-Guide.pdf

 

Apply for the Homeowners/Renters Tax Credit Program

Call 1(800) 944-7403 or go to

Homeowners: http://dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/Pages/Homeowners’-Property-Tax-Credit-Program.aspx

Renters: http://dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/Pages/Renters’-Tax-Credits.aspx

 

Apply for the Homestead Tax Credit Program

Call (866) 650-8783 or go to https://sdathtc.dat.maryland.gov/default.aspx

 

How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment

Call (301) 952-2500 or go to http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/appeal.html

 

Free Legal Assistance: District Court (Upper Marlboro) Self-Help Legal Resource Center

Call 410-260-1392 or go to http://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/districtctselfhelpctr.html

 

County-Based and Minority Business Procurement Opportunities and Certifications

Call (301) 883-6480 or go to http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/1259/Business-Development

 

County Employment and Workforce Assistance

Call (301) 583-4650 or go to http://www.pgcedc.com/workforce-services

 

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

 

Request County Road Pothole Repair: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/1025/Potholes

 

Request State Road Pothole Repair (Roads with numbers, like MD-5, MD-4, US-1, US-301): http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/knowyourroads.html

 

Find Your Other Elected Officials:

Contact the County Executive at http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/directory.aspx?eid=93

Find out and contact your state and federal elected officials at http://mdelect.net

 

View the Prince George’s County Code and Charter athttp://www.municode.com/library/md/prince_george’s_county/codes/code_of_ordinances

Is a resource you need not here?
Check https://www.melfranklin.net or contact me at: Mel@MelFranklin.net