Operating budget for fiscal 2013 set to be formally adopted May 24.
The Montgomery County Council tentatively agreed Thursday on a $4.6 billion county operating budget for fiscal 2013. The budget, along with a construction spending plan through fiscal year 2018, is set for formal approval May 24. “Our priorities have been, and will continue to be, our world-class school system, public safety, safety net service and growing our economy. This budget reflects that,” Council President Roger Berliner (D-Dist 1) said in a statement. The plan is based on a $4.57 billion budget proposed in March by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), which included a $200 million spending boost and increased funding for police, firefighters, libraries and youth programs. Council members reached the budget agreement unanimously. …
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Ruling stems from divorce case filed by a couple married in California in 2008.
UPDATED (5:12 p.m.)—Same-sex marriages legally performed out of state must be recognized by Maryland Courts, according to a decision issued Friday by Maryland’s highest court. “Maryland courts will withhold recognition of a valid foreign marriage only if that marriage is ‘repugnant’ to State public policy,” wrote Court of Appeals Judge Glenn Harrell Jr. in the 7-0 decision. Legal experts and Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler said the decision has both immediate and long-term effects—even as the state moves toward a possible referendum on the recently passed law allowing same-sex marriage in the state. Gansler, who in 2010 issued what he called “a forecast” opinion predicting the court would ultimately recognize out-of-state same-…
Do you agree where your tax dollars are going?
Takoma Park's taxpayers have paid out almost $85 million for the Iraq and Afghan wars according to the website Cost of War. We at Patch want to know what you think of that as Takoma Park residents. Patch reader Jay Levy already voiced his opinion in a recent letter to the editor in The Gazette. Levy lamented that Takoma Park residents have had to fork over that amount of money. So tell us, what do you think about the amount Takoma Park taxpayers have spent on the Iraq and Afghan wars?
10:30 am on Sunday, May 20, 2012
You might be interested in attending the next Takoma Park City Council meeting Monday night (the 21st), when they will consider a resolution to tell Congress to reduce the military budget and invest the savings in our state and local communities (and another one urging the repeal of the indefinite detention provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act). You can see the Council agenda at . more ›
May is national bike month.
May is national bike month and Takoma Park is celebrating with Bike to Work Day on May 18. So it begs the question: In a city so focused on environmental efforts, will you bike to work? Do you bike to work everyday anyway? Let us know in comments below.
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Council members are considering funding two different youth training and employment programs.
Two different youth work programs are before the Montgomery County Council for possible funding in next year's budget. Several members voiced support at a council meeting May 14 for reinstating the Conservation Corps, a county program that educates and trains high school dropouts. The program has been inactive for 18 months due to budget cuts, said Director of Health and Human Services Uma Ahluwalia. “I have followed Conservation Corps for many, many years,” said Council member Phil Andrews (D-Dist 3) “There’s nothing else like it in the country.” At a government cost of $20,000 per participant, corps members receive GED training and gain work experience by performing labor. Andrews said the program serves the “most vulnerable youth” in …
The measure was overturned by referendum in 2010 and brought back up by County Executive Isiah Leggett this session.
Despite voters striking down the Montgomery County ambulance fee in a referendum on the ballot in 2010, Montgomery County Council passed the fee again Tuesday with a 6-3 vote. Several councilmembers said there was a misinformation campaign surrounding the 2010 referendum vote. Councilmembers Councilman Phil Andrews (D, Dist-3), Roger Berliner (D-Dist. 1) and George Leventhal (D-At Large) were opposed. While Andrews implored councilmembers to respect the will of the voters, some of the county lawmakers were disturbed at how voters were educated about the ambulance fee. Many residents who voted against the fee thought county residents would have to pay the $300 to $800 fee per ambulance ride, Councilman Mark Elrich (D-At Large) said. “That’s…
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9:02 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Mock Loco, the "program" we should get with is to stop the abuse of disability retiremments (if your comment is accurate) and to restruture defined benefit programs that the taxpayers don't have. Raising taxes and fees to placate union special interests is exactly the wrong program. more ›
Anne Higgins will be the featured poet.
This month's Third Thursday Poetry Reading will feature Anne Higgins as well as a chance for new poets to come out for an open reading. The reading is on May 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Takoma Park Community Center and admission is free. Anne Higgins's poetry has been published in a variety of small magazines and Garrison Keillor has read two of her poems on The Writer’s Almanac. She has published five volumes of poetry over the last 12 years and teaches at Mt. St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg.
State funding hurting from gas tax rejection. Future federal funding uncertain until 2015.
The Purple Line, the proposed 16-mile light rail transit system extending from New Carrollton to Bethesda, could be missing one vital component for its progression: funding. With the Maryland budget in crisis and a congressional stalemate over highway funding, the Purple Line’s construction could be pushed back, although several officials interviewed about the project would not predict how long the delay might be. The federal government approved preliminary engineering for the project in October, qualifying it for funding through New Starts, a federal program for new transit projects such as the Purple Line, bringing it a significant step closer to construction. From there, cost estimates and construction schedules could be fine-tuned …
1:35 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Not mentioned in this article is that the cost for a replacement trail has almost quadrupled to $100 million (without factoring in the cost of requirements such as lighting, more over runs, etc.) The county had painfully agreed to a $25 million price tag. What is going to be cut next to fund this outdated, misaligned, bloated project? Stop throwing money at a bad idea. more ›
Kids will get a chance to experience what it's like to be a police officer.
Takoma Park Police Department, in partnership with the Takoma Park Recreation Department, will give kids a chance to experience the life of a cop. The department will hold four sessions of a one-day Junior Police Academy. Attendees will be introduced to law enforcement, patrol procedures, criminal investigations, meet the canine officer and learn tips on how to prevent crime and bullying, according to a Takoma Park Police news release. There are ten slots for each session and the class is free. All participants must wear sneakers and dress appropriately. Registration for children age six to 12 begins May 14. Sessions are on Mondays, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. as follows: Session 1: July 2 Session 2: July 16 Session 3: July 30 Session 4…
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The city wants you to bike to work on May 18.
May is Bike Month and on May 18 Takoma Park will celebrate Bike to Work Day. Everyone who registers for the free morning event is entered into a drawing for prizes and treated to light refreshments and a t-shirt at their pit stop. The three pit stop locations in Takoma Park are: And for those who commute from afar, they can bike to their local Metro Station to pariticpate. Riders can register at the Bike to Work Day website. Any questions, please contact Erkin Ozberk, Planning, Housing and Community Development, at 301.891.7213.
wilson
9:11 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
them folks in africa might have it right by executin those gay people. god dont like it. more ›