PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Prince George’s Focused on a Post-COVID-19 Future William J. Ford WI Staff Writer Prince George’s County colleges and universities should connect with small and medium-sized businesses to recruit and hire graduating seniors, public school and county officials need to meet more frequently and more WiFi “hotspots” are needed throughout the jurisdiction.
These are three of the 29 recommendations in a report released last week worked on since last year by a 42-member task force announced by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks to enhance and provide better services in a post-COVID-19 climate. “With the release of this report, I will turn my focus to implementing the recommendations to enable our county to better deliver services
5 The University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Largo opened June 12. (FILE: Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
and make a difference in the lives of all our residents,” she said in the report. The group, chaired by former Prince George’s Community College president Charlene Dukes and David Velasquez, president
and CEO of Pepco Holdings, assessed ways to improve the county through five subcommittees: government operations, economic development, education, health and human and social services. A few recommendations al-
Local Vendors Showcase Edible Dishes at FedEx Field William J. Ford WI Staff Writer Oxtail spring rolls drizzled with a sauce similar to ketchup mixed with hot sauce made by Kitchen Cray located in Northeast. Meanwhile, several people devoured a sample of seafood gumbo from EllaRay’s Café of District Heights. These dishes count as just a few of the dozens prepared by chefs and culinary entrepreneurs on Monday,
June 14 during a Flavor of the DMW Showcase at FedEx Field in Landover. The Washington Football Team hosted the event for 22 vendors, one of whom will become an official gameday vendor for the team’s 2021 season. “I really hope I’m one of the selected few,” said Cleavon “Clay” Morris who turns 30 on June 24 and serves as the chef and owner of The Tropical Express based out of Clinton. “It’s motivational to be around
5 Former Washington football players Rick “Doc” Walker (left) and Fred Smoot sample food June 14 at Flavors of the DMV Showcase hosted by the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover. (William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)
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these guys. Just to be in this position where people tell me my food tastes good, I’m just happy,” he said. It’s unclear when a winner would be announced but the Washington organization wanted to ensure a community vendor will become part of the team’s eight home games starting with the season and home opener Sept. 12 against the San Diego Chargers. “It’s the first time the team has ever done anything like this,” said Joey Colby-Begovich, vice president of guest experience. “It’s part of our larger effort to bring more community elements into the stadium and the gameday experience.” The Shell Shack Seafood, which operates a food truck with a patio in downtown Silver Spring, established its operation in April 2020. The company entered the competition about one hour before the deadline thanks to a customer sending an Instagram link. “Thank God for the customer,” said Nicole Watson, director of operations for The Shell Shack. “No two days are ever the same in our business, which makes it so very interesting.” Some of the taste-testers included season ticket holders, two executive chefs and former Washington players. Each person received six tokens to
place in a box to help choose their favorite vendor. According to the judging rules, participants faced evaluation on food or product quality that included taste, appearance and texture; ease of prep and service; overall presentation; uniqueness of the product; and connections to the DMV. In case of a tie, the head chef for Levy Hospitality Group will serve as the tiebreaker. A few vendors in attendance operate outside the D.C. region including South Mountain Creamery in Middletown, Frederick County, which delivers its homemade ice cream and other products to various businesses in the region. Several people walked to the creamery’s table to guzzle their signature 12-ounce raspberry lemonade. Former Washington tight end Rick “Doc” Walker didn’t speak for about 35 seconds after taking a bite of a plant-based sausage from Everything Legendary of Largo. He even swayed side-to-side while chewing. “I stand by my product, man,” yelled Duane Cheers, president and CEO of Everything Legendary. “This food makes you dance.” WI @jabariwill
ready in the works include creating more county services online as some agencies continue to work virtually and develop policies and procedures for residents in need of accommodations. These and other items could be completed within the next year. A county executive spokesman said in an email Thursday, June 10 at least a half dozen recommendations could take several years to launch. For instance, an “economic resiliency function” would require an annual budget in preparation for emergency situations. When the coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of businesses in March 2020, the county lost 10,000 jobs in 10 days, David Iannucci, president and CEO of the county’s Economic Development Corpsaid. Entrepreneurship and leadership skills are proposed as part of an education plan to create a dual-enrollment program for students “that emphasizes creating innovators with social responsibility…to develop the critical 21st century skills they will need to succeed.” Those particular programs usually involve high school students also enrolled at a community college or local university. In terms of health, officials and residents view the newly opened University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center as a way to boost care. In the state of Maryland, the county has the highest rates of obesity, diabetes and infant mortality. The majority Black jurisdiction leads the state in confirmed coronavirus cases, but vaccinations improved with slightly more than 40 percent of those ages 12 and older are fully vaccinated with the twodose or single-dose vaccines. One strategy to improve health, according to the report, is creating a database to collect and store patient information for clinicians to track over time. Another proposal would be to expand the county’s “HealthAssure” program to cover the estimated 12.5 percent of uninsured residents that include low-wage workers, part-timers and employees at small businesses. Dukes has a message for residents reading the report: “Please get a COVID-19 vaccine.” To read the report, go to https://bit. ly/3iy6jux. WI @jabariwill
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