Paying Tribute to Mayor Malinda Miles, the Longest Serving Mayor in City History

 Catching up on the post for this blog regarding Malinda Miles Legacy

Posted on May 10, 2021

Mayor Malinda Miles

Today marks the last day of Mayor Malinda Miles' storied sixteen years of service to the City of Mount Rainier as mayor.

Mayor Miles has achieved a special place in the history books as not only the longest serving mayor in City history but also the first black woman elected to City Council (1987).

To pay tribute to everything that Mayor Miles has accomplished during her decades of service, Councilmembers and City staff prepared some special surprises:

A SURPRISE CELEBRATION

This weekend, Mayor Miles was surprised with a "Lifetime of Service" Celebration emceed by Councilmember Bryan Knedler and attended by a who's who list of county and state leaders. While modest in overall attendance due to the pandemic, the celebration was big in spirit.

During the surprise celebration, it was announced that the building the City recently purchased on the 3500 block of Perry St. will be named in honor of Mayor Miles at a future naming ceremony.

Click here to view the Celebration of Mayor Miles on the City's Facebook Page.

A VIDEO TRIBUTE TO MAYOR MILES:

To help tell the story of Mayor Miles' impact within City limits and beyond, MRTV put together a video that features archival content of Mayor Miles as well as numerous messages of congratulations from elected officials and City residents who have worked alongside Mayor Miles to make the City of Mount Rainier a great place to live.

Click here to watch Mayor Miles' Video Tribute

A TRIBUTE EDITION OF THE MESSAGE

The City's May Newsletter highlights many of Mayor Miles accomplishments helping lead the effort to green Mount Rainier and revitalize its downtown core.

The newsletter also shares some heartfelt memories of the Mayor and looks back on her induction into the MML Hall of Fame.

Click here to read the Mayor Miles Tribute Edition of The Message.

Mayor Malinda Miles, we thank you for your "Lifetime of Service" to the Mount Rainier community. And we wish you the best as you begin the next chapter of your story!

Malinda Miles, the Author

You can find and buy a copy of Reflections on Life's Punches from Amazon!   

Reflections on Life's Punches: A few insights on LIFE Paperback – Release August 2, 2018

by Malinda Miles (Author)

Rating:   4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars   (10)

Reflections on Life's Punches: A few insights on LIFE: Miles, Malinda: 9781641516372: Amazon.com: Books

Beauty with a message

 

Mount Rainier Maryland:s Annual Parade of Lights -- Another Successful Year

 And the Parade of Lights was an absolute success at The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM).

If it was not nailed down, we gave it away! Thank you to the ladies who always volunteer at TFPM.

Thank you to the neighbors, friends, and everyone else who stopped by, tried the hot apple cider, took some ginger snaps, or danish, and helped us move the food we set out just for you.

The music was loud, and the holiday spirit was in the air.

THANK YOU, Councilmember Danielle Carter, for making this all possible. Another Parad of Lights in the books!!!!

More than one hundred (100) Children GOT THEIR WISHES this Holiday Season!

This holiday season, The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM) once again called upon the community to adopt families for Christmas, and YES, they came through like the community they are, and more than 100 children received their Christmas wishes.

 

CALLED TO ACTION BY A GAGGLE OF GEESE STOPPING TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 193!

 A GAGGLE OF GEESE STOPS TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 193!  

My big moment yesterday came on my way to church. As Nneka Barnes drove me to church, we came upon a traffic jam. The traffic was at a complete halt. We commented that there must have been an accident, but upon closer inspection, Nneka exclaimed, There is no accident, just a bunch of ducks crossing the road!

Well, we sat, and sat some more, and the ducks, turned out to be geese, could not make up their minds on 193 whether they were going east or west. We were headed north. So we sat some more.

After I had had enough of the geese and their foolishness, I decided to get out and help them along while everyone else just sat and watched, including Nneka Barnes! LOL So, before she could lock the door and keep me in, I jumped out and went to the middle of the intersection, where the contrary geese continued holding up traffic.

There were about twelve of them, and half were going east, and the other half were going west, and one decided he was going north. No togetherness, at ALL!

For almost fifteen minutes, I was in the middle of the intersection, running back and forth to collect the geese, get them out of harm's way, and clear the traffic so we could get to church. We were already running late.

No, they would not cooperate! I should wave my arms to get them together, and they would run past each other. I would run around them to get back together, and they would split up. I finally got them all in the northbound lane and headed toward the sidewalk, and one pedestrian came over to help complete the task.

Needless to say, as soon as the southbound traffic saw the geese in the northbound lanes, they took off. Eventually, we finally got all of the geese to the sidewalk, and I walked back across the street to my car with Nneka Barnes waiting to get me to church.

As I got in my car, one woman slowed down enough to say out of her window, I hope you don't get hit getting in your car as she continued to drive past me and my open door!

August 26, The First Day of School in Prince George's County Maryland

 TODAY. August 25, 2025, is the first day of school in Prince George's County. Best wishes for all students for an absolutely wonderful and positive school year -- 2025-2026!

This is something we can all do, whether we have children in school or not.

Help Save Affordable Artist Housing in Maryland for FORTY ARTISTS in Mount Rainier, MD

 Over 40 artist-residents at the Mount Rainier Artist Lofts are at risk of losing their homes due to years of ignored safety violations and a missing Use & Occupancy Permit.

After fighting to be heard, a Maryland judge finally ruled in their favor on July 31, 2025. However, they now urgently need donations to keep their legal fight alive.

They're not just saving a building, they're fighting for safe, stable housing and justice.

Donate today. Share widely. Stand with them.

Use the QR Code below to support this grassroots effort.

You don't have to live in Maryland to make a difference; care enough to act.

THANK YOU on behalf of the Mount Rainier Artist Lofts tenants.

URGENT HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUE:

The building's elevator has been out of service, putting a differently abled resident at serious risk. Even worse, the elevator permit expired in 2024, a direct violation of Maryland's building's annual inspection laws.

This event is over, but donations are still needed. Click on the link below to contribute to the GOFUNDME project!

Fundraiser by Safe Space Strategies : Join the Fight for Housing Justice!

Forty Artists. One Community. A Fight for Safe Housing! NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

 Forty Artists. One Community. A Fight for Safe Housing!

As September begins, please remember the artists of the Mount Rainier Artist Lofts. Their fight for safe, livable housing continues, and so does their need for support.

If you haven't donated yet, now is the time. If you have, thank you, and please consider giving again. Every dollar helps us get closer to justice.

Please donate today and stand with our artists.

SHARE THIS POST on your social media outlets and with your email groups.

Fundraiser by Safe Space Strategies : Join the Fight for Housing Justice!

A New School Year 2025-2026

 Some of the grandchildren are going off to school in the 2025 and 2026 school years.