Issues in the Community

Promoting Economic Development

Prince George’s County has underutilized its Metro rail stations, which should be hubs for business and transit-oriented development. The county needs to provide more incentives to private companies and federal agencies to locate here and to encourage mass transit.

NASA/Goddard in Greenbelt is a good example of a strong federal/private sector presence that boosts our local economy. NASA is home to about 3,300 federal employees and nearly 9,000 contract employees of private firms like Honeywell and Northrup-Grumman. Many of those workers call Prince George’s home, but even those who don’t live here shop, dine and spend discretionary income in the county before, during and after hours.

Improving Our School System

Prince George’s County public schools have made huge strides academically; however, progress is threatened by budget cuts. We need fewer administrators in Upper Marlboro, more teachers in classrooms and steps to improve safety, especially in high schools.

In addition, we need to expand learning opportunities for kids who are not college-bound. Many trade unions have apprenticeship programs that can prepare students for skilled jobs as plumbers, electricians and carpenters. They need to be able to partner with our schools to expose students to various trades and ensure they are prepared academically to enter these fields.

Protecting Emergency Services

Prince George’s County police and firefighters should not be furloughed in tough economic times. They put their lives on the line and are essential personnel. These agencies should be fully funded to protect our citizens. In both the police and fire departments, retirements are exceeding the rate of new hires, and furloughs only exacerbate the situation.

The county’s decision to furlough Prince George’s County Police in fiscal year 2009 was supposed to be a cost-saving move. However, it backfired when Federal Judge Alexander Williams ruled late last year that the county violated the terms of its contract with the police union when it forced officers to take off two weeks without pay. Judge Williams ordered the county to repay the wages plus interest and attorney’s fees.

Preserving the Environment

Prince George’s County should encourage green building standards by using incentives for private developers who incorporate green features and by adopting mandatory minimum standards for government projects.

Vansville Elementary in District 1 is a shining example of a public building that is LEED Gold certified and includes green features such as dual-flush toilets, low-flow faucets and geothermal heat.

Restoring Excellence in Government

Prince George’s County has intelligent, hard working citizens who want an effective government in return for the taxes they pay. We need qualified agency heads that are committed to excellence and an executive and council that demand no less.

We cannot afford to employ personnel who forget to spend federal money so that we end up forfeiting it. That is what happened when the county’s Department of Housing and Community Development failed to spend $2 million in federal low-income housing funds. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/16/AR2010011602833.html We should explore creation of an independent inspector general’s office to ensure executive and legislative branch accountability.

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Citizens for Mary Lehman
P.O. Box 376
Laurel, MD 20725