<lst>Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and Ed Duffy, Acting Regional Director of the National Capital Region of the National Park Service, signed the Cooperative Agreement for Glen Echo Park in front of the historic carosel on Friday, June 7. The NPS will continue ownership of Glen Echo Park but a non-profit governing board will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations. The signing of the agreement marks the culmination of a management planning process in the works since January 1998. Since its opening more than a century ago, the park has evolved from a National Chautaugqua Assembly into a local amusement park and finally into the park as it currently exists as a community arts park.
"With the signing of this Agreement, Glen Echo Park will remain a multi-use park centered on the arts and humanities," said Duncan. "This partnership will ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy this national treasure for years to come."
The agreement's term is initially 15 years but includes a possible extension of five years. The plan's mission is to preserve the park's resources, maximize the quality of the park's programs, meet the visitor's needs, as well as ease the community's concerns.
The Montgomery County Division of Consumer Affairs offer the following tips for residents considering hiring a lawn service company:
* Licensed? Make sure the firm is licensed by the State Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Regulation Section. Call 410-841-5710 to find out;
* Complaint record? Check the company's complaint record and references. Call the Better Business Bureau at 202-393-8000 or visit http://hca.emontgomery.org/Consumer or www.dc.bbb.org/dc.html;
* Consultation first. Make sure the company evaluates the condition of the lawn, and ask what precautions to take to prevent harm;
* Read the fine print. Review the contract and warranty carefully.
A free workshop will be held on how to use the nonprofit Nehemiah Gift Program to become a homeowner on Wednesday, June 26, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Wheaton Library. Call 1-800-362-3878 and enter code 4164, or visit www.homebuyingevent.com.
Two local building and remodeling companies took home honors at the ninth annual Chrysalis Awards for Design Excellence. The awards were to be presented on Friday, June 7, at the Southern Building Show in Charlotte, N.C. Block Builders of Bethesda took home the prize in the category for whole-house remodeling over $500,000. Hopkins & Porter of Potomac won the competition for a sun room over $75,000 and was named State Remodeler of the Year. Beginning Monday, July 1, photos of the winning projects and the names of winners will be available at www.chrysalisawards.com.
County Council seeks applicants to succeed Arthur Holmes Jr. as chairman of the Montgomery County Planning Board. Holmes' term expires on June 14, 2002.
The Planning Board serves as the Council's principal adviser on land-use planning and community planning. Planning Board members also serve as commissioners of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
The chairman agrees to perform a leadership role with respect to the Montgomery County portion of the Commission as well as to chair the meetings of the Planning Board; to assist in developing overall vision and direction for the Commission; to oversee the functioning of the Montgomery County Planning Board staff; to provide guidance on preparation of budgets by Park and Planning staff for presentation to the Board; to represent the Planning Board at official meetings; to present the Planning Board's position, especially before the Montgomery County Council; and to serve as chairman or vice chairman for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
The salary will be between $120,000 and $150,000.
Send letters of interest and include a resume to Council president Steve Silverman at County Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850 by noon on June 14. Interviews by the Council will be held in June or July.
Call 240-777-7938.
Long & Foster Realtors will hold seminars on "A Career in Real Estate." The seminars are designed to address the questions of people who have thought of going into business for themselves in real estate. Seminar discussions will be on how to get started in a real-estate career, the course requirements, costs involved in training, and the benefits of a real-estate career. Seminars are free of charge and open to the public. Space is limited.
The Potomac office, 10000 Falls Road, Suite 2, will hold a seminar on July 10 at noon and July 17 at 6 p.m. Call Barbara Goldstein at 301-299-4663 or 1-877-983-6010 to register.
Warm weather marks the beginning of pool season. The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service has issued the following safety tips to practice around the pool in order to make this summer safe and fun, especially for young children:
* Take CPR and swimming lessons;
* Don't swim if there is no lifeguard or grown-up near, Never leave your child unattended;
* Follow posted rules;
* Avoid eating candy or chewing gum while swimming;
* Swim only when you are rested;
* Get out of the pool if you hear thunder or see lightening;
* Don't participate in horseplay while near the pool.
For residential pool users, observe these tips as well
* Make sure gates and latches are secure and functioning properly;
* Don't allow small children to play in the pool area. Remove toys and games from the vicinity;
* Have CPR and emergency information, as well as lifesaving equipment, accessible in the pool deck area;
* Also have a phone nearby to be used only for 911 calls in case of emergency;
* Encourage your neighbors with pools to also observe these safety guidelines, especially keeping their pool gates locked and secure