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Beth Daly: Why You Should Vote For Me

By WTOP Staff

Beth DalyWe asked local candidates in contested primary elections to write a sub-750 word essay describing why residents should vote for them on June 24.

Next up in the County Council at-large race is Beth Daly, who is running for one of four nominations in the Democratic primary. Below is Daly’s unedited response:

Although this is my first run for public office, I have more than 20 years of experience working in Democratic politics, first for U.S. Sen. Howard Metzenbaum (D-Ohio), then as a media professional for Democratic candidates and progressive causes, and most recently for Telemundo, promoting political messaging to its Spanish-language viewers. I was named “Media All Star” by Media Week magazine in 1993 for my team’s work on the Clinton-Gore 1992 campaign. I am legislative director of the Sugarloaf Citizens Association; was appointed by County Executive Ike Leggett to the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board where I am land use chair; served as a community leader on the regional Transportation Planning Board; and am a member of the inaugural class of Emerge Maryland – an organization dedicated to getting more women to seek elected office. I am active on the Save Ten Mile Creek Coalition, and successfully worked to protect the county’s last pristine creek. I am also active on the Dickerson Facilities advisory board, PTA, within my parish and as a hospice volunteer.

Currently, three of the four at-large members reside in Takoma Park. I am uniquely positioned to run for an at-large seat on the council because I have lived both upcounty (14 years) and downcounty (10 years). As an apartment dweller in downtown Bethesda, a new mother of two boys in a single-family home in Kensington, and now an empty nester in the heart of the Agricultural Reserve, I have experienced Montgomery County’s variety, and I appreciate that we are all — regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or any other difference — in this together.

The most important reason for people to vote for me, however, is that I want to change the way the Montgomery County Council does business — especially when it comes to land use issues and transparency. Montgomery County is a great place to live and work but — let’s face it — our roads and schools have become increasingly overcrowded over the last decade. I was prompted to run by school overcrowding and the excessive number of portables. I will insist on balanced development by making sure the school and traffic tests in the Subdivision Staging Policy reflect what actually is happening on the ground, and I will work to ensure that there is adequate funding for school construction and transportation solutions soon, not years later — so the new density does not negatively affect the daily lives of residents who live and work here now.

As a councilmember I will listen to residents respectfully and work to:

  • Adequately fund MCPS school and Montgomery College so all children — no matter the zip code — are prepared for success upon graduation
  • Prioritize public transit and road improvements across the county
  • Attract new economic growth and jobs and work to retain businesses currently in the county
  • Create and protect affordable housing
  • Protect our green spaces, freshwater streams and Chesapeake Bay, and tree canopy
  • Insist upon third party audits, transparency and accountability of our nearly $5 billion county budget

While directing the advertising placements for President Clinton’s first campaign, I managed a $75 million budget and had to account for it down to the penny. I know how to spend other people’s money. And as one of the founding members of the Save the Ten Mile Creek Coalition, I know how to build coalitions, analyze research, and advocate for a cause. Bottom line: What I offer is someone who cares, who will advocate for residents, and who knows how to spend other people’s money responsibly. I will do the same for you as a county councilmember.

In the June 24 Democratic primary you can cast a ballot for up to four candidates for Montgomery County Council At-Large. Please consider making one of your votes for change. Vote for Beth Daly.

I have been endorsed by the Gazette, labor, civic, and environmental organizations. For more information on my endorsements, experience, and positions on the issues, please see my website: www.bethdaly.org.

Thank you. I appreciate your consideration.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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