Hundreds celebrate National Night Out
By SUMAYA ABDEL-MOTAGALY
Hundreds of Laurel residents gathered in Granville Gude Park Aug. 5 to celebrate National Night Out, which was hosted by the Laurel Police Department. The event
featured face painting, a petting zoo, free food and a car-extraction demonstration. The nationwide event takes place the first Tuesday in August. Its primary goal is to strengthen the relationship between police and residents.
“Our partnership with our community means a lot to us,” said Laurel Police Captain Brad DiPietro. “We need the community to make sure we fulfill our mission, which is ultimately providing them with
Seven vie for five Laurel City Council seats
By KATIE V. JONES
The city of Laurel will hold a general election Nov. 4 to fill five city council seats. All five of the city’s current councilmembers filed their intent to seek reelection by the July 25 deadline. Two challengers also filed: former Councilmember Brencis Smith for the At-Large seat, and Shelia Carroll for a Ward 1 seat. Councilmembers Kyla Clark and Jeffrey Mills are running unopposed for their Ward 2 seats.
Konterra town center construction to start
By JOE MURCHISON
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Representatives of Konterra, a long-planned mini-city south of Laurel, have slated initial construction of East Konterra, the town center, for this fall. The first phase of construction will bring 219 town houses and 500 apartments to Fashion Place, a road leading into the town center from Konterra Drive, near routes 1 and 200.
The representatives spoke at a June 28 standing-room-only town hall meeting held by Prince
George’s County Councilmember Tom Dernoga (District 1) at the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center. Dernoga convened the meeting to also discuss the county’s process for reviewing and amending its 2010 master growth plan for a portion of northern Prince George’s County, including Konterra and other land west of Route 1 outside the city of Laurel.
After the meeting, Dernoga said in an interview that the Spicknall property, 86 acres on
National Night Out, which was hosted by Laurel police, featured a car-extraction demonstration. SUMAYA ABDEL-MOTAGALY
THE SCIENCE OF THE CITY
Maryland needs a stronger infrastructure for recycling food (and everything else)
By PAUL RUFFINS
This series was partly supported by an Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The first four articles focused on keeping food waste out of landfills to prevent the creation of methane, which accelerates global warming. This final piece considers food waste in the context of Maryland’s overall recycling infrastructure.
On paper, Maryland appears to have numerous options for disposing of food waste, including by feeding it to animals, incineration, landfilling, anaerobic digestion and composting. However, given the
Letter to editor
Thank you for your timely article about the two new speed cameras on Route 198 just west of Route 1. I read the article about a week after I’d received a citation in the mail for driving just above the grace speed.
I was surprised by the citation, because I was unaware of cameras in that location. It made sense that they were new. The next time I drove that route (east-bound), I paid close attention to any obvious new signage indicating speed cameras were in use. Note that the speed rapidly changes from 45 to 35 then 30 where the cameras are. The first photo enforced sign did not appear until the speed was 35 mph. I almost missed it because it was nearly entirely obscured by tree branches. A second sign was located at 30 mph where the cameras actually are, but it, too, was
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growing challenges in handling all the rest of our solid waste, only the last two options seem sustainable. Incineration is dying because there has been continuous political pressure to shut down the waste-to-energy incinerators in Baltimore City and Montgomery County, and it is unlikely that new ones will be built. Activists charge that these incinerators are as polluting as coal-fired power plants. The Maryland legislature recently made them ineligible for renewable energy credits.
Landfills face at least three factors restricting their use. First, starting in 2023, Maryland required many large producers of food scraps to divert those scraps from landfills if, among other fac-
tors, those producers were within 30 miles of an appropriate composting facility or an anaerobic digester.
Second, the tipping fees at Maryland’s county-owned landfills can exceed $100 a ton, and that price is expected to continue rising. Finally, the state is simply running out of landfill space. While basically supporting legislation to hold packaging producers more responsible for recycling or disposing of their products (Senate Bill 901), Maryland’s Department of the Environment (MDE) noted, “Maryland faces a landfill crisis, with only 22-35 years of permitted capacity that is not fully built and very localized.”
Food scraps and other organic
materials can also be processed in anaerobic digesters, which produce compost and biogas for heating or producing electricity (See June’s “Science of the City” in the Independent). However, BioEnergy Devco’s plant in Jessup is the only utility-scale anaerobic digester in the entire state, so digesters’ potential environmental benefits have largely been limited to agricultural areas, where feeding some food scraps to animals also makes sense.
Composting has great potential for handling food waste. As of January 2025, MDE had issued 24 permits for composting facilities operated by local jurisdictions or private companies; however, only 21 were operational, and
of those, only six handled food scraps.
To view Maryland’s solid waste challenge in perspective, consider that Prince George’s County is one of the rare jurisdictions to own all the facilities that will sustainably process its solid waste for the next three to five decades. This includes a landfill with space to expand, an organics composting facility that accepts food scraps, and a materials recycling facility to sort and market the materials from its curbside recycling programs.
In contrast, Baltimore City has no publicly owned facility for recycling materials, and Montgomery County relies on Prince George’s County to compost most of its food waste. Montgomery County composts organics like grass and yard trim, but due to a legal dispute, it can’t compost any food until it agrees to close its Dickerson incinerator. Owning its own
BARC’s open space legally protected
not in an obvious location.
It’s been my experience that, when new cameras come online, there’s normally a short grace period before fines are collected. And signage is obvious that there is a new enforcement in place.
The city of Laurel did none of that, even to the point of the signage being obscured. This lack of transparency leads me to believe that the city is more interested in collecting revenue than slowing motorists, which is supposed to be the primary purpose. The much more visible camera signs, along with an electronic sign warning drivers of their speed, on nearby Cherry Lane in front of Laurel High School shows that it’s possible to clearly indicate cameras ahead and slow people down. Not so on Route 198.
Donna Koczaja South Laurel
Managing Editor
Katie V. Jones
Katie@streetcarsuburbs.news
Associate Editor Nancy Welch
Nancy@streetcarsuburbs.news Columnists
Jimmy Rogers, Paul Ruffins
Writers & Contributors
Sumaya Abdel-Motagaly, Agnes
Pasco Conaty, Katie V. Jones, Michael K. McLaughlin, Joe Murchison, Nancy Welch
Layout & Design Editors Valerie Morris, Ashley Perks
By JOE MURCHISON
Maryland elected officials believe that the Trump administration will not be able to sell the 6,000-acre Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) to developers.
State Sen. Jim Rosapepe (District 21) said that he and other state legislators from Prince George’s County achieved passage of a state law stipulating that if the federal government sold BARC’s land, the acreage would automatically be zoned as agricultural open space. The law passed in 1993.
Trump’s secretary of agriculture, Brooke Rollins, announced July 24 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture would be vacating the research center, which is south of Laurel and north of Beltway, “over multiple years.” Rollins’ statement detailed a plan for the department to move most of its 4,600 employ-
Business Manager Catie Currie
Executive Director Kit Slack
Marketing Director Ashley Perks ashley@streetcarsuburbs.news
Board of Directors
President: Marta McLellan Ross
Vice President & General Counsel: Michael Walls
Treasurer: Joe Murchison
Secretary: Melanie Dzwonchyk
Bette Dickerson, Nora Eidelman, Joseph Gigliotti, Maxine Gross, Merrill Hartson, T. Carter Ross, Stephanie Stullich
Ex Officios: Katie V. Jones, Griffin Limerick, Sharon O’Malley, Kit Slack Circulation:
ees now based in the DMV to facilities in other parts of the country.
Later that day, U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer (District 5) and eight other members of Congress representing Maryland released a statement opposing the BARC closure. “BARC is the foundation of our country’s excellence in agricultural research, with its scientists working for more than 100 years on the front lines of protecting public health and supporting farmers and farming across the country,” the statement read. “Shuttering BARC and uprooting its workforce will undercut its critical mission, endanger public safety, and unnecessarily waste taxpayer dollars. … Congress and the courts must act swiftly to block this illegal and harmful reorganization and ensure BARC remains intact. The law demands it, and our farmers depend on it.”
Rosapepe said that Hoyer, a former House majority leader, held an online strategy meeting July 28 with other members of Congress and elected officials representing Prince George’s County. Rosapepe, Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy and County Councilmember Tom Dernoga (District 1) were among the participants.
Rosapepe said Hoyer noted that President Ronald Reagan and President George H. W. Bush had attempted to close BARC. Congress blocked those efforts, passing a law in the 1980s stipulating that any sale of the center’s land had to be approved by Congress.
At the July 28 strategy meeting,
officials discussed the possibility that the Trump administration would sue to overturn these BARC protections. Rosapepe noted that the group also discussed possible legal bases for a suit against the Trump administration to keep BARC open.
Founded in 1910, BARC is one of the largest and most important agricultural research centers in the world. The center’s work has led to improved food crops, better protection of plants and animals from disease, greater protections against soil erosion and better understanding of human nutrition. BARC’s success was instrumental in establishing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency.
BARC has provided high-skill scientific jobs to local communities. BARC and the Patuxent Research Refuge together hold an extraordianry expanse of open space in a densely populated metropolitan area.
BARC’s facilities have deteriorated over time. In a report this summer, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel stated that whistleblowers working at BARC had reported that “the entire campus was frequently without running water, the temperature in most buildings was poorly regulated, many buildings had water damage or flooding from unstable plumbing, and dozens of buildings had not had working fire suppression systems since 2021.” The report indicated that special counsel investigators had “largely substantiated the whistleblowers’ allegations.”
The Laurel Independent is a member of the National Newspaper Association and the Institute for Nonprofit
Old Gunpowder Road south of Briggs Chaney Road, is the next-largest undeveloped property in that area, second only to Konterra. The Spicknall family had farmed the land and operated a produce market there until 2023.
Caleb Gould, a North Laurel resident whose family is developing Konterra, said that the project began in 1982, when his father, Kingdon Gould, bought 2,300 acres on both sides of Interstate 95 with the vision for a huge mixed-use development. He said the family came up with the name by combining Contee, the name of the company that had previously mined the land, with terra, the Latin word for land. The K is for Kingdon.
Gould noted that some of the property surrounding the proposed town center had already been developed, pointing to the Konterra Business Campus, on Route 1, and the Villages at Wellington, Wilshire and Bentley Park, all residential communities.
About 1,200 acres — or close
to a third of the size of the city of Laurel — remains undeveloped.
In response to dozens of questions from the audience, Gould said that the town center would include a quality grocery store, restaurants, hotels, night-life and performing arts venues, and what he called “experiential retail.” (Konterra Realty Executive Vice President Rich McCoy explained after the meeting that experiential retail includes businesses that are largely for entertainment, such as cinemas, golf
facilities, video game centers, rope-climbing venues and the like.)
Chris Hatcher, a land use attorney for the Goulds, said that the town center consists of about 400 acres. He said that the longterm plan is to build 5,000 mostly multi-family or attached homes on half of this acreage. The other half will be dedicated to some 6 million square feet of commercial space.
Hatcher said that Konterra South, a 320-acre parcel south of
Route 200 and the town center, is slated for commercial use similar to the nearby Konterra Business Campus.
Hatcher also said that Konterra West, a 220-acre parcel across I-95 from the town center, will be largely residential, with mostly single-family homes. Current zoning permits about 2,500 homes on the parcel, he said.
According to Hatcher, there is not currently a plan for the 200-acre parcel called Konterra North, which is north of Konterra
Drive and west of I-95. In May 2022, Konterra representatives announced at a town hall meeting that they would break ground on the town center townhouses and apartments by the end of that year. The Laurel Independent asked McCoy why that construction has been postponed for three years. In an interview, McCoy said, “With a big project like this, things always take longer than you think.” He noted that securing building permits from the county has been particularly slow. In response to a question from the audience about construction of the town center, Gould said, “Build-out will take 15-plus years.”
Tony Felts, chief of community planning for the Prince George’s County Planning Department, said in an interview that citizens will be asked for input on the master plan amendment at two community meetings, one this fall and the second in winter. Felts added that citizens will also have an opportunity to comment on a draft of the amended plan, likely next spring, before the county planning board and county council approve it.
i r i n g f e d e r a l e m p l o y e e s a n d c o n t r a c t o r s . C l o s i n g f e d e r a l a g e n c i e s .
C u t t i n g f u n d s f o r h e a l t h i n s u r a n c e , s t u d e n t l o a n s , a n d l o c a l s c h o o l s A n d m u c
This map shows where the town center will be built in Konterra East. Konterra East and Konterra West are divided by Interstate 95, and Konterra East and Konterra South by Route 200. COURTESY OF KONTERRA REALTY
Campus
NEWS BRIEFS
NEW GRANT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES HIRING RETURNING CITIZENS
Mayor Keith Sydnor and the Laurel Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) introduced the Returning Citizens Employment Grant Program July 17.
The purpose of the grant is to help formerly incarcerated individuals find employment. Laurel businesses are able to receive up to $10,000 for hiring a returning citizen.
“It’s a great opportunity to give back to the community and help someone start the process of getting a solid foundation back in their life,” Monta Burrough, ECD director, said. “Help someone realize that there are people willing to give them a second chance in life.”
The grant is open to any employer in Laurel whose business is in good standing, employs no more than 50 workers, and whose payroll doesn’t exceed $7 million annually.
The city has allocated $50,000 from the 2026 general operating budget to fund the pro-
gram. Applications opened Aug.1 and are reviewed on a first come first serve basis. For more information, email the Department of Economic and Community Development at ecd@laurel.md.us.
-Sumaya Abdel-Motagaly
HIGH-SPEED RAIL PLANS HALTED
The Federal Railroad Administration announced that it will not prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed Baltimore-Washington superconducting magnetic levitation trains project after determining that it “is no longer feasible.”
In a letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation dated July 31, 2025, the Federal Railroad Administration noted that the project would result “in significant, unresolvable impacts to federal agencies and federal property” and requested the agency support the termination of the project.
State Sen. Alonzo T. Washington (District 22) shared the news that the maglev project
would not be moving forward in a press release July 31 in which he also thanked everyone for their “tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to keeping our neighborhoods whole.”
Since 1991, a number of plans have been proposed to build a maglev line between Washington D.C. and New York City, with only one stop at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Traveling at more than 300 mph, maglev trains, supporters said, would reduce travel time and traffic in the region. Opponents voiced concerns about funding, environmental and safety issues, and where the train would be built.
“We are exhilarated about this development and are cautiously optimistic that all loose ends will be tied up and the project will not resurface for the Northeast Corridor. We will continue to monitor the situation,” Maryland Coalition for Responsible Transit (MCRT) said in a statement. “Over the years, our numerous volunteer
experts have provided abundant analyses and information showing this project would have serious financial, environmental, safety, and environmental justice impacts on the communities along the route, as well as negative impacts throughout Maryland. We have also highlighted and argued for more valuable alternatives such as the continued upgrading of Amtrak and MARC.”
Rhonda Kranz, president of MCRT, said that while she was “thrilled and relieved” by the announcement, the project was not over.
“They’re going to keep doing what they can to make it happen,” Kranz said, in an interview, noting that Northeast Maglev, promoters of the project, posted on its Instagram page that the decision was “not the end” and that it was still committed to bring “world-class transportation to the Northeast Corridor.”
“We’re hopeful,” Kranz said. “We would love to say it is over.”
-Katie V. Jones
NEW HIRE
Ash Srivastava was appointed chief financial officer at Laurelbased Antenna Research Associates (ARA). In his new position, Srivastava will oversee the company’s financial strategy and operations. Prior to joining ARA, Srivastava was the executive vice president and chief financial officer at kSARIA Interconnect.
ARA creates and delivers antenna products and subsystems for both military and civilian applications.
PAPER WINS TWO AWARDS
The National Newspaper Association recognized The Laurel Independent with two awards in its 2024 national competition.
Former “Beat of Laurel” columnist Bob Reilly received first place for best humorous column for his column, “Sunny, the robot server at Denny’s.” TLI designers Valerie Morris and Ashley Perks received third place for best front page design.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Find more local events all month long in our new, continuously updated online calendar at
Please send notices of events taking place between Sept. 10 and Oct. 10 to nancy@ streetcarsuburbs.news by Aug. 27.
AUG. 14
Summer Concert Series. Harmonee & Co., an R&B band, performs. 7 p.m. Towne Centre Laurel, 14828 Baltimore Ave. VisitTCL.com
AUG. 15
Water Play. Summertime fun for kids 0 to 5 years old, hosted by the Laurel Branch Library. Free. 10:30 a.m. Laurel Splash Pad at Emancipation Park, 507 7th St. 301.776.6790
AUG. 15, 16 AND 17
“Newsies Jr.” A musical about a newsboy who leads a strike against unfair pricing by publishers. Laurel Mill Playhouse, 508 Main St. Times and tickets vary. 301.617.9906.
AUG. 20
Soft Power: How Does Foreign Policy Spending Abroad Help Americans? Join foreign policy and security expert
Bear Akhami for a discussion focusing on how investments in diplomacy, development aid, cultural exchange programs and international partnerships contribute to U.S. national interests. 6 p.m. Laurel Branch Library, 507 7th St. 301.776.6790
AUG. 22 AND 23
Dig Day. Look for fossils alongside paleontologists. Registration required. 10 a.m. $10. Dinosaur Park, 13100 Mid Atlantic Blvd. 301.627.1286.
AUG. 23
Playday at the Library: Colors! Fun for kids 0 to 5 years old. Free. 11 to 11:30 a.m. Laurel Branch Library, 507 7th St. 301.776.6790
SEPT. 5
“Four Old Broads.” Learn why something fishy is going on at Magnolia Senior Center after Nurse Pat arrives. Opening weekend. Laurel Mill Playhouse, 508 Main St. For times and tickets call 301.617.9906.
SEPT. 6
St. Mark’s UMC Emancipation Day 5k for Diabetes. Rain or shine, race starts at 8 a.m. Alice B. McCullough Field, Montgomery & Eighth streets. Native plant giveaway at finish line. 301.776.8885
ONGOING
Monarch Magic at Patuxent Research Refuge. Explore the lifecycle of monarch butterflies. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Visitor Center, South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772
“Laurel Rides the Rails: Tales of Trains and Trolleys.” Through December. Laurel History Museum, 817 Main St. 301.725.7975
August at the Hollingsworth Gallery. The gallery features works by members of the Laurel Art Guild. Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772
RECURRING
Laurel Farmers Market. Every Thursday through October,
weather permitting. 3 to 7 p.m. 378 Main St.
Second Friday Senior Book Club. September’s pick is The Heiress, by Rachael Hawkins. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Laurel Armory, 422 Montgomery St. For more information, call or text Gail Gibson at 301.452.7700 or email book62worm@hotmail.com
Kids’ Discovery Center. August theme: fish at Patuxent. Ages 3 to 10. Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Call 301.497.5772 to reserve a 35-minute time slot for you and your child. Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772
Ready to Read Storytime. Mondays at 10:30 a.m. (ages 2 to 3), Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (ages 3 to 5) and Thursdays at 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. (ages 0 to 2). Laurel Branch Library, 507 7th St. 240.455.5451
Family Fun at Patuxent. August is all about bugs – butterflies, spiders and more! Learn about what makes them so special
through hands-on activities, games and crafts. Ages 3 and up. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays; staffed Aug. 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration not required. Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772
Game Day. Play the board game “Wingspan” and learn about birds. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 23 and Sept. 12. No experience needed. Games provided (personal sets welcomed). Go to tinyurl.com/4rrajz9s to register (required). Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772
Italian Club. Weekly meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. All are welcome. 6:30 p.m. St. Mary of the Mills Church, 114 St. Marys Pl. For more information, call Jo Saunders at 301.490.8237
Chess. All levels welcome. Thursdays at 2 p.m. Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center, 7120 Contee Rd. Call Mike Farmer at 240.302.9133
Council ratifies sustainability, recycling initiatives
By NANCY WELCH
Laurel City Councilmembers approved two resolutions July 14: one adopting the city’s sustainability plan and a second endorsing the city’s organics recycling initiative.
LAUREL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
“Our Voice, Our Future,” Laurel’s
newly ratified sustainability plan, is designed to address a range of environmental issues and promote best practices across city departments and within the community. The plan has evolved over more than four years, starting in 2021, when city officials began developing guidelines for a more sustainable future in partnership with community-based focus groups and consultants with expertise in
the field. Councilmembers ratified the resolution adopting the plan at their July 14 meeting.
Michele Blair, sustainability manager with the city’s Department of Economic and Community Development, attended the meeting and described the plan as a “road map for creating and supporting a sustainable community.”
The plan is built around a flexible framework that will address
evolving needs as well as identify resources within the city and beyond, including sources for funding. Departments throughout the city of Laurel’s government will participate in the plan; implementation will also call for broad community engagement, education and participation.
Councilmember Jeffrey Mills (Ward 2) spoke to the importance of creating an enduring sustainable community. “To say yes to this right here, it’s going to go a long way. It’s not an education just for us … we’re doing this for [next generations], for futures to come.”
He also thanked Blair, whose substantial contributions were key to creating the plan.
Blair addressed the council at both the council’s July 2 work session and regular meeting, which included an initial public hearing on the plan, as well as at the second public hearing July 14. In describing the plan, she underscored that the overarching goal is “to enhance the sustainability of our governmental operations, ensuring that we meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
ORGANICS RECYCLING UPDATE
Councilmembers held the second
of two public hearings July 14 on a resolution formalizing the citywide organics recycling program, which city officials developed based on the 2023 ordinance mandating such a program. The resolution before the council in July established the program’s timeline, definitions and requirements. It also stipulated that inspections conducted by the city will take place curbside, not on private property. The resolution also spelled out monetary penalties for noncompliance, which will kick in after the initial six-month period from the July 1 launch of the program through Dec. 31 of this year. Penalties start at $50 and top out at $150.
As of July 1, residents in singlefamily homes, town homes and condominiums where the city provides curbside waste and recycling collection are required to recycle organics curbside using containers provided by the city. Residents in condominium communities where the city provides shared waste and recycling collection, such as from trash corrals, will be required to recycle organics starting July 1, 2026. The resolution defines organics as food scraps, food waste, food-soiled papers and green waste such as grass clippings.
THE LAUREL LEDGER
LAUREL COMMUNICATION S: AN OPEN LETTER TO RESIDENTS, COMMUNIT Y GROUPS, BUSINESSES, STUDENTS AND ENTREPR ENEURS
Dear Laurel Community,
I am excited to share an incredible opportunity available right here in our own backyard. Laurel TV, and our newly enhanced podcast studio, are open for YOU, our residents, business owners, entrepreneurs, community organizations, and students.
Our facilities feature state-of-the-art equipment and are supported by an experienced production team dedicated to helping you bring your ideas to life. Whether you’re looking to record a podcast, film a commercial, create engaging content, or host a talk show, our team is here to support your vision every step of the way.
For local businesses and entrepreneurs, this is a chance to strengthen your brand, tell your story, and reach audiences in innovative ways. Our affordable rates make professional-grade production available to the entire community, from small businesses to individual creators. We also encourage community groups to use this platform to discuss topics that matter most to Laurel - from neighborhood initiatives to cultural celebrations. Imagine developing your own program that sparks conversations and strengthens community bonds.
For students, Laurel TV offers unique opportunities to gain handson experience through internships or by developing your own podcast. This is a great way to explore your creativity, learn about media production, and build skills that can shape your future.
To learn more, please visit laureltv.org, email us at communications@laureltv.org, or stop by to see the facility for yourself. We welcome you to take advantage of this incredible resource and join us in showcasing the beauty and diversity of our City.
We look forward to seeing (and hearing) what you create!
With excitement, Natalie Williams Director, Department of Communications City of Laurel
The Laurel Mayor’s Summer Job Program was an opportunity for City of Laurel teens 1416 to work in different Departments within the City from July 7th - August 8th. Interns learned skills such as scanning, communications, filing, organization and collaboration. It gave them an insight on what it ’s like working at a government job and helped build great connections with others and prepare students for real world job experience. The Office of the City Administrator had the privilege to work with Taylor Jones this summer and below is her experience with the Program this summer:
“The City of Laurel’s Mayor Summer Job Program is one of the best experiences I’ve had so far for work. As an intern, I work in three departments: the City Administrator ’s Office, Office of the Mayor, and the City Clerk’s Office. Working in these three Departments have built my skills in communication, scanning and working a printer, working on flyers in Canva, and researching. There are amazing supervisors who’ve helped me throughout my entire time working here. They were able to make things work more smoothly for me, especially in some areas I was not as fami liar with. For anyone who is interested in applying, I definitely recommended it because it ’s not overwhelming and you have amazing people helping you throughout the entire work week and have opportunities on a daily basis. ” Thank you, Taylor! It was an amazing experience for us as well. Have a great school year!
It’s Easy B eing Grreen!
ORGANICS RECYCLING (COMPOSTING)
As of July 28, 2025, it has been 1,575 days since we launched the One and Done initiative...that was a looong learning/grace period! Recently, you may have noticed a sticker on your trash...no need to panic! We are here to help! With the delivery of the City ’s organics recycling carts, residents now have two ways to reduce their trash, food scraps/organics and recycling. Now it ’s time to conquer trash overflow! Staff is available to walk you through the easiest ways to eliminate overflow and the possibility of fines: Remove all food waste and other organic materials (paper napkins, pizza boxes, corn husks, etc.) and put all recyclable materials in the blue cart – i.e., cans, bottles (glass and plastic) and newspaper/flyers. Have a question about what goes where? Download the Recycle Coach app or ask for a 2025 Municipal Calendar. Both the app and the calendar show you the best way to recycle, compost and reduce overflow! Need a larger cart or additional recycling or composting carts? E -mail your request to Public Works at DPW@laurel.md.us.
But know this...Organics Recycling (Composting) is the Number One way that individuals can reduce the cost of tipping fees, reduce trash overflow, and reduce methane gas emissions at our landfills. During the summer months, our kitchen countertops a re very attractive to fruit flies and ants. So how to avoid and conquer? Here are some helpful tips to reduce smells and pests that may be feasting on your kitchen countertop compost containers (Scan QR Code to go to the Organics Recycling web page):
• Keep the kitchen countertop container out of the sun and keep the lid closed!
• Line the bottom of your compost container with a layer of newspaper.
• Sprinkle baking soda on the newspaper lining the bottom of your containers.
• Empty compost every 2 to 3 days amd freeze compost directly in the bag any certified compostable bag.
• Use organic essential oils like lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus, or peppermint help keep the fruit flies at bay.
• Wash your fruit!
Mosquitoes? The Maryland Department of Agriculture will spray on Sunday evenings in Laurel as necessary. If you find that you are experiencing a large mosquito population around your home or if you would like your property to be exempt from the progra m, visit https://mda.maryland.gov/plants -pests/Pages/mosquito_control.aspx for more details. For more ecofriendly, proactive ideas, like Tip It or Toss It, to reduce the mosquito population, visit the Green Living page at https://md-laurel.civicplus.com/1598/ Informational-Videos and while you’re there, watch the MDA’s video on the lifecycle of the mosquito.
For more information and to see what we are up to, follow us on our Sustainable Laurel Facebook page at @SustainableLaurel an d on our Green Living web page at www.cityoflaurel.org/greenliving.
COMUNICACIONES: CARTA ABIERTA A LA COMUNIDAD DE LAUREL
Estimada comunidad de Laurel: Me complace compartir una increíble oportunidad disponible aquí mismo, en nuestra propia comunidad. Laurel TV y nuestro estudio de podcast recientemente renovado están abiertos para USTEDES: nuestros residentes, dueños de negocios, emprendedores, organizaciones comunitarias y estudiantes.
Nuestras instalaciones cuentan con equipos de última generación y cuentan con el apoyo de un experimentado equipo de producción dedicado a ayudarles a hacer realidad sus ideas. Ya sea que deseen grabar un podcast, filmar un comercial, crear contenido atractivo o presentar un programa de entrevistas, nuestro equipo está aquí para apoyar su visión en cada paso del camino.
Para obtener más información, visiten laureltv.org, envíennos un correo electrónico a communications@laureltv.org o pasen a visitarnos para ver las instalaciones.
Con entusiasmo, Natalie Williams
Directora del Departamento de Comunicaciones
LAUREL POLICE MONTHLY CRIME REPORT
JUNE 2025
List of Laurel Police Crime Reports can be found at www.cityoflaurel.org/1896/LPDCrime-Reports
Legislation
Listed below are recent legislative actions taken, if any, by the Laurel City Council during the past month of Mayor and City Council meetings. For further information on any of these legislative actions, please feel free to contact the Office of the City Clerk at 301-725-5300 x2121 or at clerk@laurel.md.us For full agendas, visit www.cityoflaurel.org
Adopted Legislation:
• Resolution No. 6-2025 - Adoption of the 2025 City of Laurel Sustainability Plan.
• Resolution No. 7-2025 - Expressing support for Woodland Job Corps.
• Ordinance No. 2037 - Amend Laurel City Code, Chapter 7, Sects. 7-36, 7-38, 7-37.1 and providing for Effective Date.
• Ordinance No 2042 - Amending Laurel’s General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for FY2025.
Bid Recommendations:
• Eighth Street Improvement Project - LA 25-010Public Works ($277,200)
• Carriage Hill Drive and Lane Improvement Project - LA 025-011 Public Works ($158,400)
• Pipe Repairs - Van Dusen Road Dam - Public Works ($216,275)
Appointments/Reappointments:
Eileen Collins (Reappointment) - Youth Services Commission - 7/14/25 - 7/14/28
Joseph DiGiovanni (Reappointment) - Tree Board7/14/25 - 7/14/27
Ayele Negussie (Reappointment) - Education Advisory Committee - 7/14/25 - 7/14/27
Toi Davis (Reappointment) - Education Advisory Committee - 7/14/25 - 7/14/27
Nekesa Matlock (Appointment) - Deputy City Administrator - 7/14/2025
Adina Reno (Appointment) - Bicycle/Pedestrian CAC - 7/28/2025 - 7/28/2028
Laurel Citizens University is a FREE 8-week course, starting October 2nd, that helps residents gain a better understanding how your local government functions through participation and interaction with knowledgeable staff. If you are a City of Laurel resident, scan the QR Code to sign up today!
The City of Laurel has openings on numerous Boards, Commissions and Committees! Join us on August 20th at 6pm and learn more about what these entities do in Laurel and see if you would like to volunteer and be a sitting Commissioner or Member and help Laurel Thrive!
Government Meetings s
(Dates and Times Subject to Change)
August 2025 Mayor and City Council Meetings
All Mayor and City Council Meetings will CANCELLED for the month of August.
August 2025 Boards and Commissions
All Board and Commission Meetings will be CANCELLED for the month
September 2025 Mayor and City Council Meetings
September 3rd - Virtual Work Session (6:00pm)
September 8th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)
September 22nd - Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)
September 2025 Boards and Commissions
September 9th - Planning Commission (6:00pm)
September 16th - Historic District Commission (6:00pm)
September 25th - Board of Appeals (6:00pm)
September 30th - Master Plan Committee (6:00pm)
City Announcements & Events
(Dates and Times Subject to Change)
Laurel Citizens University Registration is OPEN at cityoflaurel.org/lcu. Every Thursday from October 2nd - November 20th. Learn about your local government!
Safe Summer Nights through August 16th - Saturday nights, 6 - 10pm. Details at www.cityoflaurel.org/1926/Safe-Summer-Nights-Program.
August 17th - Senior Services Garden Party - The Mansion at Laurel, 13910 Laurel Lakes Ave. - 4pm, Cost: $20. Food and Fun for Seniors! For more Senior Programs, Trips and Transportation information, visit their web page at www.cityoflaurel.org/seniorservices!
August 20th - Information Session about Boards, Commissions and Committees - 6pm at 8103 Sandy Spring Road. Great volunteer opportunity!
September 1st - Labor Day - City/Passport Offices Closed. Adjusted Trash/ Recycle/Compost Collections can be found at www.cityoflaurel.org/.
Laurel Farmer’s Market - Every Thursday - 3 - 7pm at 378 Main Street.
September 6th - Doggie Dip Day - 10am - 12Noon, Greenview Drive Pool. Enjoy a dip with your canines to celebrate the Dog Days of Summer! $5/dog.
September 19th - City/Passport Offices Close Early - 1:00pm - Employee Team Building Outing. Plan your business with the City accordingly.
To learn more or register for Parks and Recreation activities , visit www.cityoflaurel.org/parks or call 301-725-7800.
Scan the QR Code for the online volunteer application!
Public Works Monthly Gl ance
NATIVE GARDENING WITH JIMMY
How to learn the plants
By JIMMY ROGERS
As children, most of us wander in the woods and see trees and leaves, and have little sense of species, lifecycles or plant relationships with animals. Most people I meet remain at this level of knowledge throughout their adulthood and assume they can never become familiar with the diversity of wild plants. Four years ago, I was such a person. Now, when I wander a local meadow or forest, the book of plant diversity opens up in front of me, through a combination of learning and useful identification tools. I believe everyone has the capacity to learn our native Maryland plants, and get more enjoyment from wild places as a result.
A few centuries ago, almost every person knew scores of local plants. They lacked identification apps, scientific books and even comprehensive nomenclature, yet they learned their local plants, despite variation in aptitude and learning styles. I believe
this fundamental human skill requires repetitive pattern recognition and stories.
To develop pattern recognition through repetition, I recommend two options: walking trails and joining online plant groups.
At this time of year, you can visit many local woodland trails. Passing through these gives you the opportunity to see not only canopy and understory trees, but also the diverse plants along the forest floor. When you’re starting out, just observing the number of tree species, different leaf shapes and different textures of plants is enough. Your brain will begin cataloging the different identifying details for later use, even if it mostly seems like noise at first.
While walking a trail, you can use an identification app, such as PlantNet or iNaturalist, which will usually help you narrow a plant down to a group of options, if not immediately identify the plant. I will caution that this identification may not stick in your mind without an anchoring story, which I’ll describe shortly.
Local and regional native gardening Facebook groups are great options to get more exposure to native plants throughout the year. If you join the largest one, Maryland Area Gardening for the Environmentally Conscious, Facebook will begin inserting plant pictures into your general feed, often accompanied by some identifying information. Plus, the pictures are usually recent, so you’ll receive live updates about milestones like emergence, blooming and fruiting.
Building up your pattern recognition will only get you so far. I recommend you seek out, and eventually create, tiny stories about each and every plant you see. That may sound impossible,
but when people ask me how I remember all of these plants, usually it’s because there is a special fact or event that I’ve tied to that plant’s identity.
For example, I often have a hard time identifying beech trees (Fagus species), but if I suspect a tree might be a beech, I scan the trunk
for black oval scars contrasting against white bark. The scars resemble eyes and I remember how clusters of beeches can look like a forest of eyes. I first saw this phenomenon at our nearby Patuxent Research Refuge.
Sometimes stories have little to do with the appearance of the plant. Blueberry bushes (Vaccinium species) have a subtle leaf and branch structure that I cannot put into words. However, blueberries excite me when found in the wild because they have an edible fruit and are one of the most valuable shrubby species for wildlife. I think I’m good at identifying them because when I suspect I’ve found one, I stop and tell people about them, and that
Mountain mints (Pycnathemum species) have a distinctive appearance, and the leaves produce a strong mint smell when crushed. Pictured with a bumblebee (Bombus species). COURTESY OF JIMMY ROGERS
CRIME WATCH
JUNE 13 - JULY 13 2025
This is not a comprehensive list of all police related activity for the City of Laurel for June 13 to July 13.
JUNE 13
800 blk Fifth St: Wallet stolen
JUNE 14
13600 blk Baltimore Ave: A group was observed shoplifting, fleeing the scene
JUNE 15
14200 blk West Side Blvd: Hyundai reported stolen by unknown means
JUNE 16
800 blk Karen Ct: Victim was carjacked at gunpoint
14700 blk Shiloh Ct: Victim carjacked at gunpoint
900 blk Eighth St: Vehicle broken into
100 blk Ninth St: Tire stolen off vehicle
JUNE 17
800 blk Eighth St: Four tires stolen off vehicle
14700 blk Baltimore Ave: Jewelry stolen
14300 blk Baltimore Ave: Tools stolen
JUNE 18
14700 blk Fourth St: Vehicle broken into
14700 blk Fourth St: Unknown suspects attempted to steal vehicle
15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
JUNE 19
15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
JUNE 20
7900 blk Braygreen Rd: Four tires stolen off vehicle
Unit Blk Second St: Four tires stolen off vehicle
8200 blk Harvest Bend Ln: Four tires stolen off vehicle
Gorman Ave/Second St: Pedestrian transported to hospital after being struck by vehicle
JUNE 21
14700 blk Baltimore Ave: Group observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
JUNE 22
800 blk Fifth St: Packages stolen
14200 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
900 blk Fourth St: Honda reported stolen, unknown means
Unit blk B St: Vehicle broken into
9100 blk Scott Adam Ct: Window to residence vandalized
JUNE 24
15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, arrested
8100 blk Chapel Cove Dr: Vacant residence broken into
300 blk Domer Ave: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
JUNE 25
15100 blk Baltimore Ave:
Female observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
14700 blk Fourth St: Nissan reported stolen by unknown means
7600 blk Erica Ln: Cadillac reported stolen by unknown means
14200 blk Oxford Dr: Registration plate stolen off vehicle
JUNE 26
15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, arrested
800 blk Fifth St: Registration plate stolen off vehicle
700 blk Fifth St: Vehicle broken into
15700 blk Dorset Rd: Honda reported stolen by unknown means
14800 blk Baltimore Ave: Music equipment stolen
JUNE 27
15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
300 blk Montrose Ave: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
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JUNE 28
7800 blk Contee Rd: Package stolen
900 blk Washington Blvd:
Group observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
JUNE 29
900 blk Washington Blvd: Toyota reported stolen by unknown means
Unit blk Dell Pl: Unknown suspects attempted to steal vehicle
600 blk Washington Blvd: Male shoplifting, fleeing scene
JUNE 30
400 blk Eighth St: Victim transported to hospital with a non-lifethreatening gunshot wound
14800 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, arrested
JULY 1
800 blk Fifth St: Purse stolen
JULY 2
300 blk Montrose Ave: Female observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
JULY 3
14600 blk Baltimore Ave:
Money stolen out of vehicle
7800 blk Old Sandy Spring: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
100 blk Irving St: Stolen Hyundai recovered
JULY 4
15100 blk Baltimore Ave; Male observed shoplifting, arrested 14900 blk Silver Trail Ln: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
7600 blk Woodbine Dr: Honda reported stolen by unknown means
NIGHT OUT
public safety.”
Laurel Police Chief Russell Hamill encouraged attendees to connect with officers and get to know them.
“We are grateful for an opportunity to bond and build bridges of trust, support and unity,” said Jackie Jones, a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist.
Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor, who is a retired Navy chief petty officer and federal law enforcement officer, spoke to the crowd about the importance of transparency on the part of police. He condemned federal law enforcement officers making arrests while concealing their identities.
“National Night Out is a
7900 blk Laurel Lakes Ct: Unknown suspects attempted to steal vehicle
JULY 5
14700 blk Baltimore Ave: Vehicle broken into 15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
14300 blk Westmeath Dr: Registration plate stolen off vehicle 14800 blk Baltimore Ave: Officers disbursed large crowd of juveniles
JULY 6
Eighth St/Laurel Ave: Shots fired in a non-contact shooting 15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Group observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
14600 blk Baltimore Ave: Unknown suspects damaged the front glass of business
600 blk Washington Blvd: Male observed shoplifting, arrested Lafayette Ave/Bowie Rd: Tools stolen from vehicle
14600 blk Baltimore Ave: Purse stolen from vehicle
14800 blk Ashford Pl: Cellphone stolen
JULY 7
1100 blk Eleventh St: Multiple vehicles vandalized 14300 blk South Shore Ct: Multiple vehicles broken into, items stolen 14100 blk Oakpointe Dr: Vehicle broken into 14000 blk Oxford Dr: Vehicle broken into 13800 blk Shannon Ave: Vehicle broken into
JULY 8
15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Male
powerful reminder that the community isn’t just about enforcement, it’s about partnership. In the city of Laurel, I am very proud to say that our police department leads with both professionalism and compassion,” Sydnor said. “They understand that being visible, accessible and engaged is just as important as responding to a call. They show their commitment every day.”
Laurel resident Queen Ponley heard about the event from her son, and noted that National Night Out can help others feel more safe around police despite the negative stigma law enforcement may have.
“It’s really nice that the local police come out and do events in the neighborhood. You go
observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
9100 blk Elaine Ct: Victim robbed at gunpoint
Unit blk Avondale St: City property vandalized
JULY 9
15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, arrested
15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Ford reported stolen by unknown means
JULY 10
800 blk Kay Court: Kia reported stolen by unknown means
800 blk Fifth St: Registration plate stolen off vehicle
100 blk Second St: Ring camera stolen
14200 blk Baltimore Ave: Group observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
14500 blk Greenview Dr: Unknown suspects attempted to steal vehicle
JULY 11
15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene 15100 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, arrested 14300 blk Baltimore Ave: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
9600 blk Fort Meade Rd: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene
JULY 12
900 Blk Eighth St: Victim threatened, robbed
JULY 13
300 blk Montrose Ave: Male observed shoplifting, fleeing scene 14700 blk Shiloh Ct: Vehicle broken into
to some places, and they don’t have events like this,” Ponley said. “As a Laurel resident, I definitely appreciate what they are doing.”
The Laurel Police Department hosts community events year-round including Coffee with a Cop, Christmas shopping with officers and Police Cops Camp for children, which takes place in August. The Laurel event was sponsored by CSX, a rail-based freight company which funds 50 National Night Out events across the country, along with First Responders Children Foundations.
“To the men and women in the Laurel Police department, thank you. Your work makes a difference, and I’m proud to serve along with you,” Sydnor said.
has helped me memorize the pattern of the leaves.
Many plants have a distinctive feel or, even better, a scent. When I see a leaf that resembles a delicate paper snowflake, I know it’s likely either ragweed, mugwort or bidens. They’re very different plants, but for most of their lifespan, they look very similar. I usually grab a few leaves to crush and smell. Most of the time they smell like a rich perfume, telling me it is invasive mugwort. While the scent counts as a story alone, I also recall that the plant’s medicinal and aromatic qualities drove us to introduce it here in the first place. It’s now a menace along the banks of the Patuxent River.
You’ll notice that I have hardly mentioned traditional botany terminology. I do find it useful to have a language to describe plant anatomy sometimes. The
Local Poetry
large, opposite, ovate leaves of an American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) help me differentiate it from the nonnative Asian beautyberries. However, I only learned the plant by comparing Callicarpa species over several years.The scientific language helps me put words to what I can now recognize automatically. I have only skimmed the surface of subtle techniques you can use to learn the plants you encounter. As your experience and knowledge grow, you’ll make new stories that may only make sense to you, and they’ll deepen your connection with the plants that define so much of our world.
Jimmy Rogers is an avid native gardener in the city of Laurel.
An ode to our river and focused on its beauty, and its benefits - both tangible and intangible. Basically all the things I love about the Patuxent River.
“A RIVER RUNS BESIDE US”
By MICHAEL K. MCLAUGHLIN
(With apologies to Dylan Thomas)
A river ran beside us
Mills powered by its might
Now close to forgotten by The dying of what’s right
We are our river’s keeper
We have to face its plight
And not just look away from The dying of what’s right
Yesterday’s sewer/outhouse
Is today’s runoff blight
We can’t continue to ignore
The dying of what’s right
Out of mind because we are
So often out of sight
Of what’s done to the river
From the dying of what’s right.
A river runs beside us still Its strong yet fragile might Flowing and now choking from The dying of what’s right
More than just a river dies
If we don’t choose to fight
So rage, rage, rage against The dying of what’s right.
“Shhh ... if we stay still, maybe they’ll blame the raccoons.”
SUMMERTIME COMPOSTING
BANANAS
COFFEE FILTERS
DAIRY PRODUCTS
FOOD SCRAPS HERBS
MEAT BONES ONIONS
PAPER PLATES
PLANT CLIPPINGS SHELLS TEABAGS
VEGETABLES BREAD
COFFEE GROUNDS
EGGSHELLS FRUIT
LEFTOVERS
NEWSPAPER
PAPER ICE CREAM CONTAINER SEAFOOD SHREDDED PAPER YARD BRUSH
CARDBOARD CORN HUSKS FISH BONES GRAINS MEAT NUTS PAPER NAPKINS PASTA SHELLFISH SPOILED FOOD TREE LIMBS YARD WASTE BAG
LAUREL SQUIRREL By Agnes Pasco Conaty
City resolution supports Woodland Job Corps
By NANCY WELCH
At their July 14 meeting, Laurel City Councilmembers ratified a resolution in support of the Woodland Job Corps Center at 3300 Fort Meade Road. The largest residential training program in the country, Job Corps helps young adults complete their education, gain career technical skills and prepare for employment. The program primarily serves individuals aged 16 to 24, most of whom are low-income. More than 2 million individuals have benefitted from Job Corps training over the
past 60 years according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Woodland center had been slated for closure under a decree issued May 29 by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which oversees the Job Corps program. The decree applied to the country’s 99 privately operated Job Corps centers, including the Woodland center, along with 24 Civil Conservation Centers, which are operated by U.S. Forest Service in conjunction with Job Corps. All centers were ordered to cease operations by June 30.
The Woodland facility is the only
Job Corps center in Maryland. The DOL did not publish their closure directive in the Federal Register nor did it establish a period for public comment or inform Congress of the order — all actions required by law. Congress established the Job Corps program in 1964 under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and has full authority over funding and oversight of the program under the act. The program, which is free of charge to enrolled students, has received bipartisan support since its founding.
Acting on behalf of national
trade unions, companies holding contracts with Job Corps and individual Job Corps centers, the National Job Corps Association filed suit against the DOL, and a number of students enrolled in the program filed a second lawsuit. Both suits challenged actions DOL has taken to negatively impact operations at centers, with the goal of forcing closures. DOL actions have included conducting background checks of applicants, terminating internet services at centers, and cancelling procurement and other contracts — and more. Plaintiffs in each suit argued that these actions violated not only laws governing the Job
Corps program but the Constitution. The court issued a preliminary injunction on June 25 halting the closures. The case is ongoing. In ratifying the city of Laurel’s resolution, councilmembers voiced support for the Woodland Job Corps center’s value to the community and its economy. The resolution calls on Gov. Wes Moore, the Maryland State Legislature and Maryland’s delegation to the U.S. Congress to advocate for the Job Corps program and ensure funding such that the program is fully sustained. The city is providing each of these entities with a copy of the ratified resolution.
facilities gives Prince George’s County several advantages over other jurisdictions, which have to pay tipping or hauling fees to have their waste removed. The organics composting facility usually sells enough LeafGro and LeafGro Gold compost to offset the cost of processing food waste. This is also true for the county’s recycling facility in Capitol Heights.
According to the facility’s Senior Environmental Planner Desmond Gladden, “It’s not every day, but most of the time, our facility sells its materials at prices high enough to pay for itself.”
The best quality plastic scrap (usually from water bottles)
reached $2,500 a ton in 2024, and in 2025, aluminum cans have sold for as much as $1,700 a ton. Cardboard, mixed paper, other plastic containers, and steel cans sell for much less but remain in steady demand.
The Prince Georges’ County materials recycling operations manager, Michael Bell, pointed to another plus to the county’s owning its composting and materials recycling facilities, along with its landfill is that these facilities can exchange materials and services. “In this area, there is very little demand for used commingled glass, and it’s too heavy and expensive to truck it to glass factories in the Midwest, where prices are higher,” Bell said. “So, we send it to the landfill for free, and they save by
using it as daily cover” — materials landfills use to cover new trash to reduce vermin and fires.
Despite these advantages, Prince George’s County still faces hurdles to increasing its food recycling rates and reducing methane emissions. According to David Brosch, a Sierra Club activist and member of the Prince George’s County Solid Waste Advisory Commission, some of the problems involve faulty infrastructure. The county landfill is supposed to have a system to capture the methane it produces and direct it to help heat the county’s jail and prison in Upper Marlboro. “But,” Brosch noted, “the gas pipe between the two facilities has been broken for years, and the gas is just flared off and wasted.”
Brosch also faults local jurisdictions for their failure to work together to buy equipment and supplies at lower rates or to share them. Michelle Blair, Laurel’s sustainability manager, reported similar difficulties.
And because local jurisdictions have different recycling and composting policies, it’s hard to conduct effective education
programs. Bell reports that even though Prince George’s County has had single-stream recycling since 2011, many people still don’t realize that everything plastic shouldn’t go into the recycling bin. “Plastic bags are our biggest problem,” he said, “but hoses can also get wound up in our equipment. Then we have to shut that line down until a worker can go in and safely cut out all that stuff that should never have been there in the first place.”
Expanding recycling capacity for all materials and educating citizens will cost millions at a time when budgets are tight. However, a lot of that funding may come from the Maryland Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging, which Governor Wes Moore signed into law in May.
The bottom line is that starting in 2028, the companies that produce most types of packaging sold in Maryland, such as cans and plastic bottles, will be responsible for 50% of the cost of cleaning up or recycling these materials, with that percentage rising to 90% of the costs by 2030. According to the MDE, the bill
Questions?
will increase the packaging recycling rate from 35 to 50%, capture $53 million more in valuable materials, reduce over 1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and create 2,075 new jobs.
“Maryland is suffering from a deluge of plastic, cardboard and all kinds of food packaging,” said State Sen. Malcolm Augustine (District 47), who cosponsored SB 901, the Senate version of the EPR legislation. “Right now, too many of those materials can’t be reused or aren’t being recycled because there’s no market for them, and the financial burden of collecting and disposing of those materials falls on local governments. Our bill will shift more of the costs onto the companies that make and sell these products. But, I hope that they will also save money by finding ways to use less packaging, or only using materials that can be profitably recycled.”
curiosity.
Paul Ruffins is a citizen scientist and professor of
HEAD OF CLASS
Max Freese graduated from Miami University, in Ohio, with a B.S. degree in business.
The Georgia Institute of Technology announced that Dmitri Finch, Eric Ma and Nandita Narayanan graduated in May.
Sita Nair was named to the spring 2025 dean’s list at the University at Albany, in New York.
Isabella Whittaker graduated with a Master of Science and was among more than 5,500 graduates earning a degree and a spot for their name on senior walk at the University of Arkansas.
Leianna Washington was named to the spring 2025 dean’s list at Delaware Valley University, in Pennsylvania.
Jacob Fato, Kaitlyn Hendershot, Morgan Jones and Natalia Travers were named to the spring 2025 dean’s list at York College of Pennsylvania.
Linda Fonju graduated with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Missouri State University.
Skylar Pigrom was named to the spring 2025 president’s list at Youngstown State University, in Ohio.
Julia Wright was named to the spring 2025 dean’s list at Hamilton College, in New York.
Trinity Brown was named to the spring 2025 dean’s list at Wilson College, in Pennsylvania.
Imani Jones was named to the spring 2025 dean’s list at New York’s Purchase College.
Shenandoah University, in Virginia, announced the following residents earned degrees: Kelsey Boettcher earned a Bachelor of Business Administration; Alisha Ladenburg earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Quante Redd earned a Master of Business Administration and a digital marketing graduate certificate. Ava James and Dylan Wiegert were named to the spring 2025 dean’s list. James was also named to the spring 2025 president’s list. Bridgewater College, in Virginia, announced that Stephan Khangaa graduated with a B.S. degree in communication, technology and culture; Mateo Tucker graduated with a B.S. degree in health and exercise science.
Maelynna Moreau and Olamide Oluwafemi were named to the spring 2025 dean’s list at New York’s Hofstra University.
The University of Hartford, in Connecticut, announced that Devin Bristol was named to the spring 2025 dean’s list and president’s list.
Frostburg State University announced that Ashley Gonzalez Garcia, Jason Lipscomb and Lauryn Sample were named to the spring 2025 dean’s list and Mikalis Fuentes-Nieves received a Master of Science de-
gree in nursing. Kristina Milbur and Chandler Nelson earned degrees in May.
Taylor Murray was named to the spring 2025 dean’s list at Stonehill College, in Massachusetts.
Ariana Nelson was named to The University of Alabama spring 2025 dean’s list.
University of Maryland Global Campus announced the following residents earned degrees in the spring of 2025:
Michael Hazelton, Associate of Arts; TyNia Little, Associate of Arts; Odelys Payano, B.A. in communication studies; Alima Coulibaly, B.A. in English; Shanel Pratt, B.S. in biotechnology; Michael Cryan, B.S. in finance; Gisselle Gomez, B.S. in management studies; Donovan Braithwaite, B.S. in marketing; Tiana Armour, B.S. in management information systems; Tatiana Mason, B.S. in psychology; Tristan John, B.S.in cybersecurity management and policy; Elizabeth Corbett, B.S. in psychology, summa cum laude/ president’s list; Merissa Dorsey, B.S. in psychology; Sarah Fakeye, B.S. in psychology; Timothy Kemp, B.S. in computer science, summa cum laude/president’s list; Gregory Wilkinson, B.S. in business administration; Avery Blizzard, B.S in cybersecurity management and policy; Joseph Overmyer, B.S. in computer networks and cybersecurity; Casey Curry, B.S. in general studies; William Cox, B.S. in cybersecurity technology, summa cum laude/president’s list; Mercy Ofori Boateng, B.S. in cybersecurity technology; Helen Butler, B.S. in business administration, cum laude; Abigail Rigney, B.S. in cybersecurity technology, summa cum laude/president’s list; Ross Wojcik, B.S.in psychology, summa cum laude/ president’s list; Reina Hinman, B.S. in management studies; Krunal Patel, B.S. in computer science; Jasmine Jefferson, B.S. in psychology; Brandon Brown, B.S. in criminal justice; MaryLou Walcott, B.S. in psychology, magna cum laude; Sherelle Couch, B.S. in general studies; Garrett Workman, B.S. in cyber-
CANDIDATES
AT-LARGE CANDIDATES
Christine M. Johnson, Ward 1 (incumbent)
Brencis D. Smith, Ward 2
WARD 1 CANDIDATES
James Kole (incumbent)
Adrian G. Simmons (incumbent)
Sheila Carroll
security technology, summa cum laude/president’s list; Chevez Whittaker, B.S. in health services management, cum laude; Grant Billard, B.S. in business administration, summa cum laude/president’s list; Erika Hokett-Bryson, B.S. in business administration; Lauhis Gaithan Nzuwo Fotsi, B.S. in cybersecurity technology; Marcia Gray; B.S. in human resource management; Janelle Mayberry, B.S. in business administration, summa cum laude/ president’s list; Andrew Walters, B.S. in cybersecurity technology, summa cum laude/president’s list; Shermeen Luther, B.S. in cybersecurity technology; Gene Patrick Dones, B.S. in cybersecurity technology; Leslie Garcia Castillo, B.S. in business administration; Dominique Hill, B.S. in social science; Justin Hsu, B.S. in computer science, magna cum laude; Chynenye Okonkwo, B.S. in nursing; Fatim Kamara, Master of Business Administration; Jihad Gordon, Master of Business Administration; Keyddi Johanson Tello, Master of Business Administration; Fatoumata Conde, Master of Business Administration; Jazmyl Christian, Master of Business Administration; Emma Johnson, Master of Business Administration, president’s list; Elizabeth Mcdonald, Master of Business Administration; Bintun Koletowo, Master of Science in cybersecurity management and policy; Matthew Groom, Master of Science in cybersecurity technology, president’s list; Sabin Jacob, Master of Science in digital forensics and cyber investigation, president’s list; Dora Cortez, Master of Science in learning design and technology; Danielle Quimbleyalexander, Master of Science in management: human resources management; Anthony Santoro, Master of Science in cybersecurity technology, president’s list; Douglas Dantzler, Master of Science in transformational leadership, president’s list; Amber Scott, Master of Science in health care administration; Melina Cintron, Master of Science in biotechnology: regulatory affairs; Ashley Foxworth, Master of Science in
WARD 2 CANDIDATES
Kyla M.Clark (incumbent)
Jeffrey W. Mills (incumbent)
Councilmembers hold office for two years. They must remain a resident of Laurel and a registered voter during their time in office. As of Aug. 5, the candidates listed have not yet been certified by the city of Laurel’s Board of Election Supervisors, as vetting is ongoing.
management: information systems and services; Marche Pearson, Master of Science in cybersecurity technology, president’s list; Shaunte Golden, Master of Science in management: project management; Jessica Diaz, Master of Science in acquisition and contract management; Faven Amanuel, Master of Science in management: human resources management; Solomon Gebru, Master of Science in information technology: project management, president’s list; Jennifer Thompson, Master of Science in information technology: project management, president’s list; Nakia Davis, Master of Science in cybersecurity management and policy; Paris Macklin, Master of Science in health care administration; Ebere Udokwu Chikeluba, Master of Science in cybersecurity management and policy, president’s list; Roshell
Weatherless-Stroble, Master of Science in health information management and technology; Aparna Karattukudy, Master of Science in management: human resources management; Meagan Evans, Master of Science in information technology: project management; Vbhinay Marapaka, Master of Science in health information management and technology; Alexia Rose, Master of Science in management: project management; Georgina Boateng, Master of Science in management: marketing; Elikem Potakey, Master of Science in cybersecurity management and policy; Trevian Thom, Master of Science in cybersecurity technology, president’s list; Mulualem Woldeyes, Master of Science in cybersecurity technology, president’s list; Praise Okechukwu, Master of Science in cybersecurity technology
IN MEMORIAM
James “Ray” Phillips
James “Ray” Phillips, age 75, of Ocean Pines, Maryland, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025. Born in Washington D.C. he was the son of the late James Phillips and Ann (Jefferson) Phillips. He was the loving husband to Cindy Phillips.
Ray was a volunteer fireman in Laurel, MD, a diamond miner in Venezuela and a Harbormaster for Pines Point Marina in Ocean Pines. He enjoyed acting in local dinner theatre productions, sailing to Key West and traveling with his wife, Cindy.
Ray is survived by his children Trisha Moore (Jack) and Andrew Moore (Cindy Cooley) as well as his grandchildren, Gabrielle, Julia and Austin, brother Jeff Phillips. He was preceded in death by a brother Bradley Phillips.
Cremation followed Ray’s passing. No formal services are planned at this time. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Maryland. Condolences may be shared with the family via www. burbagefuneralhome.com.
