21st Century Town Meeting Liveblog

3:30pm – THE ENVISION PRINCE GEORGE’S 21ST CENTURY TOWN MEETING IS NOW OVER.  THANK YOU FOR JOINING TODAY’S LIVE BLOG.  PLEASE BROWSE BELOW FOR A RECAP AND PICTURES.

We’re liveblogging today’s 21st Century Town Meeting.  Check back throughout the day for updates, photos, interviews and more.

LIVEBLOG: READY. SET. GO!

6:30 am – a few opening thoughts as we get started on the day.

LIVEBLOG: A FEW QUESTIONS FOR THEO BROWN

7:45 am –  Theo has general responsibility for outreach in the Envision project, getting people involved.  With over 1000 people registered for today’s event, it’s a big day for all of us, and Theo’s all in to make today a success.

LIVEBLOG: CHAIRMAN PARKER

8:15 am – Envision is an initiative of the M-NCPPC.  A few thoughts from Chairman Parker on the big day.

8:00 am – Our first batch of pictures.

8:45 am – Arrivals: It’s about 8:45am. The doors will open in about 15 minute. The Sports and Learning complex is already a throng of activity. Steve Brigham is giving volunteers and facilitators some last minute directions and folks are getting started with coffee and danish.
Pictures just before folks show up.

9:00am – The doors are open and the people come streaming in.  It’s an all day event, and people are settling in.  Many may not know what to expect.  I take the opportunity to ask around a bit.  I get  a chance to talk with two distinguished looking gentlemen.  Stanley Suffney is a mortgage banker hoping to get of this shared vision and a sense of how community leaders will receive it.  ”We need direction for the county.  If we can get a good sense that leaders will embrace this vision, I’ll stay involved.”.  LeCont Holmes Jr. is an educator and entertainer who travels to college campuses reenacting Frederick Douglas.  A native of the county, he moved away 25 years ago, returning only last year.  He’s hoping to see how a community can come together, and organize for impact.  ”I’d like to see if this could be a model for African-American communities nationwide. ”

Pictures from the opening hour of the program:

9:30am – A few more comments from participants.

Since arriving this morning I have been fortunate enough to be able to talk to some of the people who have joined us here today. I have spoken with volunteers, county employees, and county citizens. They were all asked the same question. “What do you hope we will get from this meeting today?” This question received enthusiastic responses:

  • Hyajung Gearland, a volunteer and planning department employee, said today was a “tremendous opportunity to collect what residents want”.
  • Benita Swan, a county resident and volunteer, said that she hopes the government will listen to the community and get an idea of what people want for the county”.
  • Lake Harbor residents Rufus and Stephanie had a lot to say on the subject.  They hope that Prince George’s County can be improved with respect to quality of life.   The most important things they want to discuss today include: how to improve schools and create a plan or strategy to reduce crime and gang activity.  They also discussed the issues of companies relocating to the area to take advantage of incentives while failing to give back.   They’d like to see incoming companies enriching the community with training, jobs, and more involvement.   Other top priorities – a visible police force, end to blight, solid waste improvements and more money in the budget for all of these priorities.

10am – A review of the demographics show distinct differences between the room and the county. The room is significantly higher populations of women and African-Americans, and is wealthier than the county population at large.

Some more pictures from the town meeting:

11am – After a 30 minutes of table discussions about the vision, major themes emerge as to what is most exciting about it as stated.

12pm – lunch!

1pm – Art contest winners announced – the kids are so excited.

1:30: The room is beginning to vote on priority goals for each of the Envision areas. Here are the top 3 results in each area as they are announced:

LIVE:
1. High Levels of Safety
2. Diversity of Shopping, Restaurants, and Entertainment
3. Healthy Environment Everywhere We Live

WORK:
1. Prosperous Small Business Sector
2. Federal Jobs Hub
3. Robust Workforce Training

LEARN:
1. Top Notch School System
2. Parents and Community Involved in Schools
3. Career and Technical Training

ENJOY:
1. Recreation, Health, and Wellness Activities
2. Entertainment, Shopping, and Dining Amenities
3. Vibrant Arts and Entertainment

SERVE:
1. Responsive Government
2. Excellence in Public Safety
3. High Levels of Public Engagement

SUSTAIN:
1. Local Jobs, Businesses, and Amenities
2. The Will, Capacity, and Resources to Sustain the Vision

3. Mixed-Use Communities
3. Excellence in Public Transportation
3. Locally Grown Food

3:00pm – Tables discuss priorities for further action – look for much more on this in the future.

3:30pm – Over 90% cite High to Very High level of satisfaction and interest in remaining involved.

Chairman Parker closes inspiring continued involvement in The Envision Prince George’s Call to Action.

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.
Barack Obama



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