Executive Commends Council Endorsement of Senior Agenda
The Maryland Department of Planning projects that between 2000 and 2020 the senior population (age 60 and over) of Montgomery County will increase by 74 percent. As a group, seniors are growing at a rate more than seven times faster than non-seniors.
This is why County Executive Ike Leggett recently applauded the County Council resolution, passed December 4, in support of the County�s Senior Agenda. The Council endorsement called the agenda �a blueprint for planning for the growth of the senior population and making �Montgomery County a Community for a Lifetime.�"
Earlier this year, Leggett sent the Council his endorsement of the vision spelled out in the agenda. The County�s Commission on Aging drafted the Senior Agenda to advise the County on its policies and planning for older adults and provide a vision that �Montgomery County will be a Community for a Lifetime -- place for older adults to live safe, healthy and vital lives.�
The agenda calls for action steps in transportation, housing, socialization and leisure, health and wellness, communications, employment, and security and safety.
See the Council resolution and the Senior Agenda.
Read news release.
Go Green in �13 � Recycle Christmas Trees and Greens
The Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services (DSWS) in the Department of Environmental Protection reminds residents that they may recycle their Christmas trees by placing the entire tree at the curb by 7 a.m. on their recycling collection day, as part of the County�s curbside yard trim recycling collection program.
After Christmas trees are collected for recycling, they are shredded into mulch that will be available in January and February for residents to take at County-operated Neighborhood Mulch Preserves located at the following locations: Montgomery County Recycling Center, 16105 Frederick Rd. in the Derwood/Rockville/Gaithersburg area; and at E.E. Halmos Park (use the Bodmer Ave. entrance) in Poolesville. The mulch is free but must be loaded and transported by the user.
Get more information about Christmas tree recycling, the Neighborhood Mulch Preserves and/or using mulch or call Montgomery County's Customer Service Center at 311 (out-of-County, 240-777-0311, TTY:301-251-4850).
Guide Released on Procedures, Decisions Affecting Common Ownership Communities
The Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities (CCOC) has released its �Guide to the Procedures and Decisions of the Commission on Common Ownership Communities.� The publication provides valuable information to County residents on laws affecting homeowners and condominium and cooperative living associations.
The guide is online at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ccoc. Print versions are available at $15 each by calling the County�s Office of Consumer Protection at 240-777-3636.
For more information, contact the Office of Consumer Protection at 240-777-3636.
Showing posts with label Recycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recycling. Show all posts
Thursday, January 10, 2013
MAKING NEWS
County�s Innovation-Related Economy Helps Maryland to a Top Five Ranking in Nation
�Locally led innovation is the key to meeting the challenge of restructuring the American economy,� according to the Next Economy Partnership Project, of NDN, a leading think tank and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC, and the New Policy Institute.
Highlighting the importance of the relationship between local innovation and economic recovery for the country, the 2012 State New Economy Index ranks the 50 states according to their adoption of an innovation fueled economy.
In the index released by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Maryland ranks fifth in the country. Massachusetts holds the top spot, followed by Delaware, Washington and California.
The report states, �Maryland occupies fifth place and Virginia sixth. Their high rankings are due primarily to high concentrations of knowledge workers, many employed with the federal government or related contractors in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.�
The report builds on prior State New Economy Indexes published in 1999, 2002, 2007, 2008 and 2010. Overall, the report uses 26 indicators, divided into five key areas that best capture what is new about the New Economy: knowledge jobs, globalization, economic dynamism, the digital economy and innovation capacity.
See the 2012 State New Economy Index.
Montgomery County is Only U.S. Representative at International Conference in Taiwan; Environmental Protection Director Gives Recycling Presentation
Other than host Taipei City, Montgomery County was the only local government invited to participate in the �International Conference on Resource Recycling 2012� and the sole representative from the United States. The focus of the four-day conference was zero waste generation. The County was invited to participate based on a recommendation from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and all expenses were paid by the Taiwan EPA.
Hoyt�s presentation described how the County�s recycling program operates, including our newly established recycling goal of 70%, one of the highest in the country. He provided information on our waste reduction efforts, including the bag law, how our collections are handled, and how outreach and education are major parts of our overall program.
The attendees visited recycling centers in Taipei and learned about the system that rewards residents for dropping off recyclables. (There are no curbside collections.) When residents bring in their materials and based on the weight of their recyclables, customers receive �gift� credits. With the credits, residents can purchase basic food and household items.
Hoyt said that, for him, one of the most vivid impressions of the conference was that �once the other countries heard about our recycling program, it became clear that we could hold our own with any of them.� Although he picked up on some ways we might be able to improve, the DEP director said, �As a whole system, there is no one better [than ours].�
Presentations were also given by representatives from Brazil, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Sweden.
Local Diver�s Story Featured on NBC-News 4
The Recreation Department recently worked with NBC 4 to share the story of Melissa Novak a 14-year old National Dive Team member who has overcome significant challenges to dive competitively at the national level and will likely be a top competitor in the 2016 Olympic trials.
The interview was taped in December at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver Aquatic Center in North Bethesda where Melissa trains.
Melissa lives in Frederick and is driven by her mother each weekday to the center in Bethesda. This speaks volumes not only about the teen�s dedication to diving but to the quality of the programs, staff and facilities � such as the Shriver and Germantown centers -- that are available through the County�s Recreation Department and are attracting out-of-county swimmers and divers.
See and hear Melissa�s story.
Various Media Find a Good Story in the Inmate/Library Book Repair Program
The story of the inmate library book repair program at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility (MCCF) in Clarksburg has spread even farther afield thanks to coverage from various media outlets over the past few months.
Back in October, Germantown Patch featured a piece by editor Tiffany Arnold entitled �Inmates in Boyds Fix Broken Books for �Good Time Credit.�
The University of Maryland�s Capital News Service also picked up on the story in October with reporter Lyndsey Wallen�s �Inmate Bindings � Inmates Work to Give Old Book New Life.�
The program at MCCF appeared on the Post Local �Rosenwald, Md.� blog in November.
That same month, Voice of America writer/producer Julia Taboh visited the MCCF for more than two hours getting footage and interviewing both the inmates repairing books and Warden Rob Green. Read the VOA piece that was published in December.
Good works getting good coverage.
Office of Consumer Protection Part of ABC News Report on Towing
The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) was included in a recent ABC News feature on the towing industry entitled: �On the Hook: Confessions from the Tow Yard.�
OCP Director Eric Friedman is interviewed about the activity used by some towers of luring unsuspecting drivers to park in no-parking areas, then towing them. There is also a scene shot at a local site detailing that a car can be hooked up and towed within 20 seconds.
openMontgomery Web Portal featured in �Government Technology�
The County�s new openMontgomery site is featured in this month�s �Government Technology�s,� govtech.com online news service.
Chief Information Officer, Sonny Segal said the open government platform has been well received since it was launched in December 2012.
�Locally led innovation is the key to meeting the challenge of restructuring the American economy,� according to the Next Economy Partnership Project, of NDN, a leading think tank and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC, and the New Policy Institute.
Highlighting the importance of the relationship between local innovation and economic recovery for the country, the 2012 State New Economy Index ranks the 50 states according to their adoption of an innovation fueled economy.
In the index released by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Maryland ranks fifth in the country. Massachusetts holds the top spot, followed by Delaware, Washington and California.
The report states, �Maryland occupies fifth place and Virginia sixth. Their high rankings are due primarily to high concentrations of knowledge workers, many employed with the federal government or related contractors in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.�
The report builds on prior State New Economy Indexes published in 1999, 2002, 2007, 2008 and 2010. Overall, the report uses 26 indicators, divided into five key areas that best capture what is new about the New Economy: knowledge jobs, globalization, economic dynamism, the digital economy and innovation capacity.
See the 2012 State New Economy Index.
Montgomery County is Only U.S. Representative at International Conference in Taiwan; Environmental Protection Director Gives Recycling Presentation
 |
Photo caption: CountyDEP Director Bob Hoyt (far left) joins representatives from the other countries that participated in the 2012 International Conference on Resource Recycling in Taipei City, Taiwan. While many local residents were making plans for Thanksgiving travels, dinner or entertaining, Department of Environmental Protection Director Bob Hoyt was half way around the world talking to an international audience about the County�s recycling program. |
Hoyt�s presentation described how the County�s recycling program operates, including our newly established recycling goal of 70%, one of the highest in the country. He provided information on our waste reduction efforts, including the bag law, how our collections are handled, and how outreach and education are major parts of our overall program.
The attendees visited recycling centers in Taipei and learned about the system that rewards residents for dropping off recyclables. (There are no curbside collections.) When residents bring in their materials and based on the weight of their recyclables, customers receive �gift� credits. With the credits, residents can purchase basic food and household items.
Hoyt said that, for him, one of the most vivid impressions of the conference was that �once the other countries heard about our recycling program, it became clear that we could hold our own with any of them.� Although he picked up on some ways we might be able to improve, the DEP director said, �As a whole system, there is no one better [than ours].�
Presentations were also given by representatives from Brazil, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Sweden.
Local Diver�s Story Featured on NBC-News 4
The Recreation Department recently worked with NBC 4 to share the story of Melissa Novak a 14-year old National Dive Team member who has overcome significant challenges to dive competitively at the national level and will likely be a top competitor in the 2016 Olympic trials.
The interview was taped in December at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver Aquatic Center in North Bethesda where Melissa trains.
Melissa lives in Frederick and is driven by her mother each weekday to the center in Bethesda. This speaks volumes not only about the teen�s dedication to diving but to the quality of the programs, staff and facilities � such as the Shriver and Germantown centers -- that are available through the County�s Recreation Department and are attracting out-of-county swimmers and divers.
See and hear Melissa�s story.
Various Media Find a Good Story in the Inmate/Library Book Repair Program
The story of the inmate library book repair program at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility (MCCF) in Clarksburg has spread even farther afield thanks to coverage from various media outlets over the past few months.
Back in October, Germantown Patch featured a piece by editor Tiffany Arnold entitled �Inmates in Boyds Fix Broken Books for �Good Time Credit.�
The University of Maryland�s Capital News Service also picked up on the story in October with reporter Lyndsey Wallen�s �Inmate Bindings � Inmates Work to Give Old Book New Life.�
The program at MCCF appeared on the Post Local �Rosenwald, Md.� blog in November.
That same month, Voice of America writer/producer Julia Taboh visited the MCCF for more than two hours getting footage and interviewing both the inmates repairing books and Warden Rob Green. Read the VOA piece that was published in December.
Good works getting good coverage.
Office of Consumer Protection Part of ABC News Report on Towing
The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) was included in a recent ABC News feature on the towing industry entitled: �On the Hook: Confessions from the Tow Yard.�
OCP Director Eric Friedman is interviewed about the activity used by some towers of luring unsuspecting drivers to park in no-parking areas, then towing them. There is also a scene shot at a local site detailing that a car can be hooked up and towed within 20 seconds.
openMontgomery Web Portal featured in �Government Technology�
The County�s new openMontgomery site is featured in this month�s �Government Technology�s,� govtech.com online news service.
Chief Information Officer, Sonny Segal said the open government platform has been well received since it was launched in December 2012.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
A Holiday Gift to the Environment � Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Residents are reminded that this holiday season is a good time to begin helping the County reach its new goal to reduce waste and recycle 70 percent of the waste stream by 2020. It�s simple -- reduce the amount of waste you individually generate and recycle everything possible.
The Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services (DSWS), in the Department of Environmental Protection, notes that although the winter holiday season traditionally produces extra amounts of waste, there are many ways to reduce what individual households might generate now and throughout the year.
The Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services (DSWS), in the Department of Environmental Protection, notes that although the winter holiday season traditionally produces extra amounts of waste, there are many ways to reduce what individual households might generate now and throughout the year. Get tips about: ridding your household of unwanted mail; how to reduce, reuse and recycle when shopping, wrapping and entertaining; and signing up for electronic holiday collection schedule reminders.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Making News
On the Way to London: Olympic Dive Team Makes a Splash in County
 |
| US Olympians execute a dive during a training session for the media at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver Aquatic Center in North Bethesda. |
Local media and residents had a couple of unique opportunities to see the U.S. Olympic Team�Diving during the four days of training sessions held in the County before the team departed for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Montgomery County Recreation hosted a media-only training session for the team on July 14 at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver Aquatic Center in North Bethesda. Members of the media filmed and interviewed team members during the session.
The following day, the Olympians participated in a special exhibition at the Germantown Indoor Swim Center. In addition to elected officials and residents, the full-house audience included Olympic Champion diver Greg Louganis, who is serving as a mentor to the US team.
Inside word has it that the team was very happy with the facilities here in Montgomery County and that they were accessible and friendly to both Recreation staff, other swimmers and the public, in general, signing autographs and talking with young people.
Gazette Editorial Commends County�s �Latest Milestone� in Recycling
In the past 60 days, the County has taken two more giant steps to enhance its reputation as a local leader in recycling efforts.
The first step came in May when County Executive Ike Leggett announced establishment of a new, higher recycling goal -- 70 percent of the waste stream being recycled by the end of 2020. The new goal would be one of the highest among jurisdictions in the metropolitan region, as well as other counties across the United States.
The second step came at the end of June when the Executive announced that residents of single-family homes receiving County recycling pick ups can now add PET thermoform plastics to their recycling bins. [See photo.]
PET plastic is used to make items such as cups and rigid packaging. It is a transparent, lightweight, strong, safe, shatterproof and recyclable packaging material commonly used to package fresh fruits and vegetables, bakery items, prepared foods and salads, and deli items.
Both announcements were lauded by The Gazette in a July 11 editorial entitled �Recycling strides.� Adding clamshell containers, the editorial stated, �is the latest milestone in the county�s recycling program which is getting even more ambitious after the county executive raised the goal on how much of the county�s trash�should be recycled by 2020.�
Correction and Rehabilitation Program Featured on Channel 7
Turning lives around is more than a phrase at the County�s Correctional Facility in Clarksburg.
It�s a fact, thanks to a comprehensive work program that teaches life skills to inmates learning how to make new starts for themselves.
ABC 7 News (WJLA) recently detailed the program, a dedicated career coach and the positive impact both are having on inmates.
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