State Of The County

Alsobrooks Highlights Wins, Post-COVID Plans In Address; Seeks Second Term

By Maria D. James // PHOTO APPEARS COURTESY OF THE OFFICE THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks stepped onstage at Bowie State University to a round of applause from an in-person audience of community leaders, supporters, and family to present the 2021 State of the County address June 9.

Alsobrooks announced she would not run for governor of Maryland, but plans instead to seek re-election as county executive in 2022 (first noted in a May 26 statement).

“This pandemic has forced us to adapt and grow in unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable ways,” the county executive said as she began her remarks, noting the impact that COVID-19 has had on the county over the past year. “In many ways, 2020 was the hardest year that our county has ever faced and I’d also dare to say it’s the one that we’ve been waiting for,” she said.

Through it all, Alsobrooks acknowledged that the resilience of county residents allowed Prince George’s to rise to the occasion, survive the threat and come back stronger.

“Nobody should ever underestimate the grit, determination and love that Prince Georgians have for one another,” Alsobrooks said.

The county executive covered an array of topics in her delivery (key points are highlighted below. For full remarks, click “State Of The County Address” video above):

COVID-19 and Post-Pandemic Support

While remembering residents who lost loved ones and jobs, Alsobrooks noted relief efforts over the past 15 months, such as distributing 4.5 million pounds of food, $41 million in grants to local businesses, gap financing and rental assistance. The chief executive also recognized Prince George’s County leading role as the first in the state of Maryland to offer mass vaccination testing sites.

Police Reform                                       

The implementation of an independent task force has been initiated under the administration to recommend changes to the county police department. That effort has been supplemented through the hiring of new police chief, Malik Aziz. Alsobrooks commended Aziz for being a strong leader who is focused on community policing.

Upgrades to Educational Facilities

“Every child in the county deserves the best possible place to learn,” Alsobrooks said. With an $8.5 billion backlog of school maintenance and repairs and the second oldest school facilities in the state, Alsobrooks thanked Dr. Monica E. Goldson, chief executive officer of Prince George’s County Public Schools, for assisting with the fight to build six new state-of-the-art schools over the next three years using with the Alternative School Financing Program.

Improved Access to Healthy Food

The Maryland legislature did not pass a bill that would allow grocers to sell beer and wine, a key component Alsobrooks hoped would entice more stores toward the healthy food priority areas of the county. She vowed to press for policies and initiatives to help county residents to access healthy food, such as the new mobile grocery trucks provided through a partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank.

Healthcare Facilities

Officials hosted the ribbon cutting opening of the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center (June 8), which replaces the Prince George’s Hospital Center. Alsobrooks also announced the opening of a new mental health facility. The executive revealed that the county has allocated funds for 10 new positions at the county’s health department.

New Vision for Blue Line Metrorail

Alsobrooks shared her vision of a new blue line corridor that would include walkable, mixed-use communities and making New Carrolton “the new National Harbor” of the county. She spoke of innovations to create a community where people live, work and play.

To watch the full State of the County address, visit https://youtu.be/z2eSQwlnfps