• Dr. Charles Smith, of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, discussed aging in place.
• Mr. Gam Wijetunge, Chairman of the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board, discussed regional issues.

Click on this link to read the minutes: GOCA Minutes for December 13, 2011.

GOCA Minutes for October 11, 2011

Thursday, July 14th, is another Olney Coffee and Conversation, at the Starbucks on Georgia Avenue (16800 Georgia Avenue, near Roots market) from 10AM to 11AM. Acting Mid-County Regional Director Roylene Roberts will be joined by staff from the offices of Councilmembers Nancy Navarro and Craig Rice. This event is a great opportunity to get to know Roylene and of course voice your concerns and discuss issues that impact all of us who call Olney home.

Our meetings are open to the Olney community and we look forward to seeing you at these events! The June minutes and July agenda can be viewed below:

2011_06_14_Minutes

2011_07_12_Agenda

Jodi Finkelstein read the GOCA resolution stating we need more information before making a decision, and the Southeast Rural Olney Civic Association (SEROCA) supports the 2005 Olney Master Plan but is also investigating the options before it makes a decision.

Due to Ellen Bogage’s decision to step down, Lori Wilen becomes the first vice-president, Theresa Kyne Robinson becomes the second vice-president, and Lori Goodwin has volunteered to be the recording secretary.

Upcoming Events and Information:

July 16, 2011 – Deadline for purchasing raffle tickets from Sandy Spring Museum for a $10,000 Dream “Trip for Two” at http://www.sandyspringmuseum.org/museum/events/Brochure,%20April%2029.pdf.

1) Montgomery County Councilmembers Nancy Navarro and Craig Rice – Olney Issues
2) MCPS – James Song, Director of The Department of Facilities Management, Adrienne Karamihas, Facility Planner, and Ray Marhamati, Project Manager- Update on farquhar Middle School Modernization Plans

All GOCA meetings are open to the public and take place at the Community Room of the Buffington RE/MAX Building, 3300 Olney-Laytonsville Road.

The meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and end at approximately 9:35 p.m.

GOCA Minutes for May 10, 2011

GOCA Agenda for June 14, 2011

In the president’s and committee members’ reports, the funding of the police substation, the arrival of new businesses to Olney, zoning text amendment 110, bag tax, lien priority bill, and traffic issues were discussed.

The resolution to oppose the Brookeville Preserve was approved, as were the water and sewer category changes for the Danshes property. Our letters of opposition can be viewed under the GOCA 2011 Correspondence Tab on the left hand side of our home page.

Upcoming Events and Information:

05/19/11 – County Councilman Craig Rice (D-Dist. 2) and Councilwoman Nancy Navarro (D-Dist. 4) or members of their staffs will join Natalie Cantor, director of the Mid-County Regional Service Center, to meet with residents and business people in Olney on May 19 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Starbucks, 16800 Georgia Ave

06/04/2011 – Sandy Spring Museum Strawberry Festival – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on the museum grounds with crafters, demonstrations, entertainment, children’s games, petting zoo, hayrides, food, and strawberry shortcakes

06/11/2011 – American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Sherwood High School – Begins 7:00 a.m. Go to http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=33333&pg=entry for more information.

Special Presentation(s):  Legislative Update by Elected Representatives from Maryland Districts 14 &  19

GOCA Minutes for April 12, 2011

GOCA Agenda for May 10, 2011

All GOCA meetings are open to the public and take place at the Community Room of the Buffington RE/MAX Building, 3300 Olney-Laytonsville Road.

The meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and end at approximately 9:35 p.m

Arnie Gordon in his Civic Federation reported on local bills designed to reduce panhandling, permit accessory apartments, and reduce bag litter, and Matt Zaborsky gave us the minimally helpful details of the lien priority bill.

Although a resolution to oppose the Brookeville Preserve was proposed, it was tabled, and no resolution was proposed regarding the Montessori school.

Upcoming Events and Information:

04/27/11 – Opening at Harris Teeters with a ribbon cutting ceremony with Ike Leggett and Carl M. Freeman Companies Leadership Team. Please arrive before 11:00 a.m.

04/29/11 – Grand Opening Event sponsored by Carl M. Freeman Company, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Continues on Saturday with events for children

05/08/2011 – Olney Farmers and Artists Market kicks off its 5^th season with a demonstration by Chef Charlie Redden, former White House chef, live music, fitness tent, and children’s tent. Visit http://www.olneyfarmersmarket.org/index.html for more information.

05/10/2011 – May Meeting – Annual “Legislative Wrap-up” is scheduled

Late June – Panera Bread and Grill Marx scheduled to open

Tim Rich, District Manager for Williams Gas Pipeline, explained through a graphic PowerPoint presentation the construction, inspection, maintenance, and public education of the company’s pipeline integrity management plan. Matt Zaborsky, in his president’s report, stated GOCA will address issues of education and environment in addition to transportation and stressed the importance of respect in meeting discourse. Experiences of the first week of the Intercounty Connector were discussed. No resolutions were composed, so no voting took place.

Upcoming Events and Information:

03/17/2011 – Hearing on House Bill 1246 at 1:00 p.m., Maryland State Government General Assembly, 90 State Circle, Annapolis, Maryland

04/09/2011 – Good Counsel’s 4^th Annual Falcon 5K Run beginning at 8:30 a.m. Register by April 1^st to avoid the late fee. For further information, go to: https://www.olgchs.org/page.cfm?p=1909&LockSSL=true.