The Prince George’s Post A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Since 1932 Vol. 75, No. 45 November 8 — November 14, 2007 Prince George’s County, Maryland Newspaper of Record Phone: 301-627-0900 25 cents Wynn, Edwards Push Toward February Primary Candidates Collect Money From Both Office Seekers Share Different Ends of Spectrum 2006 Campaign Sameness By DANIELLE ULMAN thropists like Lynde Uihlein, By DANIELLE ULMAN same choice on Feb. 12 in the Capital News Service heiress to the Schlitz Brewing Capital News Service 4th Congressional District, fortune, and singer Barbra which spans parts of Prince WASHINGTON – The race Streisand. WASHINGTON – U.S. George’s and Montgomery for Maryland’s Congressional “That kind of money does- Rep. Albert Wynn vowed to counties. District 4 seat has gone nation- n’t normally intervene in a pri- change after he narrowly beat The narrow victory sur- al, as U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn mary,” said Frances Lee, a Donna Edwards in 2006, but prised Wynn, who had not had a and competitor Donna Edwards University of Maryland, the voters’ opinion of the trans- credible primary challenger vie for endorsements and cash College Park professor of gov- formation won’t be registered since 1992, when nine candi- to fill their war chests. ernment and politics. until the next primary election dates ran for office and he Edwards’ receipts total “It’s not your run-of-the- results are counted. received 28 percent of votes. $214,365 with more than three mill primary in that sense,” she Wynn eked out a win over Following his electoral months to go until the February said. “There’s more ideological Edwards by 2,725 votes out of scare, Wynn pledged to hold primary. Much of her money 82,165 cast in the last primary more town hall meetings, and comes from out-of-state philan- See CANDIDATES, Page A7 Donna Edwards U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn election. Voters will have the See CAMPAIGN, Page A7 ONE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Sharing Teacher Pension Costs Being Considered Counties Luke Warm to Idea, Lawmakers Eye Suggestion By RICK DOCKSAI Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS – Not all the measures being considered by lawmakers would raise taxes to close the state’s looming budget deficit — some would cut spending. But they’re not much more popular than the tax bills, if hear- ings last week are any indication. One bill, to save the state $334 million a year by requiring counties to pay half the costs of teacher pensions, got a scathing review from groups representing teachers and county executives. “I can’t begin to tell you how devastating this would be to PHOTO COURTESY OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE school employees,” said Clara Floyd, president of the Maryland Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson signs an executive order that will put the county on the fast track for going green environmentally. State Teachers Association, at the Thursday hearing before the House Appropriations Committee. Critics said that passing the bill on to local governments Prince George’s Goes Green might “solve it (the deficit) at the state level,” but it would force county governments to raise property taxes or cut funding for Courtesy OFFICE OF THE The executive order requires the possess LEED accreditation. other programs in return. COUNTY EXECUTIVE county to reduce energy consumption in The county’s efforts to clean up the “When county governments decide to pony up and come up all existing county buildings by 20 per- environment also include single-stream to the plate, what happens to other services? The money is going UPPER MARLBORO – Prince cent by 2015 and new county buildings recycling, cleaning up the county water- to have to come from somewhere else,” said Michele Lewis, leg- George’s County Executive Jack and schools will be constructed with ways, litter-reduction and illegal dump- islative director for the American Federation of State, County and Johnson has signed an executive order energy saving techniques so as to com- ing efforts. Municipal Employees. to establish the county’s first Green ply with the Leadership in Energy and The Green Building Task Force is But lawmakers said sharing costs with the counties at least Building Program which requires more Environmental Design Green Building made up of representatives from the has to be considered, as the state looks at ways to rein in increas- efficient buildings, recycling and litter Rating System Silver Rating. Office of the Prince George’s County es in education funding. reduction efforts. The executive order signed by Executive, Office of Central Services, “We’ve got to equalize things here,” said Delegate John “Our natural resources are so limit- Johnson also adopts the county’s Green Maryland-National Capital Park and Bohanan, D-St. Mary’s. “What’s a way to share some of the ed. Improving the energy efficiency of Steering Committee recommendations Planning Commission, County Public costs?” public buildings and help residents which will establish incentives for pri- Schools, County Health Department, Education funding has increased by $1.3 billion since 2002 reduce their energy consumption is a vate businesses to achieve a LEED DER, DPW&T and the Prince George’s under the so-called Thornton plan, which aimed to equalize edu- way that we can ensure that our natural Silver Rating, establish a green building County Council. cation spending between rich and poor counties in the state. But resources are available for our children, education and outreach program and Representatives from the building while the plan mandated increases in education funding, lawmak- our grandchildren and their grandchil- ensure that a sufficient number of industry have also served on the task ers did not include any new funding sources when they passed it. dren,” Johnson said. development and permit review staff force. According to the Department of Legislative Services, See PENSION, Page A7 Tattoo Artists, Others Say INSIDE Tax Proposal Targets Them By RICK DOCKSAI “Most folks would agree that those are ser- Capital News Service vices that are not necessities. If people choose to use them, fantastic — but it’s an economic ANNAPOLIS – An unlikely alliance of tat- choice,” he said. too artists and interior designers testified against Taxing those services would raise about $13 a proposal to extend the sales tax to their ser- million a year for the state, according to legisla- COMMENTARY vices, one of dozens of revenue-generating bills tive analysts, although they said the amount Tribute to Our Veterans heard by a House committee. from tattooing and body piercing was too small The National Commander of the American Legion writes The bill, co-sponsored by Delegates Justin to be estimated. with punch and passion about our veterans. Ross, D-Prince George’s, and Anne Kaiser, D- Ross said that at a time when Maryland is A4 Montgomery, would also declare body piercing, facing a budget deficit of $1.7 billion next year, tanning salons, home-moving services, and luxury services are fair game for new taxes. OUT ON THE TOWN swimming pool and hot tub cleaning as “taxable “We’ve got to find revenue wherever we ‘Bee Movie’ All the Buzz services” subject to the sales tax. can,” he said. Jerry Seinfeld is the witty voice behind a clever little bee Ross said after the hearing last Saturday that But interior designer Diane Gordy bristled Tattoo artists, tanning salons and named Barry B. Benson in this animated film. other services could feel tax pinch if he chose these services because he considers at the “luxury” designation after the hearing. A6 bill is passed. them “luxury” services. See TAXABLE, Page A7 A2 — November 8 — November 14, 2007 — The Prince George’s Post Towns and NEIGHBORS Clinton Conversations Educator By NORMA FAZENBAKER working). This is a way to learn about comes an increased strain on our overbur- Improves 301-579-6116 Tysons Corner eWomenNetwork services dened transportation system. This is a and products through networking and challenge we must meet by increasing Environment It sure looks like the Christmas season shopping. There will be time to talk, to transportation funding by $600 million per has started already. The stores have put share and to shop. If you have products or year to maintain and make improvements for Students their decorations out. It used to be after services, this is the perfect time to show- to our transportation system. More on: Thanksgiving, but it starts earlier every case them with a Diva Shopping Showcase www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped Michael Powell, assis- year. I have also noticed more toy com- Table. The purpose of this event is to /bal-op.abc25oct25,0,2123943,print.story. tant principal at Patuxent mercials. share your products/service with other • The U.S.House of Representatives Elementary School in My daughter in South Carolina sent me members, share business growth and mar- has voted to designate a corridor that runs Upper Marlboro, is the an article that you might be interested in keting strategies, build a stronger team from Gettysburg to Monticello as a focus of a month-long Michael Powell reading. South Carolina’s violet crime rate spirit, and have fun and enjoy each other. National Heritage Area, over the objec- “WETA Hometown 1,600 native trees, shrubs dropped slightly in 2006, but the state still Cost for a table is $95, for eWN members tions of the Maryland congressman whose Heroes” profile airing in and flowers to the region. holds the unfortunate distinction as the it is $65. Register by phone by calling district lies at its heart. This would November on WETA TV His work projects also second most dangerous place to live in the 877-343-2145.