http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/05/12/montgomery-md-spends-1-300-hr-on-car-sharing-service/
Ouch! The county apparently spent 100,000 on vehicles for sharing by county employees that go mostly unused as employees prefer their own county vehicles. Perhaps they should haveidentified who would be giving up vehicles first?
Thanks to WUSA-9.
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Waste
Del. Kirill Reznik sends this new in his regular correspondence:
One bill in particular that I have received many constituent emails about is HB 831 or local bill MC 922-09. This bill will prohibit the use of leg hold traps in Montgomery County. As I have mentioned before, these traps are an inhumane way to trap animals and I am glad to report that after some strong deabte and a contentious hearing, we voted the bill out of local Delegation with no amendments. I appreciate the heavy constituent input to vote the bill out with no amendments and I am glad that we were able to do so.
No leg traps in the neighborhood, please.
A press release received this week outlines the County Executive’s statement on the current budget woes in Montgomery County. The entire message is posted below in the more section - apparently it takes several months for this press releases to be posted on the County Executive’s web page (current 5 months behind). Tough times ahead for fans of county spending. And an interesting take on the phrase “closing the gap”, where we see a $587 million budget gap is closed through a 1.9% increase in spending.
Roger Manno sent a promotional Email from 1/17 describing his legislative agenda about mostly fringe issues.
From the County Newsfeed:
Date: December 19, 2008 2:39:47 PM EST
Subject: Montgomery County Board Vacancies
County Executive Isiah Leggett is committed to representation on all of the County’s boards, committees, and commissions that is reflective of, and responsive to, our County’s residents. Public participation contributes to the work of County government and provides a valuable service to the community when a variety of issues, concerns, and viewpoints are presented. Currently, there is a valuable opportunity to serve on the following:
The deadline for application is January 9, 2009.
Please share this notice with anyone who may be interested. You may access vacancy announcements for boards, committees, and commissions through the following link.
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/exec/vacancies/pr_list.asp
There is a forum for the community on property foreclosure, including confidential counselors to help you understand and work through the process. The event is Saturday October 11th, from 10 until Noon, in Montgomery Village.
See http://www.reznikformaryland.com/custom?key=904 for more details. This is an event sponsored by Delegate Kirill Reznik of district 39, I couldn’t find any information on a similar event sponsored by our delegates.
Nancy Floreen alerts us to the cancellation of the Georgia Ave./Randolph Road intersection improvements, along with several others. Is anyone surprised that the ICC project has dried up most transportation funds? Wasn’t this predicted by ICC opponents?
We need to get serious about transportation funding. We know that delaying projects leads to higher costs in the long run while canceling them altogether would lead to environmentally destructive sprawl and crippling congestion. Some folks may think we can’t afford costly transportation projects, but we really can’t afford a future that leaves commuters paralyzed by gridlock and isolates the emerging business sectors of the state. To learn more, visit my blog, and let me know what you think. (from “Nancy at Large”)
It is interesting to note that the Georgia/Randolph intersection was identified as the county’s second transportation priority as far back as 2004. Now it’s pushed back at least 3. The ICC project has trumped all things transportation and does so little to improve traffic in the county.
A previous message points to the State Highway Administration (SHA) statement on their desire to change the end of ICC Phase 1 from Georgia Avenue to Norbeck Road. This message provides some additional details. The information comes from a conversation with Odessa Phillips, community liaison for the ICC project phase 1.
Previously, Phase 1 construction of the ICC (from I-370 to Georgia Avenue) was to end at a cloverleaf interchange on Georgia Avenue. This would connect the 6 lane toll road ICC to the 6 lane divided state highway Georgia Avenue north of Norbeck Road (route 28). Last fall, SHA proposed building a “spur road” to connect eastbound traffic from the ICC onto Norbeck Road to assist with the failing intersection at Georgia and Norbeck.
In a change proposed by Greater Olney Civic Association Treasurer Roy Peck, SHA is now planning to have phase 1 of the ICC continuing through the cloverleaf and terminating at a temporary exit directly onto Norbeck Road. This exit will bring ICC traffic directly onto Norbeck Road on existing ICC right-of-way but outside the expected ICC path. While specifics are unavailable, the description from SHA indicated the ICC will now terminate between the entrance to the Longmeade Crossing neighborhood and Baileys Land. An additional traffic light will be added at this exit, and an additional lane will be added to provide more merging space for traffic. It is unknown how this light will be timed with the existing light on Wintergate Drive.
Despite claims that the ICC has an extensive community outreach mission, SHA conceeded that they did not send a mailing to residents of the Norbeck area of the county soliciting them for input on the proposed change. Additionally, no sign was placed on the right-of-way indicating a public meeting or hearing as is typical for similar zoning changes. SHA also indicated that our state representatives were briefed on the change.
Please note that while the Greater Olney Civic Association collaborated with the state on this change, they are clearly on record as being opposed to the ICC and favor the ICC being closed until all phases are complete.
The State Highway Administration is tearing through 
acres of old woods as fast as they can, moving into Phase 2 of the ICC project even before woods are cleared for Phase 1. As this picture shows, they either have a lot of timber clearing equipment idle or they’re worried the project will get stopped judging by the pace they are running. This picture was taken 7/13, and the clearing was enough for their equipment and a road through to the east. In one week the clearing is now as wide as the entire ICC right of way as far as you can see.
Residents of the Norbeck area of the county are now bracing as this tree clearing moves to take most of the trees from some of our neighborhoods.
In a stunning surprise, the State Highway Administration has decided to exit phase one of the ICC (270 to Georgia Ave.) directly at Baileys Lane in our neighborhood. See this link for information from the state.
SHA claims this was done with discussions with surrounding communities, but obviously this did not happen with the community most directly impacted - ours! We are currently collecting information on this situation plus how you can respond as soon as possible.
Please monitor the RSS feed for this site, or send Email to info@norbeck.org to make sure you are notified of updates.
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Jul 19, 2009 
