Friday, March 14, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Sunshine Week Early Start - MD State Dept of Ed Non-responses
Posted yesterday on Twitter by Reporter Craig O'Donnell, Kent County News. What's your Sunshine Week story?
Parents Don't Want Doug Duncan's Cell Tower at Their Middle School
Former Montgomery County Executive and current candidate Doug Duncan has been the spokesmodel for Milestone Communications hawking cell towers for EVERY school site! He says it's a "no brainer."
These Annapolis parents are saying NO to Duncan's "no brainer" plan!
These Annapolis parents are saying NO to Duncan's "no brainer" plan!
Annapolis Residents: Tell them we don't want their cell tower at Annapolis Middle School!
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Sunshine Week Mar 16th-22nd. Here we go...
Here's a fun activity for Sunshine Week, to start us off early, from our friends at Watchdog Wire: Audit your County Website. It's easy and fun. To begin, go here.From WatchdogWire:
This year, we’re doing something different, and we need *your* help!
We are asking you, our citizen watchdogs, to AUDIT your city, county, or township website.
Can you access budgets on your county website, or find contact information for all public officials? Are meeting minutes available? Is there a database of all public spending? In our opinion, It’s the 21st century – and this stuff should be online!
It’s surprisingly easy to audit your city or county website- here’s how you get started:
1. Log on to your local government’s website and start clicking around. (You should be able to find it easily by Googling the name of your city or county).
2. Not sure what to look for? We’ve put together a rubric to help you determine what information should be readily available. Click here to view the rubric on your computer.
3. Write down your observations about how user friendly or transparent the website is for everyday citizens. Frame your thoughts in the style of a blogpost and we will feature it on Watchdog Wire. Send your article to Info@WatchdogWire.com.
4. Not a writer? Fill out this quick web form about your city website and send the information to us!
5. Watchdog Wire staff will send the feedback to your local government on YOUR behalf.
Let’s make some noise about the state of government websites in America! Tell us the good, the bad, and the ugly – and we will feature your work on Watchdog Wire.
This Sunshine Week, join us in demanding more transparent and accessible local governments.
It's Magic! Senate Committee Amends SB460 Without Introduction of All Amendments
Ladies and Gentleman please direct your attention to the center ring where you will find our Ring Master, Senator Jamie Raskin!
On Friday, March 7th the Maryland Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee reviewed Senate Bill 460. This is the bill that deals with sexual contact between persons in a position of authority and teens. We have the audio of that committee meeting and know what words were spoken by the Committee members. You can listen to the discussion here.
What did you hear? Did you hear just two changes to the bill, a change to delete the 7 year gap and the inclusion of part-time employees? Take a look at what the Senate Committee claims they actually did here. Look at all the lines drawn through the bill! Did you hear all those changes introduced in the March 7th discussion? Were these changes seconded? Approved? It's magic!
On March 11th the full Senate voted on SB 460. Here is the March 11th statement that Senator Jamie Raskin gave the full Senate on the changes to this bill. Does this statement follow what was discussed on March 7th in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee? Anyone having trouble following what the Senate is doing on this bill?
On Friday, March 7th the Maryland Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee reviewed Senate Bill 460. This is the bill that deals with sexual contact between persons in a position of authority and teens. We have the audio of that committee meeting and know what words were spoken by the Committee members. You can listen to the discussion here.
What did you hear? Did you hear just two changes to the bill, a change to delete the 7 year gap and the inclusion of part-time employees? Take a look at what the Senate Committee claims they actually did here. Look at all the lines drawn through the bill! Did you hear all those changes introduced in the March 7th discussion? Were these changes seconded? Approved? It's magic!
On March 11th the full Senate voted on SB 460. Here is the March 11th statement that Senator Jamie Raskin gave the full Senate on the changes to this bill. Does this statement follow what was discussed on March 7th in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee? Anyone having trouble following what the Senate is doing on this bill?
Raskin's ‘Second chance’ bill shields some convictions from job screening
Meanwhile, here is what else Senator Raskin is championing in the Senate this session...
‘Second chance’ bill shields some convictions from job screening
Read more: http://marylandreporter.com/2014/03/12/second-chance-bill-shields-some-convictions-from-job-screening/#ixzz2vlfXRxOk
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
‘Second chance’ bill shields some convictions from job screening
Sens. Jamie Raskin, D-Montgomery, and Verna Jones-Rodwell, D-Baltimore City are championing SB 1056, which would allow individuals to petition that their convictions for an array of nonviolent misdemeanor charges eligible be shielded from public scrutiny.
Dubbed the Maryland Second Chance Act of 2014, the bill says that following a period of three to five years, depending on the crime, an individual could submit a petition to a court.
Attorney General Doug Gansler testifies on legislation.
Attorney General Doug Gansler testifies.
An individual could only invoke the Second Chance Act once. If they re-offend during the three-to five-year waiting period, their conviction would not be shielded.
Eligible offenses include disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, failure to obey a lawful order, malicious destruction of property (under $500), trespass, driving without a license or while uninsured, drug possession, and misdemeanor theft (under $1,000).
Read more: http://marylandreporter.com/2014/03/12/second-chance-bill-shields-some-convictions-from-job-screening/#ixzz2vlfXRxOk
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
Raskin wants Sports and Rec Center Coaches to be able to have sex with teens
Sorry, Senator Jamie Raskin, you are the lead sponsor on Senate bill 460 and somehow major changes have been made to the Senate version of this bill without the ability of the public to track how these changes were made!
The new change made in the Senate would exempt sports or recreational facilities from Maryland law prohibiting sexual contact between persons in a position of authority and teens. Now, that's a big loophole!
Who wants to exclude sports programs and recreational centers from this law? Who offered this amendment? Listen to the Senate Committee discussion at this link. Amendments were not offered, were not seconded and were not discussed!
The new change made in the Senate would exempt sports or recreational facilities from Maryland law prohibiting sexual contact between persons in a position of authority and teens. Now, that's a big loophole!
Who wants to exclude sports programs and recreational centers from this law? Who offered this amendment? Listen to the Senate Committee discussion at this link. Amendments were not offered, were not seconded and were not discussed!
Gazette: Senate set to vote on sex abuse bill
...Like the House, the Senate removed the gap and will vote on its version of the bill as early as this week.
But the two chambers’ bills still differ slightly. For instance, the House bill includes volunteers and those who work at sports or recreational facilities in the definition of persons of authority, while the Senate’s does not.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
March 13th: Cell Towers on Park Property before Planning Board
| Item 7 |
Update the 1997 Administrative Procedures for Telecommunications on Park Property
Staff Recommendation: Approve
ATTACHMENT 1 - Policy Telecom
ATTACHMENT 2 - Lease Agreement Flow Chart
ATTACHMENT 3 - Application Telecome Lease
M. Grace
|
http://www.montgomeryplanningboard.org/agenda/2014/agenda20140313e.html
Save Rock Creek Hills Park!: "We believe that we provided the court with essent...
Save Rock Creek Hills Park!: "We believe that we provided the court with essent...: From the Rock Creek Hills Citizens' Association website : Dear Neighbors, As you may know, our litigation seeking to enforce the law...
Monday, March 10, 2014
BOE to Meet Off-Camera to Discuss Public Comments on March 11th at Unknown Time #buffet
Remember, some of these folks are running for re-election and one is running for another office this year.
Meeting
This is what Montgomery County citizens want from their public officials, right? They want their public officials to hide when discussing how to deal with the public?
After tomorrow's public Board of Education meeting, the BOE will turn off the cameras and slip into a side room (probably with a full buffet) to discuss the "deliberative process regarding community feedback." If the public wants to find out what the BOE discusses they will have to show up in person. It may be 2014, but the BOE is still going to hide whenever they can!
12 hours before the start of the meeting there is no explanation (no attachment to the Agenda) of what this off-camera "work session" seeks to accomplish and no time listed for the start of this off-camera meeting!
From the March 11, 2014, Board of Education Agenda:
Mar 11, 2014 - Business Meeting Agenda
Category
Work Session: Deliberative Process Regarding Community Feedback - Room 127
Subject
Deliberative Process Regarding Community Feedback
Type
Discussion
Starr Transferring $805,000 in Special Education Funds to Other Budget Categories on March 11th
Wonder what this is about? Keep wondering. This is on the "Consent Agenda" for the March 11th Board of Education meeting. No discussion need take place for $805,000 of special education funds to be removed from the special education budget.
March 11, 2014
MEMORANDUM
To: Members of the Board of Education
From: Joshua P. Starr, Superintendent of Schools
Subject: Fiscal Year 2014 Categorical Transfer for the Provision for Future Supported Projects
Recommendation in Brief
Authorization is requested to effect categorical transfers totaling $1,005,000 within the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Provision for Future Supported Projects.
Background
The current FY 2014 Operating Budget, approved by the Board of Education, includes an appropriation of $8,448,354 for the Provision for Future Supported Projects. The Provision for Future Supported Projects allows the Board of Education to approve grant projects that are identified subsequent to the adoption of the budget, without having to request supplemental appropriations for each of the projects from the County Council. This provision was established by the County Council because it was considered to be the most effective way of handling eligible projects and avoiding the need for a public hearing. The Board of Education will receive additional grants during FY 2014 that are eligible for funding through the Provision for Future Supported Projects.
The categorical breakdown of the $8,448,354 budgeted for the Provision for Future Supported Projects was based on staff’s assessment of likely grant revenues. Actual revenue and expenditure requirements of grant projects require that categorical transfers of $1,005,000 be made in the Provision.
Support of Board of Education Policy
The Provision for Future Supported Projects provides spending authorization and is not a program. Board of Education action complies with the requirements defined by the County Council for eligible grant projects received through the Provision.
Relationship to Ongoing Program
It is anticipated that categorical requirements of the grant projects will differ from what was anticipated when the budget was developed. The categorical transfers are necessary to accommodate additional eligible projects.
Recommended Resolution
WHEREAS, The current Fiscal Year 2014 Operating Budget adopted by the Board of Education includes $8,448,354 for the Provision for Future Supported Projects; and
WHEREAS, The Board of Education will receive additional projects that are eligible for funding through the Provision for Future Supported Projects during Fiscal Year 2014; and
WHEREAS, Actual revenue and expenditure requirements of grant projects require that categorical transfers be made in the Provision for Future Supported Projects; now therefore be it
Resolved, That the superintendent of schools be authorized to effect categorical transfers totaling $1,005,000 within the Fiscal Year 2014 Provision for Future Supported Projects, in accordance with the County Council provision for transfers, as follows:
Category
|
From
|
To
| |||||
1
|
Administration
|
$50,000
| |||||
2
|
Mid-level Administration
|
100,000
| |||||
3
|
Instructional Salaries
|
50,000
| |||||
4
|
Textbooks and Instructional Supplies
|
$200,000
| |||||
5
|
Other Instructional Costs
|
100,000
| |||||
6
|
Special Education
|
805,000
| |||||
7
|
Student Personnel Services
|
50,000
| |||||
9
|
Student Transportation
|
40,000
| |||||
10
|
Operation of Plant and Equipment
|
40,000
| |||||
11
|
Maintenance of Plant
|
30,000
| |||||
12
|
Fixed Charges
|
150,000
| |||||
14
|
Community Services
|
375,000
| |||||
13/61
|
Food and Nutrition Services
|
__________
|
20,000
| ||||
Total
|
$ 1,005,000
|
$ 1,005,000
| |||||
and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the county executive and the County Council; and be it further
Resolved, That the county executive be requested to recommend approval of this resolution to the County Council.
This Evening: Maryland House Passes HB 781
This evening the Maryland House passed House Bill 781 [Person in a Position of Authority - Sexual Offenses with a Minor] without further debate or amendments.
Read about the House Judicial Committee vote on this bill:
http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2014/03/house-committee-removes-age-gap-from.html
Read about the House Judicial Committee vote on this bill:
http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2014/03/house-committee-removes-age-gap-from.html
NYT Magazine: "A mermaid lost her voice in a moment of transformation. So did this silent boy."
In our first year in Washington, our son disappeared.http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/09/magazine/reaching-my-autistic-son-through-disney.html?_r=0
Just shy of his 3rd birthday, an engaged, chatty child, full of typical speech — “I love you,” “Where are my Ninja Turtles?” “Let’s get ice cream!” — fell silent. He cried, inconsolably. Didn’t sleep. Wouldn’t make eye contact. His only word was “juice.”
I had just started a job as The Wall Street Journal’s national affairs reporter. My wife, Cornelia, a former journalist, was home with him — a new story every day, a new horror. He could barely use a sippy cup, though he’d long ago graduated to a big-boy cup. He wove about like someone walking with his eyes shut. “It doesn’t make sense,” I’d say at night. “You don’t grow backward.” Had he been injured somehow when he was out of our sight, banged his head, swallowed something poisonous? It was like searching for clues to a kidnapping...
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