MoCo Government Archives - Page 144 of 247

Councilmember Will Jawando to Run for U.S. Senate

Published May 2, 2023 at 4:39PM | Updated May 2, 2023 at 5:30PM

Councilmember Will Jawando announced today that he is launching a campaign for the U.S. Senate. Yesterday, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland’s senior senator and Chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, announced that he would not seek re-election at the end of his current term. Statement below courtesy of @willjawando on Twitter:

I don’t accept that one must suffer for another to gain. There’s more than enough for us all, and every American has the right to thrive. I’ve spent the last five years on the Montgomery County Council dismantling the economic and racial barriers that keep too many down.

Montgomery County Produces Nation’s First Health Care Providers’ Handbook on Hindu Patients

By Patrick Herron

Published May 2, 2023 at 7:56AM

Per Montgomery County: Coinciding with the celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, The Health Care Providers’ Handbook on Hindu Patients was released today marking a major initiative by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s Office of Community Partnerships Asian Pacific American Advisory Group (APAAG.) This is the first such handbook in the nation providing detailed information specifically for Hindu and Jain patients.

“With over 2 million Hindus in the United States and over 80,000 Indians and Nepali Americans in Maryland alone, it is important that our caregivers are sensitive to the needs of an ever growing and diverse community,” said APAAG co-chair Chowdhury. “By being culturally in-tune caregivers may be better equipped to address a variety of issues that are unique to the Hindu and Jain diaspora. With over 15% of Montgomery County residents self-identifying as Asian descent, Maryland can serve as a model in helping health care providers understand and meet the distinct cultural and religious needs of its many patients.”

Montgomery County Council Meets on May 2 at 9 a.m. to Conduct Interviews with Candidates for the Montgomery County Planning Board

By Patrick Herron

Published May 2, 2023 at 7:50AM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, May 2 at 9 a.m. and the meeting will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first proclamation, presented by Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, commemorates Mental Health Awareness Month. The second proclamation presentation, led by Councilmember Natali Fani-González and County Executive Marc Elrich, recognizes Building Safety Month. At 11:30 a.m., Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Kristin Mink will lead a commemoration celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Interviews

Statements from Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Will Jawando on the Retirement of Senator Ben Cardin

By Patrick Herron

Published May 1, 2023 at 3:15PM

Hearings to examine the oral health crisis, focusing on identifying and addressing health disparities. (Official U.S. Senate photo by Dan Rios)

Senator Cardin played a pivotal role in passing landmark legislation to preserve clean air and America’s waterways, safeguard protections for patients in healthcare settings, and expand access to affordable, quality dental care for youth. As a third-generation Marylander, he has been a dedicated defender of Maryland’s treasured Chesapeake Bay. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he established programs to help small businesses in Maryland and nationwide mitigate the worst impacts of a crushing recession.

There are few people in Maryland, let alone the United States Senate, that have delivered more for working families than Senator Cardin. His tireless work has had a positive impact on our community and will be felt for generations of Marylanders for years to come. I thank him and his family for their selfless service on behalf of our state and nation.”

Montgomery Council Seeks Applicants for County Committee to Recommend Funding for the Public Election Fund

By Patrick Herron

Published May 1, 2023 at 2:03PM

The legislation created the Committee to recommend funding for the Public Election Fund, to estimate the funds necessary to implement the public campaign finance system, and to recommend an annual appropriation by the Council for the Public Election Fund. The Committee is composed of seven County residents appointed by the County Council for four-year terms beginning on May 1 of the first year of the new Council’s term of office. The term of this Committee will begin once established and ends April 30, 2027.

These positions can be filled by residents affiliated with any political party or unaffiliated with a political party. Political party affiliation will be verified with the Board of Elections. No more than three members can be from the same political party. Once established, the Committee will determine when it meets. There is no compensation for service on this Committee, but members may be reimbursed for travel and dependent care expenses associated with Committee duties. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.

Montgomery County Ride On Bus Schedule Changes to Begin on Sunday, May 7

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2023 at 5:40PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will adjust Ride On bus schedules starting Sunday, May 7, to improve rider experience and efficiency based on ridership. Three routes including 16, 20, and 26 will have running time adjustments to improve on-time performance. No other routes will undergo changes. The new schedules will be available at rideonbus.com and in print at various locations.

Throughout the year, ridership data and on-time performance are monitored regularly to identify routes that could achieve increased efficiency with schedule updates, to better serve our riders.

Adult Bike and Scooter Classes Offered in April, May and June

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2023 at 4:04PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), in collaboration with the Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA), is offering adult bike classes in April, May and June. The classes include a learn to ride and a basic skills class. MCDOT also will offer three remaining free scooter classes in spring. Participants in the bicycle classes will learn how to start and stop, balance, glide, pedal and steer a bike. Each student will progress at their own pace. The classes will be led by experienced WABA instructors.

The schedule for Adult Basic Skills bike classes: 

Department of Permitting Services to Provide Free Deck Inspections During Building Safety Month in May

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2023 at 3:57PM

“It is important to keep up with preventative maintenance at home to ensure you are in a safe environment,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “As part of the County’s commitment to safety, DPS is offering free residential deck maintenance inspections to the first 300 homeowners who sign up during the month of May. We encourage you to take advantage of this free service to learn firsthand from an inspector about how to assess the condition and safety of your deck for you and your visitors.”

To request a deck maintenance inspection by telephone, homeowners should contact the County’s central call system at MC311 or 240-777-0311 beginning Monday, May 1. Homeowners may also schedule an inspection online by visiting the DPS website at montgomerycountymd.gov/dps and submitting a service request.  The form is in the online services queue on the front page of the website. On the description section of the online form, residents should note they are requesting a deck maintenance inspection and include the property address and contact information at the top of the form. These requests cannot be anonymous, and must be requested by the homeowner.

County Opens Durable Medical Equipment Collection Site at Shady Grove Transfer Station in Derwood

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2023 at 3:55PM

The average wheelchair or walker has a usable life span of more than five years. However, this type of equipment is often only used for a few months before being discarded, taking up valuable landfill space while leaving many without resources to obtain the medical equipment they desperately need.

The collection site at the Shady Grove Transfer Station is the eighth satellite collection container put in place by Maryland DME Re-Use. The 20-foot container holds up to 95 pieces of equipment. Technicians with Maryland DME Re-Use will collect the equipment and transport it to a 56,000-square-foot facility located in Cheltenham, where it will be sanitized, repaired and stored for future distribution. Non-functional equipment will be broken down for parts that are saved and later used, further minimizing waste.

Montgomery County to Sponsor Seven Pit Stops During Washington Region’s Annual ‘Bike to Work Day’ on Friday, May 19

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2023 at 3:52PM

The Metropolitan Council of Government’s Commuter Connections, a network of transportation organizations in which MCDOT participates, and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) are the co-organizers of Washington Region’s Bike to Work Day event.

All participants should visit the Find Your Pit Stop Map to plan a route in advance.

Montgomery County’s Celebration of ‘Public Works Week’ Will Include Paint the Plow Contest and Truck Day Event on Sat., May 20

By Patrick Herron

Published April 25, 2023 at 4:06PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will kick off “Public Works Week” on Saturday, May 20, with Truck Day at the MCDOT Depot and Salt Barn in Gaithersburg. Truck Day is a free, family-friendly event that invites members of the community to touch, climb and explore the many first-response, construction and transportation vehicles that make the county run.

Truck Day will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 20 at the MCDOT Truck Depot and Salt Barn, which is located at 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Gaithersburg.