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Prince George's County
Thomas R. Hendershot
Member, County Council (D-New Carrollton)
Thursday, June 21, 2001
Prince George's County is home to a diverse medley of people. In the sea of
demographic change that has washed over Prince George's County in the past 20 years,
transforming it from a majority white to majority black suburb, the 7200 block of Longbranch Drive
in New Carrollton has remained an island of stability.
County Council member Thomas R. Hendershot, who lives on the block,
will answer questions and discuss race relations and other county issues.
County Council member Hendershot has served on the Prince George's County Council since 1997. Recognized as the state's most outstanding school board representative, Hendershot has
served as chair and vice chairs of economic and education committees
throughout his career. In addition, Hendershot has served on the County's
Executive's Minority Procurement Task Force.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for
guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Transcript follows:
Bowie MD:
A church was bombed in Bowie this morning
Do you think it was race related ?
Thomas R. Hendershot: This is the first I have heard of this incident. I have no idea if it was race related.
Largo:
What's the secret to your block's success?
Thomas R. Hendershot: The fact that it is a deadened block helps some. The fact that we all had children approximately the same ages. Our children grew up together, played together in each other's driveways, at the basketball court at the end of the street, football out in the middle of the street. It was just like a self-contained city neighborhood in the old days. In short, probably our children brought us together and held us together.
Greenbelt, MD:
I am a 26 year old black female professional. I moved to Prince George's County about 3 years ago from Northern VA. The restaurant and retail (quality malls) situation is very frustrating and seems to be a growing issue in the county. In order to eat at my favorite restaurant or shop at my favorite store I have to travel 35+ minutes!! I can't help but think this is due to the racial composition of this wonderful county. I love it here and have no plans of leaving, but I really need to see this issue addressed. Is this an item of concern for you and if so how do you propose it be resolved?
Thomas R. Hendershot: Yes, it is a matter of concern to me, because it is a matter of concern to many across the County. I am seeking to facilitate quality upscale mix-use, transit oriented, smart growth connected to the metro stations in the 3rd Council District. One that is currently pending approval before the Council involves a very substantial upscale retail proposal at the Greenbelt Metro Station, which I believe offers the best promise near term to get the kind of upscale retail and restaurant opportunities we all want. I am hopeful that this proposal will be approved within the next couple of months, and that over the months after that there will be announcements involving upscale department stores that will be part of the project.
washingtonpost.com:
More dining options for Prince George's County residents, see The Post's article.
Fort Washington, MD::
Mr. Hendershot, how does one go about becoming politically active in Prince George's County? I am a recent college
grad, with a degree in government & politics, and I am trying to get more involved in issues that effect Prince George's County and specifically the
Oxon Hill/Fort Washington area. Unfortunately, I do not know where to begin. Previously, I have tried contacting local elected officials such as
Board of Education representatives, but my queries have been ignored. What advice can you give a young wanna-be activist?
Thomas R. Hendershot: Get involved with the Young Democrats of Prince George's County. Please feel free to contact me personally, I shall be happy to provide the phone numbers of Justin Ross and Derrick Leon Davis, who are members of the Democratic Central Committee and leaders among the young democrats. My office number is 301-952-3060.
Fort Washington, MD:
Why have suburban communities such as Montgomery County, Howard County, and even Charles County been able to attract retailers and restaurants while Prince George's County has struggled to do so? What will it take for Prince George's County to be able to attract these types of businesses?
Thomas R. Hendershot: I don't know why some retailers have been reluctant to locate in Prince George's County. I believe some may have in their minds certain unfortunate stereotypes regarding the population of Prince George's County which could lead them to believe there are more risks here than in other places. However, my understanding is that retailers prefer substantial economic residential demographics. A lot of people live there who have a lot of money to spend - and substantial economic employment demographics - a lot of people are working there make a fair amount of money that they can spend in department stores. Certainly, Northern Prince George's County in the vicinities around the University of Maryland and the Goddard Space Flight Center meet those criteria. That's why I believe the Greenbelt Metro Station, College Park Metro Station, and the New Carrollton Metro Station offer the best hope for this County to maximize its economic potential and attract the kinds of retail, restaurant and entertainment opportunities the people so badly want.
Alexandria, Va:
Mr.Hendershot, in all your years as a resident of Prince George's County, has your neighborhood had any race related disruptions or problems? What do you suggest for areas that do encounter these types of problems?
Thomas R. Hendershot: No. We have not had those kind of problems in our neighborhood. If you are having those kinds of problems, the people in your neighborhood need to get to know each other personally and need to get involved in each other's lives. You need to sit down face to face and talk with and to each other, not at each other.
Seat Pleasant:
I would love to get along with my neighbors but they don't seem interested, would rather stay out late and be loud and trash their yards. How does one go about establishing that community feel?
Thomas R. Hendershot: It starts with talking to each other, getting to know each other and letting your caring be contagious to others.
College Park, MD:
Although I appreciate your attempts to attract "up-scale" department stores and have zones re-classified as mix-use to attract other economic entities (a la No. VA), I have to say that this often times leads to gentrification of the worst kind, and displaces our communities (no matter if you're black, white, or Asian).
Please consider this often times neglected symptom of economic development when pushing forward with your plans. Look to Portland, Oregon on how they managed to attract department stores and at the same time respect the needs and desires for those mom-and-pop joints.
Thanks...
Thomas R. Hendershot: Thank you for your advise. In fact, Portland, Oregon was one of the models for the County's growth policy that was adopted last fall. Pursuant to that policy, growth will be encouraged in developed tiers inside the Beltway, including important corridors such as Route 1 and important centers such as our metro station locations. Growth will be permitted in the so called "developing tier" roughly between the Beltway and Route 301, and it will discouraged in the rural tier, roughly East of Route 1.
Bathesda, MD:
Hello, I'd like to know what challenges the county is facing as it looks into the months and years ahead. What is its long-term, short-term goals, etc.?
Thomas R. Hendershot: Most important challenge we face in Prince George's County is to see that our public schools provide the best possible education for each and every youngster in extremely diverse socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic student population. The key to success, in my opinion, is finding a way to fully fund our school system. Limits on our revenue raising authority, the revenue yields of our property tax and income tax base make this very difficult. Consequently, our schools lack funding by roughly $300 million.
Landover:
What is being done to improve the schools? It seems like none of the "improvements" are really working.
Thomas R. Hendershot: Recent efforts include starting all day kindergarten and focusing resources on reading and math instruction in the earliest grades. Also, teacher pay has been improved substantially. Recent NCTBS test scores suggest we are moving in the right direction and that if efforts to further reduce class size and provide mandatory summer school and other interventions expands reading recovery instruction are fully funded our children can succeed at levels we all hope for.
Forestville, MD:
Mr. Hendershot
The School Board has been in the news recently because of bonuses paid to the superintendent's staff members. In closed meetings in the with the board is it discussed how this is embarrassing the county and how this in fighting, muscle flexing, and power playing will effect the way businesses and people looking to move in to the county will feel. Also, does the school board have term limits and if so when is Mr. Johnson's term over? Then maybe the school board work for the children of the county.
Thomas R. Hendershot: I am no longer a member of the School Board, so I don't know what current Board Members are discussing in their closed sessions. There are not term limits for school board members. Mr. Johnson was re-elected in 2000, and is serving a four-year term.
Fort Washington, MD (Tantallon):
I read the article and it's an idyllic situation to be in. I'm wondering what the plans are for developing the Oxon Hill/Ft. Washington stretch of Rt. 210 is and where I can find that information. Thanks.
Thomas R. Hendershot: I recommend you contact your representative on the Prince George's County Council, The Honorable Isaac Gourdine. His number is 301-952-3860.
D.C.:
I am thinking of moving to Maryland. Why should I consider living in Prince George's, aside from all the affordable housing?
Thomas R. Hendershot: I have found it a great place to live and raise children. Each of my four children received every second of their schooling prior to college in our public schools - graduation years were 1991, 1992, 1994, and 1998 - and we couldn't be happier with the results.
Also, the County is the best located in the Washington region with easy access via transit or otherwise to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis. The County's population diversity, its diversity in life styles (e.g., there are very rural areas, very urban areas, very suburban areas, and everything in between) is unmatched anywhere. Finally, we have a wonderful Park System, outstanding recreation opportunities, and a wide variety of cultural samplings.
Oxon Hill, MD:
You mentioned growth in areas such as Greenbelt where mass transit is available and there is a high number of employed residents and a high median household income. What about other areas of the County? Are there any plans to develop areas in Southern Prince George's County such as, for example, near the Branch Ave Metro Station?
Thomas R. Hendershot: Yes, the Council recently adopted a sectional map amendment and sector plan for the area around the Branch Avenue Metro Station, the purpose of which is to facilitate and encourage quality economic development in that area.
I believe we must maximize and realize the economic development potential around all of our metro stations.
Riverdale Park, MD:
Surely part of the problem with acquiring upscale business in our county has to do with the media's continuous "drumbeat" of reporting that we are overrun with crime, that all of our schools are sub-par, and that residents and police are locked in perpetual racial tensions. Although I am pleased that The Post offers a Prince George's Weekly section, the prime print real estate of the Metro section, which is distributed everywhere, covers only the bad things that happen here. If a murder is featured on our local news, it is very likely to be one in Prince George's County, although our neighboring counties have their share of grisly homicides. Certainly this has something to do with how we are perceived by potential investors. How has the county council attempted to educate the media that the stereotypes about us are no longer valid?
Thomas R. Hendershot: First, I agree with your assessment of coverage of our County. For this reason, the Council has appropriated monies for the Administration to undertake a comprehensive public relations effort to better inform the region of the positive reality that is Prince George's County.
Woodmore, MD:
Does the county offer some sort of mediation program like peer-mediation programs in some schools for solving race-related problems? If not, what would I have to do to set one up? What about an outreach program that teaches racial unity? Just a thought.
Thomas R. Hendershot: Yes, our public schools have a very substantial peer mediation program that has been a national model, to include network television coverage of it. Unfortunately, the extent of the lack of funds for our schools is such that the superintendent has recommended cutting a number of peer mediation positions.
Florida Ave, NE:
Mr. Hendershot;
Do you have any thoughts about the op-ed piece printed by Post writer Natalie Hopkinson where she said that black middle-class people should move from the suburbs back to the city to keep DC the Chocolate City?
washingtonpost.com:
Natalie Hopkinson's article.
Thomas R. Hendershot: I have not read the piece in question. I believe African Americans, like all others, should pursue their dreams wherever that leads them.
Bethesda:
I live in Bethesda and school quality was a major reason for choosing to live where I do. (I happened to have grown up in Prince George's Co. and graduated from High Point HS many years ago.) However, I would not consider moving back to Prince George's Co. because of the seemingly poorer classroom quality there. What is Prince George's Co. doing about its school system that would encourage people with families to move and stay there?
Thomas R. Hendershot: I have already discussed our efforts to improve teacher pay, reduce class size, improve reading instruction, and improve school climates. I have also discussed that our principle challenge is fully funding our schools. I continue to do everything I can to see that our fiscal authorities, including the state of Maryland, meet their obligations to our children.
Fort Washington, MD:
Mr. Hendershot, how much control does the Prince George's County Council have over changes in public schools. For example, recently the Washington Post reported that Superintendent Metts is very close to signing a contract with the Army that will allow the Army to change Forestville High School into a military school. Does the Council have any say in this transaction? Are you aware of any other plans to change other public schools in Prince George's County to military schools?
Thomas R. Hendershot: Public schools of Prince George's County are governed by the School Board. The County Council has no direct authority regarding a decision of the kind you described. I know of no other school in the county under consideration to be a military school, although at one time it was reported that the Superintendent was also considering Fairmont Heights High School and perhaps others.
Seat Pleasant, MD:
Mr. Hendershot,
What years did this migration of Caucasians take place? I have noticed that many times when blacks begin to move into predominately white neighborhoods, whites will move out. Please explain this to me Sir.
Angela
Thomas R. Hendershot: Far be it from me to explain or speculate regarding the motives of others. I'm not going anywhere.
Probably, many move for perfectly legitimate reasons, such as purchasing a bigger house, following a job, different schools for their young people, etc. Maybe, some leave because of fears and prejudices, which have been inculcated over generations and perpetuated by media reporting and stereotypes.
College Park, MD:
Living in Seattle, I got used to lots of farmer's markets and open-air festivals--inside the city.
If Prince George's County will undertake a PR campaign to improve the look of the county, then they should consider employing and expanding the rural treasure that the county has to offer for us urban residents. In this small family farms and urban dwellers can mutually benefit, as well as attract locals from other counties as well.
Thomas R. Hendershot: I agree. I'm extremely proud of this County's rural traditions, heritage, and area. You live in College Park. Within twenty minutes of where you live, in Prince George's County, you can visit areas more rural and pristine than any you had near Seattle. Be assured I'll do everything I can to preserve those rural areas.
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Copyright 2001 The Washington Post Company
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