MoCo Government Archives - Page 140 of 258

Montgomery County to Hold National Preparedness Month Events Throughout September, with Focus on Helping Older Adults Stay Safe During Emergencies

Published August 31, 2023 at 3:07PM

Per Montgomery County: In recognition of National Preparedness Month in September, the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) and Montgomery County Recreation have teamed up to help educate older adults on the importance of preparing for natural disasters, catastrophic events and other emergency situations. The County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will also participate in the events.

The annual National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), aims to raise awareness about ways to prepare for an emergency. This year’s focus is “Preparing for Older Adults.” Older adults often face greater risks during extreme weather events, especially if they live alone, are low-income, have a disability or live in rural areas.

Child and Adult Used Bicycles Can Be Donated at the Annual Department of Transportation Event on Friday, Oct. 20, in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Published August 30, 2023 at 4:03PM

Per Montgomery County: Bicycles that are no longer being used by some can make a big difference for others. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s annual Bicycle Donation Drive will be held on Friday, Oct. 20. The event will make it easy to donate previously owned bikes and ensure they will have a continued impact.

From  7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Oct. 20, bikes will be collected (rain or shine) outside of the Montgomery County Council Office Building Garage at East Jefferson and Monroe Street in Rockville. Bicycles should be in good working condition or in need of only minor repairs. Donations will be refurbished and MCDOT will match the bikes with residents in need through the Bike Match program.

Education and Culture Committee Applauds Board of Education’s Engagement of Inspectors General for MCPS Investigations, Announces September Committee Hearing

By Patrick Herron

Published August 29, 2023 at 10:28PM

The committee supports the Board’s efforts to engage the inspectors general and echoes their request to investigate the reported allegations following Jackson Lewis’ initial investigation. The committee will hold a meeting on this matter on Sept. 28, 2023. All committee meetings are open to the public and available to stream online. A detailed agenda and link to view will be released in advance.

MoCo Board of Education Provides Update on Investigation of Conduct Reported by WaPo to County Council’s Education and Culture Committee

By MCS Staff

Published August 29, 2023 at 10:27PM | Updated August 30, 2023 at 7:30PM

The Montgomery County Board of Education issued a letter updating the Montgomery County Council’s Education and Culture Committee, confirming their intent to address community concerns for a “transparent, thorough, fair and expeditious process.” The full letter can be seen below:

“Dear Councilmembers Jawando, Albornoz, Mink,

Montgomery County Government: What’s Open and What’s Closed on Labor Day

By Patrick Herron

Published August 29, 2023 at 5:47PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have schedule and program changes for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 4.

For Montgomery Parks information, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org. Additional details:

Anti-Hate Task Force to Meet Tonight; Antisemitic Graffiti Found in North Bethesda Monday

By Patrick Herron

Published August 29, 2023 at 9:25AM

On Monday, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (JFGW) shared a photo of antisemitic graffiti that was found in North Bethesda. Councilmember Evan Glass, who spearheaded the task force, tweeted: “I’m disgusted by the antisemitic graffiti sprayed under the Josiah Henson parkway bridge in North Bethesda. The county is working to remove this hate speech,” and “This is an unfortunate reminder of the important work being done by the Anti Hate Task Force, which will meet virtually on Tuesday 8/29 at 7pm with a presentation from the Jewish members.”

Ghost Guns and AK-47 Among Firearms Turned in at Buyback Event

By Patrick Herron

Published August 27, 2023 at 10:08AM

On Saturday, August 26, the Rockville City Police Department (RCPD), in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and Montgomery County Public Schools, held a “gun buyback” event at RedGate Park (14500 Avery Rd) in Rockville. Residents that turned in a firearm received a receive a $100 Visa gift card for functioning handguns, rifles and shotguns or $200 in Visa gift cards for functioning assault-style weapons and privately manufactured firearms (ghost guns).

According to RCPD, over 110 firearms were voluntarily turned in within the first hour of the event. We will post an update when the final tally is announced. More than 300 firearms were voluntarily turned during a similar event held last August. Additional details about Saturday’s event below:

County Executive Elrich to Hold the First of 10 ‘Community Conversations’ to Seek Input on Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget on Thursday, Sept. 14

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 10:38AM

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with the County’s regional services offices and community partners will host 10 Community Conversations from September through December to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget. The first conversation will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Mid-County Recreation Center in Layhill.

The official address of the Mid-County Recreation center is 2004 Queensguard Road in Silver Spring.

Montgomery County Council to Hold a Public Hearing on the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan on Sept. 27, 2023 at 7 p.m.

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 10:22AM

The Council will receive testimony on the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan, which is an update to a portion of the 1997 Fairland Master Plan and will establish a clear vision for an equitable, just and prosperous future for the Fairland community, mirroring the County’s long-term priorities, which includes a vibrant economy, equity for all residents and a healthy environment.

The master plan boundary consists primarily of property and neighborhoods of Fairland and Briggs Chaney along the U.S. 29 Corridor near Paint Branch on the south toward Greencastle Road on the north. The update will examine and provide policies and recommendations on existing and future land uses and zoning, housing inventory and needs, transportation systems, historic preservation opportunities, area park facilities and the environment.

Anti-Hate Task Force Jewish Cohort to Present Policy Recommendations at Virtual Meeting on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.

By Patrick Herron

Published August 24, 2023 at 1:29PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force’s Jewish cohort will present their policy recommendations to the task force at a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. The Anti-Hate Task Force, spearheaded by Council President Evan Glass, 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 cohort group may also hold listening sessions to provide an opportunity for the public to engage and provide input.

Gardening Grant Program Awards Funding to 10 Organizations to Support Food Security Efforts and Increase Community Food Production

By Patrick Herron

Published August 23, 2023 at 10:56PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Resident and Community Food Gardening Grant Program recently presented 10 awards totaling $100,000 in funding to expand resident and community food production capacity.. The awards, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, represent partnerships in the faith community, urban agriculture, neighborhood associations, academic institutions and community health services.

The funding reflects priorities established in the FY23 County operating budget to increase food security and support initiatives that will expand local food production through home and community farming and gardening. The funded projects will help to promote food sovereignty, healthy living, civic engagement and racial and social justice by creating opportunities for residents to cultivate their own food sources, thereby increasing access to affordable and culturally diverse food. These efforts will contribute to reduced transportation emissions and community resilience in the face of climate-related supply chain disruptions.