Per Montgomery County: The Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet on Monday, Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m. to receive a briefing from Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) representatives about police statistical data, as required by Bill 45-20, Police – Community Policing – Data.
The members of the PS Committee include Chair Sidney Katz and Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Kristin Mink.
Full statement: “Due to international terror and security threats, the Montgomery County Police Department has increased patrols and heightened monitoring throughout the County—especially around Jewish and Muslim religious facilities and gatherings. Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in Montgomery County.
Although war in Israel may be thousands of miles away, we must not believe we are immune to the effects here in Montgomery County. We have County residents who have lost family and friends over the past week following this terror attack and ongoing war. Our hearts and sympathies are with them. Residents who are struggling with the loss and trauma are encouraged to seek support by calling the County Crisis Center at 240-777-4000.
Per Montgomery County: “Montgomery County’s Office of Grants Management is accepting applications from qualified nonprofit organizations providing direct services to or advocacy for County community members. An amount totaling $250,000 is available through the County’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Quarter 2 Community Projects Fund Grants Program. Applications can be submitted by eligible nonprofits until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
Nonprofit organizations with fewer than three employees and annual budgets of $250,000 or less are eligible to receive a grant. Nonprofits do not need to be based in Montgomery County to apply, but all projects must occur within the County or be exclusively focused on County residents. FY24 Community Project Fund award amounts will vary with a minimum award of $5,000 and a maximum award amount of $25,000 over a six-month performance period.
Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando released the following statement on Friday, October 13:
Authorities are on the highest alert today due to the unconscionable call by Hamas for a global “Day of Rage” – threatening Israelis and Jews with violence. I have been in touch with public safety and school officials regarding the deeply concerning developments. We are monitoring the situation closely to ensure the safety of our community. I urge everyone to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and prioritize their safety and the safety of those around them.
The Montgomery County Transportation and Environment (TE) Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 16 at 9:30am to discuss the future of White’s Ferry. County Council President Evan Glass tell us, “Ever since White’s Ferry closed in 2020, much of the discussions and negotiations have been in private. Residents routinely ask me about any updates to the situation, which is why I have called this public hearing. People have a lot of questions and it’s important to have a public conversation on an issue that affects so many people.” White’s Ferry ceased operations back in December 2020 over a legal dispute with Rockland Farms.
In March, the owners of White’s Ferry announced that Rockland Farm, the Virginia landing site for the ferry, rejected a $1.1 million dollar offer to purchase the site that included funds from White’s Ferry’s owners, both Montgomery and Loudoun Counties, and additional funds from Herb Brown, the original ferry owner. Chuck and Stacy Kuhn, owners of JK Moving Services, purchased the Ferry in February 2021. “We have run out of options and will now seek to sell the ferry land and operations to Montgomery County so it can work to invoke eminent domain and acquire the Virginia landing site,” Chuck Kuhn said.
Per Montgomery County: The salsa of Verny Varela will headline the closing concert of the Wheaton TGIF Friday Encore fall series and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will lead tributes to Latin leaders and employees on Friday, Oct. 13. The performance is part of a month of concerts that join in the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month The final event in the series, “Que Bonita Bandera,” invites community members to wear the colors representing the diversity of the County.
Marian Fryer Town Plaza is adjacent to the Wheaton Metro Station. The TGIF party will begin on the plaza at 5 p.m. with a special set by El Zol Radio. Verny Varela will play at 6 p.m. Parking is available in the building at 2425 Reedie Dr.
“I applaud the Board of Education for taking this important step forward in accountability and transparency for the families, students and staff within the school system. It has been two months since the allegations of employee misconduct by an MCPS principal were revealed through the press. At the EC Committee session held on Sept. 28, I called for the full release of a redacted report and my colleagues echoed that sentiment. It is only through transparency that we are able to have effective accountability and facilitate improvement in processes that protect our school community.
The release of the redacted report does not impact the ongoing investigations. The investigation through the Montgomery County Office of Inspector General (OIG) continues. Once the OIG releases its investigation findings, I will work with my colleagues to schedule a public meeting to discuss the findings and any recommended actions.”
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has transmitted a request to the Montgomery County Council to approve a supplemental budget appropriation for $22,784,400 to purchase 60,000 Dell Chromebook laptops for residents who do not have a computer. The budget request is funded by a Federal Communications Commission Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) grant secured by the County Department of Technology & Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS) and Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), with the support of Congressman David Trone. The new computer distribution program requires Council action to proceed, but could launch as early as next month.
“We are closing the digital divide in Montgomery County,” said County Executive Elrich. “Over the last year, our County has been spearheading efforts to get more computers into the hands of children and adults who need them. While the need continues to be out there, our computer distribution efforts are having an impact. As a result, most low-income families in our County will have digital access for homework, for remote work or to find a job. It is a way of helping end the poverty cycle and it doesn’t require anything but a library card. Computer and internet access are key equity issues. I appreciate the Montgomery County Libraries and TEBS for securing this grant and am grateful for the support of our Congressional delegation for this funding.”
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) announced this week that the County is making a $900,000 commitment to help protect nonprofit organizations that have experienced or are at high risk of experiencing hate crimes. OEMHS will administer the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Nonprofit Security Grant that organizations can use to help reduce security expenses.
Nonprofit organizations can request up to $20,000 per facility and funds must be expended over a 12-month period. Eligible organizations include nonprofit community service providers, houses of worship or other faith-based organizations with facilities located in the County.
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) will hold a fee-waived adoption event for dogs 40 pounds and over from Oct 15-31. The “Find Your Boo” adoption event is sponsored by Friends of Montgomery County Animals (FMCA).
The shelter’s population of large dogs has increased. If more people do not adopt, the shelter will once more reach critical capacity, as it did over the summer. Adopters are urgently needed for medium and large dogs. If anyone is considering adding a pet to the family, now is the time. Adopting is easy and will be made even easier with no adoption fee during the special event.
Per Montgomery County: Landscapers are being asked by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection to participate in a survey on using electric leaf blowers. The County recently approved a law that will phase out use of gas-powered leaf blowers starting July 1, 2025.
The survey, which seeks details of actual experiences of using electric leaf blowers and opinions of the blowers, will only take five minutes to complete. It also asks about a possible rebate program that could allow rebates for replacing gas-powered blowers with electric blowers to help offset financial burdens of making the transition.