At their quarterly meeting on June 6, the ICB (Interagency Coordinating Board), the entity that sets policy guidelines for the Office of Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF), welcomed the former Assistant Administrative Officer and County Attorney, Ms. Ramona Bell-Pearson, as she was preparing to take control of CUPF starting on June 10.      

Safety is a recurrent issue for the ICB.  As one board member puts it, “No community is immune.”  The Board’s mission is to encourage the community’s use of public facilities. So, while concerned with school safety, it must be balanced with access.  Over the coming year, the ICB looks forward to hearing from a joint MCPS and ICB/CUPF workgroup that will be delving into this subject. 

During the quarterly meeting, Mr. Dave Pullen, a representative of the U.S. Tennis Association gave a presentation on the benefits of tennis for county residents, including those in low-income areas.  Mr. Pullen cited a Harvard University School of Public Health study that suggests “people who participate in tennis at 3 hours per week will cut their risk of death in half from any cause.”  The U.S. Tennis Association advocates for greater investment in facilities supporting this activity.   

Following his presentation, Ms. Liz Habermann, Acting-Director, presented the customary CUPF director’s report.  Ramona will give her first director’s report at the Board’s next quarterly meeting on September 12. 

 Well, believe it or not, it has been one month since I assumed the role as CUPF’s Director, and I have enjoyed every hour of it, even the ones where I didn’t know what I was doing. 

I really enjoy getting to know each of the Staff members, to get an understanding of what they do and how they do it.  Some have asked about changes I might be interested in making. I want to take this opportunity to assure those who might be wondering, I don’t believe in coming in and making changes just for the sake of making changes.  I also don’t believe in upending things when you are the “new Kid on the Block” and do not fully grasp how things work, and why they are the way they are.  Besides, I still have 7 boxes to unpack before fully settling in.  That is down from the original 22 boxes I came with.  That’s good, right?

My first six months, of which five months are left; I plan to get to know everybody as much as I can and familiarize with the agency’s multi-layered operations.  Each Staff member performs an important task that enables CUPF to meet its responsibility to our community of users.  Despite the no change rule, there are some changes that have been waiting to be made. They include, filling some positions that are open and which are in need of personnel and establishing more opportunities for Staff to socialize or get reacquainted. I also have planned one-on-one meetings to personally know my Staff.

I continue to be very excited about working with Staff and our Community Partners.  This Organization is a unique and valuable part of our County government and the Community at large.  We have a positive impact on people every day by helping them realize and benefit from their use of public facilities.  I know that everyone here has a commitment to keep up the good work!   Ramona

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Tell Us, We are all Ears

Thank you for using the county’s public facilities for your community events and activities! Please contact our office if you have any questions or suggestions about how we may better serve you. Our office hours are:  Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  Phone 240-777-2725 or Email: cupf@montgomerycountymd.gov The After-Hours Problem Line is: 240-490-CUPF (2873) If before or during your permitted event you experience any of the following: a lockout, HVAC issue, security concern, equipment failure, availability of venues or rooms, you must call 240-490-CUPF (2873) and a member of our staff will jump on it immediately to assist you in solving the problem. Until next month, Ciao!