Matthew Arbach | Article Author |

21 Jul 2021

PSAC Report to City Council Argues for Some Limited Reform

by Matthew Arbach

On July 12, members of the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) met with the Greenbelt City Council to present their May 5 report on Mayor Colin Byrd’s Fair and Just Policing Act. PSAC analyzed the proposed legislation, in comparison to … Read More

8 Jul 2021

Beltway Plaza Redevelopment Plan Meets Council Concerns

by Matthew Arbach

On June 23, the GB Mall Limited Partnership presented the Greenbelt City Council with their Detailed Site Plan (DSP) for Phase One of the redevelopment of Beltway Plaza. Both council and staff had significant concerns regarding the plan and were … Read More

17 Jun 2021

PSAC Completes Its Report On Mayor’s Police Reform Bill

by Matthew Arbach

The Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) has released its report on Mayor Colin Byrd’s Fair and Just Policing Act, a process that began in October 2020 at the Greenbelt City Council’s request. PSAC made recommendations to specific general orders, which … Read More

6 May 2021

Recreation Budget Session Demonstrates Resilience

by Matthew Arbach

The pandemic forced Greenbelt Recreation to “reinvent ourselves,” said Recreation Director Greg Varda, as programs quickly transitioned to a primarily on-line approach. With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, Recreation is starting to slowly offer more in-person programming. Varda and his … Read More

6 May 2021

New Charging Stations Open For Plug-in Cars in Greenbelt

by Matthew Arbach

In response to the rise in numbers of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) in Greenbelt, now at 119, the city has installed six new charging stations at the Municipal Building, Schrom Hills Park and the Springhill Lake Recreation Center (SHLRC). Information … Read More

28 Apr 2021

New State Legislation Brings Changes to Local Policing

by Matthew Arbach

On April 10, Maryland became the first state to repeal the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) as well as to enact new legislation concerning use of force by police and the investigation and discipline process for officers, among … Read More

15 Apr 2021

Propietarios de apartamentos discuten planes para el fin de la moratoria de desalojos

by Matthew Arbach, traducido por Carolina Napp-Avelli

Con la moratoria sobre los desalojos que va a finalizar el 30 de junio, el Ayuntamiento de Greenbelt el 6 de abril dio la bienvenida a representantes de varios de los complejos de apartamentos de la ciudad a un diálogo … Read More

17 Mar 2021

Local School Music Programs Adapt to Virtual Instruction

by Matthew Arbach

Music is one area where being together in person is an integral part, as performers connect to each other and an audience. Music teachers at Greenbelt Middle School (GMS) and Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS) have endeavored, like all teachers … Read More

10 Mar 2021

Joint Report Proposes Balance For Gardens, Forest Preserve

by Matthew Arbach

A spirited discussion was had at the Greenbelt City Council meeting on March 1 concerning a recent report issued jointly by the Forest Preserve Advisory Board (FPAB) and the Greenbelt Community Gardens Club (GCGC). The report is an analysis and … Read More

4 Mar 2021

One of First Residents of Color Remembers Early Years Here

by Matthew Arbach

Angie Bass Williams and her husband Rivers were among the first people of color to live in Greenbelt. On February 25, Angie Williams was interviewed by Councilmember Emmett Jordan, on behalf of the Greenbelt Museum and the Greenbelt Black History … Read More