Coats for Kids!

The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) will collect “Coats 4 Kids!” beginning January 11th to January 25th, 8:30am – 5pm!

YAC will collect new or gently used winter-wear items to donate to needy children attending a local elementary school in our community. Many of our children do not wear proper winter apparel as they travel to and from school! Together, we can make a difference in their lives! Help us help elementary students keep warm this winter. Donate new or gently used coats, scarves, hats, gloves, and other winter apparel for students in grades K‐5. Drop off the clothing between January 11, 2011 to January 25, 2011at any of the five locations:

• Counseling office of Paint Branch High School
• ounseling office of Springbrook High School
• Marilyn J. Praisner Recreation Center
• East County Recreation Center(3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring, MD 20904)
• East County Regional Services Center(3300 Briggs Chaney Road Silver Spring, MD 20904)

For more information contact Joy Nurmi at Joy.Nurmi@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240‐777‐8411

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Bill Providing Equal Benefits to Same Sex Domestic Partners of Employees of County Contractors Becomes Law

Councilmember Navarro Was Chief Sponsor of Legislation Applying to Employees Working on Certain County Contracts

ROCKVILLE, Md., December 30, 2010 An equal benefits bill that will extend to employees of many contractors and subcontractors performing work for Montgomery County a benefit already granted to County employees will become law on Jan. 1. District 4 Councilmember Nancy Navarro was the chief sponsor of Bill 37-09, which was unanimously approved by the Council in February and also had the support of County Executive Isiah Leggett.

The County has a longstanding policy, in law and practice, against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. Montgomery County already grants equal benefits to a same sex domestic partner of a County employee that are offered to an employee s spouse, through Bill 29-99, effective March 3, 2000. Bill 37-09 extends this law to many employees of County contractors and subcontractors.

The legislation extends equal benefits to a same-sex domestic partner of a covered employee in a domestic partnership recognized under a marriage license or civil union granted out of state or as defined in the new law. The legislation only covers employees who perform work for the County on a contract that is currently covered by either the County s Wage Requirements Law or the recently enacted Prevailing Wage Law.

Benefits that may be extended under the legislation could include bereavement leave, family medical leave, sick leave, health benefits, dental benefits, disability insurance, life insurance and retirement benefits. Under the Equal Benefits Law, if a required benefit cannot reasonably be provided to a domestic partner, the contractor or subcontractor must pay the employee the cash equivalent.

"When it comes to civil rights, it is critical that we treat contract employees with the same respect as County employees regarding same-sex benefits for their domestic partners. This is a matter of basic fairness," said Councilmember Navarro. "Because we are a large County with a diversity of employment situations, we have people who provide services and do outstanding work over long periods of time, but who do it working as contractors instead of as County employees. This should not stop them from receiving the same benefits as their opposite-sex counterparts."

Some of the important exclusions from the bill are:

• Non-construction services contracts for less than $50,000
• Contractors with less than 10 employees
• Contracts with government agencies or non-profit organizations
• Contracts for public utility services
• Emergency contracts
• Bridge contracts based upon a contract awarded by another government agency
• Construction contracts valued at less than $500,000 or financed by State or
• Federal grants

The law defines domestic partnership as a relationship between two individuals of the same sex that has been licensed as a civil union or marriage in a jurisdiction where such a civil union is permitted. Domestic partnership is also defined as an unlicensed relationship between two individuals of the same sex who share a close personal relationship and are responsible for each other s welfare; have shared the same legal residence for at least 12 months; are at least 18 years old; have voluntarily consented to the relationship without fraud or duress; are not married to, or in a domestic partnership with any other person; are not related by blood or affinity in a way that would disqualify them from marriage under State law if the employee and partner were opposite sexes; are each legally competent to contract; share financial obligations; and legally register the domestic partnership if a domestic partnership registration system exists in the jurisdiction where the employee resides.

A contractor or subcontractor must not discharge or otherwise retaliate against an employee for asserting any right under the Equal Benefits Law, or for filing a complaint of a violation. The law provides that an aggrieved employee, as a third-party beneficiary may, by civil action, recover the cash equivalent of any benefit denied in violation of the law. The County may perform audits and investigate any complaint of a violation. In the instance of a demonstrated violation, the law provides for sanctions, including withholding payment due the contractor and liquidated damages.

The law applies to any contract awarded on or after Jan. 1, 2011, but does not apply to any renewal or extension of a contract that was originally awarded before Jan. 1, 2011. Maryland currently grants limited rights to same sex couples through legislation passed in 2008 to establish domestic partnerships in the state. According to Equality Maryland, the 2008 State laws included 11 protections for domestic partners, including hospital visitation and the making of funeral arrangements for each other. The organization said the State laws also make allowance for a domestic partner's name to be added or removed from the deed of a residence, without incurring a tax liability, as with married spouses.

Montgomery County s law granting equal benefits to County employees was upheld by the Maryland Court of Appeals in the case Tyma v. Montgomery County, 369 Md. 497 (Md. 2002).

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The African Youth Kaleidoscope: A Framework for Innovation

8th Annual Conference: November 19-20, 2010

The African Youth Kaleidoscope: A Framework for Innovation

Hosted by the African Immigrant & Refugee Foundation and Montgomery College

Silver Spring, MD – The African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation (AIRF) whose mission is to facilitate the effective transition of African immigrants to American society and to support the productive and sustainable integration into their new homeland, will host its 8th Annual Youth Conference in partnership with Montgomery College and University African Students Associations on Friday and Saturday, November 19-20. Mr. Bill Strassberger, Chief of the U.S. State Department Public Affairs Bureau of African Affairs, will be the keynote speaker.

This year’s conference is titled "The African Youth Kaleidoscope: A Framework for Innovation,” and will be held on the Silver Spring/Takoma Park Campus of Montgomery College, 7600 Takoma Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 from 8:30 AM to 4 PM. Metered parking and a parking garage are available. The campus is accessible by Ride-On buses, and by Metro: Red Line to Silver Spring station, then transfer to Ride-On Bus Route 17 or 18.

A diverse group of speakers and presenters -- including high school and university students, educators, service providers, philanthropists, elected officials, other nonprofit leaders and shareholders in the African community -- will address the need for broader understanding of these newcomers. The conference goal is to challenge the youth to be innovative in creating solutions for eminent identity issues, social, economic and technical challenges facing them in their new home and in the global world, including their homes of origin. Two universities in Africa have been invited to share their innovations through skype to enrich the dialogue and collaboration. Elected officials will be on hand to educate, inform and encourage civic participation on issues important to the community.

Among the conference highlights will be a special guest, Ms Cora Weiss, who will tell the story of how she became a member of a group of Black and White Americans who understood that in post-colonial, independent Africa, there could be no government, no democracy and no justice without education. To realize this noble vision, an organization known as the African American Students Foundation (AASF) was established and Ms. Weiss volunteered to serve as its Executive Director. The AASF answered Tom Mboya's cry from Kenya and offered to raise funds to provide airlifts in 1959 for over 900 Kenyans to study in American colleges and universities in order to become leaders when their country became independent from Britain 1963. Barack Obama senior was in the first Airlift and Wanjiru Kamau, the founder and director of the African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation, was in the fourth Airlift.

Students from local high schools Blair, Spring Brook and Cardozo High School, alumni from the AIRF after-school programs and their mentors from Howard, Georgetown, American Universities and the University of North Carolina, will share their experiences of their new homeland.

Panel discussion topics during the two-day conference, November 19-20, include: Innovations in Science, Technology and the Arts; In Our Voices: Our Stories and Lived Experiences, featuring area high school and college student presentations; Scholarships and Financial Aid: Opportunities for Education; Policy Making and Advocacy, with several state and county elected officials; Public Health and Nutrition: Wellness Promotion and Disease Prevention; Violence Prevention: Bullying in Schools and Conflict Resolution; Community Collaborations and Resources; Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprise; Philanthropy, Leadership and Community Service Learning Opportunities: A Time to Give Back.

Tables will be made available for the distribution of resource materials and information regarding area health and human service programs, non-profit organizations offering community service learning hours for students, scholarships and educational opportunities, announcements of upcoming events, etc.

Following the Saturday panels and presentations, there will be a banquet in honor of AIRF’s volunteers, alumni, mentors/tutors and current African Club members. All participants and guests are invited to attend for a donation of $25. The Georgetown African Student Association will provide the music.

For more information and fees, and to register, please visit www.airfound.org. Registration include breakfasts, lunches and snack breaks. You can also call Desta Anywio at 202-234-AIRF (2473) or send an e-mail to info@airfound.org.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Airf-Page/1430660020

http://www.facebook.com/pages/AIRFound/177752401729?ref=ts

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Councilmember Nancy Navarro Hosts Snow Removal Presentation

Last winter, hundreds of residents contacted my office regarding snow removal in the County. Many believed that their streets were the last to be plowed, and others expressed concerns about coordination with utility companies. In anticipation of upcoming winter weather, I contacted the Department of Transportation's Division of Highway Services and requested a presentation to address questions and concerns raised by District 4 residents about the County's snow removal processes. Please join me for this presentation by Division of Highway Services Chief Keith Compton, followed by a question and answer period.

When: Wednesday, November 17, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904

What: Presentation on Snow Removal Processes in Montgomery County

Who: Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro and Department of Transportation Division of Highway Services Chief Keith Compton

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Montgomery Organizational Reform Commission to Hold Public Forum

FOR INFORMATION:  Justina Ferber 240-777-7938 / Neil H. Greenberger 240-777-7939

Montgomery Organizational Reform Commission

to Hold Public Forum

TONIGHT, Wed., Oct. 20, Residents Can Offer Suggestions

 On Consolidating / Reorganizing County Government

ROCKVILLE, Md., October 20, 2010—The Montgomery County Organizational Reform Commission, which was appointed by the Montgomery County Council and the County Executive, at 7 p.m. TONIGHT, Wednesday, Oct. 20, will ask the public for its opinions on restructuring the current organization of County Government and County-funded agencies.

The eight-member commission, which was named in July, was created at the urging of Councilmember Roger Berliner and County Executive Isiah Leggett. It is composed of County residents who are experienced in government, business and non-profit service delivery. The volunteer commission, which is scheduled to provide recommendations to the Council and the Executive by Jan. 31, has been gathering information in its initial phase in order to provide the County Council with a status report, which was delivered on Sept. 30. 

The commission will ask residents to help fulfill its mission by holding a public forum in the Third Floor Hearing Room of Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. Residents can sign up in advance to speak by calling 240-777-7814 or 240-777-7938. If time allows, speakers who do not sign up in advance will also be able to offer suggestions. The commission said that items in writing will be most helpful.

Since starting its work, the commission has been soliciting ideas and suggestions for potential reorganization or consolidation from elected officials; residents; business and community leaders; County and agency employees; bargaining unit representatives; and other stakeholders. 

The commission will draft and adopt written criteria to evaluate which suggestions merit further consideration by the commission.  The criteria must include a minimum level of potential cost savings; a standard for ease of implementation; and a measure of acceptable service level impact.

The Council appointees to the commission are Scott Fosler of Chevy Chase, who has served as president of the National Academy of Public Administration and is a former County Councilmember; Daniel Hoffman of Rockville, who for the past nine years has experience managing organization transformation and business process re-engineering as a senior associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Washington Federal Practice; Vernon H. Ricks, Jr., of Potomac,  a former Takoma Park City Councilmember who has served on the boards of directors of Maryland Municipal League and the National League of Cities and a former executive with Xerox Corporation; and Len Simon of Bethesda, the president of the Edgemoor Citizens Association and an employee of the Washington-based firm Simon and Company that assists local governments in federal affairs.

County Executive Leggett’s appointees to the commission are M. Cristina Echavarren of Chevy Chase, an executive with a non-profit organization who is experienced in modernizing budget and accounting processes; Joan Fidler of Bethesda, the president of the Montgomery County Taxpayers League; Susan Heltemes of Silver Spring, who has led and managed teams for nationally recognized research firm Westat; and Richard Wegman of Bethesda, the former chief counsel and staff director of the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Governmental Affairs and former chair of the County Executive’s Green Economy Task Force.

The commission was directed to submit a status/progress report to the Council and the Executive outlining its progress to date and its future work plan. The commission must submit its final report to the Executive and Council no later than Jan 31.

“Many of the best ideas come from County residents, so I’m glad the Organizational Reform Commission is holding this public forum,” said Council President Nancy Floreen. “We are looking at a very constrained budget in the next year, and we expect the commission will provide us with smart alternatives to achieve efficiency while minimizing impacts to service.  I encourage anyone with a good idea to share it with the commission.

The final report must contain the commission’s recommendations to reorganize or consolidate functions performed by County government or County-funded agencies.  For each recommendation for reorganization or consolidation, the commission’s report must include the rationale and estimated cost savings associated with implementing the recommendation. Any organizational proposal for County government in the commission report must take the form of a reorganization plan that the Executive could submit to the Council under Charter §217.

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