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North College Park to Study Gateway Park Proposals

Speed Camera Starts Giving Tickets from Tomorrow

Greenbelt Metro Deal Leads to Johnson’s Arrest

The bribery related charges surrounding the Greenbelt Metro station development could be part of the reasons why the current (outgoing) county executive Jack B. Johnson was arrested yesterday.

WTOP reported that a source close to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Baltimore says the investigation is linked to a developer who sought to involve Jack Johnson in a land deal at the Greenbelt Metro station. The investigation is also linked to the transfer of a residential property involving Jack Johnson, the source says.

As reported by The Washington Post:

“Since taking office in 2002, Johnson has been linked to investigations by various authorities, including a pay-to-play accusation involving a county contract to lease office space and a broad FBI investigation involving a massive development project near the Greenbelt Metro station that Johnson had strongly backed.

“Both investigations have involved a number of Johnson associates either requesting payment or receiving strong government support. A Washington Post investigation of Johnson’s first term in office found that he had given 15 friends and allies 51 county contracts totaling nearly $3.3 million.

“In all, Johnson has come under scrutiny for county development deals worth millions of dollars that have gone to people with ties to the county executive. Several of those people had little or no development experience or were given no-bid contracts, according to government records.”

U.S. attorney investigating the case called it a “tip of the iceberg” and part of a broader corruption investigation in Prince George’s county.

You can see the original Jack and Leslie Johnson affidavit here.

Jerk Pit Moving to North College Park

Currently the store is located in downtown at 8145 Baltimore Avenue in the Campus Village Shopping Center.

They will be moving to north College Park where the old College Perk Coffee House once located.

Jerk Pit’s owner Lisa Waddel Rose was at the NCPCA meeting last night to invite north College park’s residents to her store.

Jerk Pit, Comfort Zone and Gateway Park at Tonight’s NCPCA Meeting

Today is the second Thursday of the month, and hence the day for this month’s NCPCA meeting.

Here are a few highlights of tonight’s meeting:

• The Jamaican restaurant Jerk Pit is moving to  the place where the old College Perk Coffee house was, on Route 1 near the Greenbelt Road. Jerk Pit’s owner Lisa Rose will come and self-introduce about her store.

The controversial new store Comfort Zone on Rt. 1 will also be on NCPCA agenda tonight. The store owner Robert Joseph Carl has been invited to the meeting to talk about his store and his business practices. As I blogged earlier, the store has received zoning violation from the City for selling adult products , which the City says it’s not authorized to sell.

The much discussed Gateway Park at Route 1 and the Edgewood Road will also be at the agenda. The City wants to tear down the house athe corner and build a eco park.

As always, the meeting will start at 7:30pm, at Davis Hall. You can view the detailed agenda on NCPCA’s website: http://myncpca.org.

See you all tonight.

City Authorizes to Form Redistricting Commission

City Eyes Raising Fees to Rent Davis Hall and Old Parish Hall

Davis Hall

In tonight’s City Council session, the Council will be considering raising fees to rent two of City’s public facilities – Davis Hall in north College park and Old Parish Hall in downtown College Park.

Currently, for-profit and private groups, as well as religious groups, who use these two facilities have to pay rent for their use.  The City thinks, these rents are too low compared to similar renting fees elsewhere in the area. In order to “remain competitive with similar facilities in other towns”, the staff has proposed increasing the cost of the use of these facilities to $100 for residents and $150 for non-residents to use Davis Hall, and $225 for residents and $275 for non-residents to use the Parish House. 

As I understand, most non-profits, such as NCPCA and Boys and Girls Club will continue to use these properties - free of cost.

I find it a little odd that the City does not treat all non-profits the same way. I don’t know why they charge some non-profit groups such as faith / religious groups, whereas they make the facilities free for other similar groups.

The City will also set to allow the City staff  people using the facilities for free once a year, despite it will cost the City about $800 in rental fees per year. 

[Source: NCP listserv]

A Survey About the Resident Survey

The City has published its 2010 resident survey online last week. You can also order a paper version of the survey by calling the City office today.

Like surveys in the past years, the 2010 survey tries to get important information from its residents. These information include: City Services and information, quality of life,  economic development, parks and recreation, environment and recycling, transportation, rating College Park and about you (age, location etc.).

The residents’ participation in the past years have not been great, and this year that won’t be different either.

The major problem with this survey is that it’s too long – it’ll most likely take at least a solid 30 minutes to complete 53 questions in 9 pages. Now  that’s too long for an average resident to spend. Thus unless you feel too passionate about the City or hate your City too much, you’re most likely not going to spend that amount of time.

I wish the City could publish two versions of the survey, one long version (like the current one) and another short one – just like the two census forms we had in the recent Census 2010. The short form would have included basic questions about the City’s key services, such as crime (public safety), public works (trash collection), businesses etc. With a shorter version, we could have many more residents participate in the survey.

But the length of the survey could be only one of many reasons for not taking the survey. There could be other reasons too. For example,  you can also think that this kind of surveys don’t change things a bit. There could be other reasons too that I don’t know.

So let’s take a survey about the resident survey. Unlike the 30 minutes to take the residents’ survey, this one won’t take more than 30 seconds, guaranteed!

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As Time Falls Back, Crimes Set to Rise

Last night, we rolled our clocks back by one hour.

Good for everyone? – Why not? With time change, nights get longer, we get an extra hour to sleep. Who doesn’t want that?

But that nightly comfort comes with a caution – we lose the benefit of  longer days that we used to enjoy during summer.

Longer days not only (supposedly) save energy cost, but it also reduces crime – most violent crimes happen during dark. he U.S. Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) found a reduction of 10% to 13% in Washington, D.C.‘s violent crime rate during DST.

With time falling back, we lose that benefit of crime reduction, especially during the evening period.

What it means, we ought to be an extra vigilant when we’re out after the dark. If you walk home from the Metro in the dark, please make sure you take extra cautions. There have been quite a few muggings happened involving the Metro riders around this time of the year last year.

Oh yes, time change should also be a reminder for us to change smoke alarm and carbon monoxide  batteries. Let’s do that asap.

Leaf Collection Gets Underway

Leaf Collections

Fall is here and that means it’s the time for leaf collection – let the City have your natural, brown refuse.

Though the City started this year’s road side leaf collection early last Monday, most of north College Park will have its collection next Monday. For the complete schedule, please check this calendar or collection notice posted on your neighborhood street.

The City reminds you to be mindful of a few things during this collection time:

• Rake leaves to the curb, but not into the street. Pile leaves away from cars and storm drains. The leaf vacuum cannot reach around cars, and will not be able to collect your leaves.
• Remove all tree limbs, rocks and other debris from leaves to be collected. They can damage the equipment and cause delays.
• Noise and dust may be noticeable. Dry conditions generate more dust. We apologize for any inconvenience.
• If you bag leaves, please put them out when the leaf vacuum is scheduled. Use paper yard waste bags or approved reusable containers. Do not put them out with regular trash.
• The leaf vacuum only makes collections in the fall.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Public Works at 240-487-3590 or send them an email at publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov

Groups Unite to Shut Down Thirsty Turtle

The much discussed downtown bar Thirsty Turtle finally lost its liquor licence.

On Wednesday night, the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners voted unanimously to revoke the bar’s liquor license. The bar could stop selling alcohol as soon as Nov. 23, unless the decision is appealed, the Diamondback student newspaper reported.

The Thirsty Turtle’s troubles are the talk of the town following a quadruple stabbing involving underage bar patrons and a flunked police ID check test.

Much of the credits for Turtle’s loss of license go to a coordinated opposition from many groups from the City and the University of Maryland.

Several groups, including UM and Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., sent letters to the liquor board detailing numerous incidents where underage drinkers at the bar have been hospitalized or involved in drunken altercations. Aaron Zaccaria, a member of UM’s Student Government Association and deputy student liaison to the City said it’s all about safety.

“I guess I would say I’m impressed that the board acted so quickly,” said Mayor Andrew Fellows, who along with the City Council met with county and UM police officials later Wednesday night. “It sounds like it was compelling evidence.” – said Mr. Fellows to the Gazette.

A second hearing for the Thirsty Turtle is scheduled for Nov. 10 to review a bar fight that turned into a stabbing down the street. There will also be a meeting Nov. 23 to review the license revocation.

Comfort Zone Gets Zoning Violation for Selling Sex Products

Comfort Zone map

The Comfort Zone, the newly opened store in North College Park on Route 1 has recently received a zoning violation notice for selling adult related products.

The City of College Park issued the notice on October 12, with a reinspection date set for November 13.

The notice was issued based on the determination that the store is not operating within the parameters of its use and occupancy permit.

Licensed under the name “The Pleasure Zone Inc”, the Comfort zone store is located at 9721 Baltimore Ave (Route 1), next to Dunkin Donuts store.

Store’s co-owner Robert Carl maintains that “explicit” adult related materials only makes up less than 10% of the store’s floor space and thus the store does not violate the county’s zoning law. Mr. Carl made these assertions in an interview with the Diamondback, referring to section 27-902 of the Prince George’s County code, which defines an adult book or video store as a store with more than 10% of its retail floor space dedicated to pornographic materials

The City council member Patrick Wojahn does not agree.

“The U&O (Use and Occupancy Permit) was issued for a ‘variety/department store’, similar to a dollar store. The U&O specifically states that the business is not supposed to sell anything classified as “adult products.”- said Mr. Wojahn, justifying the violation notice.

Last year, the County council overwhelmingly approved restrictions on adult book and video stores in response to residents’ complaints that the businesses attract crime and ruin the character of their neighborhoods.

Gubernatorial Election Results

Voting at a NCP polling station

Here are the unofficial results of yesterday’s gubernatorial election (updated 11/3/2010).

Congratulations to School board-elect Peggy Higgins, who faced a rather bizarre campaign from her rival Mark Cook.

Though our state mostly went Democrat, overall, the ruling party has been projected to lose the House. The next two years will be interesting to watch on the national political front.

Governor / Lt. Governor

• O’Malley/Brown (Democratic)       969005       55.78%
• Ehrlich/Kane (Republican)                 733782   42.24%

U.S. Senator

• Barbara A. Mikulski (Democratic)        1057946      61.77%
• Eric Wargotz (Republican)                         619457      36.17%

 Congressional District 05

• Steny H. Hoyer (Democratic)            145411              63.97%
• Charles Lollar (Republican)                  79359             34.91%
• H. Gavin Shickle (Libertarian)                2413               1.06%

Board of Education District 002

• Mark Cook (Non-Partisan)                        4767            32.45%
• Peggy Higgins (Non-Partisan)                 9872             67.21%
• Write-Ins (Non-Partisan)                         50               0.34%

Hope to See You at the Polls, It’s Time to Vote!

Yes, it’s a bit cold out in the wee hours of this morning, but don’t let that deter you from voting.  Polls are open from 7AM to 8PM at poll stations and your voices cannot be heard unless you make them heard.  Make your voice count today by voting in the 2010 mid-term elections. 

For our district in North College Park, we have three polling stations – the Methodist Church, Church of the Nazarene and the Hollywood Elementary school. Please double check your white voting card to find the exact location. Please check this link to get a map for polling stations.

One on One with Peggy Higgins

Peggy Higgins

Yesterday, I spoke with Peggy Higgins, the Education Board candidate in today’s election. I asked her a few questions about her candidacy. (The other candidate Mark Cook couldn’t be reached for an interview). 

1. Why are you running?

I’ve a 32 year career as a social worker, 25 years of that I spent working with families and children in the county. This gives me an unique opportunity to serve 125,000 school students in the county.

2. How does your background fit in the position you’re seeking?

I’ve a masters degree in the social work studies from the Catholic University, have another masters’ degree in Administration with concentration in local government from the UMUC, I’ve worked with the students, parents and the educators for the past 25 yrs as administrator. I know the county and the local city officials and how their governments work.

3. Funding is a big issue for the county schools, how can you secure more funding?

That’s true. Unfortunately, county’s school funds come from 3 different sources, county, State and federal. There has been some effort by the outgoing county Executive Jack Johnson to cut the fund through Maintenance of Effort (MOE) contract from the State, which brings $20 million from the State’s $250M school funding. If elected, I’ll fight so that the County does not lose these funding.

4.What will you do to address the overcrowding problems in the Hollywood Elementary School

I support the ideas of expanding the Hollywood Elementary school. Currently, some students have their classes in temporary class rooms outside of the main school building. If elected, I’ll work with the City and the County to have permanent buildings as the extension to the main building.

5.What about redistricting current school districts? Do you support that?

Yes, I know the talks of redistricting are causing some concerns among the local residents (in north College Park). I personally do not want parents to take theirs kids to another school which is far from their homes. However, I think there will be some parents who will be willing to take their kids to PBES (Paint Branch Elementary School), instead of being forced to do so. PBES is a magnet school; it will soon be K-8 school and it has some excellent quality programs with the University of Maryland. These attractions will make some parents to take their children to PBES.