in this section | Politics & Opinion | Business ECRWSS H, BEAUTY & FITNESSJanuary 2019 HEALT Pasadena Voice Drag Racer Ronnie Smith US POSTAGE Health, Beauty & Fitness Northeast Boys Basketball Eagles defeat Chesapeake, take on Pasadena resident earns PAID Get insight from local experts. PERMIT NO. 546 �� challengers ahead of rivalry rematch. World Championship title. Millersville, MD Inside �� Page B1 �� Page A5 Page 8 GREEN POINT WELLNESS As more Marylanders turn to medical cannabis for a range of ailments, the expert staff at Green Point Wellness is dedicated to helping patients gain the knowledge they need and find the product that is right for them. Page 7 Page 4 AGING DENTISTRY Using a wheelchair does not have to hinder FREE Page 2 you if you make these easy fixes to improve Laser technology has EXERCISE changed everyday dentistry the safety and accessibility of your home. Many people suffer from an aching operations in many ways. back because their core muscles are not strong enough to support them. 1 CMYK 12 BASE--11.00DX10.00W TRIM-- Pasadena VoicE PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITY PASADENA, MD JAA NU Ry 23, 2019 A1 The 2019 Legislative Session Will Shape The Future Of Maryland By Zach Sparks tion while also increas- zach @pasadenavoice.com ing teacher pay. Hogan wants to allocate some etween Janu- of the funds for the ary 9 and April 8, same purpose — he set Bmany Americans aside $200 million to will focus on the Super implement the com- Bowl, Valentine’s Day, mission’s recommenda- and the Oscars and tions and an additional Sterling Organization is planning a full-scale redevelopment Grammy Awards. $20 million to expand of Pasadena Crossroads, including bringing in new businesses. During that 90-day access to prekinder- timespan, the 188-mem- garten — but he also ber Maryland General As- Kirwan Commission because panel later lowered that fig- wants to earmark $1.9 billion sembly will engage in policy of its chair, William “Brit” ure to $3.8 billion, but legis- for new construction fund- Businesses Coming To debates, with Democrats Kirwan, the group was asked lators still need to determine ing over five years. and Republicans drafting by lawmakers to devise how state and local govern- Delegate Nic Kipke said legislation that will have specific recommendations ments will divide the cost. education is important but Pasadena Crossroads a long-term impact on on how to improve student With Marylanders voting that Maryland schools need Marylanders. performance at all levels and “yes” on a ballot referendum to be held accountable for By Maya Pottiger property, as well as bringing in how to fund the necessary in November to ensure the current funds they have new tenants. EDUCATION investments. casino revenues are spent before taxpayers are asked to here could be new “The property was 100 per- Created in 2016, the When the Kirwan Com- on Maryland schools, the fork over more money. businesses in the cent leased at acquisition, but Commission on Innovation mission announced in state is expecting to receive “Our schools systems are TPasadena Crossroads Sterling believed that during and Excellence has spent December 2018 that Mary- an additional $4.4 billion in some of the best-funded Shopping Center as soon its ownership there would be two years analyzing ways land would need $4.4 billion school funding. schools systems in the coun- as October. an opportunity to recapture Maryland can meet the chal- annually to meet those Democrats want to spend try, and currently, our educa- In November 2015, Sterling the Kmart, and potentially lenges of a changing global goals, Governor Larry Hogan the money on the commis- tional outcomes rank middle Organization purchased the the Babies R Us and Shoppers economy. Often called the balked at the price tag. The sion’s recommendations: of the pack,” Kipke said. “We shopping center. At that time, Food spaces to add value as investments in prekinder- have some of the worst SAT all of the storefronts were they all paid below-market garten and special educa- » Continued on A6 occupied. Now, the organi- rents,” said Greg Moross, zation is planning a “full- principal and chief operating What Does The MD scale redevelopment” of the » Continued on A7 Report Card Mean For Polar Bear Plunge Dares Marylanders To A Anne Arundel Schools? Cold Swim In Support Of Special Olympics By Zach Sparks groups and other stakehold- [email protected] ers around Maryland drafted By Dylan Roche Bear Plunge at Sandy Point year is the generosity of Special Olympics in this the plan, which was adopted [email protected] State Park will bring a Marylanders who sup- unique way. It’s amazing arents of students in by the U.S. Department of crowd of warmhearted port this event,” said Greg to see thousands of people Anne Arundel County Education in early 2018. rrr! Are you ready to thrill-seekers to take a dip Shipley, spokesman for the out there willing to do this PPublic Schools can ESSA succeeded the No bear the cold? About in the cold waters of the Maryland State Police, and crazy thing — probably now see their child’s school Child Left Behind Act in gov- B10,000 people from Chesapeake Bay as a way of one of those who was there against the advice of family ranked in the same way as erning state school improve- across the state of Mary- raising money and showing for the inaugural Polar members and others – who restaurants and hotels: by a ment plans. land are — and you could be support for more than 7,000 Bear Plunge in 1997. “This I guarantee will have a five-star rating. Jason Dykstra, execu- one of them! On Saturday, Special Olympics Mary- is our 23rd Plunge, and we good time.” The new Maryland School tive director of the instruc- January 26, the Maryland land athletes. have people who return For the 23rd installa- Report Card, released in tional data division for State Police’s annual Polar “What excites me every year after year to support » Continued on A4 December, evaluated schools Anne Arundel County Public statewide on a variety of Schools, explained the rat- factors: attendance, having ings at a December Board of a well-rounded curriculum, Education meeting. growth on English and “The biggest difference math state assessments, and with this new accountability progress of English lan- plan is that the old one was guage learners. based solely on test scores The new grading metric is and whether or not students part of Maryland’s account- passed state assessments,” ability system under the Dykstra said. “That was re- Every Student Succeeds Act ally, essentially, it.” (ESSA), legislation signed The new plan, he said, in 2015. Over an 18-month “will show a much more period, superintendents, balanced approach to how principals, teachers, parents, Maryland’s accountability community leaders, advocacy » Continued on A7 Jay Offer Recognized At AACC’s Annual MLK Breakfast By Maya Pottiger is sponsored by Anne Arundel Dr. King.” U.S. Army veter- for Anne Arundel County are Kenya and Ghana. Community College. Offer works in an and NAACP being discussed, to be a voice “I’ve told people that I ay Offer received the “That’s still sinking in. many roles across subscribing for people that don’t know mentor and I’m training, I Leon H. White Clergy I’m blown away,” Offer said. Anne Arundel life member. how to get to the table or tell them, ‘When you want to JMemorial Award at this “What it’s saying is, in my County: community Recently, otherwise feel like they have make a difference, you’ve got year’s annual Dr. Martin Lu- work as a pastor, I’ve made a ambassador at Chesa- Offer organized no voice,” Offer said. to put on your servant hat, ther King Jr. Breakfast at La difference in Anne Arundel peake High School, Souls to the The Leon H. White Clergy and don’t look for a reward. Fontaine Bleue in Glen Burnie County while embodying the pastor at Harvest Polls, which Memorial Award is decided Just get up every morning, on January 21. The breakfast principles and the legacy of Crusade Ministries, transported by the United Black Clergy start your day with a purpose, general secretary of voters to the of Anne Arundel County. and your purpose should im- Empowering Believ- polls on Elec- Apostle Larry Thomas Sr., a pact somebody’s life. If you do ers Apostolic Inter- Jay Offer tion Day. This mentor to Offer and president that, one day, that which you national Network, school year, he of UBC, called to give Of- have sown is going to come Inside president of the helped establish fer the news. back to you,’” Offer said. Community .......................A1-A8 Sports ................................B1-B4 Black Officers’ Association of a food pantry at Chesapeake The two partnered to build Offer attended the memo- Politics & Opinion ...................A9 School & Youth .................B5-B8 Maryland Natural Resources High School through Caring an organization called Em- rial breakfast with his wife Business .......................A10-A12 Arts & Entertainment ... B9-B12 Police, and as a member of the Cupboard LLC. powering Believers Apostolic and daughter. “I consider it an Business Directory ................. B8 county executive’s transition “My most proud achieve- International Network. The honor and a privilege to serve team. In addition to his work ment is just being able to organization now reaches anywhere and anyway I can,” facebook.com/pasadenavoice @PasadenaVoice BLOG pasadenavoice.com/blogs in the county, Offer is also a come to the table where issues the United States, Tanzania, Offer said. A2 JAA NU Ry 23, 2019 PASADENA VOICE Publishers Dianna Lancione Margueritte Mills Lonnie Lancione For Two Decades, Darryl Despeaux Editor’s Voice Chief Operating Officer Volunteer Larry Sells Of The Month Has Been Freezin’ For A Reason impressive.