• Release ID: 08-003
• Release Date: 1/8/2008
• Contact: Brian Jones 240-777-7951 or Neil H. Greenberger240-777-7939
• From: Council Office

Council President Mike Knapp Posts First Edition of ‘Starting With the Socks’ Blog

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

ROCKVILLE, Md., January 8, 2008—Montgomery County Council President Mike Knapp (D-District 2) on Monday, Jan. 7, posted 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 Councilmember anticipates updating the blog at least once each week.

In his first column, Councilmember Knapp explained to readers his purpose in writing a blog.

“In government, business, and our personal lives we tend to forget that if we don’t do the simple things well, it‘s virtually impossible to handle the harder tasks,” he wrote. “It is my goal through this blog to focus on the basic things that we in government need to address – and first and foremost is our need to communicate. I hope to share some insights with you about what’s going on in government that may be of interest to you, and I want to listen to the perspectives that you may have to share.” 

Among the things he wrote about in his first column was how Councilmembers use periods of Council recess, such as the recent winter recess that will end on Jan. 15. As he described, recess is not just for vacation and relaxation. He also wrote about the budget shortfalls the State and Maryland and Montgomery County are facing.

The series of thoughts and opinions has 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."

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