It Just Keeps Coming� and Coming� and Coming

Tree debris from the storm is unloaded at the Transfer Station.

A worker is dwarfed by a small mountain of tree debris.

A load of mulch is topped off. The mulch is picked up by 
Grant CountyMulch and eventually sold commercially.

That would be truckload after truckload of tree debris from the derecho that struck our area on June 29 arriving daily at the County�s Processing Facility and Transfer Station. There are still about 600 - 700 vehicles/day dropping off above-average amounts of large tree debris.

All in all, more than 80,000 cubic yards have come into the Transfer Station, alone, since the storm. Enough, so far, to fill about 1,000 53-foot tractor trailers.

And, still, there�s more to come.

Storm Aftermath: Use Caution Hiring Contractors to Repair Damage

The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) warns county residents to be cautious when hiring contractors to repair damage caused by the recent severe storm and advises consumers to do their homework before signing a contract for any home repair or improvement, or tree service work.

Among the tips offered to residents by OCP are:

Don�t panic and hire someone because they are the only company that can come out to the house right away. Make sure the home improvement contractor is licensed with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) by calling 410-230-6309 or check online.

For tree service or removal, check to see if the business is a licensed tree expert with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources ( DNR), Forestry Division at 410-260-8521 or online at www.dnr.maryland.gov.

See more tips and details.

Chat Online with Consumer Protection Director about Post-Storm Repairs

Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) Director Eric Friedman will conduct a live, online chat on Tuesday, July 24 from noon to 2 p.m. that will focus on the recent storm damage and the resulting proliferation of unlicensed home improvement contractors. 

To participate, residents can enter questions prior to or during the live discussion.

Questions and answers will be available for viewing both during and after the chat.

The online discussion is part of the �Consumer Ed Caf�Food for Thought� series of online chats conducted by OCP.       

For more information, call the Office of Consumer Protection at 240-777-3636.

GET THE FACTS: About the Emergency Transportation Insurance Reimbursement

Check out the following sources of information on the new law:

The Emergency Medical Transportation Insurance Reimbursement website

What hired petition gatherers are distributing -- chock full of inaccuracies. Check it out (pdf).

News release: Leggett Hails Council Approval of New EMS Insurance Reimbursement Legislation

Gazette editorial: �The right vote�

A Cornucopia of Family Fun, Farm Life and Fresh Produce

Spend a day or two in the country petting farm animals or having lunch by a scenic pond. Purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants and more.

You and your family can experience all this and more right here in Montgomery County during the 23rd Annual Farm Tour & Harvest Sale , Saturday July 28 and Sunday July 29. All farms will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Sugarloaf Winery that will be open from noon to 6 p.m.

See more details and a list of the participating farms at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/farmtour.