Town of Colmar Manor A Port Town Community Newsletter April 2016 General Election Edition GENERAL ELECTION FOR COUNCILMEMBERS MAY 3, 2016 The Town of Colmar Manor will hold a General Election on Tuesday, May 3 rd, to choose a Councilmember for each of the four wards. The following candidates have submitted petitions to run for the Council and will appear on the ballot: Ward 1 Lois Ann Blue (incumbent/unopposed) Ward 2 Cynthia Bowden (incumbent/unopposed) Ward 3 Vivian Jackson (incumbent) Inga A. McMichael Ward 4 Doreatha Epps (incumbent) Tiffany Hall Melinda Mendoza Polls will be located at the Town of Colmar Manor Community Center / Town Hall, 3701 Lawrence Street, and will be open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Voters must reside in Colmar Manor and have been registered with the Prince George s County Board of Elections as of April 1, 2016. Voters can only vote for a candidate within the ward in which the voter resides. A map of Colmar Manor divided by ward as well as a listing of addresses by ward is included with this newsletter. If you are unable to vote at the polls due to illness, travel or other reasons, you may vote via absentee ballot. Applications for absentee ballots are available at Town Hall or by contacting 301-277-4920 or tstone@colmarmanor.org. Applications for absentee ballots must be received at Town Hall by April 29 th (those who will require receipt and return of ballots via US mail, e.g. students away at school or traveling residents, should have their application in no later than April 22, 2016). Absentee ballots must be received by the Colmar Manor Board of Elections at Town Hall no later than 8:00 PM on May 3 rd to be counted. Information on each of the candidates is enclosed. Candidates were asked to provide biographical information as well as what they plan to bring to the Town if elected. If you have any questions regarding the election, please contact Town Hall at 301-277- 4920.
LOIS ANN BLUE - Ward 1 Council Candidate I have served on the following Committees: My name is Lois Ann Blue and I have been a resident of the Town of Colmar Manor for the past 35 years. I have served as the Council Member for Ward I for the past 23 years having been elected to the position in May of 1993. I am a member of the Prince George s Elected Municipal Women s Association & Women In Government (WINGS). During my tenure as Council Member for the Town, I have enjoyed working on many committees and projects in order to enhance the quality of life for our residents. Please allow me to share my background with you. Neighborhood Watch Committees and Police Liaison Green Team Thanksgiving and Christmas donations for needy Town residents Support of Port Towns Youth Council Programs Earth Day & Town Community Gardens National Night Out and Port Towns Day Port Towns Community Health Partnership If I am re-elected as the Council Member for Ward I, it is my mission to continue to bring new programs to the Community Center. I will work hard to institute Job Training Programs and other educational programs. I will work to implement a Community Outreach Program for our Senior Citizens, Food Bank and Clothing programs. I am in support of the Town s effort to obtain its status as a Sustainable Maryland Certified Community. In partnership with the Mayor and my fellow Council Members, we will pursue Green Initiatives and Smart Growth. I will encourage the Police Chief to have his Officers walk through the town and talk to our residents. In addition, I will make myself available to meet with residents on a weekly basis at the Community Center to discuss any problems they may be having. The Town of Colmar Manor has a number of exciting new projects in its future and I look forward to helping these projects come to fruition. As part of the Port Towns it is our goal to be the Crown Jewel of Prince George s County.
CYNTHIA BOWDEN - Ward 2 Council Candidate My name is Cynthia Bowden. I am running for Council person of Ward 2. I am a graduate of McKinley High School in Washington, DC. After High School, I attended Automation Academy in Washington, DC. I am currently working in the Healthcare Industry. I was employed previously for 13 years with the DC Government Unclaimed Property Division in Washington, DC. I have been a resident of Colmar Manor since 1975. I have 2 children. If elected, I plan to continue to provide dedication and hard work to Ward 2. I would like to be a factoring voice for the residents of my Community. VIVIAN JACKSON - Ward 3 Council Candidate I serve our town by talking the talk and walking the walk! Colmar Manor resident since 1997 Ward 3 Council Member since 2010 23 years banking experience in the Washington DC area Board Member of the Prince George s County Municipal Association 2012-Present Liaison for Colmar Manor Green Team and Garden Club Currently Mayor Pro Tem of Colmar Manor serving in the Mayor s absence I always listen to your concerns and maintain honest dialogue. I have a can do attitude! I deliver for our town, representing us at regional and statewide government bodies. Willing to learn: in September 2015 I was certified by the Academy for Excellence in Local Government (Maryland Municipal League). I am available, accessible, approachable and honest.
INGA McMICHAEL - Ward 3 Council Candidate I have lived in the Town of Colmar Manor for over 38 years. I earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Morgan State University. I am a Life time member of Blacks In Government, I have been a member of the American Legion Auxilliary for over 10 years. I am also a member of The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). I have over 38 years of government service. On May 3, 2016, I am running for Ward 3 Councilmember. I am very excited about this opportunity to bring a positive change to Colmar Manor. I want to ensure our citizens have a clean and safe neighborhood. In the coming days I am looking forward to talking with you about your concerns: negative or positive. I hope you will give me the opportunity to bring about a needed change in "The Little Town That Can". DOREATHA EPPS - Ward 4 Council Candidate Doreatha is the incumbent Council member from Ward 4. She and her family moved to the Town Colmar Manor in 1995. She is an Army Air National Guard Veteran and has worked with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation for over 31 years. She loves living in Colmar Manor where her three of her children attended and graduated from the Prince George s County Public School system. Two of her children are currently in college working on their degrees and the third has graduated. For the past four years, Doreatha attended The Academy for Excellence in Local Governance and graduated. Doreatha has worked tirelessly as a council member to make Colmar Manor an even better place for our families. She started Ward block parties, organized activities for Black History Month, garage sales, fundraisers for the Recreation and Garden Club, Colmar Manor Community Clean Up and Zumba Classes on Saturdays. Doreatha was instrumental in getting Cooking Classes held in Colmar Manor as well as solar powered self-compacting BigBelly trash receptacles which will be coming to Bladensburg Road in August. Doreatha believes strongly in public service. In addition to her day job, she has been involved in improving the quality of life in Colmar Manor for more than a decade. She has served multiple terms on the Port Towns Community (cont d next page)
Development Corporation (PTCDC) which leads effective public planning in the region. She joined the Women in Government Service (WINGS) in 2014. She has held leadership positions in both organizations. Doreatha currently serves as a board member of Access to Wholistic Living. Doreatha believes strongly in the environment and in preserving the quality of the amazing green space, we are blessed with in Colmar Manor. She has served as a volunteer in the Anacostia River cleanup and helped to plant trees throughout neighboring counties. Since joining the Town Council, she has worked very hard as a member of the Garden Club and Green Team to increase our sustainability. She is also concerned about safety and recreation in Colmar Manor and has served on the Neighborhood Watch Committee and the Recreation Department, which sponsors activities for our youth and seniors. As a resident and a parent of young adults in Colmar Manor, Doreatha knows what the community needs a listening ear. If she is reelected as Council Woman for Ward 4, she will continue striving to understand and respond to the needs of her constituents and residents throughout town. She will also advocate for recreational outlets for the youth, programs for our seniors, and continue to promote for a better and healthier community. TIFFANY HALL - Ward 4 Council Candidate I was born in Washington, DC in September 1986. I have lived in Colmar Manor for 29 years. I have attended elementary, middle and high school in the Washington Metropolitan Area. I graduated from Howard University with a degree in Computer Engineering. I have held numerous jobs in the Federal Government which have helped me enhance my leadership skills. I have also held several internships with Johns Hopkins University, Howard University and The United States Patent Office. I would like to be a voice for everyone but especially the younger generation in the town. Bringing more educational opportunities to students would be an important issue I would like to tackle. I would hope to implement programs for the youth to participate in after school and on weekends. I am a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. The knowledge I have gained from that organization will enable me to help students get involved in more math and science programs, which is an area that is lacking in our schools today. I hope I will be given the opportunity to help advance the goals and ideals that have already been set for the town. I would like to be of service to the citizens of the town that has raised an intelligent and personable woman.
MELINDA L. MENDOZA - Ward 4 Council Candidate My name is Melinda L. Mendoza. I m a native Washingtonian and resident of Colmar Manor for the past 28 years. I have taken on the mission to run and become your new Ward IV council member this upcoming election. I have a resilient aspiration to battle for our community and feel that Ward IV has no choice but to change for it is truly a ward that is deserving of so much more. If elected, my goals are to: - Have more youth involved programs - Economically even all wards - Work with our law enforcement to decrease crime rate - Bring growing businesses - Improve local parks & outdoor spaces - Respect the needs of our diverse community Mi nombre es Melinda L. Mendoza. Soy residente de Colmar Manor y Washington durante los últimos 28 años. He tomado en la misión de ejecutar y convertirse en el nuevo miembro del Consejo de Sala IV esta próxima elección. Tengo una aspiración resistente batalla por nuestra comunidad y sentir de la Sala IV no tiene más remedio que cambiar pues es realmente una comunidad que merece mucho más. Si es elegido, mis metas son: - Más jóvenes implican programas - Barrios económicamente a todos - Trabajar con nuestro enforecement ley para disminuir la tasa de criminalidad - Traer cada vez más empresas - Mejorar los parques locales y espacios al aire libre - Respetar las necesidades de nuestra comunidad diversa
Town of Colmar Manor Addresses by Ward Ward 1 37 th Avenue all 37 th Place all 38 th Avenue all 39 th Avenue all 39 th Place all Lawrence Street 3701 to 3913 Monroe Street 3700 to 3705 Newark Road 3803 to 3913 Newton Street 3800 to 3912 Ward 2 40 th Avenue all 40 th Place all Kearney Road all Lawrence Street 4000 to 4017 Newton Street 4001 to 4015 Ward 3 41 st Avenue all 42 nd Avenue all 43 rd Avenue even side only Lawrence Street 4102 to 4213 Monroe Street 4201 to 4209 Newark Road 4201 to 4209 Newton Street 4100 to 4213 Ward 4 43 rd Avenue odd side only Lawrence Street 4301 to 4327 Monroe Street 4301 to 4325 Newark Road 4301 to 4317
Town of Colmar Manor 3701 Lawrence Street Colmar Manor, MD 20722 Sadara Barrow Mayor sbarrow@colmarmanor.org Lois Ann Blue Ward 1 Councilmember lblue@colmarmanor.org Cynthia Bowden Ward 2 Councilmember cbowden@colmarmanor.org Vivian Jackson Ward 3 Councilmember vjackson@colmarmanor.org Doreatha Epps Ward 4 Councilmember depps@colmarmanor.org Town Offices 301-277-4920 Fire / Ambulance 911 Police Emergency 911 Non-Emergency 301-352-1200 Colmar Manor PD 301-779-5491 (Admin Office) Park Police 301-459-9088 PEPCO 202-833-7500 Washington Gas 703-750-1000 WSSC 301-206-4001 Emergency 301-206-4002 Comcast 800-934-6489 Verizon 877-502-2876 Trash Collection Tuesday Regular Household Trash Tuesday Recyclables Wednesday Yard Waste (not in plastic bags) Wednesday Bulk Items* Please have trash/recyclables/yard waste/bulk items at the curb by 7:00 AM on pickup day. *Reservation for bulk trash pickup must be made by calling Bates Trucking by 2 pm Tuesday. Bates Trucking 301-773-2069 The Colmar Manor Mayor & Town Council meet for a Worksession on the first Tuesday of each month and a General Session on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held at the Town Hall. Residents are encouraged to attend. General Sessions are broadcast live on Cable TV (Verizon channel 11 or Comcast channel 71) and are also available for view anytime on YouTube, via the Town s website at and via Facebook.