Downtown Silver Spring to Celebrate Opening of New Civic Building at Veterans Plaza

You are cordially invited to join Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and me for the “Grand Opening” of the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza!

The Grand Opening will take place Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 6:30 pm on the new Veterans Plaza (at the intersection of Fenton and Ellsworth in downtown Silver Spring.) Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the public is invited inside the building to experience this wonderful new community space.

If you want a sneak peek, take a virtual walk-through of the new building now at http://www.silverspringdowntown.com/.

The celebration begins at 4:00 pm With entertainment coordinated by the Silver Spring Town Center Inc.(SSTCi). The festivities will conclude with the first "Silver Spring Swings Summer Concert" featuring a performance by the Fabulous Bel Airs 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

Parking is available at the Town Square Garage on Ellsworth Drive. The Silver Spring Metro is three blocks away. For more information please visit http://www.silverspringdowntown.com/, the Silver Spring Civic Building webpage or email Gabrielle.Nadel@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Rockville Memorial Library: Remarks of County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg at the Renaming Ceremony, May 28, 2010

Renaming of the

Rockville Memorial Library

May 28, 2010 

On behalf of Council President Nancy Floreen and my colleagues on the Montgomery County Council, I want to add our very warm welcome to all who are attending this joyful ceremony to rename this library—the Rockville Memorial Library.

County Executive Leggett, Mayor Marcuccio, and Secretary Chow, thank you for your leadership in our community and your steadfast support for those who have served in Nation’s Armed Forces.

All of my colleagues on the County Council are proud of the dedication and service of all members of our Armed Forces and we honor the memories of those who died in the defense of freedom.  We salute their many accomplishments and recognize the many sacrifices they made to protect our Nation’s liberties and our American way of life.

Throughout our long history as a Nation—and as a County—members of America’s Armed Forces have stood guard against all threats to our Nation. And when they were called, they have gone into battle, with purpose, conviction, and courage to defend our interests throughout the world.

Some returned from the battle; some did not.

Our country and our County are stronger because of their service, because of their strength, because of their intelligence, and because of their courage. We owe them everything for their many contributions to America’s greatness.

On Monday, May 31^st, we will observe Memorial Day across the Nation. More than a date on the calendar, it is a special day of remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their greatest gift to our country. 

Today, as we proudly rename this library, we should reaffirm our commitment to those members of our Armed Forces who live in our community and pledge to do more to help those who have served.

As a County, Montgomery can do more to help our Veterans and their families deal with the issues of health care, homelessness, education, and jobs. We can help Veterans and their families deal with the range of physical and mental illnesses that often are related to military service. And we can help them “navigate” the complex systems of federal and state resources for veterans and their families. And this is what we’ll do. This is our solemn obligation to those who have fought the fight, and for their widows, widowers, and orphans. 

Today, we remember those who died—in our hearts, our memories and our prayers. We must never forget their contribution to our Nation and their protection of the American family. With the Rockville Memorial Library, we will never forget.

Thank you.

Trachtenberg Office Salutes Black History Month in Lyttonsville

Councilmember Trachtenberg’s Office celebrated Black History Month at the Gwendolyn Coffield Community Center in the Lyttonsville Community of Silver Spring. Trachtenberg staff joined members of the public in viewing the Lyttonsville community’s “Remembering African American Soldiers” exhibit prepared for Black History Month.

The exhibit noted the service of Mr. Phillip Eaglin, a Lyttonsville resident who was born a slave in 1831 and fought for General Grant during the Civil War. Pictures of United States servicemen from the Gaither, Turner and Tracy families in Lyttonsville were also displayed. The exhibit included a copy of the original deed conveying property in 1853 to Samuel Lytton, a freed slave, as well as interesting maps, photographs, and numerous other documents and artifacts.

The program was organized by Charlotte Coffield of the Lyttonsville Civic Association. She is the sister of the Center’s namesake, the late Gwendolyn Coffield. The Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Center is located at 2450 Lyttonsville Road, Silver Spring, MD.

Alan Bowser, our Chief of Staff, represented Councilmember Trachtenberg at this program.

February 2010 Newsletter

Click here to view my February 2010 Newsletter.

Topics in this issue, include:

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Montgomery Council Retains Ride On Bus Routes in Approving $70 Million Savings Plan
Reproductive Health Services Report
Crisis Pregnancy Center Regulation
Disability and Veteran Hiring Bill
White Flint + Gaithersburg West Master Plan Updates
Youth Town Hall
In the News
Duchy in the Community
Census 2010
Alert Montgomery
The Family Justice Center
Duchy's Recipe
Stay in Touch
Trachtenberg Staff News
Duchy's Pledge

Trachtenberg Applauds Signing of Disability and Veteran Hiring Bill

Today, Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg celebrated the signing into law of Montgomery County Bill 46-09, which establishes a hiring preference for veterans and persons with disabilities for a vacant County merit system position if the candidate is among the highest rated candidates in a normal competitive process. The new law alters an existing hiring preference for veterans, giving the same advantage to people with disabilities. It also creates a new classification—veterans with disabilities. The signing took place this morning at the Executive Office Building on Monroe Street in Rockville. The room was packed full of leaders from the disability as well as veterans communities. As County Executive Ike Leggett signed the bill into law, the room let out a collective applause to celebrate this momentous and historic step for Montgomery County.

"The is a joyous occasion," said Trachtenberg. "I am thrilled that Bill 46-09 is signed into law for residents of Montgomery County. Now the government and residents of Montgomery County have an opportunity to benefit from the contributions and talents of all of our neighbors, regardless of a disability they might have." Councilmember Trachtenberg also related a conversation between her and her friend Stephanie, a woman with disabilities. She said that Stephanie wanted the opportunity to live just like everyone else. This Bill helps Stephanie as well as others with disabilities to have the same opportunities as well as possibilities to achieve their potential.

Bill 46-09 requires the County Executive to adopt regulations establishing and maintaining a hiring preference for certain qualified persons with disabilities who apply for an initial appointment to a County merit system position. The Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, which is chaired by Councilmember Trachtenberg, recommended amending the bill to place a veteran with a disability first in the order of hiring preference and to give a veteran without a disability and a non-veteran with a disability an equal preference. The law relies on the definition of disabled used in federal hiring programs, not the broader definition used to prevent discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The applicant must have proof of the disability, certification of job readiness, and meet all required qualifications for the position.

Among those attending the ceremony were Councilmember Phil Andrews (D Gaithersburg-Rockville), the measure’s chief sponsor, Chairman of the Commission on Veterans Affairs Bill Gray, and Chair of the Commission on People with Disabilities Mark Maxin. Legislative aide Laurie Edberg attended the ceremony with Councilmember Trachtenberg.

Trachtenberg Office Discusses Veterans Issues at Easter Seals in Silver Spring

The Trachtenberg Office discussed veterans issues with representatives of Easter Seals and the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs.

After a tour of the Easter Seals’ new complex in Silver Spring, meeting participants discussed the critical needs of the County’s veterans and the resources that are available to meet them. There are over 60,000 veterans in the County and, currently, there is no VA-certified community-based outpatient clinic or County veterans service office to address veterans needs.

The Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore Region has an increasingly robust program to meet the needs of veterans and military families. Among their active programs are an Air force and Navy Respite program and a “Little Warrior” program. This year, East Seals will initiative a program called “Veterans Count,” that will help wounded service members, veterans and their families navigate the multitude of public and private support systems.

The meeting was held at the The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Inter-Generational Center on Spring Street in Silver Spring.

Trachtenberg Chief of Staff Alan Bowser represented our office.

For the website of the Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore Region, click here.

For information on their services for veterans and military families, click here.

Honoring the Buffalo Soldiers

At the "Tribute to America's Veterans" concert in Silver Spring, we honored the contribution of all of the Nation's veterans and our active duty military men and women. We also gave special recognition to the Buffalo Soldiers of the 92nd Infantry Division, aka the Buffalo Soldiers Division--African-American men who served in combat during the Italian Campaign in the Mediterranean theater. At the program, we saluted Buffalo Soldiers Joseph Hairston, James Daugherty, and Charles Williams.

Veterans Day Ceremonies in Wheaton

The Trachtenberg Office was represented at Veterans Day Ceremonies at VFW Post 2562 in Wheaton, Maryland. With the Presentation of Colors, an invocation by Danny Baker, Chaplan, VFW Post 2562, a Veterans Day address by Brig. General Paul D. Gleason, M.D. (USAF-Ret.), and a solemn presentation of memorial wreaths, the ceremonies led by Tomas F. Bunting, PSF of WFW Post 2562 were well attended by veterans of all the military services, their families and friends.

Saluting Montgomery County's Veterans

At the Round House Theatre in Silver Spring last night, I attended the "Tribute to America's Veterans" concert sponsored by the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., a local non-profit community organization. Along with County Executive Isiah Leggett and my County Council colleagues--Council President Phil Andrews and Councilmember Valerie Ervin--we enjoyed an evening of great music and moving tributes to Montgomery County's veterans and active duty military women and men.

I had the great honor of joining with Councilmembers Ervin and Andrews to present County Council proclamations recognizing the achievements and sacrifices of two Buffalo Soldiers who were present: Mr. Joseph Hairston and Mr. James Daugherty. And, with surprise, we recognized another Buffalo Soldier in the audience, Mr. Charles Williams. We also presented a certificate of appreciation to one of Montgomery County's most effective non-profit organizations working on behalf of our veterans--Rebuilding Together Montgomery County.

The evening was filled with music performed by Silver Spring's Jonny Grave, and the blues duo, Memphis Gold and Jay Summerour.

Thanks to the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., Building Bridges America, Inc., the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs, and PFA Silver Spring LLC, for a wonderful event.