Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Executive Directors Report

September 2004 Executive Director's Online Bulletin

David Robertson, Executive Director

IN THIS ISSUE:
°	New Panel To Study WMATA Funding
°	Summit Explores Solutions to Gang Violence
°	Clear Channel Radio Features COG Town Hall Meeting
°	COG Assists in First National Low Impact Development Conference
°	Institute for Regional Excellence Graduates Cohort Three

Upcoming Events
COG Board Meeting	Oct. 13, 2004
TPB Meeting	Oct. 20, 2004
MWAQC Meeting	Oct. 27, 2004

PUBLIC SAFETY

Summit Explores Solutions to Gang Violence
More than 400 people attended COG’s Regional Gang Summit to confer on ways to combat a growing problem for the national capital area. Participants explored new ideas and shared knowledge of already-existing anti-gang initiatives. The one-day event focused on the concerns of youth, parents and communities in sessions that focused on prevention, intervention, suppression and general information on gang activity.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Clear Channel Radio Features COG Town Hall Meeting
A Town Hall Meeting held at COG was broadcast live September 26 on WBIG 100.3FM, DC 101FM and SportsTalk 980AM. The special edition of “Metro Talk,” a public affairs show produced by Clear Channel Radio, focused on two of COG’s most important regional initiatives, citizen emergency preparedness and the elimination of gang violence. Elected officials, a state attorney and a Red Cross representative served on two separate panels, and answered questions from a live audience including participants of the District of Columbia’s police training academy and members of the Latin American Youth Agency.

TRANSPORTATION

New Panel To Study WMATA Funding
COG’s Board of Directors approved creation of a panel of experts to recommend alternative sources of funding to help meet a looming shortfall faced by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Association (WMATA). The Metro Funding Panel is scheduled to issue a report in mid-December recommending alternative sources of revenue for WMATA, including possible contributions from the region’s jurisdictions. Gerald E. Connolly, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and a member of the COG Board, proposed establishing the panel.

ENVIRONMENT

COG Assists in First National Low Impact Development Conference

Guests and panelists traveling from as far away as California and New Zealand turned out for the first national Low Impact Development Conference in College Park. Speakers discussed new techniques designed to minimize the effects of development and urban stormwater on watersheds. The three-day event, funded in part by a grant from the U.S. EPA, was sponsored by Prince George's County in association with COG and the Anacostia Watershed Toxics Alliance.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Institute for Regional Excellence Graduates Cohort Three
The Institute for Regional Excellence Executive Development Program (IRE) graduated 33 certified public managers representing various COG jurisdictions. Now in its fourth year, the IRE Program was established with assistance from The George Washington University Center for Excellence in Municipal Management and the Fannie Mae Foundation to equip government managers to find collaborative solutions to common problems. During the ceremony, graduates presented Fairfax County Executive Anthony Griffin with the Visionary Leadership Award for setting an exemplary standard of management to which the students have committed.

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