25 Great Things To Love About Being In Prince George’s This Year

Compiled By The Prince George’s Suite Editorial Board

1. A Plan Unveiled for Stronger, Newer Schools: The Prince George’s County Council, consistent with record revenue, ensured a record investment in education. 64% of the adopted FY 2019 County Budget, over $2 billion, was appropriated for education, which fully funded the budget requested by the Prince George’s County Board of Education.

2. Living Herstory: Angela Alsobrooks elected to become the first woman County Executive of Prince George’s County. In a recent interview with Prince George’s Suite Magazine and Media, Alsobrooks, while proud of the historic achievement, said that her goal is more significant than earning a place in the record books. “It’s more important to do a great job so that it paves the way for other women in the future.” Alsobrooks said.

New 11-member Prince George’s County Council

3. New Kids On The Block: Prince George’s County’s new leadership team includes for the first time since 1982, two voter-approved At-Large Members, expanding the legislative body from nine to 11 members. Council Member Mel Franklin and Council Member Calvin Hawkins, II. Returning members include Council Members Thomas Dernoga (D)-District 1; Dannielle Glaros (D) – District 3; Todd M. Turner (D)-District 4; Deni Taveras (D)-District 2; and Derrick Leon Davis (D)-District 6 serving their second terms in office. These members will be joined by new Council Members Jolene Ivey (D)-District 5; Rodney Streeter (D)-District 7, Monique Anderson-Walker (D)-District 8 and Sydney Harrison (D)-District 9. And while new members take their place on the County Council, thanks is given to those Council colleagues who completed their second and final terms under term limits in Legislative Year 2018 – former Council Members Mary Lehman, Andrea C. Harrison, Karen Toles, and Obie Patterson.

Maryland’s first Lidl store opens in Bowie

4. Lidl Store Opens: Bowie Is Maryland’s First Home For Germany-based Grocery Store. Lidl (pronounced LEE-dul) is located at 13401 Annapolis Road (District 6), and is the company’s first grocery store location in the state.

5. Wakanda Forever: February brought pride, unity and another hit for the late great Marvel Comic genius Stan Lee. Black Panther, an African superhero and a predominately black cast pulled $1.3 billion worldwide with a movie that many saw more than one time. The brand was also a hit for local author Jesse Holland, the Bowie-based writer of the Black Panther novel. Holland and his journey in writing the novel were Prince George’s Suite Magazine’s Summer 2018 cover story.

6. Seven Year Low: An 18% drop in homicides and other crime areas is credited with a different strategy in policing, job growth…improving quality of life in Jan. 8 statements from then County Executive Rushern L Baker, III and Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski.

7. 12th Annual Trash Summit: Guest speakers Adam Ortiz, Prince George’s County Department of the Environment; Mary M. Cheh, Council of the District of Columbia; Conrad MacKerron, “As You Sow”; and Dann Sklarew, George Mason University, joined local leaders and the public gathered to discuss ways to reduce trash in communities along the Potomac River Watershed, particularly along the Anacostia River.

8. Under The Big Lights: PGCPS students showcase artwork and performances at the 2018 Arts Gala presented by the Prince George’s Arts & Humanities Council.

9. Maestro Manuel Jesus Berard Celebrates One Year Anniversary: To be able to step into the tremendous shoes of the late Charles Ellis as director of the Prince George’s Philharmonic is no easy task. Enter Manuel Jesus Berard and the rest is history.

10. Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff Awarded Accreditation: Prince George's County Sheriff Melvin High had high praise for his deputies in the Office of the Sheriff, saying of the CALEA award, “This is yet another demonstration of the professionalism that is a great source of pride for us, and for the men and women of the agency." The future of Prince George's County residents are in good hands with these individuals and they have created a strong foundation for public safety in the years to come.

The New Carrollton Library Reopened anew Sept. 2018

11. Prince George’s Memorial Library System Wasn’t So Quiet This Year: November saw the groundbreaking for a new home for the Hyattsville Branch Library and the state-of-the-art, newly renovated New Carrollton Branch Library opened its doors with more for it visitors.

12. Record Budget: The County Council passed a record $4 billion FY2019 County Budget. With this budget, reflecting shared values and priorities, the County’s growth, and commitment to sound and responsible fiscal management is a cause for pride and celebration.

13. In The Zone: In the final Council session of this Legislative Year, the Council approved the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite legislative package, While there is still more work yet to be done in the coming year, enactment of these measures moved the County several steps closer to a more concise, consistent, and user-friendly document, and better enables residents to play a larger role in shaping the future of development in Prince George’s County.

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14. Making Better County Living Their Business: The Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable Celebrates 15 Years “I didn’t realize that 15 years could pass so quickly,” says GPGBR President and CEO Jim Estepp. “I remember the vision. We wanted a business group that would connect with the community. The best way to do that it is to work on issues that are important to the community. We talked about the idea of having an organization that would work on public policy. We believed that in doing so the quality of life for Prince Georgians would increase.” It did. The Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable’s 2018 Prince George’s County Quality of Life Index® was released reporting the overall QOL for Prince Georgians as steadily improving.

15. The Source Of Their Power: The Training Source Celebrates 25 Years Of Aiding Prince Georgians . The Training Source aims “to ensure that adults and youth have the support and life skills, professional skills and technical skills needed to pursue higher education and careers, secure and retain employment, and achieve long-term economic stability.” Over the years, it’s estimated that The Training Source aided over 20,000 clients.

PGCC President Dr. Charlene Dukes celebrates on the dance floor at the 60th anniversary gala.

16. Prince George’s Community College Celebrates 60 Years. This year’s gala—acknowledging the college’s 60th anniversary -- included all those messages and several important themes that went a bit further. PGCC President Dr. Charlene Dukes and keynote speaker Actor Debbi M. Morgan shared sentiments about possessing the strength to overcome obstacles to achieve previously unimaginable goals.

17. The BSU Bulldogs Celebrate Championship Season

For the first time in over 30 years, the BSU Bulldogs are CIAA Champions. Led by record-setting Quarterback Amir Donte “Showtime” Hall, the Bulldogs dominated the gridiron this season with an offense that wouldn’t be denied and a defense that wouldn’t allow.

18. State of the County address: Mr. Baker's last SOC address, with 700 people in attendance, is the largest since the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable began hosting the SOC Address in 2011.

19. AltaGas/Washington Gas Comes to the Washington DC metro area with a $6.4 billion merger. Washington Gas Merger with AltaGas Plan Could Yield $13.4 Million for Prince George’s County.

20. Leader of the School: In 2018, Dr. Monica Goldson stepped in as the newly appointed interim Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO in 2018 and she is a stakeholder in the schools in the old-fashioned way: Dr. Goldson is a product of public school education and her children attend. Add to that her 27 years of service as a professional in PGCPS.

21. The Family That Plays Together: First Baptist Church of Glenarden opens 63,000 sq. ft. Family Life Center for $25 million. The center is designed to “use health and wellness as a tool to Develop "Fit and Healthy" Dynamic Disciples. The facility is available to members of First Baptist Church of Glenarden as well as the local community.” The FBCG Family Life Center is one of the largest of its kind in Prince George's County and includes: three full basketball courts, two additional half courts, a fitness center, a multi-purpose room, a walking track, a concession stand and stage.

Credit: Raoul Dennis / Prince George’s Suite Magazine & Media

22. Steve and Diane Proctor Leadership Center Opened dedicated at Bishop McNamara High School. Steve and Dianne Proctor make it look easy as their walk in faith, leadership and service throughout the county community has touched hundreds of lives over three decades. Specifically, their work and commitment has led to the unique recognition of the Proctors at Bishop McNamara High School at the April 19 naming of the Steve and Dianne Proctor Leadership Center.

23. Bigger is Better: Old Line Bank becomes third largest bank in the state headquartered in Maryland, and the only one of the top 46 headquartered in the county.

Lt. General Van Ovost // PHOTO RAOUL DENNIS PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

24. Real Leadership: Jackie Van Ovost, former Commander of the 89th ALW (Presidential Wing) at JBA, was promoted to Lt. General (3-Stars) and named Director of Staff for the US Air Force.

25. Michael Company Magic: The Michael Companies Ritchie Station Shopping Center opened new options, including Pohanka Auto’s Volkswagen Dealership.

Special Thanks for Contributions By The Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable and The Prince George’s County Council