PG Council to focus on health Monday July 9th

On Monday the Prince George’s County Council will be the Board of Health for most of the day. Starting at 10AM the body will meet as the council for a public hearing on Executive Rushern Baker’s nominee to be the next Health Officer. Dr. Pamela Creekmur has been serving as Acting Health Officer since Baker replaced the former head who was appointed under Jack Johnson earlier this year. That hearing will take place at the County Administrative Building in Upper Marlboro.

Individuals wishing to testify will need to sign up with the Council Clerk before the hearing.

Later that same day Dr. Creekmur will be joined by two of her deputies Dr. Ernest Carter and Elana Butler for a town hall on health in the county. The town hall will be moderated by Dr. Joseph Wright, Senior Vice President of Children’s National Medical Center. Built as a “comprehensive community conversation about the state of healthcare in Prince George’s County,” the trio of health officers will be joined by Neil Moore, President/CEO of Dimensions Health Care and Dr. Carnell Cooper, the Chief Medical Officer for Dimensions. Dimensions is the system that operates the Prince George’s Health Care centers.

This event will take place on Monday July 9th at 7PM at Harmony Hall in Fort Washington.

Monday, July 9th

7:00PM – 9:00PM

Harmony Hall
Regional Center
10701 Livingston Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744

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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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Council Chair Harrison announces 2012 College and Vocational Career Preparatory Conference

As the end of the school year approaches, Prince George’s County middle and high school students will begin considering college and career options. I would like to invite District 5 residents to participate in my 2012 College and Vocational Career Preparatory Conference scheduled for Saturday, March 24, 2012, at Charles H. Flowers High School in Springdale, MD.

The 2012 College and Vocational Career Preparatory Conference offers students and their parents a great opportunity for assistance with educational; and/or, career choice decision-making after high school graduation, by providing helpful college and vocational information and resources.

 

For more information please visit Council District 5 website or click here to register a student/participant. I have also attached a copy of the flyer, an agenda, and workshop description.

If there any additional question please do not hesitate to contact my office  Council District 5 at (301)952-3864 or e-mail councildistrict5@co.pg.md.us.

I hope to see you there!

Respectfully,

Prince George’s County Council Chair Andrea Harrison

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Power Player: Andrea Harrison – The difference a chair makes

County Council Chairwoman Andrea Harrison (D-Springdale)

In 2010 right after news broke that Jake and Leslie Johnson had been arrested and charged with corruption, attention turned to who would lead the Prince George’s Council. With Leslie Johnson refusing to step down, everyone knew the body would spend the year public eye. The battle was between the incumbent Vice-Chair Andrea Harrison, who had called for Leslie Johnson to step aside and not be sworn-in, and Ingrid Turner, who is a member of the same sorority as Johnson, and needed her vote to topple Harrison. In fact Turner, according to Jack Johnson, had promised to name Leslie Johnson to the powerful Economic Development Committee, a post she would be able to use supporting her husband’s corrupt deals. In the end Turner refused to comment on the Johnson situation and won enough votes to take the gavel from Harrison. It wasn’t until after the public pressure became too much that she supported efforts to strip Johnson of any committee assignments.

Fast forward to this year and we see a whole different picture. In 2010 the AKA sorority had to be proud of the three of their members who had been elected to serve on the council. Now Johnson is gone and another one, Karen Toles, is under investigation. Toles if you remember was stopped earlier this week for going over 100mph on a county highway and refusing to stop. After being stopped, police report she identified herself as councilwoman and in the end was given a warning. The traffic incident created a firestorm which led to news that this was not the first time the councilwoman had been in trouble. The difference this time is who is running the council.

Yesterday Councilwoman Toles announced she would voluntarily give up her county issued car until she completed a police course on safe driving. Today Andrea Harrison, who has since been elected chairwoman, announced the council would strip the councilwoman of her car until the investigation into the matter was resolved, not just the safety course Toles promised to take. Her quick leadership compared with Ingrid Turner who proceeded her marked a change in style. It isn’t the first act of bold resolve.

Harrison recently balked at a proposal by County Executive Rushern Baker to build a casino at National Harbor or bring gambling into the county. In November, one month before Harrison took over from Turner, the council voted 5-4 against a resolution to ban slots in the county. Harrison voted in the minority. Compare that to the recent 9-0 vote the council took in February to oppose a bill backed by Rushern Baker to build a casino at National Harbor. Harrison also led the council in amending a state bill that just passed this week by the Prince George’s County Delegation that provides tax breaks to companies who develop in the county. Harrison wanted to ensure none of the breaks went to any potential gambling companies. In the coming year her role in government will only grow. She will also play a key role in deciding if the Executive will get his choice for County Counsel, the county’s attorney, whose nomination he withdrew and resubmitted after some council members said she lacked the independence they desired. She will also wield a lot of influence in the final budget the council approves.

Harrison was elected to the Prince George’s County Council in 2008 during the special election to replace David Harrington who resigned when he was appointed to the Maryland Senate. She was reelected in 2010. Before being elected to chair the council, Harrison served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Council of Governments (COG).

—FULL STATEMENT FROM THE COUNCIL CHAIR

The Prince George’s County Council is committed to public safety.  On February 22, 2012, Council Member Toles received a citation for an unsafe lane change and a warning for speeding.    Council Member Toles has stated that she will voluntarily enroll in a driver improvement class and discontinue use of her County assigned vehicle during that time.  The County Council supports her decision, however, until this matter is resolved, we have agreed that Council Member Toles will have no use of or access to a County assigned vehicle for her safety and the safety of others. 

Power Player- Power Player is a new feature for our blog that will highlight individuals whose influence has the potential to make changes in the operation of the Prince George’s County community.

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County governing boards change gavels, Harrison prepares to take over & Jacobs holds on

Prince George's County Councilwoman Andrea Harrison

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If source reports are correct, Councilwoman Andrea Harrison (D-Springdale) is expected to be named chairman of the Prince George’s County Council today. Harrison previously served as Vice-Chair of the council and withdrew her campaign for chairman after Ingrid Turner (D-Greenbelt) locked up the five needed votes. Harrison is also chair of the Council of Governments which she is expected to give up in January when Frank Principi of Woodbridge takes over.

The County Council is expected to elect their new leadership today during their meeting at 11:00AM in Upper Marlboro.

Last night School Board Member Verjeana Jacobs (D-Bowie) was elected to her fifth term as chair of the Prince George’s County Board of Education. She was elected 9-1 with only Board Member Edward Burroughs voting no. Peggy Higgins (D-College Park) was elected to replace Donna Beck as Vice-Chair.

Other News Today- Former County Executive Jack Johnson is expected to be sentenced for his role in a wide ranging corruption scheme in Prince George’s County. His wife, former Councilwoman Leslie Johnson will be sentenced on Friday.

Council Chair Ingrid Turner responds to Johnson plea

County Council Chair Ingrid Turner

Prince George’s County Council Chairwoman Ingrid Turner who basically owes her gavel to Leslie Johnson released the below statement in response to her plea of guilty to federal charges of corruption. The statement does not call on her friend and sorority sister to step down but restated the charter process for filling the seat when she does. Both Johnson and Turner are AKA members as well as their younger sorority sister Karen Toles. Johnson and Toles joined with Turner, Council members Will Campos and Obie Patterson to deny then-Vice Chairwoman Andrea Harrison her bid to become chair last year just weeks after Johnson was arrested by federal agents. Campos, Toles, Turner, and Patterson are the only four members not to call on Leslie Johnson to not assume office last December after she was arrested. Council members Franklin, Lehman, Harrison, and Olson all called on Johnson not to take office last December. Turner is the first county official to respond to today’s news. There has been no comment from Executive Rushern Baker or the other council members.

UPDATED- County Executive Rushern Baker has called on Leslie Johnson to resign before her October 13th sentencing hearing saying “I believe the process of healing should not be delayed or deferred,” according to TBD News Anchor Bruce Depuyt.

We’ve also heard from Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committeeman Salome Peters who said “If I were Leslie Johnson, I would have resigned a long time ago.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 30, 2011	CONTACT: Karen Campbell 301.952.5182 CouncilMedia@co.pg.md.us
Statement – COUNCIL CHAIR INGRID M. TURNER REGARDING STATUS OF COUNCIL MEMBER LESLIE JOHNSON
Today is a difficult day.  Council Member Johnson has pled guilty to a felony.  After she has commenced her sentence, she will no longer be a qualified voter under Maryland Election Law and must then forfeit her office pursuant to Section 310 of the Prince George’s County Charter. Once a vacancy exists on the County Council and pursuant to the County Charter, the County Council must provide for a Special Election to fill the vacancy. The Council remains focused on its work serving the people of Prince George’s County. There is much to be done and we will continue to focus our efforts on our legislative priorities and work in the best interests of County residents.                                                                                -0- All legislative powers of Prince George’s County are vested in the County Council.  The County Council sits as the District Council on zoning and land use policy, and as the Board of Health to govern and guide health policy.  The County Council meets as a legislative body on Tuesdays in the Council Hearing Room on the first floor of the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro.  For more information on the Prince George’s County Council, please visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov
County Administration Building — Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 (301)952-3700   TDD (301)925-5167 Follow The Real Prince George’s on Facebook and Twitter. Also get the latest in your inbox by subscribing on the right side of the page.

Karen Toles hold first community town hall mtg, Harrison up next

District 7 Councilwoman Karen Toles

District 7 Councilwoman Karen Toles is the latest of her peers to hold a community town hall meeting to discuss issues facing the county. Below is a report from DC Russell a District 7 resident and publisher of the PG-Politics Blog.

Councilwoman Andrea Harrison will hold her District 5 town hall meeting next Saturday March 19, 2011 at 11:00AM. The event will take place in the new Colmar Manor Town Hall.

Following her new colleagues in council districts 8 and 9, newly elected District 7 Councilwoman Karen R. Toles (D) held her first community forum on Saturday, February 26, at a community center in Suitland.  Unlike the forums held by her colleagues, the press did not cover the event (see links below).  About 100 people attended. Here is a summary of the District 7 forum based on the handouts and notes from two attendees.

Several current and former elected officials attended the forum, but did not speak.  They included Sheriff Melvin High, former District 7 Councilwomen Dorothy Bailey (1994-2002) and Camille Exum (2002-2010), school board members Henry Armwood (District 7) and Edward Burroughs (District 8), and several current and former municipal officials.

In her opening statement Toles talked about priorities, including public safety, truancy, cross-border criminal activity, code enforcement, and raising community standards.  She mentioned that District 7 has the longest common border with the District of Columbia.  Clubs or dance halls operating outside their permits and licenses are a problem in the community–several of the murders in District 7 have been outside such clubs–and Toles wants to give public safety officials more authority to shut them down.  About half of the county’s 2011 murders have been in District 7.  Her plans for the near future include opening a website, starting e-mail updates, planning an April project for youth, and pushing for a single system for posting job opportunities for youth in the county.

Circuit Court Judge Herman Dawson spoke at length on juvenile crime, especially problems such as increasing assaults by juveniles, many of them truants, almost daily robberies in schools, the lack of any secure facilities in Maryland for violent juveniles, and resulting problems from placing violent juveniles back in the community.  Seventy percent of children passing through juvenile court never finish the next grade in school. He mentioned truancy courts and the surprising number of 6, 7, and 8 year-olds not in school, and invited everyone to come and observe in his courtroom.

The Police Department was represented by Deputy Chief Kevin Davis and District 4 Commander James Harper.  Major areas mentioned included the growing problem of organized groups of retail thieves and new retail crime squad, the night club problems mentioned earlier by councilwoman Toles, attacks on people walking near Metro stations, and the establishment of a violent crime and recidivism unit.  States Attorney Alsobrooks has assigned assistants to work with each police district.

Acting Fire Chief Marc Bashoor began with a discussion of the recent fire in Hillcrest Heights where one person died in a house occupied by eight families and with no working smoke detectors.  The county had four fire fatalities in January and that was way above average.  The department now has a campaign to reach out to every resident of the county in six months, either through visits to homes or in community meetings, to empasize the need for smoke detectors and to offer free detectors and installation to all.  Bashoor also reported that the wind-driven fires a week earlier had been the worst firestorm in county history.

Pepco representative Ernie Baker spoke about street lighting from the public safety perspective, then answered a number of questions about Pepco’s response to recent power outages.

Housing and Community Development Department representative Dottie Kendrick spoke about weatherization and inspection and repair services available to eligible individuals.  Pamela Wilson described the single housing rehabilitation program aimed at inspecting single family homes and bringing them up to code.

Park and Planning supervisor Emmett Brown spoke about upcoming activities including the safe summers program.

The forum closed with a lengthy question and answer session.

Reports on District 8 and 9 meetings:

• Forum aims to boost communication; Patterson plans series of dialogues between residents, county officials (Gazette, Waite, 17 Feb 2011)
• First District 9 forum draws more than 200 residents; Councilman Franklin’s initial monthly meeting connects south county residents with officials (Gazette, Tillman, 25 Feb 2011)

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Johnson supporters plan major support push at council meeting

When the Prince George’s County Council meets next week for the first time in the new year they might be joined by a few visitors. Unless you have been under a rock lately District 6 Councilwoman Leslie Johnson who was arrested last year before her swearing-in was blocked by her colleagues from service on any of the council’s committees and stripped of her oversight role over development in her district.

Following those actions Johnson supporters launched an organizing drive to paint these steps as overreactions by newly installed chairwoman Ingrid Turner of District 3 who literally owes her leadership post directly to her AKA sorority sister Leslie Johnson. In the days leading up to the installation of the council rumors circulated that absent Johnson’s vote neither Turner nor her opponent Councilwoman Andrea Harrison had the five votes needed to claim the chair. Once Johnson broke the speculation up about if she would actually take her seat it became clear she would have the votes to take the gavel.

The group of supporters being led by Mission of Love leader Douglas Edwards argue that as a result of Johnson’s exclusion her residents are being taxed without actual representation, an argument from the revolutionary war that is often used to rally support behind DC Statehood laws. After meeting with Turner and holding discussions with other county officials behind closed doors the fight now appears to be moving into the public.

In an email sent out today by one supporter named Eileen Thomson Leslie and Jack are “doing well.” Furthermore according to the email message plans still are underway for a “get-together for her campaign volunteers in the near future, and [she] has an appreciation gift for each of you.” The date has not yet been set. Following all of the thank you’s and such the email gets down to the real reason why it was sent.

“You have most likely heard or read in the newspaper that, as soon as the Council was sworn into office, they met and voted unanimously to bar Leslie from sitting on any of the council’s committees, and from voting on committee matters. She will be allowed to vote on bills that come before the full council, but all of the work and decision-making takes place in committees. That’s why it’s crucial for the citizens of District 6 that Leslie is able to participate and vote in the committees.
Leslie needs your help! The first Legislative session will be held next Tuesday, January 18 at 10:00am in the council chambers on the 1st floor of the County Administration Building. We need all of you, and anyone else that you can bring, to attend the session to show support for Leslie. You should attend whether or not you live in District 6.”

Any hope that the council may have had to start their year with a clear focus on the issues they all ran on in the election might have to wait awhile. Another community activist who writes the blog @PGD9Politico is planning to visit the council and question their usage of public funds for an out-of-town retreat on the eastern shore last week. She is encouraging other outraged citizens to do the same.

Faced with a huge budget shortfall, rising crime rates, and a county’s whose image is badly in need of repair, the members of the council will have to move quickly to restore public trust and meet these challenges head on. Will they do it? Only time will tell.

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