MoCo Government Archives - Page 117 of 243

Statement From Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, Chair of the Education and Culture Committee, Regarding the Board of Education’s Redacted Release of the Jackson Lewis Report on MCPS Investigation

Published October 12, 2023 at 4:17PM

“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.”

Montgomery County Announces $22.7 Million in New Computer Funding for Low-Income Residents

By Patrick Herron

Published October 12, 2023 at 12:09PM

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.”

$900,000 in Security Grants to be Awarded to County Nonprofit Organizations at High Risk of Experiencing Hate Crimes

By Patrick Herron

Published October 11, 2023 at 5:42PM

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.

‘Find Your Boo:’ Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center and FMCA to Hold Fee-Waived Adoption Event Oct. 15-31 for Dogs More Than 40 Pounds

By Patrick Herron

Published October 11, 2023 at 1:53PM

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.

Montgomery County Asking Landscapers for Their Experiences and Opinions on Electric Leaf Blowers

By Patrick Herron

Published October 11, 2023 at 12:17PM

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.

Gold’s Gym Gaithersburg Building Sold for $3.68 Million

By MCS Staff

Published October 10, 2023 at 6:50PM

Montgomery County’s Revenue Authority purchased the building that was most recently home to Gold’s Gym at 18810 Woodfield Rd in Gaithersburg for $3.68 million in a deal that has been in the works for over five years, according to Maryland Newsletters.

This past summer we let you know that Gold’s Gym at 18810 Woodfield Rd in Gaithersburg, located next to the Montgomery County Airpark, would close in August. The gym’s last day in business was Friday, August 25. In an email Gold’s Gym sent to its members, the gym stated, “The county is taking the land back under what is called eminent domain relating to the neighboring airfield – we are being required to exit and turn the building back over to the landlord.”

Montgomery County Council Committee Meeting on Oct. 11, 2023

By Patrick Herron

Published October 10, 2023 at 4:10PM

Annual Review of HHS Boards, Committees and Commissions

‘Speak Up, Save a Life’ Video Contest Comes With $1,000 Top Prize

By MCS Staff

Published October 10, 2023 at 2:36PM

This contest challenges teenagers to create an original video to promote awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse/overdose and fentanyl among teens. It is open to all 6th – 12th grade students living in Montgomery County. Top prize is $1,000, second place is $750, third place and fan favorite winners will receive $500 all donated by The Magnolia Companies in honor of two young Montgomery County residents lost to fentanyl; Michael Pisarra and Matthew Loudoun.

Students can enter the contest on their own or as a group; however, students may only participate in ONE entry. If a student in any way participates in more than one PSA video, all of those entries will be disqualified. Video entries including illegal items, inappropriate language, or illustrating the use of needles/syringes, a violent or graphic overdose, or violence in general will not be accepted.** Participants are encouraged to be creative!

Montgomery County Council Approves the Pedestrian Master Plan

By Patrick Herron

Published October 10, 2023 at 12:39PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council voted today to approve the Pedestrian Master Plan, which is Montgomery Planning’s first comprehensive vision to improve accessibility and create safer, more comfortable experiences for people walking and rolling around the County.

“As chair of the Transportation and Environment Committee, meeting our Vision Zero goals and creating safer, more walkable, bikeable and accessible streets are top priorities for me,” said Council President Evan Glass. “The passage of the Pedestrian Master Plan and the recent enactment of the Safe Streets Act bring us closer to our goals of making our streets safer for everyone. I’m proud of the steps we are taking to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety, and I look forward to the implementation of the various recommendations laid out in this plan. Additionally, I want to thank the Montgomery Planning Board and staff for their work on this holistic pedestrian and bicyclist plan.”

Montgomery County Council Meets on Oct. 10 to Vote on the Pedestrian Master Plan

By Patrick Herron

Published October 9, 2023 at 6:55PM | Updated October 9, 2023 at 7:41PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 9 a.m. and will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first, presented by Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles and County Executive Marc Elrich will recognize World Mental Health Day. The second, presented by Councilmember Natali Fani-González will recognize the work of employees at the Department of Transportation.

At 1:15 p.m. an additional proclamation, presented by Councilmembers Sayles, Marilyn Balcombe and Dawn Luedtke, will recognize National Farmer’s Day. More detail on each agenda item is provided below:

County Executive Elrich Signs Bill Banning The Sale and Use of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers and Leaf Vacuums by July 2025

By Patrick Herron

Published October 9, 2023 at 2:02PM

“The keywords with this bill are phasing out and phasing in,” said Jon Monger, director of the County’s Department of Environmental Protection. “We are phasing out gas powered leaf blowers and phasing in electric leaf blowers over the next two years. We designed this legislation to give landscape companies, independent landscapers and the public ample time to comply with the law.”

The new law will: