• Release ID: 08-001
• Release Date: 1/4/2008
• Contact: Brian Jones 240-777-7951 or Neil H. Greenberger240-777-7939
• From: Office of Mike Knapp

Council President Mike Knapp to Begin ‘Starting With the Socks’ Blog on Jan. 7

In Continuing Effort to Improve Communications With Residents, Internet Column Will Cover Many Subjects

ROCKVILLE, Md., January 4, 2008—Montgomery County Council President Mike Knapp (D-District 2) on Monday, Jan. 7, will make available the first column of his regular internet blog that will cover a variety of governmental issues. The blog is part of a continuing effort to improve communications with residents.

The blog will be available by going to the Council page on the County Web site at www.montgomerycountymd.gov.

The series of thoughts and opinions will have an innovative name: “Starting With The Socks.” That phrase is adapted from a quote in the book “On Leadership,” by John Wooden, the retired UCLA college basketball coach and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Wooden’s teams won 10 NCAA championships and he is widely regarded as the greatest college basketball coach in history.

“His coaching tips are valuable, but the lessons he teaches about life in general are even more important,” said Councilmember Knapp. “He understood what it took to take all the parts and build a winning team. The way he did it in basketball applies to being successful in just about any field—including government.”

The full quote from Wooden in his book is: "Success begins from the ground up. It never bothered me to be chided over my commitment to doing the little thing right. Make sure that you and your team put their 'socks' on in the correct manner."

Councilmember Knapp likely will begin blogging by sharing his views on budget issues, both at the state and local levels. In addition to his opinions on notable issues, Councilmember Knapp will share with readers a peek behind the scenes at life on the Council and as a Councilmember.

“In December, we released the results of the first Countywide survey of our residents in 13 years. A surprising—and somewhat disappointing—finding was that residents did not believe we did a good job communicating with them,” said Councilmember Knapp. “One of our immediate goals is to improve on that. We have started a live call-in show featuring the County Executive and the Council President and we are changing our approach on the County government television station County Cable Montgomery. I am hopeful that communicating ideas via this blog will reach yet another segment of residents who want to know more about what is happening with their government.”

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