Holiday Safety Reminders

Holiday Season Safety
Just a few friendly reminders and tips!

Stress- The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year and you can’t afford to stress. Relief is on the way if you follow a few simple procedures: First, make sure to allow yourself enough time to shop rather than hurry through stores and crowded parking lots. Limit your number of errands per day so you do not get overwhelmed. When shopping at the mall make sure to make several trips out to the car to drop off packages. This will help you get some fresh air and give you two free hands. Most importantly, find the time to relax in between shopping adventures andtake nice DEEP BREATHS!

Decorations- Make sure that all decorations are flame retardant -- check the labels. Cotton snow is usually flame retardant but if you add artificial snow from a spray can to the cotton snow it is highly flammable. Use with caution. Also, make sure to read the cautions on decorations. Most sprays, like the spray snow, can irritate the lungs if inhaled.

Fireplaces- Make sure your chimney has been inspected before you use it. Have chimneys inspected annually, and cleaned if necessary, by a qualified professional chimney service technician. This reduces the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisonings due to build-up or obstructions in the chimneys. When using your fireplace, do not burn evergreens or wreaths because they are likely to flare out of control and cause flames and smoke to enter the room. Lastly, do not burn wrapping paper because it often contains metallic materials which are toxic if burned. For more information on chimney safety, visit http://www.csia.org/

Toys and Gifts- When choosing gifts for small children be aware of what the toy truly looks like. If the toy has any pieces that are small enough to swallow, refrain from buying them. Avoid toys with small parts that can be broken or pulled off. If you are buying gifts for a large family with different age children, keep in mind that they all normally end up playing with each others toys.

Holiday Plants- Small children like to put everything in their mouths so please be cautious when buying and displaying plants. Many plants, if ingested, can cause severe stomach problems. These plants include: mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis.

Weekly Safety Tip

Decorating Your House and Yard for the Holidays?

Many years ago, the City of Mount Rainier's residents would decorate their homes with Christmas lights -- each one more decorative than the other. The mayor and council would select a team of judges to go throughout the community looking at each decoration. Then right after Christmas the judges would make their decisions known regarding who won first, second, and third places for their decorations.

This year, Councilmember Pedro Briones, Councilmember Alta Morton, and your Mayor will take on this awesome responsibility. The winners will be awarded a ribbon stating their ranking in the contest. This is a practice of many communities throughout the region. In Bowie, the winners get their names mentioned in the newspaper. In Brentwood they also carry out this festive competition to the delight of many of their residents. I hope that some of the residents of Mount Rainier will participate in this long forgotten tradition of ours by decorating their homes. If you decide to participate, please leave your decorations up until after December 29 so that the judges will have time to come by and see it.

December 3, 2007 -- Candidates Deadline Approaches

December 3, 2007 -- Candidates Deadline Approaches

Upper Marlboro, MD – The deadline for individuals in Prince George’s County to file for office for the February 12, 2008 Presidential Primary Election is Monday, December 3, 2007 at 9:00pm.

Candidates for President of the United States, Vice President, United States House of Representatives, Judge of the Circuit Court, Delegate-Democratic National Convention and Delegate-Republican National Convention must file their certificate of candidacy with the Maryland State Board of Elections located at 151 West Street, Suite 200Annapolis, MD 21401.

Candidates for the Board of Education (At Large) seat must file their certificate of candidacy with the Prince George’s County Board of Elections at 16201 Trade Zone Avenue, Suite 108, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774.

For more information on candidate filings, the public can contact the Prince George’s County Board of Elections at (301) 430-8020 or visit http://www.elections.state.md.us/candidacy/index.html.

How to Become a Delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention

Democrats from all across America will come together in Denver, Colorado, August 25-28, 2008 for the 45th Democratic National Convention. This unparalleled event will present to the country our Party’s nominees for president and vice president and highlight the hard work Democrats have done to chart a new direction for America. The 2008 National Convention will put our presidential nominee on the path to victory in the November 2008 general election.

If you want to be a delegate, your first step should be to contact Maryland State Democratic or Republican party to determine what their process is. For information on running for a delegate position, an individual should call or write his or her respective State Democratic Party Headquarters and request a copy of the Delegate Selection Plan (or summary) and filing forms. These documents provide the information candidates need to know in order to run for delegate positions.

All states require delegate candidates to file a "declaration of candidacy" in order to run. The deadline for this declaration varies among the states but is specified in each state's plan. In some cases, the declaration must be accompanied with signatures of registered Democratic voters from that area. All filing requirements must be precisely followed.

Finally, whether or not you're becoming a delegate to the 2008 National Convention -- stay informed and involved. Be sure to: (1) stay informed about the presidential campaign; (2) follow the 2008 Convention; (3) support the Party's presidential and vice presidential nominees; and (4) Vote on Election Day!

Presidential Candidate Endorsement

November 29, 2007

America has three potential good candidates for the presidential election. I like Obama, Edwards, and Clinton. I have read their platforms and looked at their politics, and I have decided that Hillary Clinton's politics are closer to mine. I believe that she is the best candidate for America at this time. She also is the most experienced candidate in the race.

Hillary was raised in a middle-class family in the middle of America. From that classic suburban childhood in Park Ridge, Illinois, Hillary went on to become one of America's foremost advocates for children and families; an attorney twice voted one of the most influential in America; a First Lady of Arkansas who helped transform the schools; a bestselling author; a First Lady for America who helped transform that role, becoming a champion for health care and families at home and a champion of women's rights and human rights around the world.

Since her path-breaking election to the United States Senate, Hillary has been a steadfast advocate for middle-class families, working to help create jobs, expand children's health care and protect Social Security from privatization. As the Senator representing New York after 9/11, Hillary has fought to strengthen our approach to homeland security and to improve our communications and intelligence operations. As the first New Yorker ever named to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hillary has been a tough critic of the administration's bungling of Iraq and a fierce advocate for proper equipment, health benefits, and treatment for military families.

As Mayor of Mount Rainier, I encourage you to consider each candidate's platform, and ask what will their election mean to the City of Mount Rainier. I believe that Mrs. Clinton will be good for municipalities! I believe that we will have a friend in the White House if she is elected. I encourage you to support Hillary Clinton in the upcoming February election. I will be working the polls for her, campaigning for her, and hosting events throughout the County on her behalf. I hope you will join me!

I’ve started this blog to allow citizens to take advantage of the internet and interact with their Mayor and by extension with their Council. This is a great way to communicate with constituents and for those who want to know something about me, the Council and the City. It’s important to point out that the content of this web site is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of City Council unless it is expressly stated as such.

The Mayor has a BLOG

Information comes and goes so quickly. There are times that I would like to share information that you can use without sending out an email. Many times the email bounces because the box is full or the account has changed. With my new BLOG you can check when appropriate or when you wish to see what I have posted.

You may also post comments about what I have posted and I can get immediate feedback without the need for an email.

I hope you will come and visit often.

Mayor Miles