Gaithersburg|News|
Gaithersburg Launches 2012 Holiday Giving Program
Gaithersburg's holiday giving program aims to help as many as 800 families in need of assistance during the holiday season.

Email: greg.cohen@patch.com
Phone: 240-364-4691
Hometown: North Potomac, Md.
Greg Cohen returns to his hometown with North Potomac Patch after graduating from The Pennsylvania State University in May 2011. He majored in print journalism with a sports emphasis after being accepted to the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism and minored in law. During his time at Penn State, he spent a year working at The Daily Collegian, the school’s student-run daily newspaper, as a member of the sports and campus staffs. He later moved on to work for StateCollege.com as a sports intern and spent the summer of 2010 and winter of 2010-11 interning for Comcast SportsNet in Bethesda, Md.
A 2007 graduate of Wootton High School in Rockville, Cohen got his start in journalism working for the school’s newspaper and yearbook staffs. He has been writing ever since.
Greg is ecstatic to begin his career in his hometown to help provide an essential service to his community. He looks forward to getting re-acquainted with the area as a full-time resident after spending the majority of his last four in Pennsylvania.
Politics
I would consider myself a Democrat, but I do not hold strictly liberal views. Most important to me is seeking the truth and determining what I think is best based on the political positions presented to me, regardless of party affiliation.
Religion
I am Jewish, belonging to a reform synagogue. I am not very active in participating with religious customs but do look forward to becoming a bit more involved now that I have returned home.
Local Hot Button Issues
Most Important:
It’s difficult to call one issue the most important, but there is one issue that rises above the rest: the reliability of Pepco's service.
First, as a lifelong member of the North Potomac community, I know as well as anyone how frustrating and unreliable the service from Pepco can be. I look forward to getting a closer look at what causes so many issues with their service and how they may be trying to improve.
Where I Stand:
As previously mentioned, I’m excited to cover the Pepco issue and help answer many of the questions I’ve had for a long time and figure many members of the North Potomac community share those same questions.
Gaithersburg's holiday giving program aims to help as many as 800 families in need of assistance during the holiday season.

Both Hopkins and Tim Newell, the lead plaintiff and spokesperson for the donor family, file motions for summary judgment in lawsuit against the university.
The North American Police Equestrian Championships will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.
Results of the city of Gaithersburg's Main Street Survey were revealed to the mayor and City Council.
Gaithersburg-based biopharmaceutical company announced Tuesday the reduction of approximately 30 percent of its employees.
Maryland freshman wide receive Stefon Diggs had three catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns in a loss Saturday to West Virginia.
Maryland freshman wide receive Stefon Diggs had three catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns in a loss Saturday to West Virginia.
The Gaithersburg mayor and City Council will meet for a work session Monday night at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall.
The Gaithersburg Police Department released info on crimes on Tuesday, Sept. 18, and Thursday, Sept. 20, within municipal Gaithersburg.
German entertainment, beer and new activities highlight the event.
A teen band featuring five students from Gaithersburg and Rockville schools performed Sunday at the Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne Festival.
Former Army Ranger Gary Smith was found guilty Wednesday of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting of his roommate and fellow Army Ranger Michael McQueen in their Gaithersburg apartment, The Washington Post reported.
Chef Juan Blanco from Ay! Jalisco Tex-Mex Restaurant in Gaithersburg joined WUSA 9's JC Hayward Tuesday at noon to cook his Steak Ranchero Picante.
Junior quarterback Mikey Murtaugh suffers torn ligament in his right knee against Paint Branch, The Gazette reports.
Dark clouds lined the skyline on Main Street near Darnestown Road in Gaithersburg Tuesday before heavy rain blanketed the area.
The scene at Stone Mill Elementary School shortly before 10 a.m. following morning storms and awaiting more in the afternoon.
The 31st annual street festival saw upwards of 20,000 attendees, according to the city.
Gaithersburg presented Annual Citizenship Awards to three residents and two organizations at Sunday's 31st Annual Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne festival.
The following information was supplied by the Montgomery County Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Nearly 650,000 vehicle owners owe about $6.7 million in unpaid tolls dating back five years, The Washington Post reported.