Johnson and Johnson's "No More Tears" Shampoo?

Much to the horror of many parents, recent TV and news articles reveal Johnson & Johnson, whose TV commercials brag about it being a “family” run business, is finally removing harmful ingredients in its famous “No more tears” baby shampoo. One chemical has been linked to cancer and the other releases formaldehyde which is used, among other things, to embalm dead bodies!

Of all the corporate disappointments we’ve experienced the past 10 years, I feel this is the worst. My big question is why did it take so long and such effort for this family business to do the right thing for other people’s children? And, which baby shampoo did they use on their own kids?

There are many links, check out this one: http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/175100/37/Johnson-And-Johnson.

Why I think the Montgomery County Bag Tax Should be Repealed

Of all the topics on my blogs, the MC bag tax has a high emotional value that I wasn’t really expecting. Let me pull together the information from the threads into one place.

First, I work in DC where the bag tax has been in place since January. I am not theorizing about how it really works, I know first hand. It doesn't really work that great.

Second, I agree with the intent of the law – reduce trash, save the environment. What I don’t agree with is what happens in the real world. Some vendors supply the bag but don’t charge for it, so no cost recoup here. Others embed the cost so the consumer is charged even when they don’t take a bag(s). Why get ripped off?

Third, taking the cost for all litter and then applying it only to plastic bags is tricky since litter also contains reusable bags as well as the other stuff. Reusable bags get tossed in the gutter and in trash dumps just like plastic bags so unless the reporter did a manual count…

Fourth, no one article pulls together all the final costs of each type of bag from a minute it’s made until it is no longer on this earth. Looking at several articles, plastic bags are cheaper to make but reusable bags take up more physical trash space and take longer to decompose. In the end, it looked like plastic bags had less environmental impact and were “cheaper” in the long run.

Fifth, my personal beef is the cost is disproportionate to the poor because they tend to have larger families and buy more groceries. Because Montgomery County is very wealthy, lawmakers are insensitive to the fact that not everyone is a millionaire and even 5 cents can add up.

My other beef is my personal observation that the well-to-do around here are the ones throwing their bags on the street thinking some maid will pick it up, not the working poor. Why should those who are disadvantaged have to pay for them?

Finally, the majority of folks will not wash the reusable bags regularly and the bacteria will build up and contaminate food which, when eaten, will make the person trying to do a good thing sick.

I hope this helps us.

The Daily Outrage: Money that no one wants

See Washington Examiner article: http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/daily-outrage/2011/06/daily-outrage-money-no-one-wants?category=10452

Who: Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee

What: NPR reports the Federal Reserve has over $1 billion in dollar coins just sitting in vaults untouched. Congress mandated manufacturing the coins in 2007 to encourage Americans to use fewer paper dollars.

Why it's an outrage: Making the coins cost more than $300 million, and that could double by the time the program ends in 2016. Only the government could make money that no one wants.

Where to vent: Call the committee at 202-224-7391.

The Daily Outrage: Federal bureaucrats still give your money to ACORN

See Washington Examiner article: http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/daily-outrage/2011/07/daily-outrage-federal-bureaucrats-still-give-your-money-acorn?category=10452

WHO: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

WHAT: The American Spectator reports that HUD gave ACORN Housing Corp. $461,086 in January

WHY IT'S AN OUTRAGE: Congress defunded ACORN in 2009, so why is HUD still giving it federal tax dollars?

WHERE TO VENT: Call HUD Press Secretary Melanie Roussell at 202-708-0980, ext. 6605.

Check out the Petition Template below

Blog Petition 0001 – Repeal the Montgomery County Bag Tax
Use this to voice your opinion on the above topic.

Online Safety Tip By Dr. Oz

5 tips to keep teens safe online (Examiner, August 3, 2011, p. 25)

Doing goofy things online— even if you’re not a politician — can get you into plenty of trouble. With one click, you or someone you love can send a harsh word, a wild photo or worse into cyberspace, where it will stay forever—and one day come back to haunt you.

If you see your children or grandchildren spending more time on Facebook than face to face with you, you’re right to be worried they might wind up in a situation they’ll regret. The Internet’s like a tattoo on your forehead — visible for all to see and almost impossible to remove.

So, here are some tips from our new book, “YOU: The Owner’s Manual for Teens,” that can help keep your loved ones safe online:

1. Don’t email when angry. Really! Don’t hit “send” until you’re calm. You can’t take back what’s in print.
2. Put photos to the Grandma test. Don’t upload any pics you wouldn’t want your grandmother, a college admissions officer or a future employer to see. Because they will.
3. Keep personal info private. Don’t reveal your school, where you live or any detail making it easy for strangers to find you. That goes double for photos of your private parts. Don’t send them to anyone, even best friends.
4. Don’t friend someone you don’t know. When in doubt, leave ‘emout. Do you really want a stalker on your page?
5. Feeling cyber-bullied? Or harassed? If something doesn’t feel right, tell a parent or school guidance counselor. You don’t have to take it!

Update on PEPCO and Montgomery County Work Group

I received a clarification to my June 15^th e-mail about the PEPCO investigation workgroup from Mr. Eric Friedman, Director, Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection.  He is what he said:

“The County Executive’s Work Group consisted of 12 volunteer residents.  They did not receive any payments from Montgomery County for their many months of service.  The Special Counsel retained by Montgomery County is paid using funds that were budgeted to our office and the Department of General Services.  According to a survey conducted by the Work Group the economic impact to consumers and businesses resulting from electricity interruption was significant.”

10/4/2010 Newly Formed Pepco Work Group to Study Causes of and Solutions for Utility’s Frequent Outages and Their Duration; Leggett Announces Members of Work Group Headed by Retired Lockheed Martin CEO Norman Augustine

This is good news and I hope that someone finally gets PEPCO to act like a real utility company.

Maryland’s Tax Free Shopping

Maryland is relieving purchasers of the usual 6% sales tax, August 14-20, 2011, for clothing and footwear that is less than $100 each item. “That means qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less are exempt from the Maryland 6% sales tax. Accessory items are not included.”

See this web site for more details including a FAQ Adobe PDF document: http://www.marylandtaxes.com/ShopMD_2011/default.asp

Source:

“Tax Free School Supplies Offer School Savings for 2011 Sales Tax Holidays”

http://www.maximizingmoney.com/shopping/tax-free-school-supplies-offer-school-savings/

PEPCO: the Most Hated Company in America

After spending three hours without power on Wednesday (7/6/11) for no apparent reason, I wasn’t surprised to read the PEPCO was coined the “‘most hated’ company in America” by Rachel Baye based on a recent American Customer Satisfaction Index. PEPCO spokesman, Bob Hainery, is quoted as saying “We are committed to upgrading and modernizing our system through hard work and advanced technology” (Washington Examiner, ‘Satisfaction with Pepco plunges’, July 12, 2011, p 5). I have been hearing their same song and dance for the last 18 years, but with no real results. There I was on a nice summer day in the backyard with a flashlight. PEPCO’s recurring statements of commitment have no meaning if there are no tangible results two decades later.

What’s the best approach to getting PEPCO to actually do something? Support the efforts by our officials.

I expressed my personal concerns to Governor O’Malley in June and assured him of my support for Maryland’s investigation. After reading an article saying Montgomery County was not fully participating in this investigation, I wrote County Executive Leggett. He responded promptly and indicated Montgomery County was participating in the state-wide investigation - although it was not clear how far, fully or partially. He added that he created a 12-member work group to do its own investigation and has engaged outside special counsel (e-mail, June 20, 2011). He also explained that ‘the Public Service Commission has exclusive jurisdiction regarding utility companies.’  
 
Assuming that the commission has sole jurisdiction, then I don’t understand what Mr. Leggett hopes to accomplish with the work group and special counsel. Don’t get me wrong. I think PEPCO acts like we’re living in a third-world country. But, I don’t think we need more than one investigation, especially if it turns out we taxpayers are paying for all of the above.

REPEAL the Montgomery County Maryland Bag Tax

On "May 3rd, 2011 The County Council approved the 5-cent tax to be charged at grocery stores, department stores, convenience stores and other retail establishments that kicks in January 1. The move was inspired in part by a similar measure in the District, but takes it further by spreading it to nearly all retail establishments, not just those that sell food." Kerry Roth  [http://www.realtown.com/community/BlogTalk/view/ORKAEZA]

I have direct experience with the real effects of a bag tax since I work in DC. There are many reasons why it’s a bad idea. These are a few.

·     Many vendors add the cost of providing a bag to their customers to their prices even if they don’t give them a bag. The customer is disadvantaged twice, once for not getting a bag and second because they were overcharged.

·     The cost for administering this tax is not outweighed by the income. Within a few weeks of the DC tax, the majority of customers went without a buying bag. Now, only the tourists pay up. In the end, the "expected" revenue is not there and that happened very quickly.

·     Other issues are arising. Folks using reusable bags do not wash them. In a short time, the bacterial and viral load can make even healthy people become ill. Health care costs are hundreds of times more than any monies recouped from the bag tax.
·     Further, if someone immune-compromised dies as a result, then the officials could end up in a lawsuit, even a class-action lawsuit, costing taxpayers thousands, if not millions more than any income from the bag tax.

Officials try to hide behind the "going green" bandwagon. Is a tax thought to reduce plastic bag use really green? The facts are that it costs more to produce reusable bags and that they create more bulk trash when they’ve outlived their usefulness. The only “green” in this tax is Maryland officials once again putting their hands in our wallets.

Contact Montgomery County Council to let them know you too want their plastic bag tax repealed. If you don’t let them know how you feel, they will keep doing what they are doing.


Click here (or on the links section to the right) Contact the County Executive and the Council as a whole,
Click here: county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov

Keeping the Change?

As a non-native of the DC area, I look at things differently. One of many things that just doesn't sit right with me is the number of doctors and dentists, all who coincidentally have offices on Shady Grove Road in Rockville, who keep the over payment when my insurance finally pays up.

I didn't catch this at first but when I was doing my taxes in April, I realized that one doctor kept $70 (since October 2010) and the dentist kept $30 (since February) - even though I told the dental receptionist to have the check sent directly to me. After taking time to call, hold for twenty minutes, and kick up a fuss, I did get my money back. The point is that if I owe them, I get a bill in 29 days. If they owe me, they "keep the change." I don't think so.

Keep an eye on your wallets folks. I need my money for my Honda Civic. I am sorry if diesel costs a lot for their Mercedes.

Gaithersburg Olde Towne Traffic

Archstone Apartment Traffic

Statistics show we can expect Archstone residents to own between 200-700 cars. The City has only approved three exits and intersection changes to accommodate all this new traffic.

Two exits will come from extending Teachers Way to North Summit dumping traffic on to both Summit and Girard. The third exit will be an alley dumping traffic on to East Diamond. (See current map below.)

The intersection changes will likely only be shorter traffic light cycles.

WhenThe Residences at Hidden Creek is fully occupied, more traffic will dump onto Summit Avenue and Girard creating even more gridlock.

The City has no plans to widen any of these roads. Smart growth is not smart if it does not include structural changes to the surrounding roads.

If don’t want your commute time tripled, let the City Planners know how you feel.

     Planning and Code Administration

     City of Gaithersburg
     31 S Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
     Phone: 301-258-6330; Fax: 301-258-6336
     E-mail: plancode@gaithersburgmd.gov

They meet the first and third Wednesday at 7:30 pm; location: City Hall Council Chambers.

Did you know about Maryland Made Easy web site?

July 1^st’s Washington Business Journal article notes that “Maryland's economic development department has launched its Maryland Made Easy website, a portal designed to help businesses more simply sift through required licensing and regulatory paperwork.”

Check it out at: easy.maryland.gov

Did you know about APA's Help Center?

The non-profit professional organization, the American Psychological Association (APA), also provides many resources for the public. If you or someone you know needs help coping or making a lifestyle change, then check out their web site: http://www.apa.org/ and in particular http://www.apa.org/helpcenter.

More crazy drivers?

I decided to take a walk before I breakfasted at the Flower Hill Starbucks. As I came near the end of my walk, I heard a man yell because he and his wife almost got run over because the driver did not stop at the sign but just ran right through it. What is wrong with drivers around here? I've never seen this any place else. Don't you all know that you must stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk? If not, why not?

Alert: Always Report your power outage to PEPCO

Safety Tip: Whenever you experience a power outage, whether it's just your house or the whole neighborhood, call PEPCO at 877-737-2662 to alert them.

PEPCO staff repeatedly state that while they would know if a transformer was out, they do not have any technology that tells them if a specific house or specific block is out of power. Whether it’s just your house or your neighborhood, someone needs to call the power outage in to PEPCO.

When I am in that situation, if my power is not back on by PEPCO’s first estimate, I call them again for an update. If that new estimate passes and my power is not back on, I call them again. I repeat the process until my power is back on.

Did you know about Maryland Hope - Foreclosure Prevention/ Assistance Program?

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has a web site called HOPE (Home Owners Preserving Equity) to provide information and resources to residents, both homeowners and renters, who are delinquent and facing foreclosure. ”You also can find information that will lead you to a local housing counseling agency in your area that can assist you on a more personalized level.”

By phone: 1-877-462-7555 or see http://www.mdhope.org/

Maryland Driving Tips

I like a lot of things about Maryland but the way people drive around here is NOT one of them. Most of these are illegal in this state and the others are just common sense and courtesy.

• Motorists must not use a cell phone while driving.
• Do not tailgate. Allow one foot between your car and the one in front of you for every mile you are going. That is, it’s a one-to-one ratio.
• Drivers should yield the right-of-way to other drivers and pedestrians.
• Do not drive aggressively.
• Drivers should not run down pedestrians in crosswalks.
• Drivers do not have the right of way when making a right on red if the driver making the left has the green light.
• Pedestrians should not walk behind moving cars (e.g., when the driver is backing out of a parking spot).
• Drivers should not switch lanes in the middle of a turn.
• People should not throw trash, cigarettes etc. out of their car window while driving.
• People should not park in front of the ATM no parking zone when the parking lot has enough parking spots.
• Drivers should turn on the turn-signal indicator before they get into the turn lane.

YES to full participation in the Maryland investigation into PEPCO’s reliability

Here is my email to Montgomery County officials in response to today's (6/15) Washington Examiner article "Leggett pulls Montgomery County out of state Pepco probe."

Dear Council Executive Leggett:

I do appreciate the work you do for us and have a concern to bring to your attention. As a voting constituent, I urge you to support Montgomery County’s full participation in the Maryland investigation into PEPCO’s reliability.

Before I moved to Maryland 18 years ago, I experienced the occasional weather-related power outages. I never experienced the frequent power outages that I have here, even on a sunny day. I have never paid exorbitant prices for such poor technical and customer service. It’s near impossible to get to a live person.

I applauded Governor O’Malley’s effort to meet with PEPCO to address these issues. Because we lost power again the Friday before Memorial Day, I started to e-mail the governor for an update. I was in the middle of the e-mail, when my company, in DC, lost power and was without power the next two days! How much longer can we let PEPCO continue to provide substandard service?

My hope is the officials who represent me do their best to see that my needs and those of others are met with something as basic as power. I hope you will change your mind and participate fully in the investigation so that our concerns don’t get discriminated against by being left out. We can’t be heard if we are not at the table. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely

Did you know about MC311?

311 is an easy to remember phone number that Montgomery County government’s created to allow customers to access government programs and services. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. And there are representatives who speak Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and French. Customers can also access information and create or track service requests on the website.

• In Montgomery County, call 311
• Outside of Montgomery County, call 240-777-0311
• The TTY number is 240-773-3556
• Website: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/311

Reminder: ALWAYS call 911 for emergencies

You can also get details at:

http://www3.montgomerycountymd.gov/311/AboutMC311.aspx

Action Alert: Tick Threat in Maryland and Virginia

The Washington Examiner reports that “Maryland’s Department of Health is urging residents to ‘Get Ticked Off’ as part of a summer-long public health campaign.” Keep in mind deer ticks cause Lyme disease in humans and  the initial symptoms often appear flu-like. (June 8, 2011, p. 10)

Commentary: Should there be Maryland In-state Tuition for Illegal immigrants?

Today’s Washington Examiner Editorial starts with an interesting observation: “There aren't many issues in America these days that incite as much intense passion on all sides as immigration.” (Washington Examiner, June 7, 2011) When I read that Maryland government officials voted to provide illegal immigrants with in-state tuition, that brought out the passion in me.

I am a US Citizen because my great grandparents (mother’s side) and grandparents (father’s side) came to this county legally. It deeply offends me and spits on my family’s efforts when government officials provide citizen benefits to those who did not take the appropriate path, no matter how noble the person thinks his/her reason is. To quote and American Express commercial “Membership has its privileges” and US citizenship is a privilege. And, with the privilege, comes many benefits that are paid for by taxpayers, like myself.  It also comes with obligations. One obligation is to obey the law. What part of “illegal” do government officials in Maryland not understand?

The argument for giving them in-state tuition doesn’t even pass the logic test. J. Doug Gill has it right on “…if someone is not here legally, then said person would not qualify as an “in-state” resident, … receiving an “in-state” tuition subsidized by Maryland taxpayers.” (Washington Examiner, May 26, 2011)

My heart-felt belief is that we should stop Maryland’s in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. If you agree, there are two ways to show it.

1)     E-mail Governor O’Malley (http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/)  and ask him to Halt Enactment of in-state tuition rates for illegal aliens (Maryland's version of the Dream Act).

2)     Sign the grass roots petition started by Republican Dels. Patrick McDonough, Baltimore County, and Neil Parrott, Washington County at https://mdpetitions.com/

Check out the new Page "Writing Your Official [Template]"

Looking for ideas on how to compose a letter to your official so you will get your point across effectively? Check out this step by step model.

Checkout the new Page "Public Service Campaigns"

Public Service Campaigns

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

The Great Hangup

Protecting Our Ocean Wildlife

New apartment construction on East Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg

Here is my letter to the Gaithersburg Planning Commission concerning the current and future traffic issues resulting from a new apartment complex:

Gaithersburg Planning Commission

City Hall

31 S Summit Ave

Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Attn: Trudy Schwarz, Staff Liaison

Dear Ms. Schwarz:

As I am not the only one who will be confronted by this problem, I am writing the planning commission (John Bauer, Matthew Hopkins, Lloyd S. Kaufman, Geri Lanier, Danny Winborne) as a concerned citizen whose work commute brings me through Old Town via East Diamond Avenue to access the Gaithersburg MARC station.

I e-mailed the planning commission on April 11^th about current and expected traffic issues regarding the apartment complex being built across from the train station. Mr. Mumpower responded to this e-mail and briefly explained that the City was working with the builder to avoid current traffic woes. He did not address my question about what will be done to prevent severe morning tie ups on two-lane roads when the residents are all in place and, like me, trying to get to work in the morning.

To date, it takes me three times longer than it should given the distance and only two stop lights. Additional housing units on North Summit and on Goshen have added their share of traffic to underdeveloped area roads. Unless there are plans in the works, the traffic situation can only get worse. It doesn’t have to be this way if there is proper traffic planning and accommodation.

I hope the Planning Commission has effective planning in place already and that my concerns are unwarranted. If not, then I hope to open a dialog where we can start as soon as possible to make needed adjustments before many of us are late to work and stuck in carbon emitting traffic.

Sincerely,

Transportation Planning and Mass Transit Funding

I understand there is discussion about a gas tax and, if implemented, about how those funds would be used - with one option being widening I-270 and the other being increasing mass transit options. Here are my thoughts:

Recommendation: No to widening I-270

Justification: Initial Cost, Maintenance Cost, Not eco-friendly

Overview: Development estimates of $4B will put an unsustainable tax burden on residents, the majority of whom do not use this highway to commute to work. Tolls would not recoup the cost. Likewise, long-term cost of maintenance, not usually included in initial cost estimates. More cars means more traffic congestion, air pollution, and noise pollution. Finally, using a gas tax to put more cars on the road is ironic at best.

Also note that only 1/3 of the Governor's estimated drivers are using the Intercounty Connector. Why will they be right about widening I-270?

Recommendation: Yes to All-day, two-way MARC Service

Justification: Lower cost with wider benefit, more options for maintenance funding, eco-friendly

Overview: Expansion estimates of $560M dwarf by comparison to widening I-270. More commuters admit they would take the train if all-day service were available. Mechanisms are already in place to effectively maintain the trains. Having reliable all-day transportation would increase the area’s tax base because more homeowners would move into our area. Finally, to make the obvious point, fossil fuels are a finite resource. We need to get away from them in our lifetime. Trains have the most efficient fuel use of our available systems.

Recommendation: Yes To Building A Third Commuter Train Track

Justification: Part of the difficulty in using MARC train service is that they have to defer to the CSX freight trains. The VRE passengers do not because Virginia built a third set of tracks for the commuter trains to cross-over avoiding congestion. This is far more inexpensive than the other options on the table

Contact:

Maryland's Governor, Montgomery County House Delegates, Montgomery County Senators, Montgomery County Council

PEPCO Power line-related Failures

Before I moved here 18 years ago, I experienced the occasional weather-related power outages. As many of you know, here it’s a regular occurrence even on sunny days because trees knock down overhead power lines. When the head got yelled at by Maryland officials, he wanted to say it was more than the trees. However, PEPCO blamed subsequent failures on trees.  PEPCO’s May newsletter pats themselves on the back for getting “tree trimming in full swing.” They want to play it both ways and we shouldn’t let them. They cry about cost and what a big job it is to put cables underground. If they had started putting them underground 18 years ago, they’d be done by now. [See http://dev.www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Storm-downs-trees_-cutting-power-to-over-300_000-homes-1003523-99204629.html]

Drop a note of support for converting to underground cables to:

Pepco's Media Relations Department:

Bob Hainey
Manager Media Relations
Phone: (202) 872-2680
email: rshainey@pepcoholdings.com

Clay Anderson
Sr. Media Representative
Phone: (202) 872-2680
email: canderson@pepcoholdings.com

Corporate Correspondence
Pepco
701 Ninth St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20068

Alert: Parking lot safety - the managed "right of way”

Fact 1:
Pedestrians do not always have the right of way.

Fact 2:
A car backing up (e.g. parking lot) has a managed ‘right of way’ because the driver does not have ‘full visibility’.

Action:
When a car is backing up, pedestrians should not continue to walk behind the moving car.
When a car is backing up, approaching cars should yield the right-of-way to the car backing out. This is especially true if the car backing up is more than half-way out.

Alert: Drivers Using Hand-held Devices (e.g., cell phones)

Distracted driving quadruples your chances of getting into an accident resulting in injuries, even death. Teens are especially vulnerable. In a recent survey, teens said drunken driven is more likely to cause a fatal crash than texting. The odds are the same! Join W*USA 9’s movement called “Great Hang Up” to put down your cell phone while driving. “http://www.wusa9.com/greathangup/default.aspx

Maryland and the District passed laws recently to limit cell phone use while driving. Starting October, 2010, Maryland drivers can't use a Cell Phone without a Hands Free Device.The fine for a first offense is $40 and subsequent offenses are $100.