Nancy Floreen's Montgomery in Focus, September 2016

Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 08/31/2016 05:30 AM EDT
Masthead that says Nancy Floreen's Montgomery in Focus

Town Hall Meeting for Clarksburg

Nancy Floreen speaking to a crowd.

Let us know what matters most to you at our Town Hall Meeting for the Olney area on Wednesday, September 14, at Rosa Parks Middle School (19200 Olney Mill Road) beginning at 8 p.m. with a pre-meeting reception at 7:30. You can voice your opinions on specific issues and ask questions of us in an organized, but informal, setting. I hope to see you there.

The meeting will be taped for later broadcast on County Cable Montgomery (CCM—cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon). For more information about the Town Hall Meeting or about the broadcast times, call 240-777-7931.

New CEO for Economic Development

Logo that says MCEDC Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation

The Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation has announced that David Petr will become the first president and Chief Executive Officer of the new public/private venture beginning September 6.


As the former president and CEO of the Central Florida Development Council, Petr successfully transitioned the organization from a public/private partnership to a private organization, while achieving record-setting job creation and capital investment results during his tenure. The MCEDC Board believes his unique talents in organizational transformation and team building, while running a high-performing economic development program, will align well to the immediate and long-term needs of MCEDC.

Petr expressed his excitement to come to Montgomery County and to be part of the bold, new public/private partnership. "There's never been a better time for Montgomery County. I am honored to fuel prosperity as one of the many leaders of the organization. Collaboration and creativity will drive us to deliver results for the residents of the County and region, and enhance our collective quality of life."

Last year the Council approved the reorganization of the County's Department of Economic Development into a new non-profit organization that would have more flexibility in many aspects--including retaining current businesses and attracting new ones to the County.

How You Can Help Explosion Victims

Unidentified children looking at charred remains of an apartment building

In the wake of the devastating explosion and fire at the Flower Branch apartments in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring, many of you have asked what you can do to help. The good news is that we have outstanding non-profit organizations that have been able to mobilize quickly to start providing some much-needed relief. Here's how you can help:

MAIL (via check) FINANCIAL DONATION
Mail it to:
Montgomery Housing Partnership
(Attn: Long Branch Fire)
12200 Tech Road, Suite 250
Silver Spring, MD 20904
[*] Write LONG BRANCH FIRE in check memo

Please note that 100 percent of your donation will go to the victims, there are no service fees.

ON-LINE FINANCIAL DONATION
(Easiest - and preferred!)
[1] Go to: www.MHPartners.org
[2] Click on "Give Direct" (on right side of your screen)
[3] Input amount and credit card number
[*] Make sure you indicate LONG BRANCH FIRE in the 'comment' box:

GOODS (Toiletries, canned/boxed food, clothing)

Please check the CASA website: http://wearecasa.org/update-donations-for-the-silverspringfire-victims/ for any further updates on their needs: 

Update 8/17: Thanks to the overwhelming support from you they have received tons of clothes and food and at this moment they are ONLY accepting the following items:

Diapers (specifically size 6)
Diaper cream (Destin)
Deodorant (specifically for men
UNOPENED first aid kits (Band-aids, gauze, and wraps)
UNOPENED pain medication (Tylenol, Advil, etc.)
BRAND NEW undergarments including bras (for men and women)

Update 8/12: CASA reports that they are no longer in need of donations of goods at their Silver Spring center.

CASH DONATIONS

CASA Welcome Center
734 University Blvd East
(Off University Blvd, just south of Piney Branch) 

8/15 5FRAUD ALERT:  CASA IS MAKING NO PHONE CALLS SEEKING DONATIONS.

A Wider Circle

Phone #:301-608-3504

Address: 9159 Brookeville Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20910 (Update: 8/15)

  • Strong preference for drop-off at A Wider Circle. Pick-up will be arranged when necessary.(Update: 8/15)
  • drop-off furniture 7 days a week (Monday - Saturday, 9 am. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 noon - 6 p.m. (Update: 8/15)
  • home goods and furniture

Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington

Phone #: 301-585-6556

Address: 501 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

  • Make donations:
  • Cash Donations - Checks can be sent to ACSGW at 501 Sligo Avenue,

Silver Spring, MD 20910 (Make checks payable to ACSGW) Emergency Fund.

  • On-line and pay via PayPal and mark it “Other” or Emergency Fund @ www.acsgw.org
  • New clothing, houseware items, toiletries, blankets, sheets, etc. --- No furniture 
  • ACSGW will be open for calls and services at the following days and times during this weekend:

Friday – 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Saturday – 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Sunday – 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. 

  • Spanish speaking Case Manager at ACSGW for any help or questions.

Fast Fact

Soon you'll be able to watch Council meetings (and a lot of other good programming) in HD. Montgomery County’s community cable PEG (Public / Education / Government) television stations will take a big step in bringing in-depth local information to residents on October 1 when they add broadcasts in high definition to subscribers of Comcast and RCN services.

Under newly approved franchise agreements, you can continue to get broadcasts of the community stations on standard definition channels, but now you'll also get four HD station with a fifth HD community station to be added in 2018. If you subscribe to Verizon, you will continue to be able to view the community stations only in SD formats.

The PEG channels that will be available in HD are:

  • Public access Montgomery Community Media (MCM—will broadcast on HD Channel 995 on Comcast, HD Channel 1055 on RCN).
  • Government channel County Cable Montgomery (CCM—will broadcast on HD Channel 996 on Comcast, HD Channel 1056 on RCN).
  • The community channels of the cities of Rockville and Takoma Park and of the Montgomery Municipal Channel will combine as the Municipal Broadcast Network (MBN—will broadcast on HD Channel 997 on Comcast, HD Channel 1057 on RCN).
  • The combined education channels of Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College (MCPS/MC—will broadcast on HD Channel 998 on Comcast, HD Channel 1058 on RCN).

Green Tip of the Month

Apply by October 6 for up to $100,000 in grant funding to perform various activities that improve communities and watersheds and educate residents about stormwater and watershed protection. The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and the Chesapeake Bay Trust are offering this opportunity for non-profit organizations such as local watershed groups, community associations, service and civic groups, and faith-based organizations through the Montgomery County Watershed Restoration and Outreach Grant Program. The program aims to reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants through community-based, on-the-ground restoration implementation projects, as well as projects focused on public engagement through education, outreach and stewardship.

Let's Talk

Is your community organization hosting a public meeting? Please let me know how I can help. I am happy to assist residents in understanding pending bills or in finding ways to get involved in the political process. Even more important, I want to hear about what matters to you. Send your meeting notices to councilmember.floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-7959 if you would like me to address a particular topic with your group.

August 2016

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