MoCo Government Archives - Page 115 of 243

MDOT Brings Statewide Investment Tour to Montgomery County This Week

Published October 22, 2023 at 11:43AM

WHAT: Representatives from the Maryland Department of Transportation will meet with Montgomery County officials to discuss the agency’s Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program, which details a $21.2 billion, six-year capital budget investment in the state’s transportation network. The meeting is part of the department’s tour of 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City. Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and other officials will outline the state’s investment plan and discuss Montgomery County’s transportation priorities.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, October 26, 2023

Montgomery County Celebrates $38 Million Renovation of 96 Affordable Apartments and New Community Center for Residents

By MCS Staff

Published October 22, 2023 at 8:33AM

MHP, a Montgomery County-based non-profit in Silver Spring, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of renovations at Colonnade at the Creek, an affordable housing community in Takoma Park, MD. The ceremony featured remarks by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Takoma Park Mayor Talisha Searcy, and other notable speakers. MHP President Robert A. Goldman provided welcoming remarks and served as emcee.

The property consists of 96 units of 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom apartments in brick-framed, three-story buildings. MHP spent more than a year fully renovating this property. With access to transit, major roads, and the Sligo Creek trail, this garden-style property provides residents with tremendous accessibility and quality, modernized, affordable apartment homes.

County Council to Receive Update on Community Engagement Officer Program on Monday, October 23

By Patrick Herron

Published October 21, 2023 at 7:11PM

The Economic Development (ECON) Committee will meet on Monday, Oct. 23 at 9:30 a.m. to receive a briefing about retail market trends, review the Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) Report 2023-11, 2023 Evaluation of the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc., and continue the discussion on the County’s Urban Districts. The members of the ECON Committee include Chair Natali Fani-González, Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe, Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles.

The joint Education and Culture (EC) and Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. to discuss OLO Report 2023-6: Addressing Racial Inequity in the School to Prison Pipeline, and receive an update on the Community Engagement Officer Program at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The members of the EC Committee include Chair Will Jawando and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz and Kristin Mink. The members of the PS Committee include Chair Sidney Katz and Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Mink.

Elected Officials Hold Press Conference With Enclave Tenant Association to Demand Change; Montgomery County Currently Pursuing 1,229 Citations Against the Property

By Patrick Herron

Published October 20, 2023 at 10:47AM

The tenants association, a group of nearly 150 residents, organized the press conference to highlight long-standing maintenance and safety issues and code violations at the White Oak property. Enclave tenant Emmanuel Walker led the gathering, opening with a call and response: “When I say ‘less,’ you say ‘pests!’”

“Don’t charge me rent and then not provide livable conditions,” Walker told the crowd, after reading aloud the Enclave website’s description of the “luxury” apartments. “I don’t need luxury — I just need security and decent conditions.”

MoCo Councilmember Will Jawando Drops Out of U.S. Senate Race

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2023 at 9:16AM

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando announced today that he is dropping out of the U.S. Senate race. Jawando announced in May that he was launching a campaign for the U.S. Senate after Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland’s senior senator and Chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, announced that he would not seek re-election at the end of his term. Jawando’s full statement can be seen below (including a video):

“We are all living through such uncertain times. War is raging in the Middle East and Ukraine. Everyday Americans are not sure whether they can afford to keep a roof over their head or food on the table. Our Congress is meeting crisis with chaos and is paralyzed by far-right extremists. MAGA Republicans keep trying to elevate hard right election deniers to Speaker all while marching lockstep behind Donald Trump, a man who is running for president on a platform of revenge in a party that welcomes that with open arms. Now more than ever we need strong Democratic voices in the Senate. That’s why I got into this race.

Anti-Hate Task Force to Hold a Virtual Meeting on October 26

By Patrick Herron

Published October 19, 2023 at 4:38PM

The Anti-Hate Task Force was formally adopted through a resolution with unanimous support in June. The task force is made up of community and faith leaders working to engage the community and develop recommendations to inform policies that promote safety and combat hate crimes in Montgomery County.

Cohort groups representing the Jewish, Black/African American, LGBTQ+, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic and Muslim communities will present their policy recommendations at meetings throughout the fall. Each of the six cohort groups may also hold listening sessions to provide an opportunity for the public to engage and provide input.

Montgomery County Leaders to Hold Press Conference Calling on the Owners of the Enclave Apartments to Make Overdue Improvements;

By Patrick Herron

Published October 19, 2023 at 10:11AM

Per Montgomery County: “Tonight, Thursday, Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m., Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink (District 5), County Executive Marc Elrich, and Maryland State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian will join the newly formed Enclave Tenants Association at their first press conference, calling on the owners of the Enclave Silver Spring Apartments to make overdue improvements.

The tenants association, a group of nearly 150 residents, is demanding the resolution of longstanding maintenance and safety issues and code violations at the White Oak property, which has been on Montgomery County’s list of troubled and at-risk properties for years because of extensive code violations. The property owners continue to be cited on a regular basis by Montgomery County and state regulators.

Montgomery County: Best Places to Explore Fall Foliage

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 6:25PM

Per Montgomery County: “One of the highlights of the fall season is watching the leaves on the trees change from the vibrant green of summer to an array of red, orange and yellow splendor. Visit Montgomery wants people to know that a trip to New England or through the Shenandoah Mountains is not necessary because a day trip around the County will provide a season’s worth of great sights.

Peak color in Montgomery County is traditionally estimated to be from now through the end of October and areas of the County are moving toward their full fall colors. With more than 250 miles of trails throughout the County, it is easy to get outside and have an adventure at any skill level. Find more trails using the Moco Trail Guide and then grab a craft drink along the Tastemakers Trail. Here are some of the best places in the County to explore fall foliage:

Community Overdose Action Town Hall Set for Thursday, November 2 in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 3:00PM

The town hall will also be livestreamed on County Cable Montgomery and on several Facebook accounts, including Maryland’s Before Its Too Late and DHHS.

Montgomery County Council Committee Meetings on Oct. 18, 2023

By Patrick Herron

Published October 17, 2023 at 6:53PM | Updated October 17, 2023 at 7:10PM

Per Montgomery County: The ad-hoc Executive Director Recruitment Committee will meet in a proposed closed session on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. to evaluate the role and responsibilities of the Council’s executive director position and make decisions about the recruitment process. The members of the ad-hoc Executive Director Recruitment Committee include Council President Evan Glass, Chair Vice President Andrew Friedson and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Kate Stewart, Marilyn Balcombe and Kristin Mink.

The joint Public Safety (PS) and Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee will meet at 2 p.m. to review a $350,000 supplemental appropriation to the FY24 Operating Budget for the Drone as First Responder Pilot Program within the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). The members of the GO Committee include Chair Stewart, Council Vice President Friedson and Councilmember Sidney Katz. The members of the PS Committee include Chair Katz and Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Mink.

As Veterans Day Approaches on Saturday, Nov. 11, Montgomery County Joins ‘Operation Green Light,’ Several Solemn Ceremonies Will Be Held and Additions Sought for Tribute to County Veterans

By Patrick Herron

Published October 17, 2023 at 5:25PM

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the County Council are supporting Operation Green Light, a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties to honor those who have made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom. The program asks for displays of a green light, from Nov. 6-12, in a window of businesses or residences to honor veterans.