PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY TAX SALE LISTING INSIDE The Pri nce Ge orge’s Pos t

A C OMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR PRINCE GEORGE ’S COUNTY Since 1932

Vol. 85, No. 18 May 4 — May 10, 2017 Prince George’s County, Maryland Newspaper of Record Phone: 301-627-0900 25 cents

PG County Memorial Library System CEO Kathleen Teaze Maryland Could Host the Nation’s Announces Retirement

By PRESS OFFICER LBy CAaRA rNEWgCOeMEsR t Offshore Wind Farm PGCMLS Capital News Service

LARGO, MD—Kathleen ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Teaze, CEO of Prince George’s Maryland Public Service Com - County Memorial Library Sys - mission is considering two pro - tem (PGCMLS), announced her posals for offshore turbines off the Company: Deepwater Wind retirement effective Aug. 1, 2017. coast of Ocean City, giving Mary - Estimated Completion date: 2022 “This has been a difficult de - land the potential to host the na - Energy Produced: 120 Megawatts cision, but after 32 years in the tion’s largest offshore wind farm. (Approx. 35k homes) library profession, seven of The companies—US Wind 15 turbines which have been with the Prince and Deepwater Wind—plan to Size: 19.5 miles off coast George’s County Memorial Li - PHOTO COURTESY PGCMLS build turbines off the coast, us - Distance: brary System, I believe that this CEO Kathleen Teaze ing wind to generate clean en - is a good time to move to the ergy. The turbines are connected US Wind Inc. next stage of my life. I am grate - to transmission lines that travel Company: Among her accomplish - ful to have had the opportunity underground, carrying the en - Estimated Completion date: 2020 ments, Teaze increased the li - to move our library system to ergy to substations to be stored, Energy Produced: 750 Megawatts brary system’s technology and such an exciting place in Mary - distributed and used. (Approx. 500k homes) land’s public library landscape,” The approval of just one Size: 187 turbines Teaze said. See CEO Page A 6 farm would put Maryland on Distance: 12 –17 miles off the coast the map with the largest, but the commission could potentially Maryland Businesses approve both proposals as long as both projects would not ex - Warned Not to Fall for New ceed an established price and fee increase for ratepayers, ac - ‘Police’ Phone Scam cording to the Maryland Public By LUKE BODYCOMBE nity cause you have allegedly Service Commission’s Commu - CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE MAP CREATED BY SMUSSENDEN MGBPR supported in the past. nications Director Tori Leonard. Maryland officials consider wind farms within 20 miles of coast. The scam involves a business Maryland is required to pro - WALES , UK—Businesses in receiving a call from a person duced a certain amount of re - Maryland’s current standard a non-residential rate payer, like non-residential rate would in - Maryland are being warned of a (usually a male) claiming to be a newable energy through its re - has a specific carve-out for off - a small business owner, would crease per bill by 1.39 percent, new telephone scam, which is local police officer. He begins by newable energy portfolio shore wind energy of up to 2.5 not pay more than 1.5 percent with US Wind’s totaling 0.96 currently targeting offices asking for a company director by standard. If Maryland is not able percent per year. Until an off - more per month. percent and Deepwater Wind’s throughout the US. name and then asks a series of to produce that amount within shore wind project is approved “For less than a cup of coffee totaling 0.43 percent. The esti - CPR Call Blocker, makers questions about whether or not the state, they can purchase en - and running, the 2.5 percent of (per month for homeowners), mated monthly residential rate of the bestselling call blocking there have been any problems ergy credits known as ORECs renewable energy is being ful - we can produce cleaner energy,” would increase by $1.44, with device in the USA, is urging with anti-social behaviour in the from out-of-state vendors, and filled by other fuels, like solar said Liz Burdock, executive di - US Wind’s being $0.99 per businesses in Maryland to area lately. This is a tactic to build vice versa. An OREC, or Off - or geothermal energy. rector of the Business Network month and $0.45 per month, ac - hang up if someone claiming a rapport with whoever answers shore Wind Renewable Energy The cost of the credits is for Offshore Wind, calling the cording to a March 21 report to be a local police officer Credit, is a way of bundling and capped, so a residential decision a no-brainer. phones encouraging you to selling the clean electricity pro - ratepayer would not pay more If the commission approves make a donation to a commu - See PHONE SCAM Page A 5 duced by wind farms. than $1.50 per month more, and both projects, the estimated See WIND FARM Page A 3

Glen Arden Woods Elementary EDC Partners With City of Greenbelt to And Martin Luther King, Jr.

TBy LaORkI C.e VA LIENtTsINE Business Community to the M“I wanot too thn ank Middle Schools Win Science PGCEDC the EDC for coming Bowl Championships out to have this frank most elementary championships GREENBELT , MD—On conversation with us,” By PRESS OFFICER PGCPS in Science Bowl history. April 12, Prince George’s said Jordan. “I look Sixteen schools competed in County Economic Develop - forward to continuing UPPER MARLBORO, the Middle School division. ment Corporation (EDC) Pres - the conversation and MD—Glenarden Woods Ele - King edged out rival Hyattsville, ident and CEO Jim Coleman, working together to mentary and Martin Luther 255 to 240, to land its fourth along with his business devel - enhance the economic King Jr. Middle School are this county title. King now trails only opment team sat down with footprint of Greenbelt year’s Science Bowl champions. Hyattsville and Kenmoor—with City of Greenbelt Mayor Em - and move it forward mett Jordan and members of the toward the greatness City Council for an open dis - we already see.” cussion about the re-visioning Also in attendance of Greenbelt. This brainstorm - at the meeting were ing strategy session also in - EDC Executive Vice cluded more than 25 Greenbelt President Pradeep residents and business owners Ganguly, EDC Busi - who are keenly interested in PHOTO COURTESY LORI C. VALENTINE ness Development how they can work with the EDC President and CEO Jim Coleman (left) and EDC Executive Vice Director John Mason, County to empower their beau - President Pradeep Ganguly addressing City of Greenbelt Mayor Em - EDC Business Devel - tiful community into a thriving mett Jordan and members of City Council. opment Director business center. Mayank Kapur and “We are always happy to history that has helped change community. It has a history of Marc ‘Kap’ Kapastin, General PHOTO COURTESY PGCPS exchange powerful ideas on this country. We’re your part - creating a high quality of life for Counsel for Quantum Compa - Glen Arden Elementary School winners how to make every community ners in taking Greenbelt to the its residents, many of whom nies, the owners of Beltway The Elementary School divi - seven and nine championships, in Prince George’s County a next level, maintaining its in - have remained in Greenbelt for Plaza Mall. sion started the season with 40 respectively—for the most in thriving powerhouse of eco - tegrity while, at the same time, their entire lives. Currently, the For more information on schools. Glenarden Woods county history. nomic development,” said thrusting its economy into the City is looking to use its current business development assis - edged out Robert Goddard Ashley Gonzales-Garcia, Coleman. “The EDC has the 21st century.” resources to partner with County tance or expansion, contact the Montessori in the final game to Hannah Abraham, Justin resources to attract more busi - Greenbelt was founded as resources to help shape its fu - EDC Executive Vice President win its sixth county champi - Kassembe, Ruby Colandrea nesses to Greenbelt and to pro - one of three ‘green’ towns in the ture. Greenbelt Mayor Jordan Pradeep Gangulyby email at onship with a score of 235 to vide a great workforce, and the New Deal Era, and is known is at the forefront of bringing [email protected], or call 200. Glenarden Woods is now City of Greenbelt has a storied widely as a public cooperative this historic city into the future. 301-583-4602. tied with University Park for the See CHAMPIONS Page A 3

INSIDE Speed Cameras Intended to Save In a Victory For Voting Rights, IRS: Private Collection of Some Movie Review: Earth Talk Lives Near the University of Texas I.D. Law Struck Down a Overdue Federal Taxes Starts in Beauty and the Beast (2017) Dear EarthTalk: Maryland Campus Providing Fifth Time April; Those Affected Will Hear They sing and dance, but they only Windfall to Private Camera Vendor The determination raises the possi - First From IRS bend and stretch in natural ways. And Even though pesticides may take Two years ago, the City of College bility that Texas voting procedures could The new program, authorized un - so the film has this manufactured, an environmental toll, isn’t it worth Park and state highway officials be placed under federal supervision, as der a federal law enacted by Con - weighed-down feeling to it, a magical it given how many more mouths we launched an aggressive multi-pronged it was from the 1965 passage of the Vot - gress in December 2015, enables story hampered by gravity and reality: can feed thanks to their use? effort to end the deathly scourge of ing Rights Act until the Supreme Court’s these designated contractors to col - it turns out talking candlesticks aren’t —Mickey Jurowski, pedestrian fatalities and serious in - disastrous 2013 gutting of the Act with lect, on the government’s behalf, un - as wonderful without that rubbery, Palatine, IL juries on Route 1 in 2014. its Shelby v. Holder decision. paid tax debts. cartoonish energy. Community , Page A3 Commentary , Page A4 Business , Page A5 Out on the Town , Page A6 Features , Page A7 A2 — May 4 — May 10, 2017 — The Prince George’s Post Towns and N EIGHBORS In and Around Morningside-Skyline by Mary McHale 301 735 3451 Neighborhoods Walk the Henson Creek Trail a Professional Ski Instructor As - County line in Charles County. and help feed the hungry sociation Level One Certifica - Karen Needles was the first PG County’s Newest Senior Community The 21st annual Oxon Hill tion, plans to move to Colorado speaker at the recent annual Sur - Food Pantry Walkathon, spon - and work as a ski instructor and ratt House Conference. She has Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting sored by the Interfaith Commu - volunteer with a fire department been doing amazing work digi - DISTRICT HEIGHTS , functional, anti-small business port of 1968 alumnus Dennis nity Action Council, invites you in that area. tizing information of President MD—Through the pouring and anti-consumer,” said Sisco and Alexine Lesko to walk the Henson Creek Trail Their parents, Marc and Lincoln and the assassination rain, the sun was beaming at Comptroller Franchot, who through The Sisco Fund for and help raise desperately- Emily Norman Meoli, and grand - and posting it on the Internet at Conifer Village at Oakcrest made the announcement dur - Enterprise Management. needed funds for the food pantry. parents are very proud of the suc - lincolnarchive.us where it is ac - for its grand opening and rib - ing a visit to Attaboy Beer, Visit the website www.mc - The walk will be on Saturday, cessful young men Josh and Alex cessible to researchers and the bon cutting ceremony Thurs - which opened in January as daniel.edu/encompassdistinc - May 6, 9am to noon. have become. And by the way, general public. day, April 6th. Residents, one of the newest entrants into tion for more information Walk the Henson Creek both recently earned the rank of Father Thomas Crowley, 66, Frederick’s flourishing craft about The Encompass Distinc - Trail, which runs two miles out Eagle Scout with Troop 742. who served as parochial vicar at beer community. “This task tion. More information about from the starting point. So you Carolyn Marzke, 5th grade Holy Family Parish in Hillcrest force will examine national the McDaniel College Innova - can do up to four miles or any reading, writing and social Heights from 1983 to 1985, died practices, beer laws of neigh - tion Challenge can be found lesser distance you desire. Do - studies teacher at Ridgecrest March 29. He was also chaplain boring states, and will study at https://mcdaniel.launch - nate $10 or ten pounds of non- Elementary, in Hyattsville, has to the Knights of Columbus. ways we can remove statutory gen.com. perishable food. Any additional been named Prince George’s Changing landscape impediments that hurt Mary - amount is welcome. County Teacher of the Year. land’s beer industry.” BGE Earns Seventh Benjamin Stoddert Middle ® Registration and the walk be - You may have forgotten that ENERGY STAR Partner School in Temple Hills and the Task force members will gin at 9am and continue to noon. last year Amanda Espina, of Of the Year—Sustained Suitland High School campus community leaders, govern - include craft brewers, con - Park and sign in at the Tucker Benjamin D. Foulois Creative Excellence Award were both due for major renova - ment and elected officials sumers and other industry Road Ice Rink, 1770 Tucker & Performing Arts Academy in BALTIMORE, MD—The tions but the school system has gathered to pay tribute to the stakeholders. All meetings, Morningside, was Teacher of U.S. Environmental Protec - Road in Ft. Washington. Bring pushed back such projects two outstanding partnership that which will be held across the the Year. tion Agency (EPA) and the your friends, your families, years due to “dismal funding.” was required to bring Conifer state in the coming months, Tyler Hohenshelt, great- U.S. Department of Energy church members, coworkers, Prince George’s has a new Village at Oakcrest to will be open to members of neighbors and even your pets to grandson of former Skyline res - fruition. Located at 2011 the press and the public. (DOE) has presented BGE senior community, Conifer Vil - ® idents Nita and the late Jack with its ENERGY STAR help feed the hungry. lage at Oakcrest, 2011 Brooks Brooks Drive in District Marylanders will have oppor - Boone, is graduating from Cen - Partner of the Year—Sus - For more information, go to Drive in District Heights. Grand Heights, the brand new, en - tunities to provide input at tral Dauphen High School in tained Excellence Award. [email protected] opening and ribbon-cutting was ergy efficient apartment com - several town halls being Harrisburg, PA and will be at - The award recognizes the or www.ohfp.org. on April 6. munity offers individuals 62 scheduled and consumers are tending Misericordia University success of the BGE Smart years and older an affordable, also encouraged to weigh in ® Cap Centre Reunion in Dallas, Pa., to study nursing The sky was falling! one or two bedroom, high on the “Reform On Tap” Energy Savers Program , the Did you work at the Capital and to play lacrosse. About 8 am on April 27, half quality, state-of-the-art apart - Facebook page. company’s suite of energy ef - Centre? If so, you are invited to Seven students at St. Philip’s the ceiling in my living-room ment home with many ameni - The task force will de - ficiency programs that aims a reunion of employees on May School, in Camp Springs, earned crashed down. Huge heavy ties. Some of the features in - velop legislative proposals to help customers reduce en - 21 at the Clarice Smith Perform - a place in the 2017 County Sci - sheets and chunks of plaster clude: a fully-equipped based on extensive review of ergy usage. BGE, along with ing Arts Center at the University ence Fair. Gabriella A. placed covered the floor. My great- fitness room, a great room other states’ laws, and feed - Exelon sister utilities ComEd of Maryland. For details, visit first and received the Promising great niece, 18-month-old Em - with a fireplace, a business back from industry stake - in Chicago, Delmarva Power capitalcentrefamilyreunion.com. Engineer Award from the Balti - maline, was playing in the liv - center with computer work - holders and the public, all in Wilmington, DE, and The Cap Centre opened in more-Washington Society of ing-room near the TV. Heavy, stations, walking trail with a with the goal of facilitating Pepco in Washington D.C., 1973 and, sad to say, closed in Women Engineers, and two inch-deep plaster fell all around water feature, outdoor fitness the growth and success of will be recognized at a cere - 1999. It was imploded in 2002 other awards. Placing 2nd was her. One chunk embedded itself equipment, a guest suite to Maryland’s craft beer indus - mony in Washington, D.C. and a shopping center opened in Devin H. Others were Jayla A- in the top of the television. accommodate residents’ try and other independent, lo - on April 26, 2017, for their the space. But it will never be D, Emmanuel B, Devin H, Amazingly, though covered overnight guests, and more. cally-owned businesses. continued leadership in pro - as magical as the Cap Centre. Meghann P and Corey S. (The with bits of plaster and dust, The total development cost tecting the environment school prefers not to publish stu - Emmaline was not injured. (Her for the project is over $26.5 Dajuan Price of Clinton through superior energy ef - Applause dents’ last names.) guardian angel, perhaps). million. Financing was pro - Won $2,500 for Third Place ficiency achievements. Joshua and Alexander Meoli, As I write this, an insurance vided by Low Income Hous - At McDaniel College “We truly appreciate the twin grandsons of Angelo and Other People adjuster is looking at the may - ing Tax Credit equity, in the Innovation Challenge Finals EPA and DOE for acknowl - Marlyn Meoli, longtime Auth In next week’s column I will hem. I have no assurance yet that amount of $9.2 million, from WESTMINSTER, MD— edging BGE’s continuous ef - Village residents, graduate from remember—with sadness and the damage—and cleanup—will Red Stone Equity Partners; a Dajuan Price of Clinton, MD forts to provide our customers Loch Raven High in Towson on wonderful memories—Larry be covered. $12.1 million loan from Pru - won $2,500 for placing in with tools that enable them to May 31. Josh will attend Frost - Hogan Sr., who died April 20. But I’m so thankful for the dential, a $2.5 million loan third at the McDaniel College reduce energy use,” said burg State University for a de - He is the father of Maryland miracle that spared the toddler. from the Maryland Depart - Innovation Challenge Finals Chris Walls, manager of en - gree in Parks and Recreation Governor Larry Hogan. She and her mom, Allyson, have ment of Housing and Commu - on April 10, 2017. ergy efficiency programs for Management and pole-vault with At my doctor’s office, I was flown back to Missouri, and nity Development; and a $2.2 Five student teams com - BGE. “This award highlights the Men’s Track & Field Team. delighted to encounter an old Patrick, Allyson’s husband and million loan from the Prince peted for a top prize of $10K the wise energy choices our Alexander attends Firefighter friend and longtime Morn - Emmaline’s dad, is on the road, George’s County Department at the event by presenting their customers are making and One Class with the Baltimore ingsider, Barbara Brewer. Bar - of Housing and Community entrepreneurial ideas and their commitment to partner County Fire Department and is bara and daughter Kim, who Development’s HOME Pro - products to a panel of experts. with BGE to protect the en - a volunteer firefighter with Prov - used to live on Allies Road, now gram funds. Price, a senior communi - vironment and make their idence VFD in Towson. He has live in Pinefield, just over the See MORNINGSIDE Page A 14 “We are delighted to be a cation major, was a member homes and businesses more part of such a partnership that of the team that presented energy efficient.” is bringing quality housing to BookSwap, a mobile applica - The Sustained Excellence the seniors of Prince George’s tion used for students on col - classification recognizes or - County,” said Eric C. Brown, lege campuses to sell and buy ganizations that have re - Director of the Prince textbooks conveniently from ceived the Partner of the Year Brandywine-Aquasco George’s County Department their peers. award more than three times of Housing and Community He was joined by seniors and continue to surpass pre - by Audrey Johnson 301 888 2153 Development. “Keeping hous - Brandon Cortese, a sociology vious energy efficiency BRANDYWINE Gas; Prince George’s County Gala distinguished honoree was ing affordable for our seniors major from East Windsor, achievements. Since the in - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Public Schools and Prince Dr. Mickey L. Burnim, Bowie is one of our primary goals.” NJ, and Hunter Metcalf, an ception of the BGE Smart Outdoor Classroom Makeover George’s County Government as State University President. Conifer Village at Oakcrest art major from Blain, PA, as Energy Savers Program in and Ribbon Cutting Celebration well as countless volunteers. A Legacy of Excellence: Dr. features 97 one-, and 23 two well as sophomores Maia 2009, the company’s highly was held Tuesday, April 25 at Mickey L. Burnim (Administra - bedroom apartments just one Hanlon, a computer science successful suite of energy ef - Brandywine Elementary School, PRESERVED FARMLAND tion 2006 –2017) started in 2006 mile from the D.C. line and and mathematics major from ficiency programs has re - 14101 Brandywine Road, Prince George’s Soil Conser - with a vision to advance Bowie inside the Capital Beltway. Madison, WI, and Sam ceived 13 ENERGY STAR Hampton, a computer sci - awards in total and now re - Brandywine, MD with an Open vation District held their 43 An - State University toward becom - Residents are close to shop - nual Awards Dinner Program ence and mathematics major ceives its seventh Partner of House beginning at 12:45 PM and ing the best comprehensive uni - ping and an array of neigh - April 20, 2017 at Baden Fire De - from Delmont, NJ. the Year Award. ceremony starting at 1:00 PM. versity in the nation. President borhood amenities. partment in Baden, Maryland. Price, a senior at McDaniel, BGE’s Smart Energy Thanks to a multi-partner ini - Burnim led a period of signifi - Preserved Farmland (Preserve Comptroller Franchot and his partners Brandon Savers Program is one of the tiative led by non-profit partner cant transformation and growth. the Present, Save the Future) Announces Formation of Cortese, Hunter Metcalf, Maia many ways BGE is moving The Heart of American Founda - Today, on the brink of retire - celebrates AG Land Preservation Task Force to Examine Hanlon and Sam Hampton smart energy forward and fea - tion, Brandywine Elementary ment, he leaves Bowie State in Prince George’s County. Maryland’s Alcohol Laws were among five student tures a comprehensive portfo - School students and community University poised to realize that A total of 58 properties, for FREDERICK, MD— teams that presented their en - lio of energy efficiency pro - will enjoy a new courtyard and lofty goal. Congratulations on 5,500 acres, have been perma - Comptroller Peter Franchot trepreneurial ideas and prod - grams, intended to help outdoor classroom. The brand- your retirement. nently preserved since 2007 when today announced the creation ucts to a panel of experts at customers reduce energy us - new courtyard features planting the Prince George’s Soil Conser - 11TH ANNUAL of a statewide task force that the April 10 event. age and demand in support of beds for students to grow veg - vation District began administer - BELTWAY BBQ will conduct a comprehensive The McDaniel College In - EmPOWER Maryland. BGE etables and flowers, recycled ing AG Land Preservation. The Mark your calendar for Sat - review of the outdated laws novation Challenge competi - customers will save more than plastic bench seating, a Honorable Thomas Dernoga was urday, June 10, 2017 at the Show governing Maryland’s alco - tion is part of The Encompass $3.9 billion through the BGE labyrinth, a beautiful garden, a the guest speaker. Presentations Place Arena located at 14900 hol industry. Distinction, an academic pro - Smart Energy Savers Pro - colorful outdoor classroom and ® included special recognition, Pennsylvania Avenue, Upper The announcement of the gram in innovation and entre - gram , and have reduced their chalkboard, several shaded Land Preservation signs, and Marlboro, MD 20772 for the An - “Reform On Tap” task force preneurship that is open to stu - electricity use by 3.2 billion learning areas. comments by elected officials. nual Beltway BBQ State Cham - comes just hours after the con - dents in any major. kilowatt hours since 2008. For Partners include Walton; pionship & Family Fun Day. clusion of the Maryland Gen - By combining courses, off- more information on BGE’s SNC-Lavalin; Patuxent Compa - BOWIE STATE Opportunities available for eral Assembly session that saw campus learning experiences energy efficiency programs nies; Gudelsky Materials; Ag - UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION Professional Grill Team registra - passage of legislation (House and mentorship for students to visit the website at gregate Industries; NRG; PSEG Bowie State University Foun - tion; Food and Merchandise/ Bill 1283), which will severely gain business and entrepre - www.BGESmartEnergy.com. Keys Energy Center, LLC; dation hosted their Founder’s Craft Vendor sales, Classic Car restrict growth of the state’s neurial skills, The Encompass For a complete list of 2017 Brandywine North Keys Civic Day Awards Gala at 101 MGM Show participation, Celebrity thriving craft beer industry. Distinction provides students winners and more information Association; G.S. Proctor & As - National Avenue, National Har - Cook-off; Entertainers, and Spon - “The events of the 2017 with the broad-ranging skill about ENERGY STAR’s sociates, Inc.; Denison Land - bor, MD Saturday, April 22, sorship. For more information, go legislative session are further sets required for enterprise awards program, visit the web - scaping & Nursery, Inc.; Panda 2017. The theme was “Honoring to www.pgparks.com/festivals confirmation that Maryland’s management. The program is site at www.energystar.gov/ Power Funds; Proctor Landscap - Leadership, Heritage and Serv - or call 301-203-6000; TTY 301- beer laws are antiquated, dys - made possible with the sup - awardwinners. ing and Masonry; Washington ice. The Founders Day Awards 699-2544. May 4 — May 10, 2017 — The Prince George’s Post —A 3 COMMUNITY

Practical Money Skills Speed Cameras Intended to Save Lives Near By Nathaniel Sillin the University of Maryland Campus Make Sure Your Property’s Providing Windfall to Private Camera Vendor Assessed Value is Correct Vendor Makes Millions As Tickets Jump 202% With Speed Cameras Operating 24/7 Some homeowners can’t wait to see the assessed value of their By PRESS OFFICER home drop. In fact, they’ll tell you AAA Mid-Atlantic the bigger the drop, the better. Why? Your property taxes depend WASHINGTON, D. C.––Not on your tax rate and your prop - a single pedestrian perished on erty’s current market value, which Baltimore Avenue (U.S. Route 1) is determined by a local assessor. near the campus of the University You can’t dispute the tax rate, but of Maryland (UMD) in the two- you may be able to show why the year period since the City of Col - GRAPHIC COURTESY AAA MID-ATLANTIC assessed value is too high. lege Park began operating speed An appeal that results in a cameras 24 hours a day within a lower value could save you money for years to come. half-mile radius of college FY15, the first year of the 24/7 camera vendor and end-user man - lege Park, the city issued nearly grounds and buildings. This good operation. Last year the city is - ufacturer. Contracts should be 200,000 speed camera citations Find out when you can file an appeal. Start the process by news is tempered by the fact that sued only 45,242 speed camera structured so that the local agency since the mobilization of the all determining when you can appeal your home’s value assess - the vendor for the city’s speed citations, 70,000 fewer, compris - pays a set fee to lease or purchase day and all night speed enforce - ment. You may be able to find the deadline on your local asses - camera program, Optotraffic, ing a 60.7% nosedive. The ven - the equipment, plus a reasonable ment protocol. Previously, the sor’s website, which might also have instructions on how to garnered $2.8 million in profits, dor still got $15.60 a pop. fee to the vendor.” speed cameras operated Monday file an appeal. as the sheer number of speed To mollify the outrage of mo - Two years ago, the City of through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 Some areas have a several-month window each year for ap - camera tickets escalated substan - torists over the fine print in such College Park and state highway p.m. Few people would likely peals, often following the annual mailing of assessment value tially during the same period, contracts, the Maryland General officials launched an aggressive begrudge the safety results of the notices. In addition, you might be able to dispute your property’s notes AAA Mid-Atlantic. Poten - Assembly passed the Speed multi-pronged effort to end the 24-7 speed camera regimen and assessment following a renovation or if you just bought the home. tially, such contracts with photo- Monitoring Systems Reform Act deathly scourge of pedestrian fa - an all-hands-on-deck approach, Check your current assessment for errors. Every year, you ticketing companies could create of 2014. It prohibits payments talities and serious injuries on and the safety improvements un - should receive an official letter stating the assessed value of your the patina of a conflict of interest, on a per-ticket basis. College Route 1 in 2014. That was not dertaken by the Maryland State home. If you think your property value is lower than the stated which is why Maryland lawmak - Park must comply with this law the case just two years earlier Highway Administration, the value, start collecting proof to demonstrate your reasoning. ers outlawed them in the wake by June 1, 2017. On behalf of when this stretch of highway City of College Park Council One of the first things to look for is a mistake on your prop - of complaints from motorists, the motoring public, AAA Mid- with a checkered past was the and Police Department, the Uni - erty’s description, which may be on the letter you received or on AAA Mid-Atlantic, good gov - Atlantic supports hard limits that scene of three pedestrian deaths. versity of Maryland and the your property card—available at the assessor’s office or online. ernment groups, and public will force the city’s hand and it To curtail a rash of serious pedes - Prince George’s County Police watchdog organizations. believes vendors should not be trian crashes, the College Park Department. By state law, speed It’s not unheard of for a property card to list an extra bathroom Although few drivers in Col - paid a per-ticket fee or a percent - City Council voted to expand the cameras near elementary or incorrect square footage. Assessors aren’t always able to look lege Park realize it, every time a age of the total revenue produced operating hours of the city’s schools in College Park still inside a home during an inspection, and they might not know $40 speed camera ticket is paid by any automated speed enforce - speed camera program to 24 operate from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., about renovations to a home. to the city, the for-profit com - ment camera program. hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 Monday –Friday. Make a note of errors and try to estimate the value of each. pany earns 39 percent of the fine “In the aftermath of the un - days a year (or 24/7/365) within Fiscally, perhaps no one has You’ll be able to use these as a basis for your appeal. proceeds. While College Park’s thinkable tragedies involving a half mile of the flagship uni - benefited more from the ramped Gather more evidence. To strengthen your appeal, you may speed cameras were intended to pedestrians, state, county, and lo - versity and on its main drag, up enforcement hours and want to find additional evidence. safeguard the lives and limbs of cal officials launched an array of noted for its heavy foot traffic, higher ticket output in College • Make a list of comparable properties. Try to get a list of pedestrians and 38,000 enrolled safety initiatives and traffic en - and its hangouts and haunts fea - Park than Optotraffic, the private four to six similar properties in your area and their market students, the units have proven forcement measures, resulting in turing beer towers and bottom - sector vendor for the city’s speed value. You could use real estate websites that list recent or to be a hefty money maker for a remarkable drop in pedestrian less mimosas for the college camera program. It is axiomatic, estimated sales prices, ask your neighbors or look through the city and its speed camera crashes along U.S. Route 1. The crowd. Some motorists, however, the more tickets the City of Col - public databases to find official assessed values. If you find vendor, who have seen ticket speed cameras are saving lives fear the city’s speed camera con - lege Park issues, the more profits the homes’ sales prices or assessed values are lower than revenue jump from $1.5 million and modifying unsafe speeding tract creates a “bounty system.” its private speed camera vendor yours, or similar but your home is in worse condition, you in FY 2014 to nearly $4 million behaviors,” said John B. Since then, the roadway that makes under the per-ticket rev - may have a strong argument. in FY 2015, before dropping to Townsend II, AAA Mid-At - bisects the campus has witnessed enue formulas. Contractually, the $3.3 million in FY16. College lantic’s Manager of Public and zero pedestrian deaths, as was • Estimate the cost of repairs. A leaky roof, cracked driveway Park issued 115,388 photo radar Government Affairs. “Yet the the case in both 2015 and 2016. or another issue could lower your property’s value. Make a tickets, a 202% increase, in profit margin soared for the speed To deter illegal speeding in Col - See CAMERA Page A 5 list of the faults, estimate cost for repairs and take pictures as proof. • Make a note of changes in your neighborhood. A prop - from 20 percent by the year 2022 “I hope the Public Service with a strategy to develop the from A1 erty’s value depends on more than just the home. If nearby Wind Farm to 25 percent by the year 2020. Commission decides to go for - project in different phases. houses were recently foreclosed on or the schools’ rank - from Levitan and Associates, a Those who support Maryland ward with this,” Lewis said ear - “We’re the most experienced ings dropped, your property could be worth less than it contractor that provides docu - offshore wind believe the farms lier this month. “I look forward developer and we’ve proposed a was before. ments and analysis on the off - will produce clean air, bring jobs to the possibility of creating more smaller project with an aggres - • Get a professional assessment. You could hire a state-cer - shore wind projects. to the state, and put Maryland jobs, reducing our dependence on sive price,” Plummer said, com - tified appraiser to estimate your property’s current value. Former Maryland Gov. Mar - on the map for clean energy. fossil fuels and having clean air.” paring his company’s proposal to However, the assessment might cost $300 to $500, and this tin O’Malley, a Democrat, Opponents are concerned On Nov. 22, the Public Serv - the competing US Wind project. might only be a good idea if your research already looks signed into law the Offshore about the costs, and how the vi - ice Commission announced it Deepwater Wind’s Skipjack fruitful. In some areas, you may need an official assessment Wind Act of 2013. This law set sual impact of the turbines would was considering the two offshore project would consist of 15 wind to file an appeal. the parameters for wind farms in affect tourism and the possible wind farm proposals, one by US turbines about 19.5 miles off the Maryland, clarifying where they Once you organize your evidence, it’s time to file an appeal. negative affect it could have on Wind Inc., a subsidiary of Toto coast, Plummer said. “It will be could be located, requiring the the community. Holding SpA, and the other by a 120 megawatt project, which Present your findings. The appeal process varies depending commission’s approval, and au - Delegate Robbyn Lewis, D- Skipjack Offshore Energy LLC, is enough to power about 35,000 on where you live. If you have a simple scenario, such as a mis - thorizing the state to provide and Baltimore, told the University of a subsidiary of Deepwater Wind houses in the state of Maryland,” take on your property card, you might be able to make your purchase energy credits from Maryland’s Capital News Serv - Holdings, LLC. Plummer said. appeal over the phone. But some counties require you to submit these wind farms. ice she believes a wind farm The US Wind project occu - The Skipjack project is the appeal online or by mail, or you may have to schedule an in- The Democrat-controlled leg - could help Maryland reach its re - pies a Maryland leasing area, planned to be built 26 miles away person review at the assessor’s office. islature overrode Republican newable energy goal. “Given the while the Deepwater Wind farm from the Ocean City Pier, accord - It could take several weeks to months to hear back. If the de - Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of the fact that the state of Maryland is projected to be built in a ing to Plummer, minimizing vi - cision doesn’t come back in your favor, you could file another 2016 Clean Energy Jobs Act dur - has made commitments to ex - Delaware leasing area. Both sualization. It is expected to be appeal with an independent review board. ing the 2017 General Assembly pand renewable energy, this is a projects will bring clean energy completed by 2022, according to session. Under the law, which perfect time to do it,” Lewis said. to Maryland. the company’s website. Bottom line: After gathering evidence, you can make a show - the governor argued passed Lewis said while she does not Clint Plummer, vice president The US Wind farm proposal ing for why your home’s assessed value is too high and potentially along too many additional costs have any comment on which pro - of development for Deepwater includes 187 turbines, which lower your property taxes. But think twice if you’re considering to ratepayers, the state’s require - posal she prefers, it would be a Wind, said he believes his com - selling your home soon. A lower assessed value might affect ment for renewable-energy disappointment if the commission pany’s project would benefit how much someone is willing to pay for the home. sourced electricity increased did not approve either project. Maryland in a manageable way, See WIND FARM Page A 7

science quiz program, hosted from A1 Champions by Dave Zahren, Senior Tele - andAfrah Siddiqui represented vision Specialist. More than Glenarden Woods. Teachers 7,500 students have partici - Ariel Dela-Cerna, Jared Ho - pated over the decades. ADVERTISE! jnoswki and Ryan Richardson Competitions are taped live sponsored the team. at the Bonnie F. Johns Educa - in The King team, sponsored by tional Media Center in Lan - teacher Elizabeth Butler, in - dover. Science Bowl has won cluded Michael Stroud, Joseph numerous awards for outstand - The Prince George’s Post Bailor, Joshua Webb, Rahel ing children’s programming, in - Mani and Keven Guruswamy. cluding the Telly and Ca - Now in its 31st year, Science bleAce. The show is aired on Call Brenda Boice at Bowl is Prince George’s County Channels 96 (Comcast) 38 PHOTO COURTESY PGCPS Public Schools’ award-winning (Verizon) and YouTube. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School winners 301 627 0900 The Prince George’s Post Proudly Serving PG County Since 1932 A4 — May 4 — May 10, 2017 — The Prince George’s Post COMMENTARY

The Carousel at Watkins Park Cong. Chris Van Hollen United States Senator for Maryland

Van Hollen Leads Maryland Delegation in Effort to Protect Vital NASA Missions WASHINGTON , D.C.—Today U.S. Senator The full text of the letter follows: Chris Van Hollen led every Democratic member Dear Administrator Lightfoot: of the Maryland Congressional Delegation in urg - We write to express our grave concerns with ing National Aeronautics and Space Administration proposed funding reductions to NASA’s Restore- (NASA) to protect two missions vital to Maryland’s Open to the Public L satellite servicing mission and the proposed leadership in earth and space science. In a letter to PHOTO BY LEGUSTA FLOYD, JR. elimination of the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot, the law - ANTIQUE CHESAPEAKE CAROUSEL AND MINIATURE TRAIN ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission. Both mis - Watkins Regional Park features an authentic, hand-carved, hand-painted, 80-year-old carousel which has a rare makers warned that cutting or eliminating the Re - sions support between 400 –800 high-skill, high- combination of 45 animals including a kangaroo, jackass, goat, and seahorse. Do not miss the train as it passes store-L satellite servicing mission and the Plankton, paying jobs that would be adversely affected by through the lovely, wooded surroundings nearby. The park is located at 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mis - these changes—scientists and engineers who MD. The carousel and train are open Memorial Day–Labor Day, Tues.–Sun., 10 a.m. –7 p.m. For more information sion, as proposed in President Trump’s budget, drive innovation and discovery, and contribute call 301-218-6761. would have harmful impacts on Maryland jobs and to their communities and the entire state of Mary - our ability to understand and monitor critical en - land. NASA’s robotic spacecraft servicing tech - vironmental issues such as climate change. nologies and satellite observations are also crit - In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the letter ical to our understanding of Earth and was signed by Senator Ben Cardin and Congress - exploration of our solar system. We urge you to men Steny Hoyer, Elijah Cummings, Dutch Rup - advocate for the essential role that these pro - persberger, John Sarbanes, John Delaney, Anthony grams play in the NASA mission. Brown, and Jamie Raskin. Restore-L will help establish a technology test - “Both missions support between 400 –800 high- Child Watch bed for rendezvous, proximity operations, docking, skill, high-paying jobs that would be adversely inspection, refueling, and relocation of satellites— by Marion Wright Edelman affected by these changes—scientists and engi - even for existing satellites not designed to be serv - neers who drive innovation and discovery, and iced on-orbit. These cost-saving capabilities could contribute to their communities and the entire state lengthen the lifespan of satellites, providing new of Maryland,” the lawmakers wrote. methods for operators to manage their satellites They continued, “We believe restructuring and more effectively. Such demonstrations and opera - consolidation of the Restore-L mission will lead The 5th National GrandRally: Building a tions are also fundamental to future NASA plat - to irreversible capability reductions. Eliminating forms and missions, including human exploration the PACE mission would jeopardize NASA’s abil - Community of Hope of Mars, the Moon, and asteroids. NASA, partic - When the contestants on help to appropriately meet the ebration for the grandparents ity to monitor some of our most critical environ - ularly the Goddard Spaceflight Center (GSFC), Dancing With the Stars recently children’s needs. and other relatives around the mental issues, such as harmful algal bloom and located in Greenbelt, Maryland, has extensive ex - performed routines represent - On Wednesday, May 10, hun - country. Michelle Singletary, atmospheric quality predictions, and respond ap - perience operating in satellite servicing, and Re - ing the most memorable year dreds of grandparent and relative who with her four siblings was propriately. As budget talks proceed, we ask that store-L will continue that work. of their lives, Olympic gold caregivers will gather in Wash - raised by her grandmother she you vigorously support and advocate on behalf of medal-winning gymnast Si - ington, D.C. for the 5th National often calls “Big Mama” in her the Restore-L and PACE programs to keep NASA mone Biles brought down the GrandRally: Building a Commu - syndicated column “The Color on the cutting edge of technology and exploration.” See NASA Page A 6 house dancing to the worship nity of Hope to celebrate their of Money,” will emcee the song “Good Good Father” to critical role in providing safe, GrandRally. After the rally, celebrate the year her grandpar - loving and permanent families caregivers will visit their Sen - ents became her Mom and Dad. for children. They seek to edu - ators and Representatives to During last summer’s Olympics cate Congress and the broader thank them and urge additional many viewers became familiar public about essential federal support to help children in their with her story and her proud policies and programs that help care thrive. parents Ron and Nellie Biles, them care for children and must The GrandRally builds and who adopted Simone and her be maintained and strengthened strengthens a national net - sister from foster care when Si - to support them more effectively work—a community of hope. Marc Morial, President and CEO mone was six. Before her dance while building a community of For relative caregivers across the Simone said, “Growing up, my hope. The Children’s Defense country this is an opportunity to National Urban League biological mom was suffering Fund is honored to be cospon - meet others and know they are from drug and alcohol abuse soring the GrandRally with Gen - not alone. It inspires them to and she was in and out of jail. I erations United, AARP, Casey raise their powerful voices in never had mom to run to. I do Family Programs, FosterClub, Congress and back at home. remember always being hungry GrandFamilies of America, and If you are a grandparent or In a Victory For Voting Rights, Texas I.D. Law and afraid … My parents saved the National Kinship Alliance relative caregiver or know me. They’ve set huge examples for Children and more than 20 someone who is I hope you and Struck Down a Fifth Time of how to treat other people and additional partners. others from your community “No right is more precious in a free country pressing minority voters, from reconstruction up to they’ve been there to support The GrandRally will take will join the GrandRally on than that of having a voice in the election of those the present day Between 1895 and 1944, Texas per - me since day one. There’s noth - place on the front law of the May 10! I urge every faith who make the laws under which, as good citizens, mitted all-white primary elections. From 1905 to 1970, ing I can say to them to thank U.S. Capitol and feature Mem - community, service organiza - we must live. Other rights, even the most basic, Texas voters were prohibited from taking people with them enough.” bers of Congress, grandparent tion and others to reach out are illusory if the right to vote is undermined.” them to the polls to assist them in reading and inter - The Biles family has helped and other relative caregivers, and honor grandparents and —United States Supreme Court Justice preting the ballot. Between 1902 and 1966, Texas re - shine a spotlight on the impor - children in kinship families, other relatives raising children Hugo Black quired a poll tax. tance of loving families. “Kin - and others. A Second Chance by helping them attend the And even though the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ship care families” or “grand - Inc. Choir from Pittsburgh, GrandRally. If you can’t at - A federal court this week dealt a blow to Texas’ put Texas’ voting procedures under federal preclear - families” as they are Pennsylvania, which includes efforts to disenfranchise voters of color. ance, Texas continued discriminatory practices. When sometimes called are relatives many kinship caregivers, will Texas’ draconian 2011 voter identification law has to voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971, Waller raising their grandchildren or return to offer thanks and cel - See WATCH, Page A 14 been struck down for the fifth time. Among the attor - County—home to historically Black Prairie View other kin when their parents neys representing the plaintiffs, Texas State Conference A&M University—prohibited students from voting cannot due to death, military of NAACP Branches and the Mexican American Leg - unless they or their families owned property in the service, or challenges like opi - The Prince George’s Post islative Caucus of the Texas House of Representatives, county. A court struck down the requirement in 1979, oid or other substance abuse, are the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under but Waller County continued attempting to enforce mental health problems or do - The Prince George’s Post Law and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, who the law as recently as 2003. Waller County violated mestic violence. Some children P.O. Box 1001 15207 Marlboro Pike worked tirelessly to defend our nations voting rights. the preclearance requirement during Barack Obama’s are removed from their parents’ Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-3151 The United States District Court for the Southern 2008 campaign for President, improperly rejecting care by the state and placed Phone: 301-627-0900 • Legal Fax: 301-627-6260 District of Texas determined the law intentionally dis - voter registrations and placing limits on the number with relatives in foster care. In Email: [email protected] criminates against Black and Latino voters. The de - of new registrations. The witnesses also noted that in other cases, children are placed termination raises the possibility that Texas voting every redistricting cycle since 1970, Texas has been informally with relatives out - Contents © 2017, The Prince George’s Post procedures could be placed under federal supervision, found to have violated the Voting Rights Act with side of formal foster care. Rel - as it was from the 1965 passage of the Voting Rights racially gerrymandered districts. ative care helps children main - Publisher/Senior Editor Editor Legusta Floyd Michal W. Frangia Act until the Supreme Court’s disastrous 2013 gutting “Minorities continue to have to overcome fear and tain family and often of the Act with its Shelby v. Holder decision. intimidation when they vote,” Judge Ramos wrote in community connections. There General Manager/ Typesetter/Page Layout Legal Advertising Manager The court found that when the Texas legislature her 2014 decision. “Reverend Johnson testified that also is strong evidence that Jennifer Sheckels considered the bill, the lawmakers were aware that there are still Anglos at the polls who demand that children placed with relatives Brenda Boice only two people, out of 20 million votes cast in the minority voters identify themselves, telling them that experience greater stability, Legal Advertising Assistant Web Manager previous decade, had been convicted of in-person if they have ever gone to jail, they will go to prison if have fewer behavioral prob - Robin Boerckel Kyler Quesenberry voter fraud. Other, more common forms of voter fraud they vote. Additionally, there are poll watchers who lems, and are just as safe as were not addressed by the bill. The law was easily dress in law enforcement-style clothing for an intim - children in non-relative care. Prince George’s County, Md. Member National Newspaper Publishers Association, the most restrictive in the nation with respect to per - idating effect.” More than seven million chil - and the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Press Association. mitted identification. A Texas state handgun license— While we join other civil rights groups in cele - dren live in households headed The Prince George’s Post (ISSN 10532226) is published every Thursday by which may be legally obtained by some non-U.S. cit - brating the court’s decision, Texas persistence in con - by grandparents or other rela - the New Prince George’s Post Inc., 15207 Marlboro Pike, izens—is a permissible form of identification under tinuing its long history of racial discrimination against tives, and nearly 2.6 million of Upper Marlboro, Md. 20772-3151. the law, while a federal or state government ID, nor a voters is disheartening. We call on Texas’ leadership them are being raised in kin - Subscription rate: 25 cents per single copy; $15 per year; student ID, are not. to heed the blindingly clear message that voter sup - ship families without a parent $7.50 senior citizens and students; out of county add $1; out of state add $2. Periodical postage paid at Southern Md. 20790. Monday was the second time Judge Nelva Gon - pression is unacceptable in 21st Century America, present. They step forward to Postmaster, send address changes to Prince George’s Post, P.O. Box 1001, zales Ramos had ruled on the law. At the 2014 trial, and move forward with a commitment to equality care for the children but some - Upper Marlboro, Md. 20772-3151. experts testified to Texas’ shameful history of sup - and opportunity. times require financial or other May 4 — May 10, 2017 — The Prince George’s Post —A 5 BUSINESS

The American Counseling Association’s IRS: Private Collection of Some Overdue Counseling Corner Federal Taxes Starts in April; Those Tips for Keeping Your Affected Will Hear First From IRS Children Informed IRS Will Handle Most Tax Debts; Taxpayers Advised to Watch Out for Scam Calls Maybe it’s a divorce, Dad losing his job, a seriously ill collection effort know they have its own letter to the taxpayer and such as filing a notice of Federal By PRESS OFFICER family member. Are these things that you want to share with Office of the Comptroller a tax debt.” their representative confirming Tax Lien or issuing a levy. To your children? The program will began the the account transfer. To protect learn more about the new private Many parents try to protect their kids by holding back on bad ANNAPOLIS, MD—Start - first week in April with a few the taxpayer’s privacy and secu - debt collection program, visit the news, trying not to share the emotional pain that life can bring. ing this month, the Internal Rev - hundred taxpayers receiving rity, both the IRS letter and the Private Debt Collection page on enue Service will begin sending Unfortunately, doing so often does the child a disservice. He mailings and subsequent phone collection firm’s letter will con - IRS.gov. letters to a relatively small group or she may grow up with a faulty perception of marriage and calls, with the program growing tain information that will help The IRS reminds taxpayers to of taxpayers whose overdue fed - family life, and a distorted picture of how the real world works. to thousands a week later in the taxpayers identify the tax amount be on the lookout for scammers eral tax accounts are being as - spring and summer. Taxpayers owed and assure taxpayers that posing as private collection Most children, even fairly young ones, are often more aware signed to one of four private-sec - with overdue taxes will always future collection agency calls firms. The IRS will be watching of problems than we realize. They overhear discussions and tor collection agencies. receive multiple contacts, letters they may receive are legitimate. for these schemes as the collec - recognize when a parent is sad, upset or acting in unusual ways. The new program, authorized and phone calls, first from the The private collectors will be tion program begins, and this ef - They hear people talk or see things on TV that let them see under a federal law enacted by IRS, not private debt collectors. able to identify themselves as fort will include working with how troubled the world can be. Congress in December 2015, en - The IRS will always notify a contractors of the IRS collecting partners in the tax community When children get news in bits and pieces it can leave them ables these designated contrac - taxpayer before transferring their taxes. Employees of these collec - and law enforcement about with a poor understanding of what is happening. When children tors to collect, on the govern - account to a private collection tion agencies must follow the pro - emerging scams. see Mommy and Daddy are unhappy, upset, angry or worried, ment’s behalf, unpaid tax debts. agency (PCA). First, the IRS will visions of the Fair Debt Collec - People should remember that they will often assume the worst and think it must be their fault. Usually, these are unpaid indi - send a letter to the taxpayer and tion Practices Act, and like IRS these private collection firms Instead, children benefit when they are informed, in an age- vidual tax obligations that are their tax representative informing employees, must be courteous will only be calling about a tax appropriate manner, about what is happening. They don’t need not currently being worked by them that their account is being and must respect taxpayer rights. debt the person has had—and to know all the sordid details of relationship problems, bad IRS collection employees and assigned to a PCA and giving the The private firms are author - has been aware of—for years work environments or the loss of a job, but they should have often were assessed by the tax name and contact information for ized to discuss payment options, and had been contacted about reliable information if what’s happening is going to impact agency several years ago. the PCA. This mailing will in - including setting up payment previously in the past by the IRS. them. If information isn’t shared, again the kids often assume Taxpayers being assigned to clude a copy of Publication 4518, agreements with taxpayers. But “Here’s a simple rule to keep the problem is their fault. a private firm would have had What You Can Expect When the as with cases assigned to IRS in mind. You won’t get a call from multiple contacts from the IRS How much to share depends on the child. Most younger IRS Assigns Your Account to a employees, any tax payment a private collection firm unless in previous years and still have children don’t need to know all the details, but it’s important Private Collection Agency . must be made, either electroni - you have unpaid tax debts going an unpaid tax bill. to let your child understand that he or she is included, that the Only four private groups are cally or by check, to the IRS. A back several years and you’ve al - “The IRS is taking steps problem isn’t his or her fault, and that as parents, you are doing participating in this program: payment should never be sent to ready heard from the IRS multiple throughout this effort to ensure your best to handle the issue. CBE Group of Cedar Falls, Iowa; the private firm or anyone be - times,” Koskinen said. “The peo - that the private collection firms Conserve of Fairport, N.Y.; Per - sides the IRS or the U.S. Treas - ple included in the private collec - Share such information at a time when you and your chil - work responsibly and respect formant of Livermore, Calif.; and ury. Checks should only be made tion program typically already dren can sit down together and discuss what is happening taxpayer rights,” said IRS Com - Pioneer of Horseheads, N.Y. The payable to the United States know they have a tax issue. If you without distractions. Allow a child to ask questions and to un - missioner John Koskinen. “The taxpayer’s account will only be Treasury. To find out more about get a call from someone saying derstand the situation on his or her level. You want to be IRS also urges taxpayers to be assigned to one of these agencies, available payment options, visit they’re from one of these groups truthful and reassuring. on the lookout for scammers never to all four. No other private IRS.gov/Payments. and you’ve paid your taxes, that’s Your school counselor, or a local professional counselor, who might use this program as a group is authorized to represent Private firms are not author - a sure sign of a scam.” can offer help about the best ways to share bad news wi