july2026_hyattsville_web

Teen center scheduled to open this fall

By HEATHER WRIGHT

The city’s new teen center, located at 40th Avenue and Nicholson Street, is now slated to open this fall, according to city staff.

“The Community Services and Public Works Departments are finalizing furniture purchases and moving items in,” city spokesperson Cindy Zork said in an email to the Life & Times (L&T). “Staff will move supplies and materials from the Recreation Center at Driskell Park after summer camp ends in August.”

Zork added that the city hopes all youth and teen programming can operate out of the 40th Avenue center by this October. “The Community Services team will test a day’s worth of camp programming in the space over the summer to address any remaining issues with the building’s operations,” she noted. Then the Driskell Park Recreation

New county school superintendent plans to spread excellence

By KIT SLACK

The president of the Prince George’s County teacher’s union has worked with three superintendents over the past five years.

“This one is definitely the best,” Donna Christy said at a press conference June 1, gesturing to interim superintendent Shawn Joseph, who shared a stage with her and SEE SUPERINTENDENT ON 12 

CAR TALK: Hyattsville police testing all-electric patrol cars, P. 4

OUT, DAMN GNAT:

Nontoxic ways to combat mosquitoes this summer, P. 11

Hyattsville Community Development Corporation supports many beloved local events, such as the Hyattsville Arts Festival, previously called "Arts & Ales."

With new leadership, Hyattsville CDC looks to increase visibility

By NIGEL F. MAYNARD

There is a good chance the average Hyattsville resident doesn’t know what the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation (HyCDC) is or what it does, but the 26-year-old organization’s impact can be felt throughout the city.

Since its founding in 2000, the HyCDC has had a simple mission, said Stuart Eisenberg, the group’s founding executive director: to develop arts and public spaces, spur economic development and the quality of community life, encourage widespread lead-

ership for community revitalization, and rebuild the city’s commercial corridors.

“It should be mentioned that, from [the HyCDC’s] founding, it was understood that the mission was geared, not just to the City of Hyattsville, which is its primary focus, but also to the surrounding, adjacent northern Prince George’s County InnerBeltway region as needed,” Eisenberg said.

“We spent time and resources partnering, managing projects and building capacity with our neighboring jurisdictions and communities.”

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FROM WHERE I STAND

Shakespeare on the porch

By ELINOR STOREY

Iplunked down a box on the porch, wearied by my family’s third move in a year, but thankful to be settling down in Hyattsville. As I turned and looked out, it seemed there was an empty auditorium beneath me, and I could not restrain myself; I began to recite, “All the world’s a stage …” from Shakespeare’s As You Like It. From that moment, I would lie awake at night with visions of Puck twining himself around columns, Jacques grumbling on the steps, Romeo in our flowerbed, Petruchio and Kate kissing on the bench. Alone, nothing much could come of these dreams. But with a community like we had found in Hyattsville over the past year (during my sophomore year of high school), I thought I had a chance at getting something started. I called up my friend Lizzie Pakaluk, who I knew would be up for the project. We quickly began orchestrating rehearsals among our friends, sewing pairs of pantaloons (affectionately dubbed “balloon pants” by the girls in the cast), and hacking up pieces of drywall in the backyard. Just 10 days after my family moved from a rental on 40th Place into our permanent house on 42nd Avenue, the curtains opened upon the Thérèsian Troupe’s first production: The Comedy of Errors.

I am sure that on that day, we did not quite expect to be where we are now. Five years and five full-length Shakespeare plays later, things have changed a bit. That first year, there were 13 girls in the cast. The 50 or so audience members were scattered across our lawn on folding chairs and picnic blankets. The curtains were sketchily hung from the ceiling with ropes. The girls, not having had many lessons in projection, probably got about half of their lines across to the audience. Several of our costumes were cheap princess dresses scrounged from around the neighborhood.

This past June, things looked a bit different. For our fifth and final production, As You Like It, we had about 25 girls in the cast (for one of the plays, we had 33). Over the two nights of performances, we had more than 250 audience members, crammed on our lawn in neat rows of chairs borrowed from St. Jerome Parish (where many of the girls attend Mass). We had proper curtains, hung on curtain tracks that I’d long since installed. Even my grandmother was able to hear each line clearly. And every last costume had been handmade in our attic, with Lizzie and me hunched over the sewing machines through the wee hours of the morning.

I didn’t realize how extraordinary this project was until I left for college this past fall. There, I learned that it’s not exactly “normal” for two high school

June 17 and 18,

girls to direct, produce, make costumes, build sets, and write music in order for a gaggle of girls younger than 16 to act in a Shakespeare play. But that’s exactly what we did. And we owe it to the remarkable community of Hyattsville that, to us, it did seem normal.

Elinor Storey is a resident of Hyattsville and the co-founder and co-director of the Hyattsville-based Thérèsian Troupe.

The views expressed in this column belong to its author. The Life & Times reserves the right to edit “From Where I Stand” submissions for brevity and clarity.

School in Chillum opens new garden, outdoor learning space

By KIT SLACK

Children at a Prince George’s County public elementary school in Chillum have a new outdoor classroom and garden that was five years in the making.

Wildcat Way, named for the mascot of César Chávez Dual Spanish Immersion Elementary School, includes picnic tables, permeable paving, gravel paths, compost bins, raised beds and newly planted native trees and perennials, as well as areas planted to grow into wildflower meadows.

“Today we celebrate not only what's been built, but the generations of learning, discovery, community that will grow here because of it,” Principal Laura Guzman said at a June 15 ribbon-cutting.

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Local parents and master gardeners will help water and maintain the space this summer, once the contractor who installed the plants has helped get them established, according to Kate Wunderlich, a parent at the school and volunteer leader of the project.

Hyattsville artist Wenceslao AlmazanRomero, also a parent at the school, designed the outdoor signage.

At the beginning of the process, students made drawings and had conversations

with designers that helped determine the layout and uses of the space. In recent weeks, students planted wildflowers and tried out nature journals kept in hutches under benches.

The State of Maryland awarded $145,000 in revitalization funds to the project in 2023 through a grant to the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation via the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund.

The foundation Nature Sacred, based in

Annapolis, invested another $70,000 in the project for construction, interpretive signs and programming with students in the space. They also provided design services, helping convert the concept plan made in 2021 by the Neighborhood Design Center into a completed design. The school’s parent-teacher organization contributed $10,000 to the project, as well. Following a permitting process from 2024-25, construction moved forward quickly this winter and spring.

A look back at Hyattsville’s anniversary celebrations

By BRIAN BEARY

As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday on July 4 — and Hyattville popped the cork for its 140th in April — we shine a lens on our city’s milestone anniversaries. How they were celebrated gives glimpses into how Hyattsville saw itself and how others saw it. The book Hyattsville, Our Home Town: 100 Years of Life, Growth and Service in Prince George’s County Maryland, commissioned by then-Mayor Tom Bass for the city’s 100th anniversary, in 1986, is a treasure trove of information, recounting both the lineup that year and how earlier anniversaries were marked.

The parade held for Hyattsville’s 50th anniversary, in 1936, was “the largest in the town’s history,” starting in Bladensburg and wrapping up at Magruder Park (now Driskell Park), with 60 floats and an early model steam engine carrying six local high school girls dressed in period costumes reminiscent of the city’s founding era. Live music came courtesy of the Maryland ROTC, Washington Gas Light Company, National Training School for Boys, and the Drum and Bugle Corps of the Sons of the American Legion. The festivities continued after the parade, with the evening lineup including the Potomac Electric Power Company Glee Club, the Washington Gas Light Band and a dance at the Hyattsville Armory, aka “The Castle” on Baltimore Avenue (now occupied by Crossover Church).

A quarter century later, in celebration of its 75th anniversary, Hyattsville held its Diamond Jubilee Parade on Oct. 10, 1961, with popular WMAL morning radio hosts Frank Harden and Jackson Weaver serving as parade marshalls.

The festivities included fireworks and sporting events, and Mayor Joseph F. Lilly navigated the parade in a convertible. At a time when beauty pageants were popular, Hyattsville’s Miss Diamond Jubilee Patricia Kay Lilly featured prominently. Attending an anniversary-themed community dance at DeMatha Catholic High School cost $5 per person. Maryland Gov. J. Millard Thawes wrote a congratulatory letter to Hyattsville that suggests the early 1960s was a prosperous period for the city. “Through the years, I have watched with great interest and great admiration the development and growth of your city. With a population of approximately 15,000, Hyattsville is now the largest municipality in Prince George’s County,” the governor noted. He gave Hyattsville a gold star for fiscal discipline, writing,

“It is noteworthy that your city is free of indebtedness.” Thawes’ interest in the city’s finances is perhaps not surprising: He previously served as comptroller of Maryland (1950–59) and in his post-gubernatorial life, was state treasurer (1973–75).

For its centenary year, 1986, the city hosted a black-tie gala at the Armory (originally built in 1918 as the local National Guard Armory).

A parade and various festivities took place the week of April 20–26 and included a beard-growing contest, tug of war, a parents-andchildren softball game, magic shows and a swimming race at a local pool. In addition, Hyattsville held a prayer breakfast with guest speaker Steny Hoyer, who had already been a Maryland congressman (District 5) for five years. (Notably, Hoyer retires this year after 45 years in the job — as Maryland’s longest-serving House member.) And as previously mentioned, Mayor Bass commis-

sioned the book Hyattsville, Our Home Town as part of the celebration and memorializing.

President Ronald Reagan penned a congratulatory letter to the city to acknowledge its centennial. He highlighted the city’s efforts to redevelop The Castle in the 1980s — “accomplished through a partnership between the private sector and the State and local governments. This is in the finest American tradition.”

Writing in a characteristically upbeat tone, Reagan said, “The spirit which has built your community is a reflection of the energy which has forged America into a land of wonder.” He added, “Hyattsville is a shining example of enterprise and, best of all, it is home to thousands who love it dearly! Nancy joins me in sending best wishes for continued success.”

For Hyattsville’s 125th anniversary, in 2011, local media outlets reported a sporting

and an arts event held to mark the milestone. On July 31, in then-Magruder Park, two local vintage baseball teams, the Potomac Nine of Washington, D.C., and the Cecil Base Ball Club of Chesapeake City, faced off at a free event sponsored by the city.

On Sept. 23, at the historic Arcade Building, some 120 guests partied away at what was then a construction zone, a renovation underway that ultimately transformed it into what has become the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center on Gallatin Street.

An October 2011 Life & Times article describes the event and notes that County Executive Rushern Baker and State Del. Anne Healey were in attendance. Addressing partygoers, Hyattsville Mayor Marc Tartaro said, “We have to get the Arcade Building finished. It will be a huge asset to have the finished community space for performances and meetings, as well as the ability to televise them.”

What of 2026? While 140 years may not be as big a milestone year as 150 will be, it has not stopped Hyattsville from celebrating in style. An April festival in Driskell Park featured live music, local food and drinks, and fireworks. In a nod to the multimedia age, the city produced an anniversary podcast with Mayor Robert Croslin, along with a short video featuring residents saying what they love most about the city. And Hyattsville is planning a campaign to promote heritage trees that were alive when the city was founded in 1886.

Happy 250th birthday, U.S.A., and party on, Hyattsville!

This is part of a series of highlighting important historical sites and events in and around Hyattsville.

The book Hyattsville, Our Home Town is available to view in hard copy in the Hyattsville Municipal Building on Gallatin Street and at the Hyattsville Branch Library on Adelphi Road.

City police testing electric patrol cars

By NIGEL F. MAYNARD

The Hyattsville Police Department (HPD) is in the midst of a pilot program to determine if an all-electric patrol vehicle is able to withstand the rigors of day-to-day policing.

Troy Bradley, HPD’s fleet and mobile technology manager, said the department is trying to come up with an alternative to gas-powered vehicles and see if an electric squad car would fit within its patrol for daily use.

“Currently,” Bradley said, “we have Ford Explorers and Ford Tauruses, so this would just give us something else that we can utilize within the city.”

According to HPD’s website, the department maintains a fleet of nearly 70 total vehicles that support patrol, investigations, evidence collection, specialized units and administrative functions. The police department owns other electric vehicles, or EVs, including a Chevy Bolt used for parking

enforcement, along with electric bikes and motorcycles. “They are used during community events and patrol when the weather permits,” HPD spokesperson Suzanne Kennedy said.

For the new pilot program, the department purchased two 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicles — “among the few police-rated electric vehicles currently available nationwide,” the HPD site says. (One vehicle is used for training.) These vehicles are made exclusively for law enforcement, and therefore, do not need extra outfitting. “It is the only police pursuit-certified electric vehicle on the market,” Bradley told the Life & Times.

Such cars must have heavy-duty mechanical, electrical and structural components to withstand the rigorous demands of highspeed chases, extreme idling and daily urban patrols.

The electric Blazer was the ideal option, Bradley added, because the vehicle was already equipped

with “upfitting” in mind, so it was already prewired, which saves money on labor and time. Upfitting a police vehicle usually involves adding lights, controllers, sirens and other elements law enforcement might need for daily work and emergency calls.

Each electric vehicle costs $59,000 (in 2023 dollars), compared to $48,000 for a typical Ford Explorer with an internal combustion engine. “So electric cars are significantly more expensive in the beginning because the batteries are not cheap,” Bradley admitted, but said there are many benefits — some that potentially will allow the city to save money in the long term.

The EV squad car has zero emissions during operation — even while idling — up to 60 hours of idle time without fuel use, an estimated range of 270 to 280 miles per charge and reduced maintenance needs, including no oil changes. Most importantly, there is no need to buy gas.

Launched in December 2025, the pilot project is tracking a variety of important performance metrics for one year to ascertain how the vehicle will perform in the field. “I’ve developed what I call the electric vehicle tracker,” Bradley explained. “So, basically, the data that we're using from this tracker is going to determine how successful this program is going to be.”

Among the measurements the department is tracking are shift duration and everything the vehicle is used for during each shift, including emergency calls; battery state of charge at the beginning and end of each shift to make sure that the vehicle can last a full 12-hour shift; charger type utilized (level 1, 2 or 3); odometer readings to track

mileage and usage patterns; environmental factors, such as outside temperature; duty classification (patrol, training, overtime); call volume handled during each shift; and total energy consumption per deployment.

The department is conducting a six-month review to gauge how the program is going so far.

“At the end of [June], I’m going to get some numbers together,” Bradley said. “I want to give the department an update on how well it’s going.”

The pilot program concludes in December 2026. If the electric vehicles perform well, the city will determine whether it can use more of them in fleet operations. “This is also dependent on the charging infrastructure,” Kennedy said.

NEWS BRIEFS

VISIT HYATTSVILLELIFE.COM

Victor Ramirez wins primary for District 2 county council seat

Attorney Victor Ramirez won the county council primary, on June 23, for District 2, which includes Hyattsville, defeating challenger Daniel Armando Jones to succeed Councilmember Wanika Fisher.

Ramirez received 2,273 votes (60.2%), while Armando Jones received 1,503 votes (39.8%), as of June 26 unofficial results.

Ramirez, a Democrat from Hyattsville, was a District 47 state delegate from 2003 to 2011 — one of the first two Latinos elected to the House of Delegates. He served as a state senator for the district from 2011 to 2019. In 2018, he ran for Prince George’s County state’s attorney — the same seat Fisher was seeking in 2026 — but lost in that primary with 27% of the vote. The winner of the primary was Aisha Braveboy, who went on to become state’s attorney and later county executive. (Braveboy won this year’s primary with over 70% of the votes. Although no Republicans ran for county executive in the primary, The Banner has reported that attorney Tonya Sweat has said she will run against Braveboy as an Independent in November.)

In 2022, Ramirez unsuccessfully ran for the same District 2 county council seat he sought, and won, this year. He lost in

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that primary election to Fisher, whose time on the county council will end in December 2026. No Republican candidates stood for the District 2 position in the primary, and Ramirez is expected to be unopposed in the November general election.

The Life & Times reached out to Ramirez for a statement, but had not received one at press time.

City considers ending retirement health benefits for new employees

During the June 8 city council meeting, the city’s Human Resources Department presented a proposal to stop offering retirement health benefits to new city employees.

The city’s Director of Human Resources Jay Joyner noted that the department’s proposal was projected to save the city about $450,000 over the next five years.

According to the presentation, all current city employees and retirees would not lose any retirement health benefits. Current retirees’ contributions would not change, and the city would continue to contribute up to 70% toward retiree and eligible spouse coverage. Spouse, dependent and Medicare coverage would be unaffected. However, once the proposal

goes into effect, new hires will not receive retiree health benefits, capping and ultimately eliminating the city’s expenses towards retirement health benefits.

The city has long offered generous health benefits to its retirees, which have ballooned over time and threatened the city’s budget at least as far back as 2013. Joyner noted that most comparable Maryland jurisdictions offer no retiree health benefits at all.

Other proposed cost-containment measures include requiring retired city employees to enroll in any other employersponsored insurance they have access to, and, beginning FY 2028, setting the city’s contribution to the lowest-cost qualifying benefit plan for retirees.

The city council will vote on the proposal and implementation date at their next meeting, July 13, according to city staff.

New consignment store opens in Arts District

A new consignment store, De Novo (a Latin phrase meaning “anew” or “afresh”), opened on May 29 in the Arts District, at 5101 Baltimore Avenue.

The store offers contemporary and classic women’s shoes, handbags and accessories, along with home goods like candles, soaps and jewelry from local artisans, according to the store’s

website, hellodenovo.com.

Consignors don’t need to make an appointment but can bring up to 15 pieces in for review during normal business hours (Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.). De Novo offers a tiered payout structure, with consignors earning up to 70% of the final sales price.

In June, Hyattsville resident Miriam Phillips posted on a local listserv, “Erin [Meehan Richmond], the owner, did a beautiful job of transforming that odd-shaped space into something artistic and inviting.”

Owner and founder Richmond notes on the website that, with the exception of luxury items, unsold pieces will be donated to Bread for the City’s clothing program, which provides free clothing to lowincome D.C. residents.

In an email to the Life & Times, Richmond said that De Novo will have an official grand opening sometime in the future, but hadn’t yet set a date.

Owner of Piano Man building seeks new

use for landmark

A real estate adviser for the owner of the long-vacant Piano Man Superstore building has asked the College Park City Council to suggest a new use for the Balti-

more Avenue landmark.

"We don't actually have anything in mind at the moment," Ben Wilson, a senior managing director at Bethesda commercial real estate firm Greysteel, told the council on April 21. "That's why we are here, because we do want to get some ideas or some guidance from the city."

The 38,259-square-foot building at 9520 Baltimore Avenue — the one with seven pastel and striped grand pianos in the third-story display window — has sat largely vacant since the Piano Man Superstore closed in late 2024.

Wilson described the site as a well-known landmark. "When I say Piano Man, people know the building," he said. He told Streetcar Suburbs that the owner has shifted his focus from a possible sale to finding a long-term tenant.

The council’s reaction to Wilson’s April 21 announcement was immediate. College Park District 4 Councilmember Denise Mitchell said she had waited years for this moment.

"As long as I've been on council … we've been trying to find someone," Mitchell said. "We would love to partner with you."

Mitchell said she would like to see a citywide survey to gauge what residents want at the site.

College Park Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1), whose district includes the property, said a community meeting with the building’s owner is planned for late June or early July.

Hyattsville Headlines

3

Letter from the City Administrator

Dear Hyattsville Residents,

This June, Hyattsville’s City Council passed the City’s Fiscal 2027 budget, which covers the period from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. The budget is a product of many thoughtful hours of work from City staff and Council, and reflects input from residents, business owners, and community leaders who engaged with us during the budgeting process.

The budget allocates the funding needed to continue meeting a high standard of service delivery while serving as responsible stewards of our taxpayer’s dollars. Total anticipated expenditures for Fiscal 2027 are $36.3 million and total anticipated revenues are $34.5 million, with $1.8 million of the City’s Fund Balance allocated to cover the difference.

Highlights in this year’s budget include a new relief-fund for residents adversely impacted by federal immigration enforcement, a Caseworker position to better connect residents to community resources, infrastructure projects that improve traffic safety, replacement of aging police and public works vehicles,, and funding for the 2027 Mayoral Election. To explore the full budget in greater detail, visit hyattsville.org/budget and look for a printed Budget Guide in your mailbox later this summer.

As our long-term residents know, Hyattsville’s population has grown by nearly 50% over the last 25 years. To our new residents, welcome! We are thrilled Hyattsville has become sought after as a place to set down roots, raise families, and establish a community.

Naturally, this growth requires the City government to invest more deeply

in programs and infrastructure to reflect the changing needs of residents, businesses, and visitors. At the same time, costs of materials, services, and staffing are continually increasing.

City administrative and elected leadership are committed to a path of sustainable growth, and we acknowledge that difficult choices lie ahead. The Fiscal 2027 budget sets the foundation for building a balanced budget while limiting immediate disruption to services. These strategies include a comprehensive assessment of staffing needs, reviewing current revenue structures, and utilizing budgeted Fund Balance expenditures only on an as-needed basis. Specifics of these and other actions are outlined in the Budget Book available on our website.

Earlier this year Council adopted a new Strategic Plan for 2026 – 2031, available for review at hyattsville.org/ strategic-plan. As we move forward, this plan will help us prioritize what is most important in caring for our community. In addition, our continued pursuit of grant funding, sponsorships, and partnerships will allow us to augment revenues and share operational responsibilities with overlapping jurisdictions.

Even though the budget has passed, please stay connected with us! Resident feedback is critical to ensuring our decisions meet community needs. Attend Council meetings to provide public comment, participate in City programs, volunteer at City events, serve on City committees, or reach out to Council and staff. Our doors are open!

Sincerely,

Tracey Douglas, City Administrator

NEWS FLASHES

Independence Day: Closures and Service Changes

Happy Independence Day! Hyattsville City offices will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of the holiday. Friday’s trash route will be moved to Thursday, July 2. All other trash routes remain the same. No changes to recycling. No changes to yard waste and compost pick up. For more information, visit hyattsville.org/trash

CFI Grant Applications Open on July 13

Hyattsville businesses can apply for a Commercial Façade Investment grant from the City between July 13 – August 21! This program offers grants up to $35,000 to business and property owners within the City of Hyattsville to enhance their building’s exterior. Details at hyattsville.org/biz-grants

Lancer & Longfellow Traffic Calming Survey

Speed humps were recently installed on the 3500 blocks of Lancer Drive and Longfellow Street following a resident traffic calming petition. Residents and visitors who frequent the area are invited to share feedback on the effectiveness of the speed humps at HelloHyattsville.com through July 31.

Summer Jam: Juneteenth Backyard BBQ!

Nothing says summer like coming together for a BBQ! Meet and have fun with your fellow Hyattsville residents at our “Backyard BBQ” themed Summer Jam taking place on July 17 from 5:30 –8:30 p.m. at the City Building! Vendors from our postponed Juneteenth Summer Jam will be in attendance with local food and entertainment! Come out and support some of your favorite independent vendors while enjoying live music, tasty food, adult beverages, and much more!

Details at hyattsville.org/summerjam

HYATTSVILLE HEADLINES

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Free Zumba Classes

Mondays & Wednesdays, 4 - 5 p.m. at the City Building! hyattsville.org/ calendar

Seated Exercise Classes

Older adults can join on Wednesdays, 10 - 11 a.m. at the City Building. hyattsville.org/seniors

Free Movie Monday

Older adults can enjoy a classic film at the Old Greenbelt Theatre on July 6 at 1 p.m.! hyattsville.org/seniors

Older Adult Walking Group!

Take a summer stroll at University Hills Duck Pond Park on July 9, 10 – 11 a.m. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather! hyattsville.org/ seniors

Care Partner Support Group

Connect with other caregivers on July 10 & 24, 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. at the City Building. hyattsville.org/seniors

Forest Maintenance/Invasive Vine Removals

July 11, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Invasive vine removals on public & private properties in Ward 3, Meet at University Hills Park. July 18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Park clean-up and forest maintenance, Driskell Park. Student service-learning hours are available.

You can request vine removals from your property at hyattsville.org/ vine-removal!

Public Hearing: Resolution 2026-02

A public hearing for Hyattsville Resolution 2026-02: Issuance of Refunding Bonds for the University Town Center Special Taxing District will take place online on July 13 at 6:30 p.m., prior to the regularly scheduled City Council meeting. For more information, go to hyattsville.org/meetings

Intergenerational Trip

Older adults can enjoy a trip to the Planet Word Museum with members of the Hyattsville Teen Center on July 16, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.! Register: 301-9855000 or hyattsville.org/seniors.

Free NARCAN Trainings

Free NARCAN community trainings at the City Building on July 16 at 6 p.m. and July 17 at 10 a.m. Register: hyattsville.org/NARCAN.

Summer Jam: Juneteenth Backyard BBQ!

Join your neighbors at our “Backyard BBQ” themed Summer Jam taking place on July 17 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the City Building! Vendors from the postponed Juneteenth Summer Jam will provide food and entertainment. Details at hyattsville.org/summerjam

World Cafe: Sharing Circles for Older Adults

Come together on July 20, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. for diverse conversations and connect with your peers! Participants

will be given interesting conversation starters to talk about during this lively event! Register: 301-985-5000 or hyattsville.org/seniors.

Produce Distribution

Pick up free produce on July 21, 12 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville. hyattsville.org/calendar

Free CPR & NARCAN Training

Free CPR & NARCAN combined training on July 23, from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the Hyattsville City Building. Registration required. hyattsville.org/CPR

Save the Date: National Night Out

Save the date for National Night Out on August 4 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Driskell Park! Come meet Hyattsville police officers, enjoy games, music, treats, giveaways, and more. This is a great way to strengthen community ties, connect with neighbors, and have a lot of fun while you’re at it! Let’s build a safer, stronger community—together. More information at hyattsville.org/NNO

Save the Date: Bike Rodeo

The City of Hyattsville’s Health, Wellness and Recreation Advisory Committee and partners are hosting a bike rodeo for families on August 15 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Driskell Park. The rodeo provides free bicycle training, education, and safety tips. The Washington Area Bicyclists Association is providing 100 free kids bike helmets, and Arrow

Bicycle will have free bike lights and locks – first come, first served! More information at hyattsville.org/calendar.

Golden Voices of Hyattsville

A new oral history project, Golden Voices of Hyattsville, is underway, sharing the stories and archives of Hyattsville residents as part of the City’s 140th anniversary celebration.

These recordings will be available to the public through a partnership with the Hyattsville Branch Library on their website at pgcmls.info/digital-special-collections

Are you interested in sharing your story? Sign up for a recording session at hyattsville.org/seniors

Titulares de Hyattsville

Asunto 461 | Julio de 2026 | Una publicación de la ciudad de Hyattsville

Carta del Administradora Municipal

Este mes de junio, el Ayuntamiento de Hyattsville aprobó el presupuesto municipal para el ejercicio fiscal 2027, que abarca el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de julio de 2026 y el 30 de junio de 2027. El presupuesto es fruto de muchas horas de trabajo minucioso por parte del personal municipal y del Ayuntamiento, y refleja las aportaciones de los vecinos, los empresarios y los líderes comunitarios que han colaborado con nosotros durante el proceso de elaboración del presupuesto.

El presupuesto asigna los fondos necesarios para seguir prestando servicios de alta calidad, al tiempo que gestionamos de forma responsable el dinero de los contribuyentes. El total de gastos previstos para el ejercicio fiscal 2027 asciende a 36.3 millones de dólares y el total de ingresos previstos es de 34.5 millones de dólares, destinándose 1.8 millones de dólares del saldo del fondo municipal a cubrir la diferencia.

Entre los aspectos más destacados del presupuesto de este año se incluyen un nuevo fondo de ayuda para los residentes afectados negativamente por las medidas federales de control migratorio, un puesto de asistente social para facilitar el acceso de los residentes a los recursos comunitarios, proyectos de infraestructura que mejoran la seguridad vial, el reemplazo de vehículos obsoletos de la policía y de obras públicas, y fondos para las elecciones a la alcaldía de 2027. Para consultar el presupuesto completo con mayor detalle, visite hyattsville. org/budget y busque la Guía presupuestaria impresa en su buzón a finales de este verano.

Como bien saben nuestros residentes de toda la vida, la población de Hyattsville ha crecido casi un 50 % en los últimos 25 años. A nuestros nuevos residentes, ¡bienvenidos! Nos alegra mucho que Hyattsville se haya convertido en un lugar muy codiciado para echar raíces, formar una familia y crear una comunidad.

Naturalmente, este crecimiento exige que el Ayuntamiento invierta más en programas e infraestructuras para adaptarse a las

necesidades cambiantes de los residentes, las empresas y los visitantes. Al mismo tiempo, los costes de los materiales, los servicios y la mano de obra no dejan de aumentar.

Los responsables administrativos y los representantes electos de la ciudad están comprometidos con una vía de crecimiento sostenible, y somos conscientes de que nos esperan decisiones difíciles. El presupuesto para el ejercicio fiscal 2027 sienta las bases para lograr un presupuesto equilibrado, al tiempo que limita las interrupciones inmediatas en los servicios. Estas estrategias incluyen una evaluación exhaustiva de las necesidades de personal, la revisión de las estructuras de ingresos actuales y la utilización de los gastos presupuestados del saldo del fondo únicamente cuando sea necesario. Los detalles de estas y otras medidas se describen en el Libro Presupuestario, disponible en nuestra página web.

A principios de este año, el Ayuntamiento aprobó un nuevo Plan Estratégico para el periodo 2026-2031, que puede consultarse en hyattsville.org/strategic-plan. De cara al futuro, este plan nos ayudará a priorizar lo más importante a la hora de velar por nuestra comunidad. Además, nuestra búsqueda constante de subvenciones, patrocinios y colaboraciones nos permitirá aumentar los ingresos y compartir responsabilidades operativas con otras jurisdicciones con las que compartimos competencias.

Aunque el presupuesto ya se ha aprobado, ¡por favor, manténganse en contacto con nosotros! Las opiniones de los residentes son fundamentales para garantizar que nuestras decisiones satisfagan las necesidades de la comunidad. Asistan a las reuniones del Ayuntamiento para expresar sus comentarios públicos, participen en los programas municipales, colaboren como voluntarios en los eventos de la ciudad, formen parte de los comités municipales o pónganse en contacto con el Ayuntamiento y el personal. ¡Nuestras puertas están abiertas!

Atentamente, Tracey Douglas, Administradora Municipal

NOTICIAS DE ÚLTIMA HORA

Día de la Independencia: Cierres y Cambios de Servicio

¡Feliz Día de la Independencia! Las oficinas de la ciudad de Hyattsville estarán cerradas el viernes 3 de julio por el día festivo. La ruta de recolección de basura del viernes se trasladará al jueves 2 de julio. Las demás rutas de recolección de basura se mantendrán sin cambios. No hay cambios en el reciclaje. No hay cambios en la recogida de residuos de jardinería y compostaje. Para más información, visite hyattsville. org/trash

Las Solicitudes de Subvención CFI se abren el 13 de julio

Solicite una subvención CFI entre el 13 de julio y el 21 de agosto. Este programa ofrece subvenciones de hasta $35,000 a propietarios y empresas de la ciudad de Hyattsville para mejorar el exterior de sus edificios. Más información en hyattsville.org/biz-grants

Encuesta sobre Lancer y Longfellow

Recientemente se han instalado badenes en las manzanas 3500 de Lancer Drive y Longfellow Street, a raíz de una petición de los vecinos para reducir la velocidad del tráfico. Se invita a los vecinos y visitantes que frecuentan

la zona a compartir sus opiniones sobre la eficacia de los badenes en HelloHyattsville.com hasta el 31 de julio.

Fiesta de Verano: ¡Parrillada en el Patio del Juneteenth!

¡No hay nada mejor para el verano que una parrillada! Reúnete y diviértete con tus compañeros de Hyattsville en nuestra Parrillada en el Patio que tendrá lugar el 17 de julio de 5:308:30 p.m. en el Edificio Municipal. ¡Los vendedores de nuestro evento del Juneteenth, que se pospuso, estarán presentes con comida local y entretenimiento!

Ven y apoya a algunos de tus vendedores favoritos mientras disfrutas de música en vivo, sabrosa comida, bebidas para adultos y mucho más. Más información en hyattsville.org/ summerjam

TITULARES DE HYATTSVILLE

CALENDARIO DE EVENTOS

Clases Gratuitas de Zumba

Lunes y miércoles, 4 - 5 p.m. en el Edificio Municipal! hyattsville.org/calendar

Ejercicios Sentados

Los adultos mayores pueden participar los miércoles, 10 - 11 a.m., en el Edificio Municipal. hyattsville.org/seniors

¡Lunes de Cine Gratis!

¡Ven a disfrutar de una película clásica en el Old Greenbelt Theatre el 6 de julio, 1 p.m! hyattsville.org/seniors

Grupo de Caminata para Personas Mayores

Da un paseo veraniego por el Parque de los patos de University Hills, el 9 de julio, 10 - 11 a.m. ¡Lleve calzado cómodo para caminar y ropa adecuada para el clima! hyattsville.org/ seniors

Grupo de Apoyo para Cuidadores

Conecta con otros cuidadores los días 10 & 24 de julio, 9:30 - 10:45 a.m., en el Edificio Municipal. hyattsville.org/seniors

Mantenimiento Forestal y Eliminación de Enredaderas Invasoras 11 de julio, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Eliminación de enredaderas invasoras en Distrito 3, reunión en Parque University Hills. 18 de julio, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Limpieza del parque y mantenimiento forestal Parque Driskell. Se ofrecen horas de aprendizaje mediante servicio para estudiantes.

¡También puedes solicitar que se retiren las enredaderas de tu propiedad! hyattsville.org/ vine-removal

Audiencia pública: Resolución 2026-02

Se llevará a cabo una audiencia pública sobre la Resolución 2026-02 de Hyattsville: Emisión de bonos de refinanciamiento para el Distrito Fiscal Especial del Centro Universitario, en línea el 13 de julio a las 6:30 p. m., antes de la sesión ordinaria del Consejo Municipal. Para obtener más información, visita hyattsville.org/ meetings

Paseo Intergeneracional

Los adultos mayores pueden realizar un paseo al Museo Planet Word con miembros del Centro de Jóvenes de Hyattsville el 16 de julio, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Registrese: 301-985-5000 o hyattsville.org/seniors

Entrenamiento de NARCAN

Entrenamientos gratuitos NARCAN en el Edificio Municipal el 16 de julio, 6 p.m. y el 17 de julio, 10 a.m. Inscribirse: hyattsville.org/ NARCAN

Fiesta de Verano: ¡Parrillada en el Patio del Juneteenth!

¡Únete a tus vecinos en nuestro evento Parrillada end el Patio del Juneteenth, que se llevará a cabo el 17 de julio de 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. en el edificio municipal! Los vendedores del evento del Juneteenth, que se pospuso, ofrecerán comida y entretenimiento. Más información en hyattsville.org/summerjam

World Café: Círculos de Intercambio

¡Únete a nosotros el 20 de julio, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. para participar en conversaciones variadas y conectar con tus compañeros! ¡A los participantes se les propondrán interesantes puntos de partida para hablar durante este

animado evento! Info y inscríbase en hyattsville. org/seniors

Distribución de Alimentos

Recoja bolsas de productos agrícolas gratuitos el 21 de julio, 12 p.m. en la Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida de Hyattsville. hyattsville.org/ calendar

Formación Gratuita en RCP y NARCAN

Formación gratuita combinada en RCP y NARCAN el 23 de julio, de 6 - 8:30 p.m. en el Ayuntamiento de Hyattsville. Es necesario inscribirse. hyattsville.org/CPR

Reserve la Fecha: Noche de Acción Nacional

¡Únase a nosotros para la Noche de Acción Nacional el 4 de agosto de 6 - 8 p.m. en el Parque Driskell! Venga a conocer a los oficiales de policía de Hyattsville, disfrute de juegos, música, regalos y mucho más. ¡Esta es una buena manera de fortalecer los lazos comunitarios, conectar con los vecinos, y divertirse al mismo tiempo! Formemos juntos una comunidad más segura y fuerte. Más información en hyattsville. org/NNO

Reserve la Fecha: Rodeo Ciclista en el Parque Driskell

El Comité Asesor de Salud, Bienestar y Recreación de la ciudad de Hyattsville, junto con sus socios, organizará un rodeo de bicicletas para familias el 15 de agosto, de 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., en el parque Driskell. El rodeo ofrece capacitación gratuita sobre el uso de la bicicleta, información educativa y consejos de seguridad. La Asociación de Ciclistas del Área de Washington regalará 100 cascos de bicicleta para niños, y Arrow Bicycle repartirá luces

y candados para bicicletas de forma gratuita — ¡hasta agotar existencias! Más información en hyattsville.org/calendar

Proyecto de Historia Oral de Hyattsville

Se ha puesto en marcha un nuevo proyecto de historia oral, «Golden Voices of Hyattsville», que reúne las historias y los archivos de los residentes de Hyattsville como parte de la celebración del 140.º aniversario de la ciudad.

Estas grabaciones estarán disponibles para el público gracias a una colabo¬ración con la Biblioteca de Hyattsville en su página web: pgcmls.info/digital-special-collections

¿Te gustaría compartir tu historia? Apúntate a una sesión de grabación en hyattsville.org/ seniors

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Find more local events all month long in our continuously updated online calendar at StreetcarSuburbs.News/events

Here’s our list of events sponsored by local nonprofits, arts organizations and performance venues, occurring in July; all information is current as of June 25. For events and meetings organized by the City of Hyattsville, see Hyattsville Headlines in the newspaper’s centerfold.

Please send notices of August events to managingeditor@ hyattsvillelife.com by July 23

Recurring

Riverdale Park Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot near the Riverdale MARC Station, 4650 Queensbury Rd. Live music every week from roughly 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (July 2: The Glen Echoes; July 9: Judah Collin; July 16: Murphy & Flannagan; July 23: Jacob Panic; July 30: Mason McCormick). For more information, contact rpkfarmmkt@gmail.com.

Weekly acoustic blues jams, in the Piedmont blues tradition. Listeners welcome! Free. Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation, 4502 Hamilton St. acousticblues.com

Busboys and Poets hosts an open mic for poets every Thursday. $5. 8 to 10 p.m. 5331 Baltimore Ave. 301.779.2787. busboysandpoets.com

Sharpen your drawing skills in a relaxed, informal setting at the Hyattsville figure drawing group’s drop-in drawing sessions at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center. Sessions consist of several short warm-up poses and a single sustained pose for the duration of the session. Bring your own art supplies; drawing boards and chairs provided. $20/session or $75/5-session punch card or $15/session for Pyramid Atlantic members. Tuesdays, 6 to 9 p.m. 4218 Gallatin St. hyattsvillefiguredrawing@gmail.com

Early Bird Serenity Al-Anon Support for friends and fami-

July 10

Attend Meet the Honeybee to discover the vital role honeybees play in our environment through hands-on learning and demonstrations. Free. 4 to 5 p.m. Register at pgcmls.info/events. Hyattsville Branch Library, 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451

lies of alcoholics based on the 12-step program. Free, all are welcome. Virtual meetings every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information and Zoom link, email ebsalanon@ gmail.com.

Ongoing

Through the summer meals program, kids and teens, ages 2 to 18, can get a free on-site meal at the Hyattsville Branch Library while supplies last. Weekdays 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451

In the exhibit “Superimposed,” Pyramid Atlantic Art Center will showcase how practices can converge and be enhanced by the art of collage. Through Aug. 9. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 4218 Gallatin St. pyramidatlanticartcenter.org. 301.608.9101

Curated by Rashad Ali Muhammad in celebration of Pride Month, the art exhibition “Frolic” is a bold tribute to queer resilience, creativity and joy. Through Aug. 15 (with an artist and curator talk July 18 from 2 to 4 p.m.) Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301.277.2863. brentwoodarts@pgparks.com

Rosana Azar’s surrealist art exhibit “Portals to Imagination” will be on display through July 26. Monday

through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710. publickplayhouse@pgparks.com

July 2

The Taratibu Youth Association, a sensational ensemble of young artists representing the performing arts of the African diaspora, will perform at the Publick Playhouse. 10:30 a.m. and noon performances. $8 adults, $6 children. 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710. publickplayhouse@pgparks.com

July 3

Join us for the adults-only “It’s Our America: Now That's What I Call a Dance Party!” — a fundraiser for the Prince George’s County Immigrants Rights Collective, supporting

immigrant families impacted by recent federal immigration actions. Sliding scale: $30, $40 or $50. Purchase tickets at joesmovement.org. 6 to 10 p.m. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier. 301.699.1819

July 4

Celebrate Independence Day with the O’McPub Band. Free. 2 to 5 p.m. Streetcar 82 Brewing Co., 4824 Rhode Island Ave. streetcar82brewing.com

July 9

Salma Hayek delivers a stunning performance as Frida Kahlo, the celebrated Mexican artist, in the biopic “Frida” (2002, 123 min.). Free for 18 and up. 7 to 9 p.m. Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301.277.2863. brentwoodarts@ pgparks.com

July 11

Join us for a teen podcasting workshop, “History on the Mic.” $10 for teens 13–18. Preregistration required through pgparksdirect.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420. riversdale@pgparks.com

Six local bands bring you an R.E.M. tribute show at Maryland Meadworks. Free. 6

to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 301.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com

July 15

Create your own sun print using cyanotype paper at the Hyattsville Branch Library. Free. 3 to 5 p.m. Register at pgcmls. info/events. 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451

July 25

As part of Route 1 Corridor Conversations, join Dr. David Gaseor, DACM, and discover a gentle and relaxing way to support your health with Emei Qigong, a traditional practice from China that combines slow movement, easy breathing and simple mindfulness, making it ideal for seniors of all abilities. Attendees can join via telephone or Zoom. Free. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Register at hyattsvilleaginginplace.org/events.

Cross-eyed Cat Blues Band performs at Maryland Meadworks. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 301.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com

July 29

Craft a mini mirror mosaic, with step-by-step instructions at the Hyattsville Branch Library. Free. 3 to 5 p.m. Register at pgcmls.info/events. 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451

WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE TO TURN BECAUSE SOMEONE DRINKS TOO MUCH

There is hope and help for families and friends of alcoholics in Al-Anon.

Al-Anon Family Groups, call 1-888-425-2666 (1-888-4AL-ANON) Al-Anon.org

Park and planning agency sues county over FY 2027 budget

By NIGEL F. MAYNARD

A bi-county agency that administers park systems and landuse planning has sued Prince George’s County over its fiscal year 2027 budget.

The county’s budget request to divert the agency tax revenues is inconsistent with Maryland law, the agency believes.

At a press conference, Prince George’s County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha defended the council’s actions, saying the funds are being used for im-

portant programs and services through nonprofits.

At issue is a recent county council vote that transfers $39.3 million from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) to fund a variety of county programs and projects in the upcoming budget year. The county divided the money between its administrative fund and project charges, which help fund some local nonprofits.

In Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, the commission receives a percentage of property taxes that are legally

Seeking Public Policy Volunteers

The University of Maryland’s Legacy Leadership Institute on Public Policy, in partnership with the State of Maryland, is looking for volunteers aged 50+ to serve as volunteer legislative leaders during the 2026-2027 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly. The twelve-week classroom training (two days per week) begins on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and ends on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026. Classes will be held at the University of Maryland Extension, 8930 Stanford Blvd, Suite 25, Columbia, Maryland 21045. The volunteer assignment will be at the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis. Participants will serve a minimum of two (2) days per week with a legislator’s office starting Wednesday, January 13, 2027, and ending on Monday, April 12, 2027.

For more information or an application contact Wesley Queen at wqueen@umd.edu

The county council has approved a $6 billion budget that includes at least a $20 million cut to the agency’s operating budgets, among other reductions.

designated for parks, recreation and planning services.

“The transfer of more than $39 million, by July 1, without submission of receipts or invoices, before any services have been provided, and without proper vetting through the Commission’s procurement process, raises serious concerns about legal authority and our ability to provide the services the residents of Prince George’s County expect from us,” the agency says.

Additionally, the county council has approved a $6 billion budget that includes at least a $20 million

Explore the Trails and Towns of Prince George’s County!

cut to the agency’s operating budgets, an $8 million cut to its capital budget, a $33 million cut to the construction and operation of the agency’s Largo headquarters office and a series of unfunded new program initiatives.

“We recognize that balancing a countywide budget requires difficult decisions, and we value our longstanding partnership with the Prince George’s County Council and County Executive,” M-NCPPC Chair Artie Harris said in a June 9 statement. “At the same time, we must be clear that reductions of this magnitude affect the services our communities rely on every day.” At press time on June 26, the Prince George's County Circuit Court granted the commission's request for a temporary restraining order, preventing the county from transferring the $39 million from the planning agency pending a hearing in September.

Also June 26, Manuel Geraldo, a commissioner on the county planning board, told News4 that he has been informed that County Executive Aisha Braveboy will replace him. He has been publicly critical of the budgeted $39 million transfer.

For years, 12-Step clubs have provided a safe, welcoming space for local individuals seeking a new way of life. Now, a brand-new hub is coming to our area.

The Laurel “Don’t Rest on Your Laurels” Club, Inc. will be a dedicated space for 12-step meetings, fellowship, and social activities. But to open our doors, we need our community’s help. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, your tax-deductible contribution goes directly toward securing our location, paying utilities, and covering essential operating expenses.

us turn the lights on for the

www.laurelclub520.org

Food deserts, food swamps, food cravings: Why is Prince George’s County so overweight?

By PAUL RUFFINS

Last month, “Science of the City” explored the unique reasons why Greater Hyattsville can support so many healthy food outlets, despite more than 50% of the county being classified as a “food desert.” This month we explore the controversy over how living in a food desert, which lacks healthy food, or a “food swamp,” which offers too much junk food, may contribute to so many county residents becoming overweight.

During October 2025, local activists won a pitched battle against a major corporation’s plan to build a new facility on Ager Road in Lewidale, near the intersection of Riggs Road and East-West Highway. They won partly by convincing members of the county council and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission that the franchise posed a threat to the community’s health and safety.

Given the intensity of the opposition, you might expect that the company had proposed

building a coal-fired power plant or a waste incinerator, but the fight was actually over a McDonald’s. One of the local activist group’s arguments against another McDonald’s outpost was that there were already 14 of them within an approximately 5-mile radius. The group contended that the restaurant would be selling unhealthy food in an area that lacks access to healthy food.

The assertion that the area lacks access to healthy food is questionable. The same radius is home to 19 Giant or Safeways supermarkets, in addition

Every Child

to numerous smaller grocery stores. Nevertheless, the battle reflected an important and confusing question that the county has been discussing for more than a decade: Why are more than 70% of Prince George’s County residents overweight, a problem which then contributes to high rates of diet-related illnesses, such as diabetes and hypertension? Nearly 14% of county residents have diabetes, which is higher than state and national averages.

One theory is that most county residents live in food deserts, where it is hard to find fresh fruits, vegetables and other ingredients to make a healthy meal. The 2015 report “Healthy food for all Prince Georgians” concluded, “County residents are having difficulty accessing quality nutritious, affordable and culturally appropriate food within a reasonable distance from where they live.” It also stated, “It is not the lack of su-

permarkets but the spatial distribution of them and the quality and price of products they carry that create inequity in accessing healthy food.”

However, the idea that simply not having a supermarket nearby forces people to eat unhealthy food can’t explain the county’s obesity problem. It is true that people living in food deserts tend to have lower incomes and eat fewer fruits and vegetables than do people with higher incomes. However, there is also some evidence that this nutritional gap is partly due to differences in what richer and poorer people choose to eat.

One study concluded that the mere fact of living in a food desert has only a small impact on eating habits. A 2017 National Bureau of Economic Research working paper noted, “Exposing low-income households to the same products and prices as those in high-income households reduces nutritional inequality by only 9%, while the remaining 91% of the nutrition gap is driven by differences in what shoppers prefer to buy.”

African Americans and Hispanics, as well as poorer and less educated people of all races, are more likely to choose foods higher in saturated fat, sugar and salt, according to the working paper. One of the working paper’s authors, Jean-Pierre Dubé, noted, “Food knowledge and education seem to explain a big chunk of the preferences for what people buy when they shop for groceries. If you are

educated about the long-term benefits of nutrition, it could affect your shopping behavior.” However, focusing on knowledge and education discounts the impact that culture, trauma, advertising and stress have on eating behavior. It also ignores the fact that some groups are disproportionately targeted by a food industry that deliberately engineers foods with combinations of sugar, salt and fat that are so addictive that “no one can eat just one.”

In an email to the Life & Times, Emmeline Edwards, a neuroscientist and researcher at Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute of Health wrote, “When these elements [sugar, salt and fat] are combined, your brain’s natural fullness cues are actually bypassed, which means you may end up eating much more before you feel satisfied. Salt doesn’t just make food tastier — it also masks your natural sensitivity to fat, leading to passive overconsumption.” Edwards also asserts that because most Black and Hispanic folks are under more stress than most Whites and Asians, they produce more cortisol and other stress hormones that make them crave even more fat, sugar and salt.

A 2017 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health article entitled “Food swamps predict obesity rates better than food deserts in the United States” may provide the best explanation of our county’s situation. Food swamps may have supermarkets, but they also have a higher proportion of establishments selling high-calorie fast food and junk food. The article also notes that 10 out of the 12 studies reviewed “provided SEE SCIENCE ON 12 

Last year, the nonprofit organization saw a major change, as Eisenberg stepped down and Bronwyn King was named the new executive director. King, who joined the organization in 2023, says she is hoping to raise the group’s profile in the community at large and pursue more artrelated initiatives.

“When I moved here in 2011, I understood that people were calling this the Arts District, but, at the time, I didn't really see a lot of art happening over here,” King told the Life & Times. “I know that there were a lot of studios and artists down in Mount Rainier and farther down in the Gateway Arts Dis-

trict, but in this part of Hyattsville, I didn’t see a lot of that.”

The HyCDC operates out of a 1919 stone-clad house on Farragut Street, its home since 2018. Behind the scenes, the nonprofit works to attract investors, negotiate agreements between various stakeholders and improve the city, but the group’s most visible initiative is the annual Hyattsville Arts Festival (previously called “Arts & Ales”), a September event that sees around 5,000 attendees and more than 100 vendors.

“We're always trying to grow and evolve, and looking for ways we can infuse more local artists, community members and also art experiences,” King said. “So you’re coming out to the festival, and you’re meet-

ing new artists, you listen to live music, you have something to eat, but you’re also going to have more immersive experiences. We’re trying to grow the festival that way.”

The HyCDC also helped coordinate the Hyattsville hub for the June 13 Trolley Trail Day celebration, including an accompanying Trolley Trail Passport, which invited visitors to stop off along 22 trail-accessible stops for food, drinks and shopping across Hyattsville, College Park and Riverdale Park. Users could check in at businesses and collect points and prizes.

“That’s one of the ways we try to drive more traffic and visitors to local and small businesses,” King said.

The nonprofit also helped coordinate World Cup watch parties, including at Franklins Restaurant and Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Officially called the Summer Soccer Kickoff, the effort was a partnership with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the City of Hyattsville and First Touch Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for underserved youth through sports, mentorship and community support.

The HyCDC has a nine-member board that helps steer the group’s efforts, and it does not raise money from the community or from donors. Instead, the group gets funding for projects via a variety of Maryland state and Prince Geoge’s County grants. In rare cases — the Hyattsville Arts Festival, for example — the group solicits sponsorships.

King, a painter whose medium is oil on canvas, believes art is a great catalyst for a variety of positive outcomes, such as bringing community together, generating foot traffic and neighborhood beautification. Residents and visitors may have noticed the traffic box wraps — the painted utilities panel — throughout Hyattsville, Berwyn Heights and Riverdale Park. They can thank the HyCDC for those.

To support her belief in art, King points to the old boarded-up and abandoned buildings that sat on the site where the new Canvas apartments now occupy. Before they were demolished to make way for construction, the buildings featured a variety of street art murals, including a large “Handmade in Hyattsville” wall that attracted throngs of photographers, content creators and fashionistas (see cover photo).

“I worked on one of [the mu-

rals], so I would be tagged all the time,” King said, laughing. “People were frequently out there doing their engagement photos. Bands would take their photos there. My kids' friends were out there taking photos. It was hilarious. There was this huge range of people using it. And it’s such an easy way to bring the community together.”

So what would King do if she had all the resources to execute her dream project? More public art, for sure. But there are other concerns to address. “I would love to look at some of our buildings where spaces are empty, and I feel strongly about filling our empty spaces along commercial corridors. I think that's really detrimental to our small businesses who are here and working so hard.”

King also would love to help transform the West Hyattsville corridor. “I would really like to focus on some of the things we can do to support West Hyattsville and the small businesses there,” she said. “That's a phenomenal area with the Metro right there and the [Northwest Branch] trail. You have a little bit of a main street area with a lot of parking, and most importantly, you have a lot of great businesses that are there and have been there for a long time.”

Center, which currently serves as the city’s teen center, will close for renovations through the winter.

How much have renovations cost?

City staff told the L&T that the total cost of the teen center — including the building purchase, design, construction, furnishings, landscaping and playground equipment — is about $2.75 million to date.

In 2019, the city purchased the building at 5812 40th Avenue and adjoining green space for $500,000, to host its teen center program.

Over subsequent years, the city paid $78,000 for building design and $1.7 million for building renovations to TMG Construction; $80,000 to the Neighborhood Design Center to design a teenfriendly mini-park in the adjoining Nicholson Park; $200,000 to Playground Specialists for the installation of playground equipment, including a double hammock, basket swing and wobble board; $72,000 to NZI Construction for exterior construction, including the installation of a walking path, bike rack, driveway and parking area; and $110,000 to Douron for furniture.

Where has the money for the center and minipark come from?

Revenue sources for the project include $110,000 from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Legacy Program; $900,000 in bond bills, basically taking on short-term debt; and $454,000 in federal pandemic funds for the roof replacement (see below), according to city staff. The remainder, just under $1.3 million, has come from the city’s operating and capital projects funds across fiscal years 2020–26.

Why has the project taken so long?

During a December 2024 city council meeting, a resident noted that the teen center project was still incomplete, despite an onsite “Coming in 2022” sign. During the ensuing discussion, the city’s Deputy Director of Public Works Hal Metzler cited permitting delays as a factor.

Zork recently told the L&T that the discovery of a roof issue after renovations began meant an additional round of design review and permitting. And then when construction was finished, there were additional delays in completing all the inspections necessary for a use-and-occupancy permit, which the city finally received this past April.

MISS FLORIBUNDA

Magnanimously managing mosquitoes

Dear Miss Floribunda,

I hear that we are going to have a particularly bad time this summer with mosquitoes. That means that people are going to be hiring those so-called pest control experts to come spray poison all over the place. When the city participates in the State of Maryland Mosquito Control Program, at least they warn people to close their windows and keep their pets inside, but the whole ecosystem of our town would be upset. Instead of birds and butterflies, we’d probably have lots of gnats even if there are fewer mosquitoes. That wouldn’t include all mosquitoes, because spraying is ineffective against the Asian tiger mosquitoes now so prevalent in our area. I saw on the city website advice about getting rid of standing water, but that means not having a bird bath, and I’ve even heard that Asian tiger mosquitoes can breed in dew drops and tiny amounts of water.

You wrote about plants that deter deer. Are there any plants that repel mosquitoes? Could people be persuaded to plant them, rather than using dangerous chemicals?

Cringing on Crittenden Street

Dear Cringing,

While our dry spring has meant fewer mosquitoes than normal, I too am worried about the probability of toxins being sprayed this summer to contend with mosquitoes, and I agree with you that

the consequences are dire. There are various herbs and odoriferous plants that do help — among them marigolds, scented herbs like lavender and mint, as well as citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus), from which oil is obtained to make citronella candles. However, you’d have to grow a great many of these plants, and I don’t think you could persuade enough people to do it. More effective would be to plant night bloomers that attract bats: nightblooming moonflowers, evening primrose and four o'clocks.

Let me explain. I truly believe that the most effective and ecologically safe method of combating mosquito infestations is that proposed by the late and muchlamented Fred Seitz, who for almost 15 informative years wrote the “Nature Nearby” column that was as entertaining and charming as it was accurate and scholarly. A gracious expert who was always willing to answer my questions, Dr. Seitz recommended making one’s garden attractive to the creatures who live on mosquitoes, ticks and other undesirable insects. These creatures include bats, frogs and toads, as well as the more popular birds, dragonflies and turtles.

I recall Dr. Seitz (aka Bat Man) telling me that more blood had been lost to mosquitoes than was ever lost to bats! You'd have to go to South America to find a bat that sucks blood, and even there, only cattle need worry. Our local bats are insectivores, and

although it is a myth that one bat can consume 1,000 mosquitoes per hour, it can devour six to eight thousand insects a night. The best thing to do is to put up a bat house and plant the fragrant night-blooming flowers that attract these denizens of the dark.

To attract toads and frogs, you need the water that supposedly needs to be eliminated if you don’t want mosquitoes. While making your birdbath into a fountain with a small electric pump would discourage mosquitoes and please the birds, the toads and frogs would be disturbed by running water. What you can do is change the water for your amphibians frequently — at least every other day — so that mosquitoes can’t breed. If space allows, a small pond with minnows and mosquito fish would be the best solution possible. The pond would attract the mosquitoes, which would lay their eggs, and the minnows would devour the eggs. (But no koi or expensive fish, because they provide a veritable banquet for raccoons.)

It is most unfortunate that some people disdain bats because of sinister associations. Not only are bats connected to Dracula stories, but to the myths that they will blindly fly into a woman's hair or attack people in order to give them rabies or even COVID-19. Yes, like other wild mammals, such as raccoons and foxes, they can carry rabies and viruses — but you are unlikely to ever encounter one of these very shy creatures.

I would urge everyone to read Stellaluna by Janell Cannon. The children’s story of a winsome baby bat (as mammals, bats do produce adorable babies), this tale does for bats what “The Muppet Show” and Kermit, a native of University Park, did for frogs; The Wind in the Willows’ Mr. Toad did for toads; and Charlotte's Web’s protagonist achieved for spiders. I myself have thought about writing a story about a cave cutie named Bat-hoven, who composes musical masterpieces only bats can hear. It occurred to me after visiting a home that housed a bat in its cathedral ceiling. Whenever the musical mom of the family played Chopin waltzes on the piano, “Waltzing Matilda” would swoop down and dance very gracefully to the music. I even attended a party where Matilda provided part of the evening’s entertainment! However, for those of you who truly cannot shake off chiroptophobia — a phobia of bats — yet want to abandon the air-conditioned comfort of your living room for your patio on summer nights, installing LED lighting in the vicinity is effective. One caveat: For the sake of your neighbors, please turn those lights off when you go to bed.

Please check the website of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society (hyattsvillehorticulture.org), for its next event or meeting.

Miss Floribunda writes about gardening for the Life & Times. You may email her at Floribundav@gmail.com.

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SUPERINTENDENT

other officials, as his selection as permanent superintendent was announced.

Christy also said it was the first time she had ever been included in the selection process. “In case anyone thinks it was a done deal a year ago, really, it wasn’t,” she said, describing anxiety over the past week waiting to hear who had been selected.

“I’m not saying the other candidates weren’t great and wouldn’t make a great superintendent somewhere, just not here.”

While the teacher’s union and county political leaders support Joseph, he has received criticism for proposing cuts to academic enrichment programs and specialty school funding, including the proposed elimination of Chinese language immersion at a neighborhood school in College Park.

Three days after Joseph’s appointment, the school district put those proposed cuts to immersion programs on hold, pending further study.

Over the past year as he served as interim superintendent, Joseph’s catchphrase has been “excellence should be the expectation, not the exception.” His achievements include a decline in the teacher vacancy rate of more than 50% and new transparency via dashboards on each school’s website, showing staffing levels and academic achievement.

Union president Christy credited Joseph with tightening the school’s budget without laying off teachers or reopening union contracts. She said the union was more involved in the budget process this year than ever before during her tenure.

“It’s going to be a tougher year next year,” Christy said. “We already cut to the bone.” She told Prince George’s County Councilmembers to expect to see her coming with her hand out for more funding next year.

Joseph said he would work toward a school system where residents throughout the county do not feel that their children must get admission to a specialty school to get an excellent education.

He emphasized his vision for the caring and personalized education of children with special needs, saying Prince George’s County could become a place

where parents decide to move because of the district’s strong reputation for educating children with different learning abilities.

County Executive Aisha Braveboy described the circumstances in which she selected Joseph as interim superintendent last summer: “Among the most pressing issues was an ongoing impasse between Prince George’s County Public Schools and teachers. Contract negotiations stalled, tensions were high.” She credited Joseph with resolving the conflict within days of stepping into his new role, and also with humility and a willingness to listen.

Braveboy is the first graduate of Prince George’s County Public Schools to appoint a superintendent for the district, according to County Councilmember Edward Burroughs III (District 8). Braveboy graduated from Largo High School, while Burroughs attended

Crossland High School, both in Prince George’s County.

“This county executive working with this [superintendent],” Burroughs said, “they’re in the details of how we’re going to close reading gaps and our literacy gaps.”

Joseph is a professor at Howard University, and has been superintendent in Nashville and Seaford, Del. He was deputy superintendent at Prince George’s County Public Schools from 2014 to 2016, under Kevin Maxwell.

Maxwell stepped down in 2018, as members of the school board were calling for an investigation into raises he gave staff that they said were not authorized. Maxwell's successor, Monica Goldson, cited conflict on the board of education when she stepped down in 2023. Millard House II served next, from 2023 to the summer of 2025, when he stepped down suddenly during a dispute with the teacher’s union.

"We are entrusted with authority only for a season," said Joseph in his acceptance speech. "The measure of that season is not the titles that we hold, not the offices that we occupy, not the applause that we receive. The measure is whether the children are better off because we have the courage and the discipline and the love to serve them well."

Read about Shawn Joseph’s responses to questions about his record in Nashville in our interview with him last summer at StreetcarSuburbs.News.

evidence that fast-food restaurants are more likely to locate in areas where there are higher concentrations of ethnic minorities than Whites.” This may help explain the fierce opposition to the McDonald’s on Ager Road.

One reason Americans of all backgrounds are gaining weight is because we’re constantly bombarded by advertisements, billboards and other cues to consume more and more unhealthy foods. Even supermarkets, which are the healthiest source of foods, strategically place cookies and candy in the busiest locations.

For more than a decade, the county has responded to its weight problem with a number of reports and initiatives, such as encouraging urban agriculture and farmers markets, to involve more residents in growing — and, hopefully, eating — more fresh fruits and vegetables. In 2017, it passed an ordinance requiring vending machines on county government property, including schools and libraries, to increase their percentage of healthier offerings.

However, the problem is getting worse, and the state and county could accomplish so much more. Maryland could institute a statewide tax on sugar in sodas and other drinks. The county could use its zoning authority to limit the number and concentration of fast-food outlets, similar to how it regulates liquor licenses. Howard County’s “Unsweetened” campaign led to a 30% drop in the sales of sodas and other sugary drinks. What a great example for us to follow.

JULIO 2026

El nuevo superintendente afirma que promoverá la excelencia y apoyará a los estudiantes con discapacidades

Por KIT SLACK

La presidenta del sindicato de maestros del condado de Prince George ha trabajado con tres superintendentes en los últimos cinco años.

"Este es, sin duda, el mejor", declaró Donna Christy en una conferencia de prensa el 1 de junio, señalando al superintendente interino Shawn Joseph, quien compartía el estrado con ella y otros funcionarios durante el anuncio de su nombramiento como superintendente permanente.

Christy también señaló que era la primera vez que se le incluía en el proceso de selección.

"Por si alguien piensa que esto ya estaba decidido hace un año, la verdad es que no fue así", afirmó, describiendo la ansiedad vivida durante la última semana a la espera de conocer quién había sido seleccionado.

Agencia de

por proponer recortes en programas de enriquecimiento académico y en la financiación de escuelas especializadas, incluida la propuesta de eliminar el programa de inmersión en idioma chino de una escuela local en College Park.

Tres días después del nombramiento de Joseph, el distrito escolar suspendió temporalmente dichos recortes propuestos a los programas de inmersión a la espera de un análisis más exhaustivo.

"No digo que los otros candidatos no fueran excelentes o que no pudieran desempeñar un gran

papel como superintendentes en otro lugar; simplemente no aquí". Si bien el sindicato de mae-

Parques y Planificación de Maryland demanda al condado de Prince George por el presupuesto del año fiscal 2027

Por NIGEL F. MAYNARD

Una agencia de Maryland que opera en dos condados, la cual administra los sistemas de parques y la planificación territorial, ha demandado al condado de Prince George por su presupuesto para el año fiscal 2027.

La agencia considera que la solicitud presupuestaria del condado para desviar los ingresos fiscales de la entidad es incompatible con la legislación de Maryland.

El conflicto surge tras una reciente votación del Concejo del Condado que transfiere 39,3 millones de dólares de la comisión para financiar diversos programas y proyectos del condado durante el próximo año

El conflicto surge tras una reciente votación del Concejo del Condado que transfiere 39,3 millones de dólares de la comisión para financiar diversos programas y proyectos del condado durante el próximo año fiscal.

fiscal. El condado distribuyó el dinero entre su fondo administrativo y cargos destinados a proyectos, que ayudan a financiar algunas organizaciones locales sin fines de lucro.

En el condado de Prince George, la Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) recibe un porcentaje de los impuestos sobre la propiedad que, por ley, está destinado a parques, recreación y servicios de planificación urbana.

“La transferencia de más de 39 millones de dólares antes del 1 de julio, sin presentar recibos o facturas, antes de que se haya prestado cualquier servicio y sin la debida revisión mediante el proceso de adquisiciones

stros y los líderes políticos del condado respaldan a Joseph, este ha sido objeto de críticas

Durante el último año, en su calidad de superintendente interino, el lema de Joseph ha sido: "La excelencia debe ser la norma, no la excepción". Entre sus logros figuran una reducción de más del 50 % en la tasa de vacantes docentes y una mayor transparencia mediante paneles informativos en los sitios web de cada escuela, los

SUPERINTENDENTE 15 

Prevén inaugurar el nuevo centro para jóvenes este otoño

Por HEATHER WRIGHT

El nuevo centro para jóvenes de la ciudad, ubicado en la intersección de la Avenida 40 y la Calle Nicholson, tiene prevista su apertura para este otoño, según informaron funcionarios municipales.

"Los Departamentos de Servicios Comunitarios y de Obras Públicas están ultimando la compra del mobiliario y trasladando el equipamiento al lugar", señaló Cindy Zork, portavoz de la ciudad, en un correo electrónico dirigido a *Life & Times* (L&T). "El personal trasladará los suministros y materiales desde el Centro Recreativo de Driskell Park una vez que finalice el campamento de

verano en agosto".

Zork añadió que la ciudad espera que el nuevo centro esté listo para albergar todas las actividades dirigidas a jóvenes y adolescentes a partir de octubre. "El equipo de Servicios Comunitarios probará una jornada de actividades del campamento en las instalaciones durante el verano para resolver cualquier problema pendiente relacionado con el funcionamiento del edificio", indicó. Posteriormente, el Centro Recreativo de Driskell Park —que actualmente funciona como centro para jóvenes— se desalojará para realizar reformas y permanecerá cerrado por obras durante el invierno.

Una escuela en Chillum inaugura un nuevo jardín y espacio de aprendizaje al aire libre

Por KIT SLACK

Los niños de una escuela primaria pública del condado de Prince George en Chillum tienen una nueva aula al aire libre y jardín que duró cinco años de trabajo.

Wildcat Way, que lleva el nombre de la mascota de la escuela primaria César Chávez de inmersión dual en español, incluye mesas de picnic, pavimento permeable, senderos de grava, contenedores de compost, parterres elevados y árboles autóctonos y plantas perennes recién plantados así como áreas plantadas para convertirse en prados de flores silvestres.

“Hoy celebramos no solo lo que se ha construido, sino también las generaciones de aprendizaje, descubrimiento y comunidad que crecerán aquí gracias a ello”, dijo la directora Laura Guzman en la ceremonia de inauguración celebrada el 15

de junio.

Según Kate Wunderlich, madre de un alumno de la escuela y líder voluntaria del proyecto, padres y jardineros expertos de Hyattsville ayudarán a regar y mantener el espacio este verano, una vez que el contratista que instaló las plantas haya ayudado a que se establezcan.

Artista de Hyattsville Wenceslao Almazan-Romero, también padre de un alumno de la escuela, diseñó el Señalización exterior.

Al comienzo del proceso, estudiantes hizo dibujos y mantuvieron conversaciones con diseñadores que ayudaron a determinar la distribución y los usos del espacio. En las últimas semanas, los estudiantes plantaron flores silvestres y probaron sus diarios de naturaleza, que guardaban en vitrinas debajo de los bancos.

El estado de Maryland otorgó $145,000 en fondos de revital-

ización al proyecto en 2023 a través de una subvención a la Corporación de Desarrollo Comunitario de Hyattsville a través de la Fondo Estratégico de Desarrollo Económico de la Capital Nacional.

La fundación Naturaleza Sagrada, con sede en Annapolis, invirtió otros 70 000 dólares en el proyecto para la construcción, la señalización interpretativa y la programación de actividades para estudiantes en el espacio. También proporcionaron servicios de diseño, ayudando a convertir el plan conceptual elaborado en 2021 por el Neighborhood Design Center en un diseño finalizado.

La asociación de padres y profesores de la escuela también aportó 10.000 dólares al proyecto. Tras un proceso de obtención de permisos que se extendió desde 2024 hasta 2025, la construcción avanzó rápidamente durante el invierno y la primavera.

¡Ayúdanos a que sigan llegando noticias en español a Hyattsville/College Park!

Buscamos voluntarios emprendedores para formar parte de nuestra junta directiva, que hablen español con fluidez y estén dispuestos a ayudarnos a generar ingresos para apoyar las noticias en español en nuestra ciudad.

También buscamos escritores voluntarios y esperamos poder contratar pronto a un organizador comunitario. Si está interesado en alguno de estos puestos, póngase en contacto con nosotros: kit@ streetcarsuburbs. news.

CONFLICTO

VIENE DE PÁG. 13

de la Comisión, plantea serias preocupaciones sobre la autoridad legal y nuestra capacidad para brindar los servicios que los residentes del condado de Prince George esperan de nosotros”, afirma la agencia.

Además, el Concejo del Condado aprobó un presupuesto de 6 mil millones de dólares que incluye al menos un recorte de 20 millones de dólares en los presupuestos operativos de la agencia, 8 millones menos en su presupuesto de capital, un recorte de 33 millones para la construcción y operación de la sede central de la agencia en Largo y una serie de nuevas iniciativas programáticas sin financiamiento asignado.

“Reconocemos que equilibrar un presupuesto a nivel de todo el condado requiere tomar decisiones difíciles y valoramos nuestra colaboración con el Concejo del Condado de Prince George y el Ejecutivo del Condado”, declaró Artie Harris, presidente de la M-NCPPC, en un comunicado emitido el 9 de junio. “Al mismo tiempo, debemos dejar claro que reducciones de esta magnitud afectan los servicios de los que nuestras comunidades dependen todos los días”.

Fundada en 1927, la MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), es una agencia que opera en dos condados y se encarga de adquirir, desarrollar, mantener y administrar un sistema regional de parques en los condados de Montgomery y Prince George. Además, es responsable de la planificación del uso del suelo para el desarrollo físico de ambos.

SUPERINTENDENTE

VIENE DE PÁG. 13

cuales muestran los niveles de personal y el rendimiento académico.

Christy, presidenta del sindicato, reconoció la labor de Joseph al ajustar el presupuesto escolar sin despedir a maestros ni renegociar los contratos sindicales. Señaló que, durante su mandato, el sindicato participó en el proceso presupuestario de este año más que nunca.

"El próximo año será más difícil", afirmó Christy. "Ya hemos recortado hasta lo esencial". Advirtió a los miembros del Concejo del Condado de Prince George que debían esperar verla solicitando más fondos el año entrante.

Joseph expresó que trabajaría para lograr un sistema escolar en el que los residentes de todo el condado no sientan que sus

CELEBRACIÓN DEL MES DEL ORGULLO LGBTQ+

CENTRO

VIENE DE PÁG. 13

¿Cuánto han costado las reformas?

Funcionarios municipales informaron a *L&T* que el costo total del centro para jóvenes —incluyendo la compra del edificio, el diseño, la construcción, el mobiliario, el paisajismo y los juegos infantiles— asciende a unos 2,75 millones de dólares hasta la fecha.

En 2019, la ciudad adquirió el edificio situado en el número 5812 de la Avenida 40, junto con la zona verde adyacente, por 500.000 dólares, con el fin de albergar su programa para jóvenes.

En los años siguientes, la ciudad pagó 78.000 dólares por el diseño del edificio y 1,7 millones por las reformas realiza-

hijos deben ingresar a una escuela especializada para recibir una educación de excelencia. Destacó su visión de una educación atenta y personalizada para niños con necesidades especiales, señalando que el condado de Prince George podría convertirse en un lugar al que los padres decidan mudarse gracias a la sólida reputación del distrito en la educación de niños con diversas capacidades de aprendizaje.

La ejecutiva del condado, Aisha Braveboy, describió las circunstancias en las que seleccionó a Joseph como superintendente interino el verano pasado: "Entre los problemas más urgentes figuraba un estancamiento persistente entre las escuelas del condado de Prince George y los maestros. Las negociaciones contractuales estaban paralizadas y la tensión era elevada". Elogió a

das por TMG Construction; 80.000 dólares al Neighborhood Design Center para diseñar un miniparque orientado a los adolescentes dentro del adyacente Nicholson Park; 200.000 dólares a Playground Specialists por la instalación de equipamiento recreativo, incluyendo una hamaca doble, un columpio tipo cesta y una plataforma de equilibrio; 72.000 dólares a NZI Construction para obras exteriores, como la instalación de un sendero peatonal, un aparcamiento para bicicletas y trabajos de pavimentación *in situ*; y 110.000 dólares a Douron por el mobiliario.

¿De dónde provienen los fondos para el centro juvenil y el miniparque?

Las fuentes de financiación del proyecto incluyen 110.000

Joseph expresó que trabajaría para lograr un sistema escolar en el que los residentes de todo el condado no sientan que sus hijos deben ingresar a una escuela especializada para recibir una educación de excelencia.

dólares del programa *Community Legacy* del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario de Maryland; 900.000 dólares procedentes de la emisión de bonos (esencialmente, deuda a corto plazo); y 454.000 dólares en fondos federales destinados a la pandemia para la sustitución del tejado (véase más abajo), según informaron funcionarios municipales. El resto, algo menos de 1,3 millones de dólares, provino de los fondos operativos y de proyectos de capital de la ciudad correspondientes a los ejercicios fiscales 2020-2026.

¿Por qué ha tardado tanto el proyecto?

Durante una reunión del concejo municipal en diciembre de 2024, un residente señaló que el proyecto del centro juvenil

Joseph por resolver el conflicto a los pocos días de asumir su nuevo cargo, así como por su humildad y disposición para escuchar.

Braveboy es la primera graduada de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Prince George en nombrar a un superintendente para el distrito, según el concejal del condado Edward Burroughs III (Distrito 8). Braveboy se graduó de la escuela secundaria Largo, mientras que Burroughs asistió a la escuela secundaria Crossland; ambas instituciones se encuentran en el condado de Prince George. "Esta ejecutiva del condado trabajando con este [superintendente]...", comentó Burroughs, "...se ocupan minuciosamente de cómo vamos a cerrar las brechas en lectura y alfabetización... Tienen un compromiso real con la equi-

seguía sin completarse, a pesar de que frente al lugar había un letrero que anunciaba su apertura para 2022. En el debate posterior, el subdirector de Obras Públicas de la ciudad, Hal Metzler, citó los retrasos en la obtención de permisos como uno de los factores. Zork declaró recientemente a *Life & Times* que el descubrimiento de un problema en el tejado, una vez iniciadas las reformas, obligó a realizar una nueva ronda de revisión del diseño y de tramitación de permisos. Posteriormente, al finalizar la construcción, surgieron más retrasos para completar todas las inspecciones necesarias para obtener el permiso de uso y ocupación, documento que la ciudad finalmente recibió el pasado mes de abril.

dad en todo el sistema".

Joseph es profesor en la Universidad Howard y ha ocupado el cargo de superintendente en Nashville y Seaford (Delaware). Fue superintendente adjunto de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Prince George entre 2014 y 2016, bajo la dirección de Kevin Maxwell. Maxwell dejó el cargo en 2018, cuando los miembros de la junta escolar exigían una investigación sobre los aumentos salariales que había otorgado al personal, los cuales, según ellos, no estaban autorizados. La sucesora de Maxwell, Monica Goldson, aludió a conflictos en la junta de educación al renunciar en 2023. Posteriormente, Millard House II ocupó el puesto desde 2023 hasta el verano de 2025, momento en que dimitió repentinamente en medio de una disputa con el sindicato de maestros.

La policía municipal evalúa la viabilidad de patrullas eléctricas

Por NIGEL F. MAYNARD

El Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville (HPD) se encuentra en medio de un programa piloto para determinar si un vehículo de patrulla totalmente eléctrico es capaz de soportar las exigencias diarias de la labor policial.

Troy Bradley, administrador de flotas y tecnología móvil del HPD, señaló que el departamento está “buscando una alternativa diferente a los vehículos de gasolina y tratando de ver si una patrulla eléctrica sería adecuada para el patrullaje y el uso diario”.

“En este momento”, dijo Bradley, “contamos con modelos Ford Explorer y Ford Taurus, por lo que el vehículo eléctrico nos ofrecería otra opción de uso dentro de la ciudad”.

Según la página web del HPD, el departamento mantiene una flota de casi 70 vehículos que apoyan patrullas, investigaciones, recolección de pruebas, unidades especializadas y funciones administrativas. Para el programa piloto,

el departamento adquirió dos Chevrolet Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle modelo 2024, “entre los pocos vehículos eléctricos certificados para uso policial disponibles actualmente en todo el país”, según el sitio web. Uno de ellos se utiliza para entrenamiento. Estos vehículos fueron fabricados exclusivamente para las fuerzas del orden y, por lo tanto, no requieren equipo adicional. “Es el único vehículo eléctrico del mercado certificado para persecución policial”, declaró Bradley a Life & Times

El departamento de policía cuenta con otros vehículos eléctricos en servicio. La ciudad dispone de un Chevy Bolt que se utiliza para el control de estacionamiento y también cuenta con bicicletas eléctricas y motocicletas. “Se utilizan durante eventos comunitarios y patrullajes cuando el clima lo permite”, señaló Suzanne Kennedy, de la Oficina de Información Pública. El Blazer eléctrico también resultó ser la opción ideal, añadió Bradley, ya que el vehículo fue diseñado teniendo en cuenta la

instalación de equipo policial específico; venía preinstalado con el cableado necesario, lo que ahorra tiempo y costos de mano de obra. Dicha adaptación suele implicar la incorporación de luces, controladores, sirenas y otros elementos que los agentes necesitan en sus labores diarias y para atender llamados de emergencia. Cada vehículo eléctrico (VE) tiene un costo de 59.000 dólares (en valores de 2023), frente a los 48.000 dólares de un Ford Explorer convencional con motor de combustión interna. “Así que los vehículos eléctricos son significativamente más caros al principio porque las baterías no son baratas”, admitió Bradley, pero indicó que hay muchos beneficios (algunos que potencialmente permitirán a la ciudad ahorrar dinero a largo plazo).

El vehículo eléctrico no genera emisiones durante su funcionamiento (incluso cuando está inactivo), ofrece hasta 60 horas de inactividad en reposo sin consumir combustible, tiene un rango de 270 a 280 millas por carga y requiere menos mantenimiento (por ejemplo, no necesita cambios de aceite). Lo más importante es que no es necesario comprar gasolina (cuyo precio estaba en 4,47 dólares por galón el 17 de mayo).

Lanzado en diciembre de 2025, el proyecto piloto realiza un seguimiento de diversas métricas de rendimiento importantes del vehículo durante un año para determinar cómo se comportará en

Connecting

condiciones reales de operación. “He desarrollado lo que llamo el sistema de seguimiento del vehículo eléctrico”, explicó Bradley. “Básicamente, los datos que obtenemos de este sistema determinarán el éxito del programa”.

Entre las medidas que el departamento está monitoreando se encuentran la duración del turno y los usos del vehículo durante cada uno, incluidas las llamadas de emergencia; el estado de carga de la batería al inicio y al final de cada jornada, para garantizar que el vehículo pueda cubrir un turno completo de 12 horas; el tipo de cargador utilizado (nivel 1, 2 o 3); las lecturas del odómetro para controlar el millaje y los patrones de uso; factores ambientales, como la temperatura exterior; clasificación del servicio (patrullaje, entrenamiento, horas extra); el volumen de llamadas atendidas durante cada turno; y el consumo total de energía por despliegue.

El departamento llevará a cabo una revisión de seis meses en junio para evaluar cómo marcha el programa hasta la fecha. “A finales de junio recopilaré algunas cifras”, afirmó Bradley. “Quiero informar al departamento sobre cómo está funcionando”. El programa piloto concluye en diciembre de 2026. Si los vehículos eléctricos funcionan bien, la ciudad determinará si puede utilizar más unidades en las operaciones de su flota. “Esto también depende de la infraestructura de carga”, señaló Kennedy.

Conectando a los residentes de Hyattsville a través del idioma y la cultura cada mes, en cada buzón. Para anunciar aquí, contacte a kit@streetcarsuburbs.news