Town residents who have occasion to drive east on Annapolis Road (Route 450) toward the beltway, will notice that median road construction is currently taking place approximately one half mile from the Town. This median road enhancement by the State Highway Administration mentioned in prior editions of the Landover Hills Chronicle Newsletter, will proceed west along Annapolis Road to the Baltimore Washington Parkway. The intersection of Route 450, 72^nd Avenue and Greenvale Parkway, also mentioned in earlier editions of the Chronicle Newsletter, will be permanently enhanced by the current median construction.
 

A further word of thanks to all Town residents who received awards for their service to the Town of Landover Hills, during the Town Meeting on Monday, June 16, 2003. These residents are:

• Mr. Tom Geer
• Mr. Mike Herr
• Mr. Andy Holloway
• Mrs. Fran Motta
• Mr. & Mrs. Todd Over
• Mr. & Mrs. James Pilkerton
• Mrs. Eva Richardson
• Mrs. Naomi Robison
• Mr. Jeff Schomisch
• Mrs. Sheila Skinner
• Mr. Mike Walker
• Mr. Joe Williams

 

A hearty welcome to newly elected Ward II Councilmember Gary Rowe, who has served a number of years as an election judge, and who replaced former Councilmember Kley.
 

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly constructed Town of Landover Hills Playground on Thursday, August 21, 2003, at 11 a.m. Governor Robert Ehrlich, County Executive Jack Johnson and other elected officials have been invited to participate. All residents are invited and encouraged to come out and be included in this ribbon cutting ceremony.
 

Best wishes to residents who will be vacationing for a happy and safe vacation period. Remember to secure your home prior to going on vacation.
 

School is out, drive carefully!
 

The next Town Meeting will be on Monday, July 21, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. Come out and participate.
 

Mayor Lee P. Walker

The Town of Landover Hills went into the trash business approximately 9 years ago with the purchase of 2 trash trucks. Being responsible for trash pick-up has its positive points but an even greater amount of drawbacks.
 

The most positive point was that we had the ability to pick up anything at anytime because we had the means to do it. But over the years that has come at a greater and greater cost. When the trucks were new, repair costs were minimal. This past year, repairs on the two trash trucks were over $25,000.
 

Other costs have skyrocketed as well. Since 9/11 all of the town's insurances, health, property, vehicle and especially Wokmen's Compensation have more than doubled. The final straw however was when the State of Maryland cut the Highway User fees to the Town by $23,000.
 

All local governments from the State of Maryland to the smallest towns had a very difficult time balancing their budgets this year. The Mayor and Council put out a "Request for proposals" for trash collection to see if an outside contractor could pick up the Town's trash at a lower cost to the Town. When all the bids were in, it was clear that the most fiscally responsible move the Town could make was to contract out for trash removal. This would allow the trash user fee to remain the same and also save the town almost $40,000 in salaries, insurance costs and related items.
 

This was not an easy decision to make. Moving to a contractor would also mean saying goodbye to two long time employees who's positions were eliminated in the 2003/2004 budget and the eventual sale of the trash trucks. We would like to offer our wishes for future success to Mr. Robert Frazier and Mr. Clay Anderson. Their last day with the Town was June 30^th.
 

The new trash company (Bate's Trucking) started on July 1. Because we are not the only trash that they pick up (they also contract with District Heights and Cottage City), we are not always going to have our trash picked up in the mornings as was evident this past week. There is going to be an adjustment period for them (not missing any streets) and for us (to be patient and realize that they may be getting to us in the afternoon).
 

The only changes to the service that all residents need to be aware of is that yard waste will now be picked up on Wednesdays and bulk trash will be picked up every Wednesday.
 

Please be mindful that like before loose limbs piled curbside will not be picked up. They need to be tied in manageable bundles or placed in trash cans.
 

If you experience any problems with trash pick-up please call Town Hall @ 301-773-6401.

Vacation Bible Camp- July 28- August 8- 10 am - 1 pm- Two weeks of summer fun! Super Cool Undersea Bible Adventure (SCUBA). Christ United Methodist Church, 69^th Avenue and Annapolis Road, Landover Hills. (301) 773-5589.
 

Anacostia River Boat Tours: pontoon boat rides down the river to look for wildlife, learn about the marsh and river ecology, and understand the effects of human activities. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 12 noon- 12:45. Also Sundays, 7:00-7:45 pm. FREE. No advance reservations; sign up when you arrive at the park. Bladensburg Water Front Park.
 

Annapolis Road Economic Study Community Workshop- The MNCPPC has begun an economic study of the Annapolis Road (MD 450) Corridor from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to the Capital Beltway. Annapolis Road is one of seven corridors recommended for further study in the 2002 General Plan. This is the first of several community workshops to be held regarding the Annapolis Road study.
 

When: Wednesday, July 23, 2003

6:30 pm to 9 pm

Doors will open at 6 pm for viewing maps and other information.

Where: Landover Hills Volunteer Fire Station 30, 6801 Annapolis Road (Parking is available on-site and on Webster Street)

Who Should Attend:

Residents, property owners, merchants and elected officials

Purpose of Workshop:

• To inform the public about the Annapolis Rd. Corridor Planning Study
• To provide background information about the Annapolis Rd. Corridor in relation to major development opportunities.
• To solicit public comment on real estate and business development issues and opportunities facing the corridor.

 

I hope everyone had a good Fourth of July. Even though the Fourth of July is over and fireworks are illegal in Prince George's County, you will still see and hear some people setting them off. Remind your children that fireworks, including firecrackers and sparklers, can burn them severely and they are a type of explosive.
 

We are finally experiencing some sun and warmer days after a very long rainy spell. Remember the temperature in a closed car will climb over 120 degrees. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CHILDREN OR PETS IN A CLOSED CAR. This can prove deadly for them and criminal for you.
 

The Town of Landover Hills has installed a very nice playground for the neighborhood children. This was done to give families the opportunity to bring their children to the playground and utilize the adjoining park and tennis court. I regret to tell you that the park has already been vandalized. Someone wrote graffiti all over the equipment. Please help us keep this playground clean. Speak to your children, ask if they saw anyone vandalizing the playground and please let us know.
 

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 5, 2003. The Town of Landover Hills will once again participate in National Night Out. This is a nationwide event to bring citizens together to meet their neighbors, law enforcement agencies and public officials to show unification against criminal acts in their town. Please join us from 6:00 pm until 8:00 p.m. at the Landover Hills Town Hall parking lot. We will have other law enforcement agencies joining us with displays and demonstrations. There will be face painting, fingerprinting for children, see how fast you can throw a softball (we'll clock you by radar), food, music, games and a lot more. We will also have the new computers and video cameras on display that were recently installed in our police cruisers. Hope to see all of you there.
 

On a final note, anyone who has received a painting notice or a notice to repair a damaged fence, the deadline to complete repairs is July 31^st.

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