Newsletter April 18, 2005

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE
Newsletter April 18, 2005

1. April 21 MCPA Meeting
2. Meeting Agenda and Actions
3. MCPA Officers (Update)
4. May 10th Conversation with Terry Lierman
5. Stay Informed and Involved
6. Manage Your MCPA Membership

--------------- 1. MCPA MEETING Where and When ---------------

General Meeting 7PM Thurs April 21
Earle B. Wood Middle School
14615 Bauer Dr
Rockville, MD 20853

Just off Rt. 28 (Norbeck Road)
Directions: http://tinyurl.com/877jn

Please bring sandwiches, salad, snacks, soft drinks, coffee, and dessert.

--------------- 2. Meeting Agenda and Actions ---------------

Speakers: Welcome and Guest Introductions - MCPA Steering Committee

Getting Out the Message:
Dan Rupli and Michael Day of Free-State PAC
Representative from Progressive Maryland
Representative from Democracy for America
Representative from Progressive Democrats of America

Voting Reform: Representative from TrueVote Maryland

Other Speakers: TBA

Short Discussion: MCPA Activities and Plans
Candidate forums, endorsements
MeetUps, Discussion Lists
Web Page, Newsletter, Outreach
Making a Real Difference with the Media and on Key Issues
Volunteers to Help Lead New Committees

Committee and Organization Sign Up:
Political Action - Tom Colbert: Candidate Forums & Voter Registration
Media and Messaging - Ben Vaughan and Bob Colton
Fundraising and Finance Committee - Mary Belle Feltenstein
Community Service / Outreach, Diversity, Interfaith - Naomi Bloch
Web & Newsletter Content and Technical - Mike Hersh and Art Fabel
Other Committees to be determined by you! - Volunteers
Guests and other organizations - Guests and others

--------------- 3. MCPA Officers ---------------

MCPA Co-Chair: Mike Hersh mikehersh@mikehersh.com (301)-933-7169
MCPA Co-Chair: Naomi Bloch dodgebloch@hotmail.com (301)-299-1801
MCPA Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair: Mary Belle Feltenstein mbfelt@verizon.net
MCPA Media and Message Co-Chairs: Ben Vaughan bvaughan@adclawfirm.com and Bob Colton rcolto1932@aol.com
MCPA Political Action and Voter Registration Chair: Tom Colbert thomascolbert@netzero.net
MCPA Newsletter Editor: Art Fabel, artfabel@comcast.net (301)-460-5716
MCPA Web Editor: Mike Hersh, mikehersh@mikehersh.com

--------------- 4. May 10th Conversation with Terry Lierman ---------------

Two-way conversation with Maryland State Democratic Committee Chairperson Terry Lierman - Sponsored by Democracy for Montgomery County

We'll discuss plans and concerns for grass roots activists and the Maryland Democratic Party heading toward the 2006 races for Governor, Senator, Congress and more. We'll be in Room #2 on the lowest floor. Get there early! There are only about 100 total places.

When: 7PM-9PM Tuesday May 10th
Where: Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave. Wheaton, MD
Get Directions: http://tinyurl.com/5uoqs
More information: http://tinyurl.com/5ru2v

--------------- 5. Stay Informed and Involved ---------------

If you haven't already, join the Discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MC_Progressive_Alliance/

Visit this Blog and our Website: http://mc-progressivealliance.com/

Join our MeetUp Group: http://dfa.meetup.com/721/

Submit Action Alerts, Events, and Articles for publication at the Blog, Website and Newsletter to Art Fabel artfabel@comcast.net and Mike Hersh mikehersh@mikehersh.com

--------------- 6. Manage Your MCPA Membership ---------------

Tell your Montgomery County friends and others to sign up here:

http://mc-progressivealliance.com/phplist/?p=subscribe&id=1

County Councilmember Wants Your Input

Montgomery County Councilmember Steve Silverman writes:

Dear Friend:

As a Councilmember, I have sought to strike a balance between funding important public services and a reasonable tax burden for the citizens. I want to continue to make Montgomery County a great and affordable place to live.

As the County Council reviews the proposed operating budget for the next fiscal year, we face many competing priorities as we work to balance the budget. We must make decisions regarding government services that are critical to the quality of life in the County, such as an excellent public school system, public safety, transportation, and libraries, as well as important health and human services to help those in need in our community.

I need your advice on budget and tax priorities and have put together an 'unscientific' poll listing a number of general budget priorities that the Council will debate this spring. Please let me know your top three priorities, in order, with number one as most important to you.

Just reply to silverman@stevesilverman.org and let me know which of the numbered items or other issues are your first, second, and third priorities. Please respond by April 25.

Please feel free to pass along any other comments on your budget priorities and you may forward this email to others for their views. If you would like to review any or all of the County Executive's recommended budget, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov and click on the link to the budget.

Budget priorities

1. Across-the-board property tax reductions, beyond those recommended by the County Executive. (He recommends lowering the property tax two cents, for an average household savings of approximately $80 compared to current tax rates.)

2. Targeted property tax reductions for low and moderate-income homeowners. (This would expand the current circuit breaker, which helps low and moderate-income homeowners facing significant assessment increases.)

3. Education initiatives such as reduced class sizes and expansion of full day kindergarten.

4. Other education initiatives such as improvements in special education, gifted and talented, and other initiatives to improve student achievement.

5. Additional faculty and scholarships to enable more students to attend Montgomery College.

6. Funds to reduce waiting lists for various health and human service programs helping low and moderate-income families, such as child care assistance, rental assistance, in-home services for elderly and disabled individuals, etc.

7. Funds to tackle backlogs in basic infrastructure maintenance such as street resurfacing, sidewalk repairs, park and ball field maintenance, tree maintenance, and fire apparatus.

8. Additional police officers and fire/rescue personnel.

9. Additional library materials and increased hours open to the public.

10. Additional funds for roads and transit.

11. Additional funds for community organizations serving diverse communities.

12. Additional funds for arts and cultural organizations.

13. Additional funds for parks and recreation programs.

Thanks for sharing your priorities with me. Feel free to forward this survey to a friend by clicking here.

Sincerely,

Steve Silverman
Councilmember

For more information about Steve, visit his website www.stevesilverman.org

Montgomery County Progressive Alliance Newsletter

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Montgomery County Progressive Alliance Weekly Newsletter
April 13, 2005 - Events, Meetings, and Ways to Stay Active

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Contents This Newsletter:

1. April 14 Meeting with Chris Van Hollen's Staff

2. April 18 Healthcare, Prescription Drugs, and You

3. April 21 MCPA General Meeting

4. May 10 Conversation with Maryland State Democratic Committee Chairperson Terry Lierman

5. Action Alerts: Doug Duncan, Martin O'Malley and More

6. Keep Informed and Involved - Visit the Blog, Discussion Group and Website.

7. Manage your Membership - Please update / verify your information.

Note: Anyone with knowledge of PHP especially PHP Nuke and PHP List who is willing to help out, please contact mikehersh@mikehersh.com.

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1. Meeting with Chris Van Hollen's Staff on Protecting Social Security from Privatization Schemes

Elly Shaw-Belblidia Rockville Democracy For America MeetUp Host organized a meeting with Congressman Chris Van Hollen's staff in cooperation with DFA and True Majority. Supporters across the U.S. are meeting with their Representatives on April 14 to discuss Social Security.

Here in the 8th Congressional District we have a fine Representative in Chris Van Hollen. We know he supports preserving Social Security and doesn't need convincing. Still, we want to meet with his staff with this purpose: to emphasize our support for a vigorous Democratic defense of Social Security, and to ask what we can do to help.

Elly scheduled a meeting with Joan Kleinman, Rep. Van Hollen's District Director.

When 9:15AM-10AM Thursday, April 14

Where: 51 Monroe St., Suite 507, in central Rockville. (We'll meet in the lobby first. Late arrivals should meet us upstairs but not if you're running too late.)

The office is walking distance from the Rockville Metro. There is a large parking lot in front of the Cinema.

Get Directions: http://tinyurl.com/66b8w
More information: http://tinyurl.com/5zb4p

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2. April 18 Healthcare, Prescription Drugs, and You

Montgomery County Young Democrats are sponsoring a forum entitled Healthcare, Prescription Drugs, and You

When: 7:30PM Monday, April 18

Where: Silver Spring Library
8901 Colesville Road
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Get Directions: http://tinyurl.com/5qhvg
More information: http://tinyurl.com/5kcrv

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3. MC Progressive Alliance General Meeting

We'll discuss important topics and establish committees and task forces. Bring some refreshments if you can.

When: 7PM-9PM Thursday April 21

Where: Earle B Wood Middle School in cafeteria (general purpose room)
14615 Bauer Dr
Rockville, MD 20853

Get Directions (CORRECTED!): http://tinyurl.com/5s3xr
More information: http://mcprogressivealliance.blogspot.com/

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4. Conversation with Maryland State Democratic Committee Chairperson Terry Lierman

Two-way discussion of plans and concerns for grass roots activists and the Democratic Party heading toward the 2006 races for Governor, Senator, Congress and more. We'll be in Room #2 on the lowest floor. Get there early as activists from all across Maryland will be attending and there are only about 100 total places.

When: 7PM-9PM Tuesday May 10th

Where: Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave.
Wheaton, MD

Get Directions: http://tinyurl.com/5uoqs
More information: http://tinyurl.com/5ru2v

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5. Action Alerts: Doug Duncan, Martin O'Malley and More

Martin O'Malley Demands Fair Pay for Maryland Workers
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/52czq

Doug Duncan on Fair Share Health Care bill
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/6sdtj

Teach the Facts - Standing up for Montgomery County Students and School Board More Information: http://www.teachthefacts.org/

PAC for a Change - Election Reform and ANWR Boycott
More Information: http://www.pacforachange.com/

Help stop the right wing court packing plan
More Information: PFAW - http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=17698
Action Resources: DNC - http://www.democrats.org/action
PFAW - http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/

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6. Stay Informed and Involved.

If you haven't already, join the Discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MC_Progressive_Alliance/

Visit the Blog and Website to stay up to date:

Blog - http://mcprogressivealliance.blogspot.com/
Website - http://mc-progressivealliance.com/

Join our MeetUp Group: http://dfa.meetup.com/721/

Submit Action Alerts, Events, and Articles for publication at the Blog, Website and Newsletter to Art Fabel [ artfabel@comcast.net ] and Mike Hersh [ mikehersh@mikehersh.com ]

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7. Manage your membership to the MCPA

You can Add / Change / Update your information to help us inform and involve you in future projects and events here:

http://mc-progressivealliance.com/phplist/?p=subscribe&id=1