July 17, 2002
<sh>"Terrorism, Israel's Security and America's Place"
<bt>Ira Shapiro, one of several Democratic candidates for Congress in Maryland's 8th District, will host a discussion on "Terrorism, Israel's Security and America's Place in the World," on Tuesday, July 23 from 7:30-9 p.m.
Panelists include Samuel R. Berger, former White House national security advisor; Ambassador Dennis B. Ross, former special Middle East coordinator; and Ambassador Wendy R. Sherman, former counselor of the U.S. Department of State.
The discussion is free and open to the public and on-site parking is available. B-CC Rescue Squad, Rose Room, 5020 Battery Lane (at Old Georgetown Road.) Call 240-497-1201 or visit www.irashapiro.com
<sh>Pressing for Pedestrian Safety
<bt>Montgomery County Police Department has issued 616 citations during six targeted enforcement actions this year aimed at improving pedestrian safety and curbing aggressive driving. Of these, 132 citations and 24 warnings were issued during three special crosswalk sting enforcement actions.
Last week’s fatal hit-and-run death of a 16-year-old Gaithersburg High School student was the ninth pedestrian fatality of 2002 in Montgomery County.
As part of the monthly enforcement campaign, police have been targeting problem intersections and roadways, citing drivers who run red lights, speed, fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or fail to obey traffic signals. Police are also educating pedestrians by providing them with information to make them aware of pedestrian laws. To increase the safety of drivers and passengers, police are also enforcing seat belt and child safety seat laws. A Maryland State Highway Administration grant has provided funds for overtime pay for police officers involved in this initiative.
For more information about pedestrian safety in Montgomery County, call Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety Coordinator Lori Gillen at 240-777-2500, or check the County’s website at www.co.mo.md.us and click on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.
<sh>Openings for Non-farmers on Preservation Board
<bt>County Executive Doug Duncan is seeking applicants to fill two non-farmer vacancies on the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board. Two incumbents are eligible and intend to apply for reappointment.
The five-member board advises the county executive and County Council on the status of agricultural districts and promotes preservation of agriculture. Members serve five-year terms without compensation and meet the first Tuesday evening of each month in Rockville.
Applicants should write by July 31 to Duncan at the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, Md. 20850. A brief resume, including home and work phone numbers should be enclosed. Members of county boards, committees, and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.
<ro>Register and Vote
<lst>The voter registration deadlines for the 2002 elections are 9 p.m. Aug. 20, 2002 for the Sept. 10 primary election, and 9 p.m. Oct. 15, 2002, for the Nov. 5 general election.
Voter registration applications are available from the Elections Office, 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville. Call 240-777-8500 and leave a message at the 24-hour voter information line at 240-777-VOTE.
Forms are also available at all Montgomery County public libraries, Montgomery College, public high schools, U.S. post offices and county government regional service centers.
The form can be printed from the state elections Website at www.elections.state.md.us and mailed back.
<sh>Heath Care for All
<bt>Montgomery County Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Declaration of Health Care Independence: Health Care for All initiative last week.
The declaration proposes to guarantee certain conditions to Maryland residents including access to medical care; freedom to choose health care professionals; a comprehensive, age-specific, health benefits package; and providers who practice according to professional standards without undue influence from third party decision-makers.
The resolution seeks to: maintain Care First Blue Cross/Blue Shield as non-profit health insurer; increase Maryland's cigarette tax by 36 cents per pack to help fund health care and teen anti-smoking programs; and authorize the state to negotiate with drug manufacturers for fair prices for seniors and others without prescription drug insurance coverage.
<sh>23 County Awards
<bt>Montgomery County received 23 awards for outstanding programs from the National Association of Counties including:
* Environmental Protection: Radon Survey program, Groundwater Protection Strategy; and Solar Roofs Program
* Fire and Rescue Service: Bioterrorism hotline; ALS First Responder; Sandy Spring VFD Public/Private Partnership
* Health and Human Services: Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Board; Substance Abuse Intervention in Child Welfare Services
* Housing & Community Affairs: Code Enforcement iPaq Application; Disclosure of Merchant Complaint Records Online Application
* Human Resources: The Leadership Institute
* Information Systems & Telecommunications: Apartment Rental Guide Online Application and Website; Streetlight Maintenance Reporting Map Service; Wide Area Network Consolidation; Interim Mobile Data NCIC/MILES Project; Remote Server Backup/Recover Services; Job Access Project
* Public Works and Transportation: Minimizing Variance Between Project Budget and Prevailing Bid Market; Computer Simulation Aided Design of Ventilation Airflow at Strathmore Concert Hall; Integrated Pest Management; Electricity Cost Savings During Deregulation and Beyond
* Recreation: Charles W. Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity
* Volunteer Center: Mosquito aNILEator Program
Call 240-777-2500 for information about these programs.
<sh>Civic Calendar
<cal1>Thursday, July 18, 10:30 a.m.—noon
<cal2>Seniors Organized for Change Candidates Forum for Governor and County Executive at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road. Call 301-881-0100.
<cal1>Tuesday, July 23, 7:30-9 p.m.
<cal2>Ira Shapiro, Democratic candidate for Congress in Maryland's 8th District, hosts a discussion on "Terrorism, Israel's Security and America's Place in the World." B-CC Rescue Squad, Rose Room, 5020 Battery Lane (at Old Georgetown Road), Bethesda. Free and open to the public. Call 240-497-1201 or visit www.irashapiro.com.
<cal1>Tuesday, July 23, 1:30 p.m.
<cal2>County Council Public Hearing on four zoning text amendments relating to the Potomac Master Plan including Potomac quarries, the development of Hanson Farm, Fortune Parc and the village of Darnestown. County Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. To testify, call 240-777-7931.
<cal1>Tuesday, July 23, TBA
<cal2>County Council Voting Session on Transportation Policy Report. Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville. 240-777-7900. The Council is scheduled to vote on the issues discussed on July 9 and 16.
<cal1>Thursday, July 25, 10:30 a.m.—Noon.
<cal2>Seniors Organized for Change Candidates Forum for County Council and Circuit Court Judges at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road. Call 301-881-0100.
<cal1>Thursday, July 25, 1:30—2:30 p.m.
<cal2>Seniors Organized for Change Candidates Forum for Maryland Attorney General at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road. Call 301-881-0100.
<cal1>Saturday, July 27, 1-3 p.m.
<cal2>Brian Feldman, Democratic candidate for Delegate in District 15, will hold a Family Fun Day Party at the home of Steve and Lynn Markenson, North Potomac. Call 301-517-5719.
<cal1>Saturday July 27, 3-5 p.m.
<cal2>Day in the country to help elect Republican Bob Ehrlich, candidate for Governor. 18911 Beallsville Road, Poolesville. Fundraiser. Call Laurie Bendall at 202-728-8921
<cal1>Saturday July 27, 2-5 pm
<cal2>Family picnic for Sen. Jean Roesser (R-15), Home of Winnie and Tom Reed, Gaithersburg. Fundraiser. Call 301-972-8512.
<cal1>Tuesday, July 30, 7:30 p.m.
<cal2>County Council Public Hearing on Potomac Sectional Map Amendment. County Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Call 240-777-7931 to testify.
<cal1>Tuesday, July 30, 1:30 p.m.
<cal2>County Council Public Hearing on zoning text amendment, which would allow plastic deer fences to be built up to eight feet high. County Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Call 240-777-7931 to testify.
<cal1>August 2002
<cal2>Park and Planning is scheduled to publish the staff draft of the Blockhouse Point Master Plan. To send comments about the park master plan in writing, or to get on the mailing list to receive information about the Blockhouse Point Master Plan, address letters to: Blockhouse Point Master Plan, 1109 Spring Street, Suite 800, Silver Spring, Md. 20910.
<cal1>September 2002
<cal2>Park and Planning has tentatively scheduled a public meeting, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, to solicit comment and input on the staff draft of the Blockhouse Point Master Plan. Visit http:mc-mncppc.org/environment/blockhouse_mp/blockhouse_mp.htm
<cal1>Tuesday, Sept. 10
<cal2>Primary Elections will be held. Voter registration applications are available from the Elections Office, 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville. Call 240-777-8500 and leave a message at the 24-hour voter information line at 240-777-VOTE. This year's General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
<lst>Send items for the civic calendar to Potomac Almanac Managing Editor Ken Moore, 10220 River Road, Suite 330, Potomac, Md. 20854; call 301-983-2600; e-mail to PotomacAlmanac@hotmail.com; Fax to 703-917-0991.