Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, chair of the Council’s Education and Culture Committee, released the following statement related to the serious allegations regarding a Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) principal detailed in The Washington Post today.

I am deeply disturbed by the The Washington Post’s article released this morning related to allegations regarding a MCPS principal. The allegations are serious and concerning, and must be thoroughly, impartially and comprehensively investigated. MCPS should be clear with the County Council and the public about how this matter will be investigated and ensure that community members are aware of how they can report experiences that may be relevant to the investigation.


Pursuant to Section 49-62 of the Montgomery County Code (2014) as amended, the County Executive or his Designee shall conduct a virtual Public Hearing via the internet-based platform known as Zoom on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 2:00 PM, to consider an application from 5500 Westbard Avenue Block Civic Association (the “Applicant”), for the permanent closure of a public right of way at the northwestern terminus of Westbard Avenue at River Road in the Westbard area of Bethesda. The Applicant is requesting permanent closure of the public right of way from all vehicular traffic, including emergency vehicles, at the intersection. The petition also requests that a temporary closure remain in place until a permanent closure can be installed.

Completion of this registration form will include you in a mailing list to receive an invitation to participate in the Hearing. If you require special accommodations, please contact Tiara McCray at (240) 720-7862 or [email protected]. Registration for this Public Hearing will close on Friday, September 15, 2023 at 5:00 PM.


Today via social media, former Gaithersburg City Councilmember and current Montgomery County Councilmember, Laurie-Anne Sayles, announced her run for Congress. The full announcement and additional information on Sayles can be seen below:

Today, I’m announcing my run for Congress in Maryland’s 6th District because Washington needs to work for us — for families in Garrett County to Gaithersburg and everywhere in between. We’ve got a lot of work to do as a country, and I get the job done.


Per Montgomery County: The Third Annual Montgomery County Children’s Business Fair will return to Rockville Town Center from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, to display the works and ideas of more than 55 young entrepreneurs. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

The fair is back after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The event was founded Tameka Montgomery of the Raising Entrepreneurs Podcast and a senior executive at the U.S. Small Business Administration.


Per Montgomery County: A free online home buying seminar sponsored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17. The seminar will be led by Bill Rozek from Embrace Home Loans.

Mr. Rozek will cover many topics that could lead to getting approved to purchase a home.


Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Community Action Board (CAB) is now accepting applications to participate in its free, eight-month Community Advocacy Institute (CAI) training program that teaches participants how to effectively advocate for policy change. Applications are due Friday, Aug. 18.

The board is the governing body for the Community Action Agency (CAA), Montgomery County’s Federally designated anti-poverty agency. The CAA is part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services.


Per Montgomery County: Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles is launching the second cohort of her S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council and is looking for a new group of students to apply. Applicants must live in Montgomery County and be in grades 7-12 and older than 13 to be eligible. Applicants must commit to meeting in person and virtually once every two weeks at 5:30 p.m. on Monday from September—December. The sessions will focus on Councilmember Sayles’ S.M.A.R.T. agenda to strengthen 21st-century education, make a living more affordable, advance local food production, revitalize the economy and tackle climate change.

“I am pleased that interest has grown to continue the S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council, which exposes more youth to my S.M.A.R.T. agenda and the process of policymaking at the Montgomery County Council. The perspectives reflected in our Youth Advisory Council represent the ethnic and geographic diversity of the student population in our County.”


Per Montgomery County: Three-time Grammy® Award-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater will headline the 18th annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring. The free festival will take place from 3-10 p.m. Bridgewater will take the mainstage at 8:30 p.m. Veterans Plaza is located at the corner of Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street, adjacent to the Silver Spring Civic Building.

The Silver Spring Jazz Festival is a free event. Restaurants featuring a variety of cuisines surround the festival site. Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation and to bring a blanket and/or low back lawn chairs for seating. The festival site is a short walk from the Silver Spring Metro Station.


Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County will be offering funding support for independently owned and operated businesses with 20 or fewer employees impacted by the Purple Line construction through Phase III of its Purple Line Light rail grants program. Eligible businesses can start submitting applications on Aug. 15.

The County’s Business Center will host informational webinars on the program on Aug. 29, 30 and 31 in English, Spanish, and Amharic languages respectively at 8070 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring. This is the third round of grants through which the County’s Business Center will offer $5,000 to qualifying small businesses in the construction corridor. This grant program is made possible through an $815,000 grant provided by the Maryland Department of Commerce.


Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County officials continued storm cleanup efforts days after severe storms and heavy rain caused significant damage and power outages on Saturday evening.

“Even though efforts to clear and repair damage from this weekend’s storms continue across Montgomery County, I want to recognize and thank our storm responders for their hard work and long hours,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Over the last few days, countless Montgomery County Government employees have worked diligently to help residents and businesses recovering from severe storm damage. We assisted those in need to find shelter, rescued boaters during the thunderstorms, removed trees and debris from streets and sidewalks, distributed water on Ride On buses and directed traffic when lights were out. I thank my County colleagues, as well as those working for the State and utility companies, for their response to these storms. Their tireless efforts made recovery from a difficult weekend much better for so many people.”


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