A Life-Saving Message: STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN If you read nothing more in this edition of my newsletter, I ask that you please take a minute and watch our latest pedestrian safety video entitled, "Drive Safe!(R): Keeping Pedestrians Safe When You're Behind the Wheel." It features personal testimonials from people whose family members were killed in pedestrian collisions and drivers who struck pedestrians. Drive Safe! is aimed at drivers who are at the highest risk of being involved in crashes -- teens and less experienced drivers -- and delivers a powerful message about the impact that fatal pedestrian collisions can have on both the victim and the driver. Despite our considerable efforts in Montgomery County to reduce the number of pedestrian collisions, people continue to die by simply crossing the street. The Drive Safe!(R) video is another step forward in our efforts to try and prevent any more needless pedestrian deaths or injuries. The video is available in two versions -- one aimed at teen drivers and the other at new adult drivers, including non-native English speakers. The free video is being distributed to driver training schools, adult English-as-a-Second Language (ESOL) teachers, non-profit and community groups, churches, employers and others who work with teens, young adults or non-native English speakers. Montgomery County public high schools will also receive Drive Safe! for use as a classroom resource. Both the Drive Safe! and Walk Safe!(TM) videos, teachers guides, resource materials, surveys and public service announcements are available on the County's website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/walk. - top Crime statistics for the first quarter of 2009 show a 6.5 percent decrease in total reported crime within Montgomery County. Part I Crimes that include murder, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, and auto theft decreased by 9.2 percent. The only Part I crime to show an increase was in the category of rape which increased by one, from 33 to 34. Part II Crimes such as arson, forgery-counterfeiting, stolen property, vandalism, weapons offenses, controlled dangerous substance (CDS) violations, family and juvenile offenses, liquor law violations, and disorderly conduct, decreased by 4.9 percent. I join Police Chief Tom Manger in thanking our residents for following good crime prevention practices and providing the support that is so crucial in helping our police solve crimes in a timely manner. And, the good news is that the April figures are also down, with a 6.7 percent decrease from April of 2008. - top Montgomery Connections: helping you relate to history Montgomery Connections, the new multi-lingual project of the Montgomery County Historical Society (MCHS), is designed to introduce bits of local history and their connections to our lives today by reaching a diverse audience of residents and visitors, alike. The project consists of historical images on free-standing banners, ads on buses and in local ethnic papers, tri-lingual cell phone audio content, and web site materials to illustrate themes in county history such as Agriculture, Civil War, the Depression, and Slavery & Freedom. The banners and supporting materials are in Chinese, English, and Spanish. People and events featured in the first four themes - presented in response to the question "Did you ever wonder?" - are: Yarrow Mamout and his story as a Beall family slave; Blanche Corwin, a home demonstration agent who founded the Bethesda Woman's Farm Market during the Great Depression; Dora and John Higgins and the Rockville Civil War raid; and Fred Van Hoesen, an agricultural agent and his story of assisting farmers in the county. In August, the multi-lingual banners may be seen at the White Oak and Silver Spring libraries and at locations in downtown Silver Spring. Variations of the banners will also be placed as public service ads in Ride On bus shelters as well as several local Chinese, English, and Spanish language newspapers. The two-year project was funded through a grant from The Institute of Museum and For more information about the Montgomery Connections project, including how to share your own story, visit the Historical Society's website at www.montgomeryhistory.org. - top It will soon be Fair time again, and I encourage you all to take time and come out to the 61st annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair taking place at the Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, August 14 to 22. There is truly something for everyone at the Fair - education, entertainment and, of course, the food. This is where our agricultural community showcases the fruits of its labors, so to speak - from livestock to produce and hand-crafted items to baked and canned goods. And, for the younger set and thrill seekers there is the carnival with 11 new rides. The County will have a presence, there, as well, with exhibitors such as the Division of Solid Waste Services (Environmental Protection), Agricultural Services (Economic Development), the Department of Health and Human Services, Housing Opportunities Commission, Fire and Rescue Service, and Police. For all the details about this year's Fair, click here. I'll see you there! - top The Silver Sneakers program is a success for seniors Since it was launched in January, the Department of Recreation's Silver Sneakers exercise program has tripled attendance at recreation centers countywide. Through the program, residents 55 and older can use exercise/weight rooms the County's community recreation centers free of charge from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Seniors interested in the Silver Sneakers program may also register for a free active adult fitness clinic that offers instruction in the basic principles of exercise and includes a demonstration of the proper use of the exercise equipment available at that center. Clinics are offered at all centers throughout the year. Rooms at the centers are equipped with a full circuit of self-administered weight and aerobic equipment that helps increase cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. I commend the Recreation Department for offering this very popular program, and as more of our population ages, I'm sure it will prove to be even more widely used. The Silver Sneakers program is a good example of the "Vital Living for All of Our Residents" portion of our Mission Statement. - top As many of you probably know, I took a personal vacation in late June to Viet Nam, after having served there 40 years ago with the U.S. Army. Catherine and I spent two weeks there in late June touring the country that I had seen first as an Army lieutenant in 1968. Our stops included Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, both places where I had served during the year I was there. As I told The Gazette in an interview about the trip, this was something I had wanted to do for some time, even though I knew it would be an emotional journey. Many changes have occurred in the past four decades but the people were friendly and happy to see us. - top When fall returns, so will our outreach to residents so we can hear your concerns and comments. I will be available for an Online Discussion on Wednesday, September 23 from noon to 1 p.m. You may submit questions at any time directly to me at County Executive Isiah Leggett. Previously answered questions will be available at the beginning of the live session and selected questions will be answered during the scheduled discussion time. That evening - September 23 - I will host a Town Hall Meeting in Bethesda to be held at Pyle Middle School at 7:30 p.m. I look forward to a great turnout for a discussion of local issues. The remainder of the year's schedule looks like this: October 21 -- Call-In Show, with Council President Phil Andrews, 7:30 p.m. November 12 -- Town Hall Meeting in Takoma Park, 7:30 p.m., location to be determined. November 18 - Online Discussion, noon to 1 p.m. But, please keep in mind that you can reach me anytime at ocemail@montgomerycountymd.gov. - top |