Montgomery County Council to Meet With Board of Education on Tuesday, Sept. 21

Also: Public Hearing on Hotel Tax Exemption for Lockheed Martin Facility, OLO Report on Family Planning Programs

ROCKVILLE, Md., September 20, 2010—The Montgomery County Council on Tuesday, Sept. 21, will have an informal lunch meeting with the County’s Board of Education. The meeting is a continuation of informal meetings the two bodies have held to discuss a variety of issues. This will be the first joint meeting since Superintendent of Schools Jerry Weast announced he would not seek appointment to another term.

The Council’s regular session will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Third Floor Hearing Room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The regular session will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM—Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon). It also will be available via streaming through the County Web site at www.montgomerycountymd.gov. It will be rebroadcast on Friday, Sept. 24, at 9 p.m. The meeting with the Board of Education, which will be held in the Fifth Floor Conference Room, is open to the public, but will not be televised.

A public hearing that was scheduled to be held tomorrow evening by the Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Committee on amendments to the 10-Year Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan concerning water and sewer category changes was postponed until 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

The morning session will include release of a report by the Office of Legislative Oversight entitled “A Review of Publicly Funded Family Planning Programs.” The Council’s Health and Human Services Committee has tentatively scheduled a worksession on the report for Monday, Oct. 4.

The Council will hold nine public hearings tomorrow afternoon including on one on Zoning Text Amendment 10-12 concerning “Child Lot Standards” for properties in the County’s Agricultural Reserve. Property owners who owned their property prior to 1981 are entitled to create building lots for their children or their spouse’s children without any limitations. ZTA 10-12 helps clarify the provisions of standards in regard to “Child Lots.”

Another public hearing will be held on Expedited Bill 44-10 regarding the County’s Room Rental and Transient Tax. The bill would exempt a corporate lodging facility from the County’s hotel-motel tax if the facility supports that company’s headquarters, campus, training facility or conference facility; provides lodging exclusively for that company’s employees, contractors, vendors and other business invitees; and does not offer lodging to the public.

At this time, the County is aware of one facility that this amendment would impact: The Lockheed Martin Center for Leadership Excellence. Lockheed Martin’s annual transient room taxes for the facility are approximately $450,000. In 2010, the Maryland General Assembly enacted a similar law (HB 855), exempting this kind of facility from the state sales tax. The estimated state loss of revenue from its bill is $370,900.

District 18 Breakfast Club

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg was the guest speaker at the District 18 Breakfast Club that met at the Tastee Diner on Cameron Street in Silver Spring at 7:30 am on Monday, June 14th.

The Councilmember spoke with the group about the formidable work ahead regarding the county’s budget and the need for Montgomery County to significantly re-structure how the county does business moving forward. She talked about the various reasons for the challenging budget conditions facing the county; from the historic downturn in the over all economy to the unsustainable growth in government that was taking place in previous years when the county’s revenue situation was not the concern it is today.

Councilmember Trachtenberg also talked about the challenge of increasing the county’s reserves to 10% from the previous levels of 6% which is the recommendation from the Bond Rating Agencies and must be accomplished in order for our county to maintain its AAA Bond Rating in the years ahead.

She took several questions from the audience that touched on a range of topics from economic development to the huge portion of the county’s budget for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to the future of some of the county’s non-profits and the future of the Costco development proposal for Westfield Mall in Wheaton.

Naomi Bloch and Alan Bowser of the Tracthenberg staff attended the breakfast with Councilmember Trachtenberg.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg Congratulates MCPS, its Graduates, Teachers and Administrators

Congratulations to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for topping the list of graduation rates among the 50 largest school districts in the nation. With a graduation rate of 83.1 percent, significantly higher than the rate for the state of Maryland and for the nation, MCPS tops the Diplomas Count 2010 report, published by Education Week.

I also want to congratulate MCPS students who took the Advanced Placement (AP) and SAT exams this year. Nearly three-quarters of the AP exams taken earned a score of three or higher and SAT scores are expected be the highest in MCPS history.

Finally, congratulations to the class of 2010 for all of its accomplishments! MCPS graduates have secured $232 million in college scholarships; 150 students are National Merit finalist, 46 are National Hispanic Recognition finalists; 12 are National Achievement finalists; 267 are Maryland Distinguished Scholars and 238 are going to Ivy League schools. MCPS students by far are the most prepared students entering college and the workforce.

These impressive outcomes are the result of the hard work put forth by our students, teachers and administrators. Moreover, it is another indicator that validates our commitment to education. Again, congratulations students, teachers and administrators!

Joint HHS/ED Committee Work Session Summary—Tuesday May 4, 2010

Members of the Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education (ED) Committees met today to discuss items within the FY11 Operating Budget Recommendations:

Following is a summary of actions:

1. Early Childhood Services: Centro-Familio, Family Services, Inc.
The joint committees voted to approve funding. The matter moves to the Council for final vote.

2. Amendment to the Recommended FYll-16 Capital Improvements Program: School Based Health & Linkages to Learning Centers.
With no changes in expenditure and a return of approximately $100,000 to current revenue, the joint committees approved the amendment. The matter moves to the Council.

Updated: Joint ED/ HHS Committee Work Session—Tuesday, May 4—FY11 Operating Budget

Updated: A joint meeting of the Education (ED) Committee and the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will be held on Tuesday, May 4, at 1:45PM in the 3rd Floor Council Committee Room to discuss the following item within the FY11 Operating Budget:

• Early Childhood Services: Centro-Familia, Family Services, Inc
• CIP: School Based Health and Linkages to Learning

Please contact Saschane Stephenson, Legislative Aide for Health and Human Services, at 240-777-7963 (direct dial) or saschane.stephenson@montgomerycountymd.gov with your questions, concerns, or issues regarding this joint ED-HHS Committee session.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Meets with Liberty's Promise Students

Yesterday afternoon, Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg visited with several of the immigrant youth at Liberty’s Promise, an after-school program that strives to provide young immigrants with the information and support they need in pursuing his or her personal American Dream: earning a college degree, entering their chosen profession and demonstrating the potential for individual choice in this country.

The Councilmember made a few opening remarks to talk about what she does as an At-Large County Councilmember; that she represents all the residents of Montgomery County; and why she chose to serve in local elective office. She told them that while most people think that the best way to affect real change in people’s lives is primarily in higher-level offices, like the U.S. Congress and even as president, that serving at the local level often makes it easier to implement changes that more directly affect the local community where our family, friends and neighbors live and work. She cited some examples that included: The banning of trans fats in all Montgomery County restaurants and the establishment of the Family Justice Center.

A Q&A period followed where several the young people asked questions and during which the Councilmember explained that things really can and do get changed when people are active advocates on behalf of a cause or change they believe in. She urged them all to take that role seriously and to contact her and their other local elected officials with their ideas and concerns because this really does lead to changes in the local community.

The Councilmember closed by saying that while these are tough economic times that everyone is able to reach out to others and help even if only with a kind word or gesture.

For more information on Liberty’s Promise and this program: http://libertyspromise.org/.

Joint HHS and Education Committees Worksession on FY11 Operating Budget Items

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee and the Education Committee of the Montgomery County Council will meet jointly at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 16, for a worksession on the Fiscal Year Operating Budget requests for school-related services including Early Childhood Services, Infants and Toddlers, Child Care Subsidies, School Health Services, Linkages to Learning, Public Private Partnerships, Foster Care Transportation and the Kennedy Cluster Project. It will also discuss a CIP budget adjustment: High School Wellness Center and the CIP cost sharing project: Old Blair Auditorium.

The worksession continues the Council’s examination of County Executive Isiah Leggett’s recommended FY11 Operating Budget. The full Council is expected to adopt the County budget on May 27.

This joint worksession will be held in the Seventh Floor Hearing Room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The meeting will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM—Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and also will be available via streaming through the County Web site at http://www.blogger.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg serves on the HHS Committee.

Appreciation: East County Citizens Advisory Board

I was very pleased to have had the opportunity to attend the monthly meeting of the East County Citizens Advisory Board last night. I was warmly welcomed by some old friends and I made some new ones.

I thought that we had a very thoughtful and, for me, a very useful discussion of many issues related to Eastern Montgomery County. We talked about the budget crisis facing the County, public safety issues, education funding and maintaining a safety net for the County’s most vulnerable residents.

Most prominently, we talked about giving more attention to economic development issues in the East County. I agreed with Board members that both the Executive Branch and the County Council could do—and should do—more to both promote new development and job creation in the area and to enhance community engagement around these issues.

I learned a lot from the conversation last night, as I do from all of the meetings that I have with residents across the County. I believe that the County’s Citizens Advisory Boards are a critically important part of the community engagement that makes Montgomery County great.

Many thanks to Board Chair Bill Strassburger and the ECCAB members for their hospitality and their service to our community.

Celebrating Roscoe Nix

The Trachtenberg Office attended an inspirational tribute to legendary Montgomery County educator and civil rights activist Roscoe Nix on the evening of Thursday March 4th, held at the Roscoe Nix Elementary School in Silver Spring. Among his many friends in attendance were County Executive Isiah Leggett, County Council President Nancy Floreen, Councilmembers Valerie Ervin, George Leventhal and Marc Elrich, former Councilmember Ester Gelman, former Board of Education President Paul Vance, and past Montgomery County NAACP President Linda Plummer. Our Chief of Staff Alan Bowser represented Councilmember Trachtenberg.

From the Roscoe Nix Elementary School website – Roscoe R. Nix has spent most of his life helping those less fortunate and providing a voice for those who may be afraid to speak for themselves. Mr. Nix took on many roles to be that voice. He provided distinguished leadership in public education in Montgomery County for decades. Mr. Nix served on the Montgomery County Board of Education from 1974 to 1978, being only the second African-American to win election. He sought improved educational opportunities and early childhood initiatives to support increased local resources for Head Start, Title I and lower class size in the elementary grades.

Roscoe R. Nix also served as president of the Montgomery County Branch of the NAACP from 1980 to 1990. During his NAACP tenure, he conceived the idea and was instrumental in creating the African American Festival of Academic Excellence, which celebrates academic achievements of African American Students.

Roscoe R. Nix has been married for over 50 years to Emma Nix. They have two daughters and three grandchildren. They continue to reside in Montgomery County.

"Blessings come to people through someone else's help or through some unknown entity. Because of that, it is our obligation to use whatever it is that one of us has to help those who are less fortunate or who may be afraid to speak for themselves."

--Roscoe R. Nix

Visit the website of the Roscoe Nix Elementary School http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/nixes/about/nixbiography.aspx.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee Worksession

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will meet today at 9:30 a.m. for a worksession to discuss the FY 11-6 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg is a member of the HHS Committee.

The purpose of today's worksession is to review three umbrella, school-based projects recommended by the County Executive for the FYII-16 CIP for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The three projects are: Child Care in Schools, School Based Health & Linkages to Learning Centers, and High School Wellness Center. Representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will participate in the worksession.

Action in Montgomery – Trachtenberg Office Attends Public Meeting

Naomi Bloch represented Councilmember Trachtenberg last evening at the Action in Montgomery’s (AIM) Public Meeting which took place at St. Martins Catholic Church, located at 201 South Frederick Avenue, in Gaithersburg.

The purpose of this gathering was to present to County Executive Leggett and the County Council AIM’s Top 4 Budget Priorities:

• Equality for all County Residents
• Universal Access to Higher Education
• Affordable Housing
• Ensure that basic needs are met for the most vulnerable in our county.

Action In Montgomery is a multi-racial, multi-faith, strictly non-partisan, County-wide citizens’ organization, rooted in local congregations and associations. AIM is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), the oldest and largest national, congregation-based, community organizing network in the United States. Founded more than 50 years ago by Saul Alinsky, the IAF works with more than 55 community organizations like AIM across the United States, and in Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These organizations have produced impressive results in training thousands of ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse leaders to take action on community, city, and state issues.

Action in Montgomery’s website is http://www.actioninmontgomery.org/.

Trachtenberg Office Attends Ceremony for Biotech Cooperation

The aftermath of the recent record-breaking storms has produced more than mountains of snow. As anyone who has driven or ridden on area roads recently can attest -- pothole season is here. The conditions have been ideal for forming potholes – freezing temperatures at night, above freezing temperatures during the day and plenty of water from melting snow to seep into minute road surface cracks. As this daily freeze-thaw cycle expands and contracts pavement, the potholes are created.

Residents can report potholes either on the county’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/potholes or call Highway Services at 240-777-6000. It is helpful to provide as precise a location as possible, including the nearest street address or cross street.

Residents are reminded that numbered roads in the County, such as Rockville Pike, Route 355 or Georgia Avenue, Route 97, are maintained by the State Highway Administration (SHA). Report potholes to SHA at www.roads.maryland.gov, and then click on “Report Litter or Pothole.”

Trachtenberg Offices Attends County Executive Budget Forum in Silver Spring

The Trachtenberg Office was represented at Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett’s Budget Forum which took place at the East County Regional Services Center on Briggs Cheney Road in Silver Spring. This was the second of five budget briefings by the County Executive around the County.

At the event, audience members discussed a broad range of concerns about the County Executive’s Revised Savings Plan, recently transmitted to the County Council, as well as suggestions for the FY11 Operating Budget which will be transmitted to the Council on March 15, 2010. Among the subjects discussed were the impact on schools, mental health, library services, and public safety. Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger was present. The Trachtenberg Office was represented by our Chief of Staff Alan Bowser.

Youth Town Hall Meeting

For the first time, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, the Montgomery County Council will be holding a Youth Town Hall Meeting in effort to hear concerns and opinions directly from students. This is an opportunity for Councilmembers to hear directly from a wide representation of high school and middle school students from across the County.

The meeting will be held at the Council Office Building, with an informal reception at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting from 7-8 p.m. It will be broadcast live on County Cable Montgomery and rebroadcast at later times.

The students will be free to ask questions and join in discussions on any topic they deem important to them and other residents of the County. Among topics expected to be discussed are:

-Class size and other school issues
-Opportunities for activities and programs outside of school
-Safety concerns inside and outside of school
-Public transportation needs
-Pedestrian safety

The Council Office Building is a three-block walk from the Rockville Metrorail Station, which also is a stop of many significant Ride On bus routes. For those who will be driving to the meeting, we have arranged for free parking in the building's adjacent garage, which can be entered from Fleet Street.

All students who will be attending are kindly asked to RSVP by calling 240-777-7931 or by e-mailing delphine.harriston@montgomerycountymd.gov. They should provide their name, school and their grade.

If you or any students have any questions about this meeting, please call 240 777-7931.

Staff from the Trachtenberg Office Atended the MCCPTA Operating Budget Forum

Staff from the Trachtenberg office attended the MCCPTA Operating Budget forum held at the Board of Education on January 4. Elected officials from the Board of Education and Council provided an overview of the budget challenges facing the county and the school system for FY11. The central message was: This will be a budget year unlike any other in memory and everything will be on the table. In addition, we will not know the full scope of the fiscal shortfall until the General Assembly adopts the state’s budget in mid-April. MCCPTA representatives were encouraged to present suggestions for savings when testifying at BOE worksessions on the operating budget scheduled for January 13 and 20.

For more information on the MCCPTA, please click here.

Congratulations to Serena Locust of Silver Spring

SILVER SPRING RESIDENT HAILED AS “UNSUNG HERO”

Serena Locust of Silver Spring selected to receive Linowes Leadership Award for improving her local community.

On December 10th, 2009, The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region celebrated civic spirit and honored four recipients of the 2009 Linowes Leadership Award. Among the honorees is Silver Spring resident Serena Locust of Northwest Park Apartments.

The Linowes Leadership Awards was established in 1997 by the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. The award is presented each year to “unsung heroes” working to improve communities throughout the Washington metropolitan area. During the past decade, Linowes awardees have created change and inspired others to leadership in the fields of the arts and humanities, education and youth development, social justice, poverty and homelessness, and neighborhood revitalization.

Serena Locust is a resident of the Northwest Park Apartment Community. She was born and raised in the community and has had ties there for over 40 years. The inspiration of her work revolves around the children of the community and began years ago volunteering as President of the PTA at Broad Acres Elementary School. Her passion for children later turned into a career. Serena is currently employed by MCPS as a Paraeducator at Broad Acres Elementary School and the Educational Coordinator of the YMCA Community Center at Northwest Park Apartments.

Serena has been involved with notable initiatives and projects in her area. She has been an active participant for over 4 years with the Silver Spring Regional Center’s Weed & Seed Program, worked actively with Parks & Planning to renovate Broad Acres Park, testified before the County Council in the Spring of 2009 during public hearings regarding budget priorities, is a graduate of Impact Silver Spring’s Leadership Program and convenes regular community meetings to discuss neighborhood issues dealing with a broad range of issues.

The ceremony honoring the recipients of the Linowes Award was held at a Business Attire event at the National Association of Home Builders Building in Washington, D.C. The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation was also honored for their support for charities and causes.

From left to right, Alan Bowser (Office of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg), Serena Locust, Luther Hinsley (Avery Park Community Association), and Victor Salazar (Northwest Park Oakview Weed and Seed Program)

The Trachtenberg Office attends Press Conference of the Montgomery County Biosciences Task Force

The Trachtenberg Office was represented at today’s Press Conference on the release of the Montgomery County Biosciences Task Force’s Report entitled “Biosciences Strategy: Montgomery County’s Strategy for Developing a World-Renown Life Sciences Industry." The Report was presented to Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, by the Task Force Chiar David Mott, at the Shady Grove Innovation Center.

As part of a series of aggressive initiatives to strengthen and grow the County’s vital bioscience community and preserve its role as a local and regional economic engine, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, working in conjunction with the County’s Department of Economic Development (DED), brought together in 2008 the best and brightest from throughout the biotech industry to serve on the new Montgomery County Biosciences Task Force. The Task Force has 34 members.

The Task Force identified a number of opportunities and challenges facing Montgomery County’s biosciences industry and has recommended the following to the County in it's December 2009 Report:

1) Enhance the environment for entrepreneurship and the creation of new life science companies. For example, create public-private partnerships that combine the capital resources of top venture capital firms with managers, scientists and entrepreneurs.

2) Catalyze greater technology transfer and commercialization and leverage Montgomery County’s federal and academic assets more effectively. For example, work with the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University and other regional academic research institutions to facilitate greater licensing and commercialization of their research discoveries and technologies.

3) Foster a more enabling financial, regulatory and business environment. One strategy is to pass county enabling legislation to create a Montgomery County specific biotech investment tax credit by summer 2010.

4) Enhance bioscience educational opportunities and expand the higher education presence in the County to build a robust biosciences workforce. This can be achieved by supporting partnerships between Montgomery College, other higher education institutions, industry and Montgomery County Public Schools to support science, technology, engineering and math curriculum development.

5) Market the county’s bioscience sector nationally and internationally by partnering up with the Maryland Biotechnology Center to create a high-profile marketing effort that goes along well with the state’s BioMaryland branding and global marketing campaign.

For more information:
December 2009 Task Force Report (12-10-09)
Montgomery County Biosciences Task Force Home Page
Montgomery County Press Release
Washington Business Journal Article (12-10-09)