January 5, 2011

Happy New Year to everyone and thanks for all your encouragement and support.

At today's public meeting of the Montgomery County Commissioners, I presented my six point action agenda for the fourth year of our administration.  Important work remains to be done.  This agenda for progress when implemented will continue to move the county forward.

First, we need administrative action and reform to make sure we meet our tight spending restrictions, including the average 4% reduction in departmental budgets mandated in our 2011 county budget.  The commissioners need to meet with department heads and elected Row officers to implement the budget fairly and progressively.

Second, to respond to anticipated deep cuts in state funding, the commissioners need to form our social services departments into a Human Services cabinet and order preparation of a plan to meet the continued demand for social services in the face of state budget cuts.

Third, to better coordinate county programs that create jobs and revitalize communities, the commissioners need to meet with our existing Economic Development cabinet and the boards for Community Revitalization, Redevelopment, Industrial Development, and others to set an agenda for growth at a time of limited resources.

Fourth, we need continued action to promote transportation improvements and to fight traffic gridlock and congestion.  The commissioners need to direct our Transportation Authority and Planning Commission to present an action plan, including advice on the pending study on tolling US 422, and evaluation of a possible public referendum to authorize a county transportation capital program.

Fifth, we need to refocus our 18 year old open space preservation program to implement the proposed Schuylkill Greenway Initiative.  The commissioners need to sponsor a summit with the Planning Commission and all the outside stakeholders interested in this project.

Sixth, the county must upgrade our emergency radio system used by all first responders, at a cost of $50-60 million.  The commissioners and our Public Safety staff need to meet with municipal officials, police and fire chiefs, ambulance and EMS groups, to determine how to implement the upgrade and who is going to pay for it.

I will keep you posted as the county commissioners take action on these issues.  Please feel free to contact me at any time.

Sincerely,