Letter from the President
Greetings to all our wonderful Hillers!!! Fall is coming into bloom now. Thought as your new president I would provide an update on items which should be of interest.On September 22 we had our friendly picnic/association meeting at our Waterfront Park(Lot 39) and the following is your new board of officers for the term September 2018-August 2019We all thank you the members for your support.President George SatterthwaiteVice President Joni Harris JonesSecretary Steve TuckerTreasurer Debbie KutzlebPast President Board Member David LishinBoard Member 1 Rob SproutBoard Member 2 Daisy McLellandBoard Member 3 Ressie WilsonBoard Member 4 Neil AyersBoard Member 5 Collette DawudBoard Member 6 Terry St ClairThis was approved by the 37 association members attending on September 22 as was the budget for FY 2019(Sept 2018-August 2019). Our budgeted expenses for 2019 amounted to $3970. We have $5819 in the bank as of September 1 2018.DUESDUES are $40 per year per household. We sent out the dues notices in mid September and so far have had 39 paid members including 8 new members. That is GREAT. However so far we have 31 members who have so far paid in the past but have not paid this year. Those who have not considered becoming members we urge you to do so, especially those who have been members in the past. PLEASE let the board know of any points of dissatisfaction causing you not to renew so we can possibly correct your unhappiness. We as an organization normally have about 75 member households out of the 178 households in the community. The best membership we have ever had in the past 15 years has been just below 100 households. YOUR SUPPORT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATEDSafety Issues–I attended the monthly meeting of the MD 210 Traffic Safety Community Meeting and the Police District Citizens Advisory Council Meeting and have the following key items to report:MD 210 Traffic Safety The Speed Camera is up at the first OLD FORT Crossing of 210 coming south from the beltway and will begin full operation on October 31 so be vigilant. There are warning signs as you approach. In the past year(2017) according to the AAA Prince George’s County had the worst number of traffic fatalities in the region with the eleven mile stretch of MD 210 from the Beltway to Acokeek is the worst in the state. Our state representatives were present and advised what a hard battle it was to get the one speed camera authorized. If the data from this camera proves the worth we will get more cameras but that takes time .The overpass project at Kirby Hill Road is in phase two of four phases and behind schedule. It will not be completed until Spring 2020. Reasons we are told by the State Highway rep is PEPCO is behind in their work which has to be completed first. Planning has not even begun for the next over pass which our delegate Jay Walker was very surprised to hear as due to the severity of fatalities on MD 210 the legislature was able to raise the next overpass project in the state project priority list from 18 to 3. Planning takes two years.Since January this year the combined State and County police have issued 8,812 citations via patrol /helicopter operations, some to motorcycles going over 120 miles per hour, along the eleven mile stretch . Joint operations with the state are going well. Must establish cultural mores regarding speeding and reckless driving through continuous message boards with slogans, and involvement of civic organizations, church groups and the creation of safety slogans specifically created for Indian Head Highway which pinpoint the types of continuous violations which repeatedly occur and often result in fatalities, not just CAUSED BY SPEED One of the INCREASING CATEGORIES is Inattentive drivers(not paying attention)At the Citizens Advisory Meeting there was gratitude from the District Police Station VII for the community support for the National Night Out conducted at District VII in August. Your association provided a monetary donation. Police Thanksgiving Day planning is in progress to provide Thanksgiving dinner to those on duty Thanksgiving Day . Your association will make a monetary donation to help support the project as our sigh of appreciation for the support the COPS officers give to us in our Piscataway Hills Community.Cleanup on Piscataway Road to Pine– Looking quite good.Keep it up. Debbie will be reminding those who have volunteered as their time comes up.SAVE THE DATE——December 6 at 7PM is the next association quarterly meeting at the church where we have meet previously. Be on the look out for flyers with agenda.Enjoy Halloween May it be safe and enjoyable. The same for your Thanksgiving Celebrations.We serve your association so please let us know your concerns. Any one of the persons mentioned above are available to hear your remarks.George SatterthwaitePresidentPiscataway Hills Citizens Association