tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7451774866316464951.post6700379929626383743..comments2013-06-03T02:55:16.852-04:00Comments on MCCAB BLOG: MCCAB's talking points for meeting with County ExecutiveUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7451774866316464951.post-55926585882723616932011-02-10T17:36:03.570-05:002011-02-10T17:36:03.570-05:00Statement by Gamunu Wijetunge for the County Execu...Statement by Gamunu Wijetunge for the County Executive’s Annual<br />Meeting with Boards, Committees and Commissions<br />February 10, 2011<br />Good evening Mr. Leggett. My name is Gamunu Wijetunge. I am Vice-Chair of the Mid-<br />County Citizens Advisory Board (MCCAB). I am accompanied tonight by Ms. Ritija Gupta, Chair<br />of the MCCAB’s Budget Committee.<br />The MCCAB serves to advise the County Executive and County Council on issues<br />impacting the Mid-County area which covers the Georgia Avenue corridor from Forest Glen<br />up through Wheaton, Glenmont, Kensingon, Layhill, Aspen Hill and all the way to Olney. The<br />MCCAB serves as Montgomery County's bridge to the 220,000 residents and businesses<br />spread throughout the 99 square miles of the Mid-County area of Montgomery County.<br />Overview<br />I recognize the difficulties faced by the Montgomery County Government (MCG) in the<br />face of ongoing severe revenue shortfalls. I would like to thank the County Executive for his<br />continued leadership during these difficult times.<br />I do not have any new formal MCCAB positions to present tonight, rather my remarks<br />are intended to highlight past recommendations which I believe are timely.<br />As the County Executive is aware, the Montgomery County Organizational Reform<br />Commission (the Commission) released its final report on January 31, 2011. The deliberations<br />of the Commission have been discussed at several MCCAB meetings. I believe the<br />Commission’s final report will also be closely examined. I testified before the Commission on<br />behalf of the MCCAB at a public meeting on October 20, 2010. I believe it is worth noting that<br />the Commission’s final report touched on two areas previously discussed by the MCCAB: Liquor<br />Control and the Regional Services Centers.<br />Department of Liquor Control (DLC)<br />The Commission has recommended that MCG “pursue options for establishing an<br />independent “revenue authority” to be responsible for operation of the Department of Liquor<br />Control, thereby generating more revenue for the General Fund and removing it from the<br />Executive Branch.”<br />Regional Services Centers<br />The Commission has recommended that MCG “increase use of the Regional Services<br />Centers’ citizen advisory boards and the Office of Community Partnerships, whenever possible,<br />in lieu of creating new citizen boards or committees.”<br />I believe the Commission’s recommendation recognizes the importance of Regional<br />Services Centers and the regional advisory boards.<br />In closing I would like to extend my personal appreciation to the County Executive and<br />his hard working staff. Thank you again for taking the time to meet and speak with us tonight. I<br />would be happy to answer any questions you may have at this time.Gamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01574738441049609595noreply@blogger.com