Hyattsville Life&Times
City allocates $50k for traffic study
Vol. 6 No. 3
Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper
Proposed vehicle ordinance sparks city controversy
By Karen Anderson
T
he Hyattsville City Council has allocated $50,000 for a city-wide traffic study to be completed over the next six months. Assistant City Administrator Vincent Jones said the study will begin once he is able to finalize the contract. Sabra, Wang & Associates, Inc., a Baltimore-based firm hired for the project, will spend roughly four months measuring the speed, volume and vehicle class of traffic throughout the city and at 28 specific intersections identified as being “indicative of traffic patterns.” “I know people, sort of on your own, are able to, through an eye level analysis, say that an intersection is not working,” Jones said. “But here we’re going to have the data collected to tell us what level of service a particular intersection is allowing for traffic flow.” Jones said the 28 intersections selected will “in no way” be the only ones reviewed. The data will be analyzed along with other information collected by the state in similar studies to measure the level of service each intersection is capable of, draft a 20-year forecast predicting the city’s evolving traffic needs, and suggest improvements – such as traffic calming devices –within the context of TRAFFIC continued on page 11
March 2009
By Paula Minaert
A
Things to do on St. Patrick’s Day By Annie Farber and Sarah Nemeth
I
Hyattsville Life & Times PO Box 132 Hyattsville, MD 20781
t might be a bit more Sherwood Forest than Emerald Isle traveling down the curves and hills on Georgetown Pike, but once you hit Great Falls, Va. you know you’ve come to the end of the rainbow. For there, nestled into the trees, is the Old Brogue, a traditional Irish pub. Beyond the Smithwick’s and Harp Lager, stands an authentic Celtic history, begun in Derry, Ireland and carried on by the Kearney family for over 70 years. It’s about a 40-minute drive from Hyattsville, but talk of good times had by all at this watering hole on St. Patrick’s Day is no blarney, according to general manager James Monroe. “It’s a lot of Irish flair,” he said of the getup of patrons on the Irish holiday. “A lot of green, a lot of suspenders, a lot of hats … A lot of having fun, a lot of dancing, a lot of talking.” No green beer is served because they don’t serve green beer in Ireland, Monroe said, but Chef John Conway’s traditional Irish breakfast, lunch and dinner pack a mean, “green” punch. ST. PATRICK’S continued on page 11
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 43 Easton, MD 21601
FAIR FORECAST
Despite a national recession, budget forecast looks fair for Hyattsville. PAGE 9
proposal by Hyattsville officials to change the way it regulates commercial vehicle parking in the city has led to discussion, confusion and some controversy. Tempers flared at a Feb. 17 public hearing on the issue, with one resident, Tim Hunt, saying the proposed ordinance sends a message of intolerance of those whose living requires a work vehicle. The revised ordinance states that any vehicle wider or longer than an average pickup truck — such as delivery trucks, utility trucks — won’t be allowed on city streets unless they are making a delivery or performing a service. They also would not be allowed to park in driveways
“[The ordinance] comes to mind as Gestapo [tactics] to run people out of town who work with their hands.” — Charles Hibbard resident
on city streets, unless they are inside a garage or parked behind the front of the house. Resident Charles Hibbard said the proposed ordinance would kill his business. He runs his plumbing and heating business out of PARKING continued on page 10
New Rec/Arts director makes good into best New director will keep Jams, expand community events By Sharmina Manandhar
H
yattsville’s new recreation director is looking forward to providing “high quality programs and events for the entire community, including some new youth and teen options.” Michigan native Anthony Mulkey started his new job Feb. 23 and has spent the past few weeks hunting
for as much information as possible about the city’s Department of Recreation and the Arts. “My focus is Anthony currently about Mulkey learning what has been offered in the past and continuing with the established successes while looking at ways to further meet the community’s needs,” Mulkey said.
YOU ARE GETTING VERY SLEEPY
STUDENT HELPER
Our story about Hyattsville’s own hypnotist won’t put you to sleep. PAGE 3
Police officer Mike Rudinski devotes his time to helping students. PAGE 8
MULKEY continued on page 10
Included: The march 11, 2009 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter—See Center Section