From the Desk of Former Mayor Malinda Miles

It has been two years since I decided to remove myself from the political scene in Mount Rainier, MD, Prince George's County, and the State of Maryland. Holding the lofty position of Mayor was such a great honor, but as the years flew by, I realized that it was time to do something else -- get a life.! I did, and still continue to provide resources to the residents through The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM). Real people pass through The Front Porch Ministries weekly. LIFE is good.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Help Make Cancer A Legislative Priority!

Help Make Cancer A Legislative Priority!

As some of you know, a number of my friends and relatives in the area are battling cancer. It is my honest belief that more can and should be done to help fight this dreaded disease. Below is what some of our legislators are doing.
Ambassadors Fighting Back through Advocacy

American Cancer Society Ambassadors are heading to Annapolis tomorrow, February 27, 2008 for our Maryland Lobby Day to fight back through advocacy by urging our lawmakers to make cancer a legislative priority. The three main issues they will be advocating for are:
1. HB 1095 and SB 513 - that would increase funding for tobacco control programs to the CDC recommended level of $63.3 million. (Sponsors are Delegate Sandy Rosenberg and Senator Nathaniel McFadden)
2. HB 460 to establish a Maryland Cancer Treatment Program to provide Medicaid coverage for one year following a cancer diagnosis for Maryland residents at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. (Sponsor is Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam)
3. HB 503 that would require a minimum of 90 minutes of physical education for grades K-5. (Sponsors are Delegates Jay Walker and Jon Cardin)
Make sure to contact your state legislators and urge them to support these important cancer issues. To find your legislator go to www.mdelect.net/
Here's a copy of our recent Maryland Legislative Report. Stay tune for more information.

Do you want our legislators to make cancer a priority? If so, then please join us in the fight against cancer by participating on an Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT!) for your district. We can not do this alone and need your help! Ambassadors are called upon regularly to contact their legislators to urge them to support important cancer issues. For questions or to join an ACT! Team, please contact me at sherry.mccammon@cancer.org
Remember.Celebrate.Fight Back
Can you picture a cure? Please help us with advocacy activities at an upcoming Relay For Life. If interested, please contact me at sherry.mccammon@cancer.org For more information about advocacy at Relay, please visit www.acscan.org/relay. To find a Relay close to you visit www.relayforlife.org/
Thank you for fighting back through advocacy!
Your American Cancer Society Maryland Government Relations Team
Sherry McCammon, Grassroots Manager sherry.mccammon@cancer.org
Bonita Pennino, Government Relations Director bonita.pennino@cancer.org

Mayor Malinda Miles

As a long-time resident of Mount Rainier and a homeowner, it is important to me that municipal government be inclusive of all of its residents. It is equally important that information be communicated through all possible channel so that residents can get involved. It is also important for residents to volunteer and serve on committees, commissions, boards and task forces. I truly believe that municipal government is the government closes to the people, and as such should be easily accessible. This BLOG is another effort to reach out to the residents of Mount Rainier.