Ward 2, Report
Thank you for your concerns and support during the past two
months. It has been a little rough, but
the family is coming through its crisis with some measure of sanity. I am beginning to catch up on paper work and
what is going on in the City. The
following is a report on some of the activities, developments and concerns:
1.
Concerns re 29th
Street are being addressed. Some of
the graffiti has been removed. (and
Upshur reported to Mr. Gabay; and I spent Monday morning out there observing
that intersection. There is a major
problem at that intersection – primary problem is people running the stop sign
on
2.
There is a major
cave in on the sewer between Upshur and Taylor that needs immediate
attention.
3.
Essays for the
“If I was Mayor contest” were picked up and delivered to Mayor Denny who
delivered them to MML in
4.
The Tool Shed
Committee has been on hold for the past six weeks but there has been some
dialogue. 3601
5.
Several seniors in the area have raised questions about
Comcast Cable and whether or not the
City has to continue with them. For
the record, the City has a franchise with Comcast that requires Comcast to
rebate a portion of the money that they collect back to the City. Currently, Comcast rebates about $16,000 to
the City. In exchange, Comcast has sole
exclusive cable rights in
6.
Budget
preparations are getting underway, and there will be lots of issues for the Mayor
and Council to deal with including a potential fiscal deficit; another
incomplete audit; and reduced income.
Your input on the budget and areas that are of concern to you should be
submitted to me at your earliest convenience.
I have some priorities that I think are important, e.g., a feasibility
study and/or assessment of the businesses on Varnum; repair of some of the
streets and gutters – possibly under CDBG; citywide strategic plan; painting
curbs so that police can ticket improperly parked vehicles; etc. Let me hear from you on your concerns for
next fiscal year. The first work session on the budget is March 23
– Please email me with any input you have on the budget for this year. A copy of the current budget may be obtained
from City Hall. Draft 2005 Budget given
to Mayor and Council today.
7.
Beautification
program to be implemented by Jack Engel, and residents are needed to
participate in the project. Jack will
supply seeds, and it is expected that participants will maintain any planted
areas coming out of this project. There
is a $500 registration fee that must be raised by participants, and the
deadline is March 31. For further
information contact Jack at (301) 779-7956.
8.
Regular yard waste schedule back in effect on Mondays. Note: Bulk trash is picked up on Mondays, but you
MUST call by
9.
Because of our short staff routine property inspections
are not happening – particular problems are being responded to on an as needed
basis.
10.
The Tree
Commission has been extremely busy over the past few weeks. They have interceded on the City’s behalf
with Queens Manor management re various trees that were to be cut down and/or
trimmed; and they have been vigilant in looking at trees throughout the
City. Please keep in mind that they are
new to this task, and trying very hard to do a good job. If you can help them in any way, please
contact them by calling City Hall and leaving a message for them to get back in
touch with you. In addition a Ms.
11. MRBA continues to host its meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. (NOTE: I missed their February meeting but was in attendance at their March meeting.)
12.
The
13.
Daithi Htun, Council member
14.
Mount
Rainier’s Parent Group –
15.
Commercial trash pick up The Mayor and Council has voted to
discontinue commercial trash pick up.
Businesses are currently identifying potential commercial trash removing
companies to handle this task.
16.
Establishing the
17.
Urban
Renewal Plan – The Mayor and Council has been spending a great deal of time
reviewing the Urban Renewal Plan. At the
last work session, lots of questions were raised about the plan. The draft plan was developed over a two year
period and is primarily for the downtown area of
18.
Lt.
Governor Steele was in Bladensburg at the McGruder House on Monday, March 15 to
kick off preparation for beginning the work on the CSX overpass. If all goes as planned the work will begin in
September 2004 and be completed over the next few years. It is anticipated that there will be little
or no disruption to traffic during the construction. They still need $10 million, but the Federal
Government according to Congressman Albert Wynn has already put up $42 million
of the $60 million that is needed.
19.
Bass
Liquors – This is currently the hottest issue on the Mayor and Council’s
agenda. As your representative, I
believe that Bass Liquors should be held to its agreement to clean up it act
that was put into place by the Liquor Board.
I believe that Bass Liquors’ owners and the property owners should be
treated fairly and in accordance with the legal constrains that have been put
into place. However, I do not believe
that we (the Mayor and Council) should single out or target businesses when we
are on record as “looking to attract businesses to our City.” Let me hear from you on this one.
Historic
Mount Rainier Maryland --- http://www.mountrainiermd.org
Mount Rainier Police Department -- http://www.mountrainiermd.org/government/mrpd/index.html
Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company --- http://www.mrvfd.org