No school, Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Do you have children attending Prince George’s County Schools?  I suggest you keep this website address handy:  http://www1.pgcps.org/

Wednesday, January 22 - Code Yellow – Schools are closed. All Offices are closed. EMERGENCY PERSONNEL only must report to work. Evening High School Registration is cancelled - See more at: http://www1.pgcps.org/#sthash.JKd0qOld.dpuf

Trash Pick Up Changed to Thursday, January 23, 2014

RESIDENTS:

Per the recommendation of the Director of Public Works, Mr. Smith and with further discussion with City Manager, Jeannelle Wallace, tomorrow's scheduled trash collection will be postpone due to inclement weather.  The primary focus of the city’s public works staff will to ensure and maintain the safety and integrity of Mount Rainier streets.  Tomorrow's trash collection will be collected on Thursday, January 23rd.  Please pass this on to your constituents and/or place on your respective blogs or listserv groups.  This notice will also be placed on the city website and it's cable station.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact DPW at 301-985-6582 or myself at 240-508-2208.


Thank you

Michael D Jackson
Assistant City Manager

Comptroller Advises Taxpayers of Delay

  From:  Peter Franchot

NEWS release

Comptroller Advises Taxpayers of Delay to Start of 2014 Tax Season Due to IRS Issues

-Processing to Begin Between January 28 and February 4–

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (December 10, 2013) – Comptroller Peter Franchot advised Marylanders today that announced delays by the IRS will cause a corresponding delay to the beginning of the 2014 state tax season. Due to the 16-day federal government shutdown, the IRS has announced it will delay the start of tax return processing until sometime between January 28 and February 4. Maryland, as with most states, relies on IRS systems in the processing and verifying of state returns. Last year, the tax season started on January 21.           

“While I share the understandable frustration most Marylanders will feel about these delays, my Office is working aggressively to process returns and distribute refunds as quickly as external circumstances will allow,” said Comptroller Franchot.  “We pride ourselves on top-flight customer service and we are fully committed to doing everything humanly possible to get money back into the hands of consumers as soon as possible.”                   

                                         

IRS officials state that October’s federal government shutdown came at the peak of critical yearly system programming and testing resulting in the delay of these essential quality control processes.  The Comptroller’s Office relies on those systems in the processing of state returns. While the IRS has yet to announce the exact date operations will begin, no tax returns will be processed prior to January 28.

“The swift processing of returns and distribution of refunds is my absolute top priority as Comptroller,” Franchot noted. “I’m proud of the agency’s reputation as a national leader in efficiently getting refunds back into the hands of taxpayers and, despite the challenges presented by the IRS delays, we’re prepared to live up to the high standards that Maryland taxpayers rightfully expect.”

While the 2014 tax filing deadline remains April 15, taxpayers may, as usual, request a six-month extension. If an extension is requested from the IRS, one is automatically granted by the Comptroller’s Office.

Free state tax assistance is available at all of the agency’s 12 taxpayer service offices, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A list of office locations can be found at: http://taxes.marylandtaxes.com/Resource_Library/Taxpayer_Assistance/Contact_Information/Local_Offices_and_Directions.shtml.

For more information on any tax-related matter, please go to the Comptroller’s Website at www.marylandtaxes.com or call 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland or 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937) outside of Central Maryland.

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CONTACT: Andrew Friedson, 410-260-7060 (office); 443-414-3083 (cell)

Community Forum to Discuss Revised Tree Ordinance

This is a reminder that on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, there will be a community forum discussing recently passed legislation concerning the removal or trimming of trees on private property.  The purpose of this legislation is summarized on the Ordinance as follows:

The purpose of this chapter is to protect, preserve, and promote Mount Rainier’s urban forest, which is part of a larger ecosystem that contributes significantly to the control of air, noise, and visual pollution; moderates climate extremes; promotes sound energy conservation; and has significant aesthetic value affecting property values and the community’s quality of life.  Because the City's urban forest is located in the Anacostia River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds, its absorption of stormwater supports the biological and hydrological integrity of these watersheds. Regulation of actions affecting the urban forest provides mutual benefits to City residents and property owners.

The legislation also establishes criteria including but not limited to the requirement and regulations for:

·         A Tree Impact Assessment

·         Requirements to obtain the services of a roadside tree expert prior to the pruning and/or removal of trees

·         Public  Property – injury to vegetation

·         Establishing a tree commission to regulate the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees

·         Protection of  trees on City Property, City rights of way

·         Regulating the permitting and pruning of street trees

·         Permit application, approval or denial

The Forum will focus on educating the public concerning these provisions which will become effective July 1, 2014 followed by a question and answer session.

Following adjournment of the Forum, the Mayor and City Council will vote to go into regular work session.

Thanks,

Jeannelle Branson Wallace

City Manager

City of Mount Rainier

One Municipal Place

Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712

(301) 985-6585 (Direct)

(240) 508-3595 (Cellular)

LAST DAY TO SIGN UP for Health Care Coverage in Maryland

From the Governor's Office:

This Monday, January 13, all four insurance carriers participating in the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange - CareFirst, Evergreen Co-op, Kaiser Permanente, and United - will offer a new health coverage option to those Marylanders who experienced significant website problems that prevented enrollment prior to January 1.  

The carriers have set a deadline of 5pm on January 21, 2014 to enroll in the program. Marylanders who experienced significant website problems that prevented enrollment and are interested in coverage back to January 1 should call the direct hotline at 1-800-396-1961 to register for this program. Marylanders can also call the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange's Consumer Support Center by dialing 1-855-642-8572.  

The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange will contact program participants to confirm eligibility and record plan selection. Coverage will be effective once consumers pay their premium.  The premium payment deadline is February 15, 2014.  Once enrolled, consumers will be able to submit bills for medical services received back to January 1 for reimbursement under the terms of their policy.  

Residents -- Recycling Scheduled for TUESDAY, January 7, 2014

Michael Jackson	8:27 AM (6 hours ago)
to me, jwallace, jtarlau, brentcbolin, friendsforivy, jesse.christop., Michael

Due to inclement weather, today's regularly scheduled recycle pick-up has been cancelled and rescheduled forTuesday, January 7th.  Please forward this notification to your constituents and please post to your respective listservs or blogs.  If you may have any additional questions, please contact Michael Barnes, Assistant Director of Public Works at 301-985-6583.

Michael D. Jackson
Assistant City Manager
City of Mount Rainier
One Municipal Place
Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712
(301) 985-6585 x 30 (Direct)
(240) 508-2208 (Cellular)