MoCo Government

Parking Lots and Meters in Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring No Longer Free Beginning This Saturday, July 8

By Patrick Herron
Courtesy MCDOT

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots and street meters in Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring will begin charging for Saturday parking beginning on Saturday, July 8. The Saturday hours and rates will be the same as the existing weekday schedules. Sundays will remain free. Drivers will be able to purchase monthly parking passes valid for mornings, evenings and weekends.

Parking revenue will be used to implement new safety and security measures in Downtown Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton parking facilities. This will include installing more lighting and cameras, in addition to maintenance. The Montgomery County Council approved the new parking schedule and a monthly pass with Resolution 20-167, “Setting Transportation Fees, Charges, and Fares,” as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget process. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will implement the changes in accordance with the resolution.

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Montgomery County Officials to Give Project Update on July 20 About Behavioral Health Diversion Center Designed to Help Individuals in Crisis

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County officials will host a project update on the Diversion Center planned in Rockville on Thursday, July 20 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Executive Office Building, located at 101 Monroe Street in Rockville. The meeting also will be accessible virtually via Microsoft TEAMS.

The County is opening the diversion center to help reduce the use of emergency rooms and jail. The center will be available to individuals in crisis who are dropped off by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or police, persons transferred from hospitals, persons who are released from the central processing unit at the detention center, and inmates released from jail and court programs. A team of multidisciplinary professionals will staff the center including nurses, licensed mental health and addiction professionals, peer specialists and resource navigators.

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Department of Permitting Services to Launch ‘Peer Review Program’ to Accelerate Timelines in Land Development

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has launched a “Peer Review Program” for developers and property owners who want to retain the services of a DPS-certified peer reviewer for sediment control, stormwater management and right-of-way projects that require permits from the DPS land development division. DPS is now accepting applications from those who request to be certified as peer reviewers.

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Wheaton Urban District to Hold Conversation on Tuesday, July 11, on ‘Supporting Youth in Crisis’

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee (WUDAC) will hold a meeting in Wheaton from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, on “Supporting Youth in Crisis.” The meeting will provide an opportunity for the community and businesses to share with local officials and professionals what they are seeing in their community as it relates to mental health, substance abuse and violence among youth.

The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee consists of 11 members appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council to provide advice on matters affecting the Wheaton Urban District (downtown) area. Members represent businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, residents and the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board.

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Statement From Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on SCOTUS Decision Impacting LGBTQ+ Rights, Student Loan Debt

By Patrick Herron

It is difficult to estimate at this point the complete impact this ruling will have, including on some operations within County government.  However, it is immediately clear that it will have a detrimental impact and reflects that we are currently living under the dictates of the most reactionary Supreme Court I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.

Justice Elena Kagan summarized it well in her dissenting opinion on another of today’s rulings by stating, “In every respect, the Court today exceeds its proper, limited role in our Nation’s governance.”

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Montgomery County Issues Warning Against Impaired Driving Ahead of Independence Day Weekend; Information on Free Sober Rides July 4

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: As Independence Day weekend approaches, the Montgomery County Department of Police and the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) are warning motorists: Impaired driving is drunk driving. County Police and allied local and State police departments will be on the road with enhanced patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the weekend.

Nationally, the holiday weekend, marked by celebrations and increased travel, often comes with a surge in traffic crashes caused by excessive speed, impairment and distracted driving. The National Safety Council estimates 619 people may die on U.S. roads this Independence Day holiday.

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Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Chief Scott Goldstein Retires After 8 Years Leading the Department; John Kinsley to Serve as Acting Fire Chief Until New Leader is Selected

By Patrick Herron

MCFRS serves and protects over one million residents across five hundred square miles. Annually, MCFRS responds to over 130,000 calls and operates with an annual budget in excess of $260 million.

The Montgomery County Government is currently interviewing candidates to permanently replace Chief Goldstein. MCFRS Human Resources Division Chief John Kinsley will serve as Interim Fire Chief until a new MCFRS Chief is nominated for County Council confirmation. Kinsley has been with MCFRS for 37 years. He is also credentialed by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International as a Chief Fire Officer.

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Council Statement Reaffirming Montgomery County Council’s Commitment to the Values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Today, the Montgomery County Council issued the following statement reaffirming its commitment to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion for all people, despite the recent U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings to restrict affirmative action in college admissions for students of color and limit LGBTQ+ protections.

Yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard overturned the 2003 landmark ruling in Grutter v. Bollinger, which established that race could be considered as a factor in the college admissions process because universities had a compelling interest in maintaining diverse campuses. Today, the court ruled in favor of a web designer who refused to create websites for same-sex weddings.

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County to Host Independence Day Fireworks Shows in Kensington and Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County will host two free Independence Day fireworks displays this year, one on Saturday, July 1, and the other on Tuesday, July 4. The Independence Day celebrations will take place at the following locations:

“Our Independence Day fireworks displays are such wonderful events and the perfect opportunity to enjoy music, outdoors and time with family and friends,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. “We look forward to celebrating together once again this summer.”

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