Thank
you to Brice and Sean for THREE HUNDRED DELICIOUS MEALS.
Thank
you to the volunteers for putting the bags together and handing out the meals.
Now
it is TIME for each of you to RELAX, and here is my toast to YOU!
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.
Thank
you to Brice and Sean for THREE HUNDRED DELICIOUS MEALS.
Thank
you to the volunteers for putting the bags together and handing out the meals.
Now
it is TIME for each of you to RELAX, and here is my toast to YOU!
Some folks have cursed COVID-19. Some have lived in seclusion for the past eighteen months or more, and some have found new friends, opportunities and made a way out of no way! Throughout the past year and a half, I have had the opportunity to watch good people rise to the top and lend a helping hand to neighbors, friends, strangers, and, yes, to family.
My family knows firsthand about the devastating results of COVID-19 and the Delta variant. Many of us have not taken full advantage of the situation to draw closer to each other, but COVID-19 has changed us in many ways. There are still lessons to be learned.
And, I have seen federal, state, county, and municipal governments rise to the occasion on many levels. I have also seen them drop the ball, and on many occasions, are still dropping the ball, but here is one that will help many of our seniors and others on social security.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will be increasing social security benefits by 5.9%. There will also be an increase in Medicare coverage.
The COLA is only one part of the annual financial equation for seniors. An announcement about Medicare’s Part B premium for outpatient care is expected soon. It’s usually an increase, so at least some of any Social Security raise goes for health care. The Part B premium is now $148.50 a month, and the Medicare trustees report estimated a $10 increase for 2022.
Click on this link for the full story.
https://wtop.com/government/2021/10/social-security-cola-largest-in-decades-as-inflation-jumps/
I woke up this morning feeling reprimanded because of thoughts from yesterday. My reprimand came in a few words from one of the people that frequent The Front Porch Ministries and an inbox from another one.
The first one said how thankful she was that we (Joan, Max, and I) had changed our minds about NOT doing food yesterday. It was critical to her to know that food was available for pick up because she needed it. The second one inboxed me and said, I may not be one of those in the food insecurity areas, but I need food and would love to get food from The Front Porch Ministries to help supplement what I am able to provide.
Definitely not complaining. The Front Porch Ministries has provided food to Mount Rainier residents since March 2020, even though I have threatened to stop the program more than a few times. LOL. I get tired and sometimes frustrated that a few bad apples do not honor The Front Porch rules -- get some, leave some for others; cover the boxes back up like you found them to keep the animals out; first-come-first-serve, and no, you cannot take some for every family member household in your family. Simple rules and allows everyone to get a little help. Believe me, I would love to do more and give everybody as much as they can take away. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and we must be mindful of the entire community.
I get lots of volunteer offers, and some actually come and work with us, but I only have two that come every time there is food and stay until we are too tired to stay on The Front Porch. That's when the honor system kicks in, and WE NEED YOUR HELP to keep making this work. PLEASE CLOSE THE BOXES CORRECTLY to keep the animals out. (NOTE: Some of our residents cannot get by to pick up from The Front Porch until after 6:00 p.m. or later.) If The Front Porch is cleared before then, they will not be able to participate. If it is too early in the morning, others could not participate. I can ONLY distribute the food when I receive it, and there is no way around that obstacle.)
My last comment is that it is IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO CALL and
tell everyone when the food arrives. I also cannot inbox or text everyone when
the food comes. I post, and sometimes if time permits, send emails IF I HAVE AN
EMAIL ADDRESS. I am alright with you reposting my post or otherwise sharing
with your Mount Rainier neighbors who may benefit from The Front Porch
Ministries.
ALERT -- NOTICE
August 14, 2021, through August 22, 2021, there will be no
food distributions by The Front Porch Ministries!
The best-laid plans of mice and men OFTEN go astray, so went the dinner boxes after 1:00 p.m. today.
My provider just called and stated that 33 boxes should be here around 4:30 p.m. today.
Please come and pick them up. As always, first come, first served until gone.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. I look forward to seeing you today on The Front Porch.
Maryland Tax-Free Week Underway Until Saturday, August 14, 2021.
It is finished. DONE. Just signed out of my last City Council meeting at which I was The Mayor. Celina Benitez was sworn in at 8:00 p.m. as required by the City Charter.
A feeling of relief and a little concern for the success
of "my children," as Luke so aptly put it as we said goodnight, but I
know that they've got it.
Tomorrow, I am off to Massanutten to catch up with my friend for a few days of
rest and relaxation without the need to rush back home for the City Council
meeting or some other City affair.
Once again, thank you to every resident in Mount Rainier for the privilege of
serving you for the past sixteen years as Mayor and all of those years before I
earned the Mayor's title. It has been a journey.
The month of May has come and gone, but it created so much excitement that I am still trying to take it all in.
Ashley Dené, thank you for the love. These pictures taken were taken at Penny Royal Station in Mount Rainier, Maryland.
On Friday, June 25, 2021, the Mayor of Upper Marlboro, MD, and President of the Prince George's County Municipal Association (PGCMA), Mayor Linda Pennoyer, came by to present me with my lifetime membership in PGCMA.
As a board member for years, I became the secretary, vice
president, and president of PGCMA during my tenure as Mayor of the great little
City of Mount Rainier, MD.
This is the first such honor bestowed on any Prince
George's County elected official and probably the first of any affiliate of the
Maryland Municipal League (MML).
WHAT an honor and privilege to receive the certificate
from the incoming President of the Association.
URGENT NOTICE! You MUST live in Mount Rainier, AND YOU MUST REGISTER.
The City of Mount Rainier would like to ensure that your
family enjoys a holiday meal with all the trimmings!
--
Al comenzar esta temporada navideña, la Ciudad de Mount
Rainier desea asegurarse de que su familia disfrute de una comida navideña.
Las cestas de vacaciones estĂ¡n disponibles para recoger
entre las 3:00 pm. Y las 5:00 pm, Hay varios horarios enumerados para su
conveniencia. **POR FAVOR USE MASCARILLA**
FAMILY and FRIENDS and ASSOCIATES, today is the day to get those TURKEYS to the Mount Rainier Police Station, 3249 Rhode Island Avenue, Mount Rainier, MD 20712. There are 625 registered Mount Rainier, MD families depending on US!
Thank you so much for your support and prayers in these endeavors.
I just two more calls this morning asking for help, so YOUR
donation will not go to WASTE.
To the more than 300 people that stopped by here to wish me a happy birthday, I say THANK YOU! Each wish meant a lot and made my day more special. If I missed acknowledging a single shout out, please accept my apology and know it was not on purpose because I cherish the act and the thought that you conveyed on my Facebook page. MUCH LOVE TO YOU and thank you over and over again.
A RETURN
to reality -- I woke
up this morning in "my" wonderful bed, in my own room, at my house,
in my City, and Massanutten and its beautiful scenery quickly becoming a
memory.
I am always
grateful for the time that I get to spend up there, and when I can do it with
family and friends, it is even better.
HOWEVER,
there is nothing like returning home. Driving back was like, "Can I,
please take wings and fly the rest of the distance over all of this
traffic," but common sense said, the house will be there when you get
there, AND so will the work. So, I slowed down and arrived home safely
yesterday. LOL
Today is
Monday, November 16, 2020, and if you did not mark your calendars, Dr. Suresh
Gupta and Associates will distribute through the City 500 bags of grocery at
the Mount Rainier Police Department for Mount Rainier residents. Please come
out and pick up a box before they are all gone.
The
distribution is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. and continue until all 500
bags are gone.
Early voting places in Prince George’s County (11 centers)
Accokeek VFD Training and
Activity Center
16111 Livingston Road
Accokeek, MD 20607
Bowie Gymnasium
4100 Northview Drive
Bowie, MD 20716
*Duval High School
9880 Good Luck Road
Lanham, MD 20706
Kentland Community Center
2413 Pinebrook Avenue
Landover, MD 20785
Laurel High School
8000 Cherry Lane
Laurel, MD 20707
Show Place Arena
14900 Pennsylvania Avenue
Upper Marlboro, MD 20722
Southern Regional Technology
and Recreation Complex
7007 Bock Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744
Southern Area Aquatic and
Recreation Complex
13601 Missouri Avenue
Brandywine, MD 20613
Suitland Community Park
School Center
5600 Regency Lane
Forestville, MD 20747
The Pavilion at the
University of Maryland Xfinity Center
8500 Paint Branch Drive
College Park, MD 20740
Wayne K. Curry Sports and
Learning Complex
8001 Sheriff Road
Landover, MD 20785
Please click on this link to hear from the Mayors Association of Prince George's County about voting: https://youtu.be/thhp_UvhHHg
There are twenty-seven mayors in Prince George's County, and all twenty-seven (27) are asking you to participate in the Presidential Election between now and 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020.
The Mayors' Association of Prince George's County wants you
to know:
• If you are in line by 8pm to vote, you will be allowed to
vote. At 8:01, you’ll be out of luck.
• Voter intimidation is illegal and should be reported to an
election judge, a poll watcher, or the police immediately.
• Keep your trust in boards of elections - your votes will
be counted.
• Unfortunately, it’s too late to request a mail-in ballot.
You will have to vote in person, either at an early voting location or on
election day.
• You (or your friends or family!) can still register to
vote (and vote the same day!) on election day or during early voting.
• Mail-in ballots can be dropped off until 8pm on election
day at all early voting locations, election day locations, and at the County
Board of Elections.
• Only a limited number of polling places are open. For
locations, check the County Board of Elections website locations or call them
at 301-341-7300.
• Early voting will be Monday, October 26 through Monday,
November 2, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
• Election Day voting will be Tuesday, November 3, from 7:00
AM to 8:00 PM.
• You do not need a photo id to vote. Just know your name,
address, and birthday.
Please copy and post this link in your browser:
https://youtu.be/thhp_UvhHHg
Residents, this was a swift and dangerous rain. I have
not heard of any residents being injured and that is a blessing. Public Works
got flooded, some City cars and other equipment are damaged, and the new levee
was almost breeched, but it held.
I am grateful that all of you are safe! Please report any
losses to your insurance companies. Also document with pictures. That will make
your claims easier. If you can, find any receipts that you may have. If you owe
on your car, notify your bank, credit union, or whoever is your lender ASAP.
Unless the County Executive declares our area a disaster
area, and they should, (I am reaching out to them now), there may not be any
help coming. The last time this happened, there was some relief.
If you have flood insurance, reach out to your carrier
Immediately to be ahead of the rush that is sure to come.
Check on your neighbors. They may need help. I am not
sure of the status of the CERT Team, but I have asked the Interim City Manager,
Latasha Gatling to activate the CERT Team to help where needed.
NOTE: In light of our current disaster, the condition of
Public Works, and our equipment, there will be no recycling tomorrow.
The CITY OF MOUNT RAINIER WILL MAKE GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE TO MOUNT RAINIER RESIDENTS! APPLICATION DUE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 AT 5 PM
Mount Rainier's Mayor and Council recognize the hardship that many of its residents are facing during this pandemic. Although we are not able to meet every need or provide the big dollars that may be available in other jurisdictions, we are making available up to twenty (20) gift cards monthly to help some of the neediest in our community.
The gift cards will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis to individuals and families. Only one card per family ($100) and individuals may receive one $80 gift cards, while they last. Cards can be received monthly, with priority to those who have never received a gift card from the City.
The gift card program will begin in September. Please click on this link to apply now.
Copy and paste the following link in your browser:
https://www.mountrainiermd.org/residents/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/resident-food-assistance
MOUNT RAINIER UNVEILS RESIDENTS RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The purpose of this program is to provide rental assistance
to eligible individuals and families who have been impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic and residents of the City of Mount Rainier.
Eligibility requirements:
Resident of the City of Mount Rainier (must show proof of
residency)
Show evidence of need and that need was due to circumstances
related to COVID-19 pandemic.
Show necessity of payment for eligible expense o Complete
the Application form and attach requested documentation of residence and
hardship.
Original copies of bill(s) requested to be paid and
documentation such as rental/mortgage delinquency; past due notices; and other
related documentation pertaining to a particular emergency expense request.
Acceptable documentation/proof of eligibility, may include
any of the following:
2018 and/or 2019 Tax Return as filed with IRS
Documentation of acceptance under other government financial
aid program
Proof of unemployment benefits or application
Letter of furlough or layoff from employer
Receives SNAP/TANF benefits
Receives Social Security Income
Medicaid
Reside in subsidized housing
Family eligible for free/reduced lunch at schools
Approved residents will receive a one-time payment of $1,000
towards their rental or utility balance. Payments will be sent directly to the
landlord or utility company.
Application Due: September 11, 2020 at 5 pm
Please click onor copy and paste this link to complete and submit YOUR
application.
https://www.mountrainiermd.org/residents/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/resident-rental-assistance-application