What's New with GOCA...
Olney Town Meeting - Saturday, May 17, 1:00 - 3:30pm
Olney Days is sponsoring a GOCA Town Meeting for Olney. This event will be held at the Oakdale Emory Methodist Church next to Olney Manor Park from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm on Saturday May 17th.
The mission of this event is to bring more community members in to have a discussion about concerns in the area and be part of those looking for solutions as Olney moves into another phase of its development. We are looking for a great turn-out and lots of constructive ideas.
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Guest speakers will include:
- Transportation - Nancy Floreen, Councilmember at large- Transportation and Environment Committee Chair
- Public Safety- Lt Frank Stone, Deputy Police Commander, Wheaton Police District and Maura Lynch, Assistant States Attorney for Montgomery County.
- Youth Issues - Robyn Holstein Glass - Board member Project Change and Elisabeth Deal - Executive Director for Olney Boys and Girls Club
- Olney Town Center - Jim Smith, Chair - Olney Town Center Advisory Committee
The meeting will begin with a panel presentation of each topic by the speakers, then the speakers will move into breakout sessions for in-depth discussions.
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The break out sessions will run concurrently for 2 sessions with Transportation and Public Safety first, and Youth issues and the Town Center second.
The public is encouraged to attend and bring questions and concerns.
Wrap up: 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
There will be note-takers at each session who will report to the group at large in the session wrap up.
Olney Days -- May 16-18
See details on the Olney Days page, including Volunteer Opportunities.
GOCA Meeting, May 13
Our next GOCA meeting is on Tuesday May 13th at 7:45pm in the community room of the Buffington building on Route 108. Montgomery General Hospital administrators will present their revised construction plans to the community. There will be time for questions. Following that we will have several of our elected officials from both Districts 14 and 19 give a report on the recently ended legislative sessions. They will also take questions.
For the Community Conversation - (starting at 7:00 pm) come and let us know the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly about your management associations. Do you want to change management groups - get the latest from your neighbors about their experiences. What do they do for you, what would you like them to do; is this a two way conversation?
Olney Town Center Advisory Committee Presentation
Offering its most thorough opportunity for answers and feedback on its Illustrative Concept of the 2005 Master Plan update, GOCA invites the community to attend 7:30 PM Wednesday, April 30 in the Buffington RE/MAX Community Room - where GOCA meets.
Covering 90-acres around the intersection of Routes 97 & 108, the OTCAC is chartered by the Maryland National Park & Planning Commission to create a common community-based vision and guidelines for how the town center could look in the future and how it might function in relation to surrounding neighborhoods. For more information, visit www.olneytowncenter.org or email info@olneytowncenter.org
Sunrise Assisted Living
The Sunrise Assisted Living group has received approval from the Appeals Board on their request for a special exception to build a new Assisted Living Facility along Route 108 near Old Baltimore Road
There will be a community meeting at the Buffington Building at 7:00pm on April 22 to have this plan presented by Sunrise to the community.
Oaks Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project
There will be an informational meeting on the Oaks Landfill gas-to-energy project Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Olney Library, 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road.
Olney Town Center Advisory Committee Vacancy
Olney Town Center Advisory Committee seeks nominations among small business property owners for an open seat on the committee. Details are on the Olney Town Center Advisory Committee website.
Deadline for submitting nominations: April 16, 2008.
Leggett Seeks Applicants for
Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board
County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill one vacancy on the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board. Residents from northern areas of the Mid-County region (including Upper Rock Creek, Norbeck, Olney, Brookeville and Sandy Spring) are particularly encouraged to apply.
The Board is comprised of 15 residents and business from the following areas: Upper Rock Creek, Wheaton, Kensington, Kemp Mill, Aspen Hill, Glenmont, Norbeck, Forest Glen, Olney, Brookeville, and Sandy Spring. Members serve three-year terms without compensation. Meetings are usually held the third Tuesday evening of each month at the Mid-County Services Center, 2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton. For more information, see the County Executive’s press release concerning this vacancy.
Deadline for applying is: May 9, 2008
GOCA Meeting: April 8
Community Conversation: 7:00 pm Tuesday - Buffington Building Community Room. Join others from HOA’s as we discuss Neighborhood spruce-ups, Spring clean-ups, and Community collections; stay for our meeting as we learn more about recycling.
GOCA Meeting: 7:45 pm. The Greater Olney Civic Association will meet at 7:45 pm Tuesday in the Buffington/REMAX Community Room, 3300 Olney-Sandy Spring Road.
At this meeting, we will learn the latest in recycling news from the Montgomery County Recycling Center. We will get the most recent update on the ICC and learn the plans for the Olney Days celebration and the upcoming Olney Community Meeting.
Literacy Council of Montgomery County
Volunteer to help an adult learn to read, write or speak English. No teaching experience is necessary. Tutors meet with a student for two hours a week at a time and place that is convenient. FREE orientation sessions will be held at the Rockville Library on Wednesday, April 9 at 10:30am, Monday, April 14 at 7:30pm, Thursday, and May 1 at 7:30pm. The May 7th at 7:30pm will be held at the Germantown Library. Teaching English is fun. It’s rewarding. Please join us. To register; call the Literacy Council of Montgomery County at 301-610-0030 or email Julie@literacycouncilmcmd.org.
Olney Days Planning Under Way
Olney Days 2008 is set for May 16-18. The parade application and brochure for Joe's Ride are on the Olney Days page. More information coming soon...
Montgomery County Council District 4 Special Election
Primary Election: 7 am – 8 pm, April 15, 2008
General Election: 7 am – 8 pm, May 13, 2008
The League of Women Voters of Montgomery County is sponsoring a Candidate Forum For Republican and Democratic Candidates on Tuesday April 8 at 7 pm at the Performing Arts Center at Sandy Spring Friends School, 16923 Norwood Road (between Layhill Road and Route 108), Sandy Spring For more information contact LWVMC 301-984-9585, lwvmc@erols.com.
Community Forum on Underage Drinking
Montgomery County is hosting a Community Forum on Underage Drinking, Keeping it Safe, on Tuesday, April 1st, 7:00-9:00 pm, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, Montgomery County Public Schools Auditorium, Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Join in on a discussion aimed at empowering adults with respect to their responsibilities in social hosting youth activities.
GOCA Meeting, Tuesday March 11, 2008
GOCA’s regular monthly meeting will begin at 7:45 pm in the Community Room of the Buffington/REMAX Building (between Bank of America and Ricciuti's – entrance to Community Room is on the Bank of America side next to Curves).
Joseph Eagan, the manager of Olney Library, will discuss plans to expand and renovate the library. The library will be closed during the extended period of construction - which may take at least one year. Everyone is welcome. Please come with your questions about nearby libraries and alternatives.
There will also be discussions concerning the ICC and the Olney Town Center Advisory committee.
Community Conversation, Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The purpose of Community Conversation is to provide an informal setting for community members to meet and discuss issues that affect each of us in our own neighborhoods. Everyone is welcome to attend starting at 7:00 pm in the Community Room of the Buffington/REMAX Building.
The topic this month is Neighborhood Watch and we expect local officers to be there, but also come to discuss whatever you wish. If your neighbor hood has had a successful watch program, please come to share your experiences.
GOCA Award Winners
Pictures and details are on our GOCA Awards Page. Congratulations to Louis Willen, winner of the President's Award, which was announced at the ceremony.
GOCA Award winners
GOCA recognizes the individuals, businesses, and organizations the community has identified as having made a notable contribution to the greater Olney community during 2007. Winners have gone beyond the requirements of their jobs to enhance the quality of life in our community and will be recognized at the GOCA Awards Ceremony on Sunday March 2nd from 2:00 – 4:00 at Longwood Recreation Center.
All are welcome to celebrate this year’s winners:
Citizen of the Year: Janet Terry
Contribution to the Community: Our House, Bill Caldwell, Friends of Risa Pyles
Heritage Award Winner: Harry Fletcher
GOCA Worker of the Year: Roy Peck
More information about the winners is on the GOCA Awards page.
Board Vacancies
Delegate Anne Kaiser has passed along a list of vacancies on county boards and commissions that may be of interest to Olney area residents. Public participation contributes to the work of County government and provides a valuable service to the community when a variety of issues, concerns and viewpoints are presented.
- Leggett Seeks Applicants for Commission on Children and Youth (application deadline: 3/7/2008)
- Leggett Seeks Youth Applicants for Commission On Children & Youth (application deadline: 3/7/2008)
- Leggett Seeks Applicants to Fill Vacancies on Strathmore Hall Foundation Board of Directors (application deadline: 3/7/2008)
- Leggett Seeks Applicants for Water Quality Advisory Group (application deadline: 3/7/2008)
- Leggett Seeks Applicants for Board of Directors of Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, Inc. (application deadline: 2/29/2008)
- Leggett Seeks Applicants for Dr. Martin Luther King Commemorative Committee (application deadline: 2/29/2008)
- Leggett Seeks Applicants for Victim Services Advisory Board (application deadline: 2/29/2008)
Talk to Ike and Mike on Wednesday, February 20
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and County Council President Mike Knapp will host a live, televised call-in show on Wednesday, February 20 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Along with Town Hall meetings and other community outreach, the show is part of the Leggett administration’s efforts to foster open dialogue and communication on the important issues facing Montgomery County. The officials will answer residents’ questions on any topics of local concern... press release.
Rescheduled GOCA Meeting:
February 21, 2008 at Olney Library
The February Community Conversation will be held at 7:00 pm followed by the GOCA meeting at 7:45 pm on Thursday, February 21 in the large meeting room at Olney Library (3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road).
Community Conversation is an informal discussion of issues facing your community. Topics discussed in the past include speeding, vandalism, pool maintenance, communications, trash pick up, and landscaping services. There is no specific topic for February. All are welcome to attend.
State Highway Administration representatives will be at the GOCA meeting to continue discussions on the impact opening the ICC will have on Georgia Ave and Norbeck Rd. New officers will be elected and it is the deadline for turning in ballots for the GOCA awards. All are welcome to attend.
MEETING CANCELED - February 12, 2008
Due to the icy weather, tonight’s Community Conversation and GOCA Meeting will be canceled. GOCA Award ballots will be accepted through the rescheduled meeting which is still to be determined. Stay tuned for details.
Marilyn Praisner, District 4 Councilmember,
Died February 1st
In 1990, Marilyn Praisner began representing large parts of Olney. She died on February 1st after complications from heart surgery. Marilyn was an amazing person. She always studied the issues and was not afraid to ask the difficult questions. Olney lost a good friend.
Viewings will be held on February 4th and 5th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Hines Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave in Silver Spring. A prayer service will be held on Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, February 9th at 11 am at St. John the Baptist Church, 12319 New Hampshire Ave in Silver Spring.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Ida Raitano Scholarship Fund, c/o Associate Alumnae of Douglass College, 181 Ryder Lane, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8557. This scholarship fund, named for Mrs. Praisner’s mother who died in 2001, was established at Douglass College to provide financial assistance annually to a first-in-family college student or an older student.
GOCA Meeting, Tuesday, February 12, 2008
GOCA’s regular monthly meeting will begin at 7:45 pm in the Community Room of the Remax Building (between Bank of America and Ricciuti's – entrance to Community Room is on the Bank of America side next to Curves). Several officials from the State Highway Administration will be there to answer questions about how mitigation of the first phase of the ICC will impact Georgia Ave and Norbeck Road. New officers will be elected and it is the deadline for turning in ballots for the GOCA awards. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Community Conversation, Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The purpose of Community Conversation is to provide an informal setting for community members to meet and discuss issues that affect each of us in our own neighborhood. Community Conversation will start at 7:00 pm in the Community Room of the Remax Building. Everyone is welcome to attend. There is no specific topic this month – come to discuss whatever is happening in your community.
GOCA Awards Ceremony, Sunday, March 2, 2008
Mark your calendars for the GOCA Awards Ceremony: 2 pm on Sunday, March 2nd. The character of a community is a reflection of the people that live and work there. Olney is such a special place because it is filled with so many people who care about Olney and are willing to "get involved" and give something back to the community, each in their own way. Join with GOCA in recognizing those that help make Olney a great place to live.
Upcoming Traffic Switch on Georgia Avenue
Read the press release from SHA about the upcoming traffic switch on Georgia Avenue.
GOCA Meeting, Tuesday, January 8, 2008
GOCA’s regular monthly meeting will begin at 7:45 pm in the Community Room of the Remax Building (between Bank of America and Ricciuti's – entrance to Community Room is on the Bank of America side next to Curves). The meeting's special presentation is a review of the Mixed Use Town Center Zone and Concept Plan for Olney Station presented by Karen Rollings. (See agenda.)
No Community Conversation in January
There will be no Community Conversation this month (January).
Election Judges Needed
The Montgomery County Board of Elections is looking for registered voters to work in the polls as Election Judges. Training is provided and Election Judges receive a stipend for attending training, attending a pre-election meeting at their polling , and working on Election Day. Bi-lingual voters are also needed.
Election dates: Primary – February 12, 2008 and General – November 4, 2008.
If you are interested in one or both election dates, please call 240-777-8533, email electionjudge@montgomerycountymd.gov or download an application from www.777vote.org.
GOCA Meeting, Tuesday December 11, 2007
GOCA’s regular monthly meeting will begin at 7:45 pm in the Community Room of the Remax Building (between Bank of America and Ricciuti's – entrance to Community Room is on the Bank of America side next to Curves). The Olney Town Center Advisory Committee will share their illustrative plan for the town center. It will be the first of many meetings regarding the changes to our town center area.
No Community Conversation this month
There will be no Community Conversation this month. The next Community Conversation will be on Tuesday, January 8th. [UPDATE: No Community Conversations in January, either.]
GOCA Awards Nominations
The character of a community is a reflection of the people that live and work there. Olney is such a special place because it is filled with so many people who care about Olney and are willing to "get involved" and give something back to the community, each in their own way.
GOCA wants to recognize the individuals, businesses, and organizations the community has identified as having made a notable contribution to the greater Olney community during 2007. Those recognized make contributions through working with youngsters, assisting senior citizens, performing voluntary civic work, improving our schools and educational facilities, making resources available for community endeavors, etc. GOCA looks for nominees who have made a noteworthy effort as a volunteer(s) or who have gone beyond the requirements of their jobs to enhance the quality of life in our community.
If you know of an individual or organization deserving recognition, give the community an opportunity to express our appreciation by filling out a nomination form (pdf form, Word doc form). Completed forms should be mailed to Ron Berger, dropped off at the Olney Library, given to any GOCA officer or brought to a GOCA meeting (2nd Tuesday of each month at Buffington RE/MAX Office Building, 7:45 pm). Deadline for submission: January 8, 2008. There will be a box at the Olney Library to pick up nomination forms and leave completed forms. The ceremony is at Longwood Recreation Center on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 2:00 pm.
Further details about the awards are on the GOCA Awards page.
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