County Council to introduce own redistricting plan for districts

The Prince George’s County Council is preparing to reject a redistricting plan approved by their appoint commission this summer and introduce their own plan for consideration in a public hearing set for Tuesday, October 11th at 10AM.

Under county law the council has until the last day of November to either introduce and pass their own plan, as it is rumored they will do, or pass the plan submitted by the Redistricting Commission. If the council fails to approve a plan by the end of November, the recommendation submitted by the commission will automatically become law.

Click here to view the council agenda for Tuesday, October 11th

Click here to view the report of the Redistricting Commission

In other important news—

The Committee of the Whole, a committee of the county council made up of all of the members, will take up a bill by Council Vice-Chair Eric Olson to amend the charter making it easier to ensure republican representation on the redistricting commission. This year the commission is made up of three members, all democrats, because the republicans failed to get more than fifteen percent of the vote in the 2010 council elections. Under the current charter the county council was not required to give them the two seats they would have been able to have. If Olson’s amendment passes and wins approval on the ballot next year, should this happen again the party with the next highest percentage of registered voters, the republicans, would get at least one seat on the commission. The text of his bill can be read here.

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Where They Stand, Who thinks Leslie Johnson should step down?

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker and County Council Vice-Chair Eric Olson are two of the first leaders to call for District 6 Councilwoman Leslie Johnson to step down after pleading guilty to corruption charges today in federal court. Under Maryland law she is able to remain on the council until she is sentenced on October 13th. Her almost $8,000 a month salary means she will be paid about $24,000 in taxpayer dollars in the meantime.

One of the main complaints against all of the county’s leaders has been the silence on the issue of corruption since the arrests of Jack and Leslie Johnson last year. That continued after Jack Johnson pleaded guilty earlier this year and for the most part today as well. So we wanted to see just how many county leaders are ready to break that silence and speak out by asking all of the county council members, school board members, members of the Democratic and Republican central committees, and local leaders in her district if they thought she should step down before October. We will keep track of those responses here as they come in.

County Executive Rushern Baker

County Council Vice-Chair Eric Olson who called for her not to be sworn in last December

County Councilman Will Campos who refused to call for her not to take her seat in December

County Councilman Mel Franklin who also called for her not to be sworn in last December with Eric Olson

County Councilwoman Mary Lehman says she is frustrated with federal prosecutors for not forcing Johnson to step down in plea arrangement. She calls for her to step down at once.

Democratic Central Committeeman Salome Peters

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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.

Councilman Olson to Host Town Hall Meeting June 20th

Prince George's Councilman Eric Olson

Prince George’s County Council Vice-Chairman Eric Olson will host his annual Town Hall meeting on June 20, 2011 with special guest Rushern Baker, County Executive.

Town Hall Meeting

June 20, 2011

6:30PM – 9:00PM

Parkdale High School (6001 Good Luck Rd)

County agencies will be available to share information and answer questions starting at 6:30pm and speakers will start at 7pm.

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