10-2021 College Park Here & Now

Dedicated Berwyn resident starts composting service

By Eva Sanchez

Six months ago, one woman’s dedication to healthy soil inspired her to start her own compost company. Now, 23-year-old Catherine Ober eld single handedly runs a food-scrap pickup service, Berwyn Compost.

“I wanted to create a service that was simple, convenient, cheap ($12/month!), local, felt good, and was contagious.” Ober eld wrote in an email. With a long history of being the designated composter among her friends, Ober eld got serious about it when she began interning at ECO City Farms, in Bladensburg, in the fall of 2020. Berwyn Compost was o cially born in March 2021. “ is got me into the rhythm,

University’s quidditch team has all the magic

By Eva Sanchez

If you’re headed past the Fraternity Row fields on a Monday or Wednesday evening, you’ll probably catch a glimpse of six white hoops towering over the grass. If you squint, you may see that there are people throwing balls of various sizes through the hoops — and that those peo-

ple are riding what looks like broomsticks. You might shake your head, rub your eyes and think you’re just imagining a quidditch scene from Harry Potter. But what you’re seeing is reality: it’s the University of Maryland’s (UMD) quidditch team.

“If you want to play a fullcontact sport and have a lot of fun, I’d say that quidditch

is a pretty solid choice,” said Surmud Jamil, president of the team.

Quidditch is the game from the Harry Potter books, but it has become so much more than that. U.S. Quidditch (USQ) was founded in 2005, and universities and colleges all over the nation abide by the organization’s rules and play in their tournaments.

According to USQ’s website, the sport is a combination of lacrosse, dodgeball and rugby.

or some might say ritual, of collecting compost every week.” said Ober eld. Since she started Berwyn Compost, she has been collecting members’ food scraps every week — and she hasn’t missed a week yet.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food scraps and yard waste, both of which can be composted, make up more than 30% of all trash. When trapped in land lls, food and yard waste release greenhouse gases into the atmostphere.

In an article about her company in the Berwyn District Civic Association’s newsletter, Ober eld highlighted some of the many bene ts of composting, which include reducing land ll methane emissions and, for people composting

here in College Park, lowering the city’s trash disposal fees.

“I am a farmer by trade and compost is the single most important soil amendment to maintaining fertile land. We as a society are rapidly losing farmland, a cause near and dear to my little agrarian heart,” Ober eld wrote. “Composting closes nutrient loops, keeping soil productive for generations to come.”

While city residents can drop o their food scraps for free at Davis Hall, Oberfeld o ers convenience, as she picks up compost throughout the 20740 zip code. She reminds her members to put out their compost buckets, too.

Pickups are every Monday morning, and it takes Ober eld an hour or two to complete the

By Brandon Fastman

On Sept. 29, the public’s opportunity to give feedback about the Prince George’s County’s Countywide Map Amendment (CMA) came to an end. e CMA is in the second and nal phase of the years-long process of the Zoning Rewrite Ordinance Project.

e project aims to update and simplify the county’s existing ordinance, a Byzantine document which was rst written in 1949 and has been amended dozens of times every year since then.

According to the county website, “ e CMA process is a nonsubstantive, technical exercise that transitions a property’s ex-

Berwyn Compost founder Catherine Oberfield holds one of the buckets she gives to members. COURTESY OF ISABELLA HATFIELD

COMMUNITY ON THE MOVE

Construction updates: major completions slated for 2022

By Eric Olson

Anumber of residents have asked me for an update about projects now underway along Baltimore Avenue. While we are currently living in a construction zone, the good news is that most of these projects are moving along at a steady pace, without delays (the exception being the Purple Line light rail, which has been set back by at least a few years). Here is a brief summary of the projects and their timelines.

Tempo, at 8430 Baltimore Avenue, is a student housing project that is due to open in summer 2022, in time for the next academic year. It is located on the site of the former Burger King and a building that had been vacant for at least 25 years, a former Arby’s. Tempo will have 299 apartment units, for a total of 978 beds. e grounds will include a bike trail leading to the pedestrian bridge behind University View that connects to the Paint Branch Trail and campus. e bulk of the exterior work should be completed over the next several months.

e University of Maryland’s new School of Public Policy building is under construction behind Rossborough Inn and adjacent to the university’s Reckord Armory. is 77,000 square foot building will be completed in summer of 2022, too. It will be the academic home to more than 400 undergraduates and graduate students, and some 100 faculty and sta .

College Park City Hall is under construction at the intersection

of Baltimore Avenue and Knox Road. (Demolition of the old city hall, which opened in 1959, took place in February 2020.) e exterior of the building is largely complete, and the city expects to start moving its operations into the building by the end of this calendar year. e new city hall is a unique, joint endeavor between the City of College Park and the University of Maryland, and will include o ce space for both city and university sta . e grounds will feature a plaza, creating space in the heart of downtown College Park for community activities, from outdoor dining to music and arts events. Seven thousand square feet of retail space will front the plaza.

Southern Gateway, between Hartwick and Guilford roads, on the site of the former Qual-

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ity Inn and Plato’s Diner, is expected to open in summer 2022. It will include 400 market rate apartments and is conveniently located just four blocks from Metro. e development is geared toward the many university employees and other professionals who work in and around College Park. It will include a grocery store and other retail on the rst oor, as well as outdoor terrace dining. Calvert Road will intersect the project, passing under a pedestrian bridge linking the project’s two buildings.

Baltimore Avenue, from Maryland 193 (University Boulevard) to College Avenue, is undergoing upgrades that will transform it from a thoroughfare into a college town main street. is long-awaited project

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will create a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike. e upgrades will turn this stretch of Route 1 into a boulevard with tree-lined strips between the sidewalk and curb, wider sidewalks, 5-foot bike lanes, and a planted median with dedicated turn lanes. Lighting will be improved, and stormwater management is being addressed. ese improvements will reduce the number of curb cuts and are intended to address pedestrian and cyclist safety. e rst phase of the project, upgrading the stretch between Campus Drive and College Avenue, should be completed by the end of this year. Work from University Boulevard to Campus Drive will continue into 2023. e Purple Line is a 16-mile, above-ground light rail that will pass through Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton that will connect Metro’s Red, Green and Orange lines, and Amtrak and MARC lines. Four Purple Line stops dot the College Park area

at Adelphi Road/University of Maryland Global Campus, University of Maryland’s Student Union, Baltimore Avenue/Ritchie Coliseum and College Park Metro station; a fth station is at the River Road/Discovery District in Riverdale Park. While a dispute between the original contractor and the State of Maryland left the project largely stalled for the past year, the state secured new bids and plans to choose a contractor later this year, with work to resume in 2022. No timelines for completion have o cially been put forward, but it seems likely that 2024 would be the earliest that the Purple Line could open. With some signi cant completions coming in 2022, College Park will soon o er safer pedestrian conditions, enhanced community spaces and alternative commuting options.

circuit. After doing the pickup, Ober eld takes what she’s collected to Prince George’s Organics Composting Facility, in Upper Marlboro, or to ECO City Farms, depending on what she has to drop o .

Ober eld has lived in Berwyn for two years, following her graduation from the University of Maryland, and staying local is important to her.

“I wanted to create something that was sustainable,”

Ober eld wrote, adding that keeping it local allows university students to get involved. Ober eld hopes to eventually expand the business, adding pickup locations to her route and more people to her team. Ober eld provides her members with 5-gallon pickle buckets. “All of the buckets that we use are from the College Park Potbelly’s,” said Ober eld. “ e only expense is compostable liners.”

“I believe that composting feels so good that once you start, you won’t stop,” she added.

Eric Olson is executive director of the College Park City-University Partnership.

Most of the construction projects in the College Park area are moving along at a steady pace, without delays. PEXELS.COM

College Park Bicycles celebrates Larry Black

By Eva Sanchez

Sunday, Oct. 3 might have seemed like an average day for a College Park Bicycles customer if it hadn’t been for the large cake that read, “College Park Bicycles, 42 years!” and the assortment of homemade fudge spread on the counter. The service area was bustling, bikes were in various states of repair, and College Park Bicycles founder Larry Black was as busy as always, helping multiple people at once, while celebrating his last day working at the shop he loves.

“I started helping out at bicycle and motor shops when I was 14, and I just became fascinated with a bike,” said Black, the now-former owner of College Park Bicycles. “I started becoming what was called a bike freak.”

Larry and Linda Black opened the shop, on Knox Road in College Park, in 1979, and a sister store in Mount Airy, in 1991. The Blacks met at a summer bike maintenance class offered by the University of Maryland, hit it off, and the rest is history.

“I’ve been bugging him to close at least one store for five years or more. I have mixed feelings, but I’m more happy — he’s still in denial,” said Linda Black, Larry’s wife and co-founder of College Park Bicycles. The Blacks have recently become grandparents, and that motivated them to sell the shop.

If Black had it his way, he would never leave the shop. Bicycles captivated him when he was growing up; they combine the two things he enjoyed most, mechanics and sports. He’s worked with them ever since.

Black believes in the power of the bicycle and sees them as a sustainable and important asset to transportation everywhere. “I don’t really care about the commodity of a new bicycle,” he said. “I like bringing older bikes back into service. I believe everything has a long, infinite life in a bicycle.”

Black’s positive, can-do attitude saved College Park Bicycles during the pandemic. Just like so many stores, the shop struggled when businesses had to close, but Black’s vast collection of old bikes — some 3,000 of them — kept the place running.

“We sold 400 of those old bikes in a year and a half, and we’re still selling them everyday,” he said.

“[The pandemic] has done a lot for the sport of bicycling and our old bikes, and that is what saved the stores.”

The Blacks have built lasting relationships through the shop, which was evident as friends poured in to celebrate them. Julian Westerhaut, a friend and

former employee, flew in from Chicago for the event.

“It’s the changing of an era —

Larry’s shops, both this one and Mount Airy have always been very very different, as far as bike shops

go, and Larry is one of a kind,” said Westerhaut.

Through his shop, Black gained a reputation in the city, one built on passion and community service. And he’s passing the torch to someone who’s equally passionate about biking as he is.

“You know how they say in these interviews, ‘You’re not the person we advertised for, or we were looking for, but you’re the person we want’ — that’s him. Not the person we were looking for, but the person I want,” Black said, about Marden Timen, College Park

Bicycles’ new owner.

“Everybody who works bikes has their story,” said Timen. Timen’s father wouldn’t let him ride a bike when he was a child; he thought it was too dangerous. But Timen had been bitten by the bike bug, and he creatively bent the rules. “I would pay the guys who came to school with their bikes; they were happy to rent it to me, and for like one to two hours, I would just ride around school,” said Timen.

Timen is opening the shop’s doors to the community, saying that he wants the shop to be for everybody. “Cyclists with long time experience or somebody who just started biking. Anybody, we will take care of you,” he said.

Throughout the party thrown in his honor, Black was tinkering with bikes. Whenever a customer came through the door, Black put friends that gathered to celebrate him on hold so he could field a bike question. Every time Black got the chance to discuss bike mechanics, his eyes lit up.

“If you do what you like, you’re not working. I don’t have to work. I haven’t had to work for 30 years,” he said. “We do it ‘cause we want to do it, and that shows when we make a transaction with a customer.”

Larry Black, top, was celebrated at College Park Bicycles on Oct. 3.

KYLE HEFLINGER

e fraternity of re THE SCIENCE OF THE CITY

By Paul Ruffins

e multi-columned mansions of the University of Maryland’s (UMD) Fraternity Row are an iconic symbol of collegiate life, a symbol that graces many campuses throughout the country. However, if you’re seeking the hottest action, cheapest room and board, deepest friendships and best career connections, Fraternity Row isn’t the rst place to look. Instead, follow the ashing lights and screaming sirens a few blocks north, to 8115 Baltimore Avenue, home of the College Park Volunteer Fire Department (CPVFD).

O cially designated Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Unit 12, CPVFD is one busy place when things heat up. Indeed, it’s one of the busiest rehouses in the area.

According to Firehouse Magazine’s 2019 national run survey, Prince George’s County Fire Department (PGFD) was the 12th busiest in the country, answering a total of 152,586 re and EMS calls that year. e department’s 30,413 re calls were eighth highest in the country. About half of PGFD’s approximately 2000 members are volunteers, and the county o ers these rst responders what they want: lots of opportunities to respond.

“CPVFD calls itself, ‘First Due to the U,’” says its Chief, Matthew Machala, “because the county’s re command center would dispatch us as the rst and nearest company to respond if there’s a re or medical emergency on campus.”

Home Questions? I Have Answers

busyness goes without question, CPVFD is not only about student volunteers, though. Like many other firehouses in the county, CPVFD is partly staffed by career personnel, too, who work side by side with the volunteers. And all of the firefighters, be they career or volunteer, are fully trained and ready to respond.

“One of the great challenges of recruiting and retaining volunteers is that they must undergo the same training and certi cations as career re ghters and EMTs,” Machala noted. “It’s a commitment of almost 400 hours.” at training is critical for success, because Firehouse 12 only has two career EMTs assigned 24/7 and 3-5 career reghters who work the 7-3 day shift, Monday through Friday when most student members are in class. e station is more fully sta ed by student volunteers during later weekday shifts and around the clock on weekends.

CPVFD has had a long and productive relationship with UMD’s pioneering fire protection engineering program, which offers an undergraduate major, and master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Not all students enrolled in the program volunteer with the CPVFD, but some who have ridden with Firehouse 12 credit that experience as an important one in their becoming leaders in the field. Stephen Kerber, a former CPVF volunteer and now director of the Underwriters Laboratory’s Firefighter Safety Research Institute, deeply valued his time with the department. “A big part of my motivation for staying in graduate school to get my masters in engineering was really for the chance to keep living in Firehouse 12,” he said.

Firehouse 12’s responsibilities include protecting the university’s high rise buildings, stadiums full of spectators and dozens of laboratories packed with toxic chemicals. Firehouse 12, might also be the rst or second department to respond to commercial or residential res in nearby communities. Because it also has a foam truck, CPVFD is often the rst team dispatched to emergencies involving large amounts of ammable liquids, such as an overturned gasoline tanker on the Beltway.

In 2019, CPVFD documented 3,177 runs, 1,697 of which were EMS calls. CPVFD members sometimes boast that theirs is the busiest allstudent volunteer firehouse in the country. While their

Students living full-time at firehouses in College Park, Hyattsville, Mount Rainier and other communities have the benefits of in-state tuition, and free room and board. Geff Greenwalt, one of 21 students who lived at Firehouse 12 in 2015 said, “We live here because we love it. If you polled everyone, and asked, ‘If you had a choice of going out and having a fun night out at a bar, getting a little drunk and meeting someone, or going to a house fire,?’ people would choose the house fire, hands down.”

Paul Ruffins is a citizen scientist and professor of curiosity.

The College Park Volunteer Fire Department is the first to respond to the university in the case of a fire. PAUL RUFFINS

Lakeland’s Embry AME Church aims for a brighter future

By Pierce Panagakos

e Embry AME Church has faced challenges over its many years in College Park’s historically Black neighborhood of Lakeland, but now the congregation is dancing in the streets.

On Sept. 25, members of the church joined with other city residents and broke out their choreographed moves, dancing to religiously themed remixes of popular songs.

Tonia James, one of the organizers, enthusiastically promoted the event. “We just want to have the community come out and enjoy themselves. … we just want to have a fun time, a fun experience for anybody that’s coming out — little children, the seniors, the adults, the youth — anybody that’s participating, we would love for them to come out and to learn some dance steps.”

Karen Stewart, who owns Jesse’s Soul Line Dance, collaborated with James to organize the event, which was co-sponsored by the College Park Arts Exchange (CPAE). Melissa Sites, CPAE’s director, led CPAE’s participation. In the 1960s, the City of

College Park targeted Lakeland, an African-American community that was established in the late 1800s, for redevelopment.

Residents were told they would have to sell their homes to the city and leave. e city then destroyed those homes, and the families that once lived in Lakeland did not return to the neighborhood for generations.

On June 9, 2020, the City of College Park passed a resolution renouncing systemic racism and declaring the city’s support of Black lives. e mayor and council voted to “acknowledge and apologize for our city’s past history of oppression, particularly with regards to the Lakeland community, and actively seek opportunities for accountability and truthtelling about past injustice, and aggressively seek opportunities.”

A steering committee met in late September to begin a discussion about how the city can best move to implement restorative justice.

Rev. Carrington Carter, the head pastor at Embry AME, re ected on the history of the church and how the congregation may move forward. “I’m very informed about the restorative justice act

… the church has weathered a lot of storms as far as its history, we are about to celebrate 118 years in October, next month. e church has been relatively strong since that time, and we’ve been trying to have an impact not only in Lakeland but also in the greater College Park community, and also Prince George’s County.”

Embry AME recently issued the church’s vision statement for Lakeland, which recognizes the community’s inherent historic importance and place within the larger College Park Community.

In these words, the vision statement also underscores the renewed sense of dignity and purpose that restorative justice has

signaled: “ e community is strong, healthy, safe, and inclusive both economically and socially. e history and culture of the community and its members are honored, nurtured, and celebrated. Lifelong vitality and learning are supported. Lakeland is physically and institutionally interconnected with the larger community.”

FROM PAGE 1

Playing quidditch has become a sport for anyone, not just for the lovers of the book series.

“At the beginning, it was very Harry Potter, you were on an actual broom and not just a pipe, but over time they [USQ] kind of distanced themselves from that,” said UMD Quidditch captain Heather Farnan.

became national champions. Since Nationals were cancelled, USQ hosted a Quarantine Cup, which was a simulation bracket. Teams provided stats to a computer system which then ran simulated competition — and Maryland won. In previous national competitions, UMD had not passed the nal round of four teams.

Becoming simulation national champions didn’t entirely erase the difficulties of how to sustain the sport during the pandemic. While the team did find ways to connect virtually, Farnan talked about the challenges of online recruitment and retention.

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Although quidditch has become more than it’s connection to Harry Potter, many people still know it only from the books and movies. According to Farnan, interested players will sometimes show up not realizing it’s a fullcontact sport.

“Some people come out and they aren’t expecting to get rocked, or wrapped up and tackled,” said Farnan. Others will show up who haven’t read any of the books or seen the movies.

Farnan has played quidditch at UMD since she was a freshman. Now a senior, she has seen the team undergo a lot of changes since she rst joined.

“Back when I was a freshman, there were 20 people at practice, consistently. It was kind of a different atmosphere,” she said.

The pandemic impacted UMD Quidditch, taking away the team’s ability to practice — they stopped practicing in spring 2019 and were online until early this September.

Recruiting new players became very challenging, too.

During the pandemic, the university’s quidditch team

“The main thing we did as a team, during COVID[-19], when we couldn’t practice, was film [review] sessions. We’d all hop on Zoom and watch films from old games, either that we played or between two teams that are really good that we wanted to learn from,” said Farnan.

With three practices weekly, the team is now gearing up for a tournament in October and is actively looking for more players.

“This is going to be a big rebuilding year. Probably a year with a lot of upsets at tournaments,” said Farnan. She is confident that UMD Quidditch will be strong enough to qualify for Nationals this year.

“Honestly, I joined the club as a joke. I liked Harry Potter, but I had no idea how quidditch would work in real life,” Jamil said. “The idea of playing with brooms seemed kind of goofy to me until I decided to go to a practice.”

The University of Maryland’s quidditch team at practice on Sept. 20. EVA SANCHEZ

COLLEGE PARK POST

City Welcomes New City Manager

Help us Give a Big College Park Welcome to our New City Manager, Kenny Young

county-wide Comprehensive Plan. Under his leadership, the county was recognized for the most business investment for counties of its size in America.

Previously, Mr. Young served as Assistant Town Administrator for the Town of Capitol Heights, MD and as an acting assistant City Manager for the City of North Las Vegas, NV.

He has also held positions in economic and community development, neighborhood services, and planning.

Mr. Young is a Credentialed Manager from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and a member of the National Forum of Black Public Administrators, having previously served on their Executive Board.

He received his master’s degree in Public Administration and bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University. “We are really pleased to welcome Mr. Young as our new City Manager;” said Bill Gardiner, Interim City Manager, “he has great success leading public organizations and will help us reach our strategic plan goals.”

The City of College Park announced the appointment of Kenneth “Kenny” Young as its new City Manager. Announced during the September 21 City Council meeting, Mr. Young’s tenure with the City began on Monday, September 27, 2021.

Mr. Young brings to the City more than 25 years of progressive local government and private sector experience.

“The Council and I are thrilled to welcome Mr. Young to College Park. With his decades of experience in local government, he will bring

vision and skillful management as we move forward through these challenging times, recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to build a stronger College Park” said Patrick L. Wojahn, Mayor of College Park.

Mr. Young has a wealth of experience leading counties, municipalities, and departments across the country. Mr. Young most recently served as County Administrator for Goochland County, VA where he oversaw a budget in excess of $141 million and 175 employees. During his time at Goochland, he directed

and supervised operations of all County departments and guided the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic with one of the highest vaccination rates for residents within the State of Virginia.

Prior to serving in Goochland, Mr. Young was the Assistant County Administrator for Loudoun County, VA, an organization with more than 4,100 employees and budget of $3.2 billion. There he oversaw several departments including Building and Development, Planning and Zoning, Economic Development, as well as major projects like the

Mr. Young fills the position left vacant by previous City Manager Scott Somers who resigned to pursue a position in Arizona. Assistant City Manager Bill Gardiner has served as Interim City Manager since December 2020.

“I am really looking forward to working with the City of College Park community, City Council, and staff in achieving the goals of the community” said Mr. Young. “College Park is an amazing place and I feel very fortunate to be joining and leading the City team.”

Please help us welcome Kenny to the City of College Park!

PUBLIC SAFETY Community Meetings

Please join City Elected Officials, Police, Department of Public Services staff, and your neighbors from all around the City, for an informative monthly community meeting.

This meeting takes place every second Monday of the month via zoom.

This community meeting will discuss City-wide crime statistics, recent incidents of public interest, neighborhood watch tips, and special public safety related topics.

City Elections Notice

City Elections will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2021

9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

College Park Community Center

5051 Pierce Avenue, Lakeland neighborhood, College Park

The City of College Park will hold its municipal election for the office of Mayor and all eight district Councilmembers on Sunday, November 7, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the College Park Community Center.

You may vote at the poll on Election Day or vote by absentee ballot.

Registered Voters were mailed an application for an Absentee Ballot in late September. Applications are also available from our website (www.collegeparkmd. gov/elections) and City offices. If you want to vote by mail, please return your application as soon as possible. Ballots will be mailed beginning in early October.

We encourage you to return your application and/or your ballot to one of the City’s secure ballot drop boxes:

• Davis Hall: 9217 51st Avenue

• On Campus: west side of Stamp Student Union, on Union Lane, by the USPS and FedEx boxes

• Calvert Road School: 4601 Calvert Road

You can also mail them to us but we must receive your completed application before October 26 so we can mail out your ballot. Ballots must be postmarked before November 7 and received not later than November 10 to be counted.

Please, do not return your application or your ballot to City Hall.

WHO’S RUNNING?

For information about the candidates, visit our website (www. collegeparkmd.gov/elections), or look for the special Election Edition of the Municipal Scene.

ELECTION JUDGES WANTED:

We still need a few Election Judges to work the poll on Election Day, Sunday, November 7. Polls are open from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Judges are asked to report at 8:00 a.m. and must remain until procedures are completed, at about 7:00 p.m. Judges are paid $200 for the day and a light meal is provided. You must work the entire day.

Interested? Please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/ elections for an application, or contact La’Toya Moore, lamoore@collegeparkmd.gov.

VOTER NOTIFICATION CARDS

In mid-October, Prince George’s County will mail Voter Notification Cards to all individuals that are listed on the City’s voter rolls. These 3.75” x 8.5” beige postcards are small and might be easy to overlook, but they are very important. If a card comes to your residence for someone who no longer lives there, please mark the card appropriately (i.e., moved, deceased, wrong address, etc…) and put it back in the mailbox to be returned to the County. The postcard is marked “Official Government Mail” and “Return Service Requested” so no postage is needed. It is important to keep our voter registration records up to date, and one way to do this is to send improperly addressed election mail back to the County through the postal service.

Please, do not throw away or disregard this notification card!

For more information about the upcoming City Election, please contact Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk, at 240-487-3501.

October Cleanup Saturdays

OCT 16 & 23, 2021

7:30 A.M. TO NOON DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

9217 51ST AVENUE

The City of College Park Public Works facility will be open for City residents to drop-off bulky trash, white goods, electronics, brush, and yard trim. You must be a resident of the City of College Park and bring proof of City residency in order to participate. Bulk trash brought on cleanup days does not count toward bulk trash limits, nor are any fees applied for appliances, televisions, or monitors. There is a $4 fee for all tires.

DURING CLEAN-UP DAYS, THE FOLLOWING WILL BE COLLECTED:

• Household batteries for recycling. This includes rechargeable batteries such as Li-Ion, Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Ni-Zn; Single-use alkaline batteries such as AA, AAA, 9V, C, D button cell, and lithium primary. No damaged batteries; no automotive batteries.

• Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes – must be intact. Includes U-shaped or circular fluorescent lamps, High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps, Ultraviolet (UV) lamps, Incandescent Bulbs, Halogen or Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s).

• Block Styrofoam for recycling (coolers and large blocks of packing material). No packing peanuts, cups or plates.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DOES NOT ACCEPT: Brick, concrete, rock, propane tanks, hazardous materials such as automotive batteries, ammunition, automotive fluids/fuels, cleaning agents, cooking oil, mercury, insecticide/herbicide, fertilizer, oil-based paints, pool chemicals, photographic chemicals, roof shingles, smoke detectors, solvents, sealants, varnishes and stains.

ITEMS FOR PURCHASE

You don’t need to be a resident to purchase any of the products except yard waste carts. Check the website for latest information regarding availability.

• Rain Barrels $72, limited number available

• Compost Bins $20 resident, $40 nonresident

• Yard Waste Carts $25, residency required

• GAT traps $50, limited number available

• Smartleaf Compost $28 a cubic yard (we anticipate having some, but check website)

• Wood Mulch $12 a cubic yard

Curbside

Leaf Collection Begins November 1!

Information about the City’s Leaf Collection

The City’s curbside leaf collection will begin Monday, November 1, 2021 (weather permitting). Look for signs posted in your neighborhood for collection dates. A schedule will also be posted on our website at www.collegeparkmd.gov/ curbsideleaf.

Until then, residents should continue to set out soft yard waste (grass, leaves and soft vegetative waste) on their regularly scheduled refuse and recycling collection days. More information about yard waste can be found at www.collegeparkmd.gov/ specialcollections#yardwaste.

Residents can use the beige yard waste cart (available for purchase at the Department of Public Works), paper yard waste bags, or your own reusable containers with a yard waste sticker attached (stickers are available for free at the Department of Public Works).

Please do not use the City issued green refuse or blue recycling carts for yard waste as it will not be collected.

Woody yard waste: brush, branches, sticks, and shrubs are collected year-round by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays; call the Department of Public Works at 240487-3590 or email publicworks@ collegeparkmd.gov before setting items to the curb.

TIPS – THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF LEAF COLLECTION!

• Bagging is not necessary during leaf collection with vacuums. Grass can be included in your leaf piles, but no sticks, branches, vines, or woody materials (as these items require a special collection).

• Rake leaves to the curb but do not put them in the street. Pile leaves away from cars and storm drains as the leaf vacuum cannot reach around cars.

• Remove tree limbs, rocks, trash, and other debris from leaves to be collected. These items damage the equipment and cause delays.

• Noise and dust may be noticeable as dry conditions generate more dust. We apologize for any inconvenience.

• If you put your soft yard waste (grass, leaves and weeds) in bags or containers they will only be collected when the leaf vacuum is scheduled to be in your neighborhood. Weekly yard waste collections on regular trash collection days are suspended during curbside leaf collection period.

More information is available on our website at www. collegeparkmd.gov/curbsideleaf.

Electric Scooters and E-Bikes Parking

All Veoride electric scooters and e-bikes are required to be parked in a designated hub or at a bike rack.

See an incorrectly parked vehicle?

RABIES & MICROCHIP

MICROCHIP CLINIC

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021 | 10 - 2 PM DAVIS HALL, 9217 51ST AVENUE

- Appointments RequiredRegister at oct2021rabiesclinic.eventbrite.com

Hosted by the City s Animal Control and Animal Welfare Committee. Details, fees (for non-residents), and more available at the above link. All animals must be leashed or properly confined to a carrier. City residents must be able to provide proof of residence to obtain free services.

By participating in this event, you acknowledge and assume all risks and liabilities including possible exposure to illnesses, including but not limited to COVID-19. Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged.

Leaves packed in brown paper bags to be picked up during curbside leaf collection.

COLLEGE PARK VOTER GUIDE

MAYOR PATRICK WOJAHN

Age: 46

Community

Involvement: I have served as a founder and board member of the College Park Community Foundation, a board member and volunteer with the College Park Community Food Bank, and a volunteer with College Park parkrun. I have served on the Board of Directors of Equality Maryland and the National League of Cities and am currently on the Board of the Maryland Municipal League and serve as the Vice President of the Prince George’s County Municipal League. I also have served on the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and have served as chair of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board. I am the Vice Chair for City Livability and Bicycling for the United States Conference of Mayors.

Day Job: Director of Government Relations, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Statement to Voters: I have a strong record of advocating for the College Park community, first as a lawyer and civil rights advocate, then as a city councilmember, and for the past six years as our Mayor. With a focus on civil rights, sustainability, and a stronger community, I have worked hard to make our city what it is today. As a result, we have seen safer neighborhoods, new businesses, more green spaces and trails, and a stronger partnership with the University of Maryland. College Park has seen significant growth in the past few years. While the pandemic was a challenge for all of us, this growth and resilience is making College Park better for all of us.

DISTRICT 1

FAZLUL KABIR

Age: 57

Community

Involvement:  I have had the opportunity to serve the City of College Park District 1 and represent North College Park for the past 10 years. Before I became a councilmember, I served as the secretary of the North College Park Community Association (NCPCA). During my tenure on the council, I have successfully advocated reducing College Park’s property tax rate to a historically low level. I also

worked to complete the construction of the Hollywood Dog Park and the Hollywood Gateway Park. I‘ve helped improve pedestrian safety by adding flashing lights on crosswalks along Rhode Island Ave. I started the Hollywood Farmers Market, Hollywood Community Garden, the monthly police-community meeting. I also co-founded the annual College Park Day event about 10 years ago with a wonderful group of residents. I’ve helped start the new newspaper College Park Here & Now by advocating for the paper at the council. To know more about me, please check my blog, where I post daily: KabirCares.org.

Day Job: I work for the Federal Government. I have a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Manchester. I also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland for 8 years.

Statement to Voters: There couldn’t be a more exciting time to see more amenities coming to North College Park in the next 2 years, and, if re-elected, I will do everything possible to make them happen during my next term. I plan to complete the construction of the Hollywood Commercial District Streetscape project at the intersection of Rhode Island Ave and Edgewood Road to help revitalize the Hollywood commercial district. I will work with the community on the reconstruction of the second phase of the Duvall Field project. I’ll also work to build a North College Park community center and bring more community space and programs for residents of all ages. I will attract resident-owned small businesses using incentive programs to our commercial districts. Finally, I will work to make North College Park more walkable by adding more sidewalks on neighborhood streets and bikeable by adding protected bike lanes, especially on Rhode Island Avenue.

KATE KENNEDY

Age: 41

Community Involvement: Chair, Neighborhood Preservation Trust Committee with College Park-University Partnership; Member, North College Park Community Association; Board

Member, Community Bridges; Member, Prince George’s County Foster Parent Association;  Member, Region Forward Coalition with Metro Washington Coalition of Governments (COG)

Day Job: Director of Development, Mid-Atlantic; Share Our

Strength/No Kid Hungry

Statement to Voters: I have been honored to serve as District 1 City Councilmember over the last four years.  I have enjoyed meeting many of you at the farmers market, city events, and our new dog park.  I love our diverse community and look forward to serving for an additional two years.

In my tenure on the city council, I am proud of the work we have accomplished.  Examples of the initiatives I held a key leadership role in include:

·  Chairing the Neighborhood Preservation Trust with the College Park-University Partnership which, when established, will promote affordable housing and neighborhood stabilization.

· Chaired the council committee that improved the city’s committee structure, ultimately leading to more engagement within the community.

· Through my connections, I introduced and spearheaded a

new tutoring partnership with the Literacy Lab at Hollywood Elementary School.

In addition, I have supported numerous projects throughout the city and in our neighborhood including the Hollywood Commercial District Streetscape, Duvall Field renovations, a new city hall, and the new dog park.

And, thanks to responsible fiscal policy and growing businesses, we’ve done all this while lowering the tax rate!

Over my next term, my focuses will include:

· Expand environmental initiatives including preserving our tree canopy, reducing trash, and promoting environmentallyfriendly forms of transportation.

· Establish an affordable housing program that promotes both home ownership and provides options for students.

· Promote economic development across the city, focused on small businesses and establishing

College Park as a place to live, work (including virtually), and play.

· Advocate with partners for improved education and learning opportunities.

I look forward to working with you.  Please share your thoughts and insights by filling out my neighborhood survey at www. kateforcollegepark.com/survey.  You can also reach out via email at katekennedycp@gmail.com.

DISTRICT 2

BOB CATLIN

Age: 67

Community Involvement:

Since moving to College Park’s Berwyn neighborhood in 1989, I have continuously been involved in the activities of the Berwyn District Civic Association (BDCA) which soon

lead me to taking an interest in our city’s governance.  e 1990s saw dozens of residents engage in a comprehensive planning e ort that laid the foundation for the revitalization of College Park underway now.

Today, I serve as the vice chair of the Housing Authority of the City of College Park and have been a commissioner there since 2014. Attick Towers provides 108 apartments for low income elderly and disabled persons. I serve on the board of the College Park Academy, a public charter school for 700 students in grades 6 through 12.  I have been a board member there for the past decade.  I am also currently a co-president of the BDCA and have been on the board there for about 15 years.

From 1997 to 2013 I represented District 2 on the city council.  My last 11 years, I also served as the mayor pro tem.  With respect to other city groups, I have also been active in the Lakeland Community Heritage Project and the College Park Arts Exchange.  I was also a board member of the

College Park City-University Partnership from 2002 to 2014.

Day Job: Today, I am retired.  I was employed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  I have Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in economics from the University of Akron.

Statement to Voters: As a resident actively engaged in my city and neighborhood for more than 30 years, I have the knowledge and experience to most ably represent the interests of all of our city’s residents, whether they live here for decades or just a few years.  Please give me your vote this fall.

LLATRETRA BROWN ESTERS

Age: 52

Community Involvement: I currently serve on the city council and have been a councilmember since December 2020. In the past few months, I began volunteering at the College

Park Food Bank.  Prior to serving on the council, I served on the city’s Advisory Planning Commission and as a county election judge serving at Paint Branch Elementary in College Park.

Day Job: I serve as the Dean of Students at the University of Baltimore

Statement to Voters:  I value the College Park community and the opportunity I have had to represent the residents of District 2 for the past nine months, but I have so much more to contribute.  Having been elected during last year’s special election, my time on the city council has been limited.  I spent the past nine months serving while learning the ropes. I would like to apply the experience I have gained to e ectively represent District 2 and the City of College Park. If re-elected, I will continue to listen, advocate, and make informed decisions for the constituents I serve.

SUSAN WHITNEY

Age: 50

Community

Involvement: I’ve distributed the Berwyn District Civic Association Newsletter for about a decade, and occasionally volunteered for parkrun. During the pandemic, I’ve regularly contributed to the College Park Community Food Bank, focusing my donations on items they’re short on. Last year, I served as treasurer for Llatetra Brown Esters’ campaign for the District 2 special election.

Day Job: Business & HR Manager at Fleming-AOD, Inc. in Silver Spring, MD

Statement to Voters: I’ve lived in Berwyn for 16 years, and I love the parks, trails, businesses and diversity of College Park. I like the city’s trajectory and want to continue that progress while ensuring it remains an a ordable and desirable place to live, work, study and retire.

As a business and HR manager for a software company, I negotiate contracts and disputes, manage the books, bene ts and payroll, and collect from clients while maintaining good relationships. Outside of work, I cofounded a women’s arm wrestling league that raised more than $55,000 for charities bene ting women & children and served as treasurer for the PTSA at my daughter’s school, bringing it into compliance for the rst time in its fourteen-year history.

As a former journalist, I believe in truth-telling and communication. I’ll listen to you and keep you informed on issues facing the council and will further your interests by mixing advocacy with pragmatism. I believe we can build a stronger College Park by working across neighborhoods and districts, rather than caring only about our own corner of the city. Issues of particular concern to me are:

• Neighborhood stabilization: Maintain neighborhood character and reduce conversion of owneroccupied homes to rentals.

• Restorative justice: Partner with the Restorative Justice Steering Committee to implement its vision for seeking restorative justice for Lakeland.

• Parking: Protect parking for residents.

• Fiscal responsibility: Use tax revenue & American Rescue Plan Act funds to support community development.

• Environmental stewardship: Continue improvements in bikeability and walkability, and grow the city’s tree canopy.

• Business Development: Focus on bringing strong local businesses to the Berwyn commercial district and midtown

College Park.

• Senior services: Connect residents of Spellman House, Attick Towers and seniors aging in place with assistance, and support organizations providing it.

DISTRICT 3

STUART ADAMS

Age: 35

Community Involvement:

President of Calvert Hills Citizens Association for 3 years; Led Community Advocacy to Preserve Albion Woods; Championed Calvert Road Park Tree Sculpture Enhancement; Member of Pathways to Unity Housing A ordability Workgroup; Community Leader of Save Guilford Woods; Previous College Park Parks & Recreation Committee Member; Member of Prince George’s County Climate Action Plan Resident Advisory Group; Committee for a Better Environment Green Award Recipient; Member of College Park University District Vision 2030. Day Job:  Stuart Adams is a community resilience consultant for housing, transportation, and disaster mitigation as a Program Manager and Engineer at Stantec. He manages $5M/yr of technical support to local, state, and federal agencies including the City of Annapolis, MDSHA, MDOT, Amtrak, GSA, HUD, and FEMA.

His expertise in oodplain management, sustainability, and construction provides a strong understanding of community development and engagement.

Stuart actively participates in national resilience committees with non-pro ts including Enterprise Community Partners, the Association of State Floodplain Managers, Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.  Statement to Voters:  Stuart represents District 3 with a proven record of community-focused action and results. He is an active participant in our community, supporting many great enhancements including pedestrian safety and biking infrastructure improvements, lower property taxes, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and Smart Growth redevelopments.

He is running to continue the success of the council while adding a voice that is unafraid to speak up to developers, engineers, and consultants to ensure our community voices are heard. As the only non-incumbent running for District 3, Stuart is uniquely informed to bring new ideas to the council. His campaign website, StuAdams.com, outlines actions that could be implemented to strengthen College Park including expansion

of the Homeowners Tax Credit and new ideas for responsible social amenities including a downtown “Streatery” on weekends. Stuart recognizes that the council does not control fee-in-lieu allowances for recreational and park facilities, as well as stormwater management, but commits to partnering with the county to close these and other loopholes. e list is not exhaustive, and Stuart commits to listening to all community members to achieve a vision of excellence for College Park.

ROBERT DAY

Age: 57

Community Involvement:

Chair Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC); Chair College Park Academy Board; Member of Maryland Cybersecurity Council; National League of Cities University Communities Council; Certi ed ITGA member in Town-Gown Relations; Former President, College Park Estates Civic Association; Former Chair, College Park Rent Stabilization Board; Chair, City Redistricting Commission, 2011; Former Member, College Park Noise Control Board; Former Member and Chair, College Park Advisory Planning Commission; ViceChair, City Redistricting Commission, 2003

Day Job:  Senior Management

O cer, White Rook Technologies

Statement to Voters: My wife and I made College Park our home in 1997. We feel very fortunate in the wonderful friends we have made here and for the opportunity to raise our three sons in such a great community. Over the last 24 years, I have worked to represent resident and neighborhood interests to improve the Quality of Life in our community. roughout all my boards and committee roles, and now as a councilmember, I have been a strong voice, asking the tough questions and focusing on representing the needs and desires of the community.

As we build a better College Park, I will continue to be a strong advocate for a higher standard for quality-of-life solutions, by building community involvement in public safety, while keeping clear and open lines of communication with all local law enforcement agencies.

Being an e ective legislator involves listening to constituents, translating their concerns into workable proposals, and building consensus to implement them. I could not do this job without the involvement and openness of the people I

represent.

I am proud of my record while serving you and would be honored to earn your vote. I sincerely appreciate your willingness to engage, so please take the time to share with me your ideas, your concerns, and your aspirations, for our great city at: RDayCPD3@ gmail.com

JOHN RIGG

Age: 46

Community

Involvement:

John Rigg has served as Councilmember for District 3 since 2017, living with his family in Calvert Hills since 2007, where he served for ve years as president of the civic association.  A leader on city council, natural collaborator, and tireless community activist, John has worked hard to protect the character of College Park’s neighborhoods while bringing amenities and smart development to our city.  He served in the White House under two presidents, and worked as policy sta in the House of Representatives.   John’s rst career was as a paramedicre ghter, and he still volunteers as a Paramedic in Calvert County, Maryland.  John and is an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Old Town, and an active PTA volunteer in his children’s schools.

Day Job: Director of Operations, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority within the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Statement to Voters: John has delivered results for District 3: he fought to conserve open forest land on Albion Road, worked with UMD leadership to create a city-university daycare at a vacant school site on Calvert Road, and led our city’s e orts to develop support programs for businesses and residents during the COVID pandemic.  He advocated successfully for additional stormwater capacity in our community and, if elected, is looking forward to focusing heavily in the next council term on neighborhood stabilization and a ordable housing for residents of all ages.  John would love to hear your thoughts about ways our city can become an even better place.  Contact him via email jrigg@jrigg.net, or visit jrigg.net

DISTRICT 4

MARIA MACKIE

Age: I am 60 years young Community Involvement: Over the years, I have been very involved in my community.  I have served on the

College Park Woods Swim Club board and as an active parent member on the swim team.  I have been a member of the West College Park Civic Association and served on the board.  I continue to serve with Neighborhood Watch as a Block Captain.  I participated in many service projects throughout the city over the years.  I served on the Board of Election Supervisors as the District 4 Chief Judge for the city of College Park and as an Election Judge and Chief Judge for Prince George’s County.  During the Covid pandemic I have worked as a vaccination site volunteer.  I am very active in my church serving as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, childcare provider, Cares Team member, and in various ministries.

In addition to my duties as a councilmember, I am active on several committees like the Community Grants Program, the Cares Act Committee, Youth Advisory Board, Chesapeake Bay Policy Committee, City and University Partnership Transportation Committee, and more.  I’ve

assisted with Meals on Wheels, book distribution at the College Park Food Bank, and I have attended many activities throughout the City.

Day Job: I started my career as an Agricultural Specialist for the Farm Credit Administration and then at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.  I was a homeschool teacher from 1992-2018. I have worked as a substitute teacher and childcare worker.    My present day job is as a selfemployed tutor and aging-athome assistant.

Statement to Voters: I believe my life experiences have prepared me well to serve on the city council.  To the residents in District 4 and throughout College Park, I pledge to serve you faithfully, be a careful listener, address your concerns, anticipate your needs, protect your welfare, and advocate for your interests.   College Park has been my home for almost 50 years.  I hope to work with residents, sta , and my colleagues in the city, county and state to make College Park a place people want to call home.

DENISE MITCHELL

Age: 58

Community Involvement: West College Park Civic Association; City Involvement: Member, Co-Chair, and Chair-Education Advisory Committee. Member-Advisory Planning Commission. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments: Board of Directors, Alternate-Transportation Planning Board, Alternate-Air Quality Committee, former member-Human Services Committee and Region Forward Coalition. National League of Cities: Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, Secretary, National Black Caucus of Local Elected O cials, Member-Women In Municipal Government. Financial Member of Delta Sigma eta Sorority, Inc. Member, St. Mark’s Catholic Church.

Day Job: Retired Early Childhood Administrator

Statement to Voters: College Park education consultant and

forty- ve-year resident of College Park formally announces re-election to the City of College Park City Council for District 4 during the November 2021 election.

e residents of District 4 deserve a candidate with experience, leadership, dedication, experience, and transparency, which is why Ms. Mitchell seeks re-election. With the understanding of the past year, Ms. Mitchell will continue to work alongside the Mayor, her colleagues, and our residents to ensure that

services in our city are not interrupted. With a forward-thinking mindset, we will bring new means to support our city, such as grants for homeowners and businesses to keep them viable and successful. It will take a committed leader who understands the current setting to provide a progressive vision that aligns with the current strategic plan to move our city out of the hard times of COVID-19 while moving towards a true direction of an inclusive, diverse and collaborative city.

e residents of District 4 and all residents in our city deserve to have a ordable housing, a thriving partnership with the University that allows for employment opportunities, education advancement, and a promise that their tax dollars will be spent wisely.

Ms. Mitchell looks forward to the opportunity to serve another term on the City of College Park City Council and asks for your humble support to achieve this in November.

View election forums at StreetcarSuburbs.News!

Readers supplied the Here & Now with questions to ask each candidate. We asked those questions, along with others devised from our coverage of the city, in live forumswhich were also recorded for future viewing. Forums for Districts 1, 2, 4, and the mayoral election are now available on our website.

DENISE MITCHELL

VOTE

FOR COLLEGE PARK DISTRICT 4

Equitably Transforming the Economy for Everyone

The Here & Now will stream the District 3 forum live on Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. on its Facebook page: Facebook.com/cphereandnow. That forum will be hosted by Shawn Anderson of WTOP Radio at the College Park Airport in front of a live audience. Like the other forums, it will be available for viewing on the website after the live broadcast is over.

To view any or all of these forums, visit:

StreetcarSuburbs.News/ College-Park-Election-Forums

Or scan the QR code:

One College Park Collaborate with community partners such as our civic associations, PGPOA, and the Student Government Association to create a positive quality of life.

Strong Local Economy Initiate programs to assist local small businesses and minorityowned businesses.

Progressive Education Systems Work with State, County and Local school board members to construct an educational institution for Cherokee Lane Elementary that reflects the needs of the community.

Authorized by the candidate, Denise Mitchell. Jesse P. Kingsberry, Treasurer

ZONING

FROM PAGE 1

isting zone district to the most comparable zone district that is in the new Zoning Ordinance.” While the CMA reflects new names of zones, it does not specify new land uses for those zones. As Hyattsville Councilmember Danny Schaible (Ward 2) explained, the public feedback process “is for those who feel there was an error in the new way their zone was designed.” In other words, the CMA should not reflect substantive changes in zoning.

Schaible and a number of activists, however, are concerned that the amendment process favored developers, or at least created loopholes which developers could use to game the system and sneak in zoning intensifications.

Meanwhile, in College Park, legislators and community activists are concerned that the zoning reflected in the CMA will substantively change the character of their neighborhoods. College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn sent a letter to the county council lamenting that the city council and staff did not have more input in the zoning decisions made prior to the release of the CMA. They pointed out 10 possible discrepancies that would limit development in the dense downtown areas and allow overdevelopment of more residential areas in the northern part of the city.

“I am concerned that these new zoning classifications are going to set developers up so that they can create a new density in our area,” said Mary Cook, president of the North College Park Neighborhood Association. Cook lives west of Route 1. She noted that her neighborhood is home to the largest contiguous green space in the city, and she is concerned that it will be replaced with businesses.

On Sept. 27, a coalition of 21 organizations, including the North College Park Civic Association and Sustainable Hyattsville, sent a letter to the county council and planning board, echoing concerns expressed in Wojahn’s letter.

“You chose not to inform the public that developers may use the CMA process to seek to intensify the zones on their properties, and that they could file their zoning applications right up until the close of the CMA public comment period,” the letter reads.

“You chose not to inform county residents, community associations, and municipalities that the Council had received thousands of pages of ethics affidavits, applications, attorneys’

letters, and other relevant documents, and you failed to inform the public of where and how people can view those essential public records.

“You failed to inform the public that Planning staff are already proposing changes to the proposed CMA, and you failed to inform the public about where to find those proposed changes.”

The letter lists a number of demands, including a second set of joint public hearings on applications to intensify zoning on specific properties and various measures to better inform the public about rezoning requests.

In a guest commentary posted on the Maryland Matters website in April, Prince George’s County Councilmember Todd Turner (District 4) wrote, “Advancing the county’s new zoning ordinances and countywide map amendment process to completion was included as a high priority in the December 2020 joint legislative priorities letter from Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.”

Both activists and elected officials worry that the county’s desire to move quickly on this priority came at the cost of transparency.

Environmental and community activists are concerned that the CMA is a vehicle for developers to rezone without undergoing public review or notifying surrounding communities.

Schaible noted that many developers — including Werrlein, the firm behind a controversial residential development at the

former Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission headquarters adjacent to Driskell Park — participated in a virtual public hearing on the CMA, which took place Sept. 13 and 14.

Schaible was on the speaker list for the hearing, but he was not able to participate because of technical difficulties. He did submit a letter before the window for feedback closed on Sept. 29.

During the hearing, College Park Councilmember Fazlul Kabir (District 1) expressed concern about zoning classifications that could create too much density in areas of the city that cannot support it, like the Hollywood commercial district along Rhode Island Avenue. Kabir is not opposed to development, in general, but he is concerned that too much building and population growth will overstress infrastructure including utilities and roads. School capacity and public safety could be negatively impacted by accelerated growth, as well.

“If you invest in the public area, that will attract private investment. There’s no need to upzone and take all the risk of negative consequences,” Kabir told Streetcar Suburbs Publishing.

Hyattsville Director of Community and Economic Development

Jim Chandler explained that, in terms of development, the county rezoning process focuses on adaptive reuse, and main street and Metro development.

Much of the Route 1 Corridor is zoned as Neighborhood Activity Center (NAC). According to the Maryland-National Capital Park

and Planning Commission, NAC zoning “[p]rovides for lowerdensity, small-scale, mixed-use centers intended to serve surrounding neighborhoods. Vertical mixed-use development, with ground-floor retail, service, or office uses and residential above, is encouraged.”

Mark Ferguson, a planner and Hyattsville Community Development Corporation board member, explained that the new zoning ordinance simplifies the process of building on undeveloped land, but it complicates the process of modifying existing properties. According to Ferguson, this will be especially burdensome for small business owners. “It will have a chilling effect on investment and redevelopment,” he said.

Ferguson is also concerned that some existing businesses, including the auto repair shops east of Route 1 in southern Hyattsville, will not conform to NAC zoning uses. Although they can remain in place, these businesses may not be eligible for renovations or upgrades.

RRR Automotive Group President and CEO Richard Patterson testified at the Sept. 13 public hearing. He owns a Toyota dealership in Hyattsville and three businesses in College Park.

Patterson said that the Hyattsville dealership will not be impacted by new zoning, but the College Park businesses will be forced to close. He worried that he could lose his franchises if the zoning precludes him from renovating.

Mark Ferguson, a planner and Hyattsville Community Development Corporation board member, explained that the new zoning ordinance simplifies the process of building on undeveloped land, but it complicates the process of modifying existing properties.

According to Ferguson, this will be especially burdensome for small business owners:“It will have a chilling effect on investment and redevelopment.”

New taco restaurant opening up in Berwyn

By Pierce Panagakos

College Park is home to a new taco restaurant, and even before opening for in-person dining, Tacos a La Madre is serving carryout, at 5010 Berwyn Road, in the heart of Berwyn’s quaint downtown.

Many city residents have already had a taste of La Madre’s Mexican menu; the head chef initially filled his mother’s kitchen with tantalizing aromas and sold from her backyard, and then through a limited deal with College Park’s Holiday Inn.

Herson Romero, owner of the restaurant, is eager to welcome customers through the doors. “We honestly anticipate a mixture of customers. From our loyal tacoholics who have followed us in our amazing journey as well as those eager neighbors, residents, and students here in College Park,” he said.

Romero is also eager to share La Madre’s menu. “One of the menu items that we are extremely excited to bring back and make it a permanent menu item is our Carne Asada Fries! Something that is near and dear to our hearts and [we] can’t wait to bring a flavorful west coast delicacy over to the East coast!” he exclaimed. While he’s sure that La Madre’s fries will be a hit, Romero also raved about La Madre’s

Dear College Park neighbors –

signature offering, their birria tacos & nachos. “We have taken so much time perfecting these items and can’t wait for more people to try delicious and authentic birria tacos,” he added.

Bob Catlin, a long-time Berwyn resident, said that the neighborhood is excited about having a new restaurant in the neighborhood. Catlin recalled Fishnet, the popular restaurant that was at this location until 2019. He said that Fishnet had a broad customer base and added to the neighborhood’s vibrancy. He suggested that Tacos a La Madre could appeal to a diverse customer base, too.

Eric Olson, the executive director of the College Park-University Partnership, underscored the location’s attributes, writing in an email, “It is a quaint neighborhood setting, which has appeal, and the location is right along the popular trolley trail, making it a destination for cyclists as well. The restaurants that have been at the site previously have all been ‘destination restaurants’ where frequent customers travel to the spot, in addition to the many customers who are College Park residents and students.”

Tacos a La Madre’s hard opening date isn’t set, but they are taking orders online at tacosalamadre.com. For updates, follow the restaurant on Instagram @tacosalamadre.

Our top priorities for this year are beating COVID and getting Maryland back to work Our post-recovery agenda includes climate change, smart growth, health equity, expanded PreK, and higher incomes for working people

And, as always, helping you, and all of our neighbors solve problems in College Park

We appreciate the opportunity to represent the 21st District and to serve you. To learn more about what we've been working on and our priorities going forward, visit our website.

We look forward to keeping in touch over the coming months!

Many thanks, Mary, Ben, Joseline, and Jim

By authority, Carolyn Brosch, Treasurer/

The birria taco is one of the signature menu items at Tacos a La Madre.

COURTESY OF TACOS A LA MADRE

21 st District Democratic Team

Team 21 Slate