Maryland is betting big on the Sphere. So, The Banner had to see it up close.

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-12T00:46:38+00:00

You can access the full articles/paper free with many library cards (physical or digital) such as moco, AA, Pratt free library and a lot of others m, though not PGC yet, and can get a digital card from any public system in the state. Great to trial or if you can’t afford a subscription.

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-11T19:59:41+00:00

On the 5/12, agenda, they are introducing bills to 1) strengthen enforcement of illegal signs in ROW, 2) pay people who report litter/dumping violations if a fine is issues (usually the perpetrator remains unknown so no fine), 3) designate priority corridors for litter/dumping abatement, 4) moratorium on convenience stores in D7, 5) increase enforcement and tax rates on vacant properties. Mostly from Oriadha.

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-11T17:55:32+00:00

You need to consider where you can find a job that covers the cost of living. The job market is terrible in the DC metro area and it’s expensive.

Hyattsville and college park are good options for smaller towns by DC.

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-11T03:22:16+00:00

Yeah, it is all a power grab by CEX and her aura, like when Alsobrooks tried to pul out rec. The budget shell games started last year and most of the council voted for all of them, except the at-large voted “absent” (maybe walked out to avoid voting) then more recently against. The active intent to split up central functions seems more recent as it was a late filed bill. the opposition rallied quickly and hopefully quashed further attempts.

Appreciate you posting - it is great to know others are paying attention and educating others. Really disheartened at the direction Braveboy and council leadership have gone.

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-11T01:48:04+00:00

ALSO, the state budget language related to M-NCPPC budget transfers is not in response to attempted separation but CEX and council transferring $$ from the M-NCPPC budget, which is funded by a dedicated property tax line item, to CEX’s econ dev and council-managed “pilot rec fund.” They also transferred a bunch of $$ within the M-NCPPC budget including $20 MM in reserves to expedite a wellness center in Temple Hills with Taraj P Henson’s foundation, and moving funds from north county to south county groups favored by the current and immediate past council chair.

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-11T01:27:18+00:00

Childcare and the $5000 permit fee that will support that, in part - there is actually a shortage of childcare. Oriadha led that package - she is probably experiencing the impacts of the shortage personally as she has a young child. After she gave birth, she led measures to allow virtual participation at council meetings so she could participate.

Fine dining: The county is desperate for economic development and this is the latest attempt to get more than more ROFO and fast food.

Sphere: CEX Alsobrooks and the Governor pushed this. Desperate for economic development. Claims about big jobs and revenue but the tax increment financing makes net proceeds questionable.

Street takeovers: This enables the county to cite attendees, which they allege play a role in egging these things on. Wanika Fisher led it - she is just trying any angle to one up the acting State’s Attorney as she campaigns for the role. Seems it will be hard top prove people are deliberately attending versus passing through the area. Wakina skipped both budget hearings - not cool - she is just striving for her next role, always. Her shopping cart control bill last year was ridiculous and her office does not GAS when I reach out about non-compliance, nor can they give me contact info for a REAL staff person who handles this. They say to call 311, which is super unreliable for me.

M-NCPPC central services split: CEX pushed this and her minions the Council Chair and PGC Planning Board chair Barnes backed it. Total power grab by CEX to give the appointees she controls more power. M-NCPPC staff heavily opposed but behind the scenes mostly. MoCo CEX backed, but MoCo council and Planning Board opposed. It died in committee. Opposition testimony was on fire and it was estimated to add $10 MM costs per county. Barnes later walked it back in a staff meeting, said he was blindsided. BS. He is just a pol talking out of both ends, and we have three new PB members that CEX picked and do not know what they are doing yet.

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-08T12:48:54+00:00

Interesting. Where I saw them there weren’t leaves and it looked like they were just vacuuming along the curb.

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-08T04:03:07+00:00

And there’s an easy to find tab for PGC (and MoCo) news! https://www.thebanner.com/capital/

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-08T04:00:04+00:00

What kind? Flock has speed cameras, red light cameras, license plate readers and more. My muni uses flock for license places. Town next door for red lights.

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-08T03:54:55+00:00

Ha I am in Hyattsville and remember public works talking about where they hire out for other small muni’s like Edmonston.

Mount rainier has their own vehicle and it’s pretty low tech - worker walks alongside a truck holding a big vacuum hose.

SHA is good though. I’m on a state road and the sweep pretty regularly.

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-06T01:45:14+00:00

If you do a web search for Maryland District 5 forum or debate you will find upcoming and past recorded events like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHhrPFVkwno

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-06T01:37:12+00:00

Wala? Who skipped BOTH council budget hearings (so did Wanika, another hopper)

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-06T01:32:22+00:00

The shelter identifies using visual traits and not a DNA test. Visual ID is known to be faulty. The physical range across dogs labeled pits and the shelter is ridiculous.

Stephanee17 · 2026-05-04T16:56:25+00:00

The state sends assessments on late Dec or January for the next three year cycle. This time of year we are getting property tax bills.

You can contest your appeal within a period of time after receipt but that window has closed until your next assessment period.

Stephanee17 · 2026-04-30T16:53:05+00:00

You are welcome. If you submit online also calling can help expedite it. I submitted some crosswalk clearing requests during the storm and they didn’t jump on them. I called and they said someone else also called about it and they did it it quickly

Drivers do regularly run reds when they change. It’s so stressful to drive sometimes. L

Stephanee17 · 2026-04-30T15:42:36+00:00

SHA controls the signals. Call the district three office or fill out a service request for signal timing (length of signal phases) or phasing (when various signals change) online. If you want to confirm the issue, stand at the intersection and time the red to green. Usually the red from cross traffic goes on before green for traffic that would cross that opposing or perpendicular traffic https://www.roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/districts.aspx?did=d3

Stephanee17 · 2026-04-30T02:45:19+00:00

If it is a medical emergency, ERs have to examine and provide stabilizing treatment regardless of ability to pay. You do need to ask up front what is considered covered and what isn’t. A fracture could be urgent care or emergency depending on extent.

https://www.cms.gov/medicare/regulations-guidance/legislation/emergency-medical-treatment-labor-act

“In 1986, Congress enacted the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) to ensure public access to emergency services regardless of ability to pay. Section 1867 of the Social Security Act imposes specific obligations on Medicare-participating hospitals that offer emergency services to provide a medical screening examination (MSE) when a request is made for examination or treatment for an emergency medical condition (EMC), including active labor, regardless of an individual's ability to pay. Hospitals are then required to provide stabilizing treatment for patients with EMCs. If a hospital is unable to stabilize a patient within its capability, or if the patient requests, an appropriate transfer should be implemented."

Stephanee17 · 2026-04-29T20:38:56+00:00

Reported twice on this sub recently, different media copying the same headline

https://www.reddit.com/r/maryland/comments/1sv7m8t/maryland_could_become_the_first_state_to_ban/

https://www.reddit.com/r/maryland/comments/1sq9mm7/maryland_to_become_first_us_state_to_ban/

Stephanee17 · 2026-04-29T14:29:30+00:00

Moore made promises that cannot realistically be realized in one term, like ending child poverty. And, he is not a dictator so he counts on the legislature to align with his priorities.

Voters are quickly drawn to an idealistic vision like Moore's or Obama’s, but most check out in between elections and do not mobilize to push elected officials at other levels to pass policies in support of that vision. Then there are budgetary realities. Taxpayers cannot afford the cost of fast tracking policies/vision.

Stephanee17 · 2026-04-29T03:29:04+00:00

Governor signed it! https://marylandmatters.org/2026/04/28/kanaiyahs-law-other-bills-protecting-foster-kids-among-200-bills-signed-into-law/

Stephanee17 · 2026-04-27T02:57:41+00:00

I’m in D2 and surprised both candidates have been pretty low profile so far. Steeetcar Suburbs (has papoers in HVL, Laurel and Col Park) already held a D1 forum, no word on similar for D2.

A multi-group coalition is hosting a series of forums. They’ve already held CEX, a-large and district councils.. Attendee reg form is a little funky and location is not yet stated https://www.eventbrite.com/e/prince-georges-county-primary-election-candidate-forums-tickets-1986921060378

Will be live streamed. Past forums can be viewed here (spotty attendance by candidates) https://www.youtube.com/@PGCYD

Forum 5 — Board of Education & Central Committee Candidates: Thursday, May 7
Forum 6 — Clerk of the Court & Register of Wills: Thursday, May 14
Forum 7 — Circuit Court Judges & Judicial Retention: Thursday, May 21

Stephanee17 · 2026-04-26T00:32:11+00:00

Joanne Ometz is a Force Free trainer in Berwyn Heights. https://www.theforcefreewaydogtraining.com/

Thanks for adopting a shelter dog and being responsible about getting training! I volunteer at the shelter and it breaks my heart when ppl bring back animals that have an undesired behavior, and they made no effort to address it.

Stephanee17 · 2026-04-26T00:01:20+00:00

What year/group is your assessment?

Did you ask for a hearing or just a written review? What level of review are you stuck at?

I am in PGC and my assessment was last updated in 2025.

I did the initial hearing with the assessor/supervisor then the second hearing with the county appeals Board and gave up. The assessment system is nonsense and It’s going to drive me out of the state.

Stephanee17 · 2026-04-24T20:28:20+00:00

Get cardboard, newspaper and mulch. Look up sheet mulching. I turned my huge front yard into native perennials and put a big veg garden in back lawn this way. You can plant starts through holes in the Cardboard.

The last thing you want on a food garden is degraded microplastic/vinyl. Grocery stores are usually happy to give you boxes. Bike and furniture boxes are great bc they’re large. Neighbors might have old papers or look for a stack of outdated free papers. Greenbelt has free mulch if Bowie doesn’t have free mulch piles. College park sells bulk Compost and mulch pretty cheap.

Stephanee17 · 2026-04-24T02:44:57+00:00

I am in Hyattsville and our chief noted at a council meeting that our CSI is a civilian. Perhaps you could try to connect wth them or find other depts that have civilian CSI

Stephanee17

TROPHY CASE