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.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Information YOU Can USE This WINTER 2015

The City Manager has been authorized by the Mayor and Council to declare/authorize office closing when there is inclement weather. PLEASE check our website, other news media including Channel 9 News for City closings.

Sine it is that time of year when residents should be attuned to weather alerts, buzzwords, and what they really mean. Below is a list of some of the terminology that will help understand weather conditions and what the weatherman is saying.

Freezing rain – rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads and walkways.

Hail – rain that turns to ice while suspended and tossed in the air from violent updrafts in a thunderstorm.

Sleet – rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground.

Winter Weather Advisory – cold, ice and snow are expected.

Winter Storm Watch – severe winter weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible within a day or two.

Winter Storm Warning – severe weather conditions have begun or are about to begin.

Blizzard Warning – heavy snow and strong winds producing blinding snow (near zero visibility) and life threatening wind chills for three hours or longer.

Frost/freeze Warning – below freezing temperatures are expected.

When weather conditions warrants the declaration of a snow emergency the City of Mount Rainier may follow the District of Columbia, not Maryland or Prince George’s County in determining the closing of City offices. HOWEVER, the City Manager may declare an emergency independent of other jurisdictions when conditions in the City warrant a special declaration. Tune in to your local news Channel 9 for closings.

The Mount Rainier Police Department will notify residents of snow emergency declarations and other winter weather information via Twitter feed. Simply follow @MRPDChief on Twitter to get the latest. We will also post critical updates on the Chief’s Blog atwww.mrpdchief.blogspot.com and Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/mountrainierpd.

Mount Rainier City Hall and office closings will be announced on WUSA’s 9 News Now (www.wusa.com)

When a snow emergency is declared, parking along these streets is automatically prohibited for the duration of the snow emergency.

34th Street from Eastern Avenue to Arundel Road;

Chillum Road from Arundel Road to the City boundary at Queens Chapel Road (MD Rt. 500);

Rainier Avenue from 34th Street to Upshur Street;

Upshur Street from Rainier Avenue to 28th Place;

28th Place from Upshur Street to Russell Avenue;

Russell Avenue from 28th Place to Arundel Road;

Varnum Street from Russell Avenue to Eastern Avenue;

Arundel Road from Russell Avenue to 34th Street

Vehicles found parked on a snow emergency route during or after a snow emergency has been declared by the DC government to be subject to a $100 fine (City Code §13A-107) and to being impounded at the owner’s risk and expense.

Veronica Owens

Assistant City Manager

City of Mount Rainier

City Hall, One Municipal Place

Mount Rainier, MD 20712

301.985.6585 P

301.985.6595 F

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.