• Coming Out, Speaking Up
• A Capital Budget
• An Historic Agreement
• New Appointments
• A Busy Time
• Services at Your Fingertips

In my inaugural address, I stated that I wanted a County government "that is responsive, accountable and effective, and to accomplish that, I need to hear from County residents."

To that end, I have hosted a series of "Town Hall" Meetings - including one for our new governor, Martin O'Malley - to solicit feedback from you, our residents, about what issues are important to you. These meetings have been held, so far, in Chevy Chase, Kensington, Olney, Germantown and Silver Spring.

Our next meeting is coming up on Thursday evening, February 15, at Ritchie Park Elementary School, 1514 Dunster Road in Rockville, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The response, to date, has been overwhelming - we've reached nearly 2,000 residents in person so far - and to all of you, I say "Thank you" for taking your time to come out and speak up about what's on your mind.

It's my plan to continue holding these meetings around the County in the months ahead and I look forward to having the chance to hear your concerns and get feedback on what we're doing right and how we can do better.

In addition, I sponsored five public forums around the County in January and February to solicit public ideas for the Operating Budget I will submit to the Council on March 15.

Click here (pdf) to get a copy of material on the Budget prepared for those meetings.

For dates and locations, click montgomerycountymd.gov/townhall.

- top

The presentation of my recommended Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Budget and proposed amendments to the FY 07-12 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) provided my first opportunity to focus County resources on my priorities. I added nearly $50 million to improve education, including fully funding Montgomery College's request. My budget recommended adding $13.8 million to CIP amendments to the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) budget.

The budget includes development of a plan that lays the groundwork for a comprehensive approach to phasing out the use of portable classrooms. As a grandfather with a grandson who is in such a classroom at a County elementary school, I personally understand the impact relocatables have on students and educators. As County Executive, I am committed to reducing the number of portable classrooms in the county.

- top

After just a short while in office, I was proud to be part of local history when I - along with Council President Marilyn Praisner, Fire Chief Tom Carr, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (MCVFRA) President Marcine Goodloe and association director Eric Bernard - finalized an agreement that, basically, provides a host of benefits to our volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

The first of its kind in the country, the agreement ensures that these important first-line responders receive coverage for improved death benefits, additional medical expenses associated with annual physicals and length of service awards.

Our fire service is among the best - if not the best - in the world, and it is due, in large part, to the dedicated men and women who serve under the leadership of Chief Tom Carr. These volunteers put their lives on the line on a regular basis to help others, and I'm pleased they will benefit from this new agreement.

- top

I have been very pleased with the caliber of people who have agreed, to date, to serve as department heads in my new administration.

Tim Firestine, who previously served as Finance Director for 15 years, as Chief Administrative Officer; Patrick Lacefield, Public Information; Pradeep Ganguly, Economic Development (DED); Gabriel Albornoz, Recreation; Jennifer Barrett, Finance; and Robert Diamond, DED Marketing have been approved by the County Council.

At the end of January, I announced the following department head appointees: Uma Ahluwalia, Health & Human Services (HHS); Richard Nelson, Jr., Housing and Community Affairs; Carla Reid Joyner, Permitting Services; and David Dise, Procurement.

This team will help me to keep my central campaign promise to you - to keep what works, fix what doesn't, and make sure everyone has a seat at the table and a voice in the outcome.

- top

These first months in office have been busy but energizing times.

I've been fortunate to be able to recognize nine "Everyday Heroes" - local residents who performed extraordinary feats in times of need to help fellow residents. Six of them saved the lives of three victims of a single car accident; three others removed an elderly couple from their burning apartment, got them to safety then found a fire extinguisher and attacked the flames until the sprinkler system activated.

It's a good feeling to know that we have residents who will risk their own lives, if necessary, to help their neighbors and/or complete strangers in times of emergency. I know there will be more such heroes in the days and months to come, and I look forward to honoring them.

It was also gratifying to me to share a pre-holiday dinner with the residents of Charter House in Silver Spring had been temporarily displaced from their homes due to flooding in the basement of their building. From the start of this crisis, the County worked with Homes for America to help ensure that the residents could return to their home as soon as possible.

During the period, several County agencies - the Fire and Rescue Service, the departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Community Affairs, plus Ride On and the Volunteer Center - pulled out all the stops to ensure that the residents were supplied with food, shelter and other necessities of life. Special thanks, also, to Holy Cross Hospital, Whole Foods, Banner Life Insurance, Social and Scientific Systems, AFI Silver Theatre, Intervise, Allentuck Landscaping, the Silver Spring Urban District, MedImmune, M&T Bank, Stress Doc Enterprises, and numerous individuals and families for their various contributions.

- top

I look forward to communicating with you on a regular basis in the months to come through this newsletter

Meanwhile, thanks to our award-winning web site, you can access loads of helpful information and services - from viewing my budget requests and reviewing the latest news and events to renewing library books, registering for recreation classes or emailing your comments to me on any topic of concern. Click here to access up-to-date information on our website.

Stay in touch and keep those cards and letters and emails coming.

- top