Education

MCEA: “Montgomery County Council Votes to Starve Our School System”

By Patrick Herron

Powerful monied interests spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to block a tax that would have fully funded the MCPS budget. Their efforts have largely paid off. Although thousands of students participated in two separate walk-outs, over ten thousand community members signed a petition sent to the county council, and countless others made phone calls advocating for a fully funded budget, most of the council ignored their pleas. Today, the county council showed that they care more about their political future and donations from developers than they do about doing

We are dismayed by the county council’s decision today to turn their backs on the students and communities they serve. If they hold fast to this decision in their final vote on May 251, MCEA members will remember their votes the next time candidates seek our endorsement. While the final responsibility for funding our negotiated agreements lies with MCPS, our members will not forget the role the county council played in bringing us to this point.

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Highways / Interstates

State Highway Administration to Open Brookeville Bypass on MD 97 (Georgia Ave) to Traffic

By Patrick Herron

Per the MDSHA: The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will open the new Brookeville Bypass on MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) in Montgomery County to traffic on Sunday, May 21, weather permitting. While additional work remains on the overall $46.8 million Brookeville project, the administration is able to open the two-lane, 0.7-mile bypass now, including its bicycle-compatible shoulders between north of Goldmine Road and south of Holiday Drive.

The project includes the construction of two bridges – one at Meadow Branch stream and the other at Reddy Branch stream – and two single-lane roundabouts that will improve traffic flow and safety operations. Other improvements include the construction of Americans with Disability Act compliant sidewalk ramps, new stormwater management facilities and drainage systems, new lighting and signage, and new paving and pavement markings.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council Votes to Approve Preliminary Agreement on $6.7 Billion Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget; County’s Property Tax Rate to Increase 4.7% With $692 Tax Credit 

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Today the Montgomery County Council reached a preliminary agreement on the County’s $6.7 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Operating Budget and the $5.7 billion amended FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP).  “This budget makes historic investments in education and in meeting the needs of our residents and our workforce,” said Council President Evan Glass. “We achieved these goals by reducing the proposed property tax, finding efficiencies in government operations and making strategic investments to keep Montgomery County moving forward.”

“The Council’s budget deliberations carefully balanced our strong and steadfast commitment to our students and teachers with our residents’ many other priorities, while also upholding our responsibility to be fiscal stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Glass. “We fully funded teacher contracts and met salary and benefit agreements for our hardworking first responders, police and healthcare workers. At the same time, we cut the County Executive’s proposed 10 percent property tax hike by more than half. I’m grateful to my Council colleagues who brought new and unique perspectives to the table and shared a commitment to transparency and oversight every step of the way.”

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Maryland

Governor Moore Signs Executive Order Doubling Maryland’s Energy Conservation Goal Through State Government Greenhouse Gas Reductions

By Patrick Herron

“This administration is taking unprecedented action to address climate change and our state agencies will lead the way,” said Gov. Moore. “Achieving more ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals is a means to promote the health and wellness of Marylanders not only for tomorrow, but for generations to come.”

The order directs the Maryland Green Building Council to update the High-Performance Green Building Program to ensure that all new buildings and major renovations that are subject to the program align with Maryland’s goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. To achieve the goal, the order also directs the Maryland Department of General Services to identify the potential for energy-saving performance contracts at state-owned facilities and buildings with the highest energy use per square foot and greatest greenhouse gas emissions.

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MCPD

Two Hospitalized After Double Shooting

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police responded to a double shooting in Silver Spring on Thursday, May 18. According to police, “At approximately 5:20 p.m., MCPD responded to the 9200 block of New Hampshire Avenue for the report of a shooting that just occurred. Two adult male victims were transported to area hospitals. One victim was transported with non life threatening injuries. The second victim was transported in an unknown condition. No suspects are in custody at this time. This is an active and ongoing investigation.”

According to public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, Montgomery County Police 3rd District Officers aided both victims prior to EMS arrival. We will post an update when additional information is available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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MCPD

Police Respond to Shooting at Wheaton Metro

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police responded to a shooting at the Wheaton Metro station on Thursday, May 18 around 5:50pm. According to public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, the incident occurred near the escalators and there is no active shooter. Metro trains are currently not running between Silver Spring and Glenmont due to the investigation.

MCPD tweeted the following at 6:40pm: “Montgomery County Police are on scene of a shooting at the Wheaton Metro Station. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”

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MCDOT

Montgomery County Celebrates ‘Bike To Work Day’ With Multiple Pit Stops Across The County on Friday, May 19

By MCS Staff

Bike to Work Day is held annually across the nation on the third Friday of May to celebrate bicycling as a fun, healthy and climate friendly way to get to work. MCDOT will sponsor seven pit stops with refreshments, music and local vendor displays at varying times throughout the morning of May 19. There will be free raffle prizes and a grand prize raffle of a new bike at each of the MCDOT-sponsored pit stops. Residents biking to work, as well as leisure riders, are encouraged to participate.

In addition to the seven pit stops sponsored by MCDOT, there will be more Bike to Work Day pit stops in the County operated by other organizations. PIT STOPS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY:

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Bethesda

Caroline Freeland Park Will Be Closed the Remainder of 2023

By MCS Staff

Montgomery Parks(opens in a new tab), is closing Caroline Freeland Urban Park(opens in a new tab) in downtown Bethesda for renovations, beginning in early June 2023.   The one-acre park sits at 7200 Arlington Road, between Hampden Lane and Elm Street.  It will be closed for the remainder of this year.

Once completed, the renovated park will feature a new central lawn and a large seating terrace. Accessible pathways will provide easy access to new amenities, including a larger playground, bench swings, and bicycle parking.  The lighting and the entire streetscape fronting the park will be improved, including a new entry plaza. Hampden Lane will be renovated into a more pedestrian-oriented plaza, while maintaining required emergency vehicle access through the park.

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MCDOT

Regency Taxi Launches Montgomery County’s First Hybrid Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi

By MCS Staff

Abdellatif Ouardi, an affiliate taxicab operator with Regency Taxi, is driving the first hybrid wheelchair-accessible taxi in Montgomery County.  The taxi, which was purchased by Mr. Ouardi, has been providing accessible service to residents who are disabled for the past few months. 

“Being able to provide wheelchair-accessible transportation to residents who need that assistance is great,” said Mr. Ouardi. “As a micro-business owner, not having to worry as much about sudden spikes in the cost of gas, and reducing my environmental footprint are also things that can help my business grow”. Residents can reserve a trip with this vehicle by visiting the Regency Taxi’s website here or by calling 301-990-9000.

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MoCo Pride

Montgomery County Announces a Call to Artists to Design the Official 2023 County Pride Decal

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: In preparation for Pride Month in June, the County’s Department of  Health and Human Services and the Office of Community Partnerships have announced a community-wide call to artists and designers to create the County’s official 2023 Montgomery County Pride decal. The winning design will be printed and distributed for use by businesses, nonprofit organizations, County Government and others to show their public support for LGBTQ+ communities in Montgomery County. The winning design from the youth/young adult category will be printed for use specifically at youth-serving establishments and schools.

All submissions are due by Wednesday, June 1 and should be submitted electronically on the MontgomeryCountyPride.org website. The County’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board will choose up to five final designs to be displayed at County Pride Month events and on social media for public voting.

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MCPD

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 13-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Angie was last seen on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the 11500 block of Lockwood Drive. Angie is approximately 5-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs 110 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black shirt, black sweatpants and black Crocs. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Angie Granados-Sorto is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.

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