Dear Friends,

As you are aware, we had a difficult start to the year’s first two weeks with a spate of homicides.  Our County leadership took the violence extremely seriously, and I had discussions with County Executive Rushern Baker, Acting Police Chief Mark Magaw, and Sheriff Melvin High after the first several homicides.  They responded by working together and also bringing in federal law enforcement, which has helped to significantly increase the number of law enforcement officials tackling these issues. Police and Sheriff’s Deputies concentrated their efforts and served many open warrants concentrating on areas where these homicides occurred, making 167 arrests, including 50 felony arrests between January 14 -17.  Law enforcement recovered substantial amounts of guns and drugs and conducted interviews of those arrested to gain critical information.  They have closed several homicide cases and continue to work diligently on closing more.  I am grateful for the work of our law enforcement and for the stronger relationship with federal law enforcement agencies.  However, these homicides are all tragedies that point to the larger issues that County government and our communities must address. 

As many of you know, I believe we must do more to reach our young people who are vulnerable to the influence of gangs, drugs and the pull of violence.  Out of the Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Task Force that I chaired in the County, this year we are implementing the Task Force report’s recommendations.  We are establishing a permanent task force of nonprofits, schools, Park and Planning, young people, law enforcement, and those in social services and others, who will convene regularly and focus on gang prevention efforts and coordination to reach young people.  Last year, I was able to allocate $400,000 from the County budget into nonprofits doing gang prevention work, and I look to increase that this year.  Each of our communities can play a part by reaching out to the youth in our neighborhoods.  Please contact my office if we can help in this effort – there are several models in our neighborhoods that we would be happy to share.

I also want to briefly mention a few other topics. 

County Council Retreat: Every year, the County Council has a retreat to hear from experts, go over topics likely to dominate the year, and help the group function better.  In recent years, the retreat has been held at Park and Planning facilities within the County, which I believe is appropriate in order to save money and be close to home.  This year, the retreat was held at a conference hotel in Cambridge, Maryland.  I did not agree with holding the retreat there and was quoted to that effect in the Gazette prior to the retreat. 

Redistricting: Every ten years we are required by law to redistrict the Council to balance population within the nine Council districts (the state will also be redistricting General Assembly districts).  We are required by the County Charter to appoint a Redistricting Committee of several residents to take testimony and recommend a new redistricting map for the next decade.  I will be sending information about meetings of this group over the next months as the group convenes.  One controversy that we could not avoid is that the group does not include any Republicans or members of other parties because we could not violate the Charter that states the Committee should be comprised of members appointed by parties that gained more than 15 percent of the vote in the prior Council election.  The Republicans only tallied about 3 percent of the vote.  While I am a registered Democrat, I believe it is critical to ensure fairness in our political process and I will be looking at the possibility of putting a measure on the ballot to change the Charter to ensure that no one party can have all the seats on a Redistricting Committee. 

Snow and Fire Protection: Please review the information below.

Lastly, I am humbled that my colleagues instilled their trust in me to serve as Vice Chair of the County Council for 2011.  I am again Chair of the Transportation, Housing and Environment Committee and serve on several other committees.

Please let my office know what we can do to best serve you.

Thank you,

Eric Olson
Council Member, District 3
(301) 952-3060 

ITEMS OF INTEREST

SNOW REMOVAL

 Please follow this link to find county policy information on snow removal in English & Spanish.  I urge you to help by shoveling sidewalks when there is a snow event, and spread the word to neighbors. 

FIRE PREVENTION

We have had several tragic house fires this year – please install smoke detectors (they are available free at our fire departments) and check them regularly.  Generators should never be operated inside – we have had tragic deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning when generators have been operated inside homes when power is out. 

FREE FLU SHOTS

Historically, influenza virus activity peaks during the months of January and February in Prince George’s County.  Free vaccination clinics are being provided by the Prince George’s County Health Department.  For more information on locations and times, please visit this website.   

PARENTING WORKSHOP: CARING FOR YOUR CHALLENGING CHILD

Learn how to be a better parent. Join other parents in learning techniques and skills to assist you in caring for your child.  The 10-session workshop costs a total of $50, whereas the usual cost is $750. Offering the class at this price is contingent on enrollment. Final registration is due February 15th, 2011. Registration materials can be found here: [http://www.secacpg.org/].  Sponsored by: SECAC-PG, The Arc of Prince George's County, The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, the PGCPS Partners for Success Parent Center, and Bowie Childcare.  Please contact Sarah Wayland with questions and to RSVP in advance at sarah.wayland@gmail.com.

3^RD ANNUAL HOSPITALITY CAREER FAIR

Prince George’s Community College will host its 3^rd Annual Hospitality Career Fair on February 16, 2011 from 12:00noon-2:00pm in Kent Hall, Room 236 (301 Largo Road in Largo).  Job seekers must call to RSVP at (301) 322-0109 prior to the event.  Click here for more details on the event and employers attending.

TEEN DATING/ DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUMMIT

The Teenage Dating/Domestic Violence Summit will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2011, from 9:00am -2:00pm, at Charles H. Flowers High School, located at 10001 Ardwick-Ardmore Road, Springdale, MD 20774.  The purpose of the event is to deal with the increased number of cases involving violence in teenage dating relationships.  This event is being sponsored by Judge Herman C. Dawson, Seventh Judicial Court of Maryland.

BUILDING INNOVATIVE GREEN COMMUNITIES FORUM

The Prince George’s Green Power Coalition will host a community forum on February 22, 2011 from 7:00pm-9:00pm at the Green Community Center, 2^nd Floor Multipurpose Room (15 Crescent Road in Greenbelt).  The purpose of this meeting is to provide practical solutions for creating sustainable neighborhoods.  Speakers include Dennis Chestnut, Executive Director of Groundwork Anacostia, Adam Ortiz, Mayor of Edmonston, and Lore Rosenthal of the Greenbelt Climate Action Network.  Please call (301) 642-3135 for more information.      

FORECLOSURE ASSISTANCE

Are you facing foreclosure?  The Maryland Department of Housing provides Foreclosure Prevention Services to all Marylanders.  For a free legal consultation with an attorney, or to get information on stopping foreclosure please call 1-800-396-1274 or visit www.mdhope.org.

COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROJECT

Since 2008, Community Legal Services of Prince George’s County, Inc. (CLS) has administered the Foreclosure Prevention Project to provide low to moderate income homeowners with legal advice and referrals to volunteer attorneys who negotiate repayment, forbearances, loan modifications, short sales and cash for keys.  CLS has also provided tenants living in properties facing foreclosure with information about their rights.  For more information, please call CLS at (301) 864-8186.

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH with

THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION

The Department of Parks & Recreation is hosting a number of events during the month of February in celebration of Black History Month.  Click here to find event, time & locations.      

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SCHOLARSHIPS

The Maryland Delegates and Senators have funds set aside to assist young people.  Many of their scholarship dates are approaching rapidly.  If you or someone you know is in need of a scholarship, please call the offices listed below or visit their website to find out more information.

Legislative 21 (College Park)

Senator Jim Rosapepe:                              (301) 858-3141

Delegate Ben Barnes:                                (301) 858-3046

Delegate Barbara Frush:                            (301) 858-3114

Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk:              (301) 858-3502

Legislative 22 (Berwyn Heights, University Park, Riverdale Park, Riverdale area, Woodlawn, New Carrollton, Lanham)

Senator Paul Pinsky:                                  (301) 858-3155

Delegate Tawanna Gaines:                       (301) 858-3058

Delegate Anne Healey:                              (301) 858-3961

Delegate Justin Ross:                                 (301) 858-3652

Legislative 23 (Glenn Dale, Seabrook, Woodstream, Glenwood Park, Glenn Estates)

Senator Douglas Peters:                            (301) 858-3631

Delegate James Hubbard:                         (301) 858-3103

Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith:      (301) 858-3101

Legislative 47 (Landover Hills, Bellmead, West Lanham Hills, West Lanham Estates, Finns Lane, Frenchman’s Creek)

Senator Victor Ramirez:                             (301) 858-3745

Delegate Jolene Ivey:                                 (301) 858-3478

Delegate Doyle Niemann:                         (301) 858-3326

Delegate Michael Summers:                     (301) 858-3340

RIVERSDALE HOUSE MUSEUM EVENTS

Riversdale is hosting several events in February in addition to regular admission including a Black History Month Program presented by Ann Wass, and a dance concert presented by the Goucher College Dance History Ensemble.  Ann Wass will speak on February 8, 2011 at 7:30pm and the Goucher College Dance Ensemble performance will be held on February 19, 2011 at 2:00pm.  Fee and registration required.  For more information please visit them here.  

WOMEN IN ENGINEERING (WIE) DREAM CONFERENCE

The 3^rd annual Women in Engineering Dream Conference will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland, College Park from 9:00am-4:00pm.  WIE was created with the goal of rectifying gender diversity issues experiences in the field of engineering, utilizing a variety of initiatives to increase enrollment from 16.5% to more than 20%.  The conference is free and includes lunch.  Participants must register here.

FREE STUFF @ MARYLAND

The University of Maryland hosts a number of free events each month ranging from dance festivals, movie screenings, musical recital and more.  Please find a list of events on this website.   

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

The Take Charge Program is a community based non-profit organization, which provides services to at risk youth. Take Charge is headquartered in Forestville, MD.  This group provides several programs for youth and parents.  For more information please visit this website.