GREENBELT News ReviewAn Independent Newspaper VOL. 76, No. 36 15 Crescent Rd., Suite 100, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1887 AUGUST 1, 2013 Council July 22 Worksession GATE’s New Computers, Explores Some Ethical Issues Cameras Are Now Hi-Def by Cindy Henneberger by Thomas X. White The Greenbelt City Council President Bob Zugby told meeting During the past year the ter to City Manager Michael city in December 1986, it has had its annual stakeholder meet- attendees. GATE will also pay Greenbelt City Council has been McLaughlin, City Solicitor Rob- operated under Articles of Incor- ing with Greenbelt Access Televi- for the upgrades with assets and discussing potential ethical issues ert Manzi noted provisions of poration and bylaws developed sion, Inc. (GATE) on July 17, the savings it has built up for almost relating to service on various ethics laws of both the city and by a city committee formed spe- same day that 10 new computers 20 years, said Board Treasurer community boards and commit- Maryland that would apply gener- cifically for that purpose. Manzi arrived at the public access sta- Thomas White in a subsequent tees by council members. While ally to city officials participating had assisted the committee in tion. The equipment is part of interview. their primary focus has been the on boards of entities receiving drafting the charter and bylaws, GATE’s over $127,000 camera, It was about time, according to unique relationship between coun- funds from the city. His letter both still intact after nearly 27 computer and software upgrade GATE production assistant Scott cil and the board of Greenbelt admitted that while neither of years of operation. plan. Candey, who said some of the Access Television, Inc. (GATE), the provisions were specific, he Article six of the Articles of On the purchase list is a cam- station’s cameras are 15 and 18 discussion has included all such believed there was enough intent Incorporation under “Board of era that will record at a 4K reso- years old respectively, older than relationships, including participa- to state that “the official should Directors,” section (a) states: lution, delivering images at four he and GATE Production Man- tion by Greenbelt staff on various recuse themselves [sic] from any “There shall be nine (9) voting times the resolution of today’s ager Aaron Solomon. Solomon boards and committees. vote on any budgeted amount Directors of the Corporation, one 1920 x 1080 high-definition tele- reported approximatrely three Armed with legal opinions given to an organization where (1) of whom shall be appointed vision. camera failures this year where from the city solicitor and staff (they) are either a member, a by the Greenbelt City Council.” The new camera is key in production footage was not re- input, council discussion at its member of the board or in some Similarly, Article IV of the GATE GATE’s transformation from stan- corded. He said the upgrades July 22 worksession was intended official position.” bylaws under section 2, states: dard-definition to high-definition will help GATE make a seamless to lead to new city policies gov- Five members of council at- “The number of Directors of the technology – and will be teaming transition into high definition. erning situations where council or tended the worksession, with Corporation is initially set at nine up with five other new cameras, Service in Lieu of Rent staff served on boards and com- Councilmembers Silke Pope and (9), eight (8) directors elected 12 new computers in all, plus Most organizations pay the mittees receiving financial benefits Leta Mach away. Also attending by the membership and one new software and a new central city for space in the Commu- (actual funding or in-kind servic- were McLaughlin and Assistant director appointed by the City storage area network capable of nity Center, but GATE has oper- es) from the city. The backdrop City Manager David Moran. Council . .” holding 24 terabytes of media. ated there rent-free since 1996. for such discussions included not GATE Currently Councilmember GATE’s Board of Directors Greenbelt Intergenerational Volun- only actual receipt of city funds As the issue has developed Konrad Herling serves as coun- knew the access station was in teer Exchange Service (GIVES), and services but also the percep- over the past year or so, the situ- cil’s representative on the GATE a rapidly changing environment a seniors-oriented work exchange tion by citizens regarding the ation at GATE was the principal board. At the worksession he and had the foresight to create importance of such relationships. focus. Since GATE was estab- a replacement reserve, Board See GATE, page 9 In an October 25, 2012, let- lished under the auspices of the See WORKSESSION, page 8 Campaign Season Opens Aug. 19 For November Council Election by Kathleen Gallagher In little more than two weeks, a Greenbelt residence address. referendum questions to solicit the starting gate will open and Since 2009 Greenbelt has had the opinions of voters on various both incumbents and challengers a seven-member council, all of matters. Although no referendum N will begin the race to be winners whom are elected at-large for questions have been proposed so E ALL at the next city council elec- two-year terms: that is, there are far for this year, council has until tion on Tuesday, November 5. no wards or districts in Greenbelt September 30 to adopt a resolu- ONY Candidate packets containing all and each voter may vote for up tion for that purpose. T necessary information and forms to seven candidates. Forms, Forms, Forms for running will be available at No separate contest is held To run for office, would-be City Clerk Cindy Murray’s office for running to be mayor. Both candidates must fill out the fol- PHOTO BY in the Municipal Building, 25 mayor and mayor pro tem are lowing forms in their entirety and Boxing Around The Beltway's Gary "Digital" Williams and Crescent Road, beginning Mon- elected by the city council, which submit them to the city clerk no Pro/Am Fight Talk's Juan Marshall are pictured with Seth day, August 19. Candidates may traditionally has chosen for these later than 5 p.m. on September file to run from then until 5 p.m. offices the two candidates who 23: Mitchell NABO Heavyweight Champion. on Monday, September 23. had received the highest and A nomination petition meet- Any “qualified voter” of the second-highest number of votes, ing certain criteria and bearing city may run for city council. A respectively, in the biennial elec- the signatures of at least 50 reg- Beltway Plaza Celebrates qualified voter is a city resident tion. istered city voters must be ob- who is duly registered to vote In some years the city elec- tained. Each petition page identi- “Mayhem” Mitchell’s Win with Prince George’s County at tion ballot also includes advisory fies the candidate and candidate’s address of residence, with the Beltway Plaza Mall hosted ceived autographs and photos of notarized signature and residence a victory celebration on July themselves with Mitchell. Part What Goes On address of the person circulating 28 for Seth “Mayhem” Mitch- of Beltway Plaza’s support of Sunday, August 4 the petition. The city clerk veri- ell who won the WBC Interna- Seth Mitchell was his previous 1 to 4 p.m., Artful Afternoon, Community Center fies the petitions. tional Heavyweight and North inclusion in the Beltway Plaza Monday, August 5 An acceptance of nomina- American Boxing Organization Wall of Fame, which honors 8 p.m., Council Worksession on City Manager Update, Capital tion form certifies the nominee’s (NABO) Heavyweight Titles with members of the Prince George’s Projects, Public Records Request Policy, Municipal Building, Live agreement to serve if elected. his unanimous decision on June County community and notes on Verizon 21, Comcast 71 and Streaming at www.greenbeltmd.gov An affidavit of candidate form 22 win over Johnathon Banks at their contributions to bettering Tuesday, August 6 provides personal identifying the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the community. Evening, Times Vary, National Night Out (See City Ad, page 5) information. These forms also New York. A crowd was on Mitchell’s (26-1-1, 19 KO) must be notarized. hand to congratulate the champ 12-round decision over Banks 7 p.m., Arts Advisory Board Meeting, Community Center A financial disclosure state- and chat with him about his re- was a form of redemption for the Wednesday, August 7 ment provides for a declaration cent fight and possible upcoming up-and-coming heavyweight who 7:30 p.m., Board of Elections Meeting, Community Center, of business, investment and real matches. Mark “Kap” Kapastin, was stopped in two rounds by Room 201 estate interests held by the nomi- a member of the management Banks last November. This time 8 p.m., Council Worksession, City Election Process, Community nee and close family, as well as team of Beltway Plaza, made a Mitchell used a safer, more tacti- Center congratulatory toast (with non- cal approach that proved to be a See ELECTION, page 11 alcoholic beverages) and fans re- winning approach to the fight. Page 2 GREENBELT NEWS REVIEW Thursday, August 1, 2013 Letters to the Editor Grin Belt A Visit from Rep. THANKS! the food. The restaurant is full for weekday lunch and weekend Steny Hoyer The Greenbelt Pantry thanks all donors for their faithful dona- breakfasts. Carryout does a brisk Congressman Steny H. Hoyer business and on weekdays, many was at the Co-op grocery store tions to the pantry. Special thanks go to Co-op music patrons choose to purchase last Friday afternoon when I was Manager Bob Davis, who contin- food, even though they are not there and he was buying a whole ues to provide space in the store required to.