County Councilman Tom Dernoga

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Improving Education

Education Budget has increased by over 50% in 4 years, lowering class sizes.
Record funding for New School Construction and School Renovations, easing overcrowding.
Secured Funding for the new Vansville ES, an Auditorium for Laurel HS, new roofs for High Point HS, Eisenhower MS, Cherokee Lane ES & Bond Mill ES
Secured $2 million for renovations to High Point HS and raised $150,000 in private funding for a new Track.

Enhancing Public Safety

The Council funded hiring 250 new police officers and 100 new firefighters and EMS technicians since 2002.
Worked with Sheriff Michael Jackson to enhance the Sheriff Department.
Kept promise to return career firefighters to Branchville Volunteer Fire Department.

Senior Citizens

Created the vision for a new Senior Center for Northern Prince George’s County and obtained necessary funding.
Fought through red tape and bureaucracy to get Senior Center in to the "design" phase.
Provided the Laurel Senior Friendship Club with $12,000 in funding.
Raised $125,000 for ATLAS to outfit the new Senior Center being constructed next to the Laurel Regional Hospital

Environment

Community

Provided $ 39,000 to LARS to help the neediest residents in District 1.
Provided $ 14,000 to College Park Meals on Wheels] to ensure quality meals for those elderly who need assistance.
Provided $ 13,700 to Laurel Historical Society and Laurel Museum to enhance their collections, public exhibits and maintain the Museum facility.

Library

Secured Funding for a New Laurel Library.
Secured Funding for Improvements to the Beltsville Library.
Leader in obtaining funds to add 19 positions to the Library System Budget.
Working with the Maloney Family to rename the Beltsville Library Building in honor of former Councilman Walter "Mike" Maloney.

Land Use Matters

Kept promise to save Gunpowder Golf Course and keep it affordable for senior citizens and beginner golfers.
Worked out a compromise on the proposed Bozzuto multi-family housing project on Cherry Lane in Laurel.
Worked out a compromise for the Montpelier Hills expansion to lower density from 750 potential multi-family units to 211 luxury townhouse units.
Stopped inappropriate high-density apartment housing in North College Park.
Prevented re-use of a “rock crusher” adjacent to the Longwoods community, and had the property converted to light industrial uses.
Kept promise to commence a new Sub-Region I Master Plan Study

Transportation

Ammendale Road upgrade near completion to get traffic off of Beltsville streets.
Upgrade of Contee Road to improve access to Laurel Regional Hospital.
Obtained funding for Rhode Island Avenue safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Obtained funding for Montgomery Road safety improvements.