Friends,
Public service is all about people and the difference one person can make in the lives of many. I have chosen to make a difference by serving my community on the Montgomery County Council.
Thanks to you, I have had the privilege of representing your interests for the past four years. While we have enjoyed many successes together, such as expanding access to preschool and summer meals for students, creating community gardens on parkland, and passing legislation to promote good government by eliminating waste and abuse, there is still more work to be done.
As a member of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, I am committed to environmental stewardship and have worked to create "green streets" through the County's road code, which will reduce stormwater on all newly constructed roads. I have enhanced our trail system by improving the Capital Crescent Trail and expediting capital improvement funds for the Metropolitan Branch Trail. I have consistently worked to maintain funding for our Ride On system and for the Purple Line because public transportation is the key to reducing carbon and other harmful emissions. In addition, I am the Council's representative on the County's Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Advisory Board and the cosponsor of the County's Pedestrian Safety Plan. All of these efforts are interconnected and help Montgomery County promote its long term environmental sustainability. With your continued support, I am committed to making Montgomery County an even better place to call home.
I have always been more of a community organizer than a conventional politician. I continuously meet with people from all parts of the county. My inclusive style of governing works for residents and helps me keep my finger on the pulse of what is important in Kensington, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Wheaton.
With your help, I will continue to advocate to maintain Montgomery County's world-class education system, enhance public safety and preserve services for our neediest residents. I will also continue to respond to the myriad of issues that come into my office. I am committed to continuing the outstanding constituent service that I am known for, not only because it's the right thing to do, but because every action no matter how small helps to shape and improve our community.
While we are currently in very challenging budget times, I believe that difficult times force individuals to dig down deep to find the courage to move through them. I believe that we will emerge on the other side of these tough times with a vision for Montgomery County that will bring us to a stronger, more sustainable future. I would like to join with you to continue building our future. Working together we can continue to achieve great things. Thanks for your support.
Sincerely,
Valerie Ervin
Council Vice President
Montgomery County Council - District 5
Testimony before the Maryland Public Service Commission
From the Office of Council Vice President Valerie Ervin, Monday, August 30, 2010
Montgomery County Council Vice President Valerie Ervin today testified at a Maryland Public Service Commission public hearing in Rockville that is part of the PSC's investigation into the reliability of electricity provider Pepco.
"I want to begin by thanking Chairman Nazarian and all the members of the Public Service Commission for holding this public hearing in Rockville. As you know, from the County Council's recent correspondence, thousands of residents throughout Montgomery County experienced extended power outages from the back-to-back blizzards that knocked out power during the winter and our recent summer storms."
» View Press Release PDF (512K)
Montgomery Schools Expand Free Lunch Program
ABC 7 News (WJLA), Monday, June 28, 2010
School may be out of session for the summer, but hungry Montgomery County (web | news) school children can still get a meal. With the help of federal money, the school system is expanding a long-standing program to promote healthy food options.
With about 30 percent of students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals, school officials say that these students cannot be forgotten during the summer break.
At end of first council term, Ervin readies for four more years
The Gazette, Wednesday, June 23, 2010
When Councilwoman Valerie Ervin began her first council term four years ago, she had a "road map" for what she wanted to accomplish for Montgomery County. It included better pre-kindergarten education, more multi-modal transportation options and the continued redevelopment of downtown Silver Spring.
She's made steps toward all of those goals and more. But it's been a tougher path than she expected.
Sligo Creek golf club to stay open; plans, funding still undetermined
The Washington Post, Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Sligo Creek Golf Course, the nine-hole Silver Spring course beloved by many for its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, will remain open indefinitely. The decision, announced Tuesday, is a reversal by the Montgomery County Revenue Authority, which had been saying for more than a year that the course is too costly to operate.
"Everyone is trying to find a way to keep it open," said Keith Miller, head of the revenue authority, which operates Montgomery's nine public golf courses and its airport in Gaithersburg. He said some details remain to be worked out with M&T Bank, the trustee for the agency's revenue bonds. "All banks are nervous these days," he said.
Montgomery school system poised to fight proposed budget cuts
The Washington Post, Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Montgomery County's biggest spender — the public school system — has been conspicuously quiet in the weeks since County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) proposed giving the expanding system $137 million less than school officials requested.
The silence has now ended, with an exclamation point — and a threat.
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