State of the County Speech

The public is invited to attend County Executive Ike Leggett�s �State of the County� speech on Wednesday, February 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring.

Leggett will reflect on the County�s accomplishments and on challenges and opportunities ahead in the coming year and beyond. 

Attendees should arrive no later than 7:15 p.m. to be seated in time for the live broadcast which will begin at 7:30. Light refreshments will be served following the speech.

Get more details about the event.

The speech also will be carried live on County Cable Montgomery (Channel 6 for Comcast and RCN customers and Channel 30 for Verizon customers) and will be video streamed on www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ccm.

For more information, call the Office of Public Information at 240-777-6507.

Creating a Safer Maryland Together

In early February, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown joined with County Executive Ike Leggett, Council President Nancy Navarro and the County Council at a town hall meeting in Rockville designed to connect with community members about the O'Malley-Brown Administration's proposed public safety legislation, answer questions and hear ideas for continuing to build a safer Maryland together.

The Montgomery County event was part of a series of town hall meetings scheduled around the state to promote discussions on improving public safety and protecting Maryland families. The lieutenant governor was joined by a panel made up of State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus Brown, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lillian Lowery and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein. Community members, advocates, public safety officials, faith leaders, and other state and local officials also participated.

Watch the town hall meeting.

County Executive to Present State of the County Address

The public is invited to attend County Executive Ike Leggett�s State of the County Speech which will be held on February 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Silver Spring Civic Building, Fenton St. and Ellsworth Dr.

The Civic Building in Downtown Silver Spring is just a few blocks off the Metro Red Line and is accessible to Ride On and Metrobus stops and public parking garages.

For more information, including information about public transit and parking, call 311 (outside of County 240-777-0311) or register online.

Public Forums on the FY14 Operating Budget

So residents can provide input to officials about fiscal year 2014 operating budget priorities, County Executive Ike Leggett is sponsoring budget forums during January and February. All forums are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on the following dates:

• January 24, BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown;
• January 28, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Service Center, 4805 Edgemoor La., Bethesda;
• January 29, Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring; and
• February 4, Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Rd. Silver Spring.

Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no less than 72 hours prior to the event.  If these or other services or aids are needed to participate in this activity, call 240-777-6507, TTY 240-777-6505 or email a request to karen.falcon@montgomerycountymd.gov.

The County Executive will announce his recommended fiscal year 2014 operating budget on March 15.  The County Council approves the operating budget at the end of May.

Executive Speaks Out about Newtown Tragedy

County Executive Ike Leggett recently spoke about the fatal shootings in Newtown, CN and the need for stronger gun control, with Bruce DePuyt. Host of News Channel 8�s �News Talk.�

Watch the video.

Discuss Issues, Ideas with the County Executive Face-to-Face or Online

Residents will have two opportunities this month to share their thoughts and concerns about various issues with County Executive Ike Leggett.

On Tuesday, October 23, the Executive will host a Town Hall Meeting at Rosa Parks Middle School, 19200 Olney Mill Rd., beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The meeting will be videotaped for future airing on County Cable 6.  Sign language interpreter services will be provided upon request at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.

For more information about the meeting or the cable schedule, call 240-777-6507.

On Wednesday, October 24, residents can ask questions of the Executive during his Online Chat, to be held from 2 to 3 p.m.

County residents can send questions directly to the County Executiveat any time. Answered questions will be available at the beginning of the live session, and selected questions will be answered during the scheduled discussion time.

Students Invited to Speak Up and Speak Out at Council�s Town Hall Meeting

Two years ago, the County Council hosted its first Town Hall Meeting for Students to learn what issues most concern younger residents. On Wednesday, October 10, the third such meeting will be held in the Third Floor Hearing Room of the Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The meeting will start at 7 p.m., preceded at 6:30 p.m. by a reception in the building�s second-floor cafeteria.

The meeting will be broadcast live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM), cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and rebroadcast at various times in the weeks following the meeting. CCM Producer Susan Kenedy will moderate the meeting.

For the first time, the Council will use Twitter to bring more young people into the discussion. Some questions will be taken during the Town Hall Meeting using the hashtag #mocoyouth.  Students tweeting about the event are encouraged to use the hashtag, as well.

Students who wish to attend the meeting are asked to RSVP by calling 240-777-7931.

Read more about the Town Hall Meeting for Students.

Leggett, Councilmembers to Participate in Hearing about On-The-Job Safety And Health Challenges Faced By Immigrant Workers

County Executive Ike Leggett and Councilmembers Nancy Navarro, Valerie Ervin, and George Leventhal will participate in the public hearing on September 21 held by the Montgomery County Worker Safety & Health Commission on �Safety & Health Challenges on the Job Faced by Immigrant Workers.�

The hearing will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building, at Ellsworth Dr. and Fenton St.  It follows Montgomery County�s adoption of a regulation strengthening worker health and safety on County-funded construction projects.

Among those testifying will be the widow of a worker killed on the job in the County and other workers injured on the job.

See more information.

Leggett Responds to Councilmember on County�s Involvement with Pepco

On August 30, Leggett met with Pepco�s senior leadership at his office in Rockville � reviewing their recent performance and making crystal clear the County�s expectations for improved reliability.

In response to comments by County Councilmember Nancy Floreen that the County should have a �clear roadmap of what it is asking from Pepco or the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC),� County Executive Ike Leggett assured her that �the County has been actively involved in several matters regarding Pepco�s performance before the PSC�.�

In a September 10 memorandum to Councilmember Floreen, Leggett said the County is �currently a party in the case to review their [Pepco] handling of the Derecho storm� in June.

Read entire memo (pdf).

County Honors Local Olympians

County Executive Ike Leggett hosted a reception in the Executive Office Building in Rockville honoring Montgomery County�s 2012 Olympians. Two of the five local athletes who competed in London -- Scott Parsons, three-time Olympian in the men�s slalom kayak event and Katie Ledecky, Gold Medal winner in the 800-meter freestyle swimming event (shown with the Executive) -- attended the reception.  

Julie Zetlin (rhythmic gymnastics), Caroline Queen (women�s slalom kayak) and David Banks (rowing) were unable to attend the reception.

In his remarks, Leggett noted, �That each of you made it to this level in your respective sports is indeed a major accomplishment and something you will always treasure."

The auditorium was filled with County employees who took the opportunity to talk to and be photographed with the Olympians.  Both Katie and Scott graciously obliged everyone asking for photos and/or autographs. 

In-Depth Interview with County Executive on County Cable�s �Mosaic�

County Executive Ike Leggett talks with �Mosaic� host Deborah Milo about his beginnings, the importance of  "perseverance" and his style of governing, among other topics.

Chat Online with County Executive

Residents will have the chance to express their opinions about any local issue or topic with County Executive Ike Leggett during his next online chat on September 19 from 1 to 2 p.m.

You can submit questions anytime. Answered questions will be available at the beginning of the live session and selected questions will be answered during the scheduled discussion time. 

Leggett, Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association Reach Agreement Resulting in Improved Services for Residents, Visitors

Rockville Fire Station #3 personnel watch as County Executive Ike Leggett and Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe sign an agreement that will boost communication, promote further cooperation and enhance the volunteer contribution to the County�s combined volunteer and career emergency fire and rescue service.  Also at the table are Fire Chief Richard Bowers (far left) and MontgomeryCounty Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association Executive Director Eric Bernard (far right).

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association have announced an agreement between the County and the Volunteer Association that will improve fire and rescue services for residents and visitors in Montgomery County. The agreement, signed on August 13, will boost communication, promote further cooperation and enhance the volunteer contribution to the County�s combined volunteer and career emergency fire and rescue service.

�Although we are concerned that non-County residents will receive a bill for emergency transport, we do not support a referendum on the Emergency Medical Transportation Insurance Reimbursement Act,� said Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe. �The fire and rescue service enhancements that will result from this agreement are too critical to jeopardize. The Act will result in significant improvements to emergency services and the safety of County residents.

�County residents, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and career and volunteer personnel will benefit from enhanced fire and rescue service with the implementation of the Emergency Medical Transportation Insurance Reimbursement Act,� said Goodloe. �This agreement fosters a relationship of trust and support and recognizes the valued contributions by our volunteer fire, rescue and emergency medical services personnel.�

�The State of Maryland has decided to shift to Montgomery County what could very well be more than $400 million over 10 years in state teacher pension costs,� Leggett said. �The State has also approved a new �Maintenance of Effort� law on school funding that could force us to add millions more to our reserves each year above and beyond what we already do. These are changed circumstances of monumental significance. The additional revenue the County will receive from insurance reimbursements is vital. It will enable us to enhance fire and rescue services to keep pace with population growth, without cutting other essential County services.

The Executive expressed his appreciation for �the work and efforts by our County officials and representatives from the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association. In particular, I want to acknowledge Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe, Executive Director Eric Bernard and Counsel John Bentivolio for their leadership and efforts in forging this agreement.�

County to Honor World War II Veterans; Looking to Contact More Vets

Seventy years ago, World War II changed the history of the world.

On September 19, County Executive Ike Leggett, Council President Roger Berliner and the County Council will honor the men and women who served their nation in that war at a special �Montgomery Honors WW II Vets�ceremony to be held at the Silver Spring Civic Building located at One Veterans Plaza.

 The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m.  Speakers will include WW II veterans � now referred to as part of �America�s Greatest Generation.�

The event will be simulcast live on many of the County�s public cable television channels that compose the PEG (Public, Education, Government) Network. In addition, the PEG Network will record the stories of many of the veterans for a documentary that will debut on Veterans Day.

Event organizers are working to contact more of the veterans who will be honored on September 19. The veterans -- or family and friends of the veterans -- seeking more information or wishing to RSVP -- should call 240-777-7929.

Download the event flyer. (pdf)