We heard from our own Joe DiPietro, (below) who gave us an updated classification talk. Joe grew up in East Meadow, NY, in the New York suburbs on Long Island. He attended a local community college, then made the big transition to Georgetown University in DC, where he majored in foreign service. A few years after graduation, he switched careers and joined an insurance agency, then helped start his own firm with three other partners. He joined Rotary (and North Bethesda) shortly after that, and he’s been with us ever since—more than 30 years. He’s served in many roles at NRBC—but, according to this reporter, has never said a discouraging word! Thanks, Joe!

We heard from Carolyn Taylor, director of the Montgomery Countryside Alliance. She gave an enthusiastic presentation on the 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve in upper Montgomery County. She described the history of the Reserve, beginning in the 1960s as Montgomery County struggled with rapid growth. In recent years, development pressure has continued, with the latest issues revolving around the growth of the Clarksburg area and Ten Mile Creek. The Alliance has a small staff (Carolyn and one assistant) but depends on a variety of volunteers and board. Members to keep the Reserve a special place.

Alan Pultyniewicz is the Recycling Coordinator for Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Solid Waste Services. As Recycling Coordinator, Mr. Pultyniewicz coordinates the County’s efforts to educate residents of single-family homes and multi-family apartments and condominiums, and employees and businesses about the County’s recycling regulations, as well as information about reducing waste, reusing materials, recycling, buying recycled products, backyard composting and grasscycling. Prior to becoming Recycling Coordinator in 2006, Mr. Pultyniewicz served as the program manager of both the County’s Business Recycling Program and the Multi-Family Recycling Program. He joined the Division as a program specialist with the Business Recycling Program in 2000. Mr. Pultyniewicz has been with the Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services for over 19 years and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science.
Rob