top of page
Ashanti F. Martinez

The Latest News from Councilman Tom Dernoga's Office: July 2019

Updated: Jun 26, 2020


County Budget Update

The county council has adopted a $3.6 billion balanced county general fund budget for fiscal year 2020. The budget becomes effective July 1. A few highlights of the budget include the extension of Sunday hours at the Beltsville Library starting October 6. We’re also excited to see additional funding for our school system to lower class sizes. The classroom environment plays a significant role in a student’s learning process. Teachers sometimes manage 30-plus students at once, which may not allow an opportunity for each student to receive the attention they need. As a result, $6.5 million was allocated to the Prince George’s County Public School system to aid in reducing class sizes.

Free Colorectal Cancer Screenings

Doctor’s Community Hospital’s Cancer Prevention Education Screening and Treatment (CPEST) program provides life-saving cancer screenings at no cost to low income and uninsured PG County residents. For more info or to schedule an appointment, call 301.324.4968 or 301.552.7705.

Save the Date

The University of Maryland and the City of College Park will host a Fourth of July celebration with fireworks and live entertainment. Grass seating is limited, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Event concessions will offer hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, snow cones, soda, and bottled water. Personal coolers are welcome, but alcohol and personal fireworks are prohibited on campus, and pets will have to stay at home. Concessions open at 5 pm, entertainment begins at 7 pm., and fireworks start at dusk.

The City of Laurel is hosting its annual fireworks Saturday, July 6. The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 9:15 pm on Laurel Lake and Granville Gude Park. The 35-minute display will be accompanied by patriotic music.

Pet Parenting Class: Saturday July 20, from 12 pm–1 pm at 3750 Brown Station Road in Upper Marlboro, MD. Come learn what it takes to be a responsible pet owner and a great family host to a four-legged friend. Time, cost, food, toys, medical, safety, social...all topics that will be covered during this one-hour presentation with Q & A to follow. Call 301.780.7220 to register for this FREE class.

Animal Foster Orientation: Wednesday, July 10, from 6–7 pm on Saturday, July 27, from 9:30–10:30 am. Our County Animal Services staff go above and beyond to help our furry, feathery, and scaly friends find their forever home, but we can't do it without your help! Come find out how you can volunteer or foster and how that can be life changing for these companions. All sessions are held at the Animal Services Facility, 3750 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772.

Beltsville Development to Watch

As our community continues to grow, we will keep you updated on upcoming District 1 projects. A special exception for an Auto Spa Express (Car Wash), located at 10801 Rhode Island Avenue, will be submitted for review to the Development Review Division of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). If you wish to become a Person of Record to this application, you may submit your request online at http://www.pgplanning.org/1589/Becoming-a-Person-of-Record or by written request to the Development Review Division of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Please reference the pre-application number and the name of project in your request. At this time, no government has reviewed the application. After the application has been filed, you may contact the M-NCPPC at 301.952.2530.

Please note, once a zoning application has been filed, state public ethics law prohibits the councilmember from discussing the case; however; you may contact Chief of Staff Michelle García at mjgarcia@co.pg.md.us with questions or to request a list of the most current Beltsville development information.

Please keep in touch by emailing councildistrict1@co.pg.md.us or calling 301.952.3887. Se habla Español. For invitations and community events you would like share with us, please email district1scheduling@co.pg.md.us with details. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @TomDernogaD1.

14 views0 comments
bottom of page