White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan Gets Council Approval

White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan

The Montgomery County Council has approved the White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan that will transform the area on the east side of the County around the Route 29 corridor and the Food and Drug Administration into a community of vibrant mixed-use centers.

The plan was approved by an 8-0 vote, with one abstention. Council President Craig Rice, Vice President George Leventhal and Councilmembers Phil Andrews, Roger Berliner, Cherri Branson, Nancy Floreen, Nancy Navarro and Hans Riemer voted to adopt the plan. Councilmember Marc Elrich abstained.

The White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan area is bounded by the Capital Beltway (I-495) on the south, Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park on the west, U.S. Route 29 and Cherry Hill Road on the north and Prince George’s County on the east

Read the news release.

County Executive Leggett’s Response to White Oak Master Plan Vote

“I want to thank the County Council for its arduous work in approving a complex plan that lays the foundation for real job growth and the enhancement of the East County as a place to live, work, and raise a family.

“The East County has long been deficient in job location within the County, and this Plan is a huge first step toward addressing that concern. I will continue to work with the Council, businesses, and our East County communities toward fulfilling the vision of a transit-oriented life sciences center.”

A “Laboratory for Civic Improvement”

One definition of innovation is “the act or process of introducing new ideas, devices or methods.” Now thanks, in part, to an increasingly active Innovation Program, it can be said that Montgomery County is in the forefront of innovation.

To realize the variety of topics and fields involved in the Innovation Program – subtitled “Montgomery County’s Laboratory for Civic Improvement” -- just take a look at the program’s homepage. Examples of projects in the works range from a Food Data Jam, to the County’s first designated MakerSpace, to a Kitchen Incubator Request for Proposal.

See the wide array of innovation projects that are “in progress’ now.

And, check out this 20-minute video that highlights how innovation is serving our families, our businesses and our community.

New Website Helps Residents Access and Understand County Budget Information

The first stage of a “financial transparency suite” website has been unveiled and is ready for public use. The site focuses on the County budget and includes an electronic budget book and an interactive feature that allows County residents and businesses to better understand and navigate the budget. 

The website is searchable, more user-friendly and accessible from mobile devices. For example, residents can create their own analysis of County finances and develop charts or graphs to meet their needs. The electronic budget publication can be quickly translated into 90 different languages. Future additions to the website will include spending and procurement data.

Developed by Montgomery County and Socrata, the site has already been adopted by governments, such as the City of Boston.

During the website’s development, feedback from residents was sought to ensure it would fit their needs and was easy to use. Members of the civic and business community were also consulted throughout the development period.

The new website is at budget.data.montgomerycountymd.gov and reports.data.montgomerycountymd.gov/omb.

MC 311 on Twitter

The County’s 311 Customer Service Center has launched a new Twitter account that allows residents to get non-emergency County government information and request services via Twitter. The address is @311MC311. Initially, tweets will be monitored Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Customers can now tweet MC311 with a question or request for service. They will receive a response with the Service Request number and a time frame for a follow-up response for services handled by departments.

Information will also be tweeted about some of the most common topics coming into MC311. These include: Ride On Bus Real Time information; reporting a dead animal along the roadway; reporting a street light outage; and reporting a pothole on a County road.

Individuals who don’t already have a Twitter account can go to www.twitter.com, register for a free account, then follow @311MC311.

National Night Out Observances Scheduled

The 2014 National Night Out annual observance will take place on Tuesday, August 5. Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), National Night Out is designed to generate neighborhood support and participation in crime prevention efforts and to enhance police and community relations. County Executive Ike Leggett will join Police Chief Tom Manger and State’s Attorney for Montgomery County John McCarthy in attending some of the events.

In addition to the traditional display of outdoor lights and front porch vigils, many communities celebrate with a variety of events to help neighbors get to know one another and to build community spirit.

Public and/or community events are planned in each of the County’s six police districts.

See a list of events

County Named a “Tech Savvy” Jurisdiction – One of Four in the US for 2014

The Public Technology Institute (PTI) has designated Montgomery County as a Tech Savvy County in 2014. The County is one of only four local governments in the nation -- and the only County in Maryland -- to receive the designation during 2014.

The County’s performance was assessed in several areas, including: Ethics, Performance Management, Communication and Collaboration, Professional Development, Strategic Planning, Cybersecurity; Commitment to Green Technology; Innovation and Adherence to Standards of Excellence.

PTI’s Local Government Tech Savvy Designation Award Program recognizes PTI-member local governments that meet a list of criteria where technology is used to address issues, current challenges and future opportunities.

New Immunization Requirements for Students Entering Seventh Grade; Free Vaccinations Available August 23

Parents of students entering seventh grade are reminded that new immunization requirements announced earlier this year require students to have one Tdap (Tetanus-diphtheria-attenuated pertussis) and one meningococcal (MCV4) vaccination.

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services staff will provide free Tdap and MCV4 vaccinations to incoming seventh-grade students at the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) Back to School Fair on Saturday, August 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MCPS’ Carver Educational Center, 850 Hungerford Dr., Rockville.

Appointments are required and can be made online at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/vaccineclinic. A parent or designated adult must be present with a parent-signed consent form at the time of the vaccination.

For more information on immunizations, call the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Immunization Program at 240-777-1050 or School Health Services at 240-777-1550.

Tips for a Water Safe Summer

Even as we head into the final weeks of summer, it’s not too late to be safe around the water. 

The Fire and Rescue Service has a list of safety tips geared toward parents, but can be followed by swimmers of all ages.

Nominations Being Accepted for Human Rights Hall of Fame

The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights (OHR) is currently accepting nominations for its Eighth Human Rights Hall of Fame. Individuals – living or deceased – whose ongoing work, service and contributions have positively impacted human and civil rights in the County may be nominated.

This year’s theme is “Advancing New Strategies for Human & Civil Rights.” The deadline for nominations is August 22.

A panel of community judges will recommend selections for the Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is planned for Sunday, October 12 at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown