Prince George's County

Hogan Lifts Masks Requirements in State Buildings

William J. Ford WI Staff Writer

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Monday, Feb. 14 state employees and visitors to state buildings won’t be required to wear masks or face coverings starting Tuesday, Feb. 22.

The order goes into effect based on the state’s positivity coronavirus rate below 4% and hospitalizations at 715, according to state Health Department data released Tuesday, Feb. 15.

“Given the dramatic declines in our health metrics, we are now able to take another step toward normalcy in state operations,” Hogan said in a statement.

“In addition, we continue to offer paid leave for state employees to get their booster shots, which provide critical protection against the virus and its variants. I want to thank all of our dedicated state employees for their tireless efforts that have helped make Maryland’s COVID-19 response a national model,” he said.

In the meantime, the full House of Delegates reconvened Tuesday for the first time since they voted on the legislative redistricting plan Jan. 27. Masks will remain in effect for delegates when on the House floor, which has 141 members.

Before the session began, House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) reminded her colleagues masks are required on the floor which includes covering the nose.

“We just have to be safer and lead by example,” said Del. Pam Queen (D-Montgomery County). “We’re only here for 90 days and we have a lot to get done. We do need to go that extra route to make sure we’re safe and do the people’s work.”

House committees will continue to hold public hearings and conduct business online.

The Senate, which has 47 members, allowed the public to attend

5 Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan speaks at a press briefing Feb. 8 in Annapolis. (FILE: William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)

hearings in person Tuesday. But visitors must wear masks in committee rooms and not sit directly beside each other.

Even though House members haven’t met in person as frequently as the Senate, Del. Nick Charles (D-District 25) of Forestville said about 1,400 bills are being reviewed and discussed.

The Prince George’s County House Delegation, which Charles serves as chair, holds weekly sessions online and has nearly finished its work drafting county-focused bills.

“Even when we aren’t on the

ARETHA Maryland Lawmakers Discuss Climate Solutions

Plan Includes Environmental Justice, Decrease in Emissions DISTRICT24

William J. Ford WI Staff Writer

5 Robin Lewis of Bowie speaks in support of climate change legislation at a press conference Feb. 15 at Lawyers’ Mall in Annapolis. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Environmental advocates rallied Tuesday to ensure Maryland lawmakers pass sweeping climate change legislation that proposes net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, conduct a study to assess jobs in the energy, building and transportation sectors and identify communities affected by climate change.

“The time is now for Maryland to focus on helping those communities that are sacrificed and underserved but are the most impacted by climate and other environmental harm,” said Robin Lewis of Bowie, who serves as director for climate equity with Interfaith Power & Light DMV based in Northwest.

“These communities, our neighbors, deserve to be treated with respect and to have justice. We need a seat at the table so that investments in training, employment and other opportunities can equitably be directed within the Black and brown communities,” Lewis said.

The rally took place outside at Lawyers’ Mall in Annapolis before a bill hearing on an ambitious plan called “Climate Solutions Now Act” sponsored by Sen. Paul Pinsky (D-District 22) of University Park.

Pinsky didn’t attend the rally because he still remained on the Senate floor but in two words he summarized during a more than three-hour hearing, why the bill must pass immediately: “urgency”

CLIMATE Page 14

floor, we’re still making sure we get work done for the people,” he said.

Hogan’s mask order also goes into effect on the same day the state Board of Education will meet to review the state’s mask requirements for public schools. The state board voted in August to implement a mask mandate in all 24 public school systems that would not exceed 180 days.

Clarence Crawford, school board president, wrote in a letter Thursday to Hogan all COVID-19 metrics continue to be watched with “off-ramps” during the recent omicron variant surge.

The letter noted school systems and local school boards can lift mask mandates based on the following provisions:

At least 80% of the county population “is fully vaccinated.”

A superintendent verifies 80% of school staff and students in a school system are fully vaccinated.

If a county has sustained 14 consecutive days of moderate or low transmission rates of COVID-19 cases, based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Again, we deeply appreciate your strong leadership and support throughout this once in a century pandemic,” Crawford said. “We, too, share your desire not to let this pandemic distract us from aggressively addressing the learning loss and social emotional harm this pandemic has done to our children. We look forward to working with you and stakeholders across the state to provide an excellent and equitable education for every Maryland child.”

As of Tuesday, the CDC rated Maryland’s community transmission as “high.” The federal agency labeled four counties as “substantial,” which sits just one step below high: Baltimore, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Queen Anne’s counties.

In the meantime, Baltimore County lifted its mask mandate Feb. 7 and Frederick County health officials announced four days later masks are no longer required.

The indoor mask requirement will tentatively be lifted in Montgomery County Monday, Feb. 21 and in Prince George’s County March 9 at 5 p.m.

WI @WJFjabariwill

DEALERSHIP from Page 1

After several conversations, Banister, who owns two Nissan dealerships in Virginia and resides in Chesapeake, Virginia, said he and Freeman became business partners.

“I just know that it was God that put this dealership in my path,” Banister said. “This dealership used to be one of the top performing dealerships in the nation but in recent years, it hasn’t. It’s been underperforming and underrepresented and has not done well, in my opinion, for the community.”

Banister worked with one of the church’s groups, No Lack Nation, to “help bless families with cars at no cost.”

For the more than 80 employees at the dealership, he told them it would be closed on Sundays.

Besides working during the coronavirus pandemic, he said working in the auto industry accrues a high divorce rate because of the working hours.

“We want to make sure we have enough time to spend with our families,” he said. “What we’re going to do is make sure we have such a good product, a good process and make the customers happy that they’re going to come when we’re open. I want you guys to get your rest and enjoy being with your families.”

The couple has been married for 25 years and they have two children, Daniel Banister, Jr., 21, who attends Hampton University where he’s on the basketball team and daughter Jordan, a freshman at Regent University in Virginia Beach and a member of the volleyball team.

“They trust in the Lord no matter what,” Jordan Banister said about her parents’ spiritual beliefs. “This has been really a blessing to all of us. We are just ready to help the community.”

The other Black-owned dealership in the county, Nissan of Bowie, located along Route 301, has been owned by Damon Lester since April.

Lester, president of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers [NAMAD] based in Largo, said in an interview last month out of the 1,200-minority owned dealerships nationwide, about 266 have Black owners. He constantly offers advice to NAMAD members.

“What I have urged the members to do is do your own due diligence. You can’t rely on someone telling you how your store is,” said Lester, who’s also a certified public accountant. “Know your market and know the people in your store. The [auto] industry is competitive.”

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said two Black-owned dealerships in the county accentuates how the majority-Black jurisdiction represents as “the economic engine in this region.”

“We are always happy to see businesses like Banister Ford that bolster, grow and support the local economy,” she said. WI @WJFjabariwill

5 Dan Banister joins his family and Dr. Mike Freeman, pastor of Spirit of Faith Christian Center, while holding scissors to cut the ribbon in front of Banister Ford of Marlow Heights. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

Countywide Curbside Organics Composting Collection is Here!

Residents who receive County provided services AND opt-in the program will be able to mix their food scraps with their yard trim for the weekly Monday yard trim curbside collection. Food scraps must be placed inside the Organics cart.

Only residents who opted-in and received the appropriate program materials may put food scraps curbside for collection.

Plastic bags are not accepted.

If you received a letter from DoE, Opt-In postcards are on the way!

Detailed opt-in instructions are on the postcard.

• Use only one option listed to opt-in: 1. Scan the QR code on the postcard using a smart phone; OR 2. Call the telephone number and provide the requested information. 3. Complete the opt-in form online at www.toter.com/princegeorgescounty Your program materials will be delivered during the Month of April, in celebration of Earth Month.

Households will receive collection materials, including a 32-gallon wheeled cart, a 2-gallon kitchen mini bin, a How-To Guide, a refrigerator magnet, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

For additional information about food scraps composting email us at pgccomposts@co.pg.md.us or visit mypgc.us/compost.