Rushern Baker walks both fences in possible Brown v Gansler race

Remember when Rushern Baker was being touted by the Anthony Brown campaign team in their earlier fundraisers for the gubernatorial campaign? Well it looks like he still hasn’t made up his mind. This weekend the county Executive will join Attorney General and who some people will call the frontrunner to replace Governor Martin O’Malley, Doug Gansler this weekend for his first official-unofficial community event of the unannounced campaign for governor.

Tomorrow, June 30th at the Prince George’s Community College, Gansler will host an “Old Fashion” BBQ in preparation for Independence Day. The event, which lasts from 1PM until 3PM, will cost $20.00 and feature special guest speaker Rushern Baker.

GOP plan aggressive campaign for Cardin seat, Bongino rallies party elite in PG

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Vowing not to concede any ground to Senator Ben Cardin, Republican Party nominee Dan Bongino will rally top party leaders in Temple Hills tomorrow. His No More Neglect Rally hopes to play on the complaint by many residents that Cardin is like an absent father, comes around for what he want and then disappears when you need him.

Bongino will be joined by

Michael Steele – Fmr. Lt. Governor & Fmr. Chairman of the Republican National Committee

Nicolee Ambrose – Maryland Republican National Committeewoman &

Harry Alford – Founder/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, June 27, 2012
12:00 p.m.
Thurgood Marshall Middle School
4909 Brinkley Road, Temple Hills, MD

http://www.bongino.com

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Toles found guilty of reckless driving charge

County Councilwoman Karen Toles (D-7)

The bad news for Prince George’s County just continues. A judge in Ann Arundel County has found County Councilwoman Karen Toles guilty of reckless driving and fined her an additional $400.00. This is on top of the $500.00 Toles paid after being stopped on the beltway going over 100mph. She admitted to switching lanes illegally, but after an investigation by the top brass of the police department, Toles was later given a reckless driving citation.

In the ruling announced this evening Toles will be given probation before sentencing. If she stays out of trouble for a year her record will be cleared. The ruling also avoids any points to her license. Because of previous speeding tickets if the judge had applied the points necessary it was likely Toles would have lost her license.

Toles was stopped in February for speeding by a Prince George’s County officer. Today Toles admitted to making statements that included, “this is why people hate PG police” once she was stopped. Toles also admitted to both being on her phone AND applying make-up while speeding and being followed by the officer. After being stopped Prince George’s County Council Chair Andrea Harrison stripped Toles of her county issued vehicle. Sources in the government say Toles has returned to driving her own vehicle and is receiving a stipend from the government for doing so.

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Gov. Commission on Hispanics talk quality health care access for Hispanics tonight

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The Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs Cordially Invites You to Attend the June 2012 Commission Meeting

Wednesday, June 20, 5:30 p.m.

Mary’s Center
8908 Riggs Road
Adelphi, MD 20783

Please join the Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs for a dialogue on

Quality Health Care Access for Hispanics in Maryland  

The dialogue will focus on a closer overview of the recently passed Health Enterprise Zone Bill championed by Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, as well as focus on minority health care disparities. A presentation by Mary’s Center on the successful health care provider model used the clinic for minority communities and the under- and uninsured.

The Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs encourages everyone to attend and take advantage of the presentations, engage in the dialogue with our State officials and guests, and receive helpful information and resources for our communities.

Invited Speakers:

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office
Annapolis, MD

Joshua M. Sharfstein, M.D. - Secretary
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Zulma Aparicio - Director of Operations in Maryland
Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc.

The Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs meetings are free and open to the public

For Information call (410) 767-7425

www.hispanic.maryland.gov

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Setback to Baker, state panel rejects new casino in PG

Prince George’s Executive Rushern Baker

Today the special commission that was charged by Governor Martin O’Malley, Speaker Michael Busch, and Senate President Mike Miller to explore finding a consensus on the hotly debated proposal of expanding casino gambling into Prince George’s County had planned to announce a deal on a plan that would be considered in a special session the week of July 9th, but those plans have been scrapped. Panel leaders announced they have not been able to reach consensus and there would be no extension in their work. That is fancy talk for saying they failed.

The proposal, which was pushed by County Executive Rushern Baker, took over the final days of the regular session of the General Assembly. Many blamed Senate President Miller for holding up budget negotiations in an attempt to push the hand of the House of Delegates but by midnight both proposals had failed to be approved. Legislators returned to Annapolis last month to resolve budget work and planned to return next month to deal with the casino proposal. News today that the commission named to draft the plan both chambers would debate failed to reach a deal seems to end those plans. Governor O’Malley had indicated he would not call another special session unless the panel was successful.

Last week officials with MGM Grand announced plans to develop a casino at Prince George’s National Harbor in what some elected officials said was another attempt to push the hand of legislators. MGM promised the deal would create more than 1,000 construction jobs and more than 4,000 jobs after the casino opened. For Prince George’s County, which struggles with job creation, that was big news. Additionally a state report released said the casino would generate more than $200 million annually in education funding for the state. Opponents to the casino point to the promises made by the lottery and said they never came to fruition. Community groups and church leaders in the county also opposed the plan saying the amount of crime and social issues the casino would create was not worth the risk.

Sources in the Prince George’s County government say the executive and his team will continue to explore ways to move forward with their plans. Any expansion in the county would first have to be approved by both the legislature and voters in a constitutional amendment.

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Casino commission fail to reach deal! Effort could be dead for the year

Today was built to be the final meeting of the Governor’s Work Group on Gambling which would consider expanding casinos into Prince George’s County among other proposals. After weeks of public and behind closed doors meetings, the commission has indeed failed to reach consensus on what plan could pass both houses. Gov. O’Malley had indicated he would not call another special session of the legislature unless the commission was able to reach a deal and today’s announcement seems to have killed any hope for a deal before next year.

Stay tuned for more.

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Mel Franklin announces District 9 Family Fun Day

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Councilman Mel Franklin announces his annual District 9 Day.

Please note this change: To allow more residents to get home from worship services, District 9 Day will begin at 3PM this year rather than 2PM.  Thanks!

 

REMINDER: *Save the Date*: 2ND ANNUAL DISTRICT 9 FAMILY & FRIENDS DAY- Sunday, July 29th, 3PM-7PM (**Revised Time**)   Please join me and your neighbors on Sunday, July 29th at Cosca Regional park, 11000 Thrift Road, Clinton, MD 20735 for our 2nd annual District 9 Family & Friends Day from 3PM-7PM.   Last year, over 1000 District 9 residents attended this outstanding community event and this year will be even bigger and better! Please save the date and join us for fun, food, and valuable information from dozens of District 9 businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.  Bring the children and enjoy the afternoon with us.   **If you are a business or nonprofit organization licensed to operate in the County and are interested in having a free display table at District 9 Day, please contact my Chief of Staff, Brendon Laster, at bllaster@co.pg.md.us or 301-952-3820.  Businesses and organizations based in District 9 will get preference. Please do not wait because space is very limited.**   We are looking for volunteers so if you are interested in lending a helping hand please also contact Brendon Laster at bllaster@co.pg.md.us or 301-952-3820.  I thank you in advance for wanting to be a part of our 2nd Annual District 9 Family & Friends Day!   Please RSVP below so we can prepare for your attendance (RSVPs are recommended, but not required).  We look forward to seeing you there on July 29th!  This event is free and open to the public.    __________________________________________________ RSVP Here! ______________________

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Dr. Hite to lose his #2, PGCPS Deputy Superintendent steps down

Outgoing PGCPS Deputy Superintendent Bonita Coleman-Potter

Dr. Bonita Coleman Potter who serves as the Deputy Superintendent for the Prince George’s County Public Schools will step down from her role later this month. She has been tapped as the new chief executive of the Ocean Springs School District in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

The change in post will be a change in pace for the second in command of Maryland’s second largest school district. Prince George’s County has 123,000 students, that is about fifteen times larger than the entire 18,000 people in the entire Ocean Springs town. Prince George’s County graduated 8,000 seniors this year, Ocean Springs graduated 375. Despite the change, according to the Ocean Springs School Board President she wants to return home. Coleman-Potter is a Mississippi native who taught middle school in Clinton, Mississippi and after that served as deputy superintendent of instruction for four years in the Jackson Public School District, and was a college professor at Tugaloo and Jackson State.

This proves the second time was the charm for Potter. Last June Potter was named a finalist to replace the Atlanta City Public Schools superintendent who retired after a testing scandal took over her tenure. The board there decided against selecting a new leader and named an interim for the year.

Dr. Coleman Potter is expected to return to Mississippi over the next few weeks to find a place to live, but doesn’t take the helm of the system full-time until July 1st. The Deputy Superintendent has held her position since Dr. Hite named her to the post in 2009.

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Looks like he is running…Doyle announces fundraiser

Delegate Doyle Neimann who currently represents the 47th Legislative District has thrown out the first sign he does intend to run for reelection with an over the weekend email announcing an upcoming fundraiser. The event will have high powered headliners too, House Speaker Michael Busch and possible future speaker Delegate Maggie McIntosh are listed as co-hosts. The event which will take place on June 28th at the Three Brothers Restaurant is the first sign of the looming redistricting battle which could put all three of the 47th’s incumbent delegates against one another.

This year the Maryland General Assembly gave their somewhat approval to a plan that took the current 47th and divided it into two sub-districts, 47A and 47B (where all of the three incumbents live. Under the new plan 47A will have one seat and 47B will have two seats. The problem is Niemann along with Delegates Jolene Ivey and Michael Summers all live in the two seat 47B. According to most observers if the match up does materialize Niemann could find himself on the outs. In 2010 Ivey and Summers ran on a ticket with now-Senator Victor Ramirez. They are rumored to be joined by County Councilman Will Campos who will run for the A seat after he is termed out with the council in 2014. Niemann ran on a ticket with then-State Senator David Harrington who was defeated by Ramirez.

2014, it will be here sooner than you think.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Magic Johnson Foundation & Best Buy host tech summer camp in Bladensburg

MEDIA ADVISORY

NOT YOUR TYPICAL TECH SUMMER CAMP

Geek Squad & Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Center

Offer Tech Immersion Session in Prince George’s County, MD!

WHAT:              Best Buy’s Geek Squad continues its quest to demystify technology and nurture innovation, this time empowering Prince George’s County middle- and high-school level girls and boys.

The Geek Squad Summer Academy program™, now in its 6^th year, is a community-supported tech camp during which local Geek Squad Agents join forces with Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Center and Elizabeth Seton High School to engage young people in a multi-day experience teaching them to use technology to spark their inner creativity and nurture innovation.

 

WHY:                The Geek Squad Summer Academy program is unique for bringing knowledge to youth in their communities, rather than the other way around. Tailored for students ages 10-17 in Prince George’s County, camp sessions will feature customized modules that dive deep into computers, smart phones, MP3 players and other devices so students literally get into the guts of the technology they use every day.

 

WHO:               Geek Squad is a national 24-hour task force dedicated to helping people make the most of their technology.

 

WHEN:             June 11 & 12, 10:00am-5:00pm

 

INTERVIEWS:  Geek Squad Summer Academy camp students, Geek Squad Agents and local partners are available for photo ops and can discuss the following in an interview:

• Not your average summer camp – what makes Geek Squad Academy unique
• The importance of inspiring our nation’s youth with technology to help foster innovation
• Why understanding technology and it’s applications is a highly desirable tool

 

WHERE:           Elizabeth Seton High School, 5715 Emerson St., Bladensburg, MD 20710

 

CONTACT:        Sarah Lipman, sarah.lipman@ketchum.com, 202.835.9433 

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