02-2023 The Laurel Independent

Dernoga leads new county council majority

By Joe Murchison

Tom Dernoga decided in 2021 that enough was enough: He needed to engineer a takeover of the Prince George’s County Council.

Dernoga, a 12-year councilmember from Laurel (District 1), had been disheartened by

what he considered the council’s long practice of favoring developers and big business over the concerns and needs of regular county residents. But he had only two allies on the council – Jolene Ivey, of Cheverly (District 5), and Monique Anderson-Walker, of Fort Washington (District 8). Anderson-

Walker resigned in November 2021 to run for lieutenant governor, reducing the coalition to two out of 11 members.

Fast-forward to today. Dernoga is council chair, leading a new six-member majority of mostly young candidates he supported in the November election. The coalition is shak-

ing things up on the council with their agenda, which calls for tighter zoning processes, greater openness in council dealings and more active oversight of county agencies. (You can see the agenda at pgccouncil.us/873/The-Peoples-Agenda.)

“This group is not beholden

New UM Laurel Medical Center expected to open by summer

By Melanie Dzwonchyk

In 2019, University of Maryland Capital Region Health started a process to reimagine and then redevelop the Laurel Regional Hospital campus as UM Laurel Medical Center, shifting the medical facility’s focus from inpatient to outpa-

tient care and services.

The new campus is now set to open in late spring or early summer, according to UM Capital Region Health President and CEO Nathaniel Richardson Jr., who spoke at a Feb. 1 virtual meeting hosted by Prince George’s County Council Chairman Tom Dernoga (District 1),

whose district includes Laurel. The new campus, which will include facilities for primary and specialty medical care, behavioral health, outpatient surgery and emergency care, is under construction on 44 acres on the corner of Van Dusen and Contee roads in Lau-

to special interests,” Dernoga said. “They’re a great group of people to be working with, and they want to do a good job for county residents.”

Not everyone appreciates the new sheriff in town. At-large Councilmember Mel Franklin said he was concerned that the

Proposed no-kill shelter has many supporters

By Katie V. Jones

A proposed no-kill shelter in the city of Laurel received a show of support as more than 20 people spoke in favor of the idea during the mayor and city council meeting on Jan. 23.

In 2019, the mayor and council established a task force to examine the possibility of creating a no-kill shelter in the city. The task force was directed to study several issues, including what type of shelter was needed, what type of animals to accept, funding options, staffing requirements and operational guidelines. As chair of the 10-member task force, Bruce Dodgson presented the council with its final report at the Jan. 23 meeting.

“The committee, of course, had a number of options, and we weren’t in a 100 percent agreement on what to do,“ Dodgson said. “The first and obvious one when you do a study, is do nothing, leave things just as they are, and of course the other extreme, spend millions and build this huge, wonderful shelter that does everything for everybody everywhere, and something in between.”

The task force decided, Dodgson said, that the city should at least start a shelter that would be SEE SHELTER ON 4 

Laurel Museum exhibit to tell histories of many neighborhoods

By Angie Latham Kozlowski

The Laurel Historical Society’s (LHS) new museum exhibit, “It’s All Laurel: City Limits and Beyond,” which opens on Feb. 18, will explore the histories of neighborhoods and communities in the city and surrounding area. Most of the museum’s exhibits are open for 10 months; “It’s All Laurel: City Limits and Beyond” will be open for a year and a half.

While the city of Laurel is in Prince George’s County, nearby communities are in three additional counties that border the city, including Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Howard.Ann Bennett, LHS executive director, said that the exhibit aims to present these diverse neighborhoods as being “just as Laurel as people who live on Main Street,” adding that the exhibit is about “ getting people excited about the variety and diversity of what makes Laurel Laurel.”

Last year’s LHS exhibit, “What's Cookin' Laurel?,” offered an ideal opportunity to bring people back to LHS after the shutdowns during the pandemic, Bennett said. The retro, celebratory feel of that exhibit brought people in at a rate close to pre-pandemic levels, with attendance generally in line with what other museums of similar size were experiencing, Bennett noted.

This year’s exhibit is far-reaching in scope, and that has called

CORRECTION

for some changes. To mount the exhibit, LHS issued their firstever call for curators from the community, volunteers who will, according to the society’s website, “help preserve and interpret the histories of our community.” Bennett said the historical society used community curators as a means of gathering information because the residents themselves can often best tell the histories of their own communities.

In addition to community curators, the project opened other new avenues for involvement, as well, with local residents contributing stories about their neighborhoods. LHS launched a broad effort to collect these stories, leaning on personal contacts, word-of-mouth and social media, and friends-of-friends outreach to connect with residents.

Jackie Jones, who is a member of the LHS board and exhibit committee, connected with a neighbor and long-term resident of their West Laurel neighborhood and came away with interesting facts about the original name of their subdivision. Jones also worked with St. Mark’s United Methodist Church historian Sandra Johnson and Karen Lubieniecki, who also sits on the LHS board and exhibit committee. Together they were able to piece together the story of three African American churches — St. Mark’s United Methodist Church and sister churches

Queen’s Chapel Methodist Epis-

In the January 2023 issue of The Laurel Independent, the article “Making friends in the golden years” incorrectly stated the number of years Gail Johnson was president and how many mem-

copal Church and Mt. Zion — which, in the 1800s, made up the Laurel Charge. The team was also able to reconstruct histories of communities that grew out of the Laurel Charge, including Laurel’s historic Black neighborhood, the Grove.

Ten LHS volunteers sit on the exhibit committee, and many of them wear multiple hats. Committee members researched all of the neighborhoods featured in the exhibit, working individually and in teams. In a number of cases, volunteers uncovered historic artifacts and records, including photos and flyers, that contributed to their knowledge about neighborhoods featured in the exhibit.

Bennett hopes that the exhibit will evolve over time as LHS continues to solicit community input. Contributions from the community may be incorporated in displays and added to the society’s archives. Bennett noted that keeping the exhibit open for a full 18 months may facilitate this process.

“This particular exhibit allowed us to not only do the kinds of primary research, looking at newspapers and documents that we normally do, but allowed us to talk to people more one-on-one, who are living contemporaneous to the history being told.,” Lubieniecki said. She noted that the exhibit offers an opportunity to “introduce people to their own neighborhoods and to illustrate how the histori-

cal society and the museum can be a part of their life.”

Both Jones and Lubieniecki said that the residents they interviewed were delighted, enthusiastic and happy to share their memories and mementos. For some participants, going to the exhibit will mark the first time they will have visited the museum; a number of them weren’t even aware of the society. Jones, for one, hopes they benefit from visiting the exhibit. She said she would like the public to “enjoy our beautiful diversity that we have here in Laurel and learn a little more about each other.” She noted, too, that the exhibit offers an opportunity for people to “visit several communities, at one time.”

The exhibit will include interesting anecdotes, such as one Bennett related of a restaurant that sat half in Montgomery County and half in Prince George’s County and had to choose between them for legal designation. The owner chose the county that helped them obtain their liquor license.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The exhibit committee sought to capture the flavor of each neighborhood showcased in the exhibit. For example, the Victorian houses that sit in the Old Town neighborhood along Main and Montgomery streets were carved out of a 1,000-acre farm once owned by Horace Capron, who operated the Laurel Mill. The farm was eventually sold at auction following the death of a more recent owner, Thomas J. Talbott, according to Lubieniecki. In an advertisement of the impending sale (found on Newspapers.com), the land was described as “very valuable” and “the celebrated ‘Col. Horace Capron Farm.’“ The exhibit also explores Laurel’s growth, including annexation of the Fairlawn and Laurel Hills communities.

“It’s All Laurel: City Limits and Beyond” will be open Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m., starting Feb. 18. LHS will be hosting companion events, potentially including a series of virtual speaker presentations and possibly walking tours of select areas.

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

bers the club has. Johnson is serving her second year as president; the club has more than 200 members, 92 of whom attended its December meeting.

Managing Editor Katie V. Jones

Katie@streetcarsuburbs.news

Writers & Contributors

Melanie Dzwonchyk, Katie V. Jones, Angie Latham Kozlowski, Joe Murchison, Bob Reilly and Kit Slack

Layout & Design Editors

Ashley Perks, Valerie Morris

Web Editor Jessica Burshtynskyy

Advertising Mike McLaughlin

advertising@streetcarsuburbs.news

301.531.5234

Business Manager Catie Currie

Board of Directors

Joseph Gigliotti — President & General Counsel

Melanie Dzwonchyk — Secretary Stephanie Stullich — Treasurer Gretchen Brodtman, T. Carter Ross, Bette Dickerson, Nora Eidelman, Maxine Gross, Joe Murchison Katie V. Jones, Mark Goodson, 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 Laurel Independent is a member of the National Newspaper Association and the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Last week, I read my copy of e Laurel Independent after eating a warm nutritious lunch that is served five days a week by Rene Marshall at the Laurel Beltsville Senior Activity Center.

As usual, I discovered a wide range of wonderful, informative articles. The multicolored balls of thread and knitting needles titled, “Hidden gem discovered in Laurel” caught my attention. For some reason, my heart began to palpitate just a little as I began to reminisce about more than a half dozen activities in which I participated several years before the COVID pandemic and currently.

Yes, I remember bustling Spanish classes, computer classes, dance classes, numerous bus trips and the exhilara-

tion of showcasing my own crochet artwork. How can I forget being featured in the Senior Hometown Heroes 2021 calendar as one of our hometown heroes!

Yet for me, my greatest gem at the center was and still is my daily trip where I am greeted with kindness, and I am able to interact with other seniors to enjoy a warm delicious lunch served with hot tea or coffee for a nominal donation is priceless. For this, I thank Marshall, who is the manager of the Prince George’s County senior nutrition program located in the Laurel Beltsville Senior Activity Center.

Janet Gri n Laurel

St. Mark's United Methodist Church, from 1908. COURTESY OF ST. MARK’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

new council’s words and actions threaten to chase away positive economic development.

“One of the reasons councilmember Dernoga has gotten a reputation for being antibusiness and anti-economic growth,” Franklin said, “is that he’s never understood the need for certainty, flexibility and timing in promoting positive economic development. … Mr. Dernoga and the council majority talk about attracting quality retail and economic development to the county, but then they turn around and demonize people who do economic development. I don’t think they understand how damaging that is.”

Franklin added, “The new council is excluding myself, Councilmember Hawkins and Councilmember Harrison. They are not taking advantage of the experience we have on the council.” Calvin Hawkins (AtLarge) has served on the council for four years and is Dernoga’s predecessor as council chair. Sidney Harrison (District 9) also has served for four years. Hawkins, Franklin and Harrison were part of a majority coalition on the previous council.

Dernoga’s and Ivey’s takeover strategy began in 2021 with the backing of Ed Burroughs III in a special election to fill Anderson-Walker’s seat. Burroughs, of Temple Hills, was a former member of the county Board of Education who earlier had served in Dernoga’s office as a high school intern. Dernoga said “the establishment” backed Tony Knotts, a former county councilmember, but Burroughs outworked him with a strong door-knocking campaign.

“Tom was extremely hands-on from the moment I found out there was a special election,” Burroughs recalled. Dernoga provided data analytics, he and Ivey donated money and both helped to put up campaign signs. “Tom was with me at the Board of Elections when they were counting the mail-in ballots” at the close of the election, Burroughs said.

Next, Dernoga and Ivey focused on the 2022 council election. “I played a pretty big behind-the-scenes role in District 6 with Wala Blegay,” he said.

Blegay, a lawyer from Kettering and now Dernoga’s vice chair, knew him from her time working as a legislative aide for state Del. Ben Barnes (District 21), who lives in College Park and shares many constituents with Dernoga.

Blegay was running against four other strong Democratic candidates. “I encouraged people in her district, and groups in her district, to back her,” Dernoga said. He also advised her about land-use issues, an area of expertise he had developed earlier in his life, when he served as a private attorney and represented citizens’ groups fighting development proposals.

“A lot of people really trust him,” Blegay said.

In District 7, Dernoga and Ivey backed Krystal Oriadha, who had previously served as one of Dernoga’s policy directors. She lives in Seat Pleasant and is cofounder of PG ChangeMakers, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to providing resources to support local leaders. Dernoga said Oriadha didn’t need much help, as she, along with the

other members of the coalition, knocked on lots of doors to earn their elections.

The sixth member of the coalition is Eric Olson (District 3), who lives in College Park. Olson had served on the council from 2006 to 2014, and served as executive director of the College Park City-University Partnership until last year. While with the partnership, Olson led an effort to transform the Route 1 Corridor with substantial upgrades to the thoroughfare as well as new development.

After Olson announced that he would run again for county council, the then-existing council rejected a redistricting map created by a nonpartisan commission and, in November 2022, quickly passed a new map that put Olson’s home in District 1, which Dernoga already represented. The new map also pushed Oriadha and one other candidate out of the districts where they had planned to run.

Olson “came to me to find a legal solution” to negate the new map, Dernoga said. Dernoga suggested a legal strategy and later consulted with the lawyer that Olson hired to fight the map in court. The courts ultimately rejected the council’s map, ordering that a bipartisan one be instituted instead.

“He’s a great legal mind, and it was great to talk to him through that,” Olson said.

Olson said he and Dernoga have a number of similar interests. “We both are very focused on transparency and the in-

volvement of constituents,” he said.

Another issue is “smart growth – reigning in sprawl,” Olson said. “We need to do development in the right places. … We have so many opportunities for good transit-oriented development in the county, and we need to take advantage of that.”

Olson said the previous council acted against smart growth by trying to subvert a new county-wide rezoning map approved last year. “Years and years and lots of money went into developing a new zoning rewrite, and the former council basically drove a truck through it. They basically said you could use the new zoning ordinance or the old rules, forever.”

The new council majority has put forward legislation to reverse that. “It’s a new day on the council,” Olson said.

Blegay said Dernoga had helped her and her constituents with development controversies in the Bowie and Upper Marlboro areas. For instance, the former council rezoned the 130-acre Freeway Airport property to allow 500 townhouses instead of the previously allowed 65 detached houses. The council did this, not through a regular rezoning process involving staff reviews and public hearings, but by inserting a “text amendment” in the zoning law that allowed that one particular property to qualify for higher densities.

The new council has intro-

Staging Sells Homes

duced bills that would prohibit such text amendments. Franklin, the at-large councilmember, defended the use of text amendments as necessary under the old zoning ordinance, saying it was “an outdated zoning ordinance that was half-a-century old” and was “out of step with the modern economy.” The new zoning ordinance adopted last year reduces the need for them, he said.

Ivey, Dernoga’s original partner in reshaping the council, said she was excited that it will be more receptive to measures the former council blocked. For instance, she said she is finalizing a measure that will require that new homes incorporate universal design – features that allow the home to be adapted for owners as they age or become disabled.

The new majority has also proposed legislation to address rising apartment rents — a hotbutton issue in Laurel. Dernoga said his coalition put forward a rent stabilization bill that passed out of committee in the third week of January and was headed for a full-council vote. The council majority favored an annual rent-increase cap of 3%, but Dernoga said they needed to negotiate with County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ administration, which is calling for a higher cap.

Dernoga said that if the measure passes it would be in effect for six months. “We want a short-term law till we figure out what to do long-term,” he said.

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Tom Dernoga of Laurel is leading the Prince George’s County Council in a new direction. COURTESY OF TOM

DERNOGA

SHELTER

large enough for six dogs and 12 cats, as the city routinely deals with a relatively low number of animals that need shelter, including strays and lost or displaced pets.

The committee also recommended the mayor and council select a site that could easily be expanded. with additional buildings so the shelter could grow. Funding for proper ventilation and cleanliness would be necessary, too, he said. Separate ventilation systems for areas with dogs, cats and quarantined animals are required by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, and certain building materials, specifically materials that are easy to clean and maintain, should be considered.

“Fresh air is one way to keep down the spread of disease. It is also cheaper and easier to bring in fresh air,” Dodgson said.

The no-kill shleter, he said, could be run on a volunteer basis, by a nonprofit group or the city.

Councilmember Martin Mitch-

ell (At Large) asked Dodgson about the full range of animals who might need shelter services, should the city consider expanding the facility and care it might provide.

“There is a whole bunch of them,” said Dodgson, who rat-

tled off turtles, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, rats, snakes and birds before noting that larger facilities designate separate areas for these animals.

Mitchell also asked about the Prince George’s County legislation governing ownership of

specific breeds of dogs. A bill enacted in 1997 banned ownership of three specific breeds commonly grouped as pit bulls and additional breeds that share certain characteristics with these dogs. Prince George’s County is currently the only jurisdiction in the state that has a breed-specific ban, Dodgson said; he spoke adamantly against the ban.

“If you are running a no-kill shelter, it is inconsistent to have a breed ban,” Dodgson said. “It is just not a good thing to do.”

The benchmark to qualify as a no-kill shelter, Dodgson said,

was a 90% survival rate of animals being sheltered. He noted that some animals have to be put down for health or behavioral issues. Three key elements of a successful no-kill shelter, he said, are a minimum standard of care, a robust adoption program and low-cost spay and neuter services.

The city currently has a small holding facility for a single animal. Dogs are held for less than 24 hours and are then sent to the Prince George’s County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center, in Upper Marlboro. Locally, Laurel Cats Inc., a volunteer-run nonprofit, provides temporary housing for strays in the city.

Helen Woods, president of Laurel Cats, was thrilled with the attendance at the meeting in support of the no-kill shelter and its purpose.

“Any time the mayor has to go get more chairs, it is a good thing, and he did. Twice,” Woods said. “I’m curious to see what the next steps are. What’s the time table?”

Mayor Craig Moe said after the meeting that the city would have to select a site and that he had several options in mind. He noted that a number of details would have to be sorted out, as well. A resolution will now go before the council to formally accept the report’s findings and allow the administration to move forward with the plan.

During my 34 years of servicing cars in Laurel, I had the privilege of getting to know many of you.

Now, as I close the doors of All Pro Car Care, Inc. and move into the retirement phase of my life, I want to thank all the employees who worked at All Pro. And together with them, I want to thank all of you who entrusted us with keeping your vehicles running, reliable and safe.

Steve Rosenberg, Owner, All Pro Car Care, Inc.

A full crowd attended the city council meeting on Jan. 23. KATIE V. JONES

MEDICAL CENTER

rel, where Laurel Regional Hospital has stood since 1978. The hospital is slated for demolition after the new campus is operational, potentially by the end of this calendar year.

UM Capital Region Health’s goal was to build a “one-stop destination for health and wellness in Laurel to replace Laurel Regional Hospital,” said Anthony Lampasona, who spoke at the presentation. Lampasona is president of off-campus development for Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate, the firm that is developing the medical office building.

The new campus will eventually include an 83,000-square-foot, two-story medical center and an adjacent 60,000-squarefoot medical office building. The medical center will offer a first-floor entrance into a surgery center and offices of physicians and specialists with the UM Capital Region Health Medical Group, which provides internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, maternal fetal medicine, pulmonary medicine and pain management services.

An entrance for emergency patients will be on the second floor, on the other side of the building. The ER’s private patient rooms were touted as “spacious” by Gloria Oniha, UM Capital Region Health’s director of nursing and operations, during the update. A 10-bed observation unit will be located adjacent to the ER; patients can be transferred to this unit from the emergency room if they need more care or recovery time from surgeries.

The medical center also includes a radiology department, a pharmacy, procedure rooms and two operating suites.

Behavioral health services at the new medical center will include a dedicated emergency department and space for patients being treated in a day program.

UM Capital Region Health Project Manager Lisa Hardesty said that the facility will have a café kiosk for staff and visitors and kitchen services providing meals for patients. The center will not have a full cafeteria for staff or visitors.

The buildings will be set in a park-like campus, Hardesty said, and parking will be free and ample, and will include bike racks and charging stations for electric vehicles.

The new medical center is also expected to bring jobs to Laurel.

“We have a lot of job openings,” for ER nurses, administrative staff and more, said Oniha. Applicants should apply at the University of Maryland Medical System website, she said, and a job fair will be held at

UM Capital Region Health Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tom-Meka Archinard noted that the new medical center will help "move our

an open house at the medical center.

Current staff with the former Laurel Regional Hospital will transition to the new facility. “We will keep everyone that wants to stay with us,” Oniha said.

The second building under construction on the campus, the medical office building, has leased space to a variety of healthcare specialists offering services such as dialysis, imaging, oncology, primary care and pain management. The facility also offers a retail pharmacy and a coffee shop.

Tenants in the original medical office building, which sits across from Laurel Regional Hospital’s ER entrance, will remain, Lampasona said. The UM Laurel Wound Care Center, which has a hyperbaric chamber, will also remain in its current location.

UM Capital Region Health Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tom-Meka Archinard also participated in the Feb 1 meeting. She noted that the new medical center will help “move our culture and quality of care in a positive direction.”

A board-certified emergency room physician, Archinard said she plans to work in the medical center’s emergency department, not because of a shortage of physicians but because “it not only keeps me focused on the large picture of the program, but keeps me grounded and able to connect on a one-on-one basis with our patients.”

Overall, the UM Capital Region Health officials participating in the Feb. 1 meeting painted a rosy picture for the soonto-open medical center, which they said would bring state-of-the-art preventive and urgent medical care to Laurel.

“We are very excited,” Richardson said. “The project we are delivering here in Laurel is something the community can be proud of.”

Rendering of UM Laurel Medical Center and the connecting medical office building with a conceptual view of the surrounding campus. COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL SYSTEM

culture and quality of care in a positive direction."

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Send your event information to Katie V. Jones at katie@ streetcarsuburbs.news

Community Fundraiser: Support Side by Side Inc. by eating at Ledo Pizza on Feb. 8. A portion of proceeds from purchases made between 4 and 8:30 p.m. will be donated. Dine in or carry out. 14609 Baltimore Ave. 301-498-5336

Love is Blind: Anti-Valentine horror-inspired haunted house experience. $20. Laurel’s House of Horror. Feb. 10 and 11. 7 p.m. 935 Fairlawn Ave.

Community Litter Cleanup Day: Meet at Avondale Pavilion at Riverfront Park or the stage area at McCullough Field. Bring gloves; trash bags provided. Feb. 12, noon to 2 p.m. Sponsored by Laurel for the Patuxent. For info, email laurelfothepatuxent@ gmail.com

CLASSES

Mat Yoga: Sharon Morris-Smith leads Assuage yoga Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. Carroll

Baldwin Hall library, 9035 Baltimore St., Savage. 410.294.3561

Gottaswing Dance Classes: Beginner/intermediate class meets on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Carroll Baldwin Hall, 9035 Baltimore St., Savage. 410.294.3561

MONTPELIER HOUSE

MUSEUM, 9650 Muirkirk Road. 301.377.7817

Defying the Odds: A Talk on Slavery and Resistance at Montpelier and in Maryland: Powerpoint presentation will include images of original documents. Feb. 18, 2 p.m.

MONTPELIER ARTS CENTER, 9652 Muirkirk Road. 301.377.7800

Current Exhibits

Anti-Black Violence and Resistance in the Diaspora: The annual Black History Month exhibit highlights narratives from the history of African Americans in Prince George’s County and surrounding area.

Runs Jan. 28 through March 26.

Classes

Music Therapy: HALO Quartet, a African American group, will lead a five-week workshop on healing through singing, music and songwriting. $20. Thursdays, Feb. 9-March 9, 7 p.m.

LAUREL HISTORY

MUSEUM: 817 Main Street. 301-725-7975.

It’s All Laurel: City Limits and Beyond: New exhibit opens Feb. 10.

PATUXENT RESEARCH REFUGE. Programs are free; some require advance registration, and all may be subject to change or cancellation due to weather or low enrollment. For more information and to register, call 301.497.5887

North Tract, 230 Bald Eagle Drive.

Skull Identification: Learn to examine the teeth, eye placement and shape of a skull to learn how the animal lived its life. Feb. 12, 1:30 p.m.

SOUTH TRACT, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop.

Meet an American Kestrel: Informal show-and-tell time to see an American kestrel. Feb. 11, 1 p.m.

Family Fun, Winter Wildlife: Look for wildlife outside by scouting for footprints and other evidence they leave behind. Hands-on activities, games and crafts. Feb. 17 and 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Welcoming Creatures to Your Backyard: Learn how to provide basic habitat for common native creatures in your own yard. Feb. 18, 2 p.m.

Nesting Already? Join a park ranger to learn why some animals nest earlier than others. Feb. 25, 2 p.m.

ONGOING

Call for Entries: Laurel Art Guild is accepting entries for its 54th open juried exhibition to be held May 6 through June 4. Six cash prizes will be awarded. The contest is open to adult residents of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Deadline to apply is March 20. To apply, go to laurelartguild.org. For more information, email lagopen@ laurelartguild.org

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. 2 Main St. 301.725.2302

Every Tuesday Bingo. Hosted every week by the Laurel Friendship Club; no admission fee but fee for cards. Doors open at 11 a.m.; bingo starts at noon. Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activities Center, 7120 Contee Rd. 301.206.3380

NEW WEBSITE COMING S OON!

The Department of Information Technology is committed to providing the systems necessary to enable employees to achieve their goals and to assist the City in effective management, administration and services.

But they also are dedicated to bringing the best services to our residents. Which is why they are excited to announce that by March 2023, the City will have a new web site! With a focus on speed, interactivity, and accessible content, we hope that the new site will bring our public information and online services to more people than ever.

Speed – The new web site is designed mobile -first with modern web technologies, to ensure that both mobile and desktop devices receive the best experience possible. Content is responsively designed so that you get the same information in readable and easy to navigate formats optimized for your device size, and images and media are optimized so that they won’t blow up your data plan. Interactivity – Many of our government services have online components, and we’ve

integrated many of those directly into the web site. Job applications, requests, issue reporting, surveys, and email/SMS alerts for live content like press releases and calendar events. All directly on the web site!

Accessibility – Most importantly, we’ve worked to review our content and design practices to ensure that the new web site is standards-compliant, follow best practices, and

prioritizes accessibility for all users. New content is designed to be ADA, WSAG2.1, and 508 compliant, so that every Laurel resident can get to the resources they need. Department web managers have been trained on maintaining those standards.

We look forward to hearing from you about what you think of the new design!

READY FOR WINTER? LO OKING FORWARD TO SPRING?

At the time of writing this article, we have not seen any snow yet, but as we all know, it can come a little later in the season. Here’s a reminder of what Public Works does to prepare for snow if forecasted:

Plowing and Salting

Be aware that when Public Works is preparing for a winter storm and during snowfall, the Snow Emergency Routes receive priority in their Snow Removal Operations. Then they take care of established hazardous locations such as hills, sharp curves and busy intersections. Once those priority areas have been taken care of, then they take care of side streets. PLEASE BE PATIENT. During a major snowstorm, snow removal can be a monumental task. City crews work around the clock to clear streets and to provide other City services, as well as clear parking lots and sidewalks at City buildings and other public service facilities. City crews do their best not to block driveways when plowing the streets. However, it cannot always be avoided, so when shoveling your driveway out, please DO NOT throw snow back into the street.

When is a Snow Emergency in Effect?

The City's Snow Emergency Plan goes into effect whenever a Snow Emergency is declared for Prince George's County. Also,

the Mayor may proclaim or end a Snow Emergency.

Snow Emergencies are announced on most local radio and television stations, as well as keep an eye out on the City’s social media sites for snow announcements and updates.

Coming This Spring!

Mark Your Calendars! The Department of Public Works will be hosting the April Recycling event on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 8:00am to Noon.

They’ll be providing Entertainment Electronics Recycling, Paper Shredding, Styrofoam Recycling, and Green Drop

Charity drop-off for City residents and businesses only. Official IDs with a city address must be presented to enter the drop off site.

We will also provide extra Yard Debris collections on Mondays in May. This is in addition to Wednesday yard debris collections. Yard debris pickups are FREE! But residents must still call, email or submit online a request for yard debris pickups. The deadline for our Monday pickup is the Thursday before. The deadline for Wednesday pickup is the Monday before. For more information on how to prepare your yard debris collection, call 301-725-0088 or email Public Works at dpw@laurel.md.us.

As if that’s not enough to help you with your spring cleanup, the Department of Public Works will also host its Spring Construction Debris Drop Off event for residential construction material at their facility on Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 9:00am to 2:00pm for City residents only. Once again, official IDs with a city address must be presented to enter the drop off site. NO Commercial Debris will be accepted! To learn more about their services, visit www.cityoflaurel.org.

THE CITY OF LAUREL 2023 CALENDAR NOW AVA ILABLE

This year’s calendar has been “delivered” in a digital format and residents are now able to access the calendar on their phones and computers. Can’t remember what date we are hosting Sustainable Saturday, the E-cycle/Paper Shredding/EPS Recycling/GreenDrop event? Use the “search” function in the PDF format to find the dates. Residents that would like to have a paper copy will find the calendar page right here in the Laurel Ledger. It is delivered to all residents on a monthly basis. The March calendar page will be in the February issue of the paper.

You’ll find many tips to be Green, like Green Goals, an opportunity to help the environment and your pocketbook by taking on a green challenge. Or additional information about what “Green Living” is really about and what each of us can do to improve our community by taking care of our environment.

The Green Living Map will show you drop off centers for batteries/prescriptions/CDs and DVDs as well as locations of the EV charging stations. The calendar is full of useful information about how to prepare your recycling for collection, residential special pickup and yard debris collections. The calendar also highlights the adjusted trash/recycle/composting schedules when there are holidays or scheduled closures. Visit https://www.cityoflaurel.org/green/green-living-2023-calendar to get your 2023 calendar today!

2023 Calendar in Your Pocket!

Another way to get the 2023 calendar is through the Recycle Coach app. You can carry it in your pocket and have it handy at a ll times! Residents who sign up for the free app can access the full calendar on their phones. You can also get tips for setting gr een goals, a listing of holidays, tips on how to recycle right, schedule changes, reminders about special events and more all at you r fingertips! Visit https://www.cityoflaurel.org/green/recycle -coach, to get started today!

Green Goals:

Compost: By composting food waste and other organic material from your home with our curbside collection, you can help keep waste out of landfills and reduce methane emissions. As an end product, good compost can reduce the need for chemical fertili zers in your yard, save you water by enhancing the soil ’s water retention, and more. Sign up for the City’s free composting program today at dpw@laurel.md.us or greenliving@laurel.md.us.

Do a waste audit at home or work. See what you’re throwing away each week, and check what might be reused or recycled instead of disposed of.

Bring Your Own Water Bottle Did you know that, every year, the oil used to produce plastic water bottles in the U.S. alone is enough to fuel about 1,000,000 cars? Anything we can do to quickly and permanently phase out disposable plastic bottles would help protect ecosystems, save resources, reduce waste and deadly pollution, and save money.

Eco-friendly Ice Melts. The Winter season means ice and snow. Did you know that most ice melts are not safe for your property, pets and the environment? Explore environmentally friendly alternatives to the salt and ice melt.

¡PRÓXIMAMENTE NUEVO SITIO WEB DE LA CIUDAD!

¡El Departamento de Tecnología de la Información se complace en anunciar que para Marzo de 2023, la Ciudad tendrá un nuevo sitio web! Con un enfoque en la rapidez, la interactividad y el contenido accesible, esperamos que el nuevo sitio lleve nuestra información pública y nuestros servicios en línea a más personas que nunca.

OBRAS PÚBLICAS ESTÁ LISTA PARA EL INVIERNO

Tenga en cuenta que cuando se prepara antes de una tormenta de invierno y durante nevadas, las rutas de emergencia por nieve reciben prioridad en las operaciones de remoción de nieve del departamento de Obras Públicas. Luego se encargan de las ubicaciones peligrosas establecidas, como colinas, curvas pronunciadas e intersecciones concurridas. Una vez que se han atendido esas áreas prioritarias, entonces se ocupan de las calles laterales. POR FAVOR SEA PACIENTE.

Legislation

Listed below are recent actions taken by the Laurel City Council during past Mayor and City Council meetings. For further information on any of these actions, please feel free to contact the Office of the City Clerk at 301-725-5300 x2121 or at clerk@laurel.md.us. For the full agendas, visit www.cityoflaurel.org

Election of President and Pro Tempore:

 Honorable Brencis Smith, President

 Honorable James Kole, Pro Tempore

Update on Affordable Housing Legislation:

Laurel City Council President Brencis Smith and members of the Laurel City Council have been working on enhancements to the City of Laurel ’s existing affordable and workforce housing policies and programs.

Council President Smith has always supported County-wide legislation to address affordable housing so that there would be a level playing field throughout our County instead of each jurisdiction having a different policy. This is important so everyone in and around our community will be covered.

Prince George’s County recently introduced CB007-2023 Rent Stabilization Act of 2023, Draft 2, that proposes to temporarily amend the Landlord-Tenant Code to limit a landlord ’s ability to increase rent for certain tenants above a certain amount; limiting increases to a certain amount; providing for penalties; providing that existing obligations or contract rights may not be impaired by the Act; and generally relating to rent restrictions for residential leases and rental dwelling units for a period of 6 months.

As there is currently no drafted legislation before the Mayor and City Council, and because the City of Laurel is not exempt from the Prince George’s County Landlord -Tenant Code, it is in the best interest of the City Council to work with the Prince George’s County Council with one City voice on CB -007-2023 Rent Stabilization Act of 2023.

As President of the City Council, at this time I have placed a pause on any other discussion on affordable housing updates to include rent control measures, and will work in partnership with Prince George’s County Council on updating this section of the County Code.

Gover nment Mee tings

(Da tes and Times Subject to Change)

301-725-5300 ext. 2121

clerk@laurel.md.us

February 2023 Mayor and City Council Meetings

 February 13th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)

 February 27th - In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)

February 2023 Boards and Commissions

 February 14th - Planning Commission - CANCELLED

 February 21st - Historic District Commission (6:00pm)

 February 23rd - Board of Appeals - CANCELLED

 February 28th - Virtual Environmental Affairs Committee (6:00pm)

March 2023 Mayor and City Council Meetings

 March 1st - Virtual Mayor and City Council Work Session (6:00pm)

 March 13th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)

 March 27th - In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting - Chambers(6:00pm)

March 2023 Boards and Commissions

 March 8th - Virtual Emergency Services Commission (7:00pm)

 March 14th - Planning Commission (6:00pm)

 March 21st - Historic District Commission (6:00pm)

 March 28th - Environmental Affairs Committee (6:00pm)

 March 30th - Board of Appeals (6:00pm)

City Announceme nts & Events

(Da tes and Times Subject to Change)

 Black History Month Program - February 12, 2023 at 3:00pm at the Laurel Municipal Center Council Chambers, 8103 Sandy Spring Road. (See Flyer)

 My Time with the Mayor - February 13, 2023 at 4:00pm at the Laurel Municipal Center.

 Free Friday Movie - February 17, 2023 at 7:00pm at Partnership Activity Center, “The Princess and the Frog”

 Presidents’ Day - February 20, 2023

 City/Passport Offices CLOSED. Visit cityoflaurel.org/calendars for adjusted collection details.

 Teen Trip - Snow Tubing - February 25, 2023. Call 301-725-7800 for details.

 Teen Trip“Little Shop of Horrors” - March 23, 2023 at 6:00pm. To register, call 301-725-7800.

 Adult Trip - MGM Resort and National Harbor - March 25, 2023 at Noon. To register, call 301-725-7800.

 To learn more or register for a Parks and Recreation League , visit www.cityoflaurel.org/parks/adult-sports-activities or call 301-725-7800.

The Office of Emergency Management has two great opportunities for you to give back to your community: the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Greater Laurel Canteen Association.

The CERT Program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as physical assessments, first aid, disaster preparedness, utility control and much more. By getting trained in CERT, you can get the skills needed to assist the City in events and emergencies.

The Greater Laurel Canteen Association is comprised of dedicated, civilian volunteers that assist in response efforts to provide meals, refreshments, and encouragement to our public safety personnel during emergency incidents and special events.

To learn more about these programs or to join, please contact Laurel ’s Emergency Manager, Chrissy Cornwell, at 301 -725-5300 x2232 or email her at ccornwell@laurel.md.us

HISTORICAL SOCIETY RECOGNIZES VOLUNTEERS

The Laurel Historical Society (LHS) named the Ippoliti family of Russet as its family of the year during the society’s volunteer appreciation event on Jan. 22. The family, including parents Megan and Alex, and children Rita, Mary, John, Rose, Victor, Christopher and Elijah, began volunteering with the society in 2018. They have served as tour guides, have tested children’s activities and frequently helped with the activity booth during events, according to a press release.

LHS also recognized these volunteers for their years of service.

Five years

Cheryl Poulos, Beth West and Bob Mignon

10 years

Lisa Everett

15 years:

Maggie Hubbard, Eileen Collins and Holly Lilienthal

20 years

Jhanna Levin

30 years

Larry Eldridge

40 years

Melanie Dzwonchyk

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

FIRE DEPARTMENT HOLDS ELECTIONS

On Jan. 9, the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department members elected their new officers for 2023.

• President: Vic Whipple

• Senior VP: Robert “Pop” Grant

• Junior VP: Wes Burns

• Secretary: Mike Sellner

• Recording Sec.: Carreen Koubek Allen

• Treasurer: Rosa Maher

• Financial Sec.: Janette Lovell

• Fire Chief: Jim Codespote

• Deputy Chief: Travis Pearcy

• Assistant Chief: Dave Riley

• Assistant Chief: Brian Cox

• Truck Captain: Willie

McCluney

• Engine Captain: Mike Falanga

Engine Captain: Dan Sheffield

• Truck Lieutenant: Greg Masenheimer

• Engine Lieutenant: Mike Windley

• 2-year Trustee: Michael Reardon

• 3-year Trustee: Greg Mettee

• 3-Year Trustee: John Fairall

• 1 year Trustee: David Pierce

• 1 year Trustee: Rick Bittinger

In a press release, the department expressed its appreciation to the volunteers who served in 2022 and thanked those who agreed to serve in 2023. To volunteer with the department, go to LaurelVFD.org.

CALENDAR

During his fall 2022 semester at McDaniel College, Westminster, Caleb Evans interned as a personal trainer with Wonderfly Athletics, in Arbutus, training clients, teaching classes, and designing nutrition and fitness plans for clients.

Tatiana Hamilton was named to the fall 2022 dean's list at McDaniel College with highest honors.

Orfa Cardona Roman was named to the fall 2022 dean's list at Buffalo State University.

Jonathan Reid and Samantha Turner were named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at York College of Pennsylvania.

Brooke Miller was named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at Belmont University in Tennessee.

Britni Cralle, Cleveland Ware, India Perry and Desmond Sensie were named to the fall 2022 president’s list at Southern New Hampshire University. Johana Cabrera was named to the school’s fall 2022 dean's list.

Christina Enodien was named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.

Victoria Porter was named to the fall 2022 president's list at University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.

Zoe DeGuzman and Yelena Schmidt were named to the fall 2022 president’s list and Jannah Hall, Nathan Macek, Efosa Omorogbe and Cindy Opoku were named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at Mount St. Mary’s

University, in Emmitsburg.

Quante Redd and Keri Rager were named to the fall 2022 dean's list at Shenandoah University, in Virginia.

Nayab Khan was named to the dean's list for the fall 2022 semester at Baldwin Wallace University, in Ohio.

Madison Davis was named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at Slippery Rock University, in Pennsylvania.

Aidan Cooney was named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at Piedmont University in Georgia.

Yoshiko Slater was named to the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) First All-Conference Team representing the women's soccer team at Boston’s Emerson College.

The following students were initiated into their school’s chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society: Nanayaa Boaten, Salisbury University; Ilhaam Fatima Lakhani, University of Maryland, College Park; Catherine Chua, University of Maryland, College Park; and Jason Garcia, Washington Adventist University.

Kevin Scanlon was named to the fall 2022 dean's list and Marina Cohen was named to the fall 2022 president's list at James Madison University in Virginia.

Olamide Oluwafemi was named to the fall 2022 provost's list and Maelynna Moreau was named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at Hofstra University in New York.

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 to 8 p.m. 2 Main St. 301.725.2302

Laurel Senior Friendship Club meets the second Wednesday of each month in the great room of the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activities Center on Contee Rd. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Program includes a business meeting and musical entertainment or a speaker. 301.206.3380

BUSINESS

Laurel Board of Trade Monthly Networking. Virtual opportunity to meet and network with local business people; BOT membership is not required.Feb. 16 19. 12:15 p.m. For more information and meeting link go to laurelboardoftrade. org, email laurelboardoftrade383@ gmail.com or call 301.483.0838

FOOD PANTRIES, DISTRIBUTIONS

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 Feb. 19, 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

Fish of Laurel food pantry, Thursday and Saturday, from 10:15 a.m. to noon, 308 Gorman Ave. By appointment only; 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 Pl. Call before you come. 301.725.3080

Gospel Assembly Church food pantry, First and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. 8740 Cherry Ln, Suite 12

Volunteers recognized for their years of service (from left): Cheryl Poulos, Maggie Hubbard, Beth Wes,Melanie Dzwonchyk, Bob Mignon, Eileen Collins, LHS Executive Director Ann Bennett, LHS President Denise Redmond and LHS Asst. Director Monica Sturdivant. COURTESY OF KAREN LUBIENIECK

LHS named the Ippoliti family its family of the year.

Front (from left): Elijah, Rita, Rose, Christopher, Mary.

Back: John, Alex, Megan, Victor. COURTESY OF THE IPPOLITI FAMILY

Helping businesses by uniting

By Katie V. Jones

More than 28 business owners attended The Laurel Board of Trade’s first-ever roundtable event with the city mayor and city department heads on Jan. 11. The informal event provided an opportunity for businesses and city employees to share their concerns, listen to suggestions and learn about each other.

Everything from promoting grants to concerns about speeding vehicles on Main Street, increased litter and the desire for more green space was discussed in an amicable manner with both the city officials and business owners offering advice.

“Our job is to make sure we are assisting and working with you,” Mayor Craig Moe told the crowd. “Our job is to make sure we are providing the services.”

The Laurel Board of Trade has a “close connection with city officials,” according to Marilyn Johnson, president of the board, and its officers meet monthly with the mayor and different department heads to discuss issues that are then

shared in the group’s monthly newsletters.

Membership, Johnson said, “Is really, really beneficial. We have lots of information to share to help you keep moving forward and to keep black in the books.”

The group offers monthly networking sessions, a website that regularly highlights members and a chance to create a 15-minute television spot for Laurel TV. It sets up tables at city events and also sponsors its own events, including the Main Street Festival, Riverfest and Trick or Treat on Main Street.

“All of this is done to help promote businesses,” said Jim Cross, chairman. “We had 2,500 people go down the street during trick or treating. Marketing, marketing, marketing is the main theme.”

Businesses helping each other is not new, Cross said.

Before it was incorporated in the early 1980s, The Laurel Board of Trade was known as the Main Street Merchant Association and before that, the Laurel Chamber of Commerce. Its members hail not only from

the city, but the surrounding area as well, including Hyattsville, Beltsville and Linthicum Heights.

“Small business is tough, especially if it is just one person or two or three,” Cross said. “It takes up a lot of time. People who run and own a business do everything. It’s stressful.”

During the pandemic, the board helped the city get information out to its members about the various grants available to them as well as new ordinances allowing outdoor dining.

“People are still getting it but we figured out how to deal with it,” said Cross, of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the group’s meetings are now held virtually, he admitted, but are also hybrid, with some members attending in The Laurel Board of Trade office on Main Street and others virtually.

Members are encouraged to share ideas, Johnson said, noting that one member would like to start a windowdecorating contest during the holidays. The group is hoping to revive its summer farmers market, which ended in 2019

after 23 years.

“They are a brilliant force in uniting the community. Not just the business community, but the entire community,” said Cesar Cucufate, economic development coordinator for the city. “I think that they are a good forum for business owners and city officials to commu-

nicate through. I actively encourage all businesses within the city of Laurel to join.”

There is another benefit to meeting and getting to know other business owners, Johnson said.

“If you have something happen, you know who to call,” Johnson said.

Jim Cross, chairman, and Marilyn Johnson, president of The Laurel Board of Trade. KATIE V. JONES

MLK Day of Service brings many hands

By Katie V. Jones

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which falls on the third Monday in January, was designated a federal holiday in 1983. The day is broadly celebrated each

year as a day of service throughout the country.

To mark this year’s celebration, Laurel’s city government and Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services (LARS) welcomed volunteers on Jan. 16 to participate in a

variety of community service projects.

More than 80 people turned out at the city’s event held at the municipal center. Participants made birthday cards for senior citizens and decorated and filled toiletry bags, according to Christie Johnson, administrative assistant for the city’s communications department. The event began with comments by Mayor Craig Moe and City Councilmember Keith Sydnor (Ward 2), followed by a presentation by Ann Bennett, Laurel Historical Society executive director, about how volunteering has changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The donations were definitely overwhelming, as was the support on the actual day of the event,” said Johnson in a phone interview, noting that participants filled 150 bags filled with toiletry items and made too many cards to count.

“I always encourage giving back,” Johnson said. “This was the best way I found I could do it.”

During his report to the Mayor and City Council at their Jan 23 meeting, Sydnor thanked Johnson and the city’s communications department for organizing the day of service. He also recognized Marcus Gordon III, a fifth grader at Stonegate Elementary School, for volunteering at the MLK Day event and for attending the council meeting.

“The highlight of the day was this young man, Marcus, here,” Sydnor said. “Marcus you are now an honorary council member here in the city of Laurel.”

Marcus Gordon's mother, Cristen Gordon, said after the council meeting that she brought her son and his siblings to the service event to teach them the “benefit of participating in the community” and to “appreciate what Martin Luther King did.”

Sydnor also recognized Tau Delta Zeta, the Laurel chapter of the national organization Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., for their support at the event.

This was the first year that LARS marked the day of service, according to Shannon Mouton, executive director of the organization. While LARS was open for normal business hours on Jan. 16, volunteers bagged and shelved food in the pantry, painted walls in the lobby and put together mother baskets filled with diapers, wipes and bottles, on the second floor.

“It was very busy. We had people everywhere,” Mouton said. “We even had a celebrity. Candiace Dillard from ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ was here.” About 25 volunteers participated in LARS activities, Mouton noted, including representatives from Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, the Prince George’s County Chapter of the National Women of Achievement and the United Way of the National Capital Area.

“It was just a real good day,” Mouton said. “The lobby looks phenomenal. For our first time doing a Martin Luther King [Jr.] Day of service, it was everything I had hoped for.”

Volunteers decorated toiletry bags during the city’s day of service event on Jan. 16. COURTESY OF THE CITY OF LAUREL.

Reflections: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By Bob Reilly

Every week while driving in the city of Washington D.C., I am reminded of Martin Luther King Jr. as I drive by his memorial statue off Independence Ave., or when I drive on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Southeast. Then, of course, when we celebrate his life in January every year as a federal holiday.

In addition, I cannot count the number of riders who bring up King in their conversations. The current state of affairs, in our country and around the world, is heartbreaking. Vision and love are lacking among many world leaders; thus, the life of King is further amplified as an iconic standout. He had both the gift of vision and love, and as a vessel of God’s purpose, King marched forward, and his

message was clear.

I completely understand why this current sociopolitical movement disassociates from him and his call for peaceful protests.

During the COVID-19 global pandemic, passions were running high, and confusion, fear and chaos reigned. And as human nature would have it, anytime something goes wrong or can’t be explained, people are quick to find scapegoats. Some persons or groups are to blame for the ills of society, and a global pandemic is a trigger point as good as any. Emotional instability, uncertainty and fear make for ready soil to plant distorted ideas and easy finger-pointing.

A perfect storm scenario for opportunists of every stripe, political belief or otherwise to fill the void of normalcy.

Such was our global envi-

NEWS BRIEFS

CITY LOOKS TO COUNTY FOR RENT-STABILIZATION

LAW

Laurel’s mayor and city council have suspended discussion of a proposed rent-stabilization measure to see if Prince George’s County will pass similar legislation.

Pressed by citizens and activists to do something to ease rising apartment rents, Laurel’s governing body has looked at possible measures, including a cap on annual rent increases.

However, the Prince George’s County Council last month introduced a proposed law that would cap rent hikes countywide at a certain percentage, as yet to be determined. The law would expire in six months, during which time the county council would evaluate longer-term solutions.

Laurel City Council President Brencis Smith (Ward 2) said in a written statement, “As there is currently no drafted legislation before the Mayor and City Council, … it is in the best interest of the City Council to work with the Prince George’s County Council” on its law.

— Joe Murchison

CITY CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY WITH SPECIAL PROGRAMS

February is Black History Month, and Laurel will celebrate with

ronment during this crisis.

So, here we are today.

To some, King was simply not radical, violent or extreme enough to be considered a prominent figure in alignment with the “by any means necessary” mantra of today.

For me and many other people around the world, he helped bridge some of the racial divides through his heart for all humanity. King was inspired by the nonviolent protests model established by Mahatma Gandhi. King believed Gandhi took the love exemplified in Christianity and creatively forged the successful nonviolent sociopolitical movement in India.

Many considered the social change realized through Martin Luther King Jr’s inspired and bold approach to protesting was the second Civil War in the U.S.

His dream was our collective dream.

His life, unwavering faith, clarity and dedicated pursuit of truly non-violent protests exemplified self control, grace and undeniable maturity in a time when such constraint must have been unbearable for a Black man in this country. Through Jim Crow racism, God’s spirit shouldered his burden and elevated him above the fray. King’s words, seasoned with determination and clarity, will inspire humankind long after the violence, hate, destruction and the many isms associated with this present moment in history pass on.

Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for being a positive and desperately needed example of love and hope to and for humankind.

Thank you for laying down

your life in pursuit of your calling.

As an artist, I realize that sometimes stark contrasts bring out the beauty of a composition.

His social justice movement, and his very life, are a stark contrast to the current movement we see around the globe today.

I believe his own words summed up this concept brilliantly.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

King’s life was, and is, beautiful to behold.

The light of his life shines even more powerfully in the darkness of this present age.

Bob Reilly is an author, songwriter and rideshare driver living in Laurel.

a program about the accomplishments of African American women. Organized by City Councilmember Keith Sydnor (Ward 2), the free event, which will be held on Feb. 12, will be both educational and entertaining.

Presenters will hold a game of Who Am I? and have two minutes to read about or act out a short skit about their person.

Sydnor said, The audience will then have a chance to guess.

“People know Rosa Parks or Harriet Tubman,” Sydnor said. “Other people you may never have heard of.”

Malcom X Drummers and Dancers, a group based in the District, will perform, and the program will include a guest speaker.

“I know it is Super Bowl Sunday, but it’s going to be early, so come on out,” Syndor said.

City-run Laurel TV is also celebrating Black history with special programing covering a variety of topics including music, apartheid and sports as well as programming about Barack and Michelle Obama and the life of Nelson Mandela, There will also be a live broadcast of the city’s Feb 12 Black History Month program, which will take place at the municipal center at 3 p.m.. For a full schedule of programming go to LaurelTV.org/watch-live.

ORDER THOSE ROSES FOR VALENTINE'S DAY NOW!

Valentine’s Day is just a few days away, and if you’re planning to gift roses, now’s the time to place your order. Vicki Fritzke, who’s with Main Street’s Rainbow Florist and Delectables, said it’s better to order sooner than not.

“Red roses are the first thing to go,” she said. “We get thousands of roses in, and you never know how busy it will be before we sell out. We recommend people buy early.”

The florist also offers a variety of Valentine’s Day arrangements as well as arrangements for fathers to give to their children that include candy or a teddy bear, Fritzke said.

“They are inexpensive, and there is not a lot of chocolate,” Fritzke said, of the small arrangements.The shop also carries helium balloons and truffles.

Roses are the store’s biggest seller on Valentine’s Day, and an arrangement of a dozen standard red roses in a vase will cost about $100 , she said.

“One year, I had to tell a guy we were sold out, and I thought he was going to lose it right there on the spot,” Fritzke said. “Order early.”

— Katie V. Jones

COUNTY STUDENTS STRUGGLE TO REBOUND FROM PANDEMIC County children are struggling to catch up to pre-pandemic levels of achievement in math, according to data released, separately, by Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) and Maryland in January.

In the fall of 2022, only 4% of middle and high school students in the county school system met expectations on grade level standards in math, according to a Jan. 23 presentation to the school board’s academic achievement committee.

This was a slight improvement from 3% for those age groups in fall 2021.

County data, presented by grade level, showed proficiency at its lowest among the county school system’s oldest students, with 26% of second graders meeting expectations in math, in contrast to 1% of 12th graders.

Dr. Judith White, the chief academic officer for PGCPS, explained that in middle and high school, test results reflect proficiency in particular math courses, like algebra or geometry, rather than overall mathematical competency.

For reading and writing, the picture is somewhat brighter, though challenges remain; about 23% of PGCPS high

schoolers met expectations in the fall of 2022, a percentage that held steady from the fall of 2021. The data comes from a county benchmark test administered in each public school at least twice a year, beginning in the 2020-21 school year.

Maryland released data Jan. 24 for last school year which showed that while kids around the state had caught up to prepandemic proficiency in reading and writing, they had not done so in math. Statewide, mathematical proficiency for children grades three through eight was 22% in the 2021-22 school year, down from 33% in the 2018-19 school year.

Last school year, according to the same state data, 10% of PGCPS students grades threethrough eight were proficient in math. Baltimore City was the only Maryland school district with a lower math proficiency rate, at 7%.

The Maryland Department of Education plans to make schoolby-school data available in February on reportcard.msde.maryland.gov. Prince George’s County is developing a parent portal for individual student assessments, set to launch in the next few months, according to the January presentation.

— Kit Slack

School board reviews $2.75B budget, seeks comments

By Kit Slack

In a Feb. 3 interview, state Sen. Alonzo T. Washington said a top concern he hears when he knocks on doors in Prince George’s County is about school funding: “They all say, ‘Where does the money go?’”

This month, county residents have an opportunity to take a close look at county school funding and voice their opinions. The Prince George’s County school board is holding work sessions and hearings on a proposed $2.75 billion annual operating budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Monica Goldson, CEO of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), presented the draft budget to the school board in December 2022, saying her focus for the coming year will be on math, school climate and mental health.

COMPENSATION AND STAFFING

Goldson is budgeting for 20,857 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions next year to serve approximately 130,000 students attending the county’s 204 schools. This level of staffing represents an increase of about 500 positions.

During her presentation, Goldson highlighted a $94 million increase in employee compensation, which includes wage increases agreed to in the county’s contract with the local teachers union that was ratified in September 2022.

According to The Washington Post, some certified teachers in high-needs schools will see raises of as much as

$22,000 next school year under the contract.

At a Feb. 2 school board meeting, Kristi Murphy Baldwin, PGCPS chief human resources officer, said that her office calculates that teachers who spend 20 years with the county school system make more money than teachers with any other school district in the D.C. area.

Baldwin also noted a crisis in teacher staffing at the meeting and discussed recruitment efforts at local historically Black colleges and universities, as well as local programs designed to encourage students and those seeking a career change to pursue teaching.

Employee compensation, including wages and benefits, come to $2.2 billion in the draft budget — more than 80% of the total. The second largest expense is for contracted services, about $355 million, or 13% of the total.

Goldson proposes adding 26 full-time school-based technology coordinators, each assigned to support a small cluster of schools, at a cost of $3.8 million. The budget also adds $4.7 million for 60 new FTE positions at early childhood centers.

FUNDING AND PROCESS

Goldson’s budget forecasts that county schools will receive $1.4 billion from the state, $970 million from the county and $230 million from the federal government. About $74 million of the state contribution will come through the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future program, much of it targeting

areas of concentrated poverty.

The state and county governments are each forecast to contribute about $110 million more than they did during the last fiscal year; this increase is due to changes in the state-aid formulas and required county contributions. Federal funding will decrease by about $84 million as pandemic relief programs expire.

Funds for school construction and repairs are part of a separate capital improvement budget. Last fall, the board approved annual expenses of $258 million for fiscal year 2024.

The school board can amend the operating budget this spring, after which it will go to the county council as a budget request and then back to the school board for final approval in June.

SCHOOL BOARD CONTROVERSY RECEDING; LEADERSHIP IN FLUX

Board-level budget meetings in January and February have been courteous and collegial, following two years of significant controversy among board members that often left the school board at an impasse.

Former Board Chair Juanita Miller refused to step down this summer after County Executive Angela Alsobrooks called on her to do so; Miller posted a public defense which remains on the board’s website.

In November and December 2022, a Maryland administrative judge held eight days of disciplinary hearings to evaluate charges that six current

and former board members brought against Miller, accusing her of misconduct, neglect and incompetence. A decision has not been issued in that case.

According to Maryland Matters, in January, the citizens group Citizens for Accountability in PGCPS Board of Ed called for the withdrawal of state charges against Miller.

Miller is still on the board but stepped down as chair in December 2022. The board struggled to find a majority willing to support a replacement but finally elected former vice chair Judy Mickens-Murray on Jan. 12.

On Jan. 5, CEO Goldson announced her retirement, effective at the end of the school year, when her current contract ends. She cited political infighting among members of the board of education in an email announcement. Goldson has worked for PGCPS for nearly 20 years and has served as CEO of county schools since July 2018.

NEW OVERSIGHT PROPOSED

State Sen. Washington an-

nounced Jan. 27 that he is again advocating, at the state level, for establishment of a permanent office within PGCPS charged with reducing waste, fraud, and abuse. This office would be independent of the school board, and would replace the county schools’ internal audit department, which is budgeted in the draft for 28 FTE positions.

The Prince George’s County House Delegation supports the initiative, and Washington said that the county council does, too. Washington hopes that an independent, politically insulated office could help increase public confidence that money allocated to the county public schools is well spent.

The next public hearing on the county’s school budget will be held on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. For details on how to participate in a hearing, go to pgcps. org/offices/board-of-education/ participate-in-a-board-meetingor-a-public-hearing.

For more information on the draft budget, go to pgcps. org/offices/budget-andmanagement-services

VOLUNTEER WRITERS WANTED!

Laurel’s new newspaper, The Laurel Independent, has hit the ground writing and reporting, but we need your help to bring home the news every month.

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.