I wish to thank each of you, on behalf of the Maryland Black Mayors, Inc. for your assistance in helping to make last night’s Emergency Town Hall meeting a success.  Over 200 people were in attendance and based on the responses they were pleased with the information they received.  While we were not pleased that the governor did not attend we are not surprised.  His absence last night continues to show his lack of respect to the people that put him in the Maryland Governor’s Office.  How unfortunate.  Nevertheless, last night began what is becoming a grassroots movement among our people.  We are determined to forge ahead.  The bar is being raised.  Our expectations have become higher.  No longer will we allow ourselves to be marginalized, undervalued and mistreated.  We stand boldly to preserve our rightful place as citizens and residents who contribute significantly to the tax base of this state, our active involvement in the political process and our support of our community.

Prince George’s County is our home.  This is where we live, play and pray.  While we may never agree on all things we do agree that we should live in a place that is safe, offers opportunity, provides quality education for our children, and grants a secure place for our seniors to age in place.  Therefore, we should not accept nor get accustomed to second class leadership.  We should not allow ourselves to be treated like the stereotypical “step child.”  We should never be satisfied with a school system that continues to struggle.  We deserve the best and we can get the best all we have to do is stand together or perish as fools.

We must not be afraid to stand up for what we believe.  Nor should we apologize for demanding the best for our community.  If we don’t stand up for ourselves, then who will?  If we don’t demand equitable treatment, how will we ever get it?  This is not about being antagonistic, mean spirited or confrontational.  This is about saving our community.  This is about speaking for those whom society has severed their vocal chords.  This is about standing for those whom paralyzes has crippled.  We must make certain that NO ONE is left behind, left aside or left out.  Our stance is not against anyone or groups of people.  We believe that they too should get their piece of the proverbial pie.  However, it would be foolish on our part to sit idly by while the pie is being carved and we are not present to demand our slice.  We should be there and we must be there.  In fact, we have a right to be there because without us providing a significant portion of the ingredients to make the pie there would be no pie to slice.

As Prince Georgians, the so-called most affluent community of African-Americans per capita in the country, we must stand to ensure that we will have an equitable share of the stimulus funding allocated to the state of Maryland.  The “Stimulus Bill” provides the largest single investment in our country ever.  Likewise, the $3.7 billion appropriated to the state of Maryland also becomes a historically significant infusion of investment to our state.  However, the question is, how will African-American communities fare?  How will Prince George’s County fare with the highest number of foreclosures in the entire capitol region?  How will Prince George’s County Fare with a school system that is second to the last in the state?  How will our communities fare that continues to suffer from a crumbling infrastructure, lack of development around our metro centers and continued significant cuts to transportation funding from the state?  How will African-Americans fare from our county whose unemployment claims are beginning to rise?

The voting power of Prince George’s County cannot be overestimated.  Were it not for Prince George’s County Martin O’Malley would not be the Governor of the state of Maryland.  Mr. O’Malley’s margin of victory statewide was 116, 815 however, his margin of victory in Prince George’s County was 120,385.  In translation, he could not win without Prince George’s County.  My good friend Terry Speigner, chairman of the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee, reminded me that elections are won in the “margins.”  Prince George’s provided that win for Mr. O’Malley.  Even if Mr. O’Malley had lost Montgomery County, Maryland he still would have won with a 37,000 margin of victory.  Additionally, if Mr. O’Malley had lost Baltimore, Maryland he still would have won with a 36,000 margin of victory.  No matter how you view the numbers Mr. O’Malley could not have won without Prince George’s County.

Therefore, Mr. O’Malley must understand from each of us that we expect that his administration ensures that we receive equitable funding.  He should do this not only because we overwhelmingly voted for him but the need exists here and can be justified.  Many of our people are suffering.  They are losing their homes and their jobs.  Their grocery bills, utility bills and other monthly expenses are rising.  Some of our people are compromising on their health insurance because they cannot afford it.  We must be vigilant, steadfast and unmovable.  We can ill afford to compromise our position to fight for our equal share of the Stimulus Funds.

As mayor of A City of Excellence it is my duty to ensure that I fight for our community.  However, my fight cannot be limited to just our community but also that fight must extend beyond our boarder.  It is true, “I am my brother’s keeper.”  What affects A City of Excellence also impacts my neighbor.  Therefore, I must love my neighbor as I do myself.  In so doing, I will confederate myself with those activists who believe in freedom, justice and equality.  I must coalesce with those organizations, civic associations and groups who still believe in Prince George’s County and the promise of a greater future.

I, therefore, encourage your continued involvement with the Maryland Black Mayors, Inc.  Please look to future Town Hall Meetings that will explore the challenges that confront us and seek solutions that bring about their resolve.  I believe we can because it is God’s will that we do so.  Let us forever be true to our God, committed to our families and support our community.   Again, I thank each of you for whatever your involvement to make last night’s event the success that is was.

Before I conclude, the Governor’s Office has contacted me and a meeting with the Maryland Black Mayors, Inc. has been scheduled to discuss specifically the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the distribution of the state of Maryland’s portion.  Please keep our organization in your prayers and pray that the Maryland Black Mayors will always represent the best interest of our community.  May God bless you all.

Eugene W. Grant

Mayor

Seat Pleasant, Maryland