Giving back to the community has long been a priority of Bowie City Councilman Isaac Trouth (District 4), and when he saw an opportunity to support a local school he jumped at the chance.

Pointer Ridge Elementary was in need of a resurfaced playground. The blacktop where the kids played was cracked and breaking apart. Trouth, who has long been dedicated to education along with his wife, a retired school teacher, wanted to help. He decided to donate his entire $10,000 Council salary to the project.

“I didn’t need the salary to support me so my goal was to put the Council salary back into the community,” said Trouth.

Although it took a few years, last week Trouth finally saw his efforts pay off on Sept. 13 when Pointer Ridge held a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating their new school playground.

“Our blacktop had a lot of unsafe cracks,” said Pointer Ridge Elementary Principal Mary Stephenson. “It was a safety issue.”

Now, thanks in part to Trouth’s generosity and dedication, the refurbished surface is a smooth and safe place for children.

Prince George’s County Board of Education Chair Verjeana Jacobs lauded Trouth’s efforts.

“We do care about your safety,” she said to the school children that were assembled at the ribbon cutting. “We want the boys and girls to have a safe place to play.”