ARPA Worksession Descends Into Disagreements and Discord
On June 8, what began as a Greenbelt City Council worksession to deliberate on potential uses of ARPA funds transitioned into more of a public hearing where residents aired their views on the matter as well as sharing some deeply felt concerns about the issue of equity in the city, specifically concerning Greenbelt West. While […]
Public Works Discusses Budget, Capital Projects with City Council
The city’s Public Works Department has as their mission to preserve, maintain and improve the city’s infrastructure, parks and green spaces. They are essential workers, to be considered one of the city’s first responders. On May 16, Public Works Co-Directors Brian Kim and Brian Townsend, along with Sustainability Coordinator Luisa Robles, shared with council their […]
Council Holds Public Hearing On Upcoming 2023 Budget
The Greenbelt City Council meeting on Monday, May 9 was focused on the public hearing for the upcoming budget (the first of two), but included residents sharing views on the recent shooting (May 2) and eviction relief. Representatives of the Greenbelt Police Department, Public Works, as well as the Greenbelt Assistance in Living Program (GAIL) […]
Fire Department, CERT, CART Present FY 23 Budget Needs
The Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD, represented by Chief Thomas Ray), the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Community Animal Response Team (CART), both represented by Laura Kressler, met with the Greenbelt City Council on Monday, May 2 to present their needs for the Fiscal Year 23 city budget. Ray reported that the Greenbelt Fire […]
Economic Development Coordinator Charise Liggins to Leave Position
Economic Development Coordinator Charise Liggins has stepped down. She had her final meeting with the Greenbelt City Council at a budget worksession on April 20. Having started in 2018, and the first to ever hold that position in the city (of which she feels “honored”), Liggins received high praise from council for her tireless work, […]
Pandemic Challenges Reviewed As OGT Plans Full Re-opening
The Old Greenbelt Theatre (OGT) has made every effort to remain a viable and exciting part of the Greenbelt community as it has navigated the many challenges brought on by the pandemic, aided by the development of a number of innovative programs. OGT Executive Director Caitlin McGrath presented these efforts and the OGT’s financial situation […]
Greenbelt East Advisory Committee Brings Various Concerns to Council
The Greenbelt East Advisory Committee (GEAC) met with the Greenbelt City Council on April 14 to discuss a number of pressing issues facing their part of the city. GEAC’s associated homeowner’s associations (HOAs) and condo associations (CAs) share many common concerns and are striving to return to a level of normality, including regular and well-attended […]
Middle School Teacher J. Liu Heads Subtitles Team for PBS
In the summer of 2020, Greenbelt Middle School (GMS) Chinese teacher Dr. Joann Liu got the opportunity to lead a team to provide Chinese subtitles for an episode of the PBS documentary series Asian Americans. The five-episode series, which aired in May 2020, covers the experience of Asian Americans in the United States, presenting their […]
Goddard Shares Its Future Developments with Council
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has had a thriving year of missions, developments and outreach programs despite the challenges of the pandemic. Associate Center Director Ray Rubilotta gave a presentation on these efforts to Greenbelt City Council on March 21. Both council and Rubilotta agreed on the vital and proud relationship between the city and […]
Food and Friendship Program B&B Delivers Meals to Seniors
Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor Becky Sutfin and Brian Butler, recreation coordinator at Springhill Lake Recreation Center, are the self-dubbed B & B Team and the force behind the Food and Friendship Program that provides meals by delivery to seniors. Begun as an on-site service, meals are now delivered to participants’ homes due to the pandemic. The […]