Letter From the Mayor

Congratulations are in order to all residents who fulfilled their civic duty by completing their Census 2000 forms and returning them to the Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Any residents who have not yet completed their Census forms are urged to do so, and fulfill this very important civic responsibility.
 

For some years now the Town of Landover Hills has been participating in the Prince George's County Curbside Recycling Program. Residents are aware that the County's Curbside program collects aluminum cans, bimetal food containers, plastic narrow necked bottles, glass and newspapers. Beginning July 1, 2000, the new collection contracts will provide for the collection of telephone books, magazines and glossy periodicals. The County will mail a brochure to all town residents which will describe all the changes in Curbside Recycling Program. Any residents who have questions about this program should call the County's Department of Environmental Resources, Waste Reduction Section, at 301-883-5045.
 

There is still concern about persons who disobey traffic laws by speeding through Town. Drivers who speed can cause injury to other persons or damage to property. The Landover Hills Police Department is continuing to monitor persons who speed through the Town; the installation of cameras is also being considered as a deterrent to drivers who risk injury to others and damage to property by disobeying traffic laws.
 

In last month's Chronicle there was mention of a Home Ownership Seminar. A home information and ownership seminar is being planned for Tuesday, May 23, 2000. During this seminar helpful information will be provided to persons who are interested in owning their own home, in addition to persons who already own their own home. Further information will be provided in next month's Chronicle; also flyers will be distributed throughout the area.
 

We look forward to your participating in the upcoming Town Meeting on Monday, April 17, 2000.
 

                                                                                                                            Mayor Lee P. Walker
 

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.
 

Street Work- Town Manager Kathleen Tavel stated that she had talked with Ed Jankewisc from the Prince George's County Department of Public Works. The road resurfacing scheduled for the Town will begin sometime in June. The roads scheduled to have paving and/or concrete work done are 72^nd Avenue, 71^st Avenue and Varnum Street.
 

Curbside Recycling Contract Changes- Beginning on July 1, 2000, the new contract for recycling will go into effect. Under this new contract magazines and phone books will be collected. Information concerning the changes will be sent to each residence prior to July 1.
 

Personnel Rules/ General Orders

The Mayor and Council agreed that the Town's insurance company , Local Government Insurance Trust, should review the drafts of the Personnel Rules and General Orders. Once LGIT reviews them, the Town attorney will "fine tune" the documents.
 
 

The Prince George's County Municipal Association (PGCMA) is offering scholarships to Prince George's residents. The entire application and letters of recommendation are due no later than May 5, 2000. Selection of the scholarships will be made by a county wide selection committee and will be announced by mid May.

Student Eligibility

Applicant must have acceptance or be currently enrolled in a college or university in a graduate or undergraduate program intended to prepare students for a career in governmental or public service.

Applicant must have good scholastic standing, ie. At least a 2.0.

Applications are available at Town Hall. Come by between 9-5 to pick one up or call 301-773-6401 and we will be happy to mail one to you.
 

Landover Hills Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 22, 2000 at 11 a.m.. Prizes for gold and silver egg. All ages welcome. Rain or shine (hunt is outdoors so dress appropriately). Raffle. Town Hall, 6904 Taylor Street, Landover Hills.
 

Baysox Tickets- Still available for June 3^rd at 7:05 p.m. Baysox vs Reading Phillies. Fireworks after game. Box seats $10.00/ Regular admission $6.00. Tickets available at Town Hall. Join your neighbors for a great night out!
 

Old Bowie Antique & Craft Fling, April 30, Rte. 564 and Chestnut Avenue. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free. 301-262-3743
 

26^th Annual Upper Marlboro Antiques Show- May 5,6,7- Marlboro Tobacco Market (2^nd Warehouse in from Rte 301 on Md Rte 725), Fri. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
 

Adult Botany Walks, April 25^th, Watkins Nature Center, 301 Watkins Park Dr. Upper Marlboro. 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. Free. Reservations required. 301-249-6202.

Neighborhood News

Our sympathies are extended to the family of Mary Geer, of 71^st Avenue, who passed away in February.
 
 
 

Congratulations to Diadina Fraticelli , of Varnum Street, on the birth of her son, Carlos Julian Fraticelli, on March 7, 2000.
 

Congratulations to Destiny Karras, of 71^st Avenue, on her acceptance to Frostburg University!She will be a Freshman this coming Fall.
 

Congratulations to Amber Twinam, of Beall St., who was awarded First Place (primary school students) for her project "The Growth of Butterflies" in the St. Mary's Catholic School Annual Education Fair.
 

Landover Hills "Avon Lady"

If you are interested in purchasing Avon products, please contact Elizabeth Hawkins at 301-731-4019

If you have a birthday, anniversary or any "event" you'd like mentioned in the Newsletter, please call us at 301-773-6401.

Spring is here, trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and everyone is spending more time outdoors. Spring is also the time we begin our code enforcement inspections throughout the Town.
 

The purpose of code enforcement is to keep Landover Hills an attractive community that does not give the appearance of being run down. When a community has junk cars, overgrown grass, peeling paint, etc.; it invites unwelcome visitors and crime. We 're not here to hassle but to help.
 

We would like to bring your attention to some of the things we look for when we drive through the Town. Try to do a self examination of your property and see if any of the items mentioned pertain to your home or property. If you find a violation and you are working on correcting it, please call and let us know. We will note it in our files and work with you.
 

If by chance you receive a letter or a violation notice, please note the compliance date. This is the date that the violation must be corrected by. If you need additional time, please call the office, we will work with you.
 

Things we look for:
 

1) Tall grass and weeds
 

2) Trash, debris and junk lying around the exterior of the house and in the yard. This includes the porch area.

UNREGISTERED,

UNTAGGED, JUNKED VEHICLES (if they are under a tarp or cover, they MUST BE TAGGED). If your vehicle is housed in Maryland you must have the vehicle registered in Maryland or you must have a non-resident parking permit from the Motor Vehicle Administration.
 

4) Peeling paint on windows, porches, exterior of the house, trim on the house, sheds and garages.
 

Erosion: areas that need

grass or ground cover planted to keep the soil from eroding.
 

6) Screens: did you know that you must have screens on open windows and doors?
 

7) Parking on the grass area of the yard. You must park in an improved driveway. This means the driveway must have gravel, asphalt or concrete. You cannot park in the grass portion of your yard.
 

8) Cracked, curling, missing shingles on roofs.
 

9) Fences: Is your fence standing upright or is it about to fall down? If the fence is wood, are all of the boards intact or are they rotten or possibly missing?
 

10) Dead trees.
 

The Town Code covers many other areas, but the aforementioned are the violations that are cited most often.
 

Do you own a dog? Remember dogs and cats are required to be licensed with Prince George's County Animal Control and they must have their rabies shot. Don't forget the leash law! "It shall be unlawful for the owner or custodian of any animal to permit the animal to run at large or be at large". (printed from the summary of Prince George's County Animal Control Laws.
 

And for the final topping: Trash must be placed in a receptacle with a lid. If you need a new recycling bin, please call: 301-952-7630.

"I received a telephone call last evening from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Technician who was conducting a test on telephone lines. He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine (9), zero (0), the pound sign (#) and then hang up."
 

I was suspicious and refused. Upon contacting the telephone company, I was informed that by pushing 9 0 #, you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to your home phone number.
 

I was further informed that this scam has been originating from many local jails/prisons. I have also verified this information with UCB telecom, Pacific Bell, MCI, Bell Atlantic and GTE.
 

Please be aware. DO NOT press 9 0 # for ANYONE.
 
 

                                                                                    By Chief Henry Norris
 

Well, here we are again..."Spring Break" is here and summer is just around the corner. The excitement of spring vacation and summer fun plays a part in the life of all of us. Children being out of school help us plan trips, visit friends, go to the beach, go fishing, take vacations and do many things we look forward to and maybe some things we haven't tried before. It is a good time for family activities and family "bonding". Now being a parent of teenagers myself, I know that sometimes it can be difficult to make plans for the family that are agreeable with the kids. That is especially true if we are talking about a short outing like a picnic, a trip to the zoo or museum or even a trip to the park. More often then not, a response like "I don't want to do that.... I'd rather go to a friends house to play(or whatever)", will follow. Don't be discouraged, feel insulted or "dissed". The fact remains that such activities are important and as parents, we must try to encourage each family members involvement. I do not want to give the impression that I have all the answers when family disagreements arise. I can however, suggest a couple of things that might help. First of all, try to collectively pick an activity that all will enjoy and take an active part in. Second, try to agree on a day when the activity will take place, (making sure you pick a back up or rain date). With everyone taking part in the planning of a family event or activity, the acceptance level is likely to increase and resistance to ideas reduced. Thirdly, and probably most important, plan in advance and BE WILLING TO LISTEN, NEGOTIATE AND COMPROMISE. In summary, get everyone involved in the planning. Lay out some ground rules so that everyone will participate, listen to each other, and be willing to negotiate and then compromise on some of the issues. Try it, share the experience and have some great spring break and summer family activities. In line with the spring/summer fun I previously mentioned, I must remind everyone that along with an increase in outdoor activities such as swimming, boating etc., an increase in potential accidents also exists. Accidents don't happen on purpose. There is a reason any accident occurs and to apply logic after the fact isn't going to correct the damage that was done or the injuries that were suffered. The only way to avoid accidents is to act and think "safety as well as accident prevention". Keep Safety and accident prevention first in all your summer activities. One final item that I would like to bring to your attention is that at the last Town Council Meeting, I as well as the Mayor and Town Council had the pleasure of handing out some Certificates of Appreciation to some town residents as well as some non residents. We would like to again say Thank you all for helping make your town a better place to live by showing that you care about your neighborhood and town and we all wish you a safe and happy spring.