Statement of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg at the Kensington Town Hall Forum

Good Evening. I’m Duchy Trachtenberg and I’m running for re-election to the Montgomery County Council, as an At-Large member.

When I raised my hand back in December of 2006 to take the oath of office, I understood the obligation I had to the residents of Montgomery County. For me, it was a continuation of my life’s work. During these last four years, I have strived to put people first and I have been hard-working and deliberate in my legislative actions, always willing to speak truth to power.

My priorities have been centered around children-their supports in school and out of school; public safety; public transportation; healthy and sustainable development; and the vulnerable, our most needy residents.

An example of this is the role I played in spearheading the Montgomery County Family Justice Center project into a reality. This is a clearinghouse facility that consolidates services for domestic violence victims and their children. In its first year of operation, over 1400 victims from over 100 countries have been served.

I helped lead the effort to reform our disability retirement system. I helped ensure that our procedures are based on a sound, public health foundation; that this important retirement benefit is preserved for those that are eligible; and that all employees have equitable access to the best medical practices.

As the Chair of the Council’s Management & Fiscal Policy Committee, I have worked with colleagues and the Executive branch to define over 2 billion dollars in savings during the first three budget cycles and presently I am playing an important role in defining our long-term fiscal plan in these most challenging times.

When I came to the Council building, I didn’t just want to fill an empty chair, I came to change lives. I believe I have done just that and I ask for your support tonight. Please vote on September 14th for Duchy Trachtenberg, Montgomery County Council, At-Large.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Speaks at Coalition of Kensington Communities Meeting

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg was the guest speaker at last night’s meeting of the Coalition of Kensington Communities which took place at the Ken-Gar Community Center, 4111 Plyers Mill Road in Kensington, Maryland. The Councilmember’s opening remarks touched on several issue areas ranging from details concerning the current budget crisis to the White Flint Sector Plan to the Costco project.

The Councilmember then took questions from the 20+ people assembled that included official representatives from the several communities represented by the Coalition as well as from members from the community. The questions focused on the infrastructure and traffic issues with the White Flint Plan; opposition to a proposed Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) which would allow Costco to include a 16 bay gas station at the Wheaton Westfield Mall site. Councilmember Trachtenberg told everyone that she supports the plan to have Costco come to this location but that she would not vote for it if it included the 16-bay gas station. She pointed to the extensive research showing the health risks to especially the elderly and the very young.

Others expressed concerns about the prospective closure of the Noyes Library for Young Children.  Councilmember Trachtenberg said that the library would be closed only temporarily, for a projected two years, while the building is brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Community members asked if there was any way to have these upgrades made in less that two years and the Councilmember told the community members that they should let their various elected officials know of their concerns and questions regarding this project.

Kensington / Garrett Park Area Town Hall Meeting

I was pleased to join my County Council colleagues at last night’s Town Hall meeting at the Housing Opportunities Commission Office Building in Kensington.

We had a broad ranging conversation that included discussion of the County Executive’s recommended FY11 Operating Budget, the MC311 system, the Noyes library, ambulance fees, and proposed redevelopment issues in Wheaton.

Regarding the County’s fiscal situation and FY11 budget, I expressed the view that these were extraordinary times that would require extraordinary choices regarding how we support the priorities of public safety, education, and aid to the most vulnerable. I encourage all County residents to contact me with their suggestions about County fiscal and budget issues.

The meeting allowed residents to voice their opinions on these issues asked questions of the Council members in an organized, but informal, setting.

The meeting was taped for later broadcast on County Cable Montgomery (CCM-cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon). Susan Kenedy, a producer for the county station, moderated the meeting. This was the second Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Council in 2010.

Trachtenberg Office Tours Kensington Sector Plan Area

The Trachtenberg Office participated in a recent tour of the Kensington and Vicinity Sector Plan area. The tour, organized by Montgomery County Planning Board staff, visited key neighborhoods and business districts in the Plan Area.

The draft sector plan, which has been forward to the County Council for its consideration, provides a vision for the area and guides its physical development for the next 20 years.

The updated plan will articulate the Kensington communities’ vision and guide the area’s physical development over a 20-year period. The Kensington Sector Plan area includes the incorporated Town of Kensington and three adjacent areas: the West Howard antiques district, the Ken-Gar community north of the CSX railroad tracks and the small commercial district at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and University Boulevard.

Among the planners’ recommendations are ways to redefine the town center as a mix of housing, businesses and activity spaces with pedestrian friendly connections to Kensington’s established neighborhoods.

For more information about the Kensington Sector plan, please click here.

Census 2010 (Part 1)

Naomi Bloch and Wil Gutierrez, who are both on the Montgomery County 2010 Census’ Complete Count Committee, attended this morning’s meeting of Montgomery County’s Complete Count Committee which took place at the Kensington Town Hall, 3710 Mitchell Street, Kensington.

The Mayor of Kensington, Peter Fosselman welcomed everyone and introduced the Complete Count Committee Co-chairs, Ambassador Connie Morella and former Congressman Mike Barnes and they in turn presided over the program which had the feel of a good old-fashioned pep rally as various speakers presented their research about the various areas of the county. Montgomery County’s goal is to have 100% of County its residents counted!

Many of the hard-to-count areas in the county were identified and now the challenge is going to be to make sure that every person in these diverse areas does, in fact get counted. The 100% count goal is critical because the amount of federal and state dollars the County receives for services is based on how many people live within the county. So, an undercount could short-change our county and limit its ability to provide essential human services that our close to one million residents requires.

Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to households throughout the county in March. Everyone is asked to fill out the TEN-QUESTION form and mail it back by April 1st. From May through July, Census workers will begin visiting any household that has not yet returned their form(s). And finally, in December 2010 the U.S. Census Bureau delivers the population count to President Obama.

These questionnaires are for statistical purposes ONLY and you can be certain that NO law enforcement official will receive any information given by you to the Census. The Census, by law is not allowed to share any personal information about you with anyone. So please be sure to fill out the ten question form and return it right away. And ask all of your friends and family members to do that same so that Montgomery County can receive its fair share of federal and state funds to provide essential human services to its residents.

If you speak more than one language and would like to help reach out to members in your community in order to help us with the 2010 Census, you can contact: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/census for more information. Thank you!

Wayne Goldstein Playground Dedication in Kensington

On Saturday, I attended the Wayne Goldstein Playground Dedication at the Kensington Heights Neighborhood Park in Kensington, Maryland. It was a beautiful ceremony and a wonderful tribute to our good friend, Wayne Goldstein, who passed away in April 2009. We remembered him in our words, thoughts and prayers, and honored him by planting a tree and unveiling a sign for the playground with his name. We also recognized his mother, Trenice Goldstein, who was present at the ceremony. Wayne was a former president of the county's Civic Federation, president of Montgomery Preservation Inc. and a columnist for The Sentinel newspaper.

Among his many friends who were there to honor him were Congressman Chris Van Hollen, County Executive Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County Council President Phil Andrews, County Councilmembers Marc Elrich, Valerie Ervin and myself, Delegate Al Carr, Peggy Dennis and Jim Humphrey of the Montgomery County Civic Federation, Lorraine Pearsall, Montgomery Preservation, Inc, Donna Savage, Kensington Heights Citizens Association, Amy Presely, Montgomery County Planning Board, and Montgomery County Director of Parks, Mary Bradford.