On the Ballot: Question B Who Do You Think Should Run the Montgomery County Police Department? The Police Chief or Police Union Leaders?

Under “effects bargaining,” Police Chief Tom Manger has to bargain everything about running his department with Police union leaders, such as distributing critical police equipment, redeploying officers to crime hot spots and even the revised policy on “Use of Force” -- important to protecting the public and officers alike -- that was sent to the Police Union for their “approval” on June 27, 2008.

In all, 15 Police Department policies are awaiting union leaders' “approval” -- 12 of them for more than two years. Under effects bargaining, police officers still don’t have to sign their time cards. The Police Chief could not even require that police officers have County email accounts – or check their email. It took months to negotiate that.

That makes no sense.

That’s why the County Council and the County Executive -- all pro-labor -- unanimously repealed “effects bargaining” – without affecting the continued right of the union to bargain wages, hours, working conditions and benefits on behalf of their members.

No other Police union in the entire State has “effects bargaining.” Neither does any other County union have it in their contract.

The issue will be on the November ballot.

A “FOR” vote on Question B is a vote that lets the Police Chief run the department in the most efficient and productive way and still protects the full range of collective bargaining enjoyed by all other Police unions across the State and all other County unions.

An “AGAINST” vote preserves union leaders’ power over the ability of the Police Chief to run the Police Department, impairing the effective and productive running of the department.

That’s what Question B is all about.  Vote FOR Question B.

Read the Washington Post editorial: “Unshackling Montgomery’s Police”

See the list of Police policies dating back to June, 2008 that are awaiting Fraternal Order of Police “approval” before Chief Manger can implement them.

See a list of facts about Question B. 

For more information, go to the Question B website.

September is Falls Prevention Month -- Leggett Highlights County Safety Initiatives for Seniors

County Executive Ike Leggett, Fire Chief Richard Bowers and Grass Roots Organization for the Well-Being of Seniors (GROWS) President Susan Wranik recently announced a number of safety initiatives aimed at the County’s growing population of seniors.

In 2010, with nearly 120,000 seniors living in Montgomery County, there were 3,294 calls to 9-1-1 attributed to falls by individuals over the age of 60.  In turn, nearly 2,100 of those falls were by individuals over the age of 80.  While falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency room visits and hospital admissions for Marylanders over the age of 65, they are highly preventable.

The County has partnered with GROWS to promote educational activities and events throughout September, Falls Prevention Month. Check out a  schedule of remaining activities.

In addition, the departments of Health and Human Services and Recreation sponsor Bone Builders classes that help seniors increase their strength and balance.  For a schedule, visit the County’s Calendar page and enter Bone Builders in the search function.

The Fire and Rescue Service also provides the “Safety in Our Neighborhood” program which has firefighters visiting communities, going door-to-door to check smoke alarms, helping residents develop escape plans and pointing out potential “trouble spots” in a home.  Firefighters will point out tripping hazards and offer suggestions on making homes safer such as installing grab bars, repairing hand rails and adding night lights.

Are You Ready? Get First-Hand Information on Being Prepared for Emergencies

The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) is helping show residents, first-hand, how they can prepare themselves, their families and their communities for emergencies such as the derecho that hit the County in late June.

OEMHS staff will be at the following events, talking to residents and distributing helpful information on emergency preparedness and inviting them to sign up for Alert Montgomery.

• Burtonsville Day – Saturday, September 22
• Oktoberfest at the Kentlands – Sunday, October 14
• World of Montgomery in Wheaton – Sunday, October 21

See more information about being ready.

Leggett, Councilmembers to Participate in Hearing about On-The-Job Safety And Health Challenges Faced By Immigrant Workers

County Executive Ike Leggett and Councilmembers Nancy Navarro, Valerie Ervin, and George Leventhal will participate in the public hearing on September 21 held by the Montgomery County Worker Safety & Health Commission on “Safety & Health Challenges on the Job Faced by Immigrant Workers.”

The hearing will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building, at Ellsworth Dr. and Fenton St.  It follows Montgomery County’s adoption of a regulation strengthening worker health and safety on County-funded construction projects.

Among those testifying will be the widow of a worker killed on the job in the County and other workers injured on the job.

See more information.

Ted Koppel to Host Event Saluting Local WWII Veterans; Two Local Congressional Gold Medal Winners, Lifelong Friends Among Attendees

John Henry Chaney of Boyds and Charles Frazier of Germantown, lifelong friends who served together with the Montford Point Marines --the first blacks to serve in the Marine Corps -- and were recently presented with belated Congressional Gold Medals, will be among the attendees at the Silver Spring Civic Building on Wednesday, September 19, as Montgomery County salutes the men and women who served the nation in World War II.

Ted Koppel, who for 25 years hosted the ABC News show “Nightline,” will be the host and one of the speakers. Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown also will be among the main speakers.

County Executive Ike Leggett, Council President Roger Berliner and the County Council will lead the special ceremonies that will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Civic Building located at One Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring.

The event will be simulcast live on many of the County’s public cable television channels that compose the PEG (Public, Education, Government) Network. In addition, the PEG Network will record the stories of many of the veterans for a documentary that will be broadcast on the cable stations.

Learn more about the event.

Have a World of Fun at World of Montgomery

Fun for the whole family is the best way to describe the World of Montgomery Festival coming to downtown Wheaton on Sunday, October 21, from noon to 5 p.m. The free event will be held in the Wheaton Triangle at Grandview Ave. and Reedie Dr., one block from the Wheaton Metro station at 2424 Reedie Dr.  Plenty of nearby free parking is available.

Tour the International Village, produced by the KID Museum, featuring China, El Salvador, Ethiopia and India.  Enjoy music, entertainment and food from around the globe.  There will be a Pupusa Cook-Off organized by LEDC (Latino Economic Development Corporation) and an International Youth Film Festival. Crafts and community service projects will be available for kids, and there will be an array of international crafts from the Fenton Street Market.

See the festival flyer (pdf).

Leggett Responds to Councilmember on County’s Involvement with Pepco

On August 30, Leggett met with Pepco’s senior leadership at his office in Rockville – reviewing their recent performance and making crystal clear the County’s expectations for improved reliability.

In response to comments by County Councilmember Nancy Floreen that the County should have a “clear roadmap of what it is asking from Pepco or the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC),” County Executive Ike Leggett assured her that “the County has been actively involved in several matters regarding Pepco’s performance before the PSC….”

In a September 10 memorandum to Councilmember Floreen, Leggett said the County is “currently a party in the case to review their [Pepco] handling of the Derecho storm” in June.

Read entire memo (pdf).

Police Department Celebrates 90th Anniversary with a Public Safety-Community Blood and Food Drive

In honor of 90 years of outstanding service by the men and women of the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), the Police and the American Red Cross are asking residents to donate blood and non-perishable food items for the needy, with the goal of having 90 blood donors.

Donations can be made in honor of a MCPD or other Law Enforcement/Fire and Rescue Fallen Hero, or an Armed Forces Veteran who has served with pride during the 90-year history of the department.

The blood drive will be held at the Montgomery County Public Safety headquarters at 100 Edison Park Dr., Gaithersburg. Information on the event date and time are currently being finalized and will be available the week of September 17 on the police website at www.mymcpnews.com and the Red Cross website at www.redcrossblood.org.

Once the date and times have been finalized, donors must make a reservation to schedule a time to donate blood.  No reservation is necessary to donate food items. Needed items for the Food Pantry include packaged stuffing, canned gravy, jelly, peanut butter, coffee and other non-perishable food items.

To reserve a time to give blood, go to www.redcrossblood.org, and follow the scheduling prompts: click in blue box to “Make a Blood Donation Appointment” and enter Sponsor ID: 05314796.  Go to Donor Login and enter your UserName and Password, click login.  Select your preferred time to create an appointment.   Walk-in donors will be accepted but the preferred method is to sign up on line.  Donors are reminded to: bring a photo ID, double up on fluid intake 24 hours before the event and eat regular meals.

NOTEWORTHY NOTES

Vehicle Donations Needed for Automotive Education Program

The Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF), also known as The Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit foundation established by Montgomery County Public Schools and the local business community to promote automotive education through a student-run licensed used car dealership.

This method of training high school students for skilled positions in the automotive field offers hands-on instruction. Students also are introduced to potential employers with available automotive positions in technical service, customer service, sales and management. They receive valuable on-the-job training that prepares them for higher educational opportunities or direct entry into the automotive job market.

The automotive education program currently is in need of vehicle donations so the program, begun in 1978, can continue.

Donated vehicles allow students to learn through the "Mini-Dealership" model, a student- run business that evaluates and refurbishes donated vehicles to be marketed by students and resold back to the public.

The donated vehicles should meet the following criteria:

• Runs under its own power (unless the customer is willing to tow in)
• No major accidents (such as a bent frame)
• Has a clean unmarked title and lien release (if the vehicle had a loan)

Donors must also complete a Donation Authorization Form.

For more details visit http://www.atfcareers.org/ and go to Donate Your Car at the top of the website.

A Green Move: Council Passes Bill to Prohibit Use, Sale of Certain Coal Tar Products

The Montgomery County Council has unanimously approved Bill 21-12 that will prohibit the use and sale of certain coal-tar products that are generally used as sealants on driveways.

With passage of the legislation, Montgomery is the first county in Maryland, and one of the largest counties in the nation, to prohibit the sale of the sealants, which have been recognized to contaminate soils, lakes and homes as they disintegrate and run off after application.

The U.S. Geolological Survey and the American Chemical Society have explained that sealcoat does not stay on a pavement permanently. Sealcoat manufacturers generally recommend re-applications between one and five years, depending upon the product used. The particles can be washed off the roadway by rain and carried through storm drains into streams, ponds and stormwater management devices. Other particles can be blown away by wind or tracked indoors on the soles of shoes.

The Department of Environmental Protection will oversee enforcement of the law.

Read more.

Transportation’s 2012 Annual Report Online

Past accomplishments and future initiatives are among the topics found in the Department of Transportation’s new 2012 Annual Report now available online.  The report also contains a special supplement on the County’s Pedestrian Safety Initiative.

New “Community Cornerstones…” Brochure from Heritage Montgomery

The stories of 24 unique, historic African American churches and their Montgomery County communities are highlighted in a new brochure “Community Cornerstones: A Selection of Historic African American Churches in Montgomery County, Maryland” produced by The Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County (Heritage Montgomery).

The 34-page booklet can be used as a guide to draw attention to sites that residents may have passed on a daily basis, unaware of their meaningful history, or it can serve as a handy reference for anyone interested in seeing the churches.

View Community Cornerstones online.  Paper copies are available from the Heritage Montgomery office, 12515 Milestone Manor La., Germantown MD 20876 or at heritage sites around the County.

Read more about the brochure.

Take a Look at… Other Sources of News about the County

Montgomery County Volunteer Center
Any time of the year is the right time to get involved, give back to your community and volunteer.  “Montgomery Volunteer,” the Volunteer Center’s online newsletter, keeps readers up on the latest opportunities for all ages and interests.

See the newsletter.

Consumer Protection Wants You to Know about… Scholarship Scams

Need money for college? Doesn't everybody. Unfortunately, in their efforts to pay the bills, many students and their families are falling prey to scholarship scams.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, unscrupulous companies guarantee or promise scholarships, grants or fantastic financial aid packages. Many use high pressure sales pitches at seminars where you are required to pay immediately or risk losing out on the "opportunity.”  For advice on what to look out for, visit the FTC online.

MAKING NEWS

Councilmember Ervin, DC Councilmember Mendelson Speak Out on the Plight of Area Service Workers

A recent Washington Post editorial talks about “A measure of security for some of Montgomery’s lowest-paid workers.” It highlights measures that the neighboring jurisdictions of the District and Montgomery County have taken – or are about to take – to help afford some security for the many service workers in our community.

Read the entire Local Opinion piece.

DEP’s Eric Coffman Receives Maryland Clean Energy Award

Each year, the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) recognizes a few individuals, who have done outstanding work to advance clean energy and energy efficiency in Maryland, for their leadership, partnership, advocacy and overall championship of the sector.

Eric Coffman, senior energy planner with the Department of Envidronmental Protection (DEP), has been selected by the Maryland Clean Energy Center to receive the 2012 Maryland Clean Energy Bright Light Award.  The award recognizes an individual or group that shines for their contribution in support of MCEC efforts to remove barriers to success, promote the MCEC mission and bridge gaps between industry and policy.

MCEC’s “Current” (newsletter), cites Eric as “…a beacon in the clean energy and energy efficiency field in Maryland for more than half a decade, helping to make Montgomery County and the state of Maryland one of the leading clean energy areas in the entire country.”

Read Eric’s award-winning accomplishments.

This year, nine individuals and one organization have been honored in 10 categories.  The awards will be presented at the Maryland Clean Energy Summit, September 17-19 at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Located at the Universities at Shady Grove, the Maryland Clean Energy Center was created in 2008 to encourage the transformation of the energy economy with programs that catalyze the growth of business, increase related “green collar” jobs and make clean energy technologies, products and services affordable, accessible and easy to implement for Maryland residents.