GOCA: The Greater Olney Civic Association

Councilmembers Nancy Navarro and Craig Rice described the Montgomery County 2012 budget as an exercise in sustainability, restructuring, and consolidation and shared what they had successfully restored for the county’s youths, library patrons, and crime victims. James Song, Director of MCPS Department of Facilities Management, presented a visual Power Point on the modernization options for Farquhar Middle School (FMS) and answered questions while refuting misconceptions. To view, click on http://www.goca.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Farquhar-MS-FS-Community-Presentation-061411.pdf . The parents of FMS favor the land swap option and oppose the busing option, but close neighbors oppose the land swap option. The options differ in costs to Montgomery County Public Schools.

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.

Special Presentations:

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

This was a great weekend for:

A bike ride ( Joe’s Ride ), a great car show, an afternoon in the park, dazzling fireworks, a parade, a Memorial Service, and a Rock Concert!

If you missed Olney Days – then you really missed something. Check out these pictures:

https://picasaweb.google.com/mrozenbaum/OlneyDays2011#

Mark your calendars for Olney Days 2012 – as you can see you won’t want to miss the fun!

District 14 and 19 Legislators of the Maryland Assembly, Senators Karen Montgomery and Roger Manno and Delegates Eric Ludtke, Sam Arora, Craig Zucker, Bonnie Cullison, Anne Kaiser, and Ben Kramer gave brief summaries of their work this spring. In a difficult year they balanced the $34 billion budget with cuts and some taxes while delivering >$800 million to Montgomery County and passing bills in health, safety, privacy, banks, and education.

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