Many of you know that a lot of folks in our neighborhood have major drainage issues on their property. In an effort to alleviate some of these issues and to put less pressure on the existing drainage infrastructure,
Montgomery County government has set aside funds in their capital improvement budget to install a number of stormwater facilities in our area that will absorb some water during heavy rainfalls. The Department of Environmental Protection Green Streets program is planning to install 62 stormwater management facilities in Wheaton Hills and Glenmont Forest, which will include Raingardens, Bioretention Gardens and Tree Boxes. Construction of these facilities is expected to start in February 2021 and be completed in Spring 2022.  

To find out more and to ask questions, there will be a virtual open house for residents on May 6 from 7-8pm. You can join this meeting by going to this website and following the prompts: https://zoom.us/j/313627516

You will need this information to join the meeting:  
Meeting ID: 313627516  
Passcode: 023489  

Here is the link to the project website for more info on the project: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/water/restoration/glenmont-forest.html.                                                                                                              

If you want to see what these installations look like, pictures from around Montgomery County are here: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/water/restoration/green-streets.html

There are also examples on Arcola Avenue (on the East side of Georgia Avenue). 

Did you know that the Census determines how much funding and what services our community receives? If we and our neighbors are not counted, our community could be missing out on vital funds and services.

Want more funding for stormwater management issues, or outdoor equipment for seniors in a park? Do you think there needs to be greater access to services for the children of Wheaton Hills, and more public transportation for everyone else?  Then it's important to fill out the Census survey. 

North Wheaton is predominantly made up of three Census tracts (7034.04, 7037.01, 7037.02). As of Sunday, April 12th, each of the Census tracts are showing no more than a 58.1% self-response rate. That means that nearly half of our community is unknown to Montgomery County officials and to future grant funders; this could mean that grants could go to other communities showing greater need due to a higher Census response rate. You can check for yourself how your neighborhood Census tract is doing on the Self-Response Census Tracker Map. 

The Census survey (www.my2020census.gov) takes less than 5 minutes to complete online. It does not ask for information regarding your immigration status. In fact, here is exactly what will be asked of you: 

1.       Your address; 
2.       Your name and telephone number; 
3.       How many people live in your household; 
4.       The names of each person in your household; 
5.       Whether your home is owned or rented; 
6.       Who is the person(s) in the household who rents or owns the mortgage on the home/apartment; 
7.       The sex of each person in the household; 
8.       The birthdate and age of each person in the household; 
9.       The ethnicity and race of each person in the household; 
10.   The relationship of each person in the household to the person filling out the Census survey. 

It’s important to Be Counted: www.my2020census.gov.  

¿Sabía que el Censo determina cuántos fondos y qué servicios recibe su comunidad? Si usted y sus vecinos no se cuentan, su comunidad podría estar perdiendo fondos y servicios vitales porque su estado, condado y organizaciones sin fines de lucro. No sabrán que usted o sus vecinos viven en North Wheaton. 

¿Necesita fondos de subvención para resolver problemas como aguas pluviales o equipos al aire libre para las personas mayores ? ¿Crees que debe haber un mayor acceso a las escuelas para los niños que viven North Wheaton y una mejor  transporte pública para el resto de la comunidad?  Complete la encuesta del censo. 

North Wheaton está compuesto predominantemente por tres secciones censales (7034.04, 7037.01, 7037.02). A partir del domingo 12 de abril, cada una de las secciones del censo no muestra más del 58.1% de tasa de auto-respuesta. Eso significa que la mitad de su comunidad es desconocida para el Condado y para futuros financiadores de subvenciones; Esto podría significar que las subvenciones/fondos podrían ir a otras comunidades que muestran una mayor necesidad debido a que tienen mayor numero de respuestas. Puede comprobar por sí mismo  y  seguir el Mapa del censo en auto-respuesta y asi ver si su comunidad esta respondiando al como deberia. Comuníquese con sus vecinos a través de llamadas telefónicas, mensajes de texto, correos electrónicos o servidores de listas para recordarles que la encuesta del Censo es rápida, importante que requiere de unos minutos y que completarlar el Census es una cuestión comunitaria. Empodera a comunidades que han sido olvidadas. 

La encuesta del censo (www.my2020census.gov) tarda menos de 5 minutos en completarse en línea. No solicita información sobre su estado migratorio. De hecho, esto es exactamente lo que se le pedirá: 
 
1.       Su dirección; 
2.       Su nombre y número de teléfono; 
3.       ¿Cuántas personas viven en su hogar? 
4.       Los nombres de cada persona en su hogar; 
5.       Si su casa es propiedad o está alquilada; 
6.       ¿Quién es la persona (s) en el hogar que alquila o posee la hipoteca de la casa / apartamento; 
7.       El sexo de cada persona en el hogar; 
8.       La fecha de nacimiento y la edad de cada persona en el hogar; 
9.       El origen étnico y la raza de cada persona en el hogar; 
10.   Cual es la relación de cada persona que vive en casa con la persona que  esta completa la encuesta del Censo. 
 
Es importante ser contado: www.my2020census.gov. 

​The Wheaton Hills Civic Association will be having a community meeting this Thursday, November 14, at 7:00 PM at Highland Elementary. 

This meeting will focus on what it takes to run a neighborhood association - what are the benefits, what are the most time-consuming things, what's the truly hard work - and to conduct elections for the next two-year term for the executive committee. Few frills, few special guests, just an honest discussion and a vote.

There have been very few nominations received for officers. If you would like to self-nominate or nominate a WHCA member to serve, please email your/their name and why to whcaelections@gmail.com. We need folks to step up as I and a number of the current officers will be moving on. After six years of organizing, consulting, and leading - and now dealing with a very serious family medical issue - it's time for me to take a back seat.

We hope to see you on Thursday. We hope some will step forward to help continue the work the WHCA has done, and even take things to the next level. 

Sean Corbett
WHCA President

Every two years we hold elections for the executive committee positions of the Wheaton Hills Civic Association. This includes the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The duties of each position can be found in Article 5 of the by-laws.

The next election will be held in mid-November at a general community meeting; the date is TBD.

Right now, we're asking you, our neighbors and friends, to submit nominations for the executive committee positions. You can submit someone else for a position or self-nominate. The link for the Nomination form is here (but please keep reading for important instructions/information.) 

Who can be nominated? Any WHCA "Active Member". Active members are those that have submitted a membership form - new or renewal - in the last two years. (NOTE: To be able to vote in the election, you'll need to be an active member yourself. To join or renew, submit the membership form on the WHCA website.)

Don't worry if you don't know if your nominee is an active member. Our Officer Nominating Committee will verify their eligibility and acceptance of the nomination. (Special, heartfelt thanks to Melanie Newbrough, Rob Salerno, and Sarah Jackson for volunteering for the ONC.)

The ONC will be collecting nominations, present a ballot of nominees, and manage the election process at the November meeting. They are currently looking into a method of electronic voting for members that can not make the meeting in person. Stay tuned for more on that as we get closer to the election. The ONC can be contacted directly at whcaelections@gmail.com. 


Lastly, let me just say that the Wheaton Hills Civic Association, closing in on just its sixth anniversary, has made tremendous progress on a large number of priorities. We continue to present the cares and concerns of you, our neighbors, to improve the quality of life and sense of community in - and around - Wheaton Hills. It has been my pleasure, and the pleasure of the full Wheaton Hills Civic Association Executive Committee - to advocate and work for this neighborhood. As I've said before, Wheaton Hills thrives when we come together. Let's keep the momentum for positive change and see some great nominees to continue our work.

Regards,
Sean Corbett
Wheaton Hills Civic Association, President

WHCA Executive Committee Nomination Form

​Representatives from the Wheaton Hills Civic Association met this week with the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) regarding their plans (they don't really have any yet) for the Lindsay Ford/Ambassador building at the corner of Veirs Mills Road and University Blvd. As you may know, HOC will be redeveloping this property once the current tenants completely vacant. 

HOC, still very early in the process, is soliciting community ideas, feedback, comments. We know this is short notice - and we objected to such when we were informed of the meetings - but HOC will be holding two community meetings next week.

We encourage everyone to come out and share your thoughts on the future of this prime Wheaton location... and on potential short- and long-term uses for the current Lindsay Ford parking lot on Kensington Blvd, within our neighborhood boundaries. 

All residents should receive a letter from HOC on or about this Saturday. A copy of the letter is displayed below.

The meetings are both being held at Highland Elementary (3100 Medway St):

• Wednesday, June 12 from 7:00 to 10:00 PM
• Saturday, June 15 from 10AM to 12:00 PM (Come to this one and stick around for the WHCA sponsored "Paint Your Number" community party/event from 1:00 PM to 4:00PM!)

Can't make one of the meetings? That's OK! HOC will be launching a new website, http://www.wheatongateway.com, where you can provide your input as well.

Please mark your calendars for this summer's Wheaton North neighborhood event. Scheduled for Saturday June 15th, the event will include food, a craft station for neighbors to paint house number/address signs to take home, tables from county service providers as well as a bouncy castle and face painting for the kids. The event will include the neighborhoods of Wheaton Hills, Glenmont Forest, and Connecticut Avenue Estates, and is supported by The Montgomery Housing Partnership/MHP. 


Join us @ Highland Elementary on June 15, from 1PM to 4PM!
​

We're proud to announce that the Wheaton Hills Civic Association has won the Mid-County Citizen Advisory Board's CIVIC ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR Award!
Join us at the Wheaton/Kensington Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet on Wednesday, April 24th!
https://wkchamber.org/events/annual-awards-banquet/

Please join your neighbors for the next meeting of the Wheaton Hills Civic Association at Highland Elementary School on Thursday, April 25 at 7:00pm. 

We'll hear from the University of Maryland on their stormwater management recommendations, from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection on a mural project, discuss upcoming community activities, outline WHCA elections planned for later in the year, and much more. 

If you have any particular topics you'd like to see addressed, please let us know and we'll try to include in the meeting agenda. Email WHCA at wheatonhillscivicassociation@gmail.com.