College Park City Council Slams Prince George’s Redistricting Proposal

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College Park City Council unanimously condemned a proposal to redistrict Prince George’s County Council voting districts. The vote took place during a rare emergency session of City Council held Oct. 18, 2021 specifically to address the redistricting proposal before Prince George’s County Council meets Oct. 19, 2021, to possibly introduce the proposed map for consideration. Once introduced, the map cannot be amended – only voted up or down.

Mount Rainier gets new City Councilor to fill vacancy

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Mount Rainier elected officials voted to seat Jimmy Tarlau, a former state delegate and city councilor, to fill a City Council vacancy left by May’s election of Celina Benitez as mayor. 

Tarlau was voted in by a vote of three to one at Mount Rainier’s June 1, 2021, City Council meeting. Ward Two Councilor Scott Cecil voted against. Under Mount Rainier’s City Charter, the responsibility for selecting possible candidates to replace Benitez lies exclusively with the remaining Ward One representative, City Councilor Luke Chesek, who is allowed to forward up to three names for consideration. 

In nominating Tarlau, Chesek said Tarlau’s experience in city as well as state government will be an asset. 

“The biggest reason just has to do with experience,” said Chesek. “I just thought about a few people who had been in this role and Jimmy made the most sense.”

Tarlau said he was happy to be nominated to help Mount Rainier. “I’m really just here to help the Council fulfill its mission.

With some concerns, Hyattsville asks state to review police coordination in wake of Capitol siege

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Without much comment, Hyattsville City Council unanimously approved a resolution condemning the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. But it took more discussion for a second resolution to be passed calling on state lawmakers to review regional law enforcement coordination, study the prevalence of extremist views in local law enforcement, and to expand state and local police powers against “domestic terrorism.”

After Capitol siege, Hyattsville wants state to study police extremism

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The Hyattsville City Council turns its attention to national politics at its Tuesday meeting, considering two measures focused on the attempted Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. The first would condemn President Trump and the attempted insurrection, while the second calls on Maryland legislators to study extremism in state police forces and to grant greater power to local officials dealing with “domestic terror” threats.

An African-American man wearing a dark suit sits at a wooden table with his hands clasped. He's looking directly at the camera. Behind him, a sign reads "Mount Rainier."

Mount Rainier police chief resigns for new job

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Mount Rainier Chief of Police Anthony Morgan will resign in February, ending a two-year career leading the city police department. Morgan was the city’s first African-American police chief in its 110 year history. In an interview with Route 1 Reporter, Morgan said he had accepted another chief of police job at an department outside of Maryland, but declined to specify further because that department has not announced his hire yet. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve as chief of police for the last two years,” said Morgan in a statement posted to social media. “I have enjoyed working alongside a dedicated group of public safety professionals.”

Morgan’s appointment as the city’s top cop was announced Jan. 30, 2019.