Briefs - Beltsville

Letters to the Editor
ICC is Fine, But Don't
Forget About Route
One
To the Editor:
Governor Bob Ehrlich’s
announcement this summer that he
has chosen the southern route for
the proposed InterCountyConnector
road showed what a committed
governor can do to move major
projects ahead. There will be continued
challenges in the courts and
elsewhere and they may succeed.
But the governor’s strong stand
has made a huge difference. In the
2002 election, both gubernatorial
candidates favored the ICC and it
has moved forward.
For those of us who live in
Prince George’s, the next question
should be: what will the gubernatorial
candidates in 2006 do to
address our traffic problems, particularly
on Route One?
It’s our main street and it’s
overwhelmed already. As all of
us who drive on Route One know,
safety and congestion are both
major problems.
Will the gubernatorial candidates
-- Ehrlich, County Executive
Doug Duncan, and Mayor
O’Malley -- commit to extending
Metrorail to Beltsville, to expanding
Connect A Ride bus service, to
upgrading Route One, to building
Kenilworth Avenue extended, and
to other improvements? Will they
make as strong a commitment to
these needs as they have to the
ICC?
Several of these initiatives are
expensive. And, unfortunately,
the Transportation Trust Fund has
been drained to cover deficits in
the state’s regular budget. The
Safety Tips From a Neighbor
By Mary Ellen Ebersole
result is that tough decisions will
need to be made to fund out transportation
needs.
But we have a right to expect
that the next governor will show
as much concern for our needs
as he does for those of people
elsewhere in the state. The time to
speak up is now -- before the 2006
elections.
Jim Rosapepe
Chair
Route One Task Force
Who is John W. Anna
Jr.?
It was a pleasure to speak with those of you who
responded to my letter to the Editor in the June
edition of the Beltsville News.
For those of you who may have missed it, I
suggested that we connect by means of a neighborto-neighbor
contact system to warn one another
of a potential impending safety issue. The goal is
to share unusual incidents among ourselves, as a
means of personal protection. This also includes
forming an active channel of communication with
our local police precinct’s community service
lieutenants.
In recent weeks a friend’s identity was stolen
and money removed from her account without her
knowledge or consent.
In the next few lines I’ll share information
received from The Maryland Community Crime
Prevention Institute (MCCPI).
Our daily activities usually include writing
checks for payment of goods, using a credit card
to do so many things, calling on our cell phone
or applying for a credit card. “Identity theft is
the fastest-growing crime in America...” Thieves
steal our identity to do numerous things using our
name and account numbers. The thief may establish
loans and accounts, rent property or obtain
employment. Thefts like these can be perpetuated
for many years without the victim’s knowledge.
How can I prevent personal “IDENTITY
THEFT?” Be careful what paper work you discard.
Shred old bills and old as well as new account
numbers. Do not give any of this type of information
to strangers on the phone or the Internet. The
To the Editor:
Last month’s Beltsville News
(6/2005) reported that John Anna
received a Citizenship Award from
the Beltsville Lions Club. As a
member of the Beltsville Lions
Club, I am aware of the honor
and the distinction that this award
signifies. It is worthwhile to point
out that the Beltsville Lions have
not presented this award in quite a
number of years.
So, who is John Anna? How
many of you who have benefited
from his quiet involvement in our
community know him? John is
a former-Marine, a husband and
a father. John is a businessman
and the owner of Adirondack Tree
Experts. John has been a political
ally and an opponent to me.
Through it all, he has been a good
friend.
John is one of those extraordinary
businessmen who believe in
giving back. He unselfishly supports
numerous and wide-ranging
causes to help better our community.
He has provided funding to
various schools and institutions to
help our community today and into
the future. Included in his generous
support, John has provided
instruments to our local school so
all students will have the opportunity
to develop and enjoy their
musical talent. In addition, John
has reached out to various organizations,
such as Special Olympics
Maryland, Prince George’s
County, the Boys and Girls Club,
High Point High School, Pallotti
High School, Faith Baptist Christian
School, First Baptist Church
of Beltsville, Laurel Museum,
Hyattsville “Babe Ruth” Baseball
League, and the Beltsville Lions,
to name a few. For the last nine
years, John has been the main contributor
to “National Night Out”
here in Beltsville. Recently, he
funded the creation of a park in
honor of the late Mayor of Laurel,
Frank Casula. All of this kindness
is to make a difference in our community.
On a personal level, I am aware
that on numerous occasions John
has helped families purchase groceries
and clothing in times of
need. Additionally, he has paid
for the funeral and the burial for
the father of an acquaintance who
could not afford the expense.
I am sure that John has done
much more than I know. The one
thing I do know, he has been a tremendous
asset to our community.
It is fitting that the Beltsville
Lions Club chose John Anna to
be the first person to receive this
award in more than 7 years. I can
think of no one more deserving of
the prestigious award. John, thank
you!
Kevin Kennedy,
Beltsville
thieves may pose as government or bank reps in
order to get you to give them what they need to
steal from you. Relevant information such as our
social security number, date of birth, address and
phone number may enable someone to obtain a
phony license or phony credit card .
Be cautious about sharing anyone’s maiden
name or specific passwords. Only carry personal
identification and cards you actually must
use while away from secure surroundings. Avoid
sharing your social security number with anyone
unless a “privacy notice accompanies the request.”
It is not necessary to place phone numbers on
checks.
Protect the keypad on which you input security
“PIN” numbers while using phone cards or
ATMs.
Keep a list of all your personal numbers along
with a corresponding customer service number
in a secure place. Be alert for replacement credit
cards, which may be intercepted in the mail system
by thieves. Internet sites, which require personal
numbers, should be “encrypted on a secured
site.” Your personal credit report may be obtained
through “Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.” Fix
mistakes in these reports in writing and suggest a
return receipt in order to validate the correction.
Check up on your credit report on a regular basis.
To remove your name from “direct mailing
lists,” write to Direct Marketing Association, Mail
Preference Service, PO Box 9008, Farmingdale,
NY 11735.
Maryland Community Crime Prevention Institute,
Sykesville, MD 21784
Mary Ellen Ebersole - 301.704.7090 or
maryellene@starpower.net
JULY 2005 • The BELTSVILLE NEWS • Page 3