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/

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