INSIDE: 2010 Voter’s Guide, pages 10 –14 Long takes over as principal by Andy Marso Prince George’s County Public Schools officials didn’t have to look far to find Hyattsville Middle School’s new principal. They tapped Susie Long, a curriculum and instruction specialist in the district. Long, 54, has spent the last five years developing English curricula for Prince George’s County schools. This is her first job as principal. “I’m now on the other end,” she said. “In the past, I trained principals and teachers and central office staff. Now I have an opportunity to put those practices into practice for myself.” Long replaces Gail Golden, who retired this summer after 12 years as principal. Tracy-Ann Suleiman, a member of the HMS Parent Teacher Association, has a son who will be in eighth grade this fall. She said she was glad the new principal was hired from within the district. “I think the idea of having somebody who’s familiar with the Prince George’s County schools and intimately involved with our curriculum is a good idea,” she said. Long is originally from Shreveport, La., but has lived in the Washington, D.C., area for 32 years. She currently resides in Capitol Heights. Long earned a master’s degree in school administration and supervision at Bowie State University and a doctorate in special education at George Washington University. She
Hyattsville Life&Times
Vol. 7 No. 8
Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper
Safeway reps to meet with shoppers by Susie Currie Responding to multiple complaints from shoppers, Safeway officials have agreed to a public meeting to discuss concerns about their Hamilton Street store. The meeting is scheduled for August 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the former BB&T building, next door to the grocery store. Councilmember Douglas Dudrow (Ward 1)
initiated the meeting after seeing several complaints on a local listserv, the Yahoo group H.O.P.E in Hyattsville. On June 7, an armored-car robbery in front of the store caused much concern on the listserv. Over the weeks, the thread turned to criticism that was intensified over the July 4 weekend when the store’s freezer was broken -- again. Other complaints ranged from finding ex-
pired dairy products, eggs, and even bottled salad dressing on the shelves to being unable to find various items on the shopping list. While several people singled out employees and departments for praise, at least four alternative Safeway locations were mentioned as being superior to Hyattsville’s. SaFeWaY continued on page 16
Arts a focus for county executive candidates by Lindsay Powers
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PrIncIPal continued on page 16
ALL THE PARK’S A
Hyattsville Life & Times PO Box 132 Hyattsville, MD 20781
August 2010
STAGE
photo by bernadette tirador Quinn Franzen is Romeo to Kelsey Meiklejohn’s Juliet in the Maryland Shakespeare Festival production of “Romeo and Juliet,” which played Magruder Park on July 21.
Four candidates for Prince George’s County Executive recently discussed their vision for the arts as a way to reinvigorate both the county’s education system and its economy. The forum, “The Arts: Here, Now and Tomorrow,” was held July 28 at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. The Prince George’s County Artist Network, along with Joe’s Movement Emporium and Art Fusion, sponsored the forum. County council member Samuel Dean was the only candidate who did not attend. The candidates described how they would bolster art programs to become a force within the county. They also responded to both prepared questions and those from the audience. All highlighted the importance of arts instruction in schools, emphasizing that involvement in programs such as theatre, dance or music could boost students’ interest in education -- or maybe even keep them in school. “If we can get them involved in the arts, we can keep those minds focused,” said Michael A. Jackson, currently the county sheriff. arTS continued on page 15
Included: The August 11, 2010 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter — See Center Section