County Council Gets Early Start on 2019 Agenda

By Hamil R. Harris // PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAOUL DENNIS

The members of the new Prince George’s County Council will get back to work this week and while they are poised to deal with a $48 million budget gap, the construction of a new hospital and stabilizing the schools, their first order seemed to be to get to know themselves.

For two days they huddled at The Hotel at the University of Maryland where they heard from County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Betty Hewlett, Chairman of the Prince George’s County Planning Board and a variety of officials from the county and other jurisdictions.

“The importance of the retreat is for us to come together to get basic information on where we are, what we are going to talk about in terms of the finances of the county, [examine] what we did in the last term and then establish [how] we are going forward this year,” said Todd Turner, who has been elected by his colleagues to chair the council this year.

Turner said his task is particularly daunting because the county is being led by a new generation of leaders. “This is a transition year, this is a very important year with a new county executive,” he said. “The majority of the council members are new and it is about bringing us all together to work together.”

This is the first council retreat since the body has grown to include two new at-large seats. Term limits forced change in four seats of the formerly nine-member council, creating a decidedly different body from that of 2018. Combined, the two developments are leading to a new chapter in the tone and history of the council.

“I’m very excited that we are right here at this moment to learn how to work together,” said Monique Anderson-Walker (D-Dist. 8) who is one of the six new members of the council.

A highlight of the two-day dialogue included an early visit from County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. Economic development and helping the county reach its potential are key areas of focus for the former States Attorney.

During her inaugural address she said that Prince George’s County, is a majority African American jurisdiction that is one of the wealthiest counties in the country and “We are the driving force in Maryland.”

From Alsobrooks to the new members of the council, a political confidence is emerging that the county can reach its potential and will not allow other jurisdictions or Uncle Sam to hold its residents back.

Anderson-Walker peppered Major Riddick, the County’s Acting Chief Administrative Officer about 300 acres near Oxon Cove ending up in the hands of the Department of Interior in a “lap swap,” deal approved by Governor Hogan.

Said Dannielle Glaros (D-Dist. 3): “I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues and learning about their vision.”

While the retreat was a new beginning for some lawmakers, the legislative body has lost term-limited veterans such as Karen Toles, Obie Patterson, Andrea Harrison and Mary Lehman (See With Gratitude And Grace: Remembering Contributions to the Future of Prince George’s Made By Exiting County Leaders In 2018). They have been replaced by Rodney Streeter, Thomas Dernoga, Jolene Ivey, Monique Anderson-Walker, Sydney Harrison and Calvin Hawkins.

While Ivey (D-Dist. 5) served the citizens in the 47th District in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2007 to 2015, she’s excited about being on the council. “I am so much closer to the people. In Annapolis when I got a call I usually resolved the matter at the local level.”

Even though lawmakers spent most of their time listening to a variety of issues, they also learned from each other and for Dernoga, who is a returning councilmember who had been term limited out in 2010 after serving on the council from 2002 to 2010 it stoked old memories. “I am for open government. I love asking questions. This is about figuring out the dynamics of getting everybody on the same page,” said Dernoga, (D-Dist. 1) who brings a wealth of insight to the panel on how to get things done.

Council member Deni L. Taveras (D-Dist. 2) said one of the big challenges is finding common ground with colleagues who have different issues and priorities. “I hope that we can really work together and create a cohesive vision for the county.”

Sydney Harrison (D-Dist. 9), the former Prince George’s County Clerk of the Court, said “my hope is that we can work together collectively for the greater good of Prince George’s County” and Streeter, who has spent years working for other council members in DC and Maryland said one of his goals is “developing the chemistry so that we can learn more intimately about the issues facing the county.”

The council also heard the status on a range of topics and issues that it would face in the coming year including progress with the new regional hospital at the University of Maryland Capital Region Health, better and long term management of nonprofit groups, schools, focused support for small and minority-owned businesses and an economic development outlook. They also heard presentations regarding land and zoning issues and gained insight on working with at-large members from At-Large Council members from the District and Montgomery County.

“I didn’t need to know how to be an At-Large Council member,” joked Calvin Hawkins, II (D-At-large) but he welcomed the advice and said “I am looking forward to using this information to make the county better than we found it.” In terms of priorities, Hawkins said “I want to improve the procurement process to help local and small business in a better way.”

Franklin said that his priority as the other new At-Large Council member is helping people go from income to wealth and the lawmakers saw a presentation that shows that Prince George’s County is gaining ground but still trails Montgomery County in terms of median family incomes and other economic factors.

“We have a lot of people making good incomes but we don’t have enough to build generational wealth,” Franklin said. “We need to build true industry.”

It was a special moment to gain experiential insight from former council members Jim Estepp and Camille Exum who offered their observations on day two of the retreat.

Derrick Davis (D-Dist. 6) said as the council begins its session Jan. 14 his colleagues can’t forget that they are competing with other jurisdictions in the region for programs and critical dollars. “It’s all about consistency and continuity,” Davis said. “In terms of our zoning codes, comprehensive housing codes and having a broad vision for all people. We have to compete together so as a region we can all get better.”