District 5 E-News
From County Councilmember Tom Perez
Spring 2004
Let’s Talk Trash
Recently I introduced legislation that would put trash cans back into some County parks affected by last year’s decision to institute a ‘Carry-in, Carry-out’ policy for trash in most County parks. Councilmembers Howard Denis and George Leventhal are co-sponsors of the legislation, and I appreciate their leadership on this issue.
The “Carry-In, Carry-Out” policy was enacted to save money. A pilot program, initiated in December 2002, involved six parks. A preliminary analysis indicated that the program appears to be working in many places but not others. Specifically, in SligoCreekPark it has resulted in a dramatic increase in trash, more money spent keeping up with the litter, and, still, a continuing trash problem. It has not been cost-effective. It also threatens to adversely affect fragile ecosystems along Sligo Creek, Rock Creek, and other stream valleys. It is time to adjust the program and recognize that we cannot adopt a one size fits all approach to this issue, because all parks are not alike.
This is why we introduced legislation to return trash cans in stream valley parks with active recreational areas within 100 yards of a stream valley. That would put trash cans back into SligoCreekPark and other similar parks throughout the County. The matter will be heard by the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee soon.
StrathmoreHallArtsCenter
The arts are an important part of our community. I am very pleased that we were able to resolve the issue of cost overruns at StrathmoreArtsCenter. The concert center will be a crown jewel for MontgomeryCounty, and this agreement will keep the construction timeline on track. At the same time, given our fiscal constraints and the large amount of County money ($44.6 million) already invested in Strathmore, it was important to draw the line. I spent a considerable amount of time working with my Council colleagues and other stakeholders to forge a resolution that will hold the taxpayers harmless while keeping the project on schedule.I appreciate the leadership of my colleague George Leventhal on this issue.
Recreation and Community Centers
Recreation and Community centers are important to anchors for out neighborhood. The long anticipated WhiteOakRecreationCenter is now one year closer than expected to reality. The County is still looking at sites, but I am working hard to have the schedule for the Center moved up by one year. We hope to start planning the project in FY05 with completion in FY09. I am excited that the CountyExecutive has included $750,000 to help the City of Takoma Park complete its new community center. I have worked very hard to make sure that this funding is in place, and will continue to monitor this during the budget process. The new Civic building in downtown Silver Spring is on schedule and I am closely monitoring its progress to make sure that it stays on schedule for completion in 2006. I am also working with the Housing Opportunities Commission to find a new and more effective location and facility. This will free up the current building so that it can be used as a Kensington community center. I want to thank the dozens of community members who have worked on all of these projects for their time and energy. New buildings will provide new opportunities, but it is the spirit of community that keeps our communities strong.
Saving Money on Prescription Drugs
As I reported in the last issue, I am leading a Council task force to examine ways to save money on employee health benefits. Among other proposals, we are examining the feasibility of a program that would allow employees and retirees to voluntarily purchase prescription drugs from Canada.This program can save taxpayers as much as $10 million a year and reduce or eliminate out of pocket costs for employees. The group is examining the safety, legal and cost/benefit issues surrounding the proposal. A report and recommendation will be released by the end of March. I believe we can implement a drug importation program that is safe, legal, cost-effective and user friendly. If you would like to learn more about this issue, you can contact our office, and we will provide you with a videotape of a public forum that I recently convened on this topic.
Affordable Housing
Last year, I introduced a bill, co-sponsored by Councilmembers Phil Andrews and George Leventhal, to revamp the County’s nationally recognized Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit Program (MPDU). Under this program, a developer seeking to build housing must also construct a certain percentage of affordable units. A major goal of the program is to increase the stock of affordable housing and promote the economic integration of MontgomeryCounty. In recent years, developers have been making increased use of a provision in the law that allows them to “buy out” their obligation by paying a certain amount of money into the County’s affordable housing fund. The average payment to this fund is slightly more than $20,000, which perhaps explains why just over 200 MPDUs were constructed in 2002, while almost as many potential MPDUs were bought out. Our bill eliminates this buyout provision, and contains a number of additional features intended to strengthen the program. Recently, at the request of former Council President Mike Subin, Council staff prepared a comprehensive report on the MPDU program that contained a host of useful recommendations. I am looking forward to full Council consideration of our bill and this report in the coming months. I encourage you to take a look at this report.
Outreach
I am continuing my effort to reach out to the entire district, so that everyone’s voice is heard on the important issues facing our County. I want to learn what issues are important to you and try to find ways to address those issues. I have tried various formats and ways of inviting people to attend because I know that no one format or method works for everyone. We have met in White Oak/Hillandale, Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Wheaton, and Kensington. We are planning the next round of meetings now and would appreciate any suggestion you might have.
Schools
Educating our children is one of the most important functions that our county government performs. I am very excited that the Council passed the bill that Councilmembers Andrews and I introduced to establish an impact tax on new residential development that will be dedicated to attacking our school overcrowding crisis. The revenue from this new impact tax will allow us to pick up the pace of school modernization. I am carefully monitoring the modernization of NorthwoodHigh School. I am very excited about the choice of Mr. Henry Johnson as principal. Our human capital is our most precious resource, and Mr. Johnson has an impressive vision for Northwood. Kensington-Parkwood has finally reached the head of the line for modernization. Congratulations to the K-P community for their dogged advocacy. I will continue to advocate forcefully for our school construction needs throughout the county.
Roads, Transit, and Pedestrian Safety
We are in the middle of addressing our capital budget. As a member of the Transportation and Environment Committee, I continue to be very mindful of a host of projects that affect our communities. My colleagues and I are working to increase funding for critical road and sidewalk improvements. In addition, I am optimistic that the Forest Glen Pedestrian bridge will get the final approval in the near future. This project is long overdue. The Committee accepted my request to include money to re-open a study of the a transit center in Takoma-Langley crossroads. Takoma-Langley crossroads is one of the most transit dependent areas of the County. We must identify a solution to the traffic and pedestrian safety challenges in this community and elsewhere.
Silver Spring and Wheaton Revitalization
Have you been to downtown Silver Spring, South Silver Spring, or Wheaton lately? Exciting changes are taking place, seemingly on a daily or weekly basis. The new restaurants are wonderful, and the civic pride is palpable. But considerable works remains. I was pleased to have worked with County Executive Doug Duncan to save Charter House. I applaud his leadership in ensuring that Charter House will remain a vital living community for our seniors. Redevelopment that displaces long time residents and businesses is not revitalization. I continue to work with small businesses owners in Wheaton, Silver Spring, and South Silver Spring to ensure that they can remain vital parts of our community.
MontgomeryCollege
I am attachingan invitation so that you are aware of the great importance of MontgomeryCollege to our community. More than 60 percent of students who graduate from our high schools and go to college attend MC.
Cuts by the Erlich administration and our own County fiscal situation are making it very difficult to keep up with the demand for post-secondary education in the County.MontgomeryCollege is the starting point for thousands of people moving into the workforce. You and every resident in the County should make sure that the CountyExecutive and Council understand the high priority you place on funding MontgomeryCollege. Just like our K-12 school system, the college plays an essential role in our quality of life and our economic and social well-being.
I hope you willattend President Nunley’s speech or watch it on television on March 31st.
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MONTGOMERYCOLLEGE
STATE OF THE COLLEGE ADDRESS
Presented by
Dr. Charlene R. Nunley
MontgomeryCollege President
Wednesday, March 31, 2004---7:30 p.m.*
MontgomeryCollege
Theatre Arts Arena, Rockville Campus
51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD20850
Please join Dr. Charlene R. Nunley as she marks her fifth year as MontgomeryCollege president with a “State of the College” address to the College and greater community.
Dr. Nunley will discuss a variety of initiatives the College has undertaken in recent years to respond to community needs, and will address primary challenges facing the College in the years ahead.Key among these challenges: a tidal wave of expected new students as record numbers of high school graduates emerge over the next several years.
Join Dr. Nunley as she addresses the future of MontgomeryCollege and what she believes must happen to ensure that, in the face of this challenge, the community college’s core mission of providing open access to higher education is not jeopardized.
*Dr. Nunley’s presentation will begin at 8 p.m. Because this event will be televised live on MontgomeryCollege Television, cable channel 10, guests are urged to arrive for seating at 7:30 p.m.
RSVP 301-610-4006 or mailto:or general information, contact Miller Newman, Office of the President at 301-251-7388 or mailto:.
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Remember that I believe that every resident should feel free to contact my office with comments or requests. My staff and I will try very hard to resolve issues or assist when and wherever we can. You can reach me at: 240-777-7966
I wish everyone a pleasant and happy Spring.
Tom