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Prince George's County
Panel: Injustice Created Through Unhealthy Food Choices
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes the ongoing coronavirus pandemic affects those with underlying conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
The federal agency noted how the pandemic “has brought social and racial injustice and inequity to the forefront of public health.”
Various health studies and reports have shown health ailments are more prevalent in the Black community. A panel led by Sen. Cory Booker (D-N. J.) said the country’s lack of healthy food options are part of the reason.
“We have a savagely broken food system that is hurting everyone but big, multinational corporations where too many Americans are overfed, but undernourished,” he said Tuesday, Sept. 14 during the Congressional Black Congress Foundation’s 50th annual legislative conference. “It is making our nation tragically sit on epidemic levels.”
Booker, who’s been a vegan for about seven years, spoke during a nearly one-hour session entitled “Food Justice: The State of Food and Nutrition in Black Communities.”
According to Move for Hunger of Red Bank, N. J., about one in six children “face hunger each day” and 42 million Americans are food insecure, or lack resources to provide affordable and healthy food options.
Three women – Tambra Raye Stevenson, Karen Washington and Jasmine C. Leyva – outlined several ideas
5 Volunteers await to put bags and boxes of food in vehicles at distribution giveaway Sept. 11 at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church at High Point High School in Beltsville. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
to produce a healthier society such as:
Provide financial incentives for new businesses that manufacture healthy products.
Cook school lunches versus serving processed food heated in microwaves.
Show videos of how animals are killed to produce food.
Read the labels that showcase calories, sugar and information on food and drink products.
Washington, co-owner and farmer at Rise & Root Farm in Chester, N.Y.
Residents, Merchants Make the Case for Zoning Changes in Prince George’s
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
Brandon Bellamy believes a proposed zoning change at Hampton Park in Capitol Heights near Interstate 95 would affect current construction of an office building slated to include Prince George’s County’s Office of Aging.
Bellamy, chief executive officer for Velocity Companies in Greenbelt that helped redevelop the mall, said the industrial employment designation doesn’t fit with the land currently zoned for mixeduse transportation. (The property includes an IHOP, Dunkin Donuts and Home Depot.)
However, he said the mall could be rezoned under the new “commercial, general office” designation. A summary shows that the zone which he recommends “provides for a broad and diverse range of retail, business, civic and mixeduse development at major intersections and other highly-visible and accessible locations.”
“This is the zone that is most similar to the zone we have right now and is most reflective of the existing, proposed development,” Bellamy said during a more than four-hour public hearing on Monday, Sept. 13.
The virtual hearing with the county’s planning board and District Council allowed comments Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 14 on the “countywide map amendment.” The hearings count as part of the final step for members of the County Council, which sits as the District Council on land use and zoning matters, to possibly approve new maps and zoning districts by November.
“We know it will be a benefit to the development of Prince George’s County,” Councilmember Todd Turner (D-District 4) of Bowie said before Monday’s hearing.
“Given the time, the effort and the money that’s been spent on this process, it’s nice to say that we are getting close but until we say that it’s
5 The University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Largo sits within the zoning district labeled regional transit-oriented, high intensity. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer) ZONING Page 53
, said government officials should incorporate zoning laws to limit the location of fast-food restaurants.
“We have 7.8 billion on this Earth, but [only] a handful of corporations controlling our food system,” she said. “Our number one target is our children.”
Levya, who produced a film two years ago called “The Invisible Vegan” at, said she would “wave my wind and require truth.”
For instance, she said chicken processing features the use of chlorine, the chemical used in swimming pools to kill bacteria and found in some household cleaning products.
“Rebuild the trust between the people and the government,” said Leyva, who resides in Los Angeles. “If you are putting out policies on top of distrust, you’re not going to have people getting involved in wanting to see these policies flourish in getting the support [officials] need.”
Stevenson, who serves on the D.C. Food Policy Council, said what’s needed for a healthy society in the Black community that includes: invest in educational programs to hire Black nutritionists and dieticians, conduct research on African-based diets and secure equitable funding from the Small Business Administration to support Black entrepreneurs.
“These are the issues that need to be addressed,” said Stevenson, who founded Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics and Agriculture at www. iamwanda.org. “An inclusive food system is a resilient food system.” WI @jabariwill
Maryland Committee Approves Mask Mandate in Public Schools
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
A Maryland legislative committee approved an emergency declaration Tuesday, Sept. 14 for public school students, teachers and staff to wear masks and face coverings.
The declaration, first considered last month by the state board of education, will immediately go into effect until Feb. 25 as a way to “prevent public school closures and limit the number of students required to quarantine out of the classroom during the 2021–2022 school year due to COVID-19.”
Lawmakers with the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review voted 10-7 in support of the mask requirement during a fourhour virtual public hearing.
“I really think this is good, public policy that protects our children and educational staff as we navigate these really challenging times,” said Sen. Malcolm Augustine (D-District 47) of Cheverly who voted in favor of the declaration.
All the Republican members voted against it. Some explained it takes away control from local school officials.
“The regulation is just one more step to remove local discretion in public education and it’s not warranted,” said Sen. Robert Cassilly (R-Harford County). “It seems that it’s more of a political statement.”
As of Tuesday, the state Health Department reported that nearly 1,100 confirmed coronavirus cases have surfaced during a 24-hour period.
Hospitalizations increased by 26 patients Monday, Sept. 13 for a total of 828. The figure sat below 800 on Sept. 6.
The majority of the state’s 24 school systems required students and school staff to wear masks in buildings and on buses.
Somerset and Carroll counties represented the only two school systems that didn’t implement universal mask policies, but the declaration requires all school systems to adopt policies and procedures “expeditiously.”
That’s why at least half of the people who testified came from Carroll County, engaging in some verbal lashings during Tuesday’s virtual public hearing.
Trey Stokely, 42, opposes the declaration because it takes away a parent’s right to choose.
“My wife and I do a damn good job at parenting our two kids,” he said. “I truly appreciate your offer, but I respectfully decline your assistance in helping me parent my children.”
Not all Carroll County parents agree with the school board’s decisions in not offering virtual learning in July for summer school and to make masks optional.
“This board has not done everything it could do to keep our kids safe,” said Niki Guinan, whose two children are younger than 12 years old and not able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. “We rely on you to act responsibly in defense of our kids.”
Shortly after the vote, Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) released a statement to applaud the committee’s vote.
“This measure, which the senate called for weeks ago, comes at a time when school has already begun across the state and the protection of our children needs to remain our top priority,” Ferguson said. “We know mask wearing helps slow the spread of COVID-19 and my goal has been to keep as many kids learning in school as possible.”
WI @jabariwill
5 Deerfield Run Assistant Principal Nicole Scott (center) helps direct parents and students in line Sept. 8 on the first day of school in Prince George’s County. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
A Message from Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce
A More Perfect Disunion
Our civic acrimony over vaccines and masks has uncovered an unfortunate truth, that our union is divided. Public meetings, on-line opinion makers and families are entwined in divisive infighting that is leaving all of us in confusion and disengagement. Even for our children’s sake, we cannot come together! Our disunity is grounded on the bombastic notion that individualism trumps community. Those who hold on to this notion point to our founding documents and the Constitution that protects individual liberty and the right to make self-centered decisions. Ignored here is the principal of forming a more perfect union. Our powerful Constitution begins with the iconic words,” We the People in order to form a More Perfect Union” not we the individuals in order to protect our individual rights. In short, our government and democracy were formed to build a unified society protected by the law. Of course, discourse will emerge, however these differences are meant to make this Union stronger. On this country’s current health and societal crisis, we find ourselves in a mirage of discontent supported by individualism. Needed is community that debates the path that brings all of us to health, safety, and community. The cacophony of suspicion and intrigue has clouded the need for collective action. We must return to civic and civil dialogue and discourse that directs us to a higher calling. That calling, is community! It is the only remedy that will cure us of this health crisis.
