HONORING A HERO
Read about the unique way CrossFit Hyattsville honored a fallen vet. P. 2
New city council sworn in
Departing councilmembers
By Krissi Humbard
ARMORY APT. UPDATE
A local development project is moving ahead. See the update in the Briefs. P. 3
Columnist Lauren Flynn Kelly reveals
The May 20 city council meeting marked the changing of the guard: Three newly elected councilmembers were sworn in, as well as three incumbents who were re-elected, and the council bid farewell to two outgoing members.
Shani Warner and Tom Wright sat their final meeting as members of the council. Warner had served eight years representing
honored Council ruling puts Werrlein in the zone
COUNCIL continued on page 13
During the June 3 public hearing, Educational Facilities Task Force Chair Dan Broder underscored the pressing need for new facilities, citing the “appalling and shameful” conditions at Hyattsville Middle School, including overcrowding, mold, insufficient ventilation and unsatisfactory restroom conditions.
By Heather Wright
Werrlein Properties is one step closer toward breaking ground on its Magruder Pointe project. On May 13, Prince George’s County District Council voted, in a unanimous decision (8-0, with one abstention), to approve with conditions the rezoning of the former Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) property in a manner that would allow Werrlein’s Magruder Pointe proposal to build both detached single-family homes and town houses to move forward.
WSSC continued on page 10
Isn’t middle school hard enough already?
What is the future of Hya sville Middle School? Magruder parkland is one option
By Emily Strab and Krissi Humbard
On the evening of June 3, Hyattsville City Council held a public hearing about the future site of Hyattsville Middle School (HMS). The city’s Educational Facilities Task Force (EFTF) presented their research and findings. The meeting was attended by more than 30 residents, 10 of whom voiced
their concerns during the public comment period.
Mayor Candace Hollingsworth announced, “There is not a decision to be made by council this evening, but the purpose of this meeting was to kickstart our community and public engagement process, as we are aware there is the potential for a decision at some point in the near future.”
Addressing the perceived haste of the project, City Administrator Tracy Douglas said, “This process was greatly accelerated due to the possibility to get the P3 [public-private partnership] dollars or alternate construction financing, and their [Prince George’s County Public School (PGCPS)’s] intent is to get a
Hyattsville’s
CrossFit Hyattsville honors fallen hero
By Kerry-Ann Hamilton
On a warm and sunny Saturday morning in May, more than 30 people gathered at CrossFit Hyattsville (CFH) at 4616-B Ingraham Street for a special hero’s workout to honor Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon M. Kent. Kent, 35, was stationed at the Fort Meade Army installation. She was one of four Americans killed by a suicide bomber in Syria this past January. On her fifth combat deployment, she was assigned to a Navy unit that supports the National Security Agency and military special operations forces.
CrossFit is best known for its fire-breathing competitors and
A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781
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Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Hyattsville Community Newspaper, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the email addresses below.
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Writers & Contributors
Victoria Boucher, Juliette Fradin, Kerry-Ann Hamilton, Lauren Flynn Kelly, Fred Seitz
Board of Directors
Joseph Gigliotti — President and General Counsel
Chris Currie — Vice President
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Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Debra Franklin, T. Carter Ross, Emily Strab, Maria D. James and Krissi Humbard — Ex Officios
Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. mail to every address in Hyattsville. Additional copies are distributed to libraries, selected businesses, community centers and churches in the city.
Total circulation is 9,300.
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tight knit community. CrossFit facilities are not gyms, but are called boxes — mostly housed in warehouse-style facilities — and the workouts are called WODs, which translates to “workout of the day.”
Kent’s fellow comrades, including James (whose last name cannot be shared because of his position in the U.S. military), curated and named the eponymous WOD the “Shannon.”
The rigorous 35-minute workout included some of her favorite exercises: burpees, running and thrusters. Each minute of the Shannon workout celebrates one year of her life.
“I met with her friends to design the workout,” said Beth Mohr, CFH owner and coach. “We wanted athletes to work in teams — that is what Shannon loved most.”
The participants, mostly Hyattsville residents and Kent’s sister, Mariah, spanned age and ability spectrums, but everyone felt connected to the hero who died in the line of duty.
“We do hero WODs all the time, but there is something really special about honoring someone you know and a hero who lived so close to home,” said Theresa Goedeke, a CFH member. “We pushed through for a higher purpose.” Goedeke’s brother, a Hyattsville resident, served overseas with Kent. Go -
edeke said she was moved by her brother’s grief and the pain of his colleagues and decided to do the WOD as a way to honor Shannon and also give her friends an outlet to channel their pain.
Throughout the workout, participants could be heard motivating each other:“You got this,” or “Just 10 more seconds!” Coach Mohr occasionally shouted, “Good job … you can do it!”
At the end of the grueling workout, James and veteran Sherwet Witherington, 37, hugged and cried as they knelt in front of a wall of photos of Kent.
In addition to being a fearless cancer survivor, “Shannon was an unsung hero; she was a woman, a leader and a trailblazer,” said Witherington.
Witherington did the tough workout in 35-pound body armor. “I remember trekking 2030 miles across the desert with Shannon with a heavier armor than this in the scorching heat. She was only 125 lbs. soaking wet, but she was larger than life,” she said with a smile.
James, visibly emotional and fatigued, said, “I could do this a few more times in honor of Shannon.” He did both the 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. class — a total of 70 minutes — in memory of his colleague and friend of 10 years.
KERRY-ANN HAMILTON
Gavin Lansing, 10, was the youngest participant in the May 19 workout honoring Shannon Kent, who died while serving in Syria.
“Shannon never left anyone behind; she always went back and picked up the stragglers.”
The youngest participant was Gavin Lansing, 10; he joined his mom and CFH member Stephanie for the workout.
“I felt very motivated to do the workout because we were honor-
ing an amazing person who did a lot of good things in the Army,” Gavin said. “I found the burpees very challenging but loved the running.”
Kent would have celebrated her 36th birthday on May 11, on the eve of Mother’s Day. The wife and mother of two is missed by her neighbors and friends in Hyattsville and across the region.
“What I love about CrossFit is that it brings together regular people to honor heroes around us who sacrifice so much so we don’t have to worry about our freedom,” Goedeke said as she wiped away her tears.
CFH members are planning to make this an annual workout to honor the fallen hero, Shannon Kent.
During the Memorial Day weekend, 40 CFH members and crossfitters nationwide did the “Murph” WOD in memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan in June 2005. The workout included a pair of 1-mile runs, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups and 300 squats, with a time cap of 60 minutes. CFH donated proceeds from the Murph fundraiser and T-shirt sales to the Shannon Kent Family Fund.
To learn more about the Shannon Kent Family Fund, visit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, tunnel2towers.org/.
KERRY-ANN HAMILTON
Crossfit Hyattsville members and friends of Shannon Kent pose for a photo after completing a workout tribute to honor her life; Kent died while serving in Syria.
DEMOLITION FOR ARMORY APARTMENTS PROJECTED TO BEGIN THIS FALL
Armory Apartments, the mixeduse retail and residential complex planned for the Arts District along Baltimore Avenue, has updated its design and is adjusting to increased development costs. Demolition is expected to begin this fall, shared Jim Chandler, director of community and economic development, in an interview. Chandler stated the project is estimated to take 24 to 28 months for the building to be ready for tenants.
Plans for the complex include 285 apartment units, 31,660 square feet of retail space, 681 parking spaces, and two public plazas. Read the full story online at Hyattsvillelife.com.
WSSC BUILDING SCHEDULED FOR DEMOLITION ON JULY 1
The former Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission building on Hamilton Street is scheduled for demolition on July 1. Karl Granzow, construction/ property manager for Werrlein Properties, said that because of
recent vandalism, a fence would be put up around the building prior to demolition. Granzow estimated that the demolition and removal phase would take approximately two to three months. Read more about this story online at Hyattsvillelife.com.
COLLEGE PARK ACADEMY CELEBRATES ITS FIRST GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL CLASS
On May 29, the College Park Academy, a Prince George’s County public charter school, celebrated the graduation of its first senior class at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Maryland (UMD), College Park. The 86 graduates from the high school were offered admission and scholarships to a wide array of colleges and universities, including UMD (College Park and Baltimore County), Johns Hopkins University, the University of Chicago and Penn State.
”We are very proud of this first graduating high school class, and see in their success evidence that
BRIEFS continued on page 6
ZeroWaste of Time
Zero waste entertaining this summer
By Juliette Fradin
Easier than it sounds, cheaper than you think
Summertime is often a busy season filled with sunshine and the company of good friends. Your favorite warm weather moments might include picnics, outdoor concerts, farmers markets, backyard parties or warm nights on the porch with a glass of wine.
Unfortunately, summer is also synonymous with overflowing trash cans and more disposables than the earth can take in.
Society often favors the quick toss rather than environmentally conscious consumerism.
In 2016, the State of Maryland recycled only 13.7 percent of plastic and 45.5 percent of paper waste. It is time to lower our carbon footprint.
If you are planning to throw
a party this summer, consider these trash-free options. It is easier than it sounds and cheaper than you think. Who enjoys eating off a styrofoam plate with a plastic fork, anyway?
• Use fabric tablecloths. They are stylish and beautiful. See what you can find at your favorite thrift store. Bed sheets work great too!
• Substitute cloth napkins for paper ones. They are way prettier and last longer. Buy them secondhand, sew them yourself or repurpose old fabric.
• Start using reusable plates and cutlery. You can try inexpensive enamel or ceramic plates. Ask guests to bring their own reusables, or ask your church if they rent plates and cutlery. No one will miss the plastic forks, I promise!
• Ditch straws. Period.
• Make your own drinks and serve them in a glass pitcher. No need to buy lemonade or tea in plastic bottles. Buy cola in cans. Go to your local brewery for a keg of beer.
The zero waste party box
If you happen to have a group of eco-conscious friends and neighbors, you can also make a communal party box that your friends and neighbors can share. It’s perfect for birthday parties, outdoor movie nights, picnics and block parties. Additionally, a collective party box is a great money saver and helps to keep the trash out of the waste system.
How does it work? Start with a few basics and let others add to the box.
Use a large bin that is easy to move in and out of your house or car and fill it with unbreak-
able items for a memorable, eco-friendly party:
• Silverware: Mismatched thrifted cutlery or unused silverware sets that are sitting in closets work perfectly. Mark them with nail polish so they don’t get mixed up with your own.
• Plates: Check what you already have at home, ask your neighbors, or buy used ones from yard sales or thrift stores. Be on the lookout for enameled tin or bamboo plates.
• Cups: Consider using stackable ones to save space in your party box.
• Extra items that make a difference: Cloth napkins, a tablecloth, serving utensils, dish towels, cutlery storage (like a dishwasher organizer), a trash bag in case you are unable to find a waste disposal and recycling bin, and even a little notebook to record your party box’s social life.
And why not bring a container for compostable waste? Just throw food scraps in your compost pile when you get back home, et voila!
Plastic Free July
Challenge
If you want to go further this summer, join the Plastic Free July challenge, a worldwide annual event that started in 2011 in Australia (www.plasticfreejuly.org). Choose to refuse single-use plastic for a month. You can opt to remove ALL single-use plastic items from your life or just the big four: grocery bags, plastic straws, to-go coffee cups and plastic water bottles.
“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly,” as Anne-Marie Bonneau, the zero waste chef, said. Ready to give it a try? Cheers to a slow and plastic-free summer! Send me your questions at bonjour@juliettefradin.com.
TRAIN PRINTING
moving process
• Accommodating and works around your needs
• Efficiently working to make your move happen quickly and without extra problems to alleviate stress
On
BRIEFS
continued from page 3
this innovative model of education works,” said UMD president and board chair of the College Park Academy Wallace D. Loh. “Thanks to the combined efforts of political leaders, the community, the university, parents, and the students, this public-charter, blended-learning approach is the future of education.”
THREE
LOCAL
SCHOOLS SERVE AS HOST SITE FOR PGCPS SUMMER MEAL PROGRAM
From June 24 through August 15, youth under age 18 can receive free summer meals at select schools, apartment communities and libraries through Prince George’s County Public Schools’ summer meals program. Breakfast and lunch will be provided Monday through Thursday at Edward M. Felegy, Riverdale,
and Rosa L. Parks Elementary Schools. Visit the Department of Food and Nutrition Services’ website for menus and more information at www1.pgcps.org/ foodandnutrition.
TEEN CENTER @ MAGRUDER PREPARES FOR SUMMER 2019
The Teen Center @ Magruder is getting ready for a summer of fun. Camp Staycation is the teen center’s summer program, which boasts pool days and on-site events, as well as local trips. Camp hours are Monday through Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Friday from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
The camp will host its first trip on June 19 and will continue to host local trips every Wednesday (and intermittent Fridays) through August 21. To be eligible for the teen center or Camp Staycation, students must live within the city’s limits or attend Chelsea School, DeMatha Catholic High School, Hyattsville Middle School, Nicholas Orem Middle School, Northwestern High School or St. Jerome Academy. For more information about the camp, read the full story online at Hyattsvillelife.com. COURTESY
SecondhandNews
Tanglewood Works gets a remix with new location at Shops at SoHy, along with others
By Lauren Flynn Kelly
I’m a little excited this month because there’s so much Secondhand News to report! Here’s the latest on all the comings and goings of vintage and upcycled retail in Hyattsville:
Tanglewood Works is moving … well, sort of. After a previous plan to relocate her upcycled painted art furniture to Brentwood and join forces with another vintage furniture dealer didn’t work out, owner Sue Older-Mondeel (known to fans as “Tanglewood Sue”) is fixing up her longtime art studio in Mount Rainier to create and display more furniture for y’all. You will still be able to view some of her pieces in the Hyattsville location at 5132 Baltimore Avenue, but Sue said
that space wasn’t ideal for loading and unloading furniture, so she’ll sell more of it out of the warehouse space and online.
Tanglewood Works’ handmade gifts and jewelry will remain in the Hyattsville shop. Sue explained, “The furniture was just such a hard detail experience in that specific location, even though people are fans of my furniture. So hopefully, I’m going to have more time to work on those pieces and make them creative rather than just try to fight the tide and be a furniture store.” She plans to continue conducting online and in-person creative tutorials from the studio.
Meanwhile, Suffragette City will move back to its original location inside Tanglewood Works, and My Dead Aunt’s Books will
gain some extra square footage in its current location there, as well. All three will operate under the Shops at SoHy umbrella, and new signage will soon reflect the change, added Sue.
Although the owners of the three businesses were still working on the layout of the store as of press time, Suffragette’s owner, Holli Mintzer, said she’ll be able to expand her collection of vintage women’s clothing and possibly add a menswear section, which she didn’t have room for when sharing the 5101 Baltimore Avenue space with Cookie Wear (Cookie Wear will remain there and at its other location, 4342 Farragut Street). She also has room for more of her handmade jewelry, as well as her treasure trove of vintage bracelets,
brooches, earrings and necklaces.
Another change is that My Dead Aunt’s Books will have more room for events, said Sue.
She explained that some of the display cases and clothes racks are on rollers, so when used bookseller Robert Harper wants to host a reading or music performance, space can be cleared.
“I’m really looking forward to our space becoming more of a community destination,” said Sue. “Everything we’ve done has been toward creating a success story in Hyattsville with longevity, and my original vision was to have it be more of a collective of artisans and encompass different shops within the store. With Holli and Bob, I can really see my vision start to gel, so it’s pretty exciting!”
The Shops at SoHy will be open
seven days a week: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Furniture lovers can keep up with Tanglewood Works’ new pieces at www.tanglewoodworks.com (or on Instagram and Facebook) and either purchase pieces during open warehouse days or by appointment. And there’s one final piece of Secondhand News: Red Onion Records has officially closed its longtime location on U Street in Washington, D.C., and is coming to Hyattsville! I know this isn’t new news, since owner and Hyattsville resident Josh Harkavy put up a mysterious “coming soon” sign at 4208 Gallatin Street more than a year ago. But the word is he plans to open in that location in September.
Hyattsville Reporter the
Juneteenth Festival
Juneteenth marks the freedom of the country’s last slaves. Here in Hyattsville, we’re celebrating it with a festival in Magruder Park on June 15, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Performers will include Black Alley and Aaron Abernathy, and we’ll have children’s activities, food trucks, beer and wine, and numerous other vendors. Also, we’ll be recording stories from residents of Hyattsville and the surrounding area on how racism has impacted or impacts their lives, and how we can overcome it. For more details, visit www.hyattsville. org/juneteenth.
Invasive Plant Removals Event Postponed
Please note that the Non-Invasive Plant Removal volunteering event at Magruder Woods scheduled for Saturday, June 15, has been cancelled. If you have any questions, please contact Dawn Taft at (301) 852-8790.
Ward One Check-In
Change of venue! Hyattsville City Council Members Bart Lawrence and Kevin Ward invite those who live, work, and play in Ward One to come learn more about what’s happening in their community. This month’s Ward One Check-In is now taking place Wednesday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Not sure which Ward you live in? Visit www.hyattsville.org/maps.
Residential Parking Permits
Our new and improved Residential Parking Program is here! Currently, permit applications are being rolled out by Residential Zones at www.hyattsville.org/ res-parking. City residents that live in Zones: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9A, 10, 11, 12, and 13 can now go online and apply for their permits. Residents are encouraged to submit applications online but can also apply by mail or at the City Building during business hours. For additional questions, please call (301) 985-5027.
National ASK Day
Did you know that one in three homes with children have guns, and that many of those guns are easily accessible? The City of Hyattsville is declaring June 21 to be ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day in order to raise awareness and prevent accidents from happening. You can join this movement by asking yourself this simple question: is there an unlocked gun in my home? You can also learn more about this campaign by visiting www.askingsaveskids.org
Summer Jam with Pride
Join us for Friday, June 21, starting at 6:30 p.m., for our Summer Jam with DC Swing! the Roaming Rooster food truck, Calvert Brewing Company, Maryland Meadworks and all the usual other fun will be there. To help us celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the band comes to us from the DC Different Drummers organization, and a Pride-themed community art project. You’ll also have a chance to learn about National ASK Day and its importance to child safety. See you at 4310 Gallatin Street!
Coffee With A Cop
Join our Hyattsville Police Department Saturday, June 22, for Coffee with a Cop! From 9 – 11 a.m., meet them at Vigilante Coffee on Gallatin Street where you can
stop and say hi, voice your concerns, and ask any questions you may have for them. We’ll see you there!
Plant-Based Nutritional Seminar: Why and How to Start
The City’s Health, Wellness, and Recreation Advisory Committee invites you to a FREE Plant-Based Nutritional seminar on Saturday, June 29, 2 – 4 p.m., at the City Building. Hosted by Dr. Ruby Lathon, come learn about a plant-based diet and receive wellness tips to help balance a healthy lifestyle. For more information, call (301) 985-5006 or email epreston@hyattsville.org.
Celebrate Pride In Style
The City of Hyattsville has partnered with Hyattsville Aging in Place and other local villages to celebrate Pride Month on Saturday, June 29, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Old Parish House (4711 Knox Road, College Park, MD). Join in on an exclusive presentation and conversation with Evelyn Torton Beck, Ph.D. while creating your own PRIDE button and being part of a Drum Circle with Katy Gaughan. For more information, email hapcares2@gmail.com.
Find the Services you Need
There’s now an easier way to find the low and no-cost service providers you need – whether it’s for food, healthcare, housing, job training, or something else. Visit www.hyattsville.org/resident-resources and check it out!
Trash Collection Changes
City offices will be closed Thursday, July
4, in observance of Independence Day. Emergency services will continue. There will be no yard waste pickup that week, but compost will be collected on Monday. The Friday trash route will still occur on Friday, but all other trash routes will take place one day early. If you have any questions, please call (301) 985-5000.
Ward 3 Community Meeting
Councilmembers Carrianna Suiter and Ben Simasek invite all who live, work, play, and shop in Ward 3 to come share their ideas, questions, and concerns Thursday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m., at 6600 Adelphi Road. We’ll share updates on issues of interest for Hyattsville, including new and ongoing development and public works projects in Ward 3.
Shakespeare in the Park
“For which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love with me?” Bring a lawn chair and find out with a free performance of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” at Magruder Park on Wednesday, July 17, at 7:30 p.m. In the event of rain, the play will be held at the City Building. For more information, please call (301) 446-3238 or visit www.arts.pgparks.com.
Free Transportation
Hyattsville residents can ride all University of Maryland Shuttle Routes for FREE! Route 113 loops through Hyattsville, stops at the Prince George’s Plaza Metro, and then heads to the University. To get your 2019 shuttle pass, please bring photo ID and proof of residence to 4310 Gallatin Street, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Passes are issued the same day. Route maps and schedules are available at www.dots.umd.edu.
We’re Hiring
Serve your community by working for our local government! We’re currently seeking police officers and an Age-Friendly Program Lead. Interested? Check out www. hyattsville.org/jobs to learn more and apply!
Mosquito InformationControl
From June until September, the State of Maryland monitors adult mosquitos in Hyattsville. If certain thresholds are met, they will conduct spraying operations on Monday evenings. The City will also report issues with mosquitos to the State on a weekly basis. To report a problem in your neighborhood, please call (301) 985-5000, or visit www.hyattsville.org/ pests. You can also request an exemption from adult mosquito control services on that site. Please note that exemptions must be filed each year and must be submitted to not only the Mosquito Control Program Supervisor but also to the City.
Download the My Hyattsville App
Did we miss your trash this week? Have you run over the same pothole one too many times? Have no fear, My Hyattsville is here! Download our app or visit www.hyattsville.org/request to report non-emergency issues or request City services. Once submitted, you can track your request with real-time updates from City staff. My Hyattsville is available at the Apple and Google stores.
City staff and partners hosting members of the community at an Interfaith Iftar educational event during the end of Ramadan. Personal de la Ciudad y socios recibiendo miembros de la Comunidad en un evento educativo Interfaith Iftar durante el final de Ramadán.
Reportero de Hyattsville el
Festival Juneteenth
Juneteenth conmemora cuando los últimos esclavos del país fueron liberados. Aquí en Hyattsville, lo estamos celebrando con un festival en el Parque Magruder el 15 de junio, de 12 p.m. a 8 p.m. Artista musical Aaron Abernathy actores de la organización Black Alley rendirán sus talentos. Habrá actividades para niños, camiones de comida, cerveza y vino y varios otros vendedores. Además, estaremos grabando historias de residentes de Hyattsville y de áreas cercanas sobre como el racismo ha afectado o afecta sus vidas y cómo podemos cambiarlo. Para más detalles, visite www.hyattsville.org/juneteenth.
Evento Voluntario de Plantas Invasoras Pospuesto
Por favor note que el evento voluntario de remover plantas invasoras y no nativas del Bosque Magruder programado para el sábado, 15 de junio, ha sido cancelado. Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor contacte Dawn Taft al (301) 852-8790.
Reunión del Distrito Uno
¡Hay un cambio de local! Miembros del Concejo Municipal de Hyattsville Bart Lawrence y Kevin Ward invitan a la gente que vive y trabaja en el Distrito Uno para aprender sobre lo que está pasando en su comunidad. La reunión de este mes ahora tomara plazo el miércoles, 19 de junio, a las 6:30 p.m., en la cervecería Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. ¿No está seguro en qué distrito vive? Visite www. hyattsville.org/maps.
Permisos de Parqueo Residencial
¡Nuestro nuevo y mejorado Programa de Parqueo Residencial ha llegado! Durante estos meses, la Ciudad estará avisando cuando las aplicaciones de permisos para las diferentes Zonas de Parqueo estén disponibles. Las solicitudes de permisos pueden ser completadas visitando el sitio web www. hyattsville.org/res-parking. Residentes que viven en las Zonas 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9A, 10, 11, 12 y 13 ya pueden aplicar para sus permisos. Aplicando en línea es la manera más rápida para conseguir los permisos pero también se pueden solicitar por correo o en persona al Edificio Municipal durante horas de negocios. Para preguntas adicionales, por favor llame al (301) 985-5027.
Día Nacional ASK
¿Sabías que una de cada tres casas con niños tiene armas y que muchas de esas armas son fácilmente accesibles? La Ciudad de Hyattsville está declarando el 21 de junio como el Día Nacional de ASK (PREGUNTAR) para crear conciencia y evitar que ocurran accidentes. Pueden unirse a este movimiento haciéndose esta pregunta simple: ¿hay un arma desbloqueada en mi casa? También puede aprender más sobre esta campaña visitando el sitio web www.askingsaveskids. org.
Fiesta del Verano con Orgullo
Newly trained Hyattsville City Police K-9 “Knox” graduating from training alongside Private First Commander Chanthavong. K-9 “Knox” was re-named in memory of beloved Police Canine Sergeant Tony Knox, who, before passing away, served as a mentor to Commander Chantavong. Recientemente entrenando “Knox,” Canino de Policía de Hyattsville graduándose de entrenamiento junto al Comandante Chanthavong. “Knox” fue renombrado en memoria del amado Sargento de Policía Tony Knox, quien, antes de pasar, sirvió como mentor al Comandante Chanthavong.
Acompáñenos el viernes, 21 de junio, empezando a las 6:30 p.m., ¡para el Summer Jam con DC Swing! El camión de comida Roaming Rooster, la cervecería Calvert Brewing Company, Maryland Meadworks, y el resto de las actividades divertidos estarán presente. Para ayudarnos en celebrar el Mes de Orgullo LGBTQ+, los músicos vienen de la organización DC Different Drummers, y tendremos un proyecto de arte comunal con el tema de Orgullo. ¡También tendrá una oportunidad para aprender más sobre el Día Nacional ASK y su importancia para la seguridad de los niños! Nos vemos allí!
Café Con Un Policía
¡Acompañe nuestro Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville el sábado, 22 de junio, para el evento Café con un Policía! De 9 – 11 a.m., encuéntrelos en la Cafetería Vigilante ubicada en la Calle Gallatin donde puede saludarlos, expresarles sus opiniones y pregúntales cualquier pregunta que tenga. ¡Nos vemos allí!
Seminario Nutricional
Basado de Plantas: Porque y Como Empezar
El Comité Consultivo de Salud, Bienestar y Recreación de la Ciudad los invita a un seminario Nutricional Basado de Plantas el sábado, 29 de junio, 2 – 4 p.m., en el Edificio Municipal. La Dra. Ruby Lathon dará una presentación GRATIS en lo cual puede aprender sobre una dieta basada de plantas y recibir consejos para el bienestar. Para más información, llame al (301) 985-5006 o mande un correo electrónico a epreston@ hyattsville.org.
Celebre el Orgullo en Estilo
La Ciudad de Hyattsville se ha asociado con Hyattsville Aging in Place y otras organizaciones locales para celebrar el Mes del
Orgullo el sábado, 29 de junio, de 2 p.m. a 5 p.m., en Old Parish House (4711 Knox Road, College Park, MD). Participe en una presentación y conversación exclusiva con Evelyn Torton Beck, Ph.D. mientras creas tu propio botón de Orgullo y tomar parte de un “Círculo de Tambores” con Katy Gaughan. Para más información, mande un correo electrónico a hapcares2@gmail.com.
Encuentra los Servicios que Necesita
Ahora hay una manera más fácil para encontrar proveedores de bajo o no costo que necesite. Sea para comida, asistencia media, alojamiento, entrenamiento para el trabajo, o alguna otra cosa. ¡Visite www.hyattsville. org/resident-resources para aprender más!
Cambios de Recolección de Basura
Las oficinas de la Ciudad estarán cerradas el jueves, 4 de julio, en observación del Día de la Independencia. Continuarán los servicios de emergencia. No habrá recolección de residuos de jardín esa semana pero el composto será recogido ese lunes. La ruta de basura del viernes tomara plazo el viernes pero todas las rutas de los otros días tomaran plazo un día antes. Sí tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame al (301) 985-5000.
Junta Comunitaria del Distrito 3
Concejales Carrianna Suiter y Ben Simasek invitan a todos los que viven, trabajan, juegan y compran el del Distrito 3 a que compartan sus consultas, ideas y preguntas el jueves 11 de julio, a las 7:30 p.m., en la 6600 Adelphi Road. Actualizaremos a todos sobre asuntos de interés para Hyattsville, incluyendo los proyectos existentes y nuevos de desarrollo en el Distrito 3.
Shakespeare en el Parque “¿Cual de mis malas características causo que te enamoraras de mí primero?” Traiga su silla o manta y averigüé con una interpretación gratis de la obra de Shakespeare llamada “Much Ado About Nothing.” El evento toma plazo el miércoles, 17 de julio, a las 7:30 p.m., en el Parque Magruder. En caso de que llueva, la obra tomara plazo en el Edificio Municipal. Para más información, por favor llame al (301) 446-3238 o visite www. arts.pgparks.com.
Transportación Gratis
¡Residentes de Hyattsville pueden tomar todos los autobuses de la Universidad de Maryland GRATIS! La Ruta 113 pasa por Hyattsville, con paradas en la estación de metro de Prince George’s Plaza y al fin en la Universidad. Para obtener su pase del 2019 para el autobús, por favor presente una identificación con foto y prueba de residencia a la Ciudad en la 4310 Calle Gallatin, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., de lunes a viernes. Le podemos dar el pase el mismo día de su visita. Los Mapas y horarios de la ruta del autobús están disponibles por internet visitando a www.dots. umd.edu.
Estamos Contratando
¡Sirva a su comunidad trabajando por su gobierno local! Estamos buscando a oficiales de policías y a un Líder para el Programa AgeFriendly. Para obtener más información y para solicitar, por favor visite www.hyattsville.org/jobs.
Control de Mosquitos
La Ciudad participa en el Programa del Estado de Maryland para el Control de Mosquitos, lo que comienza en junio y dura hasta septiembre. Empleados del Estado monitorizan los mosquitos adultos en Hyattsville. Si los mosquitos llegan a un cierto límite, el Estado realizará operaciones de fumigación los lunes después del anochecer. Además, la Ciudad reportará problemas con mosquitos al Estado cada semana. Para reportar un problema en su vecindario, por favor llame al (301) 985-5000 o visite a www.hyattsville. org/pests. En ese sitio también se puede pedir una exención de servicios de control de mosquitos. Por favor tenga en cuenta que usted debe pedir una nueva exención cada año, entregando la solicitación al Programa de Control de Mosquitos y a la Ciudad, también.
Descargue la Aplicación My Hyattsville
¿No recogimos su basura esta semana? ¿Le ha pegado al mismo bache tantas veces que ya no se acuerda cuantas veces ha pasado? Tenemos la solución, ¡My Hyattsville! Descargue nuestra aplicación o visite www.hyattsville.org/request para reportar asuntos de no emergencia o solicitar servicios de la Ciudad. Al tener la información, empleados de la Ciudad estarán actualizándoles en tiempo real el progreso del asunto. My Hyattsville ya está disponible en la Apple y Google store.
MissFloribunda
Dear Miss Floribunda,
I know where you live! Now that I have your attention, I want you to know this is not a threat. But I do know where you live because someone pointed your yard out to me, and I also know that you are gardening all wrong but getting away with it. Your yard is full of trees and shaded by trees from neighbors, yet you have irises, peonies and roses blooming their heads off, and lilies in bud. I know enough about gardening to know these plants need full sun. Please tell me the secret. I spend my time weeding out unplanted vines and wishing I could get rid of some of the things I did plant.
Impatient with Impatiens, Hostile to Hostas, Weary of Periwinkle and Tired of Liriope on Livingston Street
Dear Impatient, Hostile, Weary and Tired,
I’m almost afraid to tell you this, but you will need to make a little effort to find out what specific varieties of sun-loving flowers can tolerate partial shade. Because of your lassitude, I will share what
I’ve learned from experience, research and — most of all — the knowledge of fellow gardeners. A wonderful Chinese proverb states, “A conversation with a wise person is worth ten years of study.” The most valuable advice I’ve gotten has come from members of gardening groups, most notably the Hyattsville Horticultural Society. My shade garden mentor is Dr. Fox-Glover, whose garden is beautiful every season of the year, although it lacks full sun. After viewing his garden when his majestic tree peonies were in bloom, I decided to acquire some, and they are the royalty of my April garden. Tree peonies, which bloom before the herbaceous ones do, have enormous but delicate blooms that full sun will blight. Partial shade prolongs their blooms a full week longer. While their bloom time does not go beyond two weeks, the spectacular early spring show is worth it, and the foliage they retain after their flowers fall makes them attractive till winter. They can grow up to 10 feet tall, so give some thought to where you place them.
The herbaceous peonies that bloom in May will die back after
flowering, so size is not a problem with them. Some charming varieties, such as the white Shirley Temple, the red Karl Rosenfield, and the pink Sarah Bernhardt, do fine in light shade. You will notice I have my peonies blooming under a crepe myrtle, not under the heavy shade of the maple.
The irises in the shady areas of my garden are Japanese rather than the bearded German irises that require much more sun. The lilies in bud are not the sun-loving Oriental lilies but the shadeloving Asiatic lilies. By the time the Asiatic lilies finish blooming, Turk’s cap lilies and certain shade-tolerant daylilies will begin to bloom. Multicolored daylilies look particularly striking placed near the deep blue hydrangeas that bloom simultaneously with them.
Both Dr. Fox-Glover and I grow the David Austin English roses, which often do better in light shade than in full sun. Full sun bearing down on a Hyattsville garden is much harsher than the gentle sunlight this variety is accustomed to in its native England, and is a source of stress. I also cultivate the OGR (Old Garden Roses), many of which
tolerate considerable shade and even thrive and bloom where tree roots compete with them. I have a Lady Banks rose that is actually climbing my maple and a Zephirine Drouhin embracing my redbud tree. However, few Old Garden Roses will bloom continuously through the summer, though quite a few will recur in the autumn. There are exceptions, notably polyantha roses like The Fairy, which is loaded with frothy pink blooms from May till frost. The Knockout roses are also pretty shade tolerant, and they bloom continuously. However, most plants that bloom beneath trees only do so in the spring. Before sprouting leaves get big enough to block the sun, the plants have enough light to flower. Some just die back into the ground after flowering, while others, such as Solomon’s seal, retain attractive foliage. I am thinking of the collections I acquired through the plant exchanges at the home of Dr. FoxGlover: multi-colored foxgloves, hellebores and columbine; ethereal blue Jacob’s ladder and cranesbill geraniums; red, white and pink bleeding hearts. From other sources, I’ve added the
exquisitely scented lilies of the valley, whose white or pink flowers are followed by red berries; indigo in yellow, as well as deep purplish blue; salvias of different shades; and rose-, blue- and purple-flowering ajuga. Ajuga makes quite a handsome ground cover all summer, even after flowering, if you acquire varieties whose leaves are marked in different patterns of purple and red. As the summer progresses, you might forego flowers in favor of shade plants with colorful foliage. Artfully placed Japanese painted ferns, coleus and caladiums can create a veritable tapestry of rich color and intricate design by late summer. Elephant ears, if you have the room, can bring the exotic jungle to your garden. The search for shade garden interest never ends, and new wonders appear all the time. Just keep your ear to the ground, so to speak, and associate with gardeners who are happy to share plants with you. A good way to start is to come to the next meeting of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society on Saturday, June 15, at the home of Gina de Ferrari, 4306 Oliver Street. The meeting will start at 10 a.m.
NatureNearby
Hearing a few less croaks?
By Fred Seitz
I often listen at the edge of Magruder Park in the early evening. While the sounds of traffic and loud music have frequently competed with the natural sounds in the park, Mom Nature’s voice seems more muted now than in previous springs and early summers.
In past years, I’ve frequently heard spring peepers chirping choruses and green frogs playing their banjos. This year, I’ve only heard peepers sing out on one evening early this spring. I have heard green frogs strumming a few days and evenings when I was walking my dog, but their music also seems diminished this year. My observations aren’t scientific, of course, but reports in The New York Times — and from others who professionally follow our friendly amphibians — also
note that some of them are in decline.
There are several possible explanations for this. Some researchers suggest that climate change is prompting frogs and toads to emerge too early, before the insects they eat are readily available.
Others suspect that our use of pesticides and herbicides plays a role. These toxic chemicals leach into streams and ponds, impacting both tadpoles and adult croakers. Herbicides may also increase the population of some types of snails which carry a parasite that kills frogs and toads. Unintended consequences of our actions sometimes spell doom for other species.
Another, and perhaps the main, insidious villain in the frog demise saga is a fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (colloquially Bd), which causes the frog’s
skin to peel off. (Frogs absorb oxygen through the skin, so this is a horrible way for them to die.)
This fungus is believed to have originated in the Korean peninsula and may have arrived here thanks to imported exotic pets. Another insidious aspect of Bd is that an infected frog may live long enough to hop into another pond and shed the toxin there. Apparently, Bd is spreading worldwide. While some of you may be less enthralled by the music of the night provided by our local musicians, I’m certain that most of us are not enamored with mosquitos and other insects who stab and swipe at us in the evening. Frogs and toads feast eagerly on these annoying night insects. So as we hear them harmonizing to charm the ladies in their pond, we should be grateful that they are munching, even as they strum and sing their melodies.
continued from page 1
The former WSSC property sits on two separate, contiguous lots: the upper lot along Hamilton Street, which is the site of the former WSSC building, and the lower lot along Gallatin Street, which remains a parking lot.
The upper lot is zoned as R-55, which, according to MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) documents, “promotes high density, single-family detached dwellings.” The lower lot is zoned as O-S (open space), which “promotes the economic use and conservation of land for agriculture, natural resource use, largelot residential estates, [and] nonintensive recreational use.”
The District Council faced a twofold decision: 1) to rezone the lower lot from O-S to R-55 and 2) to change the table of uses to allow town houses in addition to detached single-family houses.
The May 13 meeting was evidentiary, meaning that oral arguments could focus only on matters of pub-
lic record, rather than presenting new information to the council.
Werrlein Properties and supporters focused on a number of opportunities that the company’s proposal would create. They emphasized that the proposal gives the city an option to purchase part of the lower lot, which could be transformed into parkland.
And they underscored that the Werrlein project would reinforce the single-family nature of the neighborhood, increase safety in the area, rid the community of a decaying and dangerous building, and allow for better stormwater management.
“You can preserve the building, or you can preserve the neighborhood, but you can’t preserve both,” said Nicholas Harris, who lives on Hamilton Street across from the WSSC building.
Opponents of the proposal focused on how attached dwellings, such as town houses, were not supported by the 2004 Gateway Arts District Sector Plan and don’t align with the goals of this area, which has been designated as a Traditional Residential Neighborhood.
Jim Chandler, the City of Hyattsville’s assistant city administrator and director of Community and Economic Development, said that the city does not support the proposed 9 units per acre for the lower lot, but that 3.9 to 7.7 units per acre is consistent with the surrounding neighborhood.
Opponents also argued that the entire lower lot — not just a portion, as stipulated in the Werrlein proposal — should be preserved as open space in order to expand Magruder Park, the city’s largest park. Several residents discussed their concerns about building on a floodplain, especially considering climate change issues.
Kara Veigas, who lives on Hamilton Street across from the WSSC building, said that the proposal “comes at too high a cost to our park, too high a cost to the environment, and too high a cost to the historic nature of the neighborhood.”
Following oral arguments, Councilmember Deni Taveras (District 2), who represents Hyattsville, spoke in favor of rezoning and of the Magruder Pointe
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project, in general.
“First of all, this is private land, this is owned by somebody, and the city cannot afford it. The WSSC building is an eyesore,” said Taveras. “At the heart of the issue, the opposition is not presenting an alternative plan for a 30-plus-yearold building that’s an eyesore and a danger for the community. And I think [the Magruder Pointe proposal] presents a decent alternative to the community and builds the community.”
She specifically addressed the project’s likely impact on Magruder Park by saying, “I think this project would be adding to Magruder Park.”
In response to opponents’ assertions that changing the lower lot zoning doesn’t conform to the 2004 Gateway Sector Plan, Taveras said, “A school is going to be constructed on Magruder Park, and that’s also inconsistent with the 2004 Gateway Sector Plan, yet we’re moving forward with that.
The Gateway Sector Plan is a guidance document. R-55 is consistent with the surrounding neighborhood, and the O-S portion was zoned as such [prior to 2004].”
Taveras concluded, “I know that people won’t be happy with me about this, but I’m moving to approve this project … with conditions.”
There was no further council discussion. However, when Councilmember Thomas Dernoga’s (District 1) vote was called, he said, “I think this is a close question, and if it was my district and I knew more about the … but I’m going to defer to Ms. Taveras in this, although I do think there are a lot of troubling issues that are still out there.”
Those opposing Magruder Pointe were frustrated by Taveras’ rationale and its impact on the overall council’s vote.
Cliff Mayo, member of Save Our Sustainable Hyattsville, wrote in an email following the meeting, “Deni Taveras is a poor representative for Hyattsville on the County Council. She advocated
and voted for the zoning change over the explicit opposition of the city, and refused to give consideration to counterarguments. Her support was crucial to the District Council’s decision to support the rezoning.”
Danny Schaible, recently elected to the Hyattsville City Council to represent Ward 2 (where the upper lot sits), also pointed out how the District Council neglected to consider the city’s objections to the proposal. “I am disappointed that the Prince George’s County District Council overruled the Hyattsville City Council and voted to support the Magruder Pointe redevelopment. While [the project is] technically within their purview, I expected them to give greater deference to the Hyattsville City Council, who voted to oppose this project on four separate occasions,” said Schaible.
In contrast, Harris said, “In practical terms, the District Council’s decision was the best for the city as a whole and for the impact zone. Councilmember Taveras was correct: we do not have the money to buy even the lower lot, and the opposition has no alternative to the Werrlein solution, which the facts show is the lowest-density proposal we have seen since the city’s illadvised opposition to the Miller and Smith proposal to purchase the site in the early 2000s.” Chandler said the city would not be able to respond to the vote nor decide how to proceed until the resolution, along with its conditions, was published. As of press time, the resolution had not yet been published.
Karl Granzow, construction/ property manager for Werrlein Properties, said the WSSC building was scheduled for demolition on July 1. Granzow estimated that the demolition and removal phase would take approximately two to three months.
For continuing coverage, visit Hyattsvillelife.com.
June 15
Ally Theater Gala and Fundraiser. Celebrating two years in the Gateway Arts District. Honoring City of Hyattsville Mayor Candace Hollingsworth and Sarah Byrne, editor of Route One Fun. $50. 6 to 9 p.m. Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, 4318 Gallatin St. 301.608.9101
Juneteenth Celebration. Educational zone focused on the importance of Juneteenth and celebrating the history of Hyattsville and African American culture. Local musical acts headlined by Black Alley with local DJs rotating throughout the day. Free. Noon to 8 p.m. Magruder Park, 3911 Hamilton St. hyattsville.org/juneteenth
Riverdale Park Centennial Events. Join the Town of Riverdale Park at this event to celebrate the people of Riverdale Park. Kids zone pre-celebration, 3 to 5 p.m. Riverdale Neighborhood Park, 6407 46th Ave., Riverdale Park. Kick-off event, 4 to 8 p.m. Town Center, 5008 Queensbury Rd., Riverdale Park. Free. riverdaleparkmd.gov
June 15 & 16
Strictly Gumboots. Delve into the history of gumboot dance with Lesole’s Dance Project in Strictly Gumboots. General admission $25; students and seniors $17; and VIP $40. June 15 at 8 p.m. and June 16 at 4 p.m. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainier. 301.699.1819
June 16
Father’s Day Medieval Rock n’ Roll Show. Much Ado will bring medieval drinking music to the Meadworks this Father’s Day! Kid-friendly. Free. 7 to 9 p.m. Maryland Meadworks, 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Ste. B. 301.955. 9644
June 21
Summer Solstice Fashion Show. Featured multi-media artist, Quest Skinner. 6 to 9 p.m. $15 (entry and one drink); $25 (entry, reserved seating, after-party, two complimentary drinks, and gift bag). Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center, 4519 Rhode Island Ave., North Brentwood. 301.809.0440
June 26
Jazz on the Lawn: Seth Kibel. Pack a picnic and bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the delightful sounds of Seth Kibel Music. In the event of rain, concerts move inside. Free. 7 to 8 p.m. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420.
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June 29
Clay Hand-building Workshop. Join artist and Art Works Now pottery instructor Rayna Pazmino in building with clay and drinking beer. $40. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Art Works Now, 4800 Rhode Island Ave. 240.467.3210
A & C Customer Appreciation Day. Free. Noon to 5 p.m. Artist & Craftsman Supply Hyattsville. 4902 43rd Ave. 301.887.1104
July 13
Cycling through History: US Route 1 & Streetcare 83. Ride on
the Trolley Trail to see where the rivers, roads, and rails played a part in the history of the Heritage Area. Program led by Maryland Milestones. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $6. Departs from the Heritage Center, 4318 Gallatin St. Advanced registration required. 301.887.0777. info@anacostiatrails.org
July 16
Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the performance. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420. riversdale@ pgparks.com
HMS continued from page 1
request for proposal on the street sometime in late July or early August to identify contractors who are interested in partnering with cities to build schools.”
During the EFTF presentation, task force chair Dan Broder underscored the pressing need for new facilities, citing the “appalling and shameful” conditions at HMS, including overcrowding, mold, insufficient ventilation and unsatisfactory restroom conditions. He also referenced reports of teachers getting sick. Broder outlined two possible scenarios for redeveloping the current HMS site and a scenario for constructing a new middle school on a county-owned parcel of green space in Magruder Park.
The EFTF enumerated pros and cons for each of 3 possibilities:
1. The new building/renovation takes place on the current site of HMS while students still occupy the site.
2. The renovation takes place on the current HMS site while students are transferred to a “swing space” during the year(s) construction is taking place.
3. A new building is constructed in Magruder Park, leaving the current site potentially available
utilities, but offers challenges in completing construction while students are on site or in a swing site, which could disrupt their learning environment. The current location could lend itself to building up, which is costly, but has little potential for future growth by building out. A swing site for the students to attend has not been chosen yet, but the county is considering other possibilities, according to Broder.
Building a new HMS on Magruder parkland may allow for more green space around the building and space to build out in the future. The site is also more centrally located for students coming from Mount Rainier, but it suffers from many logistical challenges. New utilities and access roads would have to be constructed to service a building there, especially if the county opts to use parcel 43, which lies on the southwest corner of the park by the baseball field on 38th Avenue, as EFTF member John Imahori mentioned during the hearing. The site would also require substantial grading to raise it out of the floodplain, a costly endeavor that has potentially negative consequences on stormwater management in the park.
Capital Improvement Program Officer Elizabeth Chaisson clari
“I would just ask that everybody use this as an opportunity to re-envision our public lands, to re-envision what our community schools are going to look like.”
Justine Christianson
Hyattsville Middle School PTSO president
because HMS’s location is more urban than suburban, it requires a different approach. At the May 6 presentation, PGCPS directed the EFTF to reduce by half their proposal of four possible sites, due to their desire to pursue only county-owned locations. Chaisson also mentioned that the county would have engineers complete test-fit studies at both sites to assess how the properties would accommodate roads, utili ties and all amenities.
During public comment, resi dents unanimously agreed on the need for improved school conditions but differed on where
they think the school should be. Residents also voiced concerns related to possible locations for the school, including the permanent loss of wildlife habitat and green space if the school were to be built on parkland, issues about situating a school on a floodplain, and how building on HMS’s current site wouldn’t allow for future growth.
District 3 School Board Member Pamela Boozer-Strother reiterated the importance of community feedback on the process and how utilizing a public-private partnership will allow HMS to be updated, despite the $8 billion backlog in school facility updates that the county is currently facing. HMS is currently in Phase 1 of the PGCPS facilities master plan, meaning that its renovation is slated to start in 2020, whereas Hyattsville Elementary’s renovation is scheduled to start in 2023.
On June 6, the school board passed the amendment to the master plan that keeps HMS in Phase 1, thus allowing the county to line up alternative financing for construction and put out a request for proposal to private developers this summer, which may lead to a decision on the school reconstruction as early as this fall.
Justine Christianson, HMS
caught fire. While the fire was quickly put out, and no one was hurt, it was discovered that the school has inoperable sprinklers and fire alarms, which put the whole school on fire watch.
“I would just ask that everyone keep in mind that we really don’t have a good option,” said Christianson, adding, “I would just ask that everybody use this as an opportunity to re-envision our public lands, to re-envision what our community schools are going to look like. … Losing the green space is forever, and, although having to use swing space for middle school students is temporary, for them, they only are going to be in sixth, seventh and eighth grade once; that is their education for middle school, so for them, it’s not temporary.”
Principal Thornton Boone spoke about the need for a new facility, saying, “Our students here at Hyattsville Middle School and our teachers, they really need … a new building because our teachers are struggling and our students are struggling. This is a beautiful city, this is a growing city, a city of diversity, and I would like our kids to have pride when they come into the building, and a beautiful building where they can learn and grow as students.”
La Dra Ruby Lathon es certificada como nutricionista holística Ella inspira a través de su poderosa historia de recuperación de cáncer de tiroides gracias a un tratamiento y dieta basada en plantas y alimentos completos La Dra Lathon fue parte del exitoso documentario llamado What the Health y será parte de dos más documentarios sobre la salud La Dra Lathon ha trabajado como investigadora e ingeniera premiada y ahora se dedica a enseñar a otros cómo reingeniar su salud y vivir sin enfermedades
o l i s t i c H e
Residents who wish to voice their opinions about the future of HMS can do so on the city’s SpeakUpHVL.com website or
Dr Ruby Lathon is a certified holistic nutritionist and inspires with a powerful story of recovering from thyroid cancer through alternative treatment focused on a whole food, plant-based diet Dr Lathon was featured in the hit documentary, What the Health and is slated to be fetured in two upcoming health documentaries Dr Lathon worked as a researcher and an award-winning engineer and now teaches others how to re-engineer their healh and live disease free
COUNCIL
Ward 2, while Wright served four years for Ward 3.
City Administrator Tracey Douglas, speaking on behalf of city staff, thanked the two departing councilmembers. “We have really enjoyed working with both of you. We appreciate your leadership and counsel. … You all have been tremendous partners to work for and to work with.”
Wright and Warner each used their time during council dialogue to thank staff, colleagues and residents — and show a bit of their personality.
Wright used his time to recite an original poem that touched on all aspects of council — from serving residents to thanking fellow councilmembers and department heads — and called his decision to step down “bittersweet.”
Warner began by saying, “I’m going to try to be uncharacteristically brief,” to chuckles from the dais. “I just want to say, I’m so proud of the progress we’ve made in the community in the last eight years. We’ve come a really long way, and I’m particularly proud of the team that we’ve assembled. It’s our staff — you see us a lot in the community — but really it’s our staff that is the backbone of Hyattsville. They’re the ones who run the city and, to the extent that you ever appreciate the things that we do, it’s because they are making us look good. I’ve been so lucky and privileged to be part of the collective work. It’s
a joy — not always a pleasure — but a deep, deep privilege, and I feel honored to have been entrusted with this position for eight years.”
She added that she’d be cheering on the new council from the sidelines. But she ended with a bit of a warning: “I plan to be engaged, and I plan to be a very assertive constituent. So you will all hear from me.”
During council dialogue, councilmembers also chimed in to thank the departing members, who both have a reputation for long, but carefully considered, questions and comments.
“I just wanted to thank both of you, Tom and Shani, for the service you have provided to the city and to your residents. I think your diligence and attention to details have helped us take the city and the conversation to a different level,” Council President Edouard Haba said.
Mayor Candace Hollingsworth joked that Wright was concerned that residents thought he asked too many questions. “While we acknowledge that Tom asks many questions, he asks questions for the benefits of his constituents and for the benefit of himself. …
In doing that, you have truly served your constituents and the city, overall, very well.”
She then turned to Warner, saying, “We started this together in 2011.” Hollingsworth also addressed Warner’s thoughtfulness. “I appreciate that when I see Ms. Warner’s hand go up, I know that there is something important that she wants to say and
communicate.”
The mayor also joked about Warner’s sometimes lengthy comments — “nine minutes, I think is the record?” but added that every time Warner spoke, “it’s always been information that we’ve needed to hear, a point that we’ve needed to consider.”
After the meeting adjourned, council prepped for the swearing-in of the new and returning members.
The Honorable Mahasin El Amin, clerk of the Circuit Court of Prince George’s County, administered the oath of office to the newly elected councilmembers. Incumbent Candace Hollingsworth was sworn in as mayor of Hyattsville; Kevin Ward was sworn in as the reelected Ward 1 councilmember; newcomer Danny Schaible was sworn in as the Ward 2 councilmember; new member Ben Simasek was sworn in as the Ward 3 councilmember; newcomer Daniel Peabody was sworn in as Ward 4 councilmember; and Joseph Solomon was sworn in as the re-elected Ward 5 councilmember.
Council also had to choose a new president and vice president at the meeting. Councilmember Ward was elected as president and Councilmember Carrianna Suiter (Ward 3) was elected as vice president.
Before adjourning, the new councilmembers talked about their eagerness to learn from the more senior members and their gratitude for receiving the opportunity to serve the city and its residents.
KRISSI HUMBARD
The 2019 Hyattsville City Council, seen at the May 20 council meeting.
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Doctors Community Health System is dedicated to helping you maintain and improve your health. Providing same-day appointments and accepting most insurance plans, our network of care has offices at convenient locations.
Doctors Community Practices at Bowie (Primary Care)
4000 Mitchellville Road, Suites B216 and 422 Bowie, Maryland 20716 301-262-0020 and 301-262-9872
Doctors Community Practices at Crofton (Primary Care and Family Medicine) 2191 Defense Highway, Suite 201 Crofton, Maryland 21114 410-451-9091
Doctors Community Practices at District Heights (Primary Care and Family Medicine) 6400 Marlboro Pike District Heights, Maryland 20747 301-736-7000
Doctors Community Practices at Laurel (Primary Care and Diabetes Care) 13900 Baltimore Avenue Laurel, Maryland 20707 301-725-5652
Doctors Community Practices at Riverdale (Primary Care, Family Medicine and Endocrinology) 6502 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 100 Riverdale, Maryland 20737 301-927-0088
Doctors Community Practices at Temple Hills (Primary Care and Family Medicine) 5859 Allentown Way Temple Hills, Maryland 20728 240-563-1026
Metropolitan Medical Specialists (Primary Care and Family Medicine) 8116 Good Luck Road, Suite 300 Lanham, Maryland 20706 240-241-7474
Health and Wellness Center (Urgent Care Inside Safeway) 4101 Northview Drive Bowie, Maryland 20716 301-383-2559
