I've just completed my first budget as your Councilmember, and I'm thrilled to report that we were very successful in funding programs and initiatives that will benefit District 5 residents. This work is not just about counting dollars and balancing the books. It's about the extraordinary role that government plays in the lives of County residents.

I advocated for education funding throughout the budget, and both Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College will receive 99.6 percent of the funding they requested for fiscal year 2008. Our schools are facing increasing state and federal testing mandates and serving more minority students and children living in poverty. To meet these challenges, I will advocate for school programs that work for all of our County's children, such as universal pre-kindergarten, universal breakfast, and projects aimed at ending the achievement gap.

Headlining the Council's education initiatives for fiscal year 2008, are two programs I proposed. First, the Universal Pre-Kindergarten pilot program allocates funding for 40 students. The program will provide a holistic approach to preparing children for kindergarten and elementary school. It will feature educational instruction, before and after-school childcare, and support services for the child and family.

I am also excited that my Disparities and Performance Project received full funding. This initiative, also called the Kennedy Cluster Project, offers a new educational service model to break down institutional discrimination and examine the factors that create the unacceptable achievement gap between white students and students of color.

In this newsletter you can read about these initiatives as well as some of our other successes, including funding school improvements, providing assistance for community grant projects, working to improve pedestrian safety and stormwater management, and encouraging the development of public community spaces like the Old Blair Auditorium and the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza.

Thank you for placing your confidence in me to represent you. As we continue to move ahead, we will keep fighting for improvements in education, safe and walkable neighborhoods, a healthy environment, public transportation, and common-sense development plans that meet community needs. I look forward to continuing my work with you to improve our County.

West Howard Avenue Improvements

Source: Town of Kensington

More than a year ago, a group of West Howard Avenue merchants began seeking street improvements to address safety concerns and to increase business in the area. Along with Councilmember George Leventhal, I advocated that $60,000 be placed in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for the Department of Housing and Community Affairs to complete an economic and urban design study for West Howard Avenue. This request was fully funded in the CIP. I have also met with the new Department of Permitting Services Director, Carla Joyner, and have asked her to work with Mayor Peter Fosselman of Kensington to get the required permits to increase signage in the area.

Future Office Hours in Kensington

I am working with Mayor Fosselman to begin office hours at the Kensington Town Hall (3710 Mitchell Street) in late summer or early fall. I believe that having a physical presence in the community helps my staff gain a greater appreciation for the concerns and issues that impact residents on a daily basis.

» Click here for the Town of Kensington web site

Silver Spring International Middle School Improvements

Source: Julia Caswell Daitch/Old Blair Auditorium Project

After meeting with the Task Force to Improve Our Schools, School Board President Nancy Navarro and I worked with Superintendent Dr. Jerry Weast to identify targeted improvements that will enhance the appearance of Silver Spring International Middle School along Wayne Avenue. These much needed improvements will occur this summer.

The Wayne Avenue entrance was the original main entrance to the old Blair High School and is one level below the main floor of the building. When Blair High School was relocated, Silver Spring International Middle School closed this entrance for a variety of reasons. The scheduled improvements will enhance the appearance of the entrance and includes the following: painting the columns and the woodwork at the entrance; replacing the plywood covering the old windows with a metal panel or false windows that match the new windows on the main level; screening the utility equipment adjacent to the entrance; repairing and repainting the handrails; and removing the old wooden sign along Wayne Avenue.

I look forward to these improvements and know that these changes will enhance the appearance of the building and improve our community. I will continue to identify future revenue in the FY 2009 CIP to fund school improvements in District 5.

Old Blair Auditorium

One of my priorities is to revive the Old Blair Auditorium, (located at Silver Spring International Middle School) by creating a mixed-use facility for the performing arts, in-school and after school programs, and community use space. During the past six months, I have worked with Old Blair Auditorium Inc. to identify community partners who are looking for space. These partners include the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), the Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth, and Families, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Department of Recreation, the Silver Spring YMCA, and other local non-profits.

MCPS has written a letter of intent to help restore the facility and has agreed to conduct a new space analysis which incorporates each partner's programmatic needs, while retaining the auditorium as a major venue for the performing arts. At the federal level, I have requested support from Senators Benjamin Cardin and Barbara Mikulski and have met with Congressman Albert Wynn, who is fully supportive of the project.

Capital Crescent Trail Repairs

Repairs have begun on the Capital Crescent Trail! In December, I met with members of the Capital Crescent Trail Coalition, who were seeking to ensure that the Department of Public Works and Transportation implemented comprehensive trail repairs from Stewart Avenue to the Rock Creek Trestle. Repair work began in May and includes cleaning and improving nearby storm drains to reduce runoff, clearing brush, grading the trail, and adding large bollards to brace the trail and direct runoff. The trail's reopening is scheduled for this summer. While these improvements are a good first step, I will continue to work for a first-class trail that connects to downtown Silver Spring. For more information on the trail go to www.cctrail.org.

Civic Building and Veterans Plaza

Silver Spring continues to complete its redevelopment. Part of these continuing efforts is the development of the 42,000 square-foot civic building that will face the retail-entertainment center across the large open plaza in downtown Silver Spring. The Civic Building will be located adjacent to the proposed Veterans Plaza, which will provide outdoor space for community events. This project is extremely important to the ongoing revitalization of Silver Spring because it is part of a multi-project effort by the County to support the retail-oriented development in the Silver Spring Central Business District.

On May 5, I partnered with IMPACT Silver Spring, Prezco, and the Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, in sponsoring a community meeting to explain the design plans associated with Veterans Plaza. While I fully support this project, I have asked the County Executive to consider incorporating more green space into the design so residents will have additional green areas to relax, eat, find shade, and simply enjoy the outdoors. The Planning Board is tentatively scheduled to review this project on June 21.

Charter House

I would like to once again recognize everyone who supported the evacuated residents of the Charter House. On November 30, 2006, the Charter House, a 15-story senior residential apartment complex in Silver Spring was evacuated due to a water pump malfunction, flood, and eventual failure of the building's electrical distribution systems. From November 30 to January 13, 2007, approximately 200 Charter House residents were forced to stay with friends, family, and in local hotels while the building was repaired and re-inspected.

During this six week period, my staff, numerous County departments, local businesses, volunteers, and the building's owner, Homes for America, helped support the residents. While I appreciate the efforts of all parties involved, I remain concerned about the process by which the County provides and coordinates services and communicates information to persons impacted by such events.

To better understand what went right and what could have been improved in responding to the needs of Charter House residents, at my request, the full Council was briefed on the activities associated with the evacuation and post-evacuation services. As a result of this briefing, this summer, various Council committees will evaluate the County's immediate and long-term plans and policies in responding to similar crises.

527 Dale Drive Update

In 2006, the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA), Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC), Coalition for the Homeless, and the DHHS, purchased the apartment building at 527 Dale Drive for approximately $1.5 million to provide permanent housing for formerly homeless adults. Throughout the region, permanent supportive housing for disabled adults exiting homelessness is severely limited.

As a resident of Park Hills, I have spoken to the HOC about implementing a management and physical design plan that will ensure the safety and success of the project. The Director of DHCA, Richard Nelson, Jr., briefed me on this project. He informed me that construction should begin within the next month, and occupancy is expected in late October or November.

Improvements to the property include upgraded landscaping, upgrades to the building's exterior, new fencing, and rehabilitation of the units and common areas. When complete, there will be ten units; eight for residents, one for a resident-counselor, and one for the social worker/case manager. Rents will be based on household income.

Historic Signage for Downtown Silver Spring

Source: Foulger-Pratt Companies

At my request, the Council agreed to provide an additional $15,000 for the Silver Spring Regional Service Center to purchase and install 20, two-sided, fiberglass, and graffiti-resistant historical signs in downtown Silver Spring and to purchase informational brochures. This amount complements the County Executive's two-year funding plan of $45,000 in fiscal years 2008 and 2009. This signage is a legal requirement stemming from the demolition of the Armory. This minimal investment will have a significant impact on preserving the legacy of Silver Spring's past, present, and future.

Funding for Youth Media Training and Productions

I requested that the Council allocate $50,000 from the FY 2008 Cable Plan to fund down-county programming initiatives focused on reaching out to youth and at-risk teens in Silver Spring and training them in media production. While the Council appropriated this funding, they expanded eligibility countywide.

As part of a separate grant appropriation, the Silver Spring Youth Media Center, which is a youth directed program that connects youth and adults through the media, will receive $10,000 to support their ongoing activities. The Silver Spring Youth Media Center works in partnership with IMPACT Silver Spring and provides a variety of programming.

Office Hours in Silver Spring

Starting in mid-June, I will be holding office hours at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (8787 Georgia Avenue) on Wednesdays and Fridays. I hope that having office hours in Silver Spring will make meeting to discuss issues easier for you.

» Click here for the Downtown Silver Spring web site

Proposed Development at the Takoma Park Metro Station

I continue to work with Mayor Kathy Porter and the Takoma Park City Council on possible alternatives to the proposed development on the WMATA site at the Takoma Park Metro Station. I have met with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and newly elected D.C. Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser on this issue, and I look forward to continued dialogue with them. My goal in working with our partners in the District of Columbia is that we all come to an agreement on the best transit oriented development for this area. I attended a meeting at the site on May 23 and listened to community members' concerns. I intend to follow-up on these issues with all of the stakeholders involved in this project.

» Click here for the Takoma Park web site

Boys and Girls Club

Several residents contacted our office expressing their concerns about public safety issues associated with a planned concert hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. The planned concert was to be held at their Forest Glen Road location on May 26 and was scheduled to include more than 20 bands.

As a result of constituents bringing this issue to my attention, I called a meeting with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, the Directors of the Silver Spring and Mid-County Regional Services Centers, the Police Department, and the President of the South Four Corners Citizens Association to discuss alternatives to the concert, which was called the "2007 Teen Peace Summit".

The outcome of this meeting was that Boys and Girls Clubs' representatives agreed to cancel this concert. I believe that a concert of this magnitude would have been unduly burdensome to the neighboring community and posed a potential public safety risk. I believe that as a community we need to work together to find an appropriate venue for these kinds of events for our youth. I would like to thank the Boys and Girls Club for their cooperation, and I look forward to working with them in the future.

Forest Glen Pedestrian Safety

As the Council representative to the Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee, I am very concerned about the serious pedestrian safety issues surrounding the Forest Glen Metro Station and the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Forest Glen Road. I worked on these issues with my colleagues on the Council's Transportation and Environment Committee and the full Council agreed to rank the east side entrance to the Forest Glen Metro station as the number two priority among transit projects that should be funded by the State of Maryland. Furthermore, the Council and Executive have ranked the reconstruction of Georgia Avenue between 16th Street and Forest Glen Road as the top priority for detailed study. For additional information about this issue visit the Crossing Georgia web site at www.crossin ggeorgia.com.

Therapeutic Recreation Funding Restored for Inwood House

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to visit with Inwood House residents. Inwood House is a residential community that is dedicated to providing affordable housing to adults with disabilities and seniors of low income. Residents conveyed their concerns about cuts to their therapeutic recreation programs. They explained that therapeutic recreation needs to be provided on-site in order to be effective.

I agreed with their position and advocated that the Council provide $13,000 in the Department of Recreation's budget to fund two therapeutic recreation sessions per week for approximately eight to ten weeks. I am pleased to announce that the Council supported this request and classes will begin in FY 2008.

Office Hours at the Mid-County Regional Services Center

Amparo Macias, my constituent liaison, has office hours at the Mid-County Regional Service Center, 2424 Reedie Drive, on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until noon. She is located in the lobby and is happy to meet with you about a community issue or to discuss an individual problem. You can contact her at 240-777- 7822 to schedule an appointment or drop in. Amparo also speaks Spanish and can translate written materials.