Dist. 8 council candidates stress economic development

With a month to go before the primary elections, candidates for the Prince George's County Council's District 8 seat pledged during a Tuesday forum at the Oxon Hill library to spearhead efforts for commercial developments and revitalize communities in the district.

The event, sponsored by the Fort Washington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, was attended by candidates Betty Horton-Hodge, Jerry Mathis, Archie O'Neil, André Nottingham and Obie Patterson, all of Fort Washington. Antwan Brown of Oxon Hill and Trevor Otts of Fort Washington did not attend.

The District 8 seat is now held by Tony Knotts (D) of Temple Hills. Due to term limits, Knotts cannot run for re-election. Seven candidates — all Democrats — have filed for District 8, which includes Temple Hills, Oxon Hill, Fort Washington and Camp Springs. Primary elections are Sept. 14, and the general election is Nov. 2.