Landover Hills Chronicle
Landover Hills Newsletter	July 2000

                        Letter From the Mayor

During our last Town Meeting on Monday, June 19, 2000, very beneficial information was provided through a presentation by Ms. Jeannie Dorothy, from the Mosquito Control Section of the Maryland Department of Agriculture. We are currently experiencing a large influx of various kinds of mosquitos in this area, including the very pesky Tiger Mosquito, that attacks its victims throughout the day. There are a number of things that Town residents can do to limit the impact of the large pesky mosquito population such as the following:
 

Ensure that there are no containers of stagnate water in or around yards; stagnate water can be found in cans or bottles that might be around yards (these items should be discarded through the recycling system), old tires are favorite breeding places for mosquitos, holes in the ground that contain stagnate water and drain gutters that have not been cleaned out. Damp mulch also provides a favorite breeding place for mosquitos, therefore, residents should be aware of large piles of mulch in or around outside areas. Everyone is urged to do their part in helping to decrease if not stamp out the large mosquito population that we are presently experiencing.
 

I am happy to announce that Corporal Peter F. Jensen, has returned to the Landover Hills Police Department (LHPD); health concerns have greatly improved, he has also gone through the required processing and is currently back on staff with the LHPD. Welcome back Corporal Jensen.
 

One of the major Town concerns that had been addressed and remedied last summer has become an item of great concern again; and that is youth playing or loitering in the middle of the streets, and either moving slowly or refusing to move out of the way of motorists. It is requested that parents assist in this effort by encouraging young people not to play or loiter in the middle of the streets. WE are concerned about the safety of these youth and also about the ability of law abiding motorist who observe the speed limits; being able to travel through Town without being concerned about the safety of youth who play or loiter in the streets.
 

Thanks again to all residents who fulfilled their civic responsibility by completing and returning their Census 2000 questionnaires. This also includes residents who participated in the Census 2000 effort by cooperating with the Census Enumerators; who came calling at the homes of persons who had not completed their questionnaires, or whose questionnaires for whatever reasons had not been received by the Bureau of Census. Aside from myself, Mr. Charles Clarke, a Town of Landover Hills resident was also directly involved in the Census 2000 effort, I am happy to report that the Town of Landover Hills and the adjoining areas received very high marks in the Census 2000 effort.
 

During this summer there will be a very important event taking place at the Prince George's Community College called, Healthfest 2000. The theme of this Healthfest is "The Promotion of Wellness". This will be the second Healthfest held at Prince George's Community College, the first one was held last year. The Mayor of the Town of Landover Hills will be one of the hosts of this important event. The exact date of this event will be announced in the upcoming edition of the Landover Hills Chronicle; watch for this date.
 

The Housing Seminar that was previously announced was postponed due to the inability of all of the presenters being able to participate. Since it was necessary that a cross section of presenters participate, in order to provide helpful information to everyone present, another date for this important seminar is being planned. Flyers will be distributed and an announcement will be included in an upcoming edition of the Landover Hills Chronicle.
 

Since there are a number of new residents in Town, I shall again take this opportunity to acquaint the new residents with their Ward and Town Council Representative. There are three Wards in the Town of Landover Hills, the following are Town Councilmembers representing the three Wards:
 

Ward I, Vice Mayor Jeannette Ripley and Councilmember Terry A.B. Wilson.
 

Ward II, Councilmembers William Kley and Roderick Kennedy.
 

Ward III, Councilmembers Michael Thompson and Andrew Holloway.
 

All of the above Councilmembers play an important role in your Town Government as your representatives. They are also concerned about issues facing the Town and have spent many long hours in meetings with your Mayor working on solutions to problems. Know your Town Councilmember and Ward Representative and feel free to contact them about your concerns.
 

The above elected officials in addition to other key support personnel, the Town Manager Mrs. Kathleen Tavel and the Town Chief of Police Henry G. Norris, are also important persons to become acquainted with; in addition to all other personnel affiliated with the Town of Landover Hills.
 

The upcoming Town Meeting will be held on Monday, July 17, 2000 at 7:30 p.m.. Your presence and participation is always invited.
 

If you have a disability and require any aid, services or removal of barriers in order to fully participate in a Town of Landover Hills meeting or event please call Town Hall @ 301-773-6401.

Landover Hills 3^rd Annual National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2000 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Landover Hills Town Hall. There will be crime prevention related displays, games for the kids and much more. Please join us !
 

Riverdale Park Farmer's Market- is open every Thursday from 3- 7 p.m. through October. This is a producers only market, which includes fruits, vegetables, baked goods, herbs, flowers and a variety of craft vendors throughout the season. Come support local agriculture and enjoy the friendly atmosphere at Riverdale Park Town Center. It is located at the intersections of Queensbury Road and Rhode Island Avenue. (Next to the Riverdale Park Marc Train station.

Best Wishes are extended to Ms. Lenore A. Walker, daughter of Mayor Lee P. Walker and Mrs. Joyce L. Walker who was married to Mr. Daniel O. Yeboah, in a church wedding on Saturday, July 1, 2000.
 

Get Well Wishes go out to Mrs.Bolster of Varnum Street. We wish you a speedy recovery.

There is a $20.00 charge for the removal of appliances such as refrigerators, washers and dryers, dishwashers, stoves, hot water heaters and air conditioning units or furnaces. Payment must be made in advance of removal.
 
 

Residents please watch your mailboxes for a postcard from the Prince George's County Department of Environmental Resources outlining changes to the recycling program effective July 1, 2000

With the warm weather finally upon us, here are a few tips on how to protect yourself against Lyme Disease, which is carried by deer ticks.
 

• Remove leaves, brush, and tall grass from around houses and at the edge of gardens.
• Avoid tick infested areas, especially in May, June, and July
• Wear light-colored clothing so that ticks can be spotted more easily.
• Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirts into pants.
• Tape the area where pants and socks meet so that ticks cannot crawl under clothing.
• Wear a hat and a long-sleeved shirt for added protection.
• Walk in the center of trails to avoid overhanging grass and brush.
• Spray insect repellant containing DEET on clothes and on exposed skin other than the face, or treat clothes (especially pants, socks, and shoes) with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact. Note: Before using either product, especially on children, consult your physician.

 

    Independence Day!!
    Each year at this time, Americans from the Aleutians to the Keys prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, the birthday of our great country- the United States of America. On July 4, 1776, we declared our independence from England. That day saw the beginning of a journey that's brought us through struggles and adversity to become the proud and strong nation we are today. On the Fourth of July we remember who we are, where we've come from and what we've accomplished as a people. And so to the citizens of Landover Hills, we invite you to celebrate on July 4, 2000.
    Happy Birthday, America!!!!
    Famous  quotes of famous americans:
    "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal"- Thomas Jefferson
 
    "I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." - Patrick Henry

Fireworks Safety!!!

    At this time of the year and until after the fourth of July there are a lot of fireworks that are possessed and ignited. According to Prevent Blindness America, nearly 13,000 fireworks victims keep hospitals busy every year. More than half of those injured are children. Fireworks not only injure users, but also 40 percent of fireworks mishaps injure bystanders.

    The three types of fireworks that keep hospital emergency rooms busy during this holiday period are bottle rockets, firecrackers, and sparklers. Bottle rockets and firecrackers can fly in any direction prior to exploding and sparklers burn at temperatures hot enough to melt gold.

    One of the reasons fireworks injuries continue to occur is because people just don't consider how dangerous these devices can be. People often don't realize- until they're injured- that the risk of blindness or injury outweighs the excitement of taking risks with fireworks. And giving fireworks to young children can mean a trip to the hospital emergency room.

    The Prince George's County Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department reminds all citizens that not only are fireworks deadly and dangerous- they're illegal.

    Brochures are being distributed and signs are being posted around the county stating that all forms of fireworks, including firecrackers, snakes, sparklers and bottle rockets are prohibited.

    The Law states officially that "It is illegal for any person to manufacture, possess, store, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell, discharge, use, burn or explode any fireworks in Prince George's County, except that an authorized display may be conducted by a licensed fireworks shooter...Penalties for violations of the law include a fine up to $1000 and/or six months in jail.

    Bomb squad members and arson investigators will be patrolling the Prince George's/ Washington D.C. border looking for citizens attempting to bring fireworks into the County.

    The Fire and Medical Departments also point out that injuries involving fireworks can be devastating as well as debilitating. They include burns, cuts, loss of hearing, blindness, loss of fingers and hands and gross disfigurement.

    Thousands of people are injured and sometimes killed due to accidents involving fireworks. Children are the ones most frequently injured, say officials. Injuries are often caused when clothing catches fire or fireworks explode prematurely while still in the child's hand.

    In addition fireworks contribute to millions of dollars in property damage every year.

    Soooo!!! We at the Landover Hills Police Department would like for you to have a safe and glorious Independence day and safe month of July.