Trachtenberg Office Attends Montgomery County Agricultural Fair

Representatives from the Office of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg attended the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair this week. The fair, which was started in 1945, is the largest of its kind in the state of Maryland. The objective of the fair is to exhibit livestock and local produce, promote agriculture through education of the community regarding agricultural issues and providing a meeting place for those interested in agriculture to secure growth in future generations. The organizers of the fair are also committed to educating members of urban communities, helping them to acquire an appreciation and understanding of agriculture.

The fair is located at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg (16 Chestnut Street) and will be open to the public until Saturday, August 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 midnight. For directions, click here. General admission price is $10 per person and children under 11 enter free! For tickets, click here.

Emily Hoopes from the Trachtenberg office poses at the Personal Ponies booth. Personal Ponies is dedicated to the belief that the life of a child with disabilities can be immeasurably enriched by having a tiny pony to love and care for. The interaction and bonding that occurs between a tiny pony and a child with disabilities is nothing less than magic. Creating magic in children’s lives is Personal Ponies only mission. Personal Ponies is part of the Chasin Dreams Farm located in the heart of the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve and serve children that are differently able throughout Montgomery County. For more information, click here.

Trachtenberg Office Attends Smart Growth Discussion

Naomi Bloch, Community Liaison for Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, attended a presentation last evening at the National Building Museum on “Smart Growth” issues. Jeff Speck, of Speck & Associates, a Washington D.C. based design consultancy serving public officials and the real estate industry, gave a slide presentation and answered questions from the audience on “The Smart Growth Manual” he authored with Andres Duany.

Maryland and Montgomery County were mentioned at least three times during Mr. Speck’s remarks as good examples of a state’s and county’s best practices, favorably noting the requirement that large developments include a significant percentage of affordable housing, and our County’s commitment to the Agricultural Reserve.

San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsome says: “The Smart Growth Manual” is an indispensable guide to city planning. This kind of progressive development is the only way to fully restore our economic strength and create new jobs, new industries and a renewed ability to compete in the first rank of world economies.”

Trachtenberg Office Salutes Earth Day and 30th Anniversary of Agricultural Reserve

Representatives of the Trachtenberg Office joined Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and Montgomery County Council President Nancy Floreen to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 30th Anniversary of the Agricultural Reserve. The event was held at the County’s Agricultural History Farm Park, located at 18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood in the County’s 93,000 acre Agricultural Reserve. The Reserve is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and has been recognized as the country’s most successful farmland and open space preservation program, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council and the American Farmland Trust. Also in attendance were Dr. Royce Hanson, chairman of the Montgomery County Planning Board, who is considered the architect of the Agricultural Reserve; DEP Director Robert Hoyt; Barbara Ashe, executive vice president of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce; and representatives from certified green businesses.

County Executive Leggett announced that eight new businesses were certified under the County’s Green Business Certification Program in response to a challenge to become a ‘green’ business by Earth Day. The newly certified companies joined 11 others already certified as green by demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship, conservation of energy and water, carbon footprint reduction, and waste reduction and recycling. The Green Business Program was launched in December by DEP, in partnership with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and Montgomery College to recognize voluntary efforts to protect, preserve and improve the environment. The newly certified businesses are: All Eco Center, Wheaton; Greenavise, Silver Spring; Innovative Business Interiors, Inc., Silver Spring; The Maven Group, Bethesda; The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Rockville; Radius Technology Group, Inc., Silver Spring; Reznick Group, Bethesda; and Solid Waste Association of North America, Silver Spring.

The 11 businesses previously certified are: Bethesda Green, Bethesda; Building Maintenance Systems, Inc., Rockville; Calvert Group, Ltd., Bethesda; The Center for a New American Dream, Takoma Park; Clean Currents, LLC, Rockville; Hallman Orthodontics, Chevy Chase; Honest Tea, Bethesda; Marriott International, Inc., Bethesda; Pepco Customer Service Center, Rockville; Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A., Potomac; and Social and Scientific Systems, Inc., Silver Spring.

A description of what the certified green businesses have done to earn their certification is available on the County’s website at http://mcgreenbiz.org/directory.

Naomi Bloch and Emily Hoopes represented Councilmember Trachtenberg at the event.