Vol. 76, No. 18 May 1 — May 7, 2008 Prince George’s County, Maryland Newspaper of Record Phone: 301-627-0900 25 cents
A C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER FOR P RINCE G EORGE ’ S C OUNTY Since 1932
The Prince George’s Post
Lanham, MD – On Friday, May 2, 2008, The Prince George’s County Harlem Renaissance Festival Collaborative Committee and Festival Chair, Maryland State Senator David C. Harrington will host the Sponsors Gala and L.O.V.E. Awards Ceremony at
the Prince George’s Ballroom.
This gala is just a small token to say “thank you” for all of the support for this year’s Harlem Renaissance Festival, as well as, past events sponsored by the
Harlem Remembrance
Foundation. The guests will be treated to a premiere screening of the movie “THE PACT” -- a gritty, provocative true-life story of three friends from the
‘hood,’who made a pact in high school to find a way to go to college and then medical school. “The PACT” was writ- ten by the three friends:
Rameck Hunt, Sampson Davis, and George Jenkins with the assistance of Washington Post Editor and Prince George’s
*An Evening of Black Cinema +
Prince George,s County Harlem Renaissance Festival Features the Movie Premier *THE PACT+
at the 9TH Annual Sponsors Gala and Love Awards Ceremony
PHOTO COURTESY NATIONAL HARBOR
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is the cornerstone of National Harbor itself.
There are 2,000 luxurious guestrooms, including 110 lavish suites.
By PRESS OFFICER
Harlem Renaissance Festival
See FESTIVAL, Page A3
County Executive Celebrate National Harbor Opening
UPPER MARLBORO, MD - Prince George's County Jack Johnson spoke at the official grand opening of the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center Friday, April 25 at 2 p.m.
Gaylord National is the newest monumental addition to Prince George's County and the national capital region along
the banks of the Potomac River.
It is a massive $865 million facility and the largest com- bined hotel and convention cen- ter on the Eastern Seaboard. It boasts 2,000 luxurious guest rooms, including 110 lavish suites, and 470,000 square feet of meeting, convention and exhibit space.
This Hotel Resort and Convention Center is the cor- nerstone of the exciting new National Harbor development,
a $4 billion, 300-acre, water- front destination offering world-class dining, retail and entertainment venues.
This full-service luxury hotel is designed to offer guests a complete range of business, convention and recreational amenities all under one roof.
Characterized by its immense 18-story atrium, it is the largest non-gaming hotel and conven- tion center on the Eastern Seaboard.
Medicaid Safety Net Approved by House
Representatives Impose a One-year Moratorium on Proposed Regulations
Nuclear
Renaissance isActive at Calvert Cliffs
Constellation Energy, State Plans to Add a Reactor
LUSBY - Douglas Pardoe has lived here all his life.
In a quaint home just off Maryland Route 4, 74-year-old Pardoe has seen plenty of changes in Calvert County dur- ing his lifetime -- not the least of which is the twin-reactor nuclear power plant that hums along just a few thousand feet from his home, built on land his family once owned.
The plant doesn't bother him or his wife, Barbara, one bit -- but its planned expansion is another story.
President’s Television Show Features Council Member Ingrid Turner
PHOTO COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
Ingrid M. Turner, Prince George’s County Council Member and Dr. Otis Thomas, BSU Television Producer
Bowie, MD--President’s Update, a monthly Bowie State University (BSU) television segment, features an interview this April with Prince George’s County Council Member Ingrid M. Turner (District 4). BSU television producer Otis Thomas conducts the interview, talking with Councilwoman Turner about important initia- tives for Prince George’s County, what it means to have a higher education institution in her district, and changes she has observed that have occurred in the county.
"Bowie State University has made tremendous strides under the leadership of President Mickey L. Burnim," said Turner. "However, to serve the growing needs of the students and achieve the level of acade- mic excellence and national recognition enjoyed by neigh-
boring institutions of higher learning, continued progress is
n e e d e d .
There are many exciting new initiatives taking place at Bowie State right now, and I along with the other members of the county council and the county executive look forward to even greater things and stand ready to work together for the betterment of Bowie State University and Prince George’s County as a whole."Turner, who grew up in the county, has served on the Prince George’s County Council since December 4, 2006, represent- ing the constituency of Bowie, Glen Dale, Greenbelt, Westchester Park, parts of Lanham-Seabrook and Upper Marlboro. She serves as vice- chair of the Council’s Health, Education and Human Services, and Public Safety and Fiscal Management commit- WASHINGTON, D.C – The
U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved leg- islation – the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act – to impose a one-year moratorium on Medicaid regulations pro-
posed by the Bush
Administration that threaten services for 650,000 Marylanders enrolled in Medicaid, and would result in the loss of approximately $67 million in Medicaid payments to the State.
“This legislation protects beneficiaries, providers and states from harmful regulatory changes that would undermine the Medicaid safety-net and imperil critical services for hundreds of thousands of Maryland beneficiaries,” stated
Rep. Steny Hoyer. “At a time when the economy is signifi- cantly slowing down, it makes no sense to implement changes that compromise a program serving those families who are most in need.”
Over the past several
months, the Bush
Administration has announced seven changes to Medicaid that reverse longstanding policies and eliminate federal payments for a variety of critical Medicaid functions. The House-passed legislation imposes a moratorium on the new rules until March 2009, and establishes an independent review on the effects of these proposed changes prior to the moratorium’s expiration.
Perhaps the most damaging
American Joe is Still a Familiar Name
Mikulski Commends Hadashah Grassroots Effort, As Senate Votes Genetic Discrimination Protection
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today announced the Senate has passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (H.R. 493), after more than a decade of work, hearings, and parliamentary delays.
The bill, which Senator Mikulski co- sponsors, would prohibit health insurance companies and employers from discrimi-
nating against individuals based on their genetic information.
"As the Senator from Maryland, the home of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and cutting-edge companies, genetic testing and its implications for Marylanders and all Americans is especially important to me," said Senator Mikulski. "This bill pro- vides necessary protections so that people will take advantage of the potential that genetic testing can offer, without losing their job or their health insurance."
Legislation addressing genetic nondis- crimination was first considered in the
103rd Congress as part of the national health care reform debate.
Genetic nondiscrimination protections, in stand-alone bills or in broader legisla- tion, were introduced in the 104th Congress and in subsequent Congresses. Since 1996, the HELP Committee has examined the issue of genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment, including con- ducting five hearings on genetic discrimi- nation as well as hearings on the related
BALTIMORE - For some- one involved in Maryland pol- itics for the past several decades, American Joe Miedusiewski seems to have made remarkably few enemies.
And even though it's been 14 years since he ran for gov- ernor, Miedusiewski remains a familiar face in Baltimore and Annapolis as a well-paid - and apparently likeable - lobbyist.
He's known for his unusual name and 20 years as a Democratic legislator from 1975 to 1995, but for the past 13 sessions he's been well rec- ognized in his new craft.
Committee chairs often refer to him as "American Joe" when he testifies at their hearings.
"He's very broadly respect- ed both by legislators and lob- byists alike," said House
Neighbors Columns:
Morningside,
Brandywine, ClintonAnd Suitland
Neighbors Page A2
Spend your tax refund wisely. A few possibili- ties to consider before rushing off to the mall Community,
PageA3American Masters (2008 Season) Features "Marvin Gaye: What's Going On"
PremieringPBSMay7. 9pm OnTheTown,PageA6
INSIDE
By University Relations Bowie State University
See TELEVISION, Page A3
By PRESS INFORMATION OFFICER Office of the County Executive By PRESS OFFICER
Rep. Steny Hoyer’s Office
See MEDICAID, Page A3
By
BEN MEYERSON Capital News ServiceSee NUCLEAR, Page A5
By PRESS OFFICER
Senator Barbara Mikulski’s Office
See GENETIC, Page A6
By
LAURA SCHWARTZMAN Capital News ServiceSee JOE, Page A6
PRE-MEN’S DAY GOSPEL SONG SERVICE
Christ United Methodist Church in Aquasco, Maryland, Pastor Robert E Walker, Jr. will sponsor a Pre-Men’s Day Gospel Song Service on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 6:00 PM. The program will feature the Mighty Gospel Melodies of King George, Virginia, the Gospel Revelations of Clinton, MD, Jr. Marshall & the Voices of Harmony of Waldorf, Maryland, Rev. Roderick, 1st Missionary Baptist Church, Lexington Park, Maryland.
Donation is $10.00. Please contact Robert Adams (301- 579-6333), Clinton Holland (301-888-1113), or Rudell Jones (301-579-2014) if addi- tional information is needed.
ANNUAL MEN’S DAY Christ United Methodist Church in Aquasco, Maryland, Pastor Robert E Walker, Jr.
will celebrate their Annual Men’s Day on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at the 9:45 AM Worship Service. The theme for their Men’s Day is “Men Thirsty for the Water from the Rock.
The guest speaker will be Brother Dana Jones, Lay Leader, Plum Point United
Methodist Church,
Huntingtown, Maryland.
REVEALED DANCE
MINISTRY & ACADEMY Come out and enjoy the Night of Dance presenting the worship of Kingdom Psalmist Keith Duncan, His Call Ministries (www.hiscall.org), anointed Liturgical Dance Seminars, workshops and clin- ics (to include Flag &
Choreography), May 30, 2008 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM / May 31, 2008 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
Registration is free. Must be registered to attend seminar. A night of praise and worship through the Ministry of Anointed Dance May 31, 2008 at 6:00 PM.
Seminar participants are invited back to minister as Levitical Dancers. The Night of Dance is free to the public, however there is limited spac- ing. Register on-line now at (www.doneuntothelord.com).
Night of Dance will be present- ed at the National Church
of God, Bishop Stephen L.
Lowery, 6700 Bock Road Ft.
Washington, Maryland.
SIXTH ANNUAL INDUC- TION CEREMONY
Preachers Hall of Fame will present their sixth annual induc- tion ceremony Sunday May 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM. The Induction Ceremony will be at Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church 4501 16TH Street N.W. Washington D.C.
(16th & Allison Streets N.W.) Everyone is invited to attend this Induction Ceremony.
Posthumous Inductees: Rev.
Dr. James K. McCants, Rev. Dr.
Kelly Jackson, Rev. Roscoe C.
Williams, Rev. Floyd Davis and Rev. Lyttleton Frye Morgan.
Contemporary inductees are Rev. Alfred A.Vaughn, Rev. Dr.
Edwin Williams, Rev. J. T.
Smith and Rev. Dr. George Stansbury.
If additional information is needed please call the church 202-882-2122 or email
([email protected] m).
APRIL BIRTHDAY
OBSERVANCES
Best Wishes and God’s Blessings to the following on their special day:
Janet Barber, Catherine Brooks, William L. Brooks, Taniya Cole, Louise Contee, Audrey Davis, Peggy Fitzgerald, Lula Hawkins, Helen B. Holland, DeLarenta Lee, Lillian Makle, Wendell Pinkney, Doris Slater, and Delonte Young.
APRILANNIVERSARIES Best Wishes and God’s Blessings to the following cou- ples on another year of love and togetherness. Mr. & Mrs.
Thomas Cooper and Mr. &
Mrs. Elson Johnson.
N EIGHBORS
In and Around Morningside-Skyline
by Mary McHale 301 735 3451
Brandywine-Aquasco
by Ruth Turner 301 888 1139
Suitland Beat
by Janice Euell 240 619 5235
Bible Man, Pope share same birthday
I’ve often mentioned the Bible Man in this column. He’s a 49-year-old man (I just learned his age) who walks Allentown Road, and streets in District Heights, in all kinds of weather, carrying aloft a Bible.
A week ago Thursday I was on Allentown Road, waiting to turn left onto Suitland Road, when he was on the divider next to my car. I rolled down the window and greeted him.
He told me he was excited—he had just learned that he shares his April 17 birthday with the Pope.
Along with my passen- gers—Anne Woods and Sister Zion—I started singing Happy Birthday when he showed me his driver’s license. Knowing his name, we were able to sere- nade him with , “...Happy birth- day, dear Maurice, Happy birth- day to you.”
He confessed that he had turned 49 that day. And he says he walks with his Bible to let people know that the Lord Jesus is in charge.
Five days with the Pope
I attended Pope John Paul II’s Mass on the Mall back in 1976. That was a thrill though, truth be told, I could hardly see the Holy Father through all that crowd.
How things have changed!.
Back then I was probably able to get a parking place in the city. There were not hundreds of Secret Service protecting the Pope from the crowd. And there was not the TV coverage we have today.
From April 16 when Pope Benedict XVI’s plane landed at Andrews, until the night of April 20 when he boarded Alitalia for a return to Italy, I was on the sofa, participating so to speak, in all his Masses, receptions, and motorcades.
For me, it was a fantastic expe- rience and I’m grateful to Channel 5, Channel 8, and EWTN (the Catholic network) for their amazing coverage..
Four children from St.
Philip’s School sang in the Children’s Choir at the Mass,
Micaela Ada, Maris
Higginbotham, Devin McHugh and Kevin Parsons. Steve Dameron, of Morningside, sang in the Papal Choir. Suzy Giroux and daughter Virgina, Lenora Dameron and daughter Kara, all of Pickett Court in Morningside, were in the con- gregation, as were many others from the area. The Bishop
McNamara High School Band was at Andrews to greet the Pope when he arrived.
One unfortunate note:
Regan Lee, with a teen group from St. Philip’s, tripped on a chair as she left the stadium, and broke her ankle.
Church Women United meet at Bells
May Friendship Day is an annual event nationwide. In our area this year it will be cel- ebrated Friday, May 2, at Bells U.M. Church, 6016 Allentown Road, and all are invited. The theme is “God’s Wisdom Inspires Hospitality,” centering on Matthew 25:35, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” The program will present avenues of extending hospitali- ty, to friends and strangers alike. The logo features a pineapple, the universal symbol of hospitality.
Bring your pennies to the meeting to be used to alleviate women’s hardships around the world, as part of the Fellowship of the Least Coin, a worldwide movement for more than 50 years. Also, you can bring paper goods and toiletries for the County Family Crisis Center. This year, Sue Wood will be honored as the Church Women United’s Valiant Woman.
The program starts at 10 a.m. and lunch will be served about 11:15. If you wish to stay for lunch, the cost is $5. Call Edna Holland, 301-735-1167, and let her know.
Neighbors
Donna Edwards, our new Representative in Congress, has bought a condo at National Harbor and expects to move in next fall.
Pray for Father Bernard Ihrie who has been hospital- ized. I’m surprised to hear this news because just this Sunday he came up from Edgewater to celebrate Mass with SPRED, the special religious education group at St. Philip’s which he has served as moderator for many years.
Condolences to Mary Gaither, longtime Auth Village resident, on the sudden death of her son Eddie Gaither.
Academia
Congratulations to William Thomas of Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, Upper Marlboro, for being named Teacher of the Year by the County Schools and the Board of Eduction. Mr. Thomas,
who teaches classes on local, state and national government, was awarded a $4,000 stipend and $5,000 for instructional materials.
Gwynn Park High School, Class of 1979, is planning a 30- year reunion in 2009 and is seeking classmates. E-mail
Janice at jmtoep-
May they rest in peace
George S. Mockabee, 92, owner of a Mockabee’s Gas Station, died April 13 at his home in Suitland. He was born in Washington, son of Henry and Pearl Mockabee. He served in the Army during World War II, then moved to Fort Road in the early 1960s and, along with his father, opened Mockabee’s Gas, Oil and Ice, in Meadows. His wife Ann and daughter Margaret
“Peggy” Guy, and his first wife Eleanor predeceased him.
Survivors include daughter Barbara Pearson; siblings, Warren Mockabee, Pearl Schuler and Margaret DeGeorge; six grandchildren;
four great-grandchildren and a great-great grandson. Service and burial were at Cedar Hill.
Dorothy Wright Lindbeck, 92, formerly of Camp Springs, a preschool teacher at Corkran Memorial U.M. Church from the 1950s through the early
‘70s, died March 3. She and her husband were founding members of Corkran. A native of Huntington, W.Va., she attended Marshall University, and through the 1940s taught school in West Virginia, finger- printed for the FBI, and taught nursery school at Bolling AFB.
Her husband, Charles W.
Lindbeck Sr., died in 2002.
Survivors include son Charles and daughter Debbie Kerns and a granddaughter.
Milestones
Happy birthday to Edna Lucas, April 24; Daisy Young and our grandson David McHale, April 25; G.A.
DeFelice, April 26; Michael Call, April 27; Jessica Phipps, April 28; Lael McCune, Dorothy Lipka and Tom Reilly, April 30.
Happy anniversary to Brent and Alberteen Mudd, celebrat- ing their 56th on April 26;
Emanuel and Juanita Chaplin, their 45th on April 26; and Jan and Cindy Smith, their 36th on April 28.
Happy 58th anniversary to the Gateway Lions Club which celebrated the occasion with a party on March 20.
Happy Birthday in May to Alvera Wathen, May 1, Thomas Smith, Eda Brawner and Linda Guzman, May 2, Willie Lee Bowden and Betty Shifflett, May 3, Alice Smolinski, Esther Nowak and Billy Lederer, May 4, Fay Smith and Mabel Vaughn, May 5, Margaret Hilton and Mary Maynor, May 6, Phyllis Ruble and Pat McKenzie, May 9, Dick Statler, May 10, Mary Etter, May 11, Helen Janowiak, Celeste Felious and Patsy Moreland, May 12, Joyce Peay, May 13, Mary Walker and Anna Roeder, May 14, Jamie Thomas and Mildred Fowler, May 17, Francine L. Webb, May 18, Janet Duty, May 21, Jean Linkins, May 23, Norma Edwards, Agnis Spicer and Betty Crompton, May 25, my
grandson, Trevor Donaldson, Violet Carlson, Judy Beach and Mary Stoutemyer, May 26, Sally Dickerson and Robin Collins, May 27, Alice Weaver and Jason Sylvis, May 28, Thelma Skinner, May 29, and Delia Chatman, Lucie Webner and Faye Rodgers, May 30.
The Third Annual Kennedy- King Fundraiser will be taking place on May 8 at the Lexington Hotel in Oxon Hill.
Keynote Speaker will be Steny Hoyer, House Majority Leader.
Price is $60 for non-members, and $50 for members of the Prince George’s County Young Democrats. Call 202-498-7959 or go to www.pgcyd.org.
Historic Surratt House Museum will offer free tours on Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4 from noon to 4pm.
Costumed guides will conduct tours of this 1852 farmhouse, which served as a tavern and post office as well as a stop on the escape route of John Wilkes Booth as he fled Washington following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
For more information, call 301-
868-1121, or go to
www.surratt.org.
The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers increased 0.9 percent in March according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For purposes of calculating the next COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) the index is cur- rently 2.7 percent above the 2007 third quarter average base index of 203.6.
On April 16, the House Oversight and Government
Clinton Conversations
by Norma Fazenbaker 301 579 6116
There is good news happen- ing at Pilgrimage Christian Church. I already told you about the new 7:30 am service that is being held on Sundays for you busy folks that like to come and leave early. They also just had another success- ful fish fry. And, now they are sponsoring a new service that will enable community mem- bers to get free food.
Reverend Brenda Cardwell
and Meneta Wyatt,
Communicatioins Director, catered breakfast and lunch for the Disciples of Men Conference which was held at North Chevy Chase Christian Church, Chevy Chase for a group of 30 men, including seniors.
The food pantry will be available on Thursdays of each week.
There will be canned goods, nonperishable items that fami-
lies can use to supplement their monthly food budgets. If you are in need of those items at any time, please contact the Church for details.
Mark our calendars for their upcoming Revival Revival on the 12th of May and will last through the 16th, starting at 730 PM at the Church which is located at 5105 Silver Hill Road in Suitland. There will be different choirs and pastors from around the region, lots of great inspirational words and music.
So come on over to Pilgrimage Christian and get your spirit renewed each night or just any one night. All are welcomed and invited. Please
call the Church at
(301)5684039 for additional information.
Geneva Gause of the Daughters of Isis, MISR Court
#193 met with girls and par-
ents enrolled in ROJA's After School Learning Center in District Heights to enroll them in the Isiserettes Girls Group as part of their Court's efforts to mentor our girls. Parents were very enthusiastic about the upcoming events and everyone was excited about the upcoming Gospel program that was such a success last year.
Illustrious Potentate Michael Taylor met with the young males and a parent at ROJA's After School School Learning Center in District Heights to begin their mentor- ing efforts with the boys. This will be an exciting opportunity for them to learn the morals and values associated with becoming responsible adult men.Congratulations to all of the youth for making the decision to take part in a program that can guarantee their success.
Citizens attend the Dist. IV Community Forum
Reform Committee voted 21- 10 to report H.R. 5781, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008.
This bill, introduced by Rep.
Carolyn Maloney, (D-NY) would amend existing law to provide four weeks of paid
parental leave for all federal employees. Employees will also, for the first time, be allowed to use their accrued sick leave for an additional eight weeks of paid leave for parental leave. No date has been set for floor consideration
of this law.
The first product Motorola started to develop was a record player for automo- biles. At that time, the most known player on the market was Victrola, so they called themselves Motorola.
More Clinton
Prince George’s County, Maryland…The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Marine Patrol Unit was water bound last August but the opening of National Harbor puts a spotlight on the Unit. Marine Patrol, which provides waterborne law enforcement services in and around National Harbor, is oper- ating and patrolling areas along the Potomac River and portions of the Patuxent and Anacostia Rivers.
Major Kevin Putnam, Commander of the Special Operations Division which oversees the Marine Unit, said along with patrolling National Harbor, the Unit has other responsibilities, including pro- tection of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge, accident investi- gations, drunken boat operating enforcement, search and rescue, and enforcement of other mar- itime laws.
The implementation of the Unit was accomplished with minimal impact to the county’s budget. Lieutenant Ed Talik, Commander of the Special Services Section, secured Federal and State grants to pur-
chase boats and equipment and currently has three Boston Whalers patrol boats– an 18’and two 21’ footers. The boats are equipped with GPS Chart plot- ters, radar, and sophisticated radio equipment that allows for communications with all the sur- rounding agencies. While cur- rently docked at the Fort Washington Marina, plans call for the boats to and docked at National Harbor once that facili- ty is operational.
“We knew the opening of National Harbor would bring
attention to the Unit, but it really is the culmination of years of research and development under the direction of Lieutenant Talik,” said Putnam.
Officers assigned to the Marine Unit received extensive training from the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) who serve as the state’s lead law enforcement agency regarding security on Maryland water- ways. Additionally, members work closely with Marine Units of the United States Coast Guard, the Metropolitan Police
Department, and Fairfax County. The collaboration has resulted in a productive working relationship.
Lieutenant Talik said, “We know how vital venues like National Harbor and other com- mercial enterprises are to the county’s growth. Development of a Marine Unit is an important addition to public safety and our partnership with similar units is consistent with regional cooper- ation in every aspect of law enforcement.”
C OMMUNITY
Practical Money Skills
By Jason Alderman
Smart Uses for Your Tax Refund
Each year, roughly 70 percent of Americans get an income tax refund. Thanks to the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, beginning in early May most also will receive an additional tax rebate check of up to $600 (up to
$1,200 for joint filers) - even those who don't earn enough to owe federal income tax.
A survey commissioned by Visa Inc. found that roughly the same number of people plan to use their tax refund to pay bills (43 per- cent) as to contribute to sav- ings (45 percent). Others said they'll use it to make a major purchase (9 percent) or pay their rent or mortgage (3 per- cent).
Although the money may be burning a hole in your pocket, here are a few possi- bilities to consider before rushing off to the mall:
Spend wisely. If you want to reinvest part of your refund/rebate back into the economy, consider spending it on necessities that will save you money in the long run.
For example, servicing your car helps it run more effi- ciently and last longer. And weatherproofing your house or buying energy-efficient appliances can significantly lower utility bills.
Pay off debt. When you carry forward credit card bal- ances, interest charges can really add up over time. For example, making only the minimum monthly payment (assuming 4 percent) on a
$1,000 balance could add seven years until payoff and more than $500 in additional interest for a card with 18 percent interest - assuming you don't make any new pur- chases.
Save for emergencies. It's wise to set aside three to six months of living expenses to cover job loss, unexpected medical expenses or other unplanned events. With inter- est rates dropping, shop for deals on high-yield money market savings accounts or short-term CDs at
www.bankrate.com.
Save for retirement. The longer you delay, the harder it is to catch up on retirement savings. Open or add to an existing Individual Retirement Account or 401(k) plan. Practical Money Skills for Life, Visa's free per- sonal financial management site, contains detailed retire- ment financial planning information, including tax ramifications and interactive retirement savings calculators (www.practicalmoneyskills.c
om/401k).
Finance education.
Strengthen your career prospects and earnings poten- tial by adding new skills through college courses or vocational training. Ask if your employer will kick in for job-related education.
You can also set money aside for your children's or grandchildren's education - while saving on taxes - using a 529 Qualified State Tuition Plan or Coverdell Education Savings Account.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website provides information on 529 plans
(www.sec.gov/investor/pu bs/intro529.htm) and the IRS's site explains Coverdell a c c o u n t s (www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc310 .html).
Fund your vacation. Set money aside now so you won't need to rack up debt while on vacation.
Give to charity. Don't wait until year's end to make char- itable contributions - a time when holiday expenses com- pete for available dollars. Try making part of your dona- tions using tax refund money.
Don't overpay taxes. By getting a large tax refund, you're essentially giving the government an interest-free loan throughout the year. Ask your employer's benefits department for a new W-4 form and recalculate how much is being deducted each pay period. Your goal should be to receive little or no refund. Consult a financial professional about your par- ticular situation; if you don't
know one,
www.plannersearch.org is a good place to start your search.
Sure, it's tempting to blow your whole tax refund on the latest gadget, but try to invest most of it in your long-term future financial security.
Jason Alderman directs Visa's financial education programs. To participate in a free, online Financial Literacy and Education
Summit, go to
www.practicalmoneyskills.co m/summit2008.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
Call 301-627-0900
or Mail Your Name and Address to:
The Prince George’s Post,
P.O. Box 1001, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
National Harbor Opening Puts
Spotlight on PGPD Marine Patrol Unit
ByPRESSINFORMATIONOFFICE P G C Police Department
PHOTO BY PGCPD
The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Marine Patrol Unit was water bound last August but the opening of National Harbor puts a spotlight on the Unit.
County resident, Ms. Lisa Frazier Page.
“This is and should be a Red Carpet event,” says Senator David Harrington, Chairman of the Festival. Our sponsors and supporters will walk the red carpet. This may be the first movie premiere experience for many our attendees, so we want to make it memorable.” The Gala will also feature two movie shorts by Ms. Dawnette Sammuels, a senior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, and Mr. DeAndre Vidale, who is currently attending Prince George’s Community College and interning at CTV.
The evening will include the presentation of the Fifth Annual L.O.V.E. Award nominees and winners. Each year, individuals or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the arts in Prince George’s County in the categories of Leadership, Outreach, Visionary, and Excellence are
nominated to receive one of these awards. Join the Harlem Remembrance Foundation in recognizing this year’s L.O.V.E. Award Nominees:
Those nominated for Leadership in the Arts included:
Bernadette Sharp-Melvin, Reading Recovery Teacher and Kindergarten and First Grade Literacy Teacher, Prince George’s County Public Schools: Nominated by: Ms.
Jeannine K. Johnson. Allison Linda Richo, Art Teacher, Oxon Hills H.S.: Nominated by: Ms.
Marla Bartholomew
The Honorable Tony Knotts, County Councilman, District 8:
Nominated by: Mr. Hubert
“Petey” Greene.
The Outreach in the Arts nominees included: Erin Cribbs, Band Leader for Parkdale High School’s Marching Band: Nominated by:
Mrs. Lydia Vorce Charnetta Braziel, Lake Arbor Elementary School Music Teacher: Nominated by: The Faculty and Staff of Lake Arbor
Elementary.
Ebony Sonshine, Inc., An African-American History and Christian-based Puppet Performance Show and Program.: Nominated by:
Councilman Tony Knotts.
The Visionary in the Arts nominees included:
Lyrikal Storm Poetry Group, A Part of the Phoenix Medina Writer’s Project: Nominated by: Ms. Charlena S. Carney, Ms. Shasha Lowe, Ms. Yvonne Brown, Dalitso Chinkhota, and Ms. Heather Harding (All staff of Parkdale High School)
Carolyn Corpening Colling Rowe, One of the founding members of the Prince George’s Genealogy Society:
Nominated by: Dorothy Bailey.
The Excellence in the Arts nominees included:
Lynelle Randall, Music Teacher and Musical Program Director, Lake Arbor Elementary School.:
Nominated by: The Faculty and Staff of Lake Arbor Elementary and Mr. Harold
Lewis, Sr. President of the Lake Arbor Elementary PTA
Janette H. Gillis, Dance Teacher, Henry Wise High School: Nominated by: Ms.
Monica Goldson, Principal.
Marilyn K. Femi Manners,
Dance Teacher and
Entrepreneur: Nominated by:
The Honorable Eugene W.
Grant, Mayor of the City of Seat Pleasant.
The winners of the L.O.V.E.
Awards will be announced at the Gala. The 9th Annual Harlem Renaissance Festival will be Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 24ll Pinebrook Avenue, Landover, MD. The event is FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Celebrity perfor- mance by the “God Father of Go-Go” Chuck Brown.
For more information about past or future events sponsored by the Harlem Remembrance Foundation, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.pghrf.org, the Harlem Remembrance Foundation.
Festival
from A1tees. Council Member Turner also is a member of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Human Services Policy Committee, Governor’s Workforce Investment Board, Maryland Association of Counties Board of Directors, and the Prince George’s County
Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
President Burnim serves as the co-host of President’s Update. He commented, “We are pleased that we can take advantage of one of Bowie State University’s key assets to provide a platform for Councilwoman Turner and other Maryland leaders to dis- cuss important issues that
impact our state.”
Bowie State University Television airs Monday through Friday at 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Comcast Cable channel 74 and Verizon Cable channel 43.
About Bowie State University?Bowie State University (BSU) is an impor- tant higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and
socioeconomic backgrounds who seek a high quality and affordable public comprehen- sive university. The University places special emphasis on the science, technology, teacher education, business, and nurs- ing disciplines within the con- text of a liberal arts education.
For more information about BSU, visit the website at www.bowiestate.edu.
Television
from A1regulatory change for Maryland is one pertaining to case man- agement services, intended to help the elderly, children with special needs, and persons with disabilities gain access to the full spectrum of health care and support services. That rule
alone, which went into effect on March 3, threatens as many as 200,000 Maryland beneficiaries and $60 million in Medicaid funding for the State. Also at risk in Maryland are rehabilita- tive services for more than 30,000, $7 million for training medical providers, and the abil- ity of the State to coordinate
with schools and local health departments on the delivery of services. In addition to enjoy- ing strong bipartisan support in Congress, the moratorium is supported by Governors in all 50 states. Governor Martin O’Malley joined a multi-state lawsuit filed against the Bush Administration challenging the
new regulations. Earlier this month, Maryland’s Medicaid Director, John Folkemer, testi- fied before the Energy &
Commerce Subcommittee on Health about the adverse impact the rule changes would have on the State.
Medicaid
from A1What happens to the chil- dren of a single mother who becomes so disabled by mental illness or substance abuse that she can't take care of them? Or to the children of a parent who gets killed in a car accident?
Who takes care of the children when both parents are called up for military duty overseas?
What about parents who are incarcerated? In a large number of cases, children become the charges of grandparents or other relatives who are too often overwhelmed as they take on the full-time responsibility of raising a grandchild, niece or nephew.
In America today, about 4.5 million children live in house- holds headed by grandparents.
Another 1.5 million live in households of other relatives.
About two out of five of the children being raised by grand- parents are there without their parents present. Yet most of these grandparents have raised their own children and didn’t expect to be parenting again.
They frequently must make great sacrifices to help care for and protect the children they are raising. Even though 71 percent of these grandparents are under age 60, and 68 per- cent of them are working, a number of them need financial help and many require other forms of assistance. Some are living on fixed incomes and only about 30 percent receive any income from government programs.
On May 7, 2008, more than one thousand grandparents and other relatives will gather at the U.S. Capitol for the Third National GrandRally for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children to expand public awareness of the important role they are playing for children who have become temporarily or permanently parentless. The GrandRally is a call for help to families, friends, community groups, state and national organiza- tions, government agencies and elected officials. The cospon- sors of the GrandRally are the Children’s Defense Fund, AARP, the Child Welfare
League of America,
Generations United, GrandFamilies of America, and the National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s
Rights. One thousand grand- parents and other relatives from 41 states rallied in Washington in 2005.
Grandparents and other rela- tives provide vital care to mil- lions of America’s most vulner- able children. They give uncon- ditional love, stability and con- tinuity, as well as 24-hour care, 365 days a year. They keep children safe and families together. Children raised by rel- atives are more likely to be placed with siblings and less likely to lose touch with their cultural traditions and commu- nity connections.
Many relatives hope they can continue to care for the children and keep them out of foster care, but they need help.
CDF is sponsoring the GrandRally to give relative caregivers an opportunity to see that they are not alone and that they have allies and supporters in their own states and across our nation.
Inspired by the first two GrandRallies, caregivers in dif- ferent states established support groups in communities for rela- tive caregivers and for the chil- dren and teens they are raising;
created kinship navigator pro- grams to help relative care- givers connect their children with services and supports for which they are eligible; partici- pated in training sessions to
learn more about how to access the services and supports their children need; organized state and local coalitions of relative caregivers to help make the case for expanded services and support for their children; held State GrandRallies or otherwise educated state policymakers about the help needed by chil- dren in their care and testified at legislative hearings, resulting in important improvements for children; and conducted statewide kinship care confer- ences and returned to Washington, D.C., to share their stories at Congressional briefings.
Become a GrandRally sup- porter. Work with us to build support for the millions of chil- dren being raised by relatives.
Please register at
http://www.grandrally.org/
and join us for the GrandRally at the United States Capitol at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7th.
Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children's Defense Fund and its Action Council whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of car- ing families and communities.
C OMMENTARY
Child Watch by Marion Wright Edelman Join the GrandRally and Help Grandparents
and Other Relatives Raising Children
Prince George’s County, Md. Member National Newspaper PublishersAssociation, and the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia PressAssociation.
The Prince George’s Post (ISSN 10532226) is published every Thursday by the New Prince George’s Post Inc., 15207 Marlboro Pike,
Upper Marlboro, Md. 20772-3151.
Subscription rate: 25 cents per single copy; $15 per year;
$7.50 senior citizens and students; out of county add $1; out of state add $2.
Periodical postage paid at Southern Md. 20790.
Postmaster, send address changes to Prince George’s Post, P.O. Box 1001, Upper Marlboro, Md. 20772-3151.
The Prince George’s Post P.O. Box 1001 15207 Marlboro Pike
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-3151 Phone 301-627-0900 Legal Fax • 301-627-6260
Editorial Fax • 301-627-8147 Contents © 2004, The Prince George’s Post
The Prince George’s Post
Subscriptions Anna Curry Editor Legusta Floyd Web Manager Kyler Quesenberry Publisher
Legusta Floyd General Manager/
Legal Advertising Manager Brenda Boice Legal Advertising Assistant Robin Boerckel
M ORTGAGE L ATE ?
D ON ’ T W AIT !
MARTIN O’MALLEY ANTHONY G. BROWN
Governor Lt. Governor
You Have Options. We Can Help.
Worried about losing your home to foreclosure or fraud?
Call the
Maryland HOPE hotline at:
1 s 877 s 462 s 7555 or visit www.mdhope.org
T
he Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will be holding public meetings on the Purple Line Study. The Purple Line is a proposed 16-mile transit line that will run from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County. The goal is to provide faster, more reliable transit service options, and better connections to Metro.Help us design a project that best serves your community!
Give us your feedback on:
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Thursday, May 8, 2008 College Park City Hall 4500 Knox Road College Park, MD 20740
Thursday, May 15, 2008 Bethesda-Chevy Chase High
School Cafeteria 4301 East-West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814 Monday, May 12, 2008 West Lanham Hills Recreation Center
7700 Decatur Road Landover Hills, MD 20784
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 East Silver Spring Elementary School
631 Silver Spring Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910
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4351 Garden City Dr., Ste. 305 New Carrollton, MD 20785
(301) 577-2063 [email protected] Michael D. Madden, Project Manager
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6 Saint Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21202-1614
(410) 767-3694 [email protected]
Wednesday, May 21, 2008*
4:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Langley Park Community Center 1500 Merrimac Drive Hyattsville, MD 20783
*This Open House is being held in conjunction with the Takoma/Langley Crossroads Sector
Plan Community Meeting
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US 1/MD 201
Project Planning Study
Informational Workshop
The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) invites interested persons to attend an Informational Public Workshop regarding the US 1/MD 201 Project Planning Study. The project involves studying transportation improvements from Cherrywood Lane to north of Cherry Lane in Prince George’s County.
WHAT: The Informational Workshop will acquaint the public with the progress of the study to date and present the Alternatives Retained for Detailed Study (ARDS). Display areas will be set up explaining the Purpose and Need for the project, alternatives, typical sections, potential environmental impacts, and related projects. Project representatives will be available to discuss the project issues, answer questions, and record your comments. No formal presentation will be given. Feel free to arrive at any time and walk through at your own pace.
WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 2008 – 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Beltsville Elementary School – Gymnasium 4300 Wicomico Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705 CONTACT: Ms. Kameel Holmes, Project Manager
410-545-8542 or toll-free 1-800-548-5026
Maryland Relay Service for Impaired Hearing or Speech can be reached at 1-800-735-2258.
Anyone needing special assistance to participate, please contact the Project Manager by May 8, 2008.
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!
May 1, 2008 Neil J. Pedersen n
A-0513 State Highway Administrator
Public Service Notice
Meals On Wheels Needs Volunteer Drivers
Columbia, MD – The Howard County Meals on Wheels program, the program that delivers meals to Laurel residents who are homebound, is in need of volunteer drivers and substitute drivers on Thursdays. Drivers would pick up the meals at approximately 11:15 a.m. at the Phelps Senior Center, 701 Montgomery Street, Laurel, MD 20707. The delivery routes take approximately an hour and a half to complete.
To volunteer, call Karen Saul, 410-730-9476, or e-mail
B USINESS
Business Exchange
by William Reed
DiversityInc’s Ten Top Companies for African Americans
What are the top companies
for diversity?
The leading publication for diversity, DiversityInc, recently announced its annual listing of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity and the leading ones for African Americans’ “inclu- sion”.
The concept of “diversity”
has been good for African Americans in the workplace.
As it is adopted as a part of their culture, companies attempt to attract, hire, develop, and advance the best people to do their jobs. As it has tracked this important dimension of the national economy, DiversityInc reports that more America cor- porations appear to be getting the message: diversity can build stronger, more competi- tive companies.
DiversityInc editors annual- ly compile reports to highlight enlightened corporations and executives that have taken diversity beyond the recruiting process into their core business functions. The reports help companies rethink internal processes toward better job development of people of diverse backgrounds and going far beyond tokenism.
In their 2008 listings, DiversityInc named the follow- ing as the top ten companies for African Americans:
No. 1: Turner Broadcasting System - Turner reported that 22 percent of its work force and 28 percent of all new hires were Black. The media company spends 25 percent of its adver- tising budget at media aimed at multicultural populations.
No. 2: Darden Restaurants - Chairman and CEO Clarence Otis Jr. is one of five Black CEOs in Fortune 500 compa- nies. One-third of Darden's board of directors was Black, compared with a national aver- age of 8 percent.
No. 3: McDonald's - The fast-food chain spent more than 40 percent of its procurement for Tier I (direct contractors) with minority-owned business- es. Blacks were 20 percent of its work force and 28 percent of new hires.
No. 4: Wachovia - The bank reported 21 percent of its work force and 31 percent of new hires were Black. Fifteen per- cent of managers were Black.
No. 5: Bright Horizons
Family Solutions -
This company is a leading provider of employer-spon- sored child care, early educa- tion and work/life solutions. It reported 21 percent of its work
force and 23 percent of new hires were Black.
No. 6: Macy's - The retailer reported 20 percent of its work force and 23 percent of new hires were Black.
No. 7: General Motors - General Motors, which has a strong employee group for Blacks, reported 13.5 percent of management promotions went to Blacks.
No. 8: Kaiser Permanente - The board of directors was 21 percent Black at this healthcare company. Kaiser also has a commitment to its minority- owned suppliers, spending almost 6 percent of its Tier I (direct contractors) procure- ment budget with minority- owned businesses.
No. 9: Sodexo -
This company has very strong employee groups and metrics and reported that 26 percent of its work force and 28 percent of new hires were Black.
No. 10: Cox
Communications - The media company noted that 15 percent of its managers are Black and 16 percent of its management promotions went to Blacks. Of all its women managers, 19 per- cent were Black and 22 percent of promotions to women man- agers were to Black women.
DiversityInc reports that
"Corporate diversity efforts have clearly accelerated dra- matically in the past several years". They say their top 10 companies for African Americans average 19 percent Blacks in their work forces and 22 percent of new hires. Blacks were 14 percent of the man- agers in these top 10 compa- nies, compared with a national average of 6.7 percent.
DiversityInc reports that this ratio is important to note because it illustrates the talent pipeline, that African-American managers received an average of 14 percent of management promotions at these top 10 companies. The publication says that diversity training is extremely important to these companies and 9 of the top 10 have mandatory diversity train- ing for the entire work force.
And, it reports that 50 percent of its top 10 companies have mandatory employee surveys on diversity.
All the data reported is from DiversityInc. The monthly business magazine and daily news web site was launched in 1997. It is a leading media source on corporate diversity and can be accessed at ww.DiversityInc.com
House Votes to Delay Harmful Bush Administration Medicaid Regulations
Bill Protects Services for 650,000 Marylanders; Preserves $67 Million in Medicaid Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C –
The U.S. House of
Representatives today over- whelmingly approved legisla- tion – the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act – to impose a one-year moratorium on Medicaid regulations pro-
posed by the Bush
Administration that threaten services for 650,000 Marylanders enrolled in Medicaid, and would result in the loss of approximately $67 million in Medicaid payments to the State.
“This legislation protects beneficiaries, providers and states from harmful regulatory
changes that would undermine the Medicaid safety-net and imperil critical services for hundreds of thousands of Maryland beneficiaries,” stat- ed Rep. Steny Hoyer. “At a time when the economy is sig- nificantly slowing down, it makes no sense to implement changes that compromise a program serving those families who are most in need.”
Over the past several
months, the Bush
Administration has announced seven changes to Medicaid that reverse longstanding policies and eliminate federal payments for a variety of critical Medicaid functions. The House-passed legislation imposes a moratorium on the
new rules until March 2009, and establishes an independent review on the effects of these proposed changes prior to the moratorium’s expiration.
Perhaps the most damaging regulatory change for Maryland is one pertaining to case management services, intended to help the elderly, children with special needs, and persons with disabilities gain access to the full spectrum of health care and support ser- vices. That rule alone, which went into effect on March 3, threatens as many as 200,000 Maryland beneficiaries and
$60 million in Medicaid fund- ing for the State. Also at risk in Maryland are rehabilitative services for more than 30,000,
$7 million for training medical providers, and the ability of the State to coordinate with schools and local health departments on the delivery of services.
In addition to enjoying strong bipartisan support in Congress, the moratorium is supported by Governors in all 50 states. Governor Martin O’Malley joined a multi-state lawsuit filed against the Bush Administration challenging the new regulations. Earlier this month, Maryland’s Medicaid Director, John Folkemer, testi- fied before the Energy &
Commerce Subcommittee on Health about the adverse impact the rule changes would have on the State.
By PRESS OFFICER Rep. Steny Hoyer’s Office
"I have no fear of living here by the power plant," she said. "But I don't think they need another reactor."
Constellation Energy and the state of Maryland are mov- ing forward on plans to add a third reactor to the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant, which Constellation hopes will be on line by 2015. The state of Maryland needs that power desperately: a report by the Public Service Commission late last year predicted a state energy shortage and rolling blackouts as early as 2011.
Slipped into a settlement of Constellation Energy's recent legal battle with Maryland is an affirmation that the compa- ny will add a reactor to Calvert Cliffs.
The state hopes that adding more capacity to its section of the electrical grid that powers the Mid-Atlantic region will alleviate its expected short- ages.
But such an alignment of need, permission and desire has not always been the case where the new reactor is con- cerned.
Just as the state was begin-
ning its review of
Constellation's application for a certificate of public conve- nience and necessity -- essen- tially a state permit for the new reactor -- things were compli- cated by a volley of lawsuits between the parties.
Constellation and the state both claimed they'd gotten a raw deal when Maryland's electricity market was deregu- lated in 1999 -- a process that allowed multiple companies to bid on power created at the state's power plants and con- sumers to choose their power supplier.
Constellation -- as part of its joint venture with French firm EDF, UniStar Nuclear Energy -- had said it wanted to build the nation's first new reactor since 1996 at Calvert Cliffs, a site near Constellation's corporate head- quarters in Baltimore, and where there was an outpouring of local government support.
"With the Calvert Cliffs plant, there's adequate proper- ty, it's well located, transmis- sion access is good, the need for power is good, and it hap- pens to be on a plant site," said Mike Wallace, president and chief executive officer of Constellation Energy Nuclear.
But the legal issues led UniStar to consider expanding a plant at Nine Mile Point near Oswego, N.Y., before Calvert
Cliffs.
"There are so many issues that are there that, moving for- ward, we can't have all our eggs in one basket at Calvert Cliffs," Wallace said at a nuclear energy conference in early February, in the midst of the deregulation debacle. "If there's a problem, we're fast- tracking our New York alterna- tive -- it's right there."
Constellation spokesman Robert Gould agreed at the time.
"We're contemplating bil- lions of dollars of capital expenditures in this state, and certainly we're hearing from Wall Street that they're con- cerned about a potential investment in a climate where there's regulatory and political instability," Gould said.
But March's settlement, signed by politicians and the company, affirmed that Constellation would "prioritize the development of Calvert Cliffs" over any other nuclear plant it controlled, assuming regulatory approvals and
"acceptable financing" come through.
"Under this agreement ...
(the state is) addressing Maryland's energy needs today and into the future," Gov.
Martin O'Malley said in a statement on the settlement.
PSC Chairman Steven B.
Larsen said the agreement
"allows the PSC to focus on the future energy challenges Maryland faces."
Constellation seemed happy, too.
"This settlement allows our company and all Maryland stakeholders to move forward confidently on the many ener- gy-related challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, including the potential for a new nuclear unit at our Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant,"
said Constellation President Mayo Shattuck in a news release.
With that roadblock removed, UniStar is back on track to make Calvert Cliffs the nation's newest reactor.
If everything goes by Wallace's estimation, UniStar would have a go-ahead from Maryland by year's end, with groundbreaking on early site work in December.
However, the federal gov- ernment still hasn't blessed the project. UniStar plans to use a new reactor type called U.S.
EPR that hasn't been imple- mented outside of Eurasia and needs U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval.
Constellation also needs what's called a combined
license from the NRC to con- struct and operate a new reac- tor at Calvert Cliffs.
Both these processes should run their course by the first half of 2011, Wallace estimat- ed. If the licenses are granted by mid-2011, the new reactor could be operating commer- cially by 2015.
Larry Burkhart, who worked on Calvert Cliffs at the NRC, said the certification process is a new one. The NRC changed the process around 1989, after the last new reactor license application to be certi- fied came in, so approval may take a longer as the commis- sion shakes out the details.
However, Burkhart said he still expected the application to pass sometime in 2011.
Of course, many obstacles remain. The PSC and the NRC each will hold multiple hear- ings on the proposed expan- sion, and there are certainly people with things to say about a new nuclear power plant.
"Both locally and national- ly, we believe that any expan- sion of nuclear power -- as opposed to improvements in conservation and efficiency -- is really the wrong way to go,"
said Frank Fox, chairman of the Southern Maryland group of the Sierra Club. "I see it as the government looking for easy ways out."
But Patrick Moore, a Greenpeace cofounder who left the organization partly in protest of the organization's nuclear energy policies, said such groups need to broaden their views.
"They say that climate change is going to cause the end of civilization and then reject the machine -- the tech- nology that is already available -- they reject that as being evil," said Moore, who now works for the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition, which is funded by Washington-based lobbying group the Nuclear Energy Institute.
Expanding Calvert Cliffs first would be a great way to begin the nuclear renaissance, Moore said.
"It would be a real good model for that part of the coun- try -- it's far more controversial on the Eastern Seaboard than South and Midwest," Moore said. The East needs a nuclear leader more than any other region because of population congestion and a highly strained power grid, he said.
The new reactor would gen- erate 1,600 megawatts, com- pared to 1,829 combined for the two already in place, and would increase the amount of
power Maryland gets from nuclear energy from 20 to 35 percent.
Of course, integral to the project's success is local sup- port. Calvert County backs the project, knowing the economic boon the first two reactors brought.
"Back in the early '70s, Calvert County was one of the poorest counties in the state, but it became one of the rich- est" when Constellation -- then Baltimore Gas & Electric -- brought Calvert Cliffs, said Danita Boonchaisri, a spokes- woman for the county Department of Economic Development.
"Our Board of County Commissioners took a stand at the beginning that we want to make this the most attractive place in the nation to restart nuclear energy," she said.
The new reactor would add about $20 million to the $17.3 million per year in taxes the county collects from the plant, according to Terry Shannon, Calvert County director of budget and finance. If it gets more expensive to build the plant, that means more money for the county.
The Pardoes are a bit more cautious about the plant's ben- efits, with Barbara saying she's not worried about a nuclear catastrophe, just how the coun- ty will function with another reactor straining its municipal resources.
"It's not mainly about the power plant, it's the county,"
said Barbara. "They say it'll lower our taxes -- our taxes go up every year. ... As far as the economy, I do not see how BGE has helped this county one bit at all."
Douglas was indifferent where his power comes from, or who opposes it.
Environmentalists "don't want nuclear power because it's too dangerous, don't want coal because it's too dirty, and they don't want gas because it's too dangerous."
