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.