Landover Hills Chronicle
Landover Hills Newsletter	June 2001

    Since many of the streets in Town have been re-paved, there are still reports of motorists driving at excessive speeds through Town; particularly along 72^nd Avenue and Allison Street, which has become a throughway for many motorists. A school bus driver was recently reported for driving at excessive speeds through Allison Street. As stated in the March, 2001, Landover Hills Chronicle newsletter, any concerns about school bus drivers should be reported to Mr. Kenneth Savoid's office. Mr. Savoid, who spoke at our March 2001 Town Meeting, is the Director of the Prince George's County School bus program. The phone number to call for school bus concerns, as stated in the March 2001, Letter from the Mayor article is 301-952-6572.
 

    On Saturday, July 14, 2001, the third annual "Summer Health Fest 2001" will be held at Prince George's Community College, 301 Largo Road, Largo, Maryland, from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Healthfest activities will include the following topics: Teen Health Summit, Health Screening, Kids Korner, Walk for Life, Exhibit Hall/Free Information, keynote speakers, Ask a Doc, Ride for Wellness and many more topics. "Summer Health Fest 2001", will focus upon the participation of residents of municipalities in addition to all residents of Prince George's County. All Town of Landover Hills residents are invited to actively participate in "Summer Health Fest 2001" activities.
 

    Present at the Town Meeting of June 18, 2001 will be representatives from the Bellmeade, Glenridge, Radient Valley and Woodlawn Civic Associations. Reports will also be given on petitions for the Landover Hills Community and Learning Center.
 

    As a follow-up to the announcement in last month's Chronicle Newsletter, Senator Paul S. Pinsky, who represents Landover Hills In District 22B, will be speaking on the 2001 Legislative Session, which recently ended. The topic of redistricting will be discussed.
 

    We look forward to the active participation of Town of Landover Hills residents at the June 18, 2001, town meeting.
 

                                                                                                Mayor Lee P. Walker

• Budget and Tax Rate Hearing at 7:15 p.m.

• Senator Paul Pinsky will be our guest speaker.

 
• 2002 Budget Ordinance

 
• 2001 Budget Amendment Ordinance

 

    A new state law requires the Town to make drastic reductions in property tax rates for the tax year beginning July 1, 2001. The change is part of the state's transition to a property tax system based on full market value property assessments. Previously, tax rates have been applied to assessments at 40% of the market value for real property.
 

    What does this mean for the average resident? Not very much. While the proposed tax rate will drop from $1.00 per $100 of assessed value, to $0.40 per $100 of assessed value, the total amount paid in taxes should remain the same because the full value of the property is being taxed as opposed to just a fraction of the value.

The Moonlighters, Friday, June 29, 7:30 pm- Bring a friend, blanket, and/or chair and enjoy a free musical performance on the west wing lawn. The Moonlighter's play blues, oldies, jazz and swing. Montpelier Mansion Grounds; Route 197 & Montpelier Drive, Laurel FREE.
 

Journey Into Jug Bay's Past, Saturday, June 30, 10 am - 12 Noon- Learn about the history of the area while riding in a pontoon boat on the scenic Patuxent River. Patuxent River Park, 16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro. Fee $3 Reservations required. Information 301-627-6074.
 

Independence Day Celebration, July 7, from 11am to 10pm in Laurel. The event features a parade, games, music and fireworks. This year's celebration will include a car show. Call 301-725-5300.
 

Annual Antique ,Classic, Rod and Custom, You name it! Car, Van Truck, Fire truck and Motorcycle Show- July 28- Aug.3 will be held from 9am - 4 pm at the Branchville Volunteer Fire Department, 4905 Branchville Road, College park. Pre-registration costs $10 before July 1 and $12 after July 1. Vendor spots costs $25. Call 301-336-2227.
 

Prince George's County Fair, Sept 4-9 will be held at the Equestrian Center, 14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro.

Congratulations to Jessie Manuel and Christie Walker who will both graduate from Ascension Lutheran's 8^th grade this June.
 

Best Wishes and Congratulations to all of the Town's graduates!!
 

Belated Birthday Wishes to Joyce Walker who celebrated her birthday on May 31^st!
 

Our sympathies are extended to the family of Carol Flemion who passed away on March 12^th of this year. Carol worked for the Town for many years in the office and will always be remembered for her smile and helpfulness. She will be missed by all.

The Mosquitos are back!! Please keep your yards free of standing water. We have recently had a few complaints about unused pools in backyards that are full of stagnant water. If you are no longer using a pool TAKE IT DOWN!. At a minimum, drain the pool and cover it to prevent any more water from collecting.
 

The Asian Tiger Mosquitos that are plaguing this area can carry West Nile Virus. It is up to everyone to eliminate all water sources to prevent breeding.
 

One sign that West Nile Virus may be in an area is the discovery of dead birds, especially crows and starlings. If you should find a dead bird that has no visible signs of injury, please call 1-866-866-2769. This a hotline number set up by the State of Maryland. They will direct you on what to do with the bird.

Officers do not want to give out tickets, but they do want to save lives. You can avoid a ticket by buckling up on every trip, every time you get in the car, no matter how close your destination is.

Seat belts save lives. In statistics from 1999, motor vehicle occupant restraints saved the lives of an estimated 11,197 people over the age of four. If all passenger vehicle occupants over the age of four used proper restraints, an additional 9,553 lives could have been saved in 1999.
 

In 1999, nearly 19,000 unrestrained drivers and passengers died in traffic crashes-----more than 3,000 of them were children.
 

In 1999, more than 60 percent of the children killed in traffic crashes were completely unrestrained.
 

Seat belts reduce the risk of death for front seat occupants in passenger cars by 45 percent and the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50 percent.
 

Strong enforcement of adult seat belt laws saves not only adults, but also children. The American Academy of Pediatrics found that a restrained driver was three times more likely to restrain a child. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration observational research shows that when a driver buckles up, children are 87 percent of the time. However, when a driver is unbuckled, children are restrained only 24 percent of the time.
 

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for African American children through the age of 14. Crashes are the second leading cause of death for African Americans ages 15-24.
 

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Hispanics through age 24, and the second leading cause of death for Hispanics ages 25-44.
 

With these statistics and information in mind, I would encourage all of you parents, non parents and occupants of vehicles in general to please buckle up as the life you save could be your own or one of your children. For you young drivers, it is your responsibility to make sure that all of your passengers are buckled before you start off on your ride. (A note for everyone, sometimes when involved in an accident, and you sustain injuries which can be determined were from not being buckled in could result in your insurance carrier not paying for the injury bills because you were not buckled in).
 

In the next several months, during the holiday weekends, there will be an increase in the number of officers watching for violations and giving no warnings, So, be safe and buckle up.