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Prince George's County
Councilmember Wala Blegay Shares Plans for District 6
Micha Green WI Managing Editor
Recently elected to the Prince George’s County Council and named Vice Chair, millennial politician Wala Blegay (D-District 6),in her words, is “hitting the ground running.”
“On day one…we put over 20 bills,” Blegay said.
She said much of the legislation speaks to “the sprawl in our community, saturating our streets with townhomes… development that’s really unwanted,” in an interview on WIN-TV. “We also put together some bills that addressed some of the concerns that people had: the tobacco shops in our community, the oversaturation of public storage and also looking at the health impact from all land-use matters, so we really have been busy addressing many of the issues.”
Blegay called District 6, “the heart of Prince George’s County.”
“It includes: Upper Marlboro, Largo, downtown Largo is one of the biggest projects we have in District 6. It includes Westphalia, the newest developments in the Upper Marlboro area, it also includes Forestville, Mitchelville, Woodmore, parts of Fairwood, and we really have a really rich district,” Blegay said.
She said that when people refer to Prince George’s County as one of the wealthiest Black counties per capita, they are referring to a large chunk of her district’s residents.
“You have minorities and African Americans who are doing very well. Doctors, lawyers, engineers making a difference in the community and bringing the wealth into Prince George’s County,” she said.
The Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair said she hopes to bring quality development to her district.
“District 6 is really the bed of development in this County. We have one of the largest projects in Prince George’s County, the Blue Line Corridor, which includes downtown Largo… developing up and down the 214 Corridor, from near Hampton Park, down to the Addison Road station, and beyond when you get into District 7. We’re also looking at Westphalia, we’re looking at the new areas we’re building.”
Blegay said the district and its residents deserve more.
“Many people say that you have African Americans, you have minority groups doing very well in District 6, but you wouldn’t know from the development here. So we’re trying to get more quality development,” she said. “Let’s bring the amenities closer to home, and this is not only the nice stores, grocery stores and retail, but also the green space that we can take advantage of, the trails– you have Watkins Park in District 6.”
In addition to improving development, the Vice Chair said she is emphasizing transparency in government, focusing on small businesses and increasing services to residents.
She also hopes to help reduce crime in the area through more mental health programming.
“One of the biggest issues in
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5 Councilmember Wala Blegay (D-District 6) said she is working to bring quality development to her district, address crime and offer more residents services. (Courtesy Photo)
our community is really addressing some of the concerns that many of the families in our community have, and when we investigate what’s going on, it always goes back to mental health,” Blegay said.
As former counsel for the D.C. Nurses Association, Blegay learned about effective advocacy and change.
“I became an advocate talking about issues regarding justice, regarding healthcare, regarding a lot of things in our community and I’m bringing that type of advocacy on the Council,” she said.
Blegay plugged tuning into the next legislative meeting on Jan. 10.
“We have more good news coming.”
WWI
5 Tiffany Williams has been named CEO and president of Martha’s Table. (Courtesy Photo/ Martha’s Table). CEO from Page 11
She was our singular choice from a pool of 200 exceptional candidates from across the country.”
Founded in September 1980, with the motto, “Education. Food. Opportunity,” Martha’s Table serves the community by operating nationally accredited education programs, provides healthy food access in addition to mental and physical health services and encourages familial success through investing in family leaders. The nonprofit has embarked on programs such as providing direct cash assistance to needy families, launching a $100,000 Community Impact Fund to support local organizations, and an emotional wellness program for residents.
After serving as interim CEO, Williams said she is pleased to lead Martha’s Table permanently.
“I am honored to lead Martha’s Table at this pivotal time in our history; it has been humbling to be a part of the evolution from our days as a food security and child care provider to truly becoming a place-based, community-led organization,” she said. “I am proud to continue to advance this important work alongside our neighbors and our team to co-create a future where everyone realizes their highest aspirations.”
WI
Former Lieutenant Gov Candidate Forms Diabetes Awareness Nonprofit
Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter
Running alongside former Biden staffer Ashwani Jain as a lieutenant governor candidate during the crowded 2022 gubernatorial election, LaTrece Hawkins Lytes met people of all walks of life, including many diabetics. Having been diagnosed with diabetes at age 1, Hawkins Lytes knows firsthand what it’s like to struggle with the disease.
“Diabetes is not easy, the technology, medicine, and science working together has really improved over time.” she said.
Hawkins Lytes’ background inspired her to form Shining Lytes Inc. She runs the Prince George’s based nonprofit, centered on diabetes awareness and action, alongside her husband Floyd Lytes. Her goal is to reduce incidences of the disease by expanding access to affordable technologies and medicine and providing resources for organ donors. News updates about new treatments and a blog are available on their website.
After not knowing much about diabetes before being with his wife, Lytes now understand the importance of educating others about the disease.
“The next five years of Shining Lytes Inc, I would love to get the word out about the struggles of diabetics, to the public who really are not aware,” he said. “It was a whole new world of understanding,like that you can pass out from not eating.
Although Hawkins Lytes spent 42 years as a Type 1 diabetic, she is now diabetes-free following a pancreas transplant and careful monitoring of her health and diet.
“Insulin pumps, glucose monitors, and especially the cure of a pancreas transplant have been a huge change for me,” she said.
Now she and her husband hope to help others. One major aim of their nonprofit is to reduce the cost of insulin. Hawkins Lytes hopes to work with the incoming General Assembly and Governor Moore on this issue, along with other issues affecting healthcare systems, education and disability.
The American Diabetes Association estimates over 42,000 Marylanders are diagnosed with diabetes annually and Prince Georgians represent a disproportionate percent of those cases. In Maryland, nearly $5 billion annually is paid in direct medical costs related to diabetes and there are over 480,000 Marylanders with diabetes.
Medicare Part D recipients will see savings following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, capping the cost of insulin at $35 per month for those eligible. Senator Raphael Warnock (D, Georgia) introduced a measure to cap insulin costs for those without health insurance, a measure he will likely reintroduce with Democrats retaining a governing majority in the Senate.
“I wish it could be $25 or less, because I remember when it was very difficult to pay out of pocket.”, she said in a phone interview.
5 LaTrece Hawkins Lytes, a diabetes survivor who formerly ran for Lieutenant Governor, now runs a nonprofit centered on awareness and healthcare for diabetics in Prince George’s. (Photo courtesy: LaTrece Hawkins Lytes )
Hawkins Lytes believes that a $25 or less insulin cap cost passed by state legislators in Maryland would be beneficial for Marylanders with diabetes and their families, although she acknowledges there are widespread issues affecting healthcare systems from COVID that need restructuring. WI
5 Keturah Lee has found success by living on less. (Courtesy Photo/ Jehovah’s Witnesses) LESS from Page 1
priorities and life goals, the Witnesses’ emphasis on service and family has led many in that denomination to make similar employment choices over the decades and given them a wealth of experience in learning to find success living on less.
“Living a balanced, simple life protects us, because it gives us more time and energy for spiritual things,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
“Spirituality has a direct impact on a person’s emotional well-being, which is why Jesus said that those conscious of their spiritual need are happy. Living by that principle takes constant effort as we each strive to maintain life balance.” Video programs with practical suggestions based on Scriptural principles on jw.org, the Witnesses’ official website, helped Lee appreciate the value of a simple lifestyle and helping others through her ministry. “Having less is also good for less stress,” she said.
“I’m living within my means. Not
consuming so much and having and buying just what I need has helped me live a life that’s less stressful.”
Gail Martin likewise has no regrets about reassessing her priorities more than two decades ago.
She left a high-powered but all-consuming job as a systems analyst to put faith and family first. “I can prioritize studying the Bible, my religious meetings and my volunteer ministry,” said Martin of
Riverside, California. “I’m also able to spend three months a year in Illinois with my family and help my brother care for my mom.” The key to long-term success at living on less, she said, is regular life reassessment. “What might work now may eventually not work,” she said. “Sometimes, you have to make adjustments.
It’s a continuous process. She often goes back to the free resources on jw.org, searching for
Scriptural counsel on how to “handle your finances, choosing a career, how to be happy and whatever it might be that you need to look at your priorities and your values,” she said. Martin is currently reevaluating her life to prepare for retirement. She doesn’t yet know what adjustments she will make to simplify her life further, but she’s holding on to what makes her happy. “I feel like if you put priorities first like family and God, that’s a lot more fulfilling than working yourself to death,” she said. WI DECEMBER 22 - 28, 2022 13
