Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Proclamation honors nonprofit’s 45th anniversary
Community Ministries of Rockville was presented with a proclamation from the Montgomery County Council on Monday, in honor of the nonprofit’s 45th anniversary. Councilwoman Nancy Floreen (D-at large) presented the accolade. “This is a true community of faith and it’s a true community of service. You have done wonderful things,” Floreen said. Executive Director Agnes Saenz said the organization has served nearly 60,000 people in cooperation with the county. Community Ministries provides basic services and advocates on the behalf of Montgomery County’s most vulnerable residents. The nonprofit is supported by 21 interfaith congregations, government groups, and nonprofits. --- Related coverage: Spotlight: Community Ministries of Rockville
Sunday, March 10, 2013
New study cites abuse and lax management as reasons for inflated figures.
The Montgomery County Office of Legislative Oversight released a report Tuesday that found that the majority of more than $63 million in county overtime costs from January 2011 to June 2012 was paid to police and fire agencies and that a significant amount of the extra pay was the result of sick-leave abuse. The study, "Employee Work Hours and Leave in Montgomery County," revealed the county paid $63.3 million in overtime to 6,789 county employees. Click here to read the full report. Montgomery County Councilman George L. Leventhal (D-At Large) of Takoma Park described the findings as a “wake-up call to management” and told The Washington Post “someone has to rein in those costs." The study found that approximately 70 percent of the …
Monday, February 18, 2013
Montgomery County Councilman Phil Andrews says Leggett’s pay raise proposal is 'excessive, unsustainable and irresponsible.’ Do you agree?
Montgomery County Councilman Phil Andrews is calling the pay raise agreement between County Executive Isiah Leggett and the Municipal and County Government Employees Organization (MCGEO) “excessive, unsustainable and irresponsible.” Andrews, D-Gaithersburg, who is planning to run for county executive, released a statement Friday. At issue is an agreement for fiscal 2014 and 2015 that includes provisions for 3.5 percent increment increases and 3.25 percent COLAs for most county government employees, according to information provided by a County Council spokesman. Patrick Lacefield, the county executive’s spokesman, told The Gazette that employees could not receive a step and a longevity increases but some county workers could receive either…
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Montgomery County legislators approved Tuesday a ban of smoking on most county-owned or county-leased property.
Need a cigarette break? Better be careful where you go to have that smoke. The Montgomery County Council approved Tuesday a ban of smoking on most county-owned or county-leased property. The ban was approved with the following recommended amendments from the Health and Human Services Commission: The bill will allow the Director of Health and Human Services to designate outdoor smoking areas on certain county properties. “There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke,” Councilwoman Nancy M. Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park said in a statement. “We are stewards of public health. The passage of [the smoking ban] will help us to protect our residents, employees and visitors from dangerous exposure. I applaud my colleagues for…
Monday, February 11, 2013
The Montgomery County Council will meet Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in Rockville.
The proposed smoking ban on all Montgomery County-owned property is nearing a vote as the County Council is set to hear the bill's final reading at Tuesday's meeting. Montgomery County's Health and Human Services Commission recommended the Council approve the ban with the following amendments: Other agenda items include: The full agenda can be viewed on the Montgomery County Council website. --- Related Coverage:
New regulations streamline licensing process.
As reported by Patch in May 2012, the Montgomery County Planning Department for the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission proposed a zoning text amendment to ease the operation of accessory apartments by Montgomery County residents. Now, The Washington Post reports that on Tuesday, the Montgomery County Council passed regulations that will streamline the application and review process from a five- to six-month process to one that takes "about 90 to 110 days." Montgomery County's website defines accessory apartments as a "completely independent living facility with separate cooking, eating, sanitation and sleeping facilities that is either in or added to an existing single-family dwelling or in a separate accessory structure on …
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Notable outcomes include eased regulations for accessory apartments, passing of the disabled hiring bill and evaluation of potential affordable housing locations.
The Montgomery County Council met Tuesday, Feb. 5. Notable outcomes from the meeting include: County Eases Rules for Accessory Apartments The Montgomery County Council passed a zoning amendment and bill Tuesday that will make it easier for homeowners to add an accessory apartment to a single-family home, The Washington Examiner reported. After almost 10 years of policy discussion, homeowners who want to add a small apartment for an aging parent, a caretaker or a renter can now do so in 90 to 110 days, versus a process that previously took a minimum of five to six months, The Washington Post reported. Residents opposed to the change were concerned it might lead to overcrowding of neighborhood schools, according to The Washington Post, but "…
Monday, February 4, 2013
The T&E committee also will take up Leggett's $13.9 million request to replace 60 Champion buses taken off the roads following fire safety concerns.
Improved transportation for seniors and the county executive’s $13.9 million request to replace 60 Champion buses will be on the agenda for a Montgomery County Council committee Monday. The council’s Health and Human Services Committee and Transportation, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment Committee will hear recommendations on ways to improve mobility for Montgomery County seniors. “The work session will stress that even in a county that is considered to have very good public transportation options, those services, in many cases, are not adequate for some seniors,” reads a county news release. Recommendations include creating a county “mobility manager” administrative position to coordinate transportation services offered through the …
Monday, January 28, 2013
The Montgomery County Council meets at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in Rockville.
The Montgomery County Council will introduce an amendment to the 2013-18 Capital Improvements Program budget seeking $13.895 million for the purchase of 32 new buses for Ride On. Recommended by County Executive Ike Leggett, the project will "fund the replacement of 32 Champion buses which have had fire safety problems." A public hearing and action on the funding is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Background information can be viewed on the Montgomery County website. The county will also receive its first winter update from the state's Office of Intergovernmental Relations. Topics of discussion for the 12:30 p.m. meeting include: Related story: Faster Sewage Leak Cleanup, More Water Testing On State Agenda (Jan. 7, 2013) The …
The council’s Office of Legislative Oversight last examined the gap in 2008.
Janis
11:02 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Who cares? The BOE is about to hand $60,000 to a "partner" who isn't owed a dime. But, the "partner" wants $60K. So, the BOE might as well give it to them. Who cares? No one in this County. It's just free money that can be passed around to buddies. Imagine having to pay a renter when they don't want to rent your property anymore. Sounds silly? It's reality here in Montgomery County. http://… more ›