Painting Montgomery County Blue with the Young Dems

Wil Gutierrez represented Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg at the Montgomery County Young Democrats’ (MCYD) 6th Annual Paint the County Blue Dinner in Silver Spring.

At this event, the MCYD honored Myrna Cardin with the 2010 MYCD Young Democrat for Life Award and Marc Korman with the 2010 Dorothy Davidson Award.

Guest speaker U.S. Senator Ben Cardin energized the crowd with a motivational speech urging Montgomery County Young Democrats to organize and volunteer for Democratic races across the County and State.

For more information about the Montgomery County Young Dems, click here.

Heritage Days Celebrations, Part 2: Sugarloaf Mountain Winery Farmers Market

Emily Hoopes and Wil Gutierrez represented Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg at the Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard (SMV) Farmers Market as part of Heritage Montgomery’s Heritage Days Celebrations.

Each year, on the last weekend of June, Heritage Montgomery hosts its signature event – the annual Heritage Days Celebration. This two-day, free-of-charge, county-wide event festival offers visitors an opportunity to sample over 40 sites representing the history, culture, and natural beauty of Montgomery County.

Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard is Montgomery County’s only vineyard/winery. The 85-acre farm includes a restored red barn, silo and windmill and abuts the scenic Sugarloaf Mountain - a Registered National Landmark.Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard was conceived with awareness of the unique character of the property, the quality of the soil, and with familial commitment. The double-bank red barn – built in the early 1900s – the silo and windmill are all signature landmarks of the farm. Purchased by Dan and Polly O'Donoghue in 1962, the 92-acre “Windmill Farm” has been a working farm and family retreat ever since. Owned and operated by the four children – the McGarry, McKenna and two O’Donoghue families – the transformation from a traditional farm to a vineyard broke ground in 2002. A wine making team was formed, and soon vines were planted and being nurtured. By 2005, the winery was complete and we were making our first vintages. The award-winning results are worth a taste!

To complement the winery, SMV has expanded it's commitment with its weekly Farmers Market on Saturdays,10AM-2PM . Vendor products include: Goat Cheese, local seasonal all natural produce, local grass-fed antibiotic and hormone free beef, eggs, cow cheese, alpaca products, local honey edibles and body care products, artisan handmade jewelry, baked good, and gourmet pastries. The Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard Farm Market was founded in 2010.

Trachtenberg Office Attends the East County Citizen’s Advisory Board Meeting

The East County Citizen’s Advisory Board (ECCAB) held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 2 at 7:15pm at the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center (3300 Briggs Chaney Road in Silver Spring, MD).

At the meeting, the Board received a presentation from Mr. Khalid Afzal, Team Leader for East County of the Maryland Park and Planning Commission, regarding the East County Science Center Master Plan. The plan will create a vision for an expanded Cherry Hill Employment Area with the goal of creating a mixed-use life sciences center that builds upon the presence of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) campus in White Oak. It is intended to address the land use, urban design and environmental issues. It also will address the need for mobility options in the area. For more information on the ECSC Master Plan, click here. There will also be an open house on Wednesday, June 30 at the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center from 4:30pm to 8:00pm. Residents can drop in at anytime to learn more about this new Master Plan.

The Board also received a presentation from Council President Nancy Floreen regarding the recently passed $4.3 billion Fiscal 2011 Operating Budget. The budget is 4.5 percent less than the approved budget for FY10, marking the first decrease in a total budget since the adoption of the current County Charter in 1968. For more information on the budget, click here.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg attended last April’s ECCAB meeting where she learned how important the East County Police Satellite Substation is for East County residents. Knowing that, she worked hard with the fellow Councilmembers to keep the Substation open. Wil Gutierrez from the office of Councilmember Trachtenberg attended the meeting and shared the good news with the group.

Trachtenberg Office Proud of Colleague Wil Gutierrez for Serving as Resource for FY11 Operating Budget Public Hearings

The Trachtenberg Office is proud that our colleague Wil Gutierrez has been invited to serve as a staff resource for the Montgomery County Council as its conducts its Public Hearings for the FY11 Operating Budget. Wil has assisted our County residents who need Spanish language translation for their Public Hearing testimony.

Wil serves as Councilmember Trachtenberg’s Administrative Assistant and Director of New Media.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Meets with the Asian American Health Initiative Steering Committee

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg met yesterday with the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) Steering Committee to talk about its priorities, goals and challenges for Fiscal Year 2011.

The Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) was established and funded in Fiscal Year 2005 to help eliminate health disparities that exist between Asian Americans and their non-Asian counterparts. It is part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Minority and Multicultural Health. The AAHI's purpose is to develop appropriate health programs that meet the needs of a diverse group of Asian Americans living in the County.

AAHI’s goals are:

• To conduct an in-depth data collection, analysis and reporting of health status for the different ethnic groups in the Asian American Community.
• To expand and improve the existing health services available to Asian Americans.
• To ensure the availability of quality health care directed to the specific needs of the different ethnic groups in the community.
• To provide outreach programs to inform and educate the different ethnic groups about the accessibility and the availability of health care services.
• To ensure that all ethnic groups in the Asian American Community have their fair share of health care by eliminating barriers.

For more information, visit: http://www.aahiinfo.org/.

Naomi Bloch, Community Liaison for Councilmember Trachtenberg, and Wil Gutierrez, Administrative Assistant, were also present at the meeting.

Trachtenberg Office Attends Down County Latino Network Meeting

Wil Gutierrez from the office of Councilmember Trachtenberg attended the Down County Latino Network meeting yesterday at the Mid-County Regional Center in Wheaton.

The three topics of discussion were:

• Info Montgomery (http://www.infomontgomery.org/): A website that provides detailed information about health, educational and human service resources throughout Montgomery County.
• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance): FREE Income Tax Preparation Assistance for low-Income (Annual income under $49,000), elderly, disabled and limited-English speaking people. For a list of VITA centers throughout Montgomery County, click here (Note: You must have Adobe Reader to view this page. To download this free reader, click here.)
• Census 2010: Households in Montgomery County will receive census questionnaires beginning March 15, 2010. The 2010 census form is one of the shortest forms in history, and asks for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home. There are 10 questions, which will take about 10 minutes to complete. Individual responses are used for statistical purposes only and all responses remain confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share this information with anyone. Census data determines how more than $400 billion is allocated each year to local and state governments. The money is used for schools, roads, hospitals, senior centers and other social services in the community.
  
  The U.S. Census Bureau opened a new office in December in Rockville, which employs approximately 1,000 people in various positions, to support all field operations in Montgomery County. The Census Bureau is now recruiting for census taker positions, who will visit households that did not return a questionnaire. Interested applicants should call 240-780-3930 or go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/census.

Trachtenberg Office Attends February Community Outreach Forum

Wil Gutierrez from the office of Councilmember Trachtenberg gave a presentation of the various social media tools that we use to reach our residents at the February Community Outreach Forum.

The Community Outreach Forum is organized by the Office of Community Partnerships to bring together all of the County government departments and the staff responsible for outreach and public education in order to accomplish three goals: 1) coordinate outreach efforts, 2) build camaraderie among county staff, and 3) learn about best practices in outreach and related fields. Non-Profit Montgomery and other key partners in the non-profit community in Montgomery County, also attend. The Forum meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Executive Office Building Auditorium from 2-4pm.

Today’s meeting topic was: Using social media to reach our residents. Apart from Mr. Gutierrez, Lee Caughron, County Cable Program Manager and Bill Delaney, Fire and Rescue Community Program Manager also gave presentations. Blogs, Facebook and Twitter were among the topics discussed. All three panelists answered many questions from the approximately 30 attendees.

Wil Gutierrez manages social media for the Tracthenberg office and edits this blog.

Census 2010 (Part 2)

Wil Gutierrez attended the Montgomery County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Complete Count Committee meeting today immediately following Montgomery County’s Complete Count Committee.

Various topics affecting the LGBT community were discussed at this meeting. For example, it was noted that the Census does not ask if you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Adding questions to the census takes years and must be approved by Congress. Advocacy for the inclusion of LGBT questions in a number of surveys, such as the National Health Interview Survey, National Crime Victimization Survey and Survey of Income and Program Participation, has been happening for years and will continue.

The following are the recommendations from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for the LGBT community:

Transgender people should identify with whichever sex on the census form they feel best applies to them.

Sex is recorded for every person, but there is no way to express transgender status. Respondents may choose only one of the two options.

LGBT couples who are married should check “husband” or “wife” on the census form. Other same-sex couples should check “unmarried partner.”

The person filling out the census form indicates their relationship to everyone in the house. If you are living with your married spouse then check “husband” or wife” on the census form. Other same-sex couples should check “unmarried partner.”

LGBT people of color in bi-racial relationships should consider identifying as head of household.

In some reports Census officials designate the race of everyone in the house based on the race of the head of household. Given that people of color are often undercounted, LGBT people of color in bi-racial relationships should consider identifying as the head of household.

The White House is seeking ways to include same-sex marriages, unions and partnerships in 2010 Census data

The Obama administration has directed the Census Bureau to determine what changes need to be made in tabulation software to include married same-sex couples in census reports. Citing DoMA, Census officials had planned to reclassify married same-sex couples as, instead, “unmarried partners.” This approach would result in inaccurate census data and belittle the lives of LGBT families across the country. HRC and other organizations continue to work closely with the administration and Census Bureau to ensure everyone’s marriages are treated with equal dignity and respect.

Census forms are confidential.

Census responses are protected by law, and all Census Bureau employees take an oath to protect confidentiality and are subject to a jail term, fine – or both – for disclosing any information that could identify a respondent or household.

The Census Bureau is hiring.

Conducting the census is a huge undertaking. Thousands of census takers are needed to update address lists and conduct interviews with community residents. Find out more at http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs.

For more information on the Census for LGBT people, visit the Human Rights Campaign's Website.

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!

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg Tours the Family Justice Center with members of the Latino Health Steering Committee

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg toured the Family Justice Center (FJC) with members of the Latino Health Steering Committee yesterday February 1, 2010. The tour was lead by FJC’s Director, Hannah Sassoon, and Montgomery County’s Deputy Sheriff, Darren Popkin.

The mission of the Montgomery County Family Justice Center is to promote safety, well-being, and healing for victims of family violence.

The center's resources for victims include:

• Intervention, prevention and individual safety plans.
• Assistance with navigating the court system.
• Counseling for victims and their children.
• Onsite child-care services.
• Help with obtaining shelter, food and housing.

Councilmember Trachtenberg spearheaded the establishment of the Family Justice Center, which opened in April, 2009.

After the tour, the Latino Health Steering Committee held its monthly meeting at the FJC’s Conference Center. Councilmember Trachtenberg gave a brief opening statement. In her statement, Councilmember Trachtenberg pointed out the great services that the FJC provides to victims of domestic violence in one location. She especially emphasized the services that the Center provides to Latino and foreign-born women without regard to immigrant status. The FJC is staffed by bilingual personnel. Additionally, Councilmember Trachtenberg spoke of the second Savings Plan for Fiscal Year 2010 recommended by County Executive, Isiah Leggett, and the upcoming budget for Fiscal Year 2011.

Following Councilmember Trachtenberg’s statement, Uma S. Ahluwalia, Director of Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services, also spoke of the budget for Fiscal Year 2011.

Wil Gutierrez from the Office of Councilmember Trachtenberg was also in attendance at this event.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg Launches Blog in Spanish

"Duchy Trachtenberg en Español’ Will Be First Montgomery Councilmember Blog for Spanish-Speaking Community

January 28, 2010—Montgomery County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg (D—at large) has launched the County Council’s first blog for the County’s Spanish-speaking community.

The blog, “Duchy Trachtenberg en Español” is edited by Wil Gutierrez, a graduate of Goucher College and Silver Spring resident, who recently joined the Trachtenberg Office.

“I am very grateful to Councilmember Trachtenberg for giving me an opportunity to serve the residents of Montgomery County and to help the County Council in its work,” said Gutierrez, who manages Councilmember Trachtenberg’s “new media” program. “I welcome the opportunity to use my technical skills to help get her message out to our neighbors. I think we can provide a very useful public function with the various social networking tools.”

Councilmember Trachtenberg’s Spanish language blog includes links to important local, state and federal Internet Web Sites including Montgomery County Public Schools, the Montgomery County Library system, the County’s Family Justice Center and the Latino Health Initiative. It also includes links to key Spanish language media such as El Tiempo Latino, El Zol Radio, Telemundo and Univision.

“I am a strong believer of using all types of new media and the social networking tools that we have to reach out to our citizens,” said Councilmember Trachtenberg. “Montgomery County is home to a diverse population of nearly one million people and we need to do whatever we can to educate and inform all the people. I think using Facebook, Twitter and our blogs to communicate our messages and to get feedback from the community is wonderful and very exciting. I hope we can do much more.”

In addition to the Spanish language and a blog in English, the Trachtenberg Office also uses the social networking vehicles of Twitter and Facebook to connect to Montgomery County residents.

Councilmember Trachtenberg’s new media sites can be accessed at www.twitter.com/duchy_t (Twitter); http://www.duchytrachtenberg.blogspot.com/ (English language), http://duchytrachtenberg-espanol.blogspot.com/ (Spanish language), and http://fbpage.com/duchy-trachtenberg (Facebook).

For more information, contact Alan S. Bowser in Councilmember Trachtenberg’s office at 240-777-7965.

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To view the Council press release, click here.

Duchy Trachtenberg Holds Press Event for Development Oversight Legislation

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg (At-Large) hosted a press event today to discuss newly introduced legislation to require the Montgomery County Executive to designate an official to coordinate developments regarding new master-planned development. Representatives from the civic, development and business community joined Councilmember Trachtenberg to discuss the proposed legislation.

“With this legislation, we can provide all of the stakeholders in the development process—neighbors, taxpayers, labor, business owners, the development community, and County officials—with the assurances that our critically important development efforts will move forward, efficiently, effectively, expediously, and at reasonable cost to our County,” said Trachtenberg. "With this legislation, we can bring much needed oversight and coordination to the complex development process—something that I think we can all agreed is welcome and needed.”

Attending today’s press event were: Duchy Trachtenberg, Montgomery County Councilmember; Rollin Stanley, Director, Montgomery County Planning Department Paul Meyer, Friends of White Flint; Rod Lawrence, representing JBG Companies and the White Flint Partnership; Suzanne Hudson, a Garrett Park resident; Francine Waters, representing the Lerner Companies and the White Flint Partnership; Barnaby Zall, representing Friends of White Flint; Ed Rich, a resident of Old Farm; Vance Ayres, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Washington, DC Building and Construction Trades Council; Dan Hoffman, Randolph Civic Association; Della Stollsworth, Luxmanor Civic Association

The press event was broadcast live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM).

Attending the event on behalf of Councilmember Trachtenberg were Naomi Bloch, Laurie Edberg, Wil Gutierrez and Chief of Staff Alan Bowser.

Click here for the County Council Press Release.

The Trachtenberg Office Attends Performing Arts Workshop at the Women’s Unit of the Clarksburg Correctional Facility

Naomi Bloch and Wil Gutierrez, representing Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, attended a performing arts workshop at the women’s unit of the Clarksburg Correctional Facility on Tuesday, January 19th. The Workshop is part of Class Acts Arts’ Project Youth ArtReach, a program partially funded by Montgomery County Council grants. Many of the approximately 40 women in the facility are young teenage girls. Tuesday’s workshop was the last of a six-week program lead by renowned artists Cecilia Esquivel and Patricia Vergara from the group Cantare. Students worked in groups and in a supportive, non-judgmental environment in which to share feelings.

Project ArtReach promotes positive youth development by providing juvenile offenders in detention, corrections, and probation settings with arts programs taught by master artists to enhance youth's cognitive, linguistic, social, and civic development. As youth engage with a diverse group of professional artists, they acquire skills in visual, literary, and performing arts. By exploring themes of respect and values from other cultures, youth learn lessons in tolerance, problem solving, and conflict resolution. Programs like the one at the Clarksburg Correctional Facility also help each student's re-entry and become more productive members of society.

For more information about Class Acts Arts and Project Youth ArtReach, click here.
For more information about Cantare, click here.

Duchy Trachtenberg Meets with Latino Health Steering Committee of Montgomery County

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg met with members of the Latino Health Steering Committee—Fernanda Bianchi, Phd, Richardo Flores, J.D., Evelyn Kelly, MPH, Eduarto Pezo, JD, MA MPH, along with Sonia Mora, MPH, Manager of the Latino Health Initiative (LHI) staff--to discuss the mission of the LHI, its recent accomplishments, community health challenges, and FY11 budget issues.

The Latino Health Initiative of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services was established in July 2000 with the support of the County Executive and the County Council.

Its mission is to improve the quality of life of Latinos living in Montgomery County by contribution to the development and implementation of an integrated, coordinated, culturally and linguistically competent health wellness system that supports, values, and respects Latino families and communities.

Councilmember Trachtenberg is a member of the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee.

To read LHI’s FY 2009 Annual Report, click here. To visit LHI’s website, click here.

Silver Spring Public Safety Community Meeting

Despite the cold , snow on the sidewalks and the holiday season in full swing, about 30 concerned Silver Spring residents attended a public safety community meeting hosted by Councilmember Valerie Ervin on Tuesday, December 22. Commander Donald M. Johnson (3rd District – Silver Spring) of the Montgomery County Police Department and Chief Darien Manley and Sgt. Lauryn McNeill of the Maryland-National Park Police discussed crime trends and provided information about ongoing investigations. Wil Gutierrez attended on behalf of Councilmember Trachtenberg’s office.

According to both police departments, crime is down in the Silver Spring area. However, they reiterated that the departments need the help of residents to keep this trend down in 2010. If you see a suspicious or criminal activity, report it to the police immediately so they can provide an appropriate response. The following are the numbers for non-emergency situations:

Montgomery County Police Department: 301-279-8000

Maryland-National Park Police (for suspicious or criminal activities in parks): 301-949-3010

Maryland State Police (for suspicious or criminal activities on highways i.e. I-270, I-495): #77

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

The Park Police also provided helpful tips to prevent thefts, such as:

• Lock it
• Alarm it
• Hide it
• Leave it at home
• Beware of surroundings
• Don’t wear earphones (so you can hear what’s going on around you)
• Use the buddy system
• Call the police immediately if you’re a victim

The Park Police also wants you to write down the serial numbers of your electronics. In doing so, you help the police track down your belongings if they ever are stolen.

Additionally, the Park Police described their Park Watch program. Both the County Police Department and Park Police answered questions from residents and address community concerns. Reemberto Rodriguez, director of the Silver Spring Regional Services Center, was also in attendance.

The Trachtenberg Office attends Local First Wheaton Holiday Fiesta

The Trachtenberg office was represented in the Local First Wheaton Holiday Fiesta this past Friday, December 18. Wil Gutierrez joined the Latino Economic Development Corporation and the small business members of Local First Wheaton to celebrate the holiday season and Wheaton’s local, independent businesses. Wil enjoyed talking to LEDC employees and local business owners. He especially enjoyed the empanadas from Dejabel Café!

Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Trachtenberg Office was well represented at the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce‘s Holiday Event at Guapo’s Mexican Restaurant in Bethesda. Staff members Alan Bowser, Naomi Bloch and Wil Gutierrez enjoyed talking and networking with representatives of the County’s Hispanic business community. Among the firms attending the event were FEEP Corp, Rill Architects, Creative Guys USA, C Accounting Solutions Inc., Open Global Marketing, Liberty Power, Landscape by Today Inc., and Sandglass.

Trachtenberg Office Staff Attends Liberty’s Promise After-School Program in Silver Spring

Liberty's Promise supports young immigrants in need while encouraging them to be active and conscientious American citizens. The programs aim to make the immigrant experience an affirmative one for young newcomers while instilling in them a sense of pride and support for American ideals of democracy and freedom. By doing so, Liberty's Promise seeks to reaffirm our fundamental egalitarian and democratic traditions for future generations.

Chief of Staff Alan Bowser and Wil Gutierrez represented Councilmember Trachtenberg at Liberty’s Promise Silver Spring’s Civics and Citizenship class. This class teaches immigrant youth about their community and how to become active participants in American civic life.

Mr. Bowser spoke to young students present about County Government, community activism, political careers and Councilmember Trachtenberg’s efforts to engage youth in the political sphere.

Wil Gutierrez and Liberty's Promise's Silver Spring's Civics and Citizenship Class

The Trachtenberg Office Donates Basket to the County Council’s Holiday Drive

 

The Trachtenberg Office with its spectacular basket for the County Council’s holiday drive to benefit “Neighbors in Need.” The Council’s silent auction raised $2,437 to help meet the basic needs of individuals and families in Montgomery County. We’re thrilled that this year’s basket raffle raised $525 more than last year. From left to right: Pat Brennan, Wil Gutierrez, Naomi Bloch, Councilmember Trachtenberg and Laurie Edberg.

Duchy Trachtenberg en Espanol!

The Trachtenberg Office is pleased to announce the launch of our new blog, Duchy Trachtenberg En Espanol!

Through our blog, we hope to expand out connections to the Spanish speaking community and to inform and educate our neighbors about the work of Trachtenberg Office and the Montgomery County Council and Government.

"Duchy Trachtenberg en Espanol" is edited by Wil Gutierrez, a graduate of Goucher College and a resident of Silver Spring, who has joined the Trachtenberg Office. The blog includes links to important community resources such as Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery County Library System, Montgomery County’s Latino Health Initiative, Spanish-language media, and other important federal, state and local internet sites.

You can view the Duchy Trachtenberg en Espanol at http://duchytrachtenberg-espanol.blogspot.com/

Our other online resources are Duchy Trachtenberg’s Blog, Duchy Trachtenberg on Twitter, and Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg