Councilmember Trachtenberg Attends Town Hall Meeting on Gaithersburg West Master Plan

Councilmember Trachtenberg attended last night’s Town Hall Meeting on the Gaithersburg West Master Plan held at the Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The meeting was organized by the North Potomac Citizens Association. Councilmember Trachtenberg was joined by her colleagues, Council President Nancy Floreen, and Councilmembers Marc Elrich and George Leventhal. Before remarks by the Councilmembers, there were presentations by Dan Drazan, President, North Potomac Citizens Association; Donna Baron, Gaithersburg-North Potomac Rockville Coalition; Bragi Valgeirsson, North Potomac; Tim Newell, a representative of the Banks Family; and Pamela Lindstrom, Montgomery County Chapter of the Sierra Club/Residents for Reasonable Development. Councilmember Trachtenberg was accompanied by staffers Alan Bowser, Naomi Bloch and Emily Hoopes.

In her remarks to the Town Hall meeting, Councilmember Trachtenberg outlined her review objectives for master plans proposed by the County’s Planning Board. She spoke of the need to balance the growth the County needs with the quality of life that resident’s want, and the importance of respecting established neighborhoods. She acknowledged the many questions and concerns that had been raised with regard to the Planning Board’s proposal, especially those related to transportation infrastructure, the economic projections, the housing-jobs balance, and the environmental and health impact of new development in the Plan area. She also noted that there were significant differences between the plans proposed for Gaithersburg West and the White Flint Area, notably the differences in the existing transit infrastructure and the nature of the community dialogue process.

Councilmember Trachtenberg emphasized that the County Council was not near a final decision on the Gaithersburg West Plan, and that the PHED Committee was only in the very early stages of reviewing the proposal presented by the Planning Board. She encouraged community members to continue contacting her office with their questions, issues, and concerns about the process. Interested individuals can contact the Trachtenberg Office at councilmember.trachtenberg@montgomerycountymd.gov; the telephone number is 24-777-7964.

For more information on the North Potomac Citizens Association, please visit http://www.northpotomacnews.org/.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Speaks at the Latin American Advisory Group Meeting

Councilmember Trachtenberg was the guest speaker at last night’s meeting of the Latin American Advisory Group which took place at the Community Partnerships office, 255 Rockville Pike, Suite 102 in downtown Rockville.

Councilmember Trachtenberg updated the group on the current budget challenges facing the county in her capacity as chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee on the County Council. After her remarks, a Q&A session took place during which time the group members updated her on the budget priorities for this community.

The discussion ranged from public private partnerships being one way that the community’s social services needs could be better maintained in light of the inevitable funding changes these difficult economic times will bring to how small businesses could be better helped and supported and the idea of creating a small business advisory group was proposed.

Councilmember Trachtenberg emphasized that collaboration between all the various sectors; public, private and non-profit, will be necessary in the months and years ahead as the work toward the fundamental restructuring of county government progresses.

For more information about the Latin American Advisory Group, click here.

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.

Census Form Arrives Next Week - Please Mail It Back by April 1, 2010

April 1, 2010 is Census Day in the United States, and questionnaires will be mailed to every household during the week of March 15. We urge County employees to watch for their Census form to arrive at home and to take a few minutes to fill it out and return it by April 1. Keep an eye out for a Census envelope and form which look like the following samples:

Census Envelope

Census Questionnaire

The U.S. Census Survey is conducted every ten years, and the results are used to establish our County's representation in Congress and the Maryland General Assembly, as well as to allocate more then $400 billion each year in federal funding. By law, all information collected by the Census is confidential and cannot be shared with others, including federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

Individuals who fill out and return their forms promptly will save the federal government money by avoiding the need for Census workers to visit their residence during April or May in an effort to achieve a complete count. In Montgomery County, each resident we fail to count will cost the County thousands of federal dollars – something we really can’t afford to lose in these difficult fiscal times.

Please remind friends and neighbors that it is important to participate in the U.S. Census Survey. For more information about the Census, go to the County’s Census website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/census or contact Brianne Moser or Celia Scheff in the Office of Community Partnerships at 240-777-2504.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Discusses County Budget Issues at Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg attended the monthly meeting of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board held at the Long Branch Community Library on Garland Avenue in Silver Spring.

In her remarks to the Board, Councilmember Trachtenberg discussed a broad range of issues including the recently approved FY10 Savings Plan recommended by the County Executive and the FY11 Operating Budget to be transmitted to the County Council next week. She described the range of possible types of cuts that might be recommended by the Executive and commented that the Montgomery County Government would look very different after the County closes its $761 million budget gap.

With regard to Silver Spring issues, Councilmember Trachtenberg discussed the Silver Spring Library, the Sligo Creek Golf Course Task Force Report, the progress of the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza, the Fillmore Project, the Old Blair Auditorium Project, and the Purple Line. In response to questions from Board members she discussed ambulance fees, transit needs, the Metropolitan Branch Trail, and ways to increase ground level retail in downtown development.

Before the meeting, Councilmember Trachtenberg toured the Long Branch Community Library and observed the very high demand for computer use by residents in the diverse neighborhood. After the meeting, she had dinner at Samantha’s, a popular restaurant near the intersection of Piney Branch Road and University Boulevard. Alan Bowser, our Chief of Staff and a former member of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, accompanied Councilmember Trachtenberg to the Long Branch event.

The Trachtenberg Office Attends the Middle Eastern Affairs Advisory Group (MEAAG) Meeting

Naomi Bloch represented the Trachtenberg office at last night’s meeting of the Middle Eastern Affairs Advisory Group (MEAAG) that is held monthly in the Community Partnerships office located at 255 Rockville Pike, Suite 102 in Rockville.

The members updated each other on various issues and community events that they had participated in and then discussed the continuing efforts to reach out to members of their various communities on behalf of the 2010 Census. It was decided that the three main Islamic groups in Montgomery County would join together on behalf of this 2010 Census Complete Count outreach effort.

Then two upcoming “mark your calendar” events were discussed: Arab American heritage Month, Wednesday, March 31, 6:30 PM at the Executive Office Building (EOB) Auditorium, located at 101 Monroe Street, in downtown Rockville. Muslim Women in the Arts, Thursday, April 22, 6:30 PM, also to take place at the EOB Auditorium

The next meeting of the MEAAG will take place on Monday, April 12 at the Community Partnerships offices, Suite 102 and all are welcome.

For more information, click here.

Councilmember Trachtenberg To Attend Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board

Councilmember Trachtenberg will discuss the Montgomery County budget at tonight's meeting of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board.

The meeting will be held at 7:00 pm at the Long Branch Community Library, 8800, Garland Avenue, Silver Spring.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Attends 2010 Census Briefing

Today Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg was a visible advocate for the 2010 Census at a press conference held at the Silver Spring Library. Duchy joined several Montgomery County and national leaders including Congresswoman Donna Edwards, Fernando E. Armstrong, Regional Director of the Philadelphia Regional Office, and Bruce Adams, Director, Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships, in support of the Census Complete Count goal. Both Councilmember Trachtenberg and her staffer Ms. Naomi Bloch are members of the Montgomery County 2010 Census Complete Count Committee.

“The 2010 Census “is the future today”—every person who decides to be counted and fills out a form over the next several weeks represents a slice of more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding that is, and will be, spent each year on County infrastructure and services like hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges, emergency services tunnels, and other-public works projects,” said Trachtenberg. “Montgomery County can’t afford to miss out on the golden opportunity to have every one of our residents counted—it’s the fiscally responsible thing to do."

Councilmember Trachtenberg, Congresswoman Donna Edwards and other public officials at today's Census briefing

Councilmember Trachtenberg Speaks at Committee for Ethnic Affairs Meeting

Last evening Councilmember Trachtenberg met with the Committee for Ethnic Affairs (CEA) and talked with the members about the current budget challenges facing the county. After her remarks she took questions from the members and a friendly and stimulating discussion transpired.

The questions prompted an exchange of information ranging from the launch of the MC311 system to the CountyStat program to the ten-cent tax on liquor in the state of Maryland which could provide critical funds to support various social services which are under threat from the extreme budget challenges facing local, state and national budgets. This legislative effort is currently at risk and the committee members asked what they could do to help and Councilmember Trachtenberg urged everyone to contact Delegate Sheila Hixson, Chair of the Ways & Means Committee in Annapolis to urge her full support of this bill.

The Committee for Ethnic Affairs operates out of the Office of Community Partnerships and is chaired by Enas Elhanafi. For more information on the Office of Community Partnerships and other various outreach groups, click here.

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.

Duchy at the Diner – Silver Spring

Today’s “Duchy at the Diner” event at the Tastee Diner in Silver Spring was a huge success. More than 30 people filled a meeting room joining Duchy for coffee, food and informal conversation at the Silver Spring landmark on Cameron Street.

In her remarks to the group, Councilmember Trachtenberg focused on the dire state of the County’s financial situation and its unavoidable impact on the County Executive’s proposed Operating Budget that will be transmitted to the County Council later this month. She reiterated her support for County Executive’s budget priorities—public safety, education, and protecting the most vulnerable.

The question and answer period was wide-ranging and included discussion about the Sligo Creek Golf Course, the Silver Spring Library, Long Branch development, the Family Justice Center, health care, domestic violence, and the County’s budget.

Duchy at the Diner – Silver Spring was the second in a touring series of “diner” events planned throughout Montgomery County.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Attends Annapolis Rally for Alcohol Tax

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg participated in a well-attended rally in Annapolis in support of an state alcohol tax (HB 832 | SB 717). County Executive Ike Leggett and various state delegates and senators were in attendance, including Maryland Delegates Bill Bronrott and Ana Sol Gutierrez and Maryland Senators Rich Madaleno and Jennie Forehand.

In her remarks Councilmember Trachtenberg spoke of the critical need for increased dollars for both mental health and addiction programming. As a trained clinician with a specialty in adolescent addiction, she spoke passionately about the need for more focused spending on substance abuse screening and early intervention programming. Councilmember Trachtenberg reminded attendees of the link between early drinking and subsequent behavioral health challenges and stated that "increased cost for alcohol consumption is the single biggest factor in deterring adolescent abuse of alcohol."

Councilmember Trachtenberg also evoked the poignant words of Winston Churchill in encouraging attendees to pursue strident advocacy both in Annapolis and in their communities: "Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts."

With her participation, she joined a broad coalition of human services, health care and business groups in Annapolis to urge an increase in the tax the state imposes on alcohol. Revenue from the proposed 10-cent per drink increase would be dedicated to funding services for people with alcohol and substance addictions, developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, and health care for the uninsured. Maryland has not increased its tax on wine and beer since 1972 or its tax on liquor and spirits since 1955. Maryland taxes on these beverages are the fourth lowest among the 50 states.

Doctors Pat Salomon, M.D. and Dana Beyer, M.D., Councilmember Trachtenberg’s Senior Advisors for Health and Human Services, also attended the Annapolis Rally.

For more information:

House Bill 832
Senate Bill 717
Press Release