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In This Issue
Pyramid Atlantic Benefit at AFI
Community Gardens Open
District 5 and County Budget Highlights
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Pyramid Atlantic Benefit and Opening of Beautiful Losers at the AFI Silver Theater 
Pyramid Atlantic and Beautiful Losers
In celebration of the creative spirit, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center is proud to announce the Washington DC film premiere of Beautiful Losers on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the American Film Institure Silver Theater and Cultural Center in downtown Silver Spring.  Proceeds from tickets and the silent art auction benefit Pyramid Atlantic.  Sponsors include Councilmember Valerie Ervin, Senator Jaime Raskin, Delegate Sheila Hixson, Delegate Heather Mizeur and Dr. Michael Pollack.  To RSVP or for more information contact, Catherine Aselford at caselford@pyramid-atlantic.org or 301-608-9101.
Community Gardens Open 
Val at Center for nonprofit Advancement 1
On May 16, Councilmember Ervin joined the Pinecrest community, the City of Takoma Park, and the Parks Department to open the County's first community garden.  The garden contains 33 plots, a rain garden, community bulletin board, on-site water, seating, new trees and blueberry and fig plants.  Councilmember Ervin requested that the Parks Department initiate a garden program last fall.  Sligo Overlook Park is first pilot site.  For more information call 301-650-2635.

Councilmember Ervin Votes to Approve Fiscal Year 2010 Budget 

Funding preserved for essential services, including public safety, education and assistance for vulnerable residents, during difficult economic times.
Dear Resident,

The fiscal year 2010 budget was one of the most difficult in Montgomery County's history.  A nearly $600 million decline in County revenues coupled with the national and regional economic downturn created a challenging task.  I am pleased to report that the Council was able to approve a balanced budget while maintaining property taxes at the County Charter limit.  We were able to maintain the core services that our residents rely on each day, such as education, public safety and health services. 
 
Val with children 1
As Chair of the Council's Education Committee, my goal is always to put our children first.  I fought to maintain funding for Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College, and I continue to advocate for pre-kindergarten funding.
 
I supported restoring critical health and public safety resources, including the addition of police recruits and staffed hours at the Kensington and Wheaton fire stations.  In addition, I voted to reinstate Ride On routes and continue free passes for children and seniors.
 
This budget process has been extremely challenging because of our limited resources and the increasing needs of our residents during these difficult economic times; however, I believe that this budget strikes the right balance. 

If you have additional questions related to the budget, please feel free to call my office or send me an email.  I look forward to hearing from you. 
 
Sincerely,
Val at Center for nonprofit Advancement 1 
Valerie Ervin
Office of Councilmember Ervin
240-777-7960
District 5 and County Budget Highlights
MoCo EmblemBelow is a partial list of the programs and initiatives that I advocated for in the 2010 operating budget.  Many of these services have a direct impact on the lives of District 5 residents.  These efforts include: