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GENERAL MEETING - 17 May
at 7:30pm
With
all of the news at the state and county levels regarding budgetary shortfalls
which may result in doomsday budgets, transfer of costs to the county, the full
evening will be dedicated to our elected officials. At the state level the 14th
delegation (Senator Karen Montgomery, Delegates Anne Kaiser, Eric Luedtke, Craig
Zucker) from Montgomery County and the 21st delegation (Senator Jim Rosapepe,
Delegates Barnes, Frush, Pena-Melnyk) from Prince George's County have been
invited. At the county level, Councilwoman Mary Lehman (District 1) and
Councilwoman Valerie Ervin (District 5) will be attending. Montgomery County
District 5 is the new district representing West Laurel.
Business includes the annual election of new officers for the
West Laurel Civic Association treasurer's report, and Good Neighbor recognition.
This year we are also recommending an amendment to the WLCA by-laws. As
written, "Section 5.03 Incidental Expenditures. The President may
authorize incidental expenditures not greater than $100 without prior approval
of the Board of Directors or the Association but he shall detail these
expenditures to the Board of Directors at the next Board meeting and the
Treasurer shall report such expenditures at the next general meeting." and
"Section 6.05
Approval of Expenditures. The Board of Directors
shall approve all expenditures greater than $100." The recommended change is to
increase the incidental expenditures to $300 reflecting the increased costs of
business.
As always, the Cub Scouts will begin the evening with a Presentation of the
Colors. For those who have not attended a meeting recently, this is worth
coming to see.
CONGRATULATIONS BOND MILL DESTINATION
IMAGINATION TEAM!
Destination
Imagination is an academic
program that encourages creativity, problem solving
and teamwork. This
year a team from Bond Mill consisting of six 5th grade students from
Bond Mill and one 6th grade West Laurel student from Martin Luther
King Middle school placed 1st at regionals and 3rd at the state
level. The team project this year was a science based project
learning about solar energy, designing and creating a prototype to
fit in to their presentation, creating all their own scenery, props
and costumes, designing and building their own theatrical
lighting, then performing this to a panel of judges in a timed eight
minute presentation. The cost to register, transport, house
and feed the team is approximately $15,000. Donations are
gladly accepted. Please contact Diana Stroud at 301-490-2969
if you wish to contribute.
Bradford Pear Replacement Program -West Laurel
Selected to Participate in Pilot program.Once
named the County tree, the Bradford Pear has been retired by the
Prince George’s County Government. Planted freely across the County,
the tree is proving to be a huge economic liability to the County
government, local utility companies and homeowners who together
planted thousands of them over the past 50 years. A plan has been
put forward to systematically replace the Bradford Pear trees over
the next few years. The pilot program is an unusual partnership,
which has been formed between the County Department of Public Works
and Transportation, Several Contractors and Civic Associations.
A session with Neighborhood Design Center staff will
be scheduled to meet with residents to describe the program and
answer any questions.
Click
here for a short presentation on the program.
WSSC Pipeline Update #2
The second meeting with WSSC was held on 27 July, again
with representatives from WSSC, WLCA, and Councilwoman Lehman's office.
BGE and State Highway Administration restated their original position -- no
longitudinal use of their rights-of-way. This means the pipeline alignment
remains along the length of Bond Mill Road. WLCA once again brought up our
concerns on safety for walkers/joggers, environmental impact of disturbing the
creek, and inconvenience to the neighborhood. WSSC took note of all
concerns, including the environmental impacts and will be re-doing their survey
with this in mind. The survey is scheduled to begin around September with
construction not beginning until late 2012-early 2013. The WLCA will
continue to monitor this project with WSSC and provide information to residents.
We are also still working with the 21st delegation to see if there are any other
alternatives to be explored.
WSSC Pipeline Update
At the General Meeting many residents expressed their concerns
regarding the route selected and the extensive disruption of the entire
community. As a result, the WLCA along with Senator Rosapepe,
Delgates Pena-Melnyk, Frush and Barnes have met with WSSC, BGE, and State
Highway Administration. Both BGE and State Highway are reviewing their
initial responses and the possibility of use of their rights-of-way. The
next meeting is scheduled from late July.
General Meeting - WSSC Pipeline Route
The primary speakers at the May General Meeting were a
team from WSSC who provided an overview of the proposed new 48" pipeline
scheduled to run from the dam through West Laurel, then across Route 198 to the
WSSC plant. Of eight routes explored by WSSC, the proposed route is down
Brooklyn Bridge Road to Bond Mill Road to the BGE right of way adjacent to Bauer
and across Route 198. The alternative routes along the length of the BGE
right-of-way and/or along the I-95 right-of-way had been removed consideration
based on the response of BGE and State Highway Administration. The
project will take 12-18 months.
WLCA Supports Increased Pedestrian and Bike Lanes
Over the past year,
the WLCA has submitted multiple inputs to the County Executive, County Council
and Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission requesting that
pedestrian and bike lanes be included in the development of new roadways and
re-development of existing roadways.
Our most recent submission was to County Executive, Rushern Baker (
March 2011 letter) re-emphasizing our past submissions on the need for
safe walking and biking alterntives.
County Excutive Rushern L. Baker responded with a letter outlining his
initiatives to support friendlier and safer streets.. In the FY12 proposed
budget, he has included a
"Green Streets" intiative and is working with the Department of Public Works
& Transportation to accommodate bike lanes when resurfacing roadways.
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Up-Coming Community Events
19 May 2012 Kids
Community Fishing Derby. Bethany Community Church is
sponsoring their annual fishing derby from 9am until noon at the Bethany pond.
The event provides a wonderful opportunity for kids from the West Laurel
community and the Bethany family to have fun through this special "Catch and
Release" derby. No fishing licenses are required for this event.
2 June 2012 Dumpster Day - 8:30am until 12:30
By popular
demand, the West Laurel Civic Association and the Prince George's Waste
Management Division have once again arranged for a Spring cleanup on June 2nd
from 8:30am until 12:30 pm, or when the dumpster are full, in the parking lot of
the West Laurel Community Building. Hazardous materials and electronics will
not be accepted. This includes used oil, oil-based paint, tires, propane tanks,
and computer monitors. We will be able to take mattresses, old furniture, light
construction debris, and broken toys and household items. In the three years we
have had Dumpster Day, residents have disposed of old broken piano harps,
vintage gas stations signs, and yard debris of all kind.
14 June 2012 Biking with Beasock.The West
Laurel Civic Association and the Prince George's County Police (District VI)
will hold our annual Biking with Beasock event on Thursday, June 14th (rain date
Friday, June 15th) at 6:00 p.m. The police and residents of West Laurel will
once again gather at Bond Mill School on Sherwood Drive for a ride around our
community. This event is open to children and adults. Everyone who rides a
bike is welcome. Those who participated in last year's event truly enjoyed
their time with the local police officers. Our goal is to introduce the
children of West Laurel to the police in a positive and fun event. Water
stations will be available along the route and there will be a sweeper car to
take riders who cannot complete the route back to the school. Assistant Chief.
Kevin Davis, will be on hand to start the bikers off on their journey. See you
there!
25-27 June 2012 West Laurel Recreation Council Great Wolf Lodge
event.
WEST25-27 June 2012 West
Laurel Recreation Council Great Wolf Lodge event. Check in between Monday,
June 25th (arrival) thru Wednesday June 27th (departure) 2012. No minimum.
Stay One, Two, or Three nights and enjoy a special rate at Great Wolf Lodge
in Williamsburg, VA. Family suites $193.39 per night, KidCabin suites $298.39
per night, or Grizzly Bear suites $358.39 per night. Each suite includes
waterpark passes up to the reserved occupancy of the room. Call 1-800-551-9653
and ask for West Laurel Recreation Council or book online using code 0612WEST.
www.greatwolf.com
News for Seniors:
Laurel-Beltsville Senior Center.
Click here for the current list of events.
Special Services for Seniors (Prince Georges)
Prince Georges County provides back door collection of refuse for senior
citizens over 65 years of age and for disabled persons. To qualify, no one
living in the home can be under 65 years of age or be physically able to carry
the collection containers to the curb. To make arrangements for back door
collection, call (301) 952-7630.
- Hazardous Waste pick up, call 301-883-6026
- Free pet licenses for spayed/neutered animals, call
301-780-7251.
 
News of Interest to West Laurelel
-
West Laurel Is Swimming In Small Town Spirit, Washington Post Real Estate
Section
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Children bike with Police in West Laurel, The Gazette
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Bikes Strengthen Community Ties,Laurel
Leader
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District 1 Town Hall Meeting Draws Large Crowds, College Park Patch
Entry Sign to West
Laurel
The new entry sign has been put up thanks to Bryon White and Tony Spezio.
The WLCA is working to price the cost of stone end posts to complete the job.
Community Notes
Choices in Recycling. In addition to the county recycling
programs, West Laurel residents may drop off their magazines and newspapers at
the Bond Mill Elementary School. The two Abitibi recycling bins have been
moved back by the caferteria entrance. NO CARDBOARD is accepted!
Maryland State
Representatives. The updated list of our Maryland State Representatives and their
contact information is posted on the
Prince George's & Montgomery County
Sex Offenders Listing.
Nowavailable to residents is a listing
of sex offenders based on zip code.
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Last Updated:
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