Thursday, February 17, 2011

Subject: Dispute Complaint Number 1110132287

From: Steve Morrison <n3yib@yahoo.com>
Subject: Dispute Complaint Number 1110132287
Customer Name: Mr. Steven Morrison
To: Vtyler@psc.state.md.us
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2011,
Dear Mr. Tyler,                                                   February 17, 2011

On February 16th, Washington Gas sent 3 workers out to dig up
my shallow (less than 6 inches below the surface) pressurized gas
line for a long abandoned street light.  They followed the linedigging laterally for about 10 feet and down about 2 feet below the surface where  it joined the larger main gas feeder line to my house.  They then closed off the street light gas line at the main and removed the abandoned street light gas line.  I am satisfied that one of my problems with Washington Gas has been appropriately resolved and that the Maryland Public Service Commission was materially helpful. 

Three more problems with Washington Gas, mentioned in Complaint Number 1110132287, have not yet been addressed. 
The first that there are dozens of shallow street light lines in my community where gas street lights were previously removed, identical to my former situation with unmarked, pressurized gas light lines running just below the surface and not sealed deeper down at the gas mains.  These remain a hazard to the community because homeowners can pierce them with a pick or shovel  them when planting a garden or shrubs.   A second problem is that our community still has 3 working gas street lights plus dozens of
derelict, abandoned gas street lights, most of them not quite vertical, most without theit glass globes and without gas mantles necessary to sustain the bright glow for illumination.  The abandoned lights have the shallow gas lines AND their gas flow is cut off by a valve located above ground in the gas light column, even more hazardous than was my situation.  If the landowner tries to take down the derelict, abandoned gas lamp pole, he or she could be surprised and find out that the gas line is still pressurized.  Abandoned gas lights need to be completely removed and
appropriately sealed at their intersection with the gas main. 

Lastly, I complained that Washington Gas diverted calls about matters other than employment, billing, payments and emergencies to call centers in Asia that apparently know nothing and have no authority, but are always polite.  My conclusion that Washington Gas is unwilling to deal with or even listen to its customers is reinforced by my experience at the Public Service Commission in regard to this complaint.  The person who filed a written formal response to your agency  about my complaint, which you forwarded to me, did not provide her phone number, address or email address so I could not communicate directly with her.  Washington Gas' business stategy of preventing the public from communicating with appropriate Washington Gas employees has got to end. 

The assistance of your agency in getting the identified remaining
problems resolved will be appreciated. 

Respectfully,

Steven Morrison
13816
Vintage Lane
Silver Spring, MD  20906

n3yib@yahoo.com
301 871-6452

Thursday, February 10, 2011

AMMENDED-Written Statement by Gamunu Wijetunge for the County Executive’s Annual

Good evening Mr. Leggett. My name is Gamunu Wijetunge. I am Vice-Chair of the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board (MCCAB). I am accompanied tonight by Ms. Ritija Gupta, Chair of the MCCAB’s Budget Committee.
The MCCAB serves to advise the County Executive and County Council on issues impacting the Mid-County area which covers the
Georgia Avenue
corridor from Forest Glen up through Wheaton, Glenmont, Kensingon, Layhill, Aspen Hill and all the way to Olney. The MCCAB serves as Montgomery County's bridge to the 220,000 residents and businesses spread throughout the 99 square miles of the Mid-County area of Montgomery County.

Overview
I recognize the difficulties faced by the Montgomery County Government (MCG) in the face of ongoing severe revenue shortfalls. I would like to thank the County Executive for his continued leadership during these difficult times. I do not have any new formal MCCAB positions to present tonight, rather my remarks are intended to highlight past recommendations which I believe are timely. As the County Executive is aware, the Montgomery County Organizational Reform Commission (the Commission) released its final report on January 31, 2011. The deliberations of the Commission have been discussed at several MCCAB meetings. I believe the Commission’s final report will also be closely examined. I testified before the Commission on behalf of the MCCAB at a public meeting on October 20, 2010. I believe it is worth noting that the Commission’s final report touched on two areas previously discussed by the MCCAB: Liquor Control and the Regional Services Centers.

Department of Liquor Control (DLC)
The Commission has recommended that MCG
pursue options for establishing an independent “revenue authority” to be responsible for operation of the Department of Liquor Control, thereby generating more revenue for the General Fund and removing it from the Executive Branch.

Regional Services Centers
The Commission has recommended that MCG
increase use of the Regional Services Centers’ citizen advisory boards and the Office of Community Partnerships, whenever possible, in lieu of creating new citizen boards or committees.

I believe the Commission’s recommendation recognizes the importance of Regional Services Centers and the regional advisory boards.

In closing I would like to extend my personal appreciation to the County Executive and his hard working staff. Thank you again for taking the time to meet and speak with us tonight. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have at this time.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

MCCAB's talking points for meeting with County Executive

Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board Written Statement for the County
Executive’s Annual Meeting with Boards, Committees and Commissions
February 10, 2011
Good evening Mr. Leggett. My name is Gamunu Wijetunge. I am Vice-Chair of the Mid-
County Citizens Advisory Board (MCCAB). I am accompanied tonight by Ms. Ritija Gupta, Chair
of the MCCAB’s Budget Committee.
The MCCAB serves to advise the County Executive and County Council on issues
impacting the Mid-County area which covers the Georgia Avenue corridor from Forest Glen
up through Wheaton, Glenmont, Kensingon, Layhill, Aspen Hill and all the way to Olney. The
MCCAB serves as Montgomery County's bridge to the 220,000 residents and businesses
spread throughout the 99 square miles of the Mid-County area of Montgomery County.
Overview
The members of the MCCAB recognize the difficulties faced by the Montgomery County
Government (MCG) in the face of ongoing severe revenue shortfalls. I would like to thank the
County Executive for his continued leadership during these difficult times.
I do not have any new formal MCCAB positions to present tonight, rather my remarks
are intended to highlight past recommendations which I believe are timely.
As the County Executive is aware, the Montgomery County Organizational Reform
Commission (the Commission) released its final report on January 31, 2011. The deliberations
of the Commission have been discussed at several MCCAB meetings. I believe the
Commission’s final report will also be closely examined. I testified before the Commission on
behalf of the MCCAB at a public meeting on October 20, 2010. I believe it is worth noting that
the Commission’s final report touched on two areas that the MCCAB testified to: Liquor Control
and the Regional Services Centers.
Department of Liquor Control (DLC)
The Commission has recommended that MCG “pursue options for establishing an
independent “revenue authority” to be responsible for operation of the Department of Liquor
Control, thereby generating more revenue for the General Fund and removing it from the
Executive Branch.”
Regional Services Centers
The Commission has recommended that MCG “increase use of the Regional Services
Centers’ citizen advisory boards and the Office of Community Partnerships, whenever possible,
in lieu of creating new citizen boards or committees.”
I believe the Commission’s recommendation recognizes the importance of Regional
Services Centers and the regional advisory boards.
In closing I would like to extend the MCCAB’s appreciation to the County Executive and
his hard working staff. Thank you again for taking the time to meet and speak with us tonight. I
would be happy to answer any questions you may have at this time.