City of Laurel Councilmember James Kole (Ward 1) is excited. On Oct. 8, the city will host its first Pride Day event, and he is at the helm, chartering new territory.
“It might be a small event or a large event,” Kole said. “There are not many fall Pride events, so we have no competition.”
June was designated Pride Month in 1999, and events have been held throughout the country since then. October is recognized as
Laurel’s city government is exploring ways to control apartment rent hikes as the escalating cost of housing has brought together a coalition of local activist groups calling for anti-rent gouging legislation.
Among possible measures the city is considering is a cap on the amount that landlords can raise rents annually. The cap would potentially be pegged to the federal government’s Consumer Price Index, which is the measure used to calculate retail inflation.
The newly formed Laurel Housing Justice Coalition supports such legislation. Central American Solidarity of Maryland (CASA), Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services (LARS), the National Associated for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Prince George's Change Makers (PG) and the Poor People’s Campaign are all members of the coalition, which is currently collecting signatures on a petition in support of the legislation. (To see and sign the petition, go to wearecasa.org/anti-rentgouging-laurel-md)
The mayor and city council will discuss
possible measures at a work session Sept. 21. The session will take place at 6 p.m. at the Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Road.
Mayor Craig Moe said the rise in apartment rents “is not a new issue. We’ve been working on it for years.” He cited, for example, the workforce housing measure the city instituted almost a decade ago that requires developments of more than 50 rental units to include affordably priced units. Eighty such units have been established under the measure, but that is out of a total of almost
By Will KitchingThe largest field in the 10-year history of the St. Mark United Methodist Church Emancipation 5K took off running the Saturday morning of Labor Day weekend at McCullough Field. Runners from 7 to 73 took to the track to raise funds for diabetes patients living in Maryland, organizers said.
Columbia resident Luis Navarro, 45, set a blistering pace of 6:20 minutes per mile to win first place in the 5K (3.1 miles), while Heather Cannon, who came all the way from San Antonio, Texas, finished first in the women’s division and 5th overall, making quick work of the winding course at a 7:15 pace. The course is USA Track & Field certified and professionally timed by Cheetah Sports Timing, with each 5K runner having a timing chip in their race bib.
On Aug. 5, a severe storm in Laurel brought trees down along 7th Street and Carroll Avenue, doing damage to homes and vehicles.
While not common, major storms like hurricanes, tornadoes and white-out blizzards are not strangers to Laurel altogether. This past summer, the Laurel History Museum marked the 50th anniversary of Tropical Storm Agnes — a June 1972 storm that became a hurricane that killed 122 people across the East Coast — with a temporary exhibit. Agnes, which caused major flooding throughout the area, was one of the most significant storms ever to hit Laurel.
According to Ann Bennett, executive director of the museum, other noteworthy disasters that have occured here include a snowstorm in 1993, Hurricane Irene in 2011 and tornadoes in 2001 and 2015.
In 2004, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared September National Preparedness Month, a time each year that sees broad campaigns encouraging citizens to be prepared for di-
sasters or emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities.
“Storms seem to be getting more frequent and stronger,” said Christina Cornwell, emergency manager for the city of Laurel. “Make sure you are prepared.”
Being prepared involves a number of steps, Cornwell said, from having a fully stocked and current first aid kit, along with canned food and bottled water, to knowing where to take shelter and how to reach important contacts.
“You can be evacuated anytime during the day, when you are at work, school, a soccer game,” Cornwell said. “If you can’t get back, where do you go to make sure you are safe?”
If you have relatives in schools, or nursing homes or assisted living homes, inform yourself about where they go if they are evacuated. Have phone numbers for those locations available.
“If phone grids are busy, have out-of-state contacts,” Cornwell said. “Text if you can’t call.”
If you have to stay in place during an emergency, make sure to have enough canned food,
bottled water and prescription medicines to last a few days. Remember to have enough food for any pets you may have, too. “Have things ready to go if you have to evacuate,” Cornwell said. “Extra cell phone chargers, walkers, canes. I wear glasses; when I get a new pair, I put the old pair in my kit.”
Important paperwork, including wills, deeds, Social Security
cards, credit cards and bank statements, should be considered, too. Have the originals or copies easily accessible or stored elsewhere such as in a deposit box.
“What things can you replace if your home is completely destroyed?” Cornwell asked. It is important to remain aware of what is happening, so you’ll need to be able to access
As the fall hurricane season approaches, here is some practical advice for protecting your home from flood damage and sewer backups.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has mapped the entire nation to determine the relative risks for
A community newspaper chronicling the people and events of Laurel, Maryland.
Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781
The Laurel Independent is published monthly by Streetcar Suburbs Publishing., 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 provided.
StreetcarSuburbs.News
flooding based on history, elevation and proximity to waterways. The city of Laurel, according to its website, cityoflaurel. orgt, estimates that 10% of land in the city is in the Patuxent River floodplain, and subject to the dangers of flash flooding.
If you live in a flood zone, your mortgage company will require you to carry flood insurance in addition to a standard home-
Managing Editor Katie V. Jones Katie@streetcarsuburbs.news
Associate Editor Nancy Welch Nancy@streetcarsuburbs.news
Writers & Contributors
Will Kitching, Angie Latham Kozlowski, Joe Murchison, Alexandra Radovic, Paul Ruffins
Layout & Design Editors Ashley Perks, Valerie Morris
Web Editor Jessica Burshtynskyy
Advertising Mike McLaughlin advertising@streetcarsuburbs.news 301.531.5234
Business Manager Catie Currie
owner’s policy. Search your address at msc.fema.gov/portal/ home.
Homeowners insurance policies cover only certain types of water damage. Standard home insurance policies generally cover accidental water damage caused by a source inside your home — a broken pipe or leaking faucet supply line — but not damaged due to water coming
Board of Directors Joseph Gigliotti — President & General Counsel Emily Strab — Secretary Stephanie Stullich — Treasurer Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, T. Carter Ross, Bette Dickerson, Melanie Dzwonchyk, Nora Eidelman, Maxine Gross Katie V. Jones, Mark Goodson, Kit Slack — Ex Officios Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. mail to every address in Laurel. Additional copies are distributed to popular gathering spots around town. Total circulation is 16,400.
The
in from outside your home. If a hurricane rips your roof off, and rain pours in, causing damage, you’d be covered, because this is typically considered wind damage. Insurance never covers slowly occurring water damage due to deferred maintenance, such as having an old leaky roof that leads to warped floors. Flood damage is only covered by flood insurance, but if flooding is caused by a catastrophic regional emergency, low-interest federal disaster loans would probably become available to everyone who can claim damages. These loans do have to be repaid.
Private Flood Insurance: FEMA estimates that 40% of flood claims are filed by homeowners whose properties are not in flood zones. One private company quoted The Laurel Independent $500,000 worth of structural flood coverage on a split-level wood frame house on Glen Ridge Drive, which has a basement and no prior losses. That quote included personal property coverage of $100,000, basement contents coverage
local news. Have extra batteries available for a portable radio and use presets on your radio or keep a list of local stations. The city has a mass notification system, Cornwell noted, but residents must register for it on the city’s website.
In the event of a natural disaster or emergency, the city’s emergency operations center
of $10,000 and a deductible of $5000, for $1,075.41 a year in addition to standard homeowners insurance.
Insurance
This federal program is particularly important in flood-prone areas where private flood insurance isn’t available or extremely expensive, as is the case in portions of both New Orleans and Ellicott City, or for homes that have had numerous prior claims. Maximum coverage is $250,000 for structures and $100,000 for personal property. NFIP insurance policies include a 10- to 30-day waiting period before the policyholder can file a claim, so there isn’t immediate value in purchasing a policy after sustaining flood damage. Both private and NFIP insurance cover structural damage and personal property losses on or above the first floor. In basements, only structural damage and fixtures that are considered permanent - furnaces, hot water heaters, air conditioners and electrical panels and similar items - are covered by NFIP. Materials and features installed during initial construction or
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will open, Cornwell said. Depending on the situation, the center will oversee everything from opening emergency shelters to distributing food and water and cleaning up debris.
“There is certainly a variety of things we can do,” Cornwell said. “Hot weather. Cold weather. Power outages. It depends on the disaster and what the needs are.”
Laurel Mayor Craig Moe said the emergency operations center was “working fine” and was open during the pandemic. He praised Cornwell’s efforts to keep citizens informed on how to be prepared.
“We like to tell everybody that every month is National Preparedness Month,” Moe said. “Know the way out of your home in the event of an emergency or fire. Know where the snow emergency streets are and know where flood areas are and do not drive through flooded streets.”
“The best thing the general public can do is make sure they are prepared,” Cornwell said. “Make a kit, have a plan and stay informed.”
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as part of remodeling, including drywall, are not covered. Private policies may also cover personal property stored in basements - clothes, furniture, tools, electronic devices and the like— but premiums are substantially higher for this type of coverage.
Dealing with damage due to basement toilet or floor drain backups can be costly.. Every building in Laurel or Prince George’s County that does not have its own septic tank is connected to a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s branch sewer line that runs under the street. While WSSC maintains its lines, property owners are responsible for maintaining the sewer line from their home to the property line. Standard insurance policies issued in Maryland do not cover sewer backups, though insurance companies do offer coverage for them at additional cost.
ups, but only as a direct result of an event that fits NFIP’s definition of a flood. Flooding after a heavy rain does not always fall within the federal definition.
Backups are generally the result of storm water flowing into and overloading WSSC’s aging infrastructure. Depending on the specific circumstances of the backup, WSSC may be responsible for damages to your home or possessions and any cleanup deemed necessary.
Installing a backflow preventer valve on the dwelling’s main sewer line prevents most backups, and WSSC will install a valve for homeowners under certain conditions. The valve allows water to flow out but closes if water is flowing into a residential line from the WSSC pipe. FEMA estimates the cost of the valve, including installation, to be between $600 and $1400. Less expensive valves than those recommended by FEMA may also be available. (For more information about installing a valve, see mass.gov/ doc/installing-sewer-backflowvalves)
Steps you can take
surance, homeowners can address flooding in a number of ways. An alarm can alert you to an overflowing washing machine, a leaking water heater or water flooding in from outside. Alarms range from inexpensive, battery-powered devices to sophisticated sensors with Wi-Fi capability.
If water collects in your basement, a submersible pump (sump pump) may be an inexpensive and relatively reliable choice — and an easier solution than using a wet/dry vac to do the work, yourself.
A comprehensive solution for a flooding basement would be proper insurance, a backflow valve, a water alarm and a French drain with a sump pump with battery backup power.
Installing a French drain is a loud, messy two-to-four-day job that costs $8,000-$16,000 or more, depending on the size of your basement.
The peace of mind is priceless.
Paul Ruffins is a citizen scientist and professor of curiosity.
Standard insurance policies issued in Maryland do not cover sewer backups, though insurance companies do offer coverage for them at additional cost. Federal flood insurance usually covers sewer and drain backups, but only as a direct result of an event that fits NFIP's definition of a flood.
LGBTQ History Month, and Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day.
“In June, there are Pride events every weekend. We didn’t want to interfere with other established events in the area,” said Dana Cunningham, social media contact for the city’s Pride Day committee. “We want to get the word out and have a solid showing.”
Kole noted that a number of drag queens will participate in the celebration, and there will be a DJ playing music. He said he hoped to include speakers sharing their coming out stories.
“It’s interesting to hear what people go through,” Kole said.
The family-friendly event will feature activities for children, a variety of vendors, booths with educational material and work by local artists.
“We want people to hang out, have fun and celebrate Pride in Laurel,” Cunningham said.
The committee is networking with other Pride groups in the area, Cunningham said, and several other city committees have been helping, too.
“Because we are using the same site [Granville Gude Park], the Fourth of July Committee has been really helpful showing us the ropes,” Cunningham said. “Many have supported us at other Laurel events.”
The city has authorized use of the park and is providing security, Kole said. He also noted that the city is helping the committee obtain permits.
“From what he [Kole] tells me, it will be a good day for a celebration,” said Mayor Craig Moe.
“It will educate us as well.”
Committee member Amy Dunham wrote in an email that the festival will also serve as a reminder. “LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination relating to personal experiences and our civil rights,” Dunham wrote. “I feel incredibly lucky to be in an area that is generally very open, accepting, and
where our city can host a pride festival.”
The city of Laurel Pride Day will take place Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Granville Gude Park. Vendors, entertainers and volunteers can apply now through Sept. 23 by emailing LaurelPrideDayCommittee@ gmail.com or visiting facebook. com/watch/CityofLaurelPrideDay
After a two-year absence, the city of Laurel’s popular Main Street Festival was scheduled to return on May 7 but the threat of severe weather caused its cancellation.
“Everybody I talked to the Friday before said ‘Thank God,” said Maureen Rogers, committee chair for The Laurel Board of Trade, organizers of the event. “It was terrible. Forty degrees and raining.” Instead of canceling the event altogether, organizers rescheduled it for Oct. 15.
“We’re picking up new interest,” Rogers said. “We’ve got some new vendors who haven’t been in the festival before. … different kinds of food, more coffee vendors are coming out.”
The festival will also feature a larger arts and crafts area this year that will include items made of wood, metal and glass. A DJ and several bands, including Not 2 Cool Jazz Trio; Bach to Rock, a student band; and Violent Relaxation, a funk rock band, will provide entertainment.
Festivities kick off with a parade at 9 a.m. featuring fire engines, actors with the Laurel Mill Playhouse, the US Spyder Ryders motorcycle club and more.
Rogers noted that the festival will return to a May date next year.
“It’s been a wild time,” Rogers said, of the planning. “It will be just as much fun.”
Laurel’s Main Street Festival will take place Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors, entertainers and volunteers can apply now through Sept. 12 at laurelboardoftrade.org
FEATURING:
KIDS ZONE & STAGE
BOUNCE HOUSES
OBSTACLE COURSES
CLIMB WALL PERFORMERS
ARTS & CRAFTS
FUN ACTIVITIES
...AND SO MUCH MORE!
Para información en español por favor visite nuestro sitio web del evento www.collegeparkday.org
www.collegeparkmd.gov
Years ago, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that led to an explosion in pet ownership, Laurel was overrun with feral cats. A nonprofit organization grew in response to the overwhelming number of outdoor felines and a cat-friendly plan was conceived. An army of volunteers, themselves cat-friendly folks, began trapping cats to be spayed and neutered.
A low-cost, boutique animal surgery clinic Spay Now in Grasonville sought to open a second and much needed clinic in Laurel, a search facilitated by a receptive city government. Once open at 7401 Van Dusen Road, many, many of the Laurel cats were spayed and neutered. By 2018, there was a 30% decline in the number of strays in the city.
Over the past three years, petloving people have sought to take advantage of the extra time at home by adopting or purchasing a furry friend. The boom in pet ownership has led to an increased demand for veterinary services, while the number of new veterinarians has not kept pace with the increase in pet ownership nor with the number of those retiring from the field.
Today, the Laurel Spay Now Animal Surgery Clinic continues to help meet the increased demand and need for surgical services in our region. The clinic, now owned by lead veterinarian Dr. Joy Lewis and her husband, Jeremy Lewis, is seeing between 120 and 130 patients a week.
Jeremy Lewis noted that the demand for veterinary services has increased about 50% since before the pandemic. Awed by the need for the clinic’s services, he speculated about the possibility of acquiring a bigger location in the future. However, he indicated that as new owners, they are not looking to make any changes to the business at this time.
The clinic is one of several places pet owners can take their cats and dogs for low-cost spaying and neutering. These services, together with other low-cost surgeries and services offered at Spay Now — including soft tissue surgical procedures and dentistry for both cats and dogs — has led to a waiting list of about 400 at the Laurel location.
As of the end of August, Jeremy Lewis noted, “the clinic is almost completely booked through the new year for spaying and neutering dogs and cats, as well as for dental services.” The book-
ing schedule for the first three months of 2023 will open in October.
The clinic also works with many area rescues and shelters. Some first-time pet rescue owners or foster pet families will have, or have had, their new, furry friends spayed or neutered at Spay Now. The affordability of the services provided by Spay Now remains a welcome relief to Laurel Cats, a local nonprofit dedicated to humanely reducing the number of free roaming, community cats in Laurel, according to its website.
Laurel Cats President Helen Woods has high praise for the work that Spay Now does in supporting its mission. The outdoor cat population has declined by about 50% since the start of their work approximately 10 years ago and continues to steadily decline. In fact, the results of the organization’s yearly winter census indicated that there were no known feral cat colonies that had not been spayed and neutered in any of the four Laurel zip codes, Woods noted, work that was done primarily by Spay Now.
According to Woods, the original Spay Now location in Grasonville allowed an overwhelming, burgeoning feral cat population in Laurel — the result of the stock
market and housing crisis of 2008 and the resulting mass evictions which led to many pets being abandoned — to be humanely reduced thanks to its more financially accessible pricing for spaying and neutering. Since the Laurel location opened, the group continues to bring outdoor cats in for the low-cost surgeries and vaccinations,
Woods is quick to praise both Dr. Kate Howard who started Spay Now with her husband, Brad, in Grasonville in 2008 and Dr. Joy Lewis for the tremendous impact their clinics have on the humane management of these community cat colonies.
However, Woods noted, for as busy as the clinic is now, the current economy and looming rent increases can lead to a situation where there could be a tremendous number of evictions and
were spayed/ neutered at Spay Now.
another tremendous number of abandoned animals. A situation similar to what led to the overwhelming number of outdoor cats over a decade ago.
Woods said Laurel Cats had received a call about a couple of stray cats, one neutered and the other, a female, not spayed, that were found and trapped near a restaurant off Johns Hopkins Road by a volunteer. Two kittens were also seen but not trapped, and a stakeout was planned.
After interviewing employees near where the kittens were last seen, traps were set. Woods indicated that, “if the kittens are not too old yet, they could be socialized to live indoors. We will not know until we catch them and have them checked out what the next steps will be.”
First, the kittens must be caught.
The Department of Fire Marshal and Permit Services (FMPS) is composed of two Divisions responsible for the management and enforcement of the City’s codes and ordinances as it relates to a wide range of areas, to include building and property standards, fire and life safety standards, rental housing licenses and permitting services. Our goal as a department is to ensure the safety and preservation of human life and property. Each inspection we conduct is done with your safety as our top priority.
Before you renovate the bathroom, add a new deck, build that addition for your amazing mother-in-law, or build out the basement, give us a call! A member of our Permits Division will let you know what permits will be needed and be there for you every step of the way. From navigating the permitting process, to conducting the inspection, we’ve got you covered.
Before you sign a lease or rental agreement within the City of Laurel be sure to ask, “When was this unit/home last inspected?” All rental properties located within the City
of Laurel must undergo a rental inspection once every three years.
Code Enforcement
FMPS is charged with enforcing City Codes and Ordinances relating to building and property standards. These standards ensure the protection of the public health and safety. The full collection of regulations enforced by the Department is contained in several portions of the Municipal Code. However, City residents - particularly property owners - should be aware of the following property standards, as they impact a significant number of residents, and consequently are the most frequently violated:
• Snow and Ice Removal
• Grass and Weeds
• Excess Trash and Debris
Aside from surveying the City for potential violations, FMPS is obliged to investigate citizen issues, inquiries or possible violations of the City's building and property standards. Inquiries, issues and possible violations can be reported through the following means:
1. Submit your request through the City's MyLaurel MD App or on the City's website through the "MyLaurel MD" banner.
Download the MyLaurel MD Mobile App athttps://www.cityoflaurel.org/it/ mylaurel-mobile-app
2. Via email: fmps@laurel.md.us
3. Via phone: 301-725-5300 Ext. 2238. Contact us with any of your building needs or code enforcement questions at the contact information above.
The Department of Information Technology (IT) is a City Department that the public rarely has an opportunity to interact with, but what IT does behind the scenes affects residents and businesses alike! We implement software applications, maintain equipment and hardware, and keep critical systems running - so that our other Departments can continue to serve you better.
Here are a few of our current projects that will directly improve how you interact with the City:
In recent months, phones lines at various city facilities have gone down due to regional service outages. While we can’t ever be truly outage-proof, we will soon complete a major phone system upgrade that will add significant resilience against those particular types of outages. The upgrade will also include better phone support for teleworking employees, giving staff direct access to their phone extension even when they’re working off-site, and improving your access to staff as the City implements partial telework options. All in all, calling any of the City facilities should be a slightly smoother experience once
we’re done.
The Information Technology Department is spearheading a big round of updates to the City website, www.cityoflaurel.org. The website is one of the primary ways that City Departments get information out to residents and businesses. We’re making lots of changes in the background and are working with Departments to clean up the presentation, as well as update the content organization to make information as easy to find as possible. Stay tuned for a fresh new look and cleaner, more accessible web content in early 2023!
The MyLaurel MD Mobile App is a great way to keep connected with your City and a new version is planned for early 2023, with lots of bugfixes and improvements! The MyLaurel MD app allows you to submit requests and issues directly to City Departments: bulk trash pickups, damaged park swings, just to name a few! It gives you access to
notifications from City Departments about things like events, weather, and closures, and the new version will let you select which notifications you’d like to receive! It even gives you access to the latest news and press releases, to custom event maps and schedules for events like the Main Street Festival and the Independence Day Celebration! Download it today at https:// cityoflaurel.org/mylaurel!
Be a “Bee Hero”
With the official launch of the City’s Bee City initiative at the Sustainable Saturday event – it’s time to get our hands dirty. Sign up for some volunteer time at the Larry T. Smith Bee City/Pollinator Garden. We will begin with an on-site orientation, providing some tips on weeding, planting, preparing the soil and introductions to Maryland Native plants. Interested people can contact the City Administrator’s Office at CAdmin@laurel.md.us and we will connect you with our Bee Team.
Leaves Aren’t Litter
Fall is in the air Cooler temperatures and shorter days lead to the beauty of the leaves turning color and the eventual landing of the leaves on our lawns. This year, leave some of your leaves! One of the most valuable things you can do to support pollinators and other invertebrates is to provide them with the winter cover they need in the form of fall leaves and standing dead plant material. Frequently, however, this is the hardest Fall task for gardeners to skip.
It may be habitual, a matter of social conditioning, or a holdover of outdated gardening practices from yesteryear, but for whatever reason, we just can’t seem to help ourselves from wanting to tidy
up the garden at the end of the season, raking, mowing, and blowing away a bit of nature that is essential to the survival of moths, butterflies, snails, spiders, and dozens of arthropods. For more information on the benefits of “Leaving the Leaves” check out https:// www.cityoflaurel.org/green.
In 2020, due to the pandemic, the Great Global CleanUp was originally planned to include thousands of large group cleanups, but unfortunately most events were cancelled. Although the larger events were cancelled, National Clean Up Day pivoted in 2020 from large scale clean ups to individual cleanups. They had over 671,000 signups by individuals, municipalities, schools, and companies.
The next National/World CleanUp Day is scheduled for September 17, 2022. How are you going to step up to help make the world a greener place? You can sign up your group at the link here, https://www.worldcleanupday.us/, and together, let’s unite the global community, raise awareness, and implement true change to achieve our final goal - a clean and healthy planet!
What would happen if everyone picked up just one piece of litter? To begin this campaign, the inaugural National CleanUp Day was held in 2017 and had more than 225,000 volunteers! The 2018 event was even bigger, with over 1,500,000 volunteers, 14 million pounds of waste collected, and was held in conjunction with the inaugural World CleanUp Day and grew through the years!
We Want to Hear from YOU!
Sign up for Green Living updates at https://www.cityoflaurel.org/green.
Oficial de Incendios y Servicios de Permisos
El Departamento del Oficial de Incendios y Servicios de Permisos (FMPS) está compuesto por dos Divisiones, responsables de la gestión y el cumplimiento de los códigos y ordenanzas de la Ciudad en lo que respecta a una amplia gama de áreas, que incluyen estándares de construcción y propiedad, estándares de seguridad humana y contra incendios, licencias de viviendas de alquiler y servicios de permisos. Nuestro objetivo como Departamento es garantizar la seguridad y la preservación de la vida humana y la propiedad. Cada inspección que realizamos se realiza con su seguridad como nuestra principal prioridad.
El Departamento de Información Tecnologíca (IT) es un Departamento de la Ciudad con el que el público rara vez tiene la oportunidad de interactuar, pero lo que hace IT afecta tanto a los residentes como a las empresas. Implementamos aplicaciones de software, mantenemos el equipo y el hardware, y mantenemos los sistemas críticos en funcionamiento, para que nuestros otros Departamentos puedan continuar brindándole un mejor servicio.
The Mayor and City Council were on their annual hiatus during the month of August, but are preparing for the September meetings! We look forward to seeing everyone soon! If you have any questions regarding upcoming meetings or how to participate, please feel free to contact the Office of the City Clerk at 301-725-5300 x2121 or at clerk@laurel.md.us.
COUNCIL O FFICE
301-725-5300 ext. 2121
clerk@laurel.md.us
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant Application Process Opens September 12 - October 12 for Businesses/Organizations. Visit https:// www.cityoflaurel.org/arpa for more details.
Indigenous Peoples Day - October 10th - City/Passport Offices Closed -
Visit www.cityoflaurel.org/calendars for trash/recycling adjustment.
City of Laurel Pride Day -
October 8, 2022 - 11:00am - 4:00pm - Granville Gude Park
40th Main Street Festival -
October 15, 2022 - 9:00am - 4:00pm - Laurel’s Historic Main Street
Ecycle and Paper Shredding Event -
October 22, 2022 - 8:00am - 12:00pm - Public Works - 305-307 First Street (Enter at the First Street Entrance)
Government Meetings
Historic District Commission - September 20th - 6pm
Board of Appeals - September 22nd - CANCELLED
In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting - September 26th - 6pm
Virtual Mayor and City Council Work Session - October 7th - 6pm
Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting - Wed., October 12th - 6pm
On August 6th, Council President Brencis D. Smith hosted the City of Laurel’s Afro-Caribbean Festival called “Carifesta” featuring international recording artist Serani and Ricardo Drue. There were roughly around 4,000 people in attendance that enjoyed the live performances by various bands, food, and craft vendors. Council President Brencis D. Smith presented two Appreciation Awards on behalf of the City of Laurel to Serani and Ricardo Drue for their contributions to the West Indian culture and the global musical stage! Council President Smith looks forward to finding more ways to engage with the citizens of Laurel by meeting them where they are.
October is observed as National Fire Prevention Month. The goal of Fire Prevention Month (and week October 9th - 15th) is to raise fire safety awareness, and help ensure your home and family is protected. The month is celebrated by raising fire safety awareness and educating families, students and communities across the United States. The NFPA's 2022 campaign for Fire Safety Month is "Fire W on't Wait, Plan Your Escape."
Fire Prevention Week is the perfect time to educate and talk with your whole family about fire safety, including testing alarms, changing the batteries or upgrading to 10-year sealed battery alarms, knowing how to use a fire extinguisher and escape route planning. D id you know:
• 3 of every 5 home fire deaths resulted from fires with no working smoke alarms.
• Less than 50% of homeowners have an escape plan.
• Carbon monoxide (CO) is the #1 cause of accidental poisoning in the US.
• 60% of consumers do not test their smoke and CO alarms monthly.
• Only 47% of people report having CO alarms in their home.
• Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of home fires.
As Fire Prevention Month approaches, make a fire escape plan and practice it with everyone in your home. Know two ways out of every room in the house in case one exit is blocked or dangerous to use. Make sure you have quick release devices on your windows s o you can escape if you have a fire. Practice safe cooking and never leave a turned on stove unattended. Keep anything that can cat ch fireoven mitts, wooden utensils, food packages, towels and curtains - away from your stovetop. Teach young children that matches and lighters are tools, not toys. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater. For more information on fire prevention, visit the American Red Cross at https://rdcrss.org/3AjTag1
Send your event information to Katie V. Jones at katie@streetcarsuburbs. news
MUSEUM, 9650 Muirkirk Rd. 301.377.7817
Fighting Destiny Tour, the Untold Story of Montpelier’s Enslave Population: An outdoor walking tour about the enslaved people and how they were brought to Montpelier, Sept. 17, 1:30 p.m., $5
Hidden Spaces Tour: Discover secret staircases, trap doors and explore the attic and basement of Montpelier Historic. Sept. 18, 3:30 p.m., $15-$20
Ask a historian! Nathania Branch-Miles will provide an update on the research project to find descendants of the enslaved. Sept. 22. 6:30 p.m.
Chocolate Lovers’ Tea: Sept. 24, 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. $28-$32
MONTPELIER ARTS CENTER, 9652 Muirkirk Rd 301.377.7800
Anita King: Jazz vocalist King performs favorite jazz songs. Sept. 22, noon. $12
The Mark Wade Trio: Jazz composer and bassist Mark Wade, with Tim Harisson on piano and Scott Neumann on drums. Sept. 23, 8 p.m. $25
Current Exhibits
Dreamer’s House and Anomalies in Time: Photographs by Regina Deluise and Jay Gould. Explore the passage and paradoxes of time. Public reception Sept. 17, 2 p.m. Exhibit through Oct. 23 in the Main Gallery.
Christina Haslinger: Exhibit features abstract paintings in various mediums. Through Oct. 30 in the Library Gallery.
Jeremy White: Exhibit of clay figures. Through Oct. 16 in the Resident Artist Gallery.
LAUREL HISTORY
MUSEUM, 817 Main St 301.725.7975
Foods of Fiction: LHS partners with the Laurel Library for a talk about the role of food in literature. Laurel Library, 507 7th St., Laurel, Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m.
McCeney March: Walk through historic Laurel. Proceeds go toward LHS’ educational programs and scholarships. Sept. 24, 11 a.m.
End of Summer Fun Day: Guided exhibit tours, pound cake challenge, cupcake decorating and food samples. Sept. 24, noon to 4 p.m.
Current Exhibit:
What’s Cookin’ Laurel? Restaurants, Recipes and Community Exhibit explores the many ways we connect with our past and each other through food. Discover Laurel’s farmers, restaurants, food stores, African American traditions and community cookbooks. Free. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, noon to 4 p.m., through Dec. 18.
PATUXENT RESEARCH
REFUGE. Programs are free; some require advance registration. Programs are subject to changes or cancellation due to weather or low enrollment. For more information and to register, call 301.497.5887
You will be compensated for your time!
Who? Persons 18 - 30 years old with normal hearing
Persons 65 – 85 years old with either normal or mildly impaired hearing
American English must be your first language Where? University of Maryland, College Park, MD
What does the research involve? You may be asked to listen to sentences, tones, or noise bursts. You will then be asked to react to a particular sound or sentence. This will take approximately 18 to 25 hours, scheduled over multiple weeks
Or you may be asked to complete tasks that involve passively measuring brain activity This will take approximately 2.5 to 4.5 hours.
For further details, contact Ms. Carol Gorham hearing@umd.edu, 301-405-4236
South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop Pollinators in a Pot: Native Plants for Patios and Decks, An informative session on creating a wildlife home in limited space. Sept. 17, 2 to 3 p.m.
Junior Wildlife Ranger: Youth ages 6 to 10 years old can join a
Refuge ranger to explore five nature-related activities. Sept. 17, 2 to 4 p.m.
Easy Pollinator-habitat Gardens: Learn how to start a backyard wildlife refuge with this class. Sept. 24, 2 to 3 p.m.
North Tract, 230 Bald Eagle Dr. Riding Bicycles to Experience: A 12-mile guided ride on rough asphalt to see wildlife, plants and historical sites.Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Pollinator Festival: Children’s activities, beekeeper demonstrations and lots to learn about monarch butterflies. Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
ONGOING
Bingo at American Legion Post 60: Friday night bingo every week; 23 games with cash prizes, food and drinks for purchase. Doors open at 5 p.m.; bingo starts at 7:30 p.m. 2 Main St. 301.725.2302
Every Tuesday Bingo. Hosted every week by the Laurel Friendship Club; no admission fee, fee for cards. Doors open at 11 a.m.; bingo starts at noon. Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activities Center, 7120 Contee Road. 301.206.3380
ENTERTAINMENT
“Dial M for Murder”: Laurel Mill Playhouse presents Frederick Knott’s thriller made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s movie of the same name over three weekends: Sept. 16-17; Sept. 23-25; and Sept. 30, Oct. 1-2. Times vary. $15-$20. 301.452.2557
Small Ensembles Concert: Columbia Bands Inc. is presenting a free concert by small ensembles at Carroll Baldwin Hall, 9035 Baltimore St., Savage. Oct. 1, 2-5 p.m. 410.294.3561
Laurel Board of Trade Monthly
Networking: Virtual opportunity to meet and network with local business people; BOT member-
ship is not required. Sept. 15, 12:15 p.m. Go to laurelboardoftrade.org, email laurelboardoftrade383@ gmail.com or call 301.483.0838
Laurel Senior Friendship Club: A short meeting will take place followed by special entertainment. Sept. 14, 10:30 a,m, Great Room of the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activities Center, 7120 Contee Road. 301.206.3380
Pallotti Crab Feast: All-you-caneat crabs, beer on tap, burgers, hot dogs, sides and ice cream. Sept. 24, 4 p.m. 113 St. Mary’s Place. rpodorski@pallottihs.org. $40-$80
Friday Food Festival: American Legion Post 60 hosts Friday dinners, with Canteen 60 providing meals the first and third Friday of the month and P&G Catering serving up on the second and fourth. 5:30-8 p.m., 2 Main St. 301.725.2302
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, in partnership with Capital Area Food Bank, offers food distributions on the third Sunday of every month; next distribution is Sept. 18. 9 a.m. to noon. Sixth and Prince George sts.
Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services: Food pantry is open by appointment only Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Monday evenings from 5 to 7:30 p.m. 311 Laurel Ave. To schedule a visit, call 301.776.0442
Prayer Tower Church Community food pantry, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 12 N. Second St. For more information call 240.583.0996 or visit prayertowerchurch.org/food
Fish of Laurel food pantry, Thursday and Saturday, from 10:15 a.m. to noon, 308 Gorman Ave. By appointment only; to schedule, call 240.547.9013
Living Hope Church distributions, Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. 613 Montgomery St. For more information, call 301.497.6424
St. Mary of the Mills food pantry, Thursdays, 9:45 a.m. while supplies last. 114 St. Mary’s Place Call before you come. 301.725.3080
Gospel Assembly Church food pantry, First and third Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. 8740 Cherry Lane, Suite 12
Laurel Police Chief Russ Hamill needs your help.
Hamill said a leading crime problem in the city of Laurel is vehicle thefts. So far this year, 179 autos have been stolen, more than double the number of thefts during any other year in the past decade.
Items left in vehicles are often stolen, too, with 120 such thefts so far this year. In all of 2021, there were 192 thefts from autos.
Most of the stolen vehicles are taken by juveniles, Hamill said. “This is a trend being seen across the county and across the country.” He noted, for example, that on the day after schools opened in August, Laurel police arrested four high school-aged juveniles on auto-theft charges.
The primary way these crimes can be prevented is if citizens take better precautions, he said, adding, “Stop leaving your keys in your car when you’re gassing up. Don’t leave your car on when you run in to get a cup of coffee. When you drive around, keep your doors locked. Don’t leave your keys in your car when it’s parked in front of your house overnight.”
Laura Guenin, the department’s public information officer, added, “Don’t leave valuables visible in your car.” She has seen a citizen’s video showing “people walking up and down the street pulling on door handles. If [the door] is locked, they go to the next car.”
Hamill pointed out that buying a vehicle is a major investment for
many, often second only to purchasing a home. But the impact of an auto theft goes beyond financial loss. The sense of violation can leave victims feeling fearful in their community, and the loss of their vehicle can even jeopardize their employment, he noted Hamill said that citizen-police cooperation isn’t just important in preventing auto thefts, but is crucial in everything the department does. Citizens have to be “comfortable talking and sharing their concerns with you” for police to have a chance to prevent all types of crimes.
Hamill came to Laurel in 2019 with a lengthy resume, including 36 years with the Montgomery County Police Department, where he rose through the ranks and eventually was appointed acting chief of police. He was enrolled in a pre-retirement program at that time that required him to step down by a certain deadline, and that prevented him from applying for advancement to chief. Even as he retired, Hamill wasn’t ready to step away from policing completely.
The opening for chief in Laurel intrigued him, he said, because the department is one of the largest full-service municipal departments in the state. It became a state model as the first department in Maryland to adopt bodyworn cameras for all patrol officers. The opening “really stood out to me as an opportunity that probably wouldn’t come along too often,” Hamill said.
Noting that the department
has a history of close ties with the community, he said, “But you can’t stand on your laurels. You have to move forward.” Hamill resurrected the Laurel Citizen’s Police Academy, which had been dormant for about 12 years. The academy’s classes teach citizens about police techniques and procedures., and enlists them to serve the department as auxiliary helpers.
Hamill also organized three advisory groups – one from the faith community, one from the business sector and one from the general citizenry.
Citizens are invited to air their concerns and questions at Coffee with the Cops events, and children are invited to attend a summer Cops Camp and fish with officers at Casting with Cops. During the height of the pandemic, officers frequently helped local religious congregations and organizations give out groceries during food distributions.
Hamill said this kind of community outreach harkens back to the principles of Sir Robert Peel, known as the “father of modern policing.” Peel was Great Britain’s home secretary in the early 1800s and spearheaded the establishment of London’s Metropolitan Police Service. One of his innovations was to make police into
Maj. Jason Fisher, commander of the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Beltsville station, which serves South Laurel and West Laurel, agrees with Laurel Police Chief Russ Hamill that vehicle crimes are a top concern.
Vehicle thefts have increased this year in these two areas. Sixty-five vehicles were stolen from Jan. 1 to Aug. 29, compared to 55 during the same period last year.
The criminals who steal vehicles fall into several categories, Fisher said. “Some of them are professionals. Some of them are juveniles. Some of them are organized juveniles.”
Fisher noted that these cases are tough to close. For the county as a whole, only 40% of vehicles stolen this year have been recovered.
“The majority of the incidents that we see are crimes of opportunity. The best way to combat crimes of opportunity is to be aware of your surroundings,” Fisher said. “Park in well-lit areas. Remove all valuables from your vehicles, including the key fob. Lock your vehicle’s doors. And never leave your vehicle running unattended.”
COPs — constables on patrol — who developed relationships with citizens in their neighborhoods. Peel believed the goal of effective policing was the prevention of crime, rather than the apprehension and punishment of wrongdoers. To do this, police had to earn the public’s respect and cooperation. One of his famous principles was, “The police are the public and the public are the police.”
“Policing is tough,” Hamill said.
“It’s a hard career. People get into policing to make a positive difference in the community.”
Making a positive difference has been difficult in recent years with police-citizen tensions on the rise particularly in racially-tinged situations. But Hamill likes what is happening in Laurel.
“The atmosphere in the city makes it possible to be more engaging [with the community] and make a positive difference quickly,” he said.
•
The St. Mark UMC Emancipation 5K took place on Saturday, Sept. 3, at McCullough Field.. WILL KITCHING
FROM PAGE 1
“We are very happy and pleased at the number of runners, walkers and sponsors who have funded this important cause, helping us support patients who often don’t have enough money for even their copays,” said Jackie Jones, who has served as race director during the event’s 10-year history, is diabetic.
Saint Mark United Methodist Church founded a commu-
nity outreach program in 2012 to support diabetic patients who needed financial assistance and medical counseling. The Emancipation 5K event and donations from the community have raised thousands of dollars, Jones said, and proceeds go directly to the University of Maryland’s Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, at the university’s Medical Center Midtown Campus, in Baltimore. The center serves children and adults with diabetes throughout the region.
Keith Sydnor, a Laurel councilmember, took home the 3rd place ribbon in the 50-59 age bracket. Sydnor (Ward 2) was at the field early in support of the program, along with Councilmember James Kole (Ward 1).
“It’s an important community
event where we can support those with diabetes,” Sydnor said. “I also think it’s a great program, one that I’m very proud to be a part of.”
TenableInc., a cybersecurity firm, had the largest corporate representation, with more than 30 runners in matching black T-shirts on the field. Organized by Tenable employee Khensani Carter, the team of runners and walkers were contagiously energetic and captured their share of ribbons in various divisions.
Pi’s Deli, Olive on Main, Chesapeake Bay Trust, the National Wildlife Federation, Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake and the city of Laurel all sponsored the event. Mark Plazinski, Laurel’s deputy chief of police, took home 2nd place in the 50-59 age bracket.
“Mark Plazinski participates in other St. Mark’s events,” Jones said. “He was a big help at our native plant giveaway on Mother’s Day. The giveaway is part of our Sacred Grounds project with the National Wildlife Federation. Laurel Police Department is big on community engagement.”
Put Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, on your racing calendar for next year and support this much-needed community effort to support patients with diabetes.
St. Mary of the Mills School announced on Aug. 29 that it was officially certified as a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) school by Cognia, a nonprofit which provides accreditation and certification services. St. Mary of the MIlls marked the accomplishment with a short ceremony that included the unveiling of the school’s STEM-certified sign.
“We are incredibly proud to be the first school in the Archdiocese of Washington to be recognized for this honor and take this opportunity to renew our dedication to a faith- and future-focused program,” said Jennifer Castaneda, principal of the school, in her opening remarks.
Lauren Casserly, who coordinates the program, noted in remarks prior to the event that the school had been working for more than seven years to earn the accreditation.
“It is a very strict standard and is a high bar to achieve,” Casserly said. “It is a really cool thing to be a part of.”
To qualify for certification, St. Mary of the Mills had to offer a robust curriculum in a supportive and creative STEM atmosphere. Casserly noted that the school has even broader goals; indeed, they’ve added an arts component to the STEM program, thus advancing to STEAM designation. The school’s next step will be to fully in-
corporate a religion curriculum, advancing the school to STREAM status.
“We had to prove that our school was not just filled with a passion for future-focused education but that it held up in comparison to the network of one of the largest and longest standing accreditation services in the world,” Casserly told the crowd. “This sign and adding the Cognia logo to our repertoire is a small mark that encompasses the tireless efforts of our students, staff and community, led by an administrative team ready to take on expanding a program.”
After the ceremony, guests were invited to visit the STEM room, where students answered questions and talked about their various achievements, including a team of four winning second place in the people’s choice award in the 2022 world Rube Goldberg Machine Contest which challenges teams to complete a simple task in a complex way.
The team of then-seventh graders created an elaborate system that involved using dominos, books, marbles and rolls of tape to open a book.
“We barely made that,” said Katarina Raven, 13 and now an eighth grader. “The last day it still wasn’t working properly, The last-minute run worked out for us.”
“We were so shocked to get to the top 10,” said Payten Holt, also 13 and an eighth grader. “It was so exciting.”
Denise Redmond, president, Laurel Historical Society (LHS); Ann
Natalie Holmes, a member of the women’s soccer team at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, received the Division 2 Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award.
Yoshiko Slater was named to the spring 2022 dean's list at Emerson College, in Boston, Ma.
Vivian Zhuang graduated in May from Tufts University, in Medford, Ma., with a B.S. degree in biopsychology. Zhuang was also named to the spring 2022 dean’s list.
William Tarpine is a member of the NCAA Division III Men's Golf team at Albright College in Reading, Pa.
Southern New Hampshire University announced the following residents were named to the summer 2022 president's list: Douglas Snyder, Britni Cralle, Desmond Sensie and Zachary Perry
director;
The Laurel Historical Society announced the recipients of its McCeney Fund Scholarships of $1,000 and $500 on Aug. 7. Open to both public and private school seniors who either are Laurel residents or attend a Laurel school, the McCeney Fund scholarship was founded in 2016 in memory of James McCeney, a former LHS board member and president.
The $1,000 recipients were Eamon Coyle, Atholton High School; Samantha Joy Lilienthal, Sandy Spring Friends School; Keenashae Pennicooke, Laurel High School; and Emma Grace Newkirk, Elizabeth Seton High School.
The $500 recipient was Brie Kamrynn Young, a freshman at Chesapeake Math & IT Academy High School North, who earned an associate degree at Prince George’s Community College through the CMIT dual enrollment program.
If you have a local story to tell or if you just have a writing itch that needs to be scratched, contact our managing editor, Katie Jones, at Katie@StreetcarSuburbs. News.
FROM PAGE 1
6,000 rental homes in the city.
CASA of Maryland, an immigrant rights group, has drawn the city government’s attention anew to the plight of low- and moderate-income renters.
CASA organizer Jorge BenitezPerez said an elderly resident of a 10-unit apartment building at 332 11th Street contacted CASA last winter to report that the building had been purchased by a landlord who was raising monthly rents from $865 to $1,600. He and other residents were mostly fixed-income seniors, and some had lived there for decades.
CASA, backed by Laurel Councilmembers Carl DeWalt (Ward 1) and Martin Mitchell (At Large) and a representative of Prince George’s County Councilmember Tom Dernoga (District 1), held discussions with the landlord, Cameron Manesh, who agreed to lower the new monthly rate to $1,350. Moe arranged a grant to CASA with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that would cover approximately 25% of that rate for a year. (Moe’s administration also furnished $250,000 in funding from the act to LARS for rent relief.)
Benitez-Perez said media coverage of the 11th Street issue resulted in calls from tenants of another
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND’S LEGACY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE ON PUBLIC POLICY, in partnership with the state of Maryland. is looking for volunteers age 50+ to serve as volunteer legislative leaders during the 2022 session of the Maryland General Assembly.
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apartment complex, Westgate of Laurel, on Route 198. BenitezPerez reported that callers complained that a new owner, Schweb Partners, had increased rents by hundreds of dollars and was ignoring maintenance issues.
CASA organizers, failing to get much response from Schweb Partners, helped tenants of 40 units to hold a rally outside the apartment office in May, and then to launch a rent strike in July, Benitez-Perez said.
He said Schweb broke the strike by threatening to take the strikers to court, but has given tenants small reductions in their rent and has improved maintenance. He said CASA and a Schweb representative were still negotiating over a parking fee of $10 per vehicle per month, and a monthly water fee of $45. Westgate of Laurel is just outside city limits, and city officials were not involved in those negotiations.
A Schweb employee at the Westgate rental office said she was not authorized to comment on these issues. Emails from the writer to a Schweb regional manager were not responded to by press time.
Tipped off by Councilmembers DeWalt and Mitchell, CASA also investigated rent increases at Patuxent Place, in the 600 block of Main Street. Manesh recently
acquired these units, also, and he again agreed to reduce the increases, Benitez-Perez said. The two city councilmembers and representatives from Dernoga’s office, along with state Del. Mary Lehman, were involved in those negotiations.
Manesh, a Potomac-based commercial real estate broker and investor as well as owner of Cameron’s Seafood Restaurant, in Laurel, said he believed the settlements were positive. “We were able to help every tenant in every situation. I’m very proud of that.”
But he said he opposed a city rent-hike cap. He noted that he had invested $10 million in purchasing and improving four Laurel apartment complexes in the past two years (the others being apartments at Sixth and Main streets and on Montgomery Street, opposite Laurel Elementary School). “I was looking for an area to revitalize,” he said. “You want guys like me in Laurel.”
“There is a severe undersupply of affordable housing and elderly housing,” Manesh acknowledged. He said he would like to be involved in developing more affordable rental units in Laurel, providing that the city government authorizes appropriate zoning or other incentives. “I want people to have housing if they can’t afford
$1,800 or $2,000,” he said.
After the Patuxent Place resolution, “more tenants in Laurel began to reach out about rent increases and lack of maintenance,” Benitez-Perez said. “We saw this was an issue we didn’t have the capacity to handle — to negotiate with every landlord.” So CASA reached out to LARS and the other organizations.
Mitchell said that he and DeWalt will propose that the city council adopt a law that establishes a rental registry, that would require landlords to pay a small annual fee and report information on their holdings, including any rent increases and changes in ownership. They also plan to propose a cap on annual rent hikes that would be tied to the Consumer Price Index, with a provision allowing landlords to apply for higher increases to cover improvements or other specific considerations.
Moe said his staff has prepared a number of measures for consideration, including possible expansion of the workforce housing law and a possible inflation-adjusted rent cap. But he cautioned that any such legislation is complicated, and would require careful review. “The public should be able to chime in, tenants as well as landlords,” he said.
Putting meat on the bones of history brings it to life.
This theme is front and center for Nathania Branch Miles, genealogist and University of Maryland (UMD) alum, as she and her research team delve into local history in hopes of connecting with descendants of individuals who were enslaved in Prince George’s County.
“One of the most important things I learned as a genealogist is being able to put meat on the bones,” Branch Miles said, “making this person real.”
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is using two of Prince George’s richest historical sites — the Riversdale House Museum, in Riverdale, and Laurel’s Montpelier House Museum — to research the history of slavery in the region. Branch Miles and the university are also participating in the work at Riversdale.
On Aug. 6, with a metaphorical shovel in hand, Branch Miles hosted a meeting at the Montpelier House Museum. The meeting gave the researchers a chance to talk with individuals who think they may be descendants of slaves who lived
at the site. The team spoke with members of three families who believe they may be connected to the Snowden family, four generations of whom lived at the mansion and some of whom owned slaves.
One attendee, Jacqueline Morales, talked about her possible connections to the mansion, which was built in the 1780s and is now a historic landmark. Close to 170 slaves lived and worked there, and some were freed in the mid-1800s.
“I shared back as far as my second great-grandfather [greatgreat-grandfather], who was Sampson Powell,” Morales said, “Apparently [there is reason to] believe the Powells had been enslaved there at Montpelier.”
She said that Sampson Powell was born in 1820. His son lived in Bacontown, in Anne Arundel County, but later made his home in Laurel, where he built homes and eventually worked on the railroads.
Morales said she believes that members of the Powell family eventually became enslaved at Montpelier, but she is working to find direct evidence of this. She noted that there is a large gap in her family’s history between 1820, when her greatgreat-grandfather was born,
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and 1930, when the family’s known history picks up again. She believes one of her ancestors may have been associated with the mansion during the period that’s unaccounted for.
“I’m interested in making that actual connection,” she said, “But right now, there is a huge gap. … There is a missing link.”
According to Morales, Queen’s Chapel United Methodist Church, in Muirkirk, has a record of a James Powell who helped build the church. She thinks he could be a relative of hers and that he may have been enslaved at Montpelier.
Morales, who went to a segregated school in the 1960s, explained that the missing record of Sampson Powell’s life prompted her to research her family history. In her search, Morales discovered that she may have connections to individuals who were slaves and to enslavers, alike.“It puts me in a place not to want to dislike or discredit anyone, but to embrace family,” she said, referencing her approach to establishing her lineage.
Determing clear lineage is challenging, though, as few paper records of slaves’ lives exist. “Unfortunately with slaves, theres not much of a paper
trail … it helps to be able to put a name and a face to a story, ‘cause it makes [things] come alive,” Branch Miles said. “Our goal is to identify some of these people,” she added.
The Riversdale House Museum is also working to reconstruct the history slavery at the site.
Executive Director Maya Davis has partnered with Reparations 4 Slavery to connect descendents of slaves to their history, according to WAMU. Reparations 4 Slavery is a initiative and clearinghouse for information about slavery, race, racism, and healing.
UMD's Office of Community Engagement is also working with Davis and the Riversdale House Museum staff to transcribe documents in the museum’s collection that are related to slave-holdings.
Davis said the goal of the transcribing project is to “make meaningful connections with descendant communities, build upon our institutional knowledge, and to make information more accessible to visitors.”
According to Katie Little, lead community engagement specialist with the office, the university’s project with the Riversdale House Museum is unique.
“The museum has 8,000 docu-
ments on loan from the Calvert Family and they will be hosting 20 volunteers to transcribe some of the writings into electronic formats,” Little explained. “This project is a great opportunity to delve into the history of the house and to acknowledge the importance of social justice.”
As part of this effort, the university and museum will host a transcribe-a-thon for volunteers who would like to support the project. The event is part of Good Neighbor Day, an annual partnership between the University of Maryland and the City of College Park, and will take place on Nov. 12 at the Riversdale House Museum, at 4811 Riverdale Road in Riverdale, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. No experience is necessary, and museum staff will be on hand to oversee the project.
M-NCPPC is hosting a weekend of educational events at the Riversdale House Museum on Sept. 16 and 17. For more information, visit pgparks.com/5149/Echoesof-the-Enslaved
Montpelier House Museum will host an “Ask a Historian” event featuring Branch Miles providing a free talk about the project on Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Laurel Councilmember Martin Mitchell (At Large) will host a clinic, “Record Clearing/Know Your Rights,” on Oct. 1 from noon to 3 p.m. at Grace Life Center, 8730 Cherry Lane, Suite A5/A7.
The clinic is designed for people seeking to expunge criminal charges from their record. Participants will also be able to register
to vote and sign up for medical cards. Information about other community resources will also be available. For more information, email Mitchell at mmitchell@ laurel.md.us
The owners of Pasta Plus plan to reopen their regionally lauded restaurant with a very limited menu for an unknown period of time.
Co-owner Max Mazziotti said he and his brother, Sabatino Mazziotti, are seeking a buyer for the restaurant at 209 Gorman Av-
enue, which they closed in January after feeding diners in Laurel for 40 years.
Max said they must reopen in order to retain the eatery’s liquor license, which has considerable value. For now, the restaurant will serve wine and pizza each Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. The menu might expand a bit in upcoming weeks, he said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
Scagliarini was 2 months old when her parents, Ben and Kathryn Meehan Chapman, left Canada and moved to Laurel to raise thoroughbred race horses at Laurel Race Course.
She and her husband, Adolph, met at Fort Meade and married in
1949; they had three children, Jay, Gilda and Toni. Scagliarini lived at their home on the corner of 7th and Carroll Avenue until 2019, when she moved, at the age of 97, to Riderwood Senior Living Community in Silver Spring.
St. Mary of the Mills Church recognized Scagliarini’s 100 years as a parishioner with a Mass on Saturday, Aug. 27.
