‘Muslim Experiences in Montgomery County: A Panel Discussion’ Presentation Will Honor Eid al-Fitr Starting on Monday, April 24

With religious intolerance on the rise across the country, it is incumbent upon historians to document and record those experiences. And all too often, non-Christian religions like Islam are given short shrift in American history.

In honor of Eid al-Fitr, Montgomery History will be making available its presentation Muslim Experiences in Montgomery County: A Panel Discussion starting Monday, April 24. The presentation was originally recorded at the 2018 Montgomery History Conference. The replay of the presentation will be available for a one-week period.

Jim Johnston led the panel discussion of individuals from Pakistan, the United States, Palestine and Algeria. They talked about what it is like to be Muslim in Montgomery County today.

To view the presentation, go to https://montgomeryhistory.org/mhconnected/watch/.

Applicants Sought for Charter Review Commission

The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants to serve on the County's Charter Review Commission. Applications for the four-year appointments are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 20.

The County Charter was amended in 1976 to provide that a Charter Review Commission be appointed by the County Council every four years. The commission researches and evaluates Charter issues raised by the County Executive, County Council, other government officials and the public. Commission reports are submitted no later than May 1 of every even-numbered year. The reports are to contain recommendations concerning proposed Charter amendments.

The Commission is composed of 11 County residents, four of whom are appointed by the Council and five of whom will be appointed from a list of names submitted by the County Executive. Applicants applying to the Council for appointment may also be considered for nomination by the County Executive.

No more than six members of the Commission may be from the same political party, and each member must be a County resident. The positions can be filled by a Democrat, a Republican, a voter who declines to affiliate with a party or a member of another party officially recognized by the Montgomery County Board of Elections. The chair is designated by the Council and the vice chair is designated by the County Executive.

All 11 positions are up for appointment. There is no compensation for members of the Commission, which generally will meet once per month in the Council Office Building in Rockville or may be held virtually.

Applicants interested in being appointed by the Council should submit letters of interest and resumes via email to council.clerk@montgomerycountymd.gov or by mail to Council President, Montgomery County Council, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850. Resumes should include professional and civic experience, political party affiliation, home and office telephone numbers and an e-mail address.

It is the Council’s policy not to consider applications received after the deadline. After the closing date, Councilmembers will review the letters of application and select applicants for interviews to be held soon thereafter. The interviews are conducted in public, will be televised and will be available via video streaming services.

Appointments will be made in time for the new Commission to begin its term in June of 2023.

Letters of application and resumes are made public as part of the appointment process and are available for public review. Members of County Boards, Committees and Commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.

Applicants Sought to Serve on New County Sports Advisory Committee

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill 17 public and organizational vacancies on the newly established Montgomery County Sports Advisory Committee.

The committee, staffed by Montgomery County Recreation, will study sports participation and opportunities in the County, make recommendations to the County Executive and the County Council and recognize outstanding teams and athletes. Members will help conduct research, advocate for enhanced sports opportunities and identify and address discrepancies found in youth sports to raise the quality of life for residents.

The deadline to apply to serve on the committee is Wednesday, Feb. 1. For more information, or to apply, go to the website.

The committee will prepare and submit to the County Executive and the County Council an annual report regarding factors that affect sports participation in the County including the availability of and access to athletic fields, facilities and sports. It will offer recommendations to improve the quality, quantity and variety of sports opportunities and facilities. The committee also will recognize teams and athletes in the County who win State or national championships or represent the United States in international competition.

Members of the committee will serve three-year terms (initially staggered). Public members will serve without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended. Committee meeting dates and times will be determined. Committee meetings may be held virtually.

Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, genders, geography, abilities, ethnicities and ages are encouraged to apply. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. Members must complete training on the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Montgomery County Ethics Law and basic parliamentary procedure.

Bill 6-22 establishing the committee can be found here.

Racial Equity and Social Justice Virtual Community Forum Will Be Held on Sunday, June 26

The Montgomery County Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee (RESJAC) will host a virtual community forum from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, June 26. The forum, which will have opening remarks from County Executive Marc Elrich and County Councilmember Nancy Navarro, aims to bring together the community and County leaders to learn more about topics including food insecurity, health justice, housing, and reparations.

The County Government officials and community leaders participating in the forum will engage in a conversation about racial equity and social justice.

Scheduled speakers for the forum include Zola Shaw, RESJAC chair, and Shane Lloyd, RESJAC vice chair.

A special session on reparations will be led by William "Sandy" Darity and A. Kirsten Mullen.

The forum also will include breakouts sessions. The scheduled sessions are:

• Health Justice: Panel will feature Michelle LaRue of CASA, Beatrice Miller of the Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, and Sanjana Quasem of the Asian American Health Initiative.
• Food Insecurity: Panel will feature Grace Rivera-Oven of the Upcounty Consolidation Hub and Jackie DeCarlo of the Manna Food Center.
• Housing: Featuring Alex Vazquez of CASA.

Click here for event information and registration.

Members Sought for New Montgomery County ‘Building Performance Improvement Board,’ with Applications Due Friday, June 10

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection is looking to fill 15 vacancies on the County’s new “Building Performance Improvement Board.” The application deadline is Friday, June 10.

The board will advise on implementation of the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS), which were proposed by County Executive Marc Elrich and recently approved by the County Council. The standards set the minimum threshold for energy performance at existing commercial buildings and multifamily residential buildings, such as apartment buildings and condominium communities.

“Passing BEPS was critical toward meeting our Climate Action Plan goals of reducing 100 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions by 2035,” said County Executive Elrich. “Our new Building Performance Improvement Board is important toward the implementation of this process. I encourage all residents who are eligible to please apply for this board.”

County Executive Elrich will appoint members to the board after July 31. Nominees must then be confirmed by the County Council. Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, genders, geography, abilities, ethnicities and ages are encouraged to apply.

To be eligible to serve on the board, applicants must be County residents or:

• Representatives of local electricity or natural gas utilities.
• Providers of energy efficiency, building resilience and/or renewable energy services or consulting.
• Owners or managers of affordable housing.
• Owners or managers of multifamily residential buildings containing market-rate units.
• Nonresidential building owners or managers.
• Nonprofit building owners or managers.
• Technical building design or operations professionals.
• Providers of facilities, mechanical or similar engineering services.
• Commercial or multifamily residential construction finance or investment professionals.
• Representatives of nonprofit organizations dedicated to climate action, resiliency, public health, green building, economic development or building decarbonization.
• Representatives of nonprofit organizations dedicated to racial equity or environmental justice.

To apply, click “Apply for Board” at the bottom of the board information page .

Energy use in the building sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the County, representing nearly 50 percent of emissions communitywide. To address the climate emergency, Montgomery County has set a goal of an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035.

The County is leading the way in the region and the nation in setting goals to combat climate change. It is among the first localities in the country to propose BEPS requirements on commercial and multifamily buildings. The program has caught the attention of President Biden’s Council on Environmental Quality, as well as environmental activists across the country. Other jurisdictions are looking at the County’s BEPS policy framework as a model.

To learn more about the county’s Building Energy Performance Standards, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/green/energy/beps.html.

Applicants Sought to Serve on Climate, Energy and Air Quality Advisory Committee

County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill five vacancies on the Montgomery County Climate, Energy and Air Quality Advisory Committee. All members must be technically knowledgeable and interested in climate change, energy and air quality. Individuals with professional experience, education and knowledge in these fields are particularly encouraged to apply by Friday, Aug. 6.

All members must be Montgomery County residents. Two incumbents are eligible to apply for reappointment. To apply, complete the online form and provide a cover letter and resume (in one document).

The 15-member committee advises the County Executive and County Council on developing recommendations to promote and implement immediate and long-range policies and programs aimed at meeting the County’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. Those programs promote cleaner, more efficient and more reliable energy use and practice in all segments of the community and to meet air quality standards and promote healthy indoor and outdoor air quality.

The committee identifies areas and methods to encourage voluntary participation in climate-related efforts, energy conservation efforts and air quality improvements; identifies and recommends programs, policies and technologies to improve climate and air quality; recommends the development of programs and materials to educate the public and private sectors about the efficient use of energy and its direct benefits for improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Members serve three-year terms without compensation. However, they are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended. The committee currently meets virtually by video- and teleconference on the first Wednesday evening of each month. When in-person meetings resume in the future, the committee may meet in Rockville and/or Wheaton.

To learn more about the Committee and review prior meeting minutes, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/green/energy/committees-and-partners.html#collapseOne.

Applicants of diverse, backgrounds, professions, genders, geography, abilities, ethnicities and ages are encouraged to apply. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. Members must complete training on the Maryland Open Meetings Act and basic parliamentary procedure.

The County Executive’s appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications will be forwarded to the Council for confirmation and may be made public as part of the confirmation process.

Deadline Nears to Apply for Positions on Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Advisory Committees

The Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) remind County residents, businesses and community organizations interested in serving on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor Advisory Committees (CACs) that they have until November 21 to apply.

Over the next two years, four major corridors will be evaluated for a Rapid Transit System, including Georgia Ave., US Route 29 (Colesville Rd. and Columbia Pike), MD Route 355 (Frederick Rd., Rockville Pike and Wisconsin Ave.) and Veirs Mill Rd. A CAC will be established for each corridor under consideration

The CAC nomination form is available online and details the structure, selection procedures, specific tasks, formation process and operating guidelines for the CACs.

For more information, call 240-777-7155, email rapid.transit@montgomerycountymd.gov or visit the RTS website

Applicants Sought for Cable and Communications Advisory Committee

The Cable and Communications Advisory Committee (CCAC) advises the County Executive and Council on franchise agreements between the County government and providers of cable television service. It also advises on the use of funds provided by cable operators to support local television programming and other cable-related activities.

Members serve three-year terms without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for meetings attended. Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday evening of each month in Rockville.

Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, gender, geography, disability and ethnicity are encouraged to apply. An application, consisting of a brief cover letter and resume, should be sent by mail to County Executive Isiah Leggett, 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD 20850, or by email to countyexecutive.boards@montgomerycountymd.gov. Home and employment addresses, as well as contact phone numbers and email addresses should be included. If appropriate, applicants should indicate the position for which they are applying.

The deadline for applying is October 11, 2013.

• Get more details about serving and applying for the CCAC.  
• See openings on other boards, committees and commissions.

NOTEWORTHY NOTES

Free Seasonal Flu Vaccinations Offered through December

The Department of Health and Human Services reminds residents that free seasonal flu vaccinations are available in the County through the end of the year and appointments may be made online.

In addition, there will be three nasal spray (FluMist) clinics for healthy Montgomery County children three to 18 years of age, by appointment, on Monday, November 5.

No preservative-free injectable vaccine will be available this year at the County clinics.

Check the schedule for remaining vaccination clinics.

Make an appointment for a vaccination.



Your Chance to Serve: Openings on County Boards, Committees, Commissions

Public participation contributes to the work of County government and provides an important service to the community when a variety of issues, concerns and viewpoints are presented. Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, gender, geography, disability and ethnicity are encouraged to apply for vacancies on the numerous  County boards, committees and commissions.

Included among the organizations with current vacancies are the:

• Cable and Communications Advisory Committee
• Community Action Board
• Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board
• Victim Services Advisory Board

The deadline for applying is November 14, 2012.

Get details about each group with current openings, plus deadlines.

An application, consisting of a brief cover letter and resume, should be mailed to County Executive Isiah Leggett, 101 Monroe St., 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD  20850, or emailed to countyexecutive.boards@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Home and employment addresses, as well as contact phone numbers and email addresses, should be included. If appropriate, applicants should indicate the position for which they are applying.


Pilot Program Created for Financial Assistance for Use of Silver Spring Civic Building

The County has much to be proud of when it comes to the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza.  It has become one of the “go-to” destinations in downtown Silver Spring for a variety of community- and government-sponsored programs.

However, during these difficult economic times, members of the community have concerns about affordability regarding public use of the building.

To address this need, the County Executive is piloting a program during FY13 designed to provide financial assistance and increase opportunities for non-profit groups that meet the eligibility criteria.

A Review Committee will evaluate applications for the program.

Learn more about the pilot.

Consumer Protection Wants You to Know about…No More Telemarketers

No one likes getting calls from telemarketers -- persistent salespersons trying to sell you products you don’t want are something you expect to escape from once you get home, but telemarketers continue to call.

Did you know there is a way to keep telemarketers from calling you?  Visit the Office of Consumer Protection’s (OCP) A-Z Consumer Advice:  Do Not Call List for more information.

OCP is the Montgomery County agency responsible for enforcing consumer protection laws that prohibit unfair and deceptive business acts to ensure a fair marketplace for consumers and businesses. The office was established in 1971 and since then, has earned national recognition for its accomplishments.