WHAT IS ON MY MIND? -- The newly renovated Mount Rainier Library!

Please save the date on your calendar for the grand opening of the Mount Rainier Library -- MONDAY, January 27, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. 3409 Rhode Island Avenue, Mount Rainier, MD 207212.

There will be refreshments and giveaways for every age!

This event is being sponsored by PEPCO, the City of Mount Rainier, and the Prince George's County Public Library System (PGCPLS).

ALL are invited, and you are encouraged to copy, paste, share this announcement with your Facebook friends.

Yes, there will be new hours of operations, and everything will be brand new just for your use. So, come out and see what awaits you in the newly renovated Mount Rainier Public Library!

One Experience of Living in Mount Rainier 2019

Living in Mount Rainier is an awesome experience! I have neighbors to ride by daily to check on me and what is happening on my property. I always feel safe because I know they will have their cameras out, taking pictures of any perceived indiscretion on my property.

For this morning picture takers, here is the latest scoop. On behalf of the City of Mount Rainier, after the City Council meeting, I attended the Gateway CDC Gala in Greenbelt. I returned home around 1:00 a.m. ALL of the parking spaces on my street where I pay my mortgage and property taxes were gone.

I circled the block, and there were no other parking spaces at a reasonable distance from my home. So, I parked in my yard where there was plenty of space available. Oh, by the way, I moved my RV that a least one resident has a problem with me owning and having in my yard (based on the numerous complaints that she has filed) so that work could be done by the workers. I guess I should have parked it on the street and took up about two and a half parking spaces. Maybe that is what I will do in the future.

Thank you for keeping me safe in my home, and I hope that you will continue to keep a watchful eye on me and my property. You have been doing an excellent job for the past ten years, and I hope that you will continue. Your pictures and notifications to code enforcement and the Mount Rainier Police Department ensure my safety.

By the way, there are other cars in the City parked on the grass regularly in their yards. Maybe you should broaden your scope! And, please note that a few other residents have purchased RVs and are parking them in their yards. Thanks again for your watchful eye.

Am I safe or am I being STALKED?

Noyes Neighbor

Stalking Neighbor

The Miles Family Thanksgiving Dinner 2019

I have not caught up with me yet, but I wanted to post this picture of the Miles family on Thanksgiving Day. We celebrated Thanksgiving (Wednesday-Friday) at the Residence Inn in Greenbelt, MD. It was an awesome gathering and I wish to give all kinds of shout outs to my awesome family members whom I love dearly!

THANK YOU NOW AND ALWAYS!

Yes, we had more than enough food, and we had some for leftovers the next day.

Thank you God for loving the Miles family and always keeping us and meeting our needs. We may be cash poor, but we got each other and that makes US RICH!

Thank you, Patricia Fenn for the wonderful shrimp and cocktail sauce.

More than 27 of us got together for Thanksgiving Day. This picture I only represents a few of us. Hopefully the rest of them will share some pictures with me, and then I can capture the history of the day.

NOTICE OF STREET CONSTRUCTION

NOTICE OF STREET CONSTRUCTION

Dear Mount Rainier Homeowners,

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience. The City of Mount Rainier Department of Public Works is going to start a sidewalk the improvement construction project at --

Webster Street between 31st Street and 32nd Street,

Varnum Street between 31st Street and 32nd Street,

Shepherd Street between 33rd Street and 34th Street,

33rd Street between Shepherd Street and Bunker Hill Road, and 32nd Street between Perry Street and Bunker Hill Road

during the week of 10/10/2019- 11/10/2019; weather permitting.

The contractor performing this work is, Grace Management & Construction.

Access to the impacted sidewalks and driveways will be restricted during construction and 24 hours after completion.

Parking restriction and interruption to traffic flow will occur at times.

NO PARKING BETWEEN 7:00 AM AND 6:00 PM.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation during this project. If you have any questions concerning this project, please call the Department of Public Works at (301) 985-6583.

Sincerely, Kourosh Kamali, Director of Public Works

Immunization REQUIRED for Prince George's County Schools

Attention Prince George’s County Public School Parents!

Does your child have their immunizations for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year? Current sixth-grade students will need the Tdap and Meningitis vaccines to enter 7th grade on September 3, 2019. Enrolling kindergarten students will need two doses of Varicella (chickenpox vaccine). NOTE: Students who do not have the required immunizations will be excluded from school: No Shots, No School, No Exceptions! >>Visit the State Law and Exclusion page for more details

Now is the time to act! Get your child immunized before the start of school! You can go to your primary care provider now to get your child immunized for the 2019/2020 school year. Other options include going to the local health department clinics, pharmacies, grocery stores, and urgent care centers. >>Visit the Upcoming Clinics page for summer clinic information

Temporary Admission to School

Maryland State Law (COMAR 10.06.04.03) requires all students enrolled in prekindergarten through Grade 12 to receive age-appropriate immunizations. The school must have proof of immunizations before allowing a student to begin school. If evidence of the required vaccines is not provided, the student will be excluded from school. Students without the required documentation will be temporarily admitted and given twenty (20) calendar days from the date of admission to provide evidence of immunization compliance.

Download Maryland Immunization Requirements Download Immunization Certificate (Click on the link below)

To be temporarily admitted to or retained in a preschool or school, the student’s parent or guardian shall present evidence of the student’s appointment with a health care provider. The date of the appointment may not be later than twenty (20) calendar days following the date the student was temporarily admitted or retained. The student will be excluded from school the next day following the appointment date if the parent fails to provide evidence of required immunizations.

Requirements for the 2019-20 school year are:

2 doses of Varicella vaccine for entry into Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd 3rd, 4thAND 5th grades

1 dose of Tdap vaccine for entry into 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11thAND 12th grades

1 dose of Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine for entry into 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11thAND 12th grades

https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OIDEOR/IMMUN/Shared%20Documents/Min_Vacc_Req%2019_20_Final.pdf

Allison Street Levee Meeting

MEETING NOTICE -- MOUNT RAINIER RESIDENTS - ALLISON STREET LEVEE -- July 24, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.

It has been almost five years since we were told that FEMA required our levee wall to be raised at least four (4) feet.

We have held meetings, heard promises, and waited for the work to begin and end. NOTHING.

Today, Friday, July 12, 2019, City representatives, County representatives AND the approved Contractor met and did a walkthrough on the levee (again). Based on that walkthrough, trees were marked for removal or retention. In addition, the plans for the work on the levee were reviewed, and the start date is now set for September 2019.

So that the community can be brought up to date on the work that is to be done, and to understand the impact that the work will have on that area of our community, a meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. at the Mount Rainier Nature Center.

All residents are invited, particularly those that will be directly impacted by the work on the levee -- Arundel Road residents, Queenstown Apartment, Rainier Manor and 34th Street below Upshur Street (North).

What is the Allison Street Levee Project?

The Allison Street Levee Project is an $11.7 million project contracted out by with Prince George’s County. The “Allison Street Flood Control Levee Project includes rehabilitation of the Levee and 34th St. Bridge Replacement.”

This 2-year project will include the complete replacement of the 34th St bridge that spans 45 ft, and the rehabilitation of 6 levee segments that total 7,533 ft. That work includes but is not limited to sheet piling, concrete walls, and extensions, pipe installation, raising the levee embankment, etc.

If you have questions or concerns, PLEASE attend this meeting!

Exceptional Municipal Breakfast with the Honorable Angela Alsobrooks

County Executive Angela Alsobrooks hosted Prince George's County's first municipal breakfast in the new Wayne Curry County Administration Building on McCormick Drive.

The Breakfast was well attended and the Honorable Alsobrooks introduced some of her primary staff to municipal leaders.  Following the presentations, questions, and answers, there was time for a few photo ops.

Mount Rainier Day Festival, May 18, 2019

The Mount Rainier Day Festival is well underway.  The Committee will be meeting via conference call on Monday, February 25, 2019.  Following are the notes from the last meeting.

If you are interested in working with the Committee, please email me at mayormiles@gmail.com.

Mount Rainier Day Festival

The MRDF Committee met on Monday at Mount Rainier’s City Hall.  The flowering was discussed:

1.      The stage, face painter, skate mobile, and other MNCPPC support ordered and a request has been made to have someone from MNCPPC serve on our committee.

2.      The Parade

a.      Parade Route     -- new route to showcase other parts of the City -- Eddie Murphy to map out

b.      Parade Participants – invite all Mount Rainier Committees; schools including Hyattsville Middle; elected officials, including Governor and Lt Governor; -- Malinda Miles

c.      Bands – Duval Marching Band, Parkdale, Largo, H. D. Woodson, Ballou, and any other that would come.  Yvette Washington to contact DC School and Chancellor;

d.      Larry’s Cars, 3 of them -- Eddie Murphy

e.      Advertising and flyers –

f.       Transportation for Mount Rainier Day Festival – YMCA, Colmar Manor, who else

g.      Bus drivers

h.       

3.      New activities   -- add new activities to the day’s event for children and adults

a.      Hula Hoop contest/demonstration

b.      Double Dutch with various categories – inviting the DC Ropers, Greenbelt All Stars – Dawn Ward

c.      Line Dancing contest and opportunities to learn line dancing – best line dance – individual and group

d.      Clowns that walk around and through the crowds doing tricks, but also participate in the parade

e.      Redskin players and Cheerleaders – for increasing interest Daryl Green – Yvette Washington

e.  Prince George's County's Health Mobile -- Yvette Washington

4.      Returning activities

a.      Skate mobile

b.      Petting Zoo – Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC)

c.      Horse rides

d.      Face painting – MNCPPC

e.      Basketball – with trophies

f.       Open studio tours – Pat Thornton

g.      Invite business participation

5.      Free food items

a.      Cotton Candy

b.      Popcorn

c.      Ice Cream

d.      Food Truck – Horse and Dickey’s – seafood

6.      Vendors

a.      Send out letters to Invite as many vendors as the area will hold ASAP

b.      No sale of guns, drug paraphernalia, or other child unfriendly items

c.      Charge vendors the following rates:         FOOD - $75; Merchandise - $50; Information -- $25 if registered by April 15, 2019 close of business (EARLY BIRD SPECIAL)

d.      Charge vendors the following rates:         Food -- $100; Merchandise -- $75; Information -- $50 if registering after April 15, 2019 (REGULAR REGISTRATION)

e.      LATE REGISTRATION based on availability --

f.       CUT OFF DATE FOR ALL VENDORS is May 6, 2019 close of business

g.      No fee for service vendors such as PEPCO, Washington Gas, WSSC, UPS – ask to give out information and any giveaways that they may have including bags

h.      Table and chairs and tents – MNCPPC and Public Works

7.      Entertainment

a.      Mistress of Ceremony – Trina Brown; in charge of sound system

b.      City responsible for generator – rent large one from Home Depot or get it donated

c.      Mariachi Band -- Malinda

d.      Hispanic Dancers -- search

e.      Patch Work -- Malinda

f.       Chose Gospel Group – Yvette

g.      Invite Mount Rainier’s talent

8.      Safety and Security          Eddie Murphy and CERT TEAM

a.      SHA traffic sign – order and set up at least two weeks before the event

b.      Direct traffic on Mount Rainier Day

c.      Provide water coolers for volunteers and works

d.      Use segways for crowd control and other activities

e.      First Aid kits

f.       Contact METRO re traffic pattern on May 18, 2019

NEXT MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE will be via conference call on February 25, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.  Malinda Miles to setup and share information.

Committee to meet monthly on the second Monday at 7:00 p.m. Mount Rainier’s City Hall, One Municipal Place.

The Mayor’s Announcements

1.    Thank you for the concern and support over the past several weeks.  Special shutout out to City Staff, Mount Rainier’s Board of Election, Heather Ware, for the flowers and baskets.  Thank you for the get-well cards that continue to come in.  My health is improving, but I still have trouble with the left eye, and my speech sometimes gets a little slow.  I also get tired rather quickly.

2.   There are lots of things going on in, around and outside of the City

a)   Meetings are being held monthly about the CSX Railroad and safety issues around the CSX – A bill – HB66 is being heard in Annapolis on February 7, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. to require that CSX have a two-person crew on freight/CSX trains. Residents of Mount Rainier, Brentwood, North Brentwood, Cottage City, and Colmar Manor are encouraged to attending the hearing in Annapolis in Room 251

b)   It is confirmed that representatives from the US Postal Services will meet with us in Mount Rainier on February 12, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. in Mount Rainier City Hall (I only heard from 3 people so City Hall should be large enough to accommodate us).

c)   The Allison Street Levee work will begin mid-March.  A meeting to discuss the work including closing the 34th Street bridge; surveying homes closes to the levee that may be negatively impacted will be held on February 20, 2018, at 7:00 p.m.  I encourage everyone on Arundel between 34th and 30th Street to attend this meeting.  The project director for this project is Faisal Aldura.

d)   The Senior Health Care Committee meets on the 4th Monday of each month at the IHOP on Bladensburg Road at 9:20 a.m. in the back room.  Members of the Committee are circulating a survey to solicit support for the Health Center, desired services, and other information to help the University of Maryland Capital Region Health bring appropriate services to our area for our seniors.  Copies of the survey will be emailed to those email addresses that we have and taken in person by members of the Committee.  Surveys should be completed and returned no later than February 22, 2019! 

e)  The Mount Rainier Day Committee will be holding its first meeting on February 11, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at Mount Rainier City Hall.  The Committee is accepting new members, previous members, and ideas!  MNCPPC has been invited to place a staff person on the Committee to help us obtain additional support for our activities and to bring in some new ones.

3)  The Prince George’s County School Board is holding hearings tonight and Monday at High Point High School.  A critical issue on the agenda is the need for a new High School in the 45th Legislative District.  Your testimony and support are needed to help get the new school and to request appropriations for career programs.  Let’s face it, every child will not go to college, but all will need skills to get into the job markets.  There is a recommendation to better utilize our schools for evening programs to teach HVAC, mechanics, electrical, nursing, cosmetology, etc.  If you can’t go, send Pamela Strothers Boozer an email; call her and send emails to the other School Board Members including Alvin Thornton.

4)   Small Cells – This is a priority legislative initiative for the Maryland Municipal League (MML).  You have not heard much about it, but you will in the not so distance future with the coming of 5G technology.  Small cells are low power, short range wireless transmission systems (base stations) to cover a small geographical area or indoor/outdoor applications. However, small cells have all the basic characteristics of conventional base stations, and it is capable of handling high data rate for individual users. In LTE advanced and 5G deployments, small cells will play a significant role to efficiently deliver high-speed mobile broadband and other low latency applications.  Why you should care?

a)    The City’s right away could be used for those tall poles that you see in Kaywood;

b)   Those poles could be in front of your house because they need to be close to transmit

c)    The boxes on the poles could be an eyesore

d)    The City could lose money on franchise fees; if the 5G companies do not have to pay a franchise fee, Comcast/Xfinity and Verizon could petition to also not have to pay those franchise fees

e)   The City COULD lose its FREE CABLE CHANNELS – 20 and 71

f)    There are other issues riding on the outcome of this legislation

g)   The FCC recently adopted an Order that preempted local governments in several areas of the small cell field, primarily: placing a cap on application fees as well as right-of-way access and pole attachment charges; and shortening the time which a small cell application must be processed, aka “shot clocks.”

h)    MML will continue to work with stakeholders to protect local authority in the siting of small cell facilities, including vehement opposition to preemption of zoning, right-of-way access, design standards, and permitting processes. These local government functions are critical to our residents and represent the duty of our officials to promote safety and community character.

Legislation on this is coming before the State delegations this session.  The City does not wish to be deprived of this source of income (almost $66,000), AND we want the right to control how our right of ways are used.

5) Attended the MML Board Retreat in Rockville and participated in discussions and training that asked participants to reach across the isles – there are lots of residents in our City that are neither Democrats or Republicans, and all of us have more things in common than we have in differences.  In our municipal government, as it is in most others, we are nonpartisan, and most simply wish to improve the quality of life for all.

6) Attended the Maryland Mayors Association MMA) meeting in Annapolis – primarily a legislative action to learn about bills being introduced that may impact municipalities; meet and talk with legislators about municipal issues (including the recent assessments), and aging in place.

7)  Attended a meeting with staff from Senators Ben Cardin, Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Anthony Brown, Congressman Jamie Raskin, Congressman Steny Hoyer, and Congressman David Trone, Mayor Craig Moe, and representatives from the USPS.  The meeting was prompted by the concerns and meeting raised by residents in Mount Rainier, Laurel, Silver Spring, and Forest Heights.    There is a consideration for holding quarterly or semi-annual meetings in our region.  More to come from this group.

8)  Recently attended an opioid and Narcan training and received a Narcan kit.  Opioids and Narcan training are recommended for the community.  Most people will not admit to or acknowledge that they are addicted to prescription drugs, yet research shows that someone dies every 12 minutes from an opioid overdose. 

There are many reasons for opioid overdose emergencies, but most often it happens accidentally and at home.  Opioids are prescription medicines that can be used to treat pain.

Often, people taking opioids to manage their pain are unaware of the potential adverse reactions. Important to know is that opioid overdose emergencies can occur at any time even when opioids are used as directed, especially at higher doses and when taken with other sedating substances.

Narcan® Nasal Spray is not approved to treat opioid addiction or dependency but has the potential to save someone’s life.  Narcan training is one way to be prepared to save someone’s life.  Our police officers are trained and carry Narcan to help save a life should they encounter an opioid overdose.

These announcements may be found on my blog at http://themayorsspot.blogspot.com/

These announcements may be found on my Mayor Malinda Miles Facebook Page.