Citizens Advisory Board highlights concerns about the County Housing Policy

After a series of discussions on the County's Housing Policy, the members of the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board (WMCCAB) have written to County Executive Ike Leggett and Council President Roger Berliner highlighting areas of concern that they hope will be addressed in the upcoming revisions to the Policy.

Of particular importance to the WMCCAB is the coordination element within the Housing Policy, which seems a natural place to address changing needs.  They suggested that a revised Housing Policy could propose new mechanisms to ensure a consistent set of priorities guide affordable housing and homelessness programs and clarify each department’s role.

The WMCCAB also noted the importance of the County’s Housing First Initiative to provide permanent housing to prevent homelessness and address the problem of chronic homelessness.  Particularly among the medically-at-risk homeless, many housing experts agree permanent housing is essential to the long term success of medical, mental health and drug treatment services.

The January 31 letter is available online.




Lasko Manor, an example of permanent housing in Bethesda



Citizens advisory board selects 2012 officers

The Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board selected a new leadership team at their January 17 meeting. Heather Dlhopolsky, business representative and 2011 vice chair, was elected chair for 2012. Residential representative Dan Hoffman was elected vice chair.

Heather is the co-chair of the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development Committee and serves on the Chamber Board of Directors. She is an associate at Linowes and Blocher, LLP, a law firm in Bethesda, and resides in North Bethesda.

Dan Hoffman is the current president of the Randolph Civic Association. He also serves as co-chair of the Planning Board's White Flint Sector Plan Implementation Committee and currently acts as the board liaison on matters related to the sector plan. Dan is a manager in the Business Process Improvement and Application Development division at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The county's five citizens advisory boards are charged with representing the diverse viewpoints in their areas. The Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board represents neighborhoods and businesses in Bethesda-Chevy Chase, North Bethesda-Garrett Park, and Potomac. Bios of board members can be found at the BCC Regional Center website.

Transit Task Force to brief Citizens Advisory Board Tuesday, Jan 17

The County Executive's Transit Task Force will provide an update on the status of their work at Tuesday's meeting of the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board.  

Montgomery County Executive Leggett appointed the Transit Task Force in February 2011 comprised of government officials and community stakeholders, and charged it with developing an implementation plan to
make a comprehensive rapid transit system a reality in Montgomery County.   

The Task Force has been working to develop such a report and plans to transmit its report to the County Executive by March 2012.  Tuesday's Task Force briefing will provide the status of its work, a sense of the need, and a sense of the look and feel of the envisioned system.    

 

Public input sought for site of new B-CC middle school

The public is invited to attend any of four meetings to weigh in on where they think a new middle school in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area should be located. 

If you don't get a chance to participate in tonight's meeting, additional meetings are set for January 25, February 8, and February 22 at the B-CC High School cafeteria, 7 to 9 pm.  

A list of ten candidate sites is available at the Public Schools' website.

Citizens Advisory Board to receive crime briefing on Jan 17

The Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board will be briefed by Bethesda Police District Commander David Falcinelli about the recent surge in residential burglaries at their Tuesday, January 17 meeting. The meeting will be held at the BCC Regional Services Center, beginning at 7pm, and is open to all.

There were twenty four burglaries in December in the Bethesda District (Bethesda, Chevy Chase, North Bethesda). Police are actively investigating and are asking for community assistance in identifying suspects and reporting suspicious behavior.

Community Leader Workshop

Leading a community organization (think PTA, civic association, church committee, etc.) can be a challenge. Beginning with the release of the Community Toolkit two years ago, the BCC Center has made it a priority to help civic and community organizations improve their communites and get infomation to members.

Come to this free two-part workshop, which focuses on real-world tools and techniques for fostering a collaborative and rewarding environment. We'll discuss tips for running effective meetings and anticipating and managing conflict. Participants will be asked to share their experiences and practices.

Organized by the Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County and the B-CC Regional Services Center, this workshop is a great opportunity to learn, share and network with your peers.

When: Saturday, January 21 and February 25, 10-11:30 am

Where: Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 2nd floor
4805 Edgemoor Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814

RSVP: bethesda.citizen@montgomerycountymd.gov

County Executive Leggett to hold budget forum Monday in Bethesda

County Executive Leggett is coming to Bethesda Monday night to hear from the local community about budget priorities in the next fiscal year. Leggett will also discuss the County's current fiscal climate and outlook.

The forum is hosted by the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board, a panel of residents and business leaders who advise the County Executive, County Council, and Regional Director on local priorities. The advisory board represents Rockville, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Potomac, and North Bethesda.


The forum begins at 7pm and will be held at the B-CC Regional Services Center.

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