Prince George’s Rising – April 13, 2017

An Update from Councilman Mel Franklin

April 13, 2017 | Volume 3, Issue 1                                                                                                                     

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. For more information, please go to https://www.melfranklin.net or e-mail me at mel@melfranklin.net.  #jobsfirst

Whole Foods Opens in Riverdale Park; Major County Economic Turning Point

“The arrival of Whole Foods in Prince George’s County heralds a major turning point in Prince George’s County’s journey from being thought of as the region’s bedroom community to now an economic destination for the world.  In 2012, I was surprised that the Council was confronted with such a contentious zoning debate about bringing this project to life.  I am pleased to have supported the Whole Foods project and the economic momentum that its approval generated. . . .We must continue to work to foster the kind of business environment that replicates amenities like Whole Foods across the rest of the County.”

Full Press Release: https://www.melfranklin.net/council-member-franklin-calls-new-whole-foods-an-economic-turning-point-for-the-county/

 

General Assembly Session Yields Major Victory for New Regional Medical Center in Largo

The 2017 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly ended at 12AM on Tuesday and yielded Senate Bill 1198 (SB 1198), the Prince George’s County Regional Medical Center Act of 2017, which provides about $100 million in additional state funds over the next several years to ensure the successful launch of the new $543 million state of the art Regional Medical Center, which will be run by the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS).  The Regional Medical Center will be constructed and open in Largo by 2020, adjacent to the Largo Town Centre Metro Station, and will anchor a major transit-oriented redevelopment of the BLVD at Capital Centre.  The bill, supported by County Executive Baker, the County Council, and County Senate and House Delegations, was adopted by the General Assembly and became law without Governor Hogan’s signature on April 6.

Watch the video of what the new Regional Medical Center will look like: https://tinyurl.com/pgcrmc-future

SB 1198: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/Chapters_noln/CH_19_sb1198t.pdf

 

Important Camp Springs Transit-Oriented Development Moves Forward; To Be Home of Federal Agency

From Bisnow.com: “With the addition of the 3,200 [U.S. Dept. of Citizenship and Immigration Services] employees, plus the roughly 6,000 Metro riders using the station every day and hundreds of residential tenants, [Project Developer Peter Schwartz] has attracted a number of users for the retail component of the project, the 40K SF Restaurant Row.”

Read the rest of the story here: https://www.bisnow.com/washington-dc/news/mixed-use/peter-schwartz-gets-financing-for-100m-phase-2-of-branch-ave-mixed-use-project-73168

Related Item: https://www.melfranklin.net/councilman-mel-franklins-statement-on-gsas-u-s-citizenship-and-immigration-services-decision/

 

Southern Area Aquatics & Recreation Complex (SAARC) in Brandywine Scheduled for Fall 2018 Opening

After last November’s groundbreaking, the $42 million, nearly 80,000 square foot Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Complex (SAARC), a new multi-generational recreation destination to be located near the intersection of Missouri Avenue and US-301N in Brandywine, is on track for completion and opening by the fall of 2018.

For more project info, go here: http://www.pgparks.com/About-Parks-and-Recreation/New_Projects/Project_Updates/Southern_Area_Aquatic_and_Recreation_Complex_63315.htm

 

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 and give me your feedback about this change in service.

Take the survey here and share with your neighbors: https://tinyurl.com/onceaweektrash

View survey results here: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07ee1z5qlrj1gaayx6/results

 

COMMUNITY NEWS YOU CAN USE

 

Bowie State University Honors Delegate Jim Proctor with Building Dedication

“Delegate Jim Proctor’s legacy has left an indelible mark on so many facets of life in Prince George’s County and Maryland.  He and Susie have a long history of advancing the issues and interests of their alma mater, Bowie State University, and public education at all levels.  As a former principal, he understood the vital importance of investing in the minds of our most important assets, our young people.  Jim was a friend and mentor and never stopped being an educator to all of those who were privileged to know him.  It is a fitting tribute and a tremendous honor for Bowie State to dedicate its Center for Learning and Technology in his memory.”

Full Press Release: https://www.melfranklin.net/council-member-franklin-salutes-bowie-state-univ-for-honoring-delegate-jim-proctors-legacy/

 

Greater Marlboro Democratic Club (GMDC) to Relaunch This Fall

One of our former popular Democratic Clubs, the Greater Marlboro Democratic Club (GMDC), will relaunch this fall to take on Presidential Donald Trump and focus on local issues of importance.  The geographic focus of the group will be the Greater Upper Marlboro area, inclusive of the 20772 and 20774 zip codes.  Stay tuned for more details and ways that you can get involved!

 

Congratulations to the Maryland General Assembly on Adopting Amber’s Law

In the closing moments of the 2017 Legislative Session, the Maryland General Assembly unanimously adopted House Bill 1163 (HB 1163), known as Amber’s Law, which will authorize the Court to grant a domestic violence survivor’s request to require an alleged abuser to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of release.  The passage of Amber’s Law is an amazing triumph for survivors of domestic violence and will save countless lives by strengthening protections against domestic violence abusers.

Read the full press release here: https://www.melfranklin.net/cm-franklin-calls-passage-of-ambers-law-a-triumph-for-domestic-violence-survivors/

NBC4 News Story: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Bill-to-Put-GPS-Trackers-on-Domestic-Violence-Suspects-Passes-in-Maryland-419181774.html

Register for a 2017 Parks and Recreation Summer Camp – Spaces Are Filling Up!

The Parks & Recreation Department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) has a multitude of summer day camps and programs in almost every imaginable area of interest…but the camps are filling up fast (many already have).  If you are still interested, please click here: http://www.pgparks.com/Things_To_Do/Day_Camps_and_Playgrounds/Summer_Day_Camps.htm

Summer Camps Brochure here: http://www.pgparks.com/Assets/Parks+$!26+Recreation/Pagelets/2017+summer++day+camp.pdf

 

Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) Summer Youth Program

From PGCC website: “The Summer Youth Program runs for four weeks in July. It is for students completing grades two through eight. Each program day includes courses that are academically focused and interest based. Students may select from either or both tracts. The program begins at 8:30 and ends at 3:30. A wind down sessions is available until 6pm.”

For PGCC summer youth program brochure excerpt, go here: https://tinyurl.com/ldy2k8e

To register, go here: http://www.pgcc.edu/summeryouth/

 

MV Transportation Hiring Event – April 20

From PGCEDC Workforce Development: “MV Transportation is holding a hiring event on Thursday, April 20, 2017, 10am at the Prince George’s One Stop Career Center, 1801 McCormick Drive, Suite 120, Largo, MD 20774. They are interviewing to fill (1) Reservation Agent and (4) Dispatcher job openings.

Their benefits package includes: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Vacation, Holidays, and 401K.

Please email your résumé to mvrecruiter108@mvtransit.com and bring a copy of your résumé with you to the hiring event.”

For more info and numerous other hiring events, go here: https://www.facebook.com/pgonestopcareercenter/

 

OTHER IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESOURCES

 

Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention/Still I Rise, Inc.

Call (301) 868-4903 or go to http://www.stillirisemd.org or call 211

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://dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/Pages/Assessment-Appeal-Process.aspx

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

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 at http://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