Janet Reed is LEAVING Mount Rainier Elementary!

Since this will be the last PEACE PARADE during her tenure,  I wanted to request your presence and invite you to share in this momentous occasion with us as we once again celebrate our annual Peace Parade on June 1, 2012, promptly beginning at 9:00am.  This event is made more special because it is the last year that Mrs. Janet Reed will preside over the parade as our principal.  To honor her years of service and dedication to Mount Rainier Elementary we want to make this year’s parade a well attended and auspicious affair - your presence would help us achieve this goal.

We encourage you to invite members of the community and media outlets to the event as we hope to make this day a date that she will hold among the fondest of her career.  Again, your support for this event is greatly appreciated and we look forward to celebrating with you at the Peace Parade on June 1, 2012, Mount Rainier Elementary School, Mount Rainier Maryland. 

It has also come to my attention that Helen Stone, principal at Thomas Stone Elementary, will also be retiring.  Also, it is my understanding that Ms. Kimberly Washington will be leaving Hyattsville Middle School.  For further information on these departures, please contact our District 3, School Board Representative Ms. Amber Waller, amber.waller@pgcps.org; 301-952-6115.

MOUNT RAINIER DAY A MAJOR SUCCESS!

OKAY, Mount Rainier Day Festival has come to an end, AND if you did not make it out, YOU missed a beautiful day, great entertainment, a wonderful parade, fantastic food, and a host of great items offered by the many vendors up and down Rhode Island Avenue!  THANK YOU to EVERYONE that came out and supported Mount Rainier Day.  You were awesome, and you made me PROUD.  See all of you at NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, August 7, 2012.  More information will be posted as we get closer to the date, but MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE LIVING IN MOUNT RAINIER!

If YOU have never experienced Mount Rainier Day in Mount Rainier MD, then today is your day!  The Parade starts at 10:00am, and that begins the day of free music and entertainment.  Vendors of every persuasion will be there to delight your taste buds, enhance your jewelry collection, inform your mind, and in some way brighten your day.  The basketball tournament will be played again today for those who believe that they have skills.  Parents who want to get their children really tired so that they can sleep tonight, this is also the place.  The skate mobile and face painting (MNCPPC) will be waiting for them along with snow cones, and other treats.  So pack your bags, hop the bus, train or drive (limited parking), to Mount Rainier today.  All activities are in the down town area and metro buses are available to the center of the activities.  See you all there sometime during this sun shiny day!

PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED for JUNE 5, 2012

Mount Rainier is nearing the completion of its budget.  Major decisions are being made: 

1.  About raising or not raising taxes based on the constant yield rate* which has been set at 0.79 cent per $100 of assessment on real property (your home/residence). 

2.  Cutting one position from Code Enforcement or retaining all three Code Enforcement officers

3.  Retain the same level of services, and

4.  Using $21,000 from the reserves to balance the budget.

* Constant Yield Tax Rate (CYTR): The property tax rate that when applied to new assessments

would result in the taxing authorities receiving the same revenue in the coming tax year that was

received in the prior tax year. The Department is required to certify the CYTR each year and local governments are required to hold a public hearing if the new tax rate exceeds the CYTR.  The Constant Yield Tax Rate is State Law.

As you may be aware, a public hearing has been held on the budget as required by our Charter.  At that time, the Council was not in favor of raising taxes, but was still in the midst of decision making.  Based on information provided to the Council in recent weeks, and the fact that the City has been using its reserves to balance the budget, at least three members of the Council wishes to raise taxes to 0.81 cents per $100 of assessment on real property to keep the City's current level of funding.

Raising the tax base from 0.79 to 0.81 (.02 cents per $100) will generate approximately $38,000, not enough to close the deficit (to close the deficit, the City would need to raise taxes .05 cents per $100).  Because it does NOT EXCEED the current/past CYTR, the City is NOT required to hold a hearing.  However, to keep our residents informed and to get their input, a hearing will be held on June 5, 2012.

It is my belief that the City should be considering a freeze on any new purchases such as computers, printers, cars (vehicles), copiers, etc.  I also believe that the City should freeze salaries (raises, merits, COLAs etc.) for the next fiscal year to stop the bleeding.  The City's salaries are going up annually.  They grow at the annual rate established by the cost of living rate which varies yearly, but is usually around 3%,

Another option that has not been discussed and/or considered is furloughing staff.  The State, County and DC government are furloughing staff, and Mount Rainier should also consider such measures.

Overtime, could be reduced and/or cut.  This is another area of the budget that has caused some of the over expenditure in our budget, and it continues to grow.

Benefits, especially health care and the pension fund continues to eat away at the City's budget at an alarming rate.  In many small municipalities these amenities do not exist, and those that do the employee share of the cost is much greater than that of employees of Mount Rainier, and even if they are equal, many of the municipalities have more expendable revenue.

You can be a part of this discussion.  A public hearing is scheduled for TUESDAY, JUNE 5 at Mount Rainier City Hall at 7:00pm.  Can't make it?  Send an email to mayormiles@gmail.com or to the City Manager jwallace@mountrainiermd.org voicing your opinions, concerns, and suggestions regarding the budget.

The PEPCO utility work for replacement of telephone poles was continuing in the 3100 block of Windom Road today.  The subcontractor broke a water main and WSSC is now at the site..  WSSC anticipates that the repairs will be completed approximately 10:00 pm tonight.  Service will be temporarily interrupted until the repairs are complete.  Code enforcement notified the residents who were home of the disruption and emergency repair work.  Notices are being placed on the doors of the property owners who are not at home.

White People, You Will Never Look Suspicious! by Michael Skolnik

Please Read. No matter how often we think that racism is a thing of the past or that it doesn't happen in my neighborhood or on my watch, it HAPPENS.

No matter how far up the corporate ladder or how far you have made it in the political arena, racism is still alive and well. No, you may not condone it, and no you may not accept it, but it still happens on a daily basis right here in your neighborhood. You do not have to go to Florida, California or any place outside of your hometown, if there is a Black population, racism exist. The following is a piece that struck a nerve with me when I read it. How about you?

White People, You Will Never Look Suspicious! by Michael Skolnik -- I will never look suspicious to you. Even if I have a black hoodie, a pair of jeans and white sneakers on...in fact, that is what I wore yesterday...I still will never look suspicious. No matter how much the hoodie covers my face or how baggie my jeans are, I will never look out of place to you. I will never watch a taxi cab pass me by to pick someone else up. I will never witness someone clutch their purse tightly against their body as they walk by me. I won't have to worry about a police car following me for two miles, so they can "run my plates." I will never have to pay before I eat. And I certainly will never get "stopped and frisked." I will never look suspicious to you, because of one thing and one thing only. The color of my skin. I am white.

I was born white. It was the card I was dealt. No choice in the matter. Just the card handed out by the dealer. I have lived my whole life privileged. Privileged to be born without a glass ceiling. Privileged to grow up in the richest country in the world. Privileged to never look suspicious. I have no guilt for the color of my skin or the privilege that I have. Remember, it was just the next card that came out of the deck. But, I have choices. I got choices on how I play the hand I was dealt. I got a lot of options. The ball is in my court.

So, today I decided to hit the ball. Making a choice. A choice to stand up for Trayvon Martin. 17 years old. black. innocent. murdered with a bag of skittles and a bottle of ice tea in his hands. "Suspicious." that is what the guy who killed him said he looked like cause he had on a black hoodie, a pair of jeans and white sneakers. But, remember I had on that same outfit yesterday. And yes my Air Force Ones were "brand-new" clean. After all, I was raised in hip-hop...part of our dress code. I digress. Back to Trayvon and the gated community in Sanford, Florida, where he was visiting his father.

I got a lot of emails about Trayvon. I have read a lot of articles. I have seen a lot of television segments. The message is consistent. Most of the commentators, writers, op-ed pages agree. Something went wrong. Trayvon was murdered. Racially profiled. Race. America's elephant that never seems to leave the room. But, the part that doesn't sit well with me is that all of the messengers of this message are all black too. I mean, it was only two weeks ago when almost every white person I knew was tweeting about stopping a brutal African warlord from killing more innocent children. And they even took thirty minutes out of their busy schedules to watch a movie about dude. They bought t-shirts. Some bracelets. Even tweeted at Rihanna to take a stance. But, a 17 year old American kid is followed and then ultimately killed by a neighborhood vigilante who happens to be carrying a semi-automatic weapon and my white friends are quiet. Eerily quiet. Not even a trending topic for the young man.

We've heard the 911 calls. We seen the 13 year old witness. We've read the letter from the alleged killer's father. We listened to the anger of the family's attorney. We've felt the pain of Trayvon's mother. For heaven's sake, for 24 hours he was a deceased John Doe at the hospital because even the police couldn't believe that maybe he LIVES in the community. There are still some facts to figure out. There are still some questions to be answered. But, let's be clear. Let's be very, very clear. Before the neighborhood watch captain, George Zimmerman, started following him against the better judgement of the 911 dispatcher. Before any altercation. Before any self-defense claim. Before Travyon's cries for help were heard on the 911 tapes. Before the bullet hit him dead in the chest. Before all of this. He was suspicious. He was suspicious. suspicious. And you know, like I know, it wasn't because of the hoodie or the jeans or the sneakers. Cause I had on that same outfit yesterday and no one called 911 saying I was just wandering around their neighborhood. It was because of one thing and one thing only. Trayvon is black.

So I've made the choice today to tell my white friends that the rights I take for granted are only valid if I fight to give those same rights to others. The taxi cab. The purse. The meal. The police car. The police. These are all things I've taken for granted.

So, I fight for Trayvon Martin. I fight for Amadou Diallo. I fight for Rodney King. I fight for every young black man who looks "suspicious" to someone who thinks they have the right to take away their freedom to walk through their own neighborhood. I fight against my own stereotypes and my own suspicions. I fight for people whose ancestors built this country, literally, and who are still treated like second class citizens. Being quiet is not an option, for we have been too quiet for too long.

-Michael SkolnikMichael Skolnik is the Editor-In-Chief of GlobalGrind.com and the political director to Russell Simmons. Prior to this, Michael was an award-winning filmmaker. Follow him on twitter @MichaelSkolnik

EARLY VOTING IN MARYLAND

Leaving town? Going on "spring break?" Want to vote early? Well, no matter what you are going to be doing, IT IS IMPORTANT that you CAST your VOTE in the Maryland Primary.

Early voting centers will be open 10am to 8pm, Saturday, March 24 – Thursday, March 29, 2012, (Sunday Hours Noon – 6:00 p.m.). Voting is convenient, accessible and on your schedule. YOU MAY VOTE AT ANY OF THE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS.

Prince George’s County Early Voting Center Locations:

Upper Marlboro Community Center 5400 Marlboro Race Track Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

College Park Community Center 5051 Pierce Avenue College, Park, MD 20740

Bowie Library 15210 Annapolis Road Bowie, MD 20715

Wayne K. Curry Sports & Learning Center 8001 Sheriff Road Landover, MD 20785

Oxon Hill Library 6200 Oxon Hill Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745

For more information, contact the Prince George’s County Board of Elections at (301)430-8020

Community Gardening -- Interested?

Growing Community Gardens A gathering for Prince George’s County gardeners to build community, learn from each other, and gain gardening skills Saturday, March 24, 2012, 10 am – 3 pm University of Maryland Center for Educational Partnership,6200 Sheridan St., Riverdale, MD 20737.

Join us for workshops, a panel discussion, and lunch.

$20 per person

Workshop #1: Plant and Pest Identification and Organic Control by Jon Traunfeld, Director of the University of Maryland Home and Garden Information Center and State Master Gardener Coordinator.

Workshop #2: Garden Planning and Crop Rotation by Elizabeth Olson, Master Gardener and Certified Professional Horticulturalist. Panel Discussion: “Successful Community Gardens” with Esther Mitchell from University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Coordinator; Alexandria Lippincott, Co-Chair, Sheridan Street Community Garden Club; Dave Kneipp from the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation; and Gül Güleryüz from M-NCPPC.

Register at http://growingcommunitygardens.eventbrite.com/.

Contact Christie Balch at cbalch@umd.edu for more information or to register by mail. Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension Prince George’s County Co-sponsored by: Eric C. Olson, Council Member, District 3, Prince George’s County Council Ingrid M. Turner, Council Member, District 4, Prince George’s County Council, MOM’s Organic Market, Prince George's County Farm Bureau, Inc.

University of Maryland Extension programs are open to everyone without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, or disability.

You are invited to attend a celebration of academic excellence demonstrated by students from your community. The celebration takes place on Friday, February 24, 2012, at 7:00pm. Parents, faculty, community members, and PGCPS leadership will demonstrate their support of academic excellence by attending a Celebration and Reception for Northwestern High School's 408 Second Quarter Honor Roll and 284 Perfect Attendance Award recipients.

The theme for this special program is "Excellence Without Excuse: Our R.O.A.R. Gets Louder.” In addition to performances by Northwestern's award-winning Music Department, NJROTC Drill Team, and others, the celebration will feature special performances by PGCPS Board Member Amber P. Waller, leading the Marching Band during the ceremony and Prince George's County Councilman Will A. Campos, who will play his saxophone with the Jazz Band during the reception.

Along with the honorees, families and its staff, local schools and community organizations to include churches, fraternities and sororities, Northwestern expects to be graced with the presence of many local officials and community leaders. This is where you come in. It would be a great show of support for these students if you could participate in this event. The students and staff of Northwestern are working hard to continue to do great things in this school and in the community. It would be a wonderful gesture if you could represent these constituents in your community by attending this event and showing your support of Northwestern students.

According to Principal Edgar P. Batenga, “Our mission is to continue to transform Northwestern High School into a world-class school. Our student body exemplifies the tenets of R.O.A.R: Respect, Opportunity, Achievement, and Responsibility. We praise our students for exhibiting the principles of R.O.A.R. and for theiracademic accomplishments and exemplary attendance.” I hope you will be able to attend this important event. Supporting your constituents in this way will go a long way to help in transforming this school. If you are able to participate, please contact Douglass Jones, Assistant Principal at 301-985-1820 or via email at dfjones@pgcps.org. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for considering this. I hope to see you there. Best regards,
Chris Hinojosa

For more information contact Chris Hinojosa at:

hinojosa@umd.edu
tel) 301-405-6286
fax) 301-314-9583

ELECTRONIC RECYCLING

Resident, our Public Works Department will be conducting its Electronic Recycling Event for 2012 on March 17, 2012, from 9 AM - 1 PM at the Public Works Department in Mount Rainier. Come on out and be a part of this event. It is just one of the things that we are doing to keep our environment footprint as small as possible.

Got other ideas you would like to see happening in Mount Rainier? Great, contact City Hall and become a memmber of Mount Rainier's Green Team! The number to City Hall is 301-985-6585 or send and email to jwallace@mountrainiermd.org and express your interest to join the Green Team.

Wintry Weather Headed OUR WAY!

Pepco Prepared for Rush Hour Rain, Sleet, and Snow
Wintry Weather Could Prove Hazardous, Customers Need to Prepare

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pepco is closely monitoring the wintry mix that has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Weather Advisory for northern portions of the Washington Metro Area. The National Weather Service predicts that later today the local region will experience a wintry mix of rain, sleet, and snow at the onset, changing over to all snow that will continue through the end of the evening commute. No ice accumulation is expected. Largest snow accumulations will occur in northern sections of Montgomery County.

Heavy wet snow can weigh down tree limbs bringing them into contact with power lines causing power outages. Also, the combination of wet snow, and rain, can adversely affect saturated soil causing trees already weakened by previous storms to fall onto power lines and equipment causing power outages.

In anticipation of the inclement weather, Pepco has scheduled additional line personnel and tree trimming crews for this evening and through tomorrow morning. Pepco will continue to monitor the weather and customer outage activity, and can adjust its resource plans accordingly throughout the evening.

PLEASE CALL TO REPORT OUTAGES AND ASK FOR CALL BACK

Customers are urged to report outages and downed wires by calling, 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662) and follow the prompts. Customers may also report outages by visiting pepco.com.
Customers’ reports are extremely vital to Pepco’s restoration efforts. Combined with other customer calls and Pepco’s technology, it helps the company identify the precise location of outages more quickly. Pepco also recommends that when reporting an outage, customers request a call back to confirm their power has been restored.


Pepco urges its customers to prepare for potential power outages and act to ensure their safety. Here are some tips:

• Have adequate prescription medicines and/or infant supplies on hand.
• If a customer or someone the customer knows uses life-support equipment that requires electricity to operate, identify a location with emergency power capabilities and make plans to go there during a prolonged outage.
• Assemble an emergency "storm kit." Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items, an insulated cooler, and a list of important and emergency phone numbers.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods and bottled water and have a hand-operated can opener available.
• Have a telephone with a cord or cell phone to use as a backup. Cordless telephones require electricity to operate, and will not work if there is an outage.
• Protect electronic equipment. Unplug sensitive electronics or plug computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors, and consider a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for temporary battery backup power.
• Turn off power to flood-prone basement appliances, if it is safe to do so. However, if the customer has an electrically operated sump pump, the customer should not turn off the power.

Safety Tips

• Stay away from downed wires.
• Tune to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information.
• Follow the advice of local emergency management officials.
• Take cover if necessary.
For more information and updates, visit www.pepco.com and follow Pepco at ww.twitter.com/PepcoConnect.

####

Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), delivers safe, reliable and affordable electric service to more than 789,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.




=================

Jerry Pasternak
VP Pepco Region
Maryland Affairs
701 Ninth Street, NW
Suite 9212
Washington, DC 20068

(202) 872-2524 (office)
(202) 872-2032 (fax)

INTERESTED Growing Community Gardens

Save the Date for

Growing Community Gardens

A gathering for Prince George’s County gardeners to build community, learn from each other, and gain gardening skills

Saturday, March 24, 2012, 10 am – 3 pm

University of Maryland Center for Educational Partnership,
6200 Sheridan St., Riverdale, MD 20737

Join us for workshops, a panel discussion, and lunch

$20 per person

Register at http://growingcommunitygardens.eventbrite.com/. Contact Christie Balch at cbalch@umd.edu for more information or to register by mail.

Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension Prince George’s County

Co-sponsored by:
Eric C. Olson, Council Member, District 3, Prince George’s County Council
Ingrid M. Turner, Council Member, District 4, Prince George’s County Council
MOM’s Organic Market

University of Maryland Extension programs are open to everyone without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, or disability.

Warmly,

Christie Balch
University of Maryland Extension Program Coordinator
Center for Educational Partnership
6200 Sheridan St.
Riverdale, MD 20737

Mount Rainier seeks proposals from qualified developers!

January 31, 2012

The City of Mount Rainier is seeking proposals from qualified developers for the purchase and redevelopment of an approximately 32,906 square foot site located in the Town Center of the City of Mount Rainier, at the northeast corner of the intersection of Eastern Avenue in Mount Rainier, Maryland. Bid package documents are available via a link on the city’s website at www.mountrainiermd.org. Users are directed to click on the Economic Development tab on the home page, and then click on the “documents” tab on the left hand column to download the following documents and links:

• Mount Rainier Town Center Urban Renewal Plan (June 2004)
• Site Analysis Torti Gallas and Partners, March 31, 2010
• Land Disposition Agreement (LDA)
• Market Study: Partners for Economic Solutions/Green Door Advisors, May 25, 2009
• RFP for Mount Rainier Town Center Development (January 31, 2012)
• Site Boundary Survey (January 2011)
• Zoning, Prince George’s County, SUBTITLE 27. ZONING http://egov.co.pg.md.us/lis/default.asp?File=&Type=TOC
• Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Mixed Use Town Center (M-U-T-C) guidelines http://www.pgplanning.org/Resources/Publications/Mount_Mount_Rainier_MixedUse.htm
• Approved Section and Section Map Amendment for the Gateway Arts District (11/04 http://www.pgplanning.org/page10253.aspx

An informational meeting pre/bid conference is scheduled for February 29, 2012 at the City of Mount Rainier Municipal Building, One Municipal Place, Mount Rainer, MD 20712.

Please feel free to direct inquiries to Jeannelle Wallace, City Manager, at the above referenced phone number or by email to jwallace@mountrainiermd.org

LET ME HEAR FROM YOU!

The Maryland General Assembly will be discussing the following potential sources of new income form Maryland, and I need YOUR opinions on each of them.

Would you be supportive of a new

· Gas Tax

· Gambling Slots

· Bag Tax

· Sales Tax increase

· $100K+ income tax increase (recently proposed by Governor O’Malley)-- the numbers provided below are extremely rough estimates.

Here's additional information for you to consider on each of the above as provided by Senator Victor Ramirez.

· Gas Tax -- A 15 cent gas tax is proposed over a 3 year period expected to generate $471 million in revenues for the State.

Gambling Slots/Tables -- Slots only are expected to generate $360 million

Slots and table games are expected to generate an estimated $650 million

5-cent Bag Tax -- This is a fee to be charged and collected per disposable carryout bag provided to a customer. This is a fee not subject to sales or use tax. Stores may retain 1 cent of every nickel fee collected. If they opt to participate in a credit program then they may retain 2 cents for every nickel. This bill may prove to have a substantial positive financial impact on small businesses. The bill is expected to generate $5 million for the state after small business deductions. The revenue estimate is based on estimated participation rates.

· Online Sellers Sales Tax – expected to generate $21 million

· Income tax increase and caps on personal exemptions for singles making over $100k and couples making over $150k -- expected to generate $280 million

SEND your response to mayormiles@gmail.com. NEEDED ASAP!

MAIL FRAUD -- If it is too good to be true, it is PROBABLY not True!

Mount Rainier's Police Chief reported the following:

Mail fraud – 1:15 pm. Officers spoke with the victim who said that she had received a letter notifying her that she had won $125,000. The letter included a check for $3,875 to cover taxes on the winnings and instructions that she was to cash the check and then send the money to an address in London, England via Western Union. Several days after complying with this process she was informed by her bank that the check she cashed was no good.

Residents, usually, NO ONE gives away money. If it is too good to be true, before you accept it on face values, thoroughly check it out before getting caught up in it and taken to the cleaners. This is a hard lesson to learn, but an ounce of prevention is often better than a pound of cure.

Stay AWAY from "Forensic Loan Audits."

Escalating foreclosures provide criminals with the opportunity to exploit and defraud vulnerable homeowners seeking financial guidance. One of the newest foreclosure rescue schemes, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is known as a "forensic loan audit." In exchange for an up-front fee of several hundred dollars, so-called forensic loan auditors, mortgage loan auditors, or foreclosure prevention auditors who are backed by forensic attorneys, offer to review mortgage loan documents.

The documents are reviewed to determine whether a homeowner's lender complied with state and federal mortgage lending laws. The "auditors" claim you can use the audit report to avoid foreclosure, speed up the loan modification process, reduce the loan principal, or even cancel the loan. According to the FTC and its law enforcement partners, there is no evidence that forensic loan audits will help get a loan modification or any foreclosure relief. To make their pitch, this new breed of foreclosure rescuer looks for homeowners in distress, especially those already facing foreclosure.

For more information see the Consumer Affairs website at http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2011/12/dont-fall-for-a-loan-audit-scam.html

Mayor and Council Work Session Agenda 1/17/2012

MAYOR AND COUNCIL WORKSESSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2012
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, UPPER LEVEL
7:00 PM

DISCUSSION TOPICS

Develop criteria for 3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue /Council / 30 minutes
Permanent barriers at Perry Street location /Bolin/Jan Townshend / 20 minutes
CIP Plan – Discussion /Council/Mike Jackson / 15 minutes
Purchasing Ordinance /Ivy Thompson / 15 minutes
Code Enforcement Compliance Committee /Mayor Miles / 15 minutes
Assistance Fund for Mount Rainier Residents in Need /Tarlau / 10 minutes
Recreation Council requirements (partnership with Town of Brentwood?) / Mayor
Federal Highway Enhancement Program /Updike / 10 minutes
MR Sustainability Plan/ Sustainable Maryland Certified /Updike / 10 minutes
Uncurbed food truck temporary suggestions for vacant spaces /Mayor / 10 minutes

General public comment limited to one minutes per person per subject matter

Rules for Speakers

The Mayor and City Council invite and welcome comments at public meetings. The Mayor or presiding officer will recognize you. Please introduce yourself at the podium (spelling your last name, for recording purposes) and give the name of your street and block number (e.g., 4300 block of 34th St.). Time limits for speaking are indicated on the meeting agenda.
While speaking, please maintain a courteous tone and avoid personal attacks.

If you wish to lodge a complaint about the performance or conduct of any City employee, please bring your concern to the attention of the City Manager, who will look into the matter and respond to you.

As a courtesy to other residents and businesses, the Council requests that speakers not use specific addresses or names of individuals when describing a situation or making a complaint. Noting the block is preferred over a specific address.

Code enforcement and public safety issues should first be brought to the attention of the appropriate department and/or one of your Council members.

Please Note: Pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article Section 10-508(a), the Council by majority vote may retire to executive or closed session at any time during the meeting. Should the Council retire to executive or closed session, the chair will announce the reasons and a report will be issued at a future meeting disclosing the reasons for such session.

THANK YOU to Mount Rainier's Police Department

A Mount Rainier resident sent a major shout out to the Mount Rainier Police Department. Here's what she said:

Chief Scott,

We just wanted to write to thank you and your officers for responding to the calls for police attention at ________. A couple of weeks ago -- the call for the woman screaming/fighting with someone in their back yard that resulted in a couple of arrests. We are right next door to that house and it is a constant problem -- people hanging out in front (or in back) all night being loud, yelling, carrying on, drinking, doing PCP, throwing trash all over the block, and who knows what else -- and since that arrest, the house has been quiet. I guess the young man who was arrested who lives there doesn't want to jeopardize his bond. In any case, we just wanted to let you know that we very much appreciated the police department's intervention. I know you all were just doing your job, but it has meant a rare period of peace and quiet for the block that is much needed.

Best,

What's the message here? Here things, see things, know things that are suspicious in our neighborhood -- CALL OUR POLICE 301-985-6565! The response time is quick, and the officers know our neighborhood.

FiOS TV Enhanced for Business package will be increasing by $10.00 a month

This is to inform you of rate changes to Verizon’s FiOS® TV for business service as fully described in the attached customer notice. Due to the rising cost of providing quality premium programming, the FiOS TV Enhanced for Business package will be increasing by $10.00 a month, effective March 17, 2012.

We realize that our customers have other alternatives for entertainment and our goal is to offer the best choice and value in the industry. Verizon appreciates the opportunity to conduct business in your community.

Should you or your staff have any questions, please contact me at 212-406-6443 or email darian.e.gill@verizon.com.

Martin Luther King, Jr Celebration

On Monday, January 16, 2012, Joe's Movement Emporium will host the third annual MLK program. RESIDENTS, VISITORS, NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES are invited to come out and be a part of this great celebration.

The AGENDA/PROGRAM

10-11:30am Community Activity and Projects with Quilt of Valor

11:30am to 1:00pm A Grand Performance

1:00pm until 2ish Lunch

There will be guests speakers

Buffalo Baptist Church Choir

Students in Art Education will also be performing

Want to RSVP: VISIST www.joesmovement.org

WE WANT TO SEE YOU THERE: 3309 Bunker Hill Road Mount Rainier, MD 20712-1922

(301) 699-1819