Holiday Shoppers: Don�t Leave Home Without� Reusable Bags!

When you set out for holiday gift shopping at the mall, the town center or wherever you prefer to shop, there are certain items you never want to leave home without -- shopping list� car keys�cash and/or credit cards�purse or wallet�and these days, your cell phone.

And, for County residents, there�s one more item to add to the list this year � a supply of reusable shopping bags.  In addition to the traditional reusable bags sold in stores these days, there are various kinds that roll up and fit conveniently in pockets and purses.

As the 2012 holiday shopping season comes round, the message is simple:   �Bring Your Bag; Fight Litter.�

Stronger Regulations Implemented to Protect Construction Workers On County Projects

Montgomery County has released new requirements which strengthen protections for construction workers.
The contract requirements, issued by the Department of General Services, resulted from the work of the Worker Safety & Health Commission, established by County Executive Ike Leggett in 2009. The commission, made up of individuals who live and work in Montgomery County with interest and expertise in safety issues, is charged with assisting Maryland Occupational Safety and Health in protecting worker health and safety.

�Every job in our community ought to be a safe job,� said Leggett. �Despite our budget challenges, there are ways we can use existing resources to help reduce workplace injuries and illnesses in the County. And, we can start with the buildings we build. The first major project these stronger regulations would apply to is the new Silver Spring Library, where, right now, we are in the process of choosing a building contractor.�

See the full text of the new requirements.