The Maryland Mayor's Association representing the Mayors of 157 Cities and Towns throughout the state, held its 9^th Annual Winter Conference, from January 30, 2003 to February 1, 2003, in Annapolis Maryland.
 

The major topic of discussion during the conference was the impact of the recently released Maryland State Budget; which included major cuts in aid to municipal governments as the new Ehrlich administration attempts to address the budget deficit exceeding 1 billion dollars. Although, this budget document points out the overall increases in aid to local governments, the increases are for the most part confined to the areas of education and libraries; programs that do not affect Maryland's incorporated cities and towns.
 

The following are portions of the FY 2004 state budget which have potentially negative impacts upon municipal governments.
 

• Withholding from local governments $102.4 million dollars in Highway User Funds. The cost to municipal governments in FY 2004 is $12,267,074 according to an analysis recently prepared by the Maryland Department of Legislative Services.

• Withholding $10 million dollars in circuit breaker tax credit reimbursement payments to local governments, to help pay for the administrative cost of the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. The impact to municipalities could be as high as $0.5 million.

 
• Transfer to the state's general fund $29.9 million dollars from the local share of Program Open Space (POS) funds. Total municipal losses will vary depending on what projects were planned for the coming year. However, it is estimated that there will be a 50% reduction to municipalities in FY2004.

 
• Transfer to the state's general fund of 8 million dollars in the current fiscal year and 10 million dollars in FY 2004, from the Waterway Improvement Program. Municipal impacts could approach 2.0 million dollars.

 
• Elimination of the Department of Natural Resources Community Parks and Playgrounds grant program. Since its inception two years ago, the program has provided approximately 11 million dollars to local governments, with about 60% or 3.2 million dollars of the funds going to municipalities in FY 2003 and 91% or 4.3 million dollars in FY 2002.

 

If the proposed budget cuts go through, they will have a negative impact upon the Town of Landover Hills' budget; in addition to all of the municipalities throughout the state.
 

Letters will be written to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, expressing concern regarding the proposed budget cuts, and the negative impact the proposed cuts will have on municipalities.
 

Residents participation is greatly needed at this time. All residents are urged to get involved, through writing letters to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor and/or your legislative representatives (Senator and Delegates).
 

The next Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. Residents are urged to come out and participate in your Town Meetings.
 

Mayor Lee P. Walker

The next town election will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2003. One Council seat from each Ward will be up for election as well as the seat of Mayor. All positions elected in 2003, shall serve a four year term which will end in 2007.
 

Anyone who is currently registered with the Board of Election Supervisors of Prince George's County and whose registration displays a Landover Hills address shall be eligible to vote in the Town election. Mail-in voter registration forms may be obtained at the Landover Hills Town Hall. Absentee ballots may be requested in writing. Absentee ballots must be received at the Landover Hills Town Hall, 6904 Taylor Street, Landover Hills, MD 20784, no later than Monday, May 12, 2003 at 4 p.m.

Qualifications

Any candidate wishing to run for the office of Mayor must have resided in the Town for at least one year (1) year immediately preceding their election and shall be a qualified voter of the Town.
 

Any candidate wishing to run for the office of Council member must have resided in their Ward for at least one year immediately preceding their election and shall be qualified voters of the Town. They must maintain residence in the Ward they represent during their entire term of office.
 

Declaration of Candidacy

Any person wishing to be a candidate for an elected office must submit to the Town Manager not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the election a petition under oath in support of his/her candidacy setting forth the following:
 

1. The candidate is a registered voter of the Town.
 

2. The candidate will have attained the required age (21) for the office he/she is seeking on or before the Election Day.
 

3. The candidate has been a resident of the Town (or Ward if running for Councilmember) for one year immediately precedingthe date of election.
 

4. The Ward in which the candidate resides and the number of years he/she resided in that ward.
 

5. The name of the office sought.
 

Petitions can be picked up at Town Hall. Petitions no longer require signatures from residents in the candidate's ward.

February 13, 2003- the first day that candidacy petitions may be submitted to the Town Manager
 

March 28, 2003- last day candidacy petitions may be submitted to the Town Manager
 

April 14, 2003- last day to register to vote for the May 13, 2003 election.
 

May 12, 2003- last day absentee ballots will be accepted.
 

May 13, 2003- Election Day

Town Hall will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2003 for the President's Day holiday. There will be NO YARD WASTE PICK-UP ON MONDAY FEB. 17th.

.Basket Bingo- St. Mary's Catholic School is hosting a Basket Bingo on Friday, February 21^st from 7-10 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.). Tickets are $15.00-- must be 18 years or older. Bonus Deal! If you purchase at least five tickets in advance, you will receive an additional ticket absolutely free! Event is being held in the parish Burgundy Room (handicapped accessible) located on Route 450 and Ardwick-Ardmore Road, Landover Hills. Tickets/Information: 301-577-0031 or web-site: www.stmaryslandoverhills.org.
 

Diversity Career Job Fair- February 22, 10:00-3:00 p.m. Addressing the employment needs of the Metropolitan Area. Various employers from the Greater Washington area will be on hand. Presented by M-NCPPC, Prince George's County and Prince George's Community College. For further information call 301-454-1411. For adults and young adults, Free.
 

Healthcare Focus Group-Is quality health care a topic of interest to you? Make a point to attend a Focus Group to discuss your interests and ours on this topic and related issues. Gift cards for groceries will be provided for those who pre-register AND attend.

One hour meetings held January- April at Walker Mill Health Center, the Spaulding Library and the District Heights Municipal Building. Call 301-599-0460, extension 109 for additional information and registration.

When filing your income tax forms, please indicate that you reside in the Town of Landover Hills. Your subdivision number 1726, should appear on the forms. This allows the State of Maryland to share local income taxes with local governments. Your efforts will not increase your tax obligations but will ensure that Landover Hills receives its appropriate share.

I would like to share an article with you from the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It is titled "How Can I Help Prevent My Child From Being Abducted?"
 

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention reports that in 57 percent of the cases of abduction, the victims of child-abduction murder, are victims of opportunity. As parents search for ways to keep their children safer, it is worth noting that reducing the opportunities for abduction will help prevent those occurrences. The rules that many adults lived with in their childhood no longer apply in today's world. Parents should know where their children are at all times, whom their children are with, and not let their children go places alone.
 

As parents, you should openly answer your children's questions about safety and look for opportunities to include your children in your safety plan. Practice what-if scenarios with your children and include them in securing your home. These steps will help empower the child and reinforce the safety message.
 

The tips noted below will help parents lessen the opportunity for abduction and kidnapping and better safeguard their children.
 

1. Teach your children to run away from danger, never towards it. Danger is anyone or anything that invades their personal space. Teach them to yell loudly. Teach your children that if they are ever followed in a car to turn around and run in the other direction to you or another trusted adult.

2. Never let your children go places alone, and always supervise your young children or make sure there is a trusted adult present to supervise them if you cannot. Make sure your older children always take a friend when they go somewhere.

3. Know where your children are and whom they are with at all times. Remind children never to take anything or respond in any way if approached by someone they don't know. Teach them to run away as quickly as they can to you or another trusted adult.

4. Talk openly to your children about safety and encourage them to tell you or another trusted adult if anyone or anything makes them feel frightened, confused, or uncomfortable.

5. Practice what you teach by creating "what-if" scenarios with your children.

6. Consider installing an alarm system in your home with a monitoring feature.

7. Make your children part of securing your home. Demonstrate any alarms or locks on doors and windows.

8. Have a list of family members who could be contacted in case of an emergency.

9. Be alert to and aware of your surroundings.

10. Know your coworkers and employees.

11. Consider varying your daily routines and habits.

12. Take steps to secure personal information about yourself.

13. Report any suspicious persons or activities to law enforcement.

14. Remember that you are your best resource for better safeguarding your family.
 

If you have any questions about this article or if we can be of service on this topic, please call the police department at 301-773-6400.

The Town of Landover Hills is now accepting paid advertisements from local businesses. The cost of a 2"x 3" (1/3 column) ad is twenty dollars ($20.00) per publication. If you are interested in placing an ad, please call Town hall @ 301-773-6401, Monday through Friday, nine to five.

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Come and Celebrate Our...Grand Opening Friday February 14^th 11 am- 12 midnight
 

Bring the Family

De'Ranch Restaurant & Carryout

3511 Maryland Ave. Landover 301-773-5444
 

Curry Chicken, Jerk Chicken, Oxtail. 15% Senior Citizen's Discount EVERYDAY!We've Got the Food!

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