| VALERIE ERVIN'S PHOTOS |
Gilbert Highlands Ribbon Cutting Ceremony- September 8th, 2010
Celebrating a successful public/private partnership ... The Gilbert Highlands Apartment complex was beautifully renovated by the Montgomery Housing Partnership and now offers a child care center located in the basement. This is a successful example of a public/private partnership between the county and the private sector where many residents will benefit. Cutting the banner were (from left): Robert Goldman, MHP President; Stacy Silber, MHP Board Chair; Leggett; Council President Nancy Floreen; and Maryland Delegate Sheila Hixson. | |
Silver Spring Civic Building Opening- July 8th, 2010
Cutting the Ribbon ... With a snip of the scissors by local elected officials, led by County Executive Ike Leggett, and numerous community leaders, the much anticipated Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza opened to the public on a warm summer evening in downtown Silver Spring. Cutting the banner were (from left): Darian Unger (with daughter Allegra), chair of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board; County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg; Dist. 20, Senator Jamie Raskin and Delegate Sheila Hixson; Council President Nancy Floreen; Leggett; Incoming Chair of the Greater Chamber Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce Jere Stocks; former County Executive Sid Kramer; At-Large County Councilmember Marc Elrich; District 5 Councilmember Valerie Ervin; 4th District Congresswoman Donna Edwards; and At-Large Councilmember George Leventhal. Representing the Silver Spring arts component Silver, ballerinas from the Maryland Youth Ballet Academy held the banner in place. | |
Silver Spring is Capital for a Day- June 17, 2010
Silver Spring is Capital for a DayOn Thursday, June 17th, the Governor of Maryland proclaimed Silver Spring as “Capital for a Day”. http://www.governor.maryland.gov/pressreleases/100617.asp The Governor, Lt. Governor, and many other elected officials, including County Executive Ike Leggett, Council President Nancy Floreen (At-Large), Council Vice President Valerie Ervin (District 5), Councilmember George Leventhal (At-Large), Senator Jamie Raskin (District 20), Senator Rich Madaleno (District 18), Delegate Jeff Waldstreicher (District 18), Delegate Heather Mizeur (District 20), Delegate Al Carr (District 18), and Delegate Ana Sol Guttierrez (District 18) met in Silver Spring to discuss challenges and opportunities that can advance Montgomery County’s public policy goals. For over two years, the Governor has brought the State Capital to cities and towns across Maryland through the monthly “Capital for a Day” program to encourage dialogue between the Governor, his Cabinet, and local community leaders. (Photo credit: Rich Romer) | |
Distinguished Educational Leadership – May 4, 2010
DISTINGUISHED EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP... On Tuesday, May 4, the Montgomery County Council recognized Dr. Eric Minus (center), principal of Francis Scott Key Middle School, as the recipient of the prestigious 2009 Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award for Montgomery County. Dr. Minus was recognized for his dedication, success, and leadership skills through his connection and committments to student achievement. Standing along side Dr. Minus are Councilmember Valerie Ervin (left) and Councilmember Nancy Navarro. (Photo credit: Christi Main) | |
Trailing Silver Spring History – April 17, 2010
TRAILING SILVER SPRING HISTORY... The first six of an eventual 20 Hertiage Trail sign markers that will create a walking tour of historic sites in downtown Silver Spring was unveiled April 17. Among those at the ceremonies in front of the Silver Spring Regional Services Center—original site of the 1927 Masonic Temple—were, left to right, County Councilmembers Marc Elrich and Duchy Trachtenberg, County Executive Isiah Leggett and Councilmember Valerie Ervin. Councilmember Ervin has been a strong advocate of establishing the Heritage Trail Signage program to help preserve and celebrate the history of evolving downtown Silver Spring. | |
Seeing the Light – April 13, 2010
SEEING THE LIGHT... The Montgomery County Council on April 13 recognized the Girl Scouts Council of the Nation’s Capital and Pepco’s Efficient Light Bulb Program who entered into a partnership to work collaboratively to advance energy efficient initiatives. The 63,600 Girl Scouts in the Washington metropolitan area will be encouraged to change at least one incandescent light bulb to a compact fluorescent light or light emitting diode. At the presentation to members of Girls Scott Troop 2288 were, left to right: Kim Watson of Pepco, Girl Scout Ambassador Meghan Quinn, Council Vice President Valerie Ervin, Council President Nancy Floreen; Ife Adelona, Zenayda Mostofi of Pepco, Rachel Arbacher, Alisa Scott, Sydney Acuff and Clarence White of Pepco. | |
Truancy Court – March 24, 2010
TRUANCY COURT... Montgomery County Council Vice President Valerie Ervin on March 24 joined others in the public school and legal communities to announce an innovative program to reduce truancy will be piloted in Montgomery County. 'Truancy Court' has proven to be a major success in Baltimore City schools that have implemented the program. At Key Middle School in Silver Spring to announce the start of the Montgomery program are, left to right: Superintendent of Schools Jerry Weast, Key Middle School Principal Eric Minus, Professor Barbara A. Babb from the University of Baltimore School of Law, volunteer judge Master Joan Ryon, Michael Subin of Montgomery’s Office of the County Attorney, Council Vice President Ervin, State’s Attorney John McCarthy, Chiquita Arrington of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee and Board of Education member Judy Docca. | |
Outstanding Promotion - March 9, 2010
OUTSTANDING PROMOTION... The Montgomery County Council on March 9 recognized the White Oak Campus of the Food and Drug Administration for its initiatives to minimize traffic within the campus community and making for making its new campus accessible to alternative modes of transportation. At the ceremonies were, from left to right: Councilmember Valerie Ervin; Betsey Bretz, Marc Bloom, Andrew Dempster and Deanna Murphy of the FDA; and Councilmember Nancy Navarro. | |
Bridging the Age Gap - January 26, 2010
BRIDGING THE AGE GAP... Intergenerational Bridges, a mentoring program that focuses on impoverished, at-risk, immigrant youngsters and pairs them with supportive older adult mentors to assist with the transition to U.S. culture, language and personal development, was recognized on Jan. 26 by the Montgomery County Council for 20 years of helping County residents. Councilmembers Phil Andrews (third from left) and Valerie Ervin (right) presented a proclamation on behalf of the Council. Intergenerational Bridges volunteers attending the ceremony included, left to right: Austin Heyman, Margaret Levchenko (Councilmember Andrews’ mother), Carol Croll and Mary Ann Larkin. | |
New Council Officers - December 1, 2009
NEW COUNCIL OFFICERS... County Councilmember Nancy Floreen, left, was elected by the Council on Dec. 1 to a one-year term as Council president. Councilmember Valerie Ervin, right, was elected to a one-year term as Council vice president. | |
Honoring a Buffalo Soldier - November 10, 2009
HONORING A BUFFALO SOLDIER... The Montgomery County Council on Nov. 10 honored James Daugherty of Silver Spring, who at age 19 joined the Army's 92nd World War II Infantry Division, a segregated unit made up of African Americans whose members became known as the "Buffalo Soldiers." The unit has been recognized for its heroic achievements and Mr. Daugherty was awarded a Bronze Star. Mr. Daugherty went on to a distinguished career in the U.S. Public Health Service and he became the first African American to serve on the Montgomery County Board of Education. Mr. Daugherty’s first-person account of his military experiences are chronicled in his just released book, The Buffalo Saga. At the ceremonies in Rockville recognizing Mr. Daugherty were, left to right: his wife, Dorothy; his son, Derek; Councilmember Mike Knapp, a military veteran; Mr. Daugherty; Councilmember Valerie Ervin and Council President Phil Andrews. |
|
Equal Benefits for Contractors - November 2, 2009
EQUAL BENEFITS FOR CONTRACTORS... Montgomery County District 4 Councilmember Nancy Navarro (at podium) on Nov. 2 gave details of an "equal benefits" bill that she will introduce before the Council. The legislation would extend to employees of many contractors and subcontractors performing work for the County the same benefits already granted to County employees. Since 2000, the County has extended equal benefits to same sex domestic partners of County employees. Among those at the event in Rockville were, left to right: Councilmembers Duchy Trachtenberg, Marc Elrich, Roger Berliner and Valerie Ervin; Dana Beyer of the office of Councilmember Trachtenberg; Councilmember Nancy Floreen; and Morgan Meneses-Sheets of the group Equality Maryland. Councilmembers Phil Andrews and George Leventhal also are cosponsors of the bill.
See Press Release | |
Book Discussion & Signing - October 2, 2009
Book Discussion & Signing... Buffalo Soldier James Harden Daugherty, Silver Spring's very own, center;
Councilwoman Valerie Ervin; Charlotte Coffield, Lyttonsville Citizens Association; Buffalo Soldier Charles Williams; & Family Friend, at Mr. Daugherty's Buffalo Saga Book Discussion & Signing, at historic Silver Spring B&O R.R. Station, 10/3/09. | |
Outstanding Teacher - July 14, 2009
TOP TEACHER... The Montgomery County Council on July 14 recognized Diane Kolata, a fifth grade reading and language arts teacher extraordinaire at Chevy Chase Elementary School, for being named a recipient of The Washington Post’s prestigious ‘Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.’ Each year, The Post honors teachers who exemplify excellence in their profession. Presenting a proclamation on behalf of the Council were Councilmember Roger Berliner, left, whose district includes the Chevy Chase community, and Councilmember Valerie Ervin, right, who chairs the Council’s Education Committee. |
|
Teacher of the Year - June 23, 2009
TEACHER OF THE YEAR... Bryan Goehring, a science teacher at Takoma Park Middle School, was honored by the Montgomery County Council on June 23 for being named 2008-09 Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year by the Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education. He has been praised by students, parents and fellow teachers for his creative and enthusiastic approach to education and as one who has made a difference in the lives of children. Among those who shared good thoughts about Bryan is Councilmember Valerie Ervin, right, who presented a proclamation on behalf of the Council and is the parent of one of Bryan’s former students. |
|
Community Gardens - May 16, 2009
Community Gardens... Councilmember Ervin opens the County's first community garden at Sligo Overlook Park in Takoma Park. With Councilmember Ervin are Takoma Park Mayor, Bruce Williams, City Councilmember, Dan Robinson, and residents from the Pinecrest Neighborhood. The garden contains 33 plots, a rain garden, community bulletin board, on-site water, seating, and new fruit trees and blueberry and fig plants. Councilmember Ervin requested that the Parks Department initiate the garden program last fall. Sligo Overlook Park is the Parks Department's first pilot site. |
|
Improving Preschool Access for Children - April, 2009
IMPROVING PRESCHOOL ACCESS FOR CHILDREN... Councilmember Valerie Ervin, chair of the Council’s Education Committee and advocate for expanded pre-kindergarten services, and Clara Floyd, president of the Maryland State Teachers Association read to preschool students at Montgomery College’s Child Care Center. The center hosted the County Council’s Preschool Implementation Work Group for the release of their report, "Investing in the Future: A Balanced Approach Toward Preschool Expansion in Montgomery County". At the request of Councilmember Ervin, the County Council created a Preschool Implementation Work Group to determine how the County can work collaboratively with the state to develop and expand high-quality, early child care and education programs for four-year olds. | |
Pedestrian Safety Improvements - March 26, 2009
Pedestrian Safety Improvements... Councilmember Ervin speaks outside of the Elizabeth House in Silver Spring about the pedestrian safety improvements made to 2nd Avenue. These pedestrian safety improvements were critical because of the high number of senior residents living nearby and for those who participate in Holy Cross Hospital Senior Source programs, which offer an array of health and wellness classes, health screenings and intellectually stimulating programs for active senior adults. |
|
Councilmember Ervin at Town of Kensington - March 26, 2009
Kensington... Councilmember Ervin joins Town of Kensington Mayor Peter Fosselman at a Town Council meeting. |
|
Wheaton Ice Skating Academy - March 25, 2009
Wheaton Ice Skating Academy... Councilmember Ervin joined Wheaton Ice Skating Academy students who glided to the top of the medal ceremonies at the 2009 Junior Nationals Championship in Lake Placid, New York. Three of Wheaton's dance teams won medals and one team took home the U.S. national championship. These skaters train at the Wheaton Ice Arena, which is located at 11717 Orebaugh Ave in Wheaton, and is operated by Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning’s Parks Department. | |
Year of the Ox - January 27, 2009
YEAR OF THE OX... Members of the Montgomery County Council and County Executive Isiah Leggett joined members of Montgomery County’s Chinese community on Jan. 27 in Rockville to help celebrate the Asian Lunar New Year, which will be symbolized by the Year of the Ox. |
|
Opposing the Ambulance Fee – November 18, 2008
OPPOSING THE AMBULANCE FEE… Four members of the Montgomery County Council were joined by representatives of the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association and community members on Nov. 18 to express their opposition to a proposed fee that would be charged for transporting patients in County ambulances. Council Vice President Phil Andrews (at podium) and, left to right, Councilmembers Valerie Ervin, Duchy Trachtenberg and Roger Berliner say the proposed fee would not be good for public safety. | |
Teacher of the Year – June 24, 2008
TEACHER OF THE YEAR… Gwen McWhorter, right, a mathematics resource teacher at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School in Silver Spring, was honored on June 24 by the Montgomery County Council after being named this year’s Montgomery County recipient of the prestigious “Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award” by The Washington Post. The proclamation presented on behalf of the Council by Councilmember Valerie Ervin, chair of the Council’s Education Committee, said, ‘McWhorter not only knows math, loves math and lives and breathes math, she believes in the power it holds to advance the academic knowledge of her students. | |
Purple Line Now – May 28, 2008
PURPLE LINE NOW… Montgomery County Councilmembers Valerie Ervin and George Leventhal addressed a May 28, 2008, event of "Purple Line Now." The group of residents, civic leaders and representatives of the business community has been rallying support to build a connector system of Metrorail that would run east-west, linking the Bethesda and New Carrollton stations and providing easier access for many to the Silver Spring area. | |
Gun Violence Awareness – January 22, 2008
GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS... The Montgomery County Council on Jan. 22 joined the campaign against gun violence by showing its support of Reaching Out To Others Together (ROOT). ROOT is a non-profit organization, founded in June 2002, that is committed to advocacy, awareness and education to reduce the number of incidents of youth violence and gun violence perpetrated by and against youth. At the proclamation presentation in Rockville were, left to right: Ava Harrison of ROOT; Kevin Dwyer, an educational and child mental health consultant; Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg; Kenneth Barnes, Sr., who founded ROOT following the murder of his son; Franklin Tucker of ROOT; and Councilmembers Valerie Ervin, Nancy Floreen and Marc Elrich. | |
Housing for the Homeless – January 15, 2008
HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS… The Montgomery County Council on Jan. 15 recognized the Home Builders Care Foundation, the charitable affiliate organization of the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association (MNCBIA), for its contributions of labor and materials that helped rehabilitate an apartment building on Dale Drive in Silver Spring. The building is owned by the County’s Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC), which provides affordable housing for the homeless and for disabled adults. At the ceremonies were, left to right: Councilmember Valerie Ervin; Tedi Osias of HOC; Raquel Montenegro of MCBIA; Sharan London, executive director of the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless; Sally Roman of HOC; Councilmember George Leventhal; and Patti Kane and Michael Conley of the Home Builders Care Foundation. | |
|
