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2025 Prince George’s County voter guide: Choose a new county executive
By STREETCAR SUBURBS STAFF
Senator Angela Alsobrooks stepped down as county executive Dec. 2, 2024, following her election to the U.S. Senate in November.
By THADEAN THOMAS
You might think recipes belong in a kitchen, maybe for baking cookies or a perfect steak dinner. But recipes are essential at Rainbow Florist & Delectables Inc., though instead of kitchen staples like flour and sugar, they’re mixing roses, tulips and baby’s breath to craft the perfect bouquet. For 40 years, the shop has been a staple on Laurel’s Main Street, providing arrangements for weddings, funerals and a host of other orders and events in between. “We do everything,” the owner Judy Ashwell said. Ashwell has owned the shop since 2017.
“There’s not too many other [flower shops] left in Laurel except us,” Ashwell said. With its unusually large storefront offering window displays and a welcoming space, Rainbow
Prince George’s County residents are now getting ballots in the mail for a March 4 special primary election to fill the position.
Completed ballots can be mailed or placed in one of the drop boxes listed
on the county board of elections website: shorturl.at/EVuTN
Early in-person voting takes place from Feb. 26 to March 3; for a list of polling locations go to tinyurl. com/2p92fbfw. Polls will be open from
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Sunday hours are noon to 6 p.m. Polls will be open for the primary election on March 4 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find more details and voter registra-
Attendees at the city of Laurel’s Black History Month celebration do the electric slide. Organized by Council President Kyla Clark (Ward 2) the event on Feb. 8 featured local Black-owned
Construction
By JOE MURCHISON
The Prince George’s County District Council rejected a Buddhist congregation’s detailed site plan Jan. 13 for a temple in South Laurel, dealing the congregation the latest blow in 16 months of setbacks.
The Gian Son Buddhist Temple congregation had submitted the plan in 2023 for its 1.6-acre property on Route 197 south of Snowden Road. The plan called for construction of a one-story 4,625-square-foot temple with a courtyard featuring a 28-foot-tall statue of Quan Am, a Buddhist goddess of compassion, and other statues.
The congregation, which numbers 100 to 200 members, has been using a house on the property for worship and meetings since purchasing it in 2014.
The Prince George’s County Planning Board approved the site plan in September 2023.
LAUREL’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
A federal worker’s story
By JOE MURCHISON
President Donald Trump launched a drastic campaign to reduce the federal workforce immediately after being sworn in for his second term on Jan. 20. Here is a look at how one Laurel resident, who has worked at a federal agency for three decades, has experienced this campaign. e Laurel Independent has agreed to change her name to protect her privacy. Elizabeth’s agency had prepared for the change in administrations. “Any time there is a change in administrations, there are changes we have to go through,” she said. “We understand that.”
She continued work remotely, as usual, for the first three days after the inauguration. Then something strange happened. She received what she deemed a “very suspicious email” on Jan. 24 with a subject line “email test.” The email read, “This a test of a new distribution and response list. Please reply yes.”
There was no signature on the email. The sending address
was hr@opm.gov, suggesting the federal Office of Personnel Management, but Elizabeth had never seen the address before.
“Everyone I talked to thought it was a phishing email,” she said. Later a supervisor told her that the agency’s information technology office had approved the email as legitimate, so she responded.
On the evening of Jan. 26, a similar email arrived. Elizabeth responded.
Then, on the evening of Jan. 28, she received a lengthy email from the same address with the subject line “Fork in the Road.” Key paragraphs read as follows: “The federal workforce should be comprised of the best America has to offer. We will insist on excellence at every level — our performance standards will be updated to reward and promote those that exceed expectations and address in a fair and open way those who do not meet the high standards which the taxpayers of this country have a right to demand. …
“While a few agencies and even branches of the military
are likely to see increases in the size of their workforce, the majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force. …
“If you choose to remain in your current position, … we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency but should your position be eliminated you will be treated with dignity and will be afforded the protections in place for such positions.
“If you choose not to continue in your current role in the federal workforce, we thank you for your service to your country and you will be provided with a dignified, fair departure from the federal government utilizing a deferred resignation program. This program … is available to all federal employees until February 6. If you resign under this program, you will retain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily workload and will be exempted from all applicable inperson work requirements until September 30, 2025 …
“Upon review of the below deferred resignation letter, if you wish to resign: 1) Select ‘Reply’ to this email. … 2) Type the word ‘Resign’ into the body of
the reply email. Hit ‘Send.’”
There was no signature, but a disclaimer read, “OPM is authorized to send this email.”
Elizabeth said, “It didn’t look like any other email I’d ever received. …Whoever heard of saying, ‘Type resign and reply.’ It’s insane.” She said her supervisors could not shed further light on the email because they were all seeing it for the first time too. But soon the media were reporting that the government-wide email was the work of billionaire Elon Musk and the nongovernmental Department of Government Efficiency which Trump had appointed Musk to run.
A series of follow-up emails arrived almost every day afterward with FAQs (frequently asked questions) about the resignation offer. One dated Jan. 30 said:
“Q: Am I allowed to get a second job during the deferred resignation period?
“A: Absolutely! We encourage you to find a job in the private sector as soon as you would like to do so. The way to greater American prosperity is encouraging people to move from lower productivity jobs in the public sector to higher productivity jobs in the private sector.”
“This is what boiled my blood,” Elizabeth said. “So my whole career has been ‘low productivity’? Measured how? You don’t even know what I do.” Elizabeth said she passionately believed her agency’s work was crucial for the nation’s well-being, and she had been moved to tears hearing testimonies of its impact from beneficiaries.
“I don’t know anyone who has accepted the resignation,” she said. “Why they think this is appealing, I don’t know.”
Elizabeth was angry, but she was also afraid — and stressed. “I try not to watch too much TV because it’s so upsetting,” she said. “There’s no guarantee they won’t decide to let a large number of us go. … I don’t have a next step. What would I do?” she added.
Competition for private sector jobs in her field would be all the more intense if thousands of other fired federal employees were also scrambling for work, she said. For the moment, Elizabeth said her best coping mechanism is to just keep working. She tries not to dwell on what Donald Trump and Elon Musk will do next, but it’s hard. “Who’s going to stop them?” she said. “I don’t know. I have no idea. None.”
Who has the money? County executive candidates report
By KIT SLACK
Candidates for Prince George’s County Executive have filed their first campaign finance reports for the March 4 primary election race. Below, candidates are listed from the highest campaign account balance to the lowest. This snapshot is based on campaign finance reports filed by the Feb. 4 deadline and a review of contributions in December and January.
JOLENE IVEY
At-large County Councilmember and Chair Jolene Ivey had
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about $467,000 in her campaign account on Jan. 28 and had raised about $190,000 from 310 contributors since Dec. 1.
Those contributors included at least 22 donors in the real estate and construction industries, each of whom had given over $1,000, totalling over $40,000, combined.
Ivey received $2,000 from the director of a nonprofit that promotes careers in public safety for Prince George’s County Public School graduates and $2,000 from an employee of the data center com-
Managing Editor
Katie V. Jones
Katie@streetcarsuburbs.news
Associate Editor Nancy Welch
Nancy@streetcarsuburbs.news Columnists
Agnes Pasco Conaty, Jimmy Rogers
Writers & Contributors
Agnes Pasco Conaty, Joe Murchison, Sophie Gorman Oriani, Kit Slack, Thadean Thomas
Layout & Design Editors
Valerie Morris, Ashley Perks
Web Editor Jessica Burshtynskyy
Advertising Sales Manager Amanda Berard
pany Iron Bow Technologies. From Jan. 9 to Jan. 28, Ivey spent about $9,000 on office rental and another $1,300 on printing.
She made a $250,000 loan to her campaign on Jan. 6.
AISHA BRAVEBOY
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy had about $379,000 in her campaign account on Jan. 28 and had raised about $325,000 from 375 donors since Dec. 1. Braveboy spent far more than any other candidate from Jan.
Business
Board of Directors
President: Marta McLellan Ross
Vice President & General Counsel: Michael Walls
Treasurer: Joe Murchison
Secretary: Melanie Dzwonchyk Bette Dickerson, Nora Eidelman, Joseph Gigliotti, Maxine Gross, Merrill Hartson, T. Carter Ross, Stephanie Stullich
9 through Jan. 28 — $200,000, including $25,000 on phone banking, over $100,000 on television ads and $6,000 on robocalls.
Braveboy’s campaign received $6,000 from Corridor
Wine in Laurel and at least $42,000 from members of the family of David Trone, the liquor magnate who lost to Angela Alsobrooks in the primary for U.S. Senate this spring.
Braveboy also received at least $30,000 from donors in the healthcare industry, particularly home health care services, since Dec. 1.
Northeast Maglev, which has been seeking approval for a high speed train line through Prince George’s County, contributed $5,000 to her campaign.
A political action committee called the We Are Labor 2 PAC contributed just over $79,000 to Braveboy’s campaign on Jan 31, past the timeframe for reporting.
CALVIN HAWKINS
At-large County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins had about $192,000 in his campaign account on Jan. 28. He had raised the most money from the largest number of donors since Dec. 1, about $337,000 from nearly 600 donors. Over $50,000 came from 11 donors in the construction and real estate industries.
Hawkins spent a total of
$116,000 from Jan. 9 to Jan. 28, including $26,000 on printing, $25,000 on campaign staff and consultants, $23,000 on phone banking and $12,000 for office rental.
RUSHERN BAKER
Former County Executive Rushern Baker had just under $97,000 in his campaign bank account on Jan. 28 and had raised about $146,000 from about 260 donors since Dec. 1.
Three donors in security services gave a total of $12,000 to his campaign, and four donors in the real estate and construction industries gave a total of $13,500.
Baker received an additional $6,000 from the campaign funds of County Councilmember Sidney Harrison (District 9) and also received donations of services for campaign texting and for video.
Baker spent almost $44,000 on media and over $3,000 on compensation for campaign workers from Jan. 9 to Jan. 28.
ALONZO T.
WASHINGTON
State Senator Alonzo T. Washington (District 22) had $81,000 in his campaign bank account on Jan. 28. Since Dec. 1, he had raised about $37,000 from about 160 donors, most of them small donations from addresses in his district. The largest donation he received was $2,500 from the campaign of Bill Ferguson, a state legislator from Baltimore. Washington spent about $2,000 from Jan. 9 to Jan. 28 on compensation for campaign workers.
TONYA SWEAT
Moisette Tonya Sweat had about $11,000 in her campaign account on Jan. 28. She had raised about $13,000 since Dec. 1 from nearly 50 donors. She spent $1,600 between Jan. 9 and Jan. 28 on media, printing and campaign materials. Her largest donations were $6,000 from Peter Oliver Kreuger, a consultant from Silver Spring, and $2,000 from Joann McDonald, a Bowie resident and retired bookkeeper for Prince George’s County Public Schools.
RON HUNT
Ron Hunt had over $3,000 in his bank account on Jan. 28 and had spent over $6,000 on direct mail since Jan. 9. He made a loan of $9,500 to his campaign on Jan. 13.
Marcellus Crews and Albert Slocum did not file the reports by the Feb. 4 deadline, and their most recent campaign finance reports show minimal balances.
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES
In heavily Democratic Prince George’s County, Republican candidates are not raising much money. Jonathan White and George McDermott filed statements showing that contributions and expenditures for each of their campaigns were less than $1,000. Jesse Peed failed to file the report by the Feb. 4 deadline, but an annual statement he filed Jan. 15 shows a bank account balance under $1,000.
However, the District Council (the name of the county council when acting on zoning cases) reviewed that decision and sent the plan back to the planning board in January 2024. The District Council said the site plan had, among other problems, incorrect boundary lines. In addition, the stormwater plan had expired, and the size of the building, as indicated
in the plan, was underestimated; it actually exceeded 5,000 square feet and therefore required subdivision approval that would entail more submissions and hearings.
District Council members also expressed concern about complaints from neighbors, who said the congregation had illegally cut down trees, leading to flooding issues on nearby properties. They also stated that congregants disturbed the neighborhood with highly amplified chanting and
singing during some of its outdoor festivals.
At the District Council’s Jan. 13 hearing, Staci Scudder, attorney for the congregation, said the group had not been given a fair chance to address the council’s concerns. She noted that the county’s zoning law allowed only two months for the planning board to consider a revised site plan and a subdivision application, and that these were, in her words, “impossible
time restrictions.”
Scudder also confirmed that with a new temple, the congregation would not amplify sound outdoors.
She asked the District Council to approve the previous site plan, which had been revised to include a current stormwater plan. She also said the congregation would submit a revised plan for a building of less than 5,000 square feet, thereby making the subdivision process unnecessary.
that were legitimate concerns. … I think if we work at this collaboratively, we can figure out how to get to yes, and sooner rather than later.”
Estate Planning: a selfless act of love
About two weeks after the council’s rejection of the site plan, Dernoga received a copy of an email from Leah Johnson, whose home abuts the congregation’s property. Johnson’s original email, sent to a county inspector, stated that she had been awakened just before midnight on Jan. 28 by drumming and individuals using a loudspeaker. She attached a video that included the sound of fireworks being set off at midnight, in celebration of the start of the Lunar New Year. (Fireworks are illegal in Prince George’s County.)
It’s more than just legal documentsyour Estate Plan is a lasting gift of protection, security, and peace of mind.
County official Stan Brown countered that Scudder had not submitted any changes to the plan in the two months allowed by the planning board, nor had she requested that the District Council reconsider the difficulties presented by the timeline. “That is not the planning board’s fault; that is not this council’s fault. That is the applicant’s fault,” he said. Brown represents the general interests of county residents in zoning and development hearings.
“No one should have to continue to go through this type of un-neighborly behavior,” Johnson wrote. “Everything they were told not to do, they continue to do.”
Living Wills & Trusts Probate & Trust Administration
Councilmember Tom Dernoga (District 1) moved that the site plan be denied. To move forward, the congregation will now have to submit a new detailed site plan.
“This temple does good work, and I don’t want to be saying no to this temple,” Dernoga said. “At the same time, there are definitely some issues the neighbors had
In a Feb. 5 interview with e Laurel Independent, Scudder said she had not yet consulted with the congregation’s leaders about their next steps, but she was confident they would keep pursuing the temple project. As for the Lunar New Year fireworks, she said she had heard about the complaint but had not had time to gather more information.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Please send notices of events taking place between March 12 and April 9 to nancy@streetcar suburbs.news by Feb. 28.
FEB. 14, 21
“Fires in the Mirror.” A play by Anna Deavere Smith about urban racial and class conflict. Weekends of Feb. 14 and 21. Laurel Mill Playhouse, 508 Main St. For more information, times and tickets, call 301.617.9906
FEB. 15
Help Clean Up Laurel. Join Laurel for the Patuxent to pick up trash. Bring your own gloves. Trash bags provided. 9 to 11 a.m. Meet at McCullough Field on 8th St. Rain date is Feb. 17, same time.
Historian Speaker. James Illingworth, an associate editor of the Freedmen and Southern Society Project, will talk about slavery, emancipation and Reconstruction. 1 p.m. Montpelier House Museum, 9650 Muirkirk Rd. 301.377.7817
led tour of the Montpelier House Museum. 2:30 p.m. 9650 Muirkirk Rd. 301.377.7817
FEB. 23
Voices from the Past. Curator Nevilla Ottley talks about the life and music of Hazel Scott, a classical and jazz pianist who was the first person of African descent to host their own network television show in America. 4 p.m. Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Rd. 301.377.7800
FEB. 24
Emergency Preparedness Information Session. Learn about potential hazards and what to do in a community disaster. Cosponsored by the Maryland Dept. of Emergency Management and West Laurel Civic Association. 7 p.m. West Laurel Community Building, 16501 Supplee Ln. For more information, email Sheila5802@ verizon.net
FEB. 26
and to register for virtual link, go to tinyurl.com/mvpphjxn
FEB. 27
From Slavery to Civil Rights: The African American Railroading Experience. A webinar hosted by Laurel Historical Society and presented by Jonathan Goldman, chief curator at the B&O Railroad Museum. 7 p.m. 301. 725.7975
Red Carpet Premiere. A benefit for Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services (LARS) featuring the movie premiere of “No Address” followed by testimonies from LARS clients. 5 p.m. Regal Laurel Towne Centre, 14716 Baltimore Ave. 301.776.0442
FEB. 28
Coffee and Conversation. Community-led discussion focusing on current events. Free; light refreshments. 10 to 11 a.m. Laurel Branch Library, 507 7th St. 240.455.5451
the women who lived on the former tobacco plantation in Prince George’s County. 7 p.m. Montpelier House Museum, 9650 Muirkirk Rd. 301.377.7817
ONGOING
Laurel Rides the Rails: Tales of Trains and Trolleys. Through December. Laurel History Museum, 817 Main St. For hours, go to laurelmuseum.org
February at the Hollingsworth Gallery. Wildlife photographs by father and son Fredrik and James Fatemi. Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772
A Tribute to the Queen of Rock & Roll Tina Turner. Quilts interpreting Tina Turner’s songs, movies and lifestyle in a variety of quilting styles and techniques. Runs Feb. 20 through April 28. Montpelier House Museum, 9650 Muirkirk Rd. 301.377.7817
TAX PREP HELP
The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free, in-person, personal income tax preparation, especially for those who are 50 and older or who can’t afford paid preparation. Wednesdays through April 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment only. Laurel Armory, 422 Montgomery St. To schedule an appointment call 240.473.2955. For other AARP Tax-Aide locations and hours, go to AARP.org.
groundhogs. For ages 3 to 10. Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772
Guided Tour. Hear unique insights and stories on a staff-
Ready to Read Storytime. Mondays at 10:30 a.m. (ages 2 to 3), Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (ages 3 to 5) and Thursdays at 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. (ages 0 to 2). Laurel Branch Library, 507 7th St. 240.455.5451 SEE CALENDAR ON 6 Find
Virtual Book Club. Meet with fellow readers to discuss “The Good Lord Bird,” by James McBride. For more information
MARCH 6
Historian Speaker. Julie Rose, director of Marietta House Museum, will share research about
RECURRING
Kids’ Discovery Center. Crafts, puzzles, games about
THE LAUREL INNER SPACE
Nature’s nearby gems
By AGNES PASCO CONATY
Nature plays such a vital role in my life, and I so often write about our natural world, right here at home. In previous columns, I’ve written about Patuxent Wildlife Refuge and Granville Gude Park, along with other well-known recreation spots in and around Laurel. We have so many lesser-known natural gems, too: green spaces, hidden trails and quiet pockets of nature nearby — and spring’s warmer weather is right around the corner.
We all know the benefits of being outside: exercise, fresh air, vitamin D. Studies show that spending time in nature helps improve focus, reduces stress and blood pressure, and boosts immune function. A study conducted by the U.K.’s University of Exeter indicates that spending even two hours a week outside in nature enhances one’s physical and mental well being. If you’re a regular reader, you likely remember my stories about the creek that runs at
the bottom of our backyard. I explore the creek on my own often, and I’ve based many of my nature sketches on the wildlife I see there — deer, foxes, groundhogs and more. And bundled in layers of flannel, my family huddles together around a crackling campfire in our snowy backyard, our personal sanctuary beneath the stars. While it can seem like that there is no wildlife in these cold conditions, under the creek’s ice, life teems in abundance.
I also have written here about Rocky Gorge Reservoir, along Supplee Lane in nearby Burtonsville. In addition to the well-traveled trails at the reservoir, there are hidden paths by Browns Bridge Road. Some of these smaller trails lead to the water’s edge, where you can sit in warmer weather and enjoy the solitude of the picturesque scenery and the calming sound of rippling water. (For a map of trails near the reservoir, go to tinyurl.com/5dh9fuh7.)
I’ve mentioned Fairland Recreational Park, one of my family’s favorite biking spots. Many
By Agnes Pasco Conaty
“Groundhog saw his shadow in Laurel — six more weeks of pothole season.”
of you are likely familiar with the park’s indoor amenities and soccer and ball fields. The park also has lesser known trails and footbridges over quiet streams — ideal spots to pause and reflect. If you’re lucky, you may even see deer or an owl. (For a map of the park, go to tinyurl.com/49d7xe2r and zoom in to see the trails.)
Then there is the abandoned WB&A Railroad bridge for the history buffs. Located near where Brock Bridge Road crosses the Patuxent River, this almost forgotten piece of history, hidden in the woods, is a remnant of the Washington Baltimore & Annapolis Railway bridge. Now surrounded by trees, the bridge has been overtaken by nature and is captivating in its raw beauty.
Hidden in plain sight, there is a park near the Deerfield Run Community Center, on Laurel
CALENDAR
FROM PAGE 5
Virtual Spanish Conversation Club. Beginners meet at 4 p.m. and intermediate learners at 5 p.m. every Wednesday. Library card required for registration. Beginners register for virtual link at tinyurl.com/yetkt6u7; intermediates register for virtual link at tinyurl.com/ mr2ub3b9
Bowie Road. This wooded area follows the path of the Deerfield Run Creek. The park is a quiet oasis with very little foot traffic, ideal for a meditative walk.
The T. Howard Duckett Watershed, not too far from the Rocky Gorge Reservoir, offers a quiet retreat close to home. Known by area anglers for its peaceful setting, the watershed is also ideal for birdwatching; you may even be fortunate enough to see visiting bald eagles here. (You can find a map of the trail at tinyurl.com/44rnysb5)
Whenever you need to recharge yourself, escape the crowded spaces and go to a secret nature spot, a place you have not been before and would love to discover — a spot where you can make beautiful memories and even create new traditions, simply by stepping out your door and into the wonderful, big world of nature.
hands-on activities, games and crafts. Ages 3 and up. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772
“Go outside more” has become my environmental science students’ mantra; it’s their call to put on hiking shoes and explore nature’s extraordinary classroom without walls. I urge you to adopt their mantra, too.
For maps of local hiking trails, go to tinyurl.com/c7u6hxye and tinyurl. com/48p2dzp3.
For a fascinating (if long!) video on abandoned rail lines in and around Laurel, go to tinyurl.com/y7skbtah.
Agnes Pasco Conaty is a college math and environmental science adjunct professor who also works as senior research scientist and science lead for the GLOBE Observer Program at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center.
ter, 7120 Contee Rd. Call Mike Farmer at 240.302.9133.
Every Tuesday Bingo at Laurel Elks Lodge #2283. Twenty games with cash prizes; food and drinks available for purchase. Doors open at 5 p.m., and bingo starts at 7 p.m. 8261 Brock Bridge Rd.
Virtual French Conversation Club. Meets at 7 p.m. every Wednesday. Library card required for registration. Go to tinyurl.com/mthxszf8
Virtual Beginners English Conversation Club. Meets at 1 p.m. every Thursday. Library card required for registration. Go to tinyurl.com/yetkt6u7
Family Fun at Patuxent. Learn about winter weather and the water cycle through
Game Day. Play the board game “Wingspan” and learn about birds. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 14 and 22. No experience needed. Games provided (personal sets welcomed). Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop.l 301.497.5772
Italian Club. Weekly meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. All are welcome. 6:30 p.m. St. Mary of the Mills Church, 114 St. Marys Pl. For more information, call Jo Saunders at 301.490.8237
Chess. All levels welcome. Thursdays at 2 p.m. LaurelBeltsville Senior Activity Cen-
Every Tuesday Bingo at the Laurel Senior Friendship Club. Free admission; fee for cards. Doors open at 11 a.m. and bingo starts at noon. Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activities Center, 7120 Contee Rd. 301.206.3380
Every Friday Bingo at American Legion Post 60. Friday night bingo every week; 23 games with cash prizes; food and drinks available for purchase. Doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo starts at 7:30. 2 Main St. 301.725.2302
LAUREL SQUIRREL
The Conaty family enjoying a chilly day outdoors: (from left) Joseph, Agnes and Austin. COURTESY OF AGNES
THE LAUREL LEDGER
PUBLIC WORKS: WINTER STORM PREP AND GOAL S FULFILLED
We’ve had a few winter storms already and Public Works has been hard at work making Laurel’s roads safe for travelers.
How Public Works Preps for Winter
Before a winter storm, the Department of Public Works pre-treats priority 1 and 2 roads with a brine solution, a new tool added to their resources last season, which helps mitigate snow and ice build up if used to treat within 48 hours.
During snow removal, emphasis is placed on Snow Emergency Routes, high-priority streets, and hazardous locations such as hills, sharp curves, and busy intersections. Once these high priority areas have been treated and cleared of snow, side streets are treated. Snow removal can be a monumental task, so we ask residents for patience. City crews work around the clock to clear streets and maintain regular services. While efforts are made to avoid blocking driveways when plowing, it cannot always be avoided. When clearing driveways, please do not shovel snow back into the street.
The City's Snow Emergency Plan goes into effect whenever a Snow Emergency is declared for Prince George's County. The Mayor may also proclaim or end a Snow Emergency.
Snow Emergencies are announced on most local radio and television stations, as well as on the City’s social media sites. When a Snow Emergency is in effect, residents cannot park on the even-numbered side of the street of snow emergency routes. ODD IS OK!
Busy Year for Public Works
Street Resurfacing/Improvement Projects
The City of Laurel was able to resurface a record number of streets this past year. They included Little Montgomery Street, Virginia Manor Court, Fourth Street (Main Street to
Gorman Avenue), Fifth Street (Main Street to Montgomery Street), Park Avenue (Sixth to Seventh Street), “C” Street (Main Street to Fetty Alley), Park Avenue (Ninth Street to Phillip Powers Drive), Compton Avenue and Carroll Avenue. This year, one alley way was undertaken by the City which includes the alley running from Talbott Avenue to Compton Avenue, which should be completed the first of the year. Also, under contract is Lafayette Avenue and First Street resurfacing to be started in March, and Saratoga Avenue and a portion of Cypress Street under design to be bid in February. Nearly 11,300 linear feet (over 2 miles) of roadways were resurfaced or reconstructed in the City of Laurel in 2024, with more to come in 2025.
A sidewalk crossing was also installed at the end of Carroll Avenue, which has state of the art crossing signalization that includes a rapid flashing beacon, blinker illuminated pedestrian and crosswalk illumination.
City-wide Sidewalk Repair/Replacement
The City of Laurel undertook a long overdue list of sidewalk repairs in 2024 covering over 18,000 square feet and 2,000 linear feet of concrete curbing with the assistance of robust funding available in the Capital Improvement Project (“CIP”) and American Rescue Plan Act “ARPA” funding. Sidewalks that were replaced had been raised or lifted by tree roots or had cracked or broken pieces creating an uneven walking surface, deteriorated joints and surfaces, and handicap ramps where none existed, or where they existed but did not have detectable warning strips or where they did not meet current ADA standards for slope or directional orientation.
Fleet Modernization
This year, the City of Laurel made tremendous strides in fleet modernization, prioritizing fuel efficiency, alternative energy solutions, and
safety enhancements. Our team successfully introduced hybrid and fully electric vehicles to the fleet, reducing emissions and advancing the City of Laurel's sustainability goals. These upgrades were paired with state -of-the-art safety features, ensuring our operations remain secure and efficient. By combining sustainability, innovation, and safety, we continue to build a fleet that serves the community responsibly and effectively while paving the way for a greener and safer future, and enabled the City to reduce the gasoline budgeted for FY 2025 by $45,000.00.
New LED light Fixtures
Approximately 65 High-Pressure Sodium light fixtures with new LED fixtures were replaced in the Greenview Drive, Creekview Drive, and Summit Lane area. In 2025, with the help from a $26,000.00 Maryland Energy Administration Grant Award, the City of Laurel will replace 187 HighPressure Sodium fixtures in the vicinity of the Villages of Wellington Development, Old Sandy Spring Road, Saratoga Avenue, Shannon Avenue and others, with 100w and 150w LED Pendant Fixtures. The work will be performed by BGE’s Division for Outdoor Lighting.
Coming This Spring!
Mark Your Calendars Now! Public Works will be hosting their Annual Spring April Recycling event on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 8:00am to Noon. This event is for City residents only.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously stated, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'." Laurel responded to this question on January 20th during Dr. King ’s Day of Service event, which was a great success and drew a large crowd! The reason for this success...YOU!
While we emphasize a volunteer activity to honor Dr. King’s dream, it wouldn't be complete without a program that underscores the importance of his legacy, which began with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Girl Scout Troop 23039 and Cub Scout Pack 602; then the timeline of Dr. King’s leadership during the Civil Rights Movement was highlighted, and Mayor Sydnor shared insights on Dr. King's contributions. Throughout the event, we were treated to beautiful music by the Laurel High School Choir, under the direction of Choral Director Kevin Lewis.
Community leaders, businesses, and residents then stood shoulder to shoulder to assemble care packages for chemo therapy patients at the University of Maryland Laurel Medical Center ’s Oncology Department. What was expected to take about two hours was accomplished in just 45 minutes! With over 200 care packages assembled, we owe deep gratitude to our partners: Sam’s Club, Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Tau Delta Zeta Chapter, along with our City Departments and the residents of Laurel and nearby neighborhoods. We are delighted to share that, with assistance from Parks and Recreation, all care packages were delivered the following week and are currently being distributed to those navigating the challenges of living with cancer. We hope these packages provide them with the strength to continue their journey and serve as a reminded that we are here to support them! Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to making this event such a success!
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KI NG, JR. DAY OF SERVICE SUCCESS!
THE CITY OF LAUREL U NVEILS ITS SUSTAINABILITY PLAN!
A big thank you to everyone that attended our Sustainability Plan Launch party on January 30th! It was great to reconnect with our founding focus group members and to see new faces that were drawn to the event to learn more about the Plan, how it was developed and how they can be part of this living document. Now the work begins to keep the momentum going! We will be forming additional focus groups to work on specific actions highlighted in the Plan. Everyone is welcome! If you are interested in participating in a work group, please contact greenliving@laurel.md.us. The full plan will be available on our Green Living Resource page at www.cityoflaurel/green.
Organics Recycling: Public Works crews will continue to deliver composting carts to select neighborhoods throughout the City. Residents can expect to receive a kitchen countertop container, educational information, a refrigerator magnet and a roll of compostable bags, along with the locking outdoor cart. The information provided makes it easy for residents to sort out what can go into their compost carts! All foods, even expired products, paper napkins/paper towels, and pizza boxes, are just some exampl es of what can be put in your composting cart. Remember, loose leaves and grass clippings are also acceptable in your curbside comp ost cart. Don’t want to wait!! Sign up using the on-line form and Public Works will deliver a full kit to your home. We want to improve the program and get feedback from residents on what they would like to see. Send an e -mail to greenliving@laurel.md.us. Based on your feedback we now have smaller kitchen countertop containers and are introducing a smaller curbside cart!
2025 Municipal Calendars: Our calendars are digital and downloadable on the Recycle Coach app and we have printed calendars available. If you would like a printed calendar, contact 301-725-5300 ext. 2203.
Want to get the most recent information about the City’s sustainability initiatives. Follow us on Facebook at @SustainableLaurel. This is a place where we can share ideas, highlight upcoming events and residents can stay informed on all things Sustainable . Also check out the new look of the Green Living website at www.cityoflaurel.org/greenliving.
OBRAS PÚBLICAS: PREPARACIÓN PARA EL INVIERNO Y METAS CUMPLIDAS
Ya hemos tenido algunas tormentas invernales y Obras Públicas ha trabajado arduamente para hacer que las carreteras de Laurel sean seguras para los viajeros. Antes de una tormenta invernal, el Depart amento de Obras Públicas trata previamente las carreteras de prioridad 1 y 2 con una solución de salmuera, una nueva herramienta agregada a sus recursos la temporada pasada, que ayuda a mitigar la acumulación de nieve y hielo si se usa para tratar dentro de las 48 horas.
En 2024, Obras Públicas repavimentó más de 2 millas de carreteras, reparó 18,000 pies cuadrados de aceras y 2,000 pies lineales de bordillos, avanzó la flota de Laurel con vehículos híbridos/eléctricos y utilizó una subvención estatal para reemplazar 187 lámparas de sodio de alta presión con lámparas colgantes LED. y estos objetivos continuarán hasta 2025.
¡Marque sus calendarios ahora! Obras Públicas organizará su evento anual de reciclaje de primavera abril el sábado 19 de abril de 2025, de 8:00am - Mediodía. Este evento es sólo para residentes de la Ciudad.
LAUREL POLICE MONTHLY CRIME REPORT
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
List of Laurel Police Crime Reports can be found at www.cityoflaurel.org/1896/LPDCrime-Reports.
Legislation
Listed below are recent legislative actions taken, if any, by the Laurel City Council during the past month of Mayor and City Council meetings. For further information on any of these legislative actions, please feel free to contact the Office of the City Clerk at 301-725-5300 x2121 or at clerk@laurel.md.us. For the full agendas, visit www.cityoflaurel.org
Adopted Legislation:
• Charter Amendment No. 180 - amending Art. 400 “Administration” of the Charter of the City of Laurel to reflect the Dissolution of the Department of Community Resources and Emergency Management and establish two new Departments: the Department of Human Services and the Department of Emergency Management; and amending Sect. 469 to reflect the “Director of the Department of Emergency Management” and Sect. 470 “Director of Human Services.”
• Ordinance No. 2036 - amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council for FY July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025; and providing an effective date.
• Resolution No. 1-2025 - to rename and expand the scope of the Citizens Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities.
• Resolution No. 2-2025 - authorizing the purchase of 7701 Old Sandy Spring Road for the purpose of acquiring real property for City operations.
Bid Recommendations:
• No Bid Recommendations in January
Appointments/Reappointments:
Master Plan Committee Appointments:
Hon. Rick Wilson, Chair - 1/13/25 - 1/13/27
Hon. Frederick Smalls - 1/13/25 - 1/13/27
Calvin M. Burns - 1/13/25 - 1/13/27
Ursula Gnan - 1/13/25 - 1/13/27
Maria Gonzales-Jackson - 1/13/25 - 1/13/27
Garrett Jackson - 1/13/25 - 1/13/27
Stephen Slaughter - 1/13/25 - 1/13/27
Sophady Uong - 1/13/25 - 1/13/27
Naomi McMillen (Appointment) - Board of Election Supervisors - 1/27/25 - 1/27/29
Veronica Martin (Appointment)Juneteenth Executive Committee
Artesa Jones (Appointment) - Juneteenth Executive Committee
Hon. Rick Wilson (Reappointment)Planning Commission - 1/27/25 - 1/27/30
William Wellford (Reappointment)Planning Commission - 1/27/25 - 1/27/30
Sean LeVere (Reappointment) - Community Redevelopment Authority - 1/27/251/27/28
Government Meetings
(Dates and Times Subject to Change)
February 2025 Mayor and City Council Meetings
February 10th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6pm)
February 24th - In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting (6pm)
February 2025 Boards and Commissions
February 11th - Planning Commission (6pm)
February 18th - Historic District Commission (6pm)
February 25th - Master Plan Committee (6pm)
February 27th - Board of Appeals (6pm)
March 2025 Mayor and City Council Meetings
March 5th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Work Session (6pm)
March 10th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6pm)
March 24th - In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting - (6pm)
March 2025 Boards and Commissions
March 11th - Planning Commission (6:00pm)
March 18th - Historic District Commission (6:00pm)
March 25th - Master Plan Committee (6:00pm)
March 27th - Board of Appeals (6:00pm)
City Announcements & Events
(Dates and Times Subject to Change)
Black History Month Celebration - February 8th - 1 - 3pm, Craig A. Moe Laurel Multiservice Center, 204 Fort Meade Road.
Presidents’ Day - February 17, 2025 - City/Passport Offices CLOSED. Visit cityoflaurel.org/calendars for adjusted collection details.
Free Friday Movie - February 21, 2025 at 7:00pm at Partnership Activity Center, 811 5th Street, featuring “Soul.”
Women’s History Month Program - March 8, 2025 - 10a - 2pm at the Craig A. Moe Laurel Multiservice Center, 204 Fort Meade Road.
Eggstravaganza - April 12, 2025 - 12:00pm SHARP! Granville Gude Park, 8300 Mulberry Street. Free event.
To learn more or register for Parks and Recreation activities , visit www.cityoflaurel.org/parks or call 301-725-7800.
Black History Month Essay Contest for City of Laurel studentsWrite an word essay about music, cultural movement, or a person/organization that played a pivotal role in African American History. Deadline and details at www.cityoflaurel.org!
NATIVE GARDENING WITH JIMMY
Spring cleaning
By JIMMY ROGERS
For one third of the year, a butterfly garden can hide in plain sight. In April, tender foliage signals springtime rebirth. In July, tall stalks and showy flowers attract celebrity pollinators. In November, red and yellow fall foliage take their final bow. In the four months from December to March, winter stems and fallen leaves can fool the passerby into thinking that a patch of ground has fallen into scraggly disrepair.
Before picking up the hoe, rake and clippers, let us remember why we grow native gardens in the first place. Native plants provide superior habitat for wildlife, be they wild bees, butterflies, songbirds or box turtles. They also tie us directly to our place in the world, as no two regions have the same combination of plants. A native garden allows us to invite nature into our lives.
That said, native gardens must strike a balance between human needs and wildlife needs. Since animals are unlikely to negotiate, we humans have to decide
how far we are willing to go to accommodate them. For me, finding this balance means I must be able to tolerate my garden, it must function for wildlife and, hopefully, I will experience more joy than frustration.
Since gardens expand and bloom in the growing season, many gardeners consider fall to be the ideal time to clean up. While a vegetable garden needs to be tucked in for the winter, native plants handle that themselves, drawing their energy back into their roots and hibernating under the fallen leaves. The fireflies, butterflies, moths and bees we so eagerly welcomed into our gardens have taken up residence in those same leaves. As long as you can comfortably walk along each pathway, you can let any remnant stems persist through the winter. The early spring, perhaps when we’re first willing to brave the outdoors again, is an opportunity for both reflection and planning. I recommend taking a step back from each garden area and letting your eyes trace the outlines. Are there sufficient edges and
pathways, and if so, do they seem well managed? Do you see any unintentional asymmetry? Are any beds too monotonous and in need of some structure to break them up? Are there bare spots in need of spring planting? Could a summer-blooming plant use a spring-blooming companion?
Rather than following an impulse to clean and organize the outdoors, you can set goals for change, plan projects and identify next immediate actions. This year I’m planning to take a more active approach to pruning my perennials throughout the season, ensuring a shorter, fuller look, especially along pathways. Last year’s stems should give me a guide as to where things got a
RUNNING NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 21
bit too unwieldy, and where to focus this year.
You can also identify where weeds have grown and ask yourself why they were able to flourish in one spot and not another. I see weeds as placeholders for the plants I need to grow to claim the ground. I tend to leave weeds until I’ve procured something new to plant.
Cutting back stems will make the biggest visual impact on your garden. It’s an optional step, but it can help define your space, especially for small beds and pathways. Be careful, for If you cut too short, you’ll leave a pretty barren landscape for at least a month. I recommend cutting no shorter than your knees (about 18 inch-
es), so stem-nesting bees can lay the next year’s queens over the summer. I’ve seen this happen in my own garden over the last two years.
Leave as much leaf litter as you can between your plants. It is the only mulch you will ever need, and to a large degree, it is the ecology you have worked so hard to create. A winter flock of robins recently descended on my garden and turned over just about every leaf in their search for insects. Curiously, they completely avoided the turf grass of my nearby neighbors.
Rather than attempting to clean up an innately wild space, I recommend reinvesting in your relationship with your land. Learn something about every plant growing out there. Ensure it’s comfortable to walk around and enjoy your space without a machete. And envision what a perfect balance between people and nature might look like.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, NOON-4:00 PM bring historic Enjoy gardens plants
Laurel Rides the Rails: Tales of Trains and Trolleys is more than just the history of rail travel in Laurel. It is a collection of tales told by entrepreneurs, corporations, eager inventors, dedicated laborers, and everyday people who saw the future of Laurel tied to the iron railways and the electric trolleys that connect it to the bustling streets of Washington, D.C., the busy ports of Baltimore, and to the manufacturing centers of the Midwest.
Jimmy Rogers is an avid native gardener in the city of Laurel.
Evergreen and newly emerging foliage draw the eye in early spring, despite many remnant stems. COURTESY OF JIMMY ROGERS
NASA’s MAD Theater Presents: Almost, Maine by John Cariani
Directed by Aly Bayens & James Pildis Produced by Jon Gardner
3 weekends: March 7 - 22
Tickets: $22/$20/$12; $4 discount Mar. 7-9 www.madtheater.org
We Train Dogs Of All Ages
Our training is positive, humane, and fun!
• In-Home Training & Behavior Consultation
• Puppy Socialization
• Group Classes
• Serving Laurel & Surrounding Areas
Jody Broughton CPDT-KA (240) 882-4765 www.socialtailwaggers.com socialtailwaggers@gmail.com
2 announce for county council
By JOE MURCHISON
Democrat Michelle García, chief of staff for County Councilmember Tom Dernoga (District 1), kicked off her campaign to succeed her boss on Feb. 2 at the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department station.
Former Laurel At-large Councilmember Martin Mitchell, also a Democrat, announced his intention to run, with kickoff event likely in March. The election primary is in June 2026, with the general election the following November.
More than 100 people were present for García’s event, including Dernoga, County Councilmember Eric Olson (District 3) and three of the four state legislators from District 21. One of them, Del. Joseline Peña Melnyk, talked about how she gave García her start in government in 2013, when García was a student at the University of Maryland. A friend called her with advice: “I know someone who is a wonderful human being who wants to get into government,” Peña Melnyk recalled her friend saying. She immediately hired García, who, Peña Melnyk said, “was eager to learn. From day one, she cared about my constituents.” García served as Peña Melnyk’s chief of staff.
Dernoga, who cannot run again due to term limits, recalled noticing García in 2016 at a campaign office in Laurel when he was volunteering in Peña Melnyk’s unsuccessful campaign for Congress. “I noticed a young lady who seemed very qualified, who made things happen,” Dernoga said. He hired her, and she was appointed chief of staff in 2018. Dernoga underscored Garcia’s qualifications for office. If elected, “she’ll
have more experience than every other councilmember except Eric [Olson],” Dernoga said.
García, who lives in Beltsville, spoke of her parents — her father hails from Peru and her mother from Puerto Rico. “They came here with a dream, they worked hard, they persevered,” she said. “That’s what they taught me.”
She spoke about her three primary issues: advocating for housing, fighting for volunteer fire departments like Beltsville’s, and working toward, in her words, “equitable education,” including a new High Point High School and safety in schools.
Del. Mary Lehman (District 21) noted that García is participating in a new county public financing plan for candidates. To be eligible for public matching funds, she cannot receive more than $250 from any donor. Candidates not participating in the plan can receive a maximum of $6,000 per donor. “I did this because I wanted a people-powered campaign,” García said. “I didn’t want to owe anyone.”
Mitchell is a political and public affairs consultant. He
was elected to the Laurel City Council in 2021 and served one term before running unsuccessfully for mayor in 2023. During his time on the council, Mitchell led efforts to help apartment tenants facing large rent hikes. He also advocated for the city’s public works employees’ efforts to unionize.
In an interview, Mitchell said he is volunteering with a coalition of organizations that are working with local municipalities to pass rent control legislation. He said he also is doing pro bono lobbying to safeguard the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, an ambitious state funding plan for education at a time when the state faces a large budget deficit.
Mitchell said that as a consultant he represents organizations advocating for labor unions and also for the rights of citizens released from incarceration. Martin confirmed that he plans to participate in the new public financing plan.
Asked about Mitchell’s intention to run against her, García said, “I expect many people to jump in. We live in a democracy, still, and that’s a good thing.”
Left: Michelle García greets supporters on Feb. 2. COURTESY OF JOE MURCHISON
Right: Martin Mitchell COURTESY OF MARTIN MITCHELL.
Candidates speak out on services, education, spending
By SOPHIE GORMAN ORIANI
Ten of the 12 candidates for Prince George’s County Executive participated in a candidate forum at the Laurel Boys and Girls Club the evening of Jan. 30.
To open the forum, each candidate introduced themselves and expressed their vision for Prince George’s County. Over the course of the evening, they all attempted to make themselves stand out in the crowded field.
Aisha Braveboy, the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, said the county is experiencing both a financial deficit and, in her words, a “leadership deficit at the federal level.” She suggested an audit of the county’s finances.
Former County Executive Rushern Baker said his vision is for Prince George’s County to be the way it was during his prior terms as county executive, from 2010 to 2018.
State Senator Alonzo T. Washington (District 22) said that the county is currently very divided and that his leadership would be able to bring the county together.
“We don’t need an audit; we need an investigation!” said for-
mer nightclub owner Ron Hunt, who focused on the need to address the budget deficit.
What county service most needs improvement?
Candidates weighed in on a county service or agency that could stand to be improved. Washington and County Councilmember Jolene Ivey (At-large) both named the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE). Washington suggested the solution would be to dismantle the department, while Ivey said she felt it could be improved without dismantling it entirely.
“Hi!” Baker said, “I’m the creator of DPIE!” Baker said that the department consolidated previously siloed agencies and that the problem was the management of the department.
Hunt, along with business owner Marcellus Crews and financial professional Albert Slocum, singled out education as the service they would prioritize for improvement.
Jonathan White, one of two Republicans at the forum, suggested improving public safety by hiring more police officers. Braveboy
Florist & Delectables has been the goto for flowers in the community. “I’ve done research before I even bought it … most flower shops don’t have as large of a storefront that we do, so we are able to carry a lot of things,” Ashwell said, adding, “We just love flowers.”
The shop specializes in their own well-crafted recipes, and florists design arrangements based on the customer’s preferences. Ashwell recently received a call from a customer requesting a bouquet with a woodsy-theme, with flowers like birds of paradise and curly willow, and with greenery providing balance and appeal.
Roses are the shop’s most popular flower, especially in the lead up to Valentine’s Day. As spring approaches, customers often ask for daisies, while hyacinths, sunflowers and black-eyed Susans, Maryland’s state flower, are popular through the summer. Tulips, which start sprouting in December, are ready by February and then again around Mother’s Day. “I don’t fool with them when they’re not the best,” Ashwell said, emphasizing quality over quantity. She sources most seasonal blooms from Florida and uses local sources in the summer.
The shop also collaborates with local chocolatier, Sweet Cascades, which has stores in Savage Mill, Ellicott City and Columbia. Owner Susan Whary said she has always loved the Laurel area, as it is where she grew
said she would like to see the police department restructured to provide sufficient community policing.
Attorney Tonya Sweat said that her goal would be to improve the office of the county executive. “If we fix the leadership in this county,” she said, “We can fix a whole lot.”
Retiree George McDermott, a Republican, said he would revamp the office of the state’s attorney and increase prosecution of white collar crime. He would also like to make it easier for citizens to bring complaints.
How can we improve education?
Candidates emphasized different areas when talking about their priorities for improving education in the county.
Braveboy stressed the need to expand early childhood education and assess children early; she also pointed to the need for after-school enrichment to support a variety of learning styles. Baker said ensuring student safety would be his top priority.
McDermott suggested going “back to the basics” and making
up and raised her sons. She first partnered with Rainbow Florist three years ago to offer chocolate truffles. Now, Whray stocks the shop with a wide selection of chocolates.
“We will have chocolate-covered strawberries which are super, super popular,” Whary said the special Valentine’s Day treat will be offered on Feb. 14.
Rainbow Florist & Delectables is
sure students are taught about the Constitution of the United States.
Ivey noted that if fixing the problems with the school system were easy, it would already have been done. Ivey said that as a parent, she knows the first years of a child’s life are crucial and said she already started a program funding home visits by registered nurses to support families with new babies, including connecting them with needed resources.
Crews suggested allowing students to pursue certifications and apprenticeships starting in sixth grade. Sweat and Hunt also mentioned expanding apprenticeships for students. Jonathan White expressed support for vocational programs and proposed saving money by establishing a four-day school week.
Several candidates, including Washington, Baker and Sweat, stressed the need to fund the planned investment in education.
What about the budget?
While the newly elected executive will inherit an already approved budget, a number of candidates, including Washington, Hunt and White, expressed a desire to cut
spending in the future.
Hunt also suggested that seniors who own homes should pay no property taxes.
Baker said he knew from experience that inheriting a previously approved budget is hard.
Braveboy said she would prioritize spending the budgeted money in the county. Ivey said that as council chair she had had a hand in developing the budget, but as county executive, she would increase the hiring speed for empty positions.
Slocum and Sweat expressed a desire to bring in more revenue for the county, with Slocum specifically suggesting taxing corporations. McDermott focused on his concern about the prevalence of white collar crimes.
Democrat Calvin Hawkins, an atlarge county councilmember, and Republican Jesse Peed, an Army veteran and small business owner, did not attend this forum.
For more information on the candidates, candidate forums, see our voter guide on p. 10. For information on early and in-person voting, see p. 1
A heart of flowers bouquet offered at Rainbow Florist & Delectables. THADEAN THOMAS
tion information on the Maryland Board of Elections website at tinyurl.com/4xaanmsp. Streetcar Suburbs and e Bowie Sun reached out to all the candidates who are competing to replace Alsobrooks. Each candidate was asked the following questions:
• What have you accomplished for your community that makes you most proud, as a public servant, leader or advocate?
• What do you most hope to accomplish during your first term?
• As we face a county budget crisis, are there any areas where you feel that county government is overspending? If so, please specify.
• Who’s on your team? Please list endorsements and any community groups in which you have a leadership role. Their responses are below.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
Aisha Braveboy Residence:
Upper Marlboro Age: 50 Accomplishments:
I’m proud of earlier service and most proud of delivering historic crime reduction for county residents in homicides, carjacking and intimate partner violence, and for having positioned the office for success after me by launching three resultsoriented units — The Narcotics Intelligence, Firearms and Digital Evidence units.
First-term goals:
• I will not raise taxes.
• My focus will be strengthening our finances, expanding our commercial tax base and supporting local businesses and keeping county residents.
• I will prioritize county services with a government that is available and responsive, a top-notch school system, wellmaintained streets, a focus on the needs of seniors and a permitting system that works.
• Realizing development around our Metro stations will attract first-time homebuyer professionals and families.
• We must confront the $171 million budget deficit. I know how to partner with our federal and state partners and how to ask for what we need. And I will be a true partner with our school board and our county council; we cannot serve as a divided government.
Spending:
• I will audit spending to make sure county resources are being allocated in the county’s best interests.
• Prince George’s [County] taxpayers are committed to a first-class education system where they’ve invested fully 62% of the county’s general funds budget. We can only benefit from what we learn from the state’s audit of school budgets.
Endorsements and affiliations
Labor:
• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (District Council 51)
• Laborers International Union of North America
• Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
• Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO
State:
• Sheriff John D. B. Carr
• State Senator C. Anthony Muse (District 26)
• Delegate Mary Lehman (District 21)
• Delegate Joseline PenaMelnyk (District 21)
Councilmembers:
• Wala Blegay (District 6)
• Krystal Oriadha (District 7)
• Edward Burroughs III (District 8)
Municipal mayors:
• Tim Adams, Bowie
• Linda Monroe, Capitol Heights
• Kelly Porter, Seat Pleasant
Municipal police chiefs:
• Chief Tyrone Collington, Bladensburg
• Chief Linwood Alston, Mount Rainier
• Chief Darryl Morgan, Capitol Heights
• Chief Marcus Jones, Brentwood
• Chief Eric Beale, Edmonston
• Chief Regis Bryant, Glenarden
• Chief Anthony Rease, Forest Heights
• Chief Standford Moore, Jr., Fairmont Heights
Marcellus Crews
Residence:
Upper Marlboro
Age: 53
Accom-
within the Black American community.
First-term goals: By prioritizing economic and workforce development, the county has the potential to lead the nation in education while creating a seamless pipeline to high-paying jobs for its workforce.
Spending: I believe our county faces significant challenges with waste and underperformance. One of the greatest losses occurs when projects are started but left unfinished, highlighting a critical area in need of improvement. Accountability is missing!
Endorsements and affiliations: I’m working with the Baltimore County Leaders and Citizens, and Black leaders of Maryland to name a couple.
Calvin Hawkins
Residence:
Upper Marlboro
Age: 63
Accomplishments:
Over my 30 years in government in Prince George’s County, I have shaped or led many significant advancements including the National Harbor, the Purple Line and the 14 new schools that have been built over the past six years.
I was county council chair during the pandemic, and I passed legislation that allowed businesses to stay open, spared renters from being evicted and expanded access to quality health care for seniors.
First-term goals:
• We will take the tax burden off homeowners and bring more commerce to Prince George’s County.
• My administration will take a public health approach to tackle the root causes of crime like poverty, social exclusion and education.
• We will work to ensure schools are safe and modern with robust support for educators and students through ongoing professional development and resources.
operational cuts that will not impact the delivery of services to our residents. We also will have to use reserves to close the current deficit. But this is not sustainable — we have an urgent need for commercial tax revenue so that we stop balancing the budget on the backs of homeowners.
As county executive, I will focus on expanding our commercial tax base through economic development at the community level, including the construction of new town centers in underserved neighborhoods. I will also prioritize the recruitment of high-value businesses in sectors that support federal agencies located in Prince George’s, such as technology and cybersecurity companies. By combining fiscal responsibility with targeted economic development, we will protect our AAA bond rating for development that supports the future needs of our rapidly growing county. Endorsements & affiliations: I am proud to be endorsed by U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks and [Maryland] State Senator Nick Charles.
this nonsense to continue! Endorsement and affiliations: Please go to my website, scroll to the bottom. You will see everything there. Ronhuntforpgcounty.com
Jolene Ivey Residence: Cheverly Age: 63 Accomplishments:
• Founding Mocha Moms
• Funding Child Resource Connects that benefits all Prince Georgian families
• Ensuring that UM Capital Region Medical Center had equipment to ensure in-county sickle cell treatment
• Passing universal design bill incorporating inclusive designs in new builds
plishments: I was honored to receive the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from [former] President Joe Biden for my dedication to service. Our efforts have included building churches and schools, raising $6.6 million to combat homelessness and organizing bone marrow drives, which resulted in two life-saving matches
• We will work to ensure those who are often overlooked have what they need to thrive, including seniors and veterans.
Spending: After 30 years in government, including as a county councilmember passing a balanced budget every year, I know fiscal responsibility is arguably the most important part of being the county executive. I will use my experience working with county departments to find
Ron Hunt Residence: Mitchellville Age: 63 Accomplishments: Worked with police department, seniors and children in the Arthur Cappers Carrollsburg community D.C., 20 years. Worked with D.C. Councilmember Sharon Ambrose and the citizens advisory committee to the police department. Also rewrote laws for the ABC [Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis] control division during that time period. First-term goals:
1. Stop violence on our educators and secure all schools
2. Affordable housing and health care for our seniors
3. Add more police officers and help rewrite laws for our police department. Our police officers are acting as janitors. Meaning, they only arrive after something happens. There must be more community policing. Believe me, if elected, I will get the job done. Spending: This so-called budget is completely out of control due to frivolous and wasteful spending. This will not be tolerated if I’m elected. My main priority is getting the budget under control by locating the allocation of monies, trimming the fat and halting wasteful spending. I’m not a politician and will not allow
• As a delegate, voting in favor of marriage equality and sponsoring legislation that enabled some undocumented immigrants the ability to obtain their driver’s licenses. First-term goals: My top priorities are tackling the housing affordability crisis, improving our schools, supporting local businesses, reducing crime through strong community and police partnerships, and creating an economic environment that attracts industries that align with our county’s vision.
I have heard from residents about the inefficiencies plaguing every aspect of our county: code enforcement, permitting, trash pickup and roadway maintenance. These challenges prevent economic investments and growth, which impacts our school system, public safety and overall quality of life for our residents. The solution will require strategy, vision and time to execute. We need to think ahead and lay the groundwork for where we want Prince George’s County to be and work collaboratively with our federal, state and municipal counterparts to realize our goals.
Spending: The county’s AAA bond rating is a positive indicator, but credit agencies continue to warn us about the risks posed by rising expenditures and a stagnant tax base. The stark reality is that we must watch how we spend every penny and focus on creating sustainable solutions. To address overspending, we need to evaluate areas where expenses may not directly align with core priorities and find a way to balance our budget without dipping into our rainy day funds.
At the same time, we must
focus on bringing more diverse revenue streams into our county and create a stable economic environment that invites investments and businesses — both small and large — and a smoother process for smart growth while we prioritize our long- and short-term goals (as outlined above).
Endorsements and affiliations:
AFGE [American Federation of Government Employees] Local 1975
U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer
Prince George’s County Councilmember Eric Olson [District 3] Former U.S. Senator Ben Cardin Former [Maryland] State Senator Victor Ramirez Visit JoleneIvey.com for a full endorsement list.
Albert Slocum Residence: Landover Age: 55 Accomplishments:
I have been involved with putting out fires and being a part of solutions, following through with neighborhood complaints regarding lack of street lighting or involvement with neighborhood watch on crime.
I have sat on ministries and nonprofit boards, being that conduit to legal support and fundraising to help feed and provide clothing to thousands of underprivileged and underserved families throughout the year.
As a professional in financial education and retirement planning, I helped thousands of Prince George’s County employees with retirement solutions and readiness.
Proudly served on Prince George’s County Association of Realtors Legislative Committee advocating for homeowners and real estate professionals.
First-term goals: Within my first 12 to 18 months, implement an economic and crime reduction plan:
• proposing legislation on zoning and floor area ratio,
• establishing a central business district,
• attracting larger corporations,
• building commonsense development that supports existing and future community benchmarks,
• retention of teachers’ initiatives,
• hiring more public safety employees,
• improving economic
growth,
• blueprint for curfew protocols and enforcement,
• deploying the workforce and local market partnership initiatives, which will focus on vocational and technical training and job security by giving Prince Georgians first right of refusal,
• funding from county proprietary ventures and partnerships will help cover underperforming and underbudgeted areas such as educational initiatives and quality living for seniors.
Spending: A review of the county’s budget will help identify many areas where funding is needed, including the appropriation of funds to avoid cannibalization of certain program spending by reconstructing or converting buildings into public schools to cut costs for optimal utilization. Education and public safety are two of the highest budgetary items. For instance, I recognize that new developments in schools have been incorporated into the 2025 budget, which accounts for a significant amount of debt. To alleviate some costs, converting existing buildings into schools will positively impact our overall budget.
Endorsements and affiliations: I am involved and working with alumni groups, business networks, local fraternity chapters, men’s groups and church ministries. I’m endorsed by local business owners, church and business leaders, corporations and fellow Prince Georgians, including teachers, public safety professionals, HRD [human resource development] practitioners, financial professionals, blue- and white-collar professionals, and medical and legal professionals ... putting people over politicians!
Tonya Sweat
make local government more transparent and accountable to the people. Spending: It is unclear to me just how the county is spending. I intend to obtain an audit of county finances to help get a handle on spending. I suspect much of the county’s revenue is pledged to repay municipal bonds after education and public safety is covered.
Endorsements and affiliations: Maryland Forward and City Councilmember Todd Mullins (Morningside) are on my team. I also have the support of volunteer firefighters in Prince George’s County. I am a life member of the South County Economic Development Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Alonzo T. Washington
Residence: Greenbelt Age: 41 Accom-
plishments: As state senator and delegate, I have secured record funding for public education, affordable housing, and economic development throughout the county. Some of these accomplishments for our community include:
• Providing tuition-free community college to PGCPS [Prince George’s County Public Schools] graduates
• Bringing the FBI Headquarters to Greenbelt
• Creating $1,000 tax breaks for Maryland seniors
• Building six new PGCPS schools, with several more on the way
• Creating the Affordable Housing Investment Trust Fund
County Police Department], which was one of my public safety recommendations to the county executive in 2020. Instead, we will invest in community-oriented policing to build trust between residents and law enforcement and reduce violent crime.
Endorsements and affiliations: Our campaign is endorsed by everyday residents, not outof-touch politicians.
Rushern Baker did not submit responses to our questions by our deadline.
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES
Jesse A. Peed Age: 65 Residence: Upper Marlboro
Accomplishments: He has been married to his high school sweetheart for 40 years, raising their children and building a life rooted in family and community values. He owns and operates a small business, where he has gained firsthand insight into the challenges facing small business owners and residents in Prince George’s County. Jesse has been a member of the [county’s] Republican Central Committee for 12 years and is serving his third term as chair. First-term goals: His concerns for our county are protecting civil liberties, strengthening education, ensuring fiscal responsibility, fighting corruption, promoting accountability and championing small businesses. Spending: Jesse believes a forensic audit should be done on the county budget to highlight any waste, fraud and abuse.
with special needs. I have also volunteered as a coach and mentor, helping young men develop character, discipline and leadership. Additionally, I have supported initiatives related to public safety, parental rights in education, road improvements, litter removal and senior citizen support. My work prioritizes people over politics in the decision-making process.
First-term goals: As a first-term county executive my first-term goals are:
1. Strengthening public safety: Increase law enforcement support, improve training, and add more officers and firemen
2. Enhance education: Work with parents, teachers and the community to prioritize students’ needs and respect parental rights
3. Fix the basics: Address infrastructure issues like road repairs and litter removal to ensure a cleaner, safer environment
4. Fiscal responsibility: Eliminate wasteful spending, increase transparency and focus on essential programs benefiting residents
5. Support vulnerable populations: Expand resources for seniors and improve access to critical services
Spending: Addressing overspending in county government is essential to resolving our budget crisis and ensuring that taxpayer funds are utilized efficiently. To address the county’s budget crisis, I will focus on:
1. Administrative overhead: Streamline operations and eliminate redundancies
2. Nonessential programs: Reevaluate initiatives that lack measurable impact
3. Inefficient contracting: Audit procurement to reduce inflated costs and inefficiencies
Residence: Accokeek Age: 52 Accomplishments: In 2016, I led the effort to reestablish the PTSA chapter at Oxon Hill High School. During my tenure as president [of the chapter], Oxon Hill High School was named a National PTA School of Excellence. I understand the PTSA of Oxon Hill High School continues to thrive and has grown to over 100 members. It is a testament that parents want to be engaged in their children’s education and only need a safe and welcoming space. First-term goals: I hope to
First-term goals: I’m running for county executive because our county is headed in the wrong direction. I’ll increase community policing, expand child care and pre-K, and stop new gas stations, smoke shops [and] liquor stores. I’ll also fix the 311 system and make sure the county senior tax credit actually works. I will be a transparent, accountable and accessible leader that our community can trust.
Spending: We need to take a hard look at every area of county government. Our seniors and working families are being taxed without receiving adequate services in return. My administration will be responsive and proactive to ensure community members receive professional, high-quality service from county agencies.
In terms of reducing costs, I will look at reducing overtime pay for PGPD [Prince George’s
Endorsements and affiliations: His family, friends and others are volunteering to elect Jesse as a leader to fight for our freedoms, ensure accountability and deliver results that will benefit every corner of the county. Website: jessepeed.com | Email: jessepeed@yahoo.com
Jonathan White Residence: Upper Marlboro Age: 51 Accomplishments: With 30 years in the U.S. Air Force and public service, I have worked to improve Prince George’s County. As co-chair of the Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee of Prince George’s County Public Schools (SECAC-PG), I focused on enhancing outcomes for students
Endorsements and affiliations: My campaign is driven by residents and grassroots supporters who share my vision. I aim to earn the trust of individuals and organizations aligned with my priorities. Formal endorsements from community leaders and advocates will be announced soon, emphasizing my commitment to “PEOPLE, first.”
Together, we can restore integrity, accountability and transparency to Prince George’s County leadership.
George McDermott did not submit responses to our questions by our deadline.
You can learn more about the candidates by attending or watching a replay of a candidate forum. The Bowie Sun (bowiesun. com) has compiled a list of the many forums taking place around the county.
