MoCo Government

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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Montgomery County Council Statement Condemning Vandalism and Burning of Pride and Ukrainian Flags in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council issued a statement on the recent vandalism, burning and removal of LGBTQ+ Pride flags, a Black Trans Lives Matter flag and Ukrainian flags at residential homes in Silver Spring in the early morning on Wednesday, June 28. 

“We are outraged by the numerous incidents of hate and anti-LGBTQ+ vandalism that occurred early this morning, which included the removal and burning of Pride flags, LGBTQ+ banners, Ukrainian solidarity flags, a Black Trans Lives Matter flag and other inclusive lawn signs in the Park Hills neighborhood and nearby streets in Silver Spring. 

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Montgomery County Council Approves County Executive’s Appointments of Scott Bruton as Director of Housing and Ben Stevenson as Director of Corrections

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County (6.27.23): The Montgomery County Council today approved County Executive Marc Elrich’s nominations of Scott Bruton to lead the County’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) and Ben Stevenson to lead the County’s Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DOCR).

Dr. Bruton originally came to the County six months ago. He served as deputy director and acting director of DHCA before being confirmed today. Dr. Bruton brings a lot of real-world experience to his new role as director. Dr. Bruton spent the last seven years working for the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development in Washington, D.C., where he was senior vice president for housing policy, research and development.

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Five Things to Know About Special Event Permits from the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: From arts and music festivals to fireworks shows and athletic tournaments, Montgomery County is a destination for special events. The County’s Department of Permitting Services (DPS) is committed to ensuring the permitting process for these events is easier than ever. Carnivals, community festivals, dances, fairs, picnics and recreation activities are examples of activities that may require a special event permit. If a community association, nonprofit or other type of organization is planning an event, it should check to see if a special event permit is needed. To contact DPS about possibly needing a special event permit, call MC 311 or 240-777-0311.

Here are five more things to know about permits before planning a special event that is open to the public in Montgomery County.

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Montgomery County Council Meets on June 27 at 9 a.m. and Will Sit as the Board of Health to Receive Bi-Annual Public Health Update

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, June 27 at 9 a.m. and the meeting will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first proclamation, presented by Council President Evan Glass and the full Council, commemorates Pride Month. The second proclamation presentation, led by Councilmember Natali Fani-González and County Executive Marc Elrich, recognizes Mike Riley, Director of Montgomery Parks, and the Parks Department, for their award-winning natural grass fields program.

At 12 p.m., Councilmember Fani-González and County Executive Elrich will present a proclamation recognizing Officer Harry A. Dunn. More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

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County Council Committees to Review Anti-Rent Gouging Legislation and a Bill That Would Repeal the Policing Advisory Commission on June 26

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Economic Development (ECON) Committee will meet on Monday, June 26 at 9:30 a.m. and will receive an update on the Economic Development Fund. 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 ECON and Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet at 11 a.m. to review Executive Regulation 04-23: Police-Private Security Camera Incentive Program.

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To-Go Alcohol Sales End on June 30th in Maryland

By MCS Staff

Back in May 2021, Governor Larry Hogan signed a bill into law that gave a two year extension on the sale of alcohol via delivery and carryout by licensed restaurants. That extension ends at the end of this month (June 2023) and to-go sales of alcohol will end in the state of Maryland.

The Montgomery County ABS, which regulates the sale of liquor in Montgomery County, passed a temporary resolution back on March 24, 2020 that allows holders of on-premise licenses to sell for carry out and delivery. This was one way restaurants were able to stay afloat during the pandemic while dining rooms were shut down. The new bill, SB205, replaced the temporary resolution in July 2021 for two years. Montgomery County’s ABS confirmed via phone call that to-go sales via delivery and carry-out would end on Friday, June 30th.

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