MoCo Government Archives - Page 166 of 244

‘Find Your Boo:’ Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center and FMCA to Hold Fee-Waived Adoption Event for Dogs Oct. 15-31

Published October 14, 2022 at 6:11PM

“Adopting a dog from our shelter can provide families with years of joy and unconditional love,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I want to thank the Friends of Montgomery County Animals for sponsoring this event that will waive dog adoption fees throughout the rest of this month. If you are considering adding a dog to your family, please visit our shelter and have our staff help you find the perfect furry friend for your home.”

The adoption process can be started online by filling out the adoption questionnaire and sending in the documents required. The questionnaire, required documents, and more information on the adoption process can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/adoption/howtoadopt.html.

Community Members Invited to Share their Input as Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center Prepares to Open

By MCS Staff

Published October 14, 2022 at 3:54PM

Montgomery County Recreation’s Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center (SSRAC) is scheduled to open in 2023. Located in the Central Business District of Silver Spring this project is part of a public-private partnership with the Housing Opportunity Commission and the Lee Development Group. The first of its kind project will encompass recreation, aquatics, and senior programming all under one roof. SSRAC will include both recreation and leisure activities. Pools are designed for general swimming, low level diving, exercise, aquatic play, training, and more. A gymnasium, exercise and weight room spaces, movement and dance studios, multipurpose activity rooms, public use space, and social space with a culinary arts kitchen are also included.

Construction on the South County Regional Recreation and Aquatic Center began in 2019. It is located at 1315 Apple Ave. in Downtown Silver Spring, in the ‘Central Business District’ of Silver Spring as part of a Public-Private Partnership undertaken with the Housing Opportunity Commission and the Lee Development Group. According to a recent report by Source of the Spring, “This is not just a pool, it’s a monster… It combines an aquatic facility and a large recreation center. We do not have this kind of space down county.”

Comprehensive Flood Management Plan to Be Focus of Virtual Community Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20

By MCS Staff

Published October 14, 2022 at 7:16AM

Montgomery County is seeking assistance from community members to help identify flood-prone areas. It has established a new website that includes a short, confidential survey where residents can provide feedback on flooding experiences and insight. On Thursday, Oct. 20, the County will hold a virtual community meeting on its Comprehensive Flood Management Plan.

At the meeting, representatives from the County’s Department of Environmental Protection will explain the plan and will participants fill out the survey. The virtual meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20. Register at Comprehensive Flood Management Plan Virtual Community Forum.

Montgomery County’s Holiday Giving Project Seeking Partners to Help During This Year’s Campaign

By MCS Staff

Published October 14, 2022 at 7:14AM

For more than 30 years, Montgomery County’s Holiday Giving Project (HGP) has provided Thanksgiving and December holiday assistance to low-income households. A network of social workers, school counselors, and other human service professionals refer families in need of holiday assistance to the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The program is seeking partners to help in this year’s campaign.

DHHS distributes validated referrals among the Holiday Giving Partners, a partnership of local nonprofits, faith-based organizations and local governments. Each partner adopts specific zip codes in the County to serve referred families in need by providing things such as food, gift cards and toys collected through donations.

MoCo Health Officials Urge Residents to Get a Flu Shot and Set Schedule of County-Operated Vaccination Clinics

By MCS Staff

Published October 14, 2022 at 7:13AM

Montgomery County health officials are urging all residents to get a flu vaccination and the County will hold clinics for adults and children in October and November. Getting a flu vaccination does not protect against COVID-19, but flu shots have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death.

Seasonal flu vaccinations are available through private health providers, as well as at retail locations throughout the community. County-sponsored seasonal flu vaccination clinics will include clinics for adults and for children ages six months and older. The County will offer flu shots only. High-dose flu vaccine and FluMist will not be available. Appointments are recommended.

MoCo Office of Animal Services Provides Relief for Florida Shelters

By MCS Staff

Published October 14, 2022 at 7:11AM | Updated October 14, 2022 at 7:52AM

The Office of Animal Services’ Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) on Thursday, Oct. 6, welcomed cats and dogs from Florida shelters to provide relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Many of the animals are now available for adoption. MCASAC is located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood.

As a Best Friends Network Partner, the Office of Animal Services (OAS) received a request for aid. Working together with the Best Friends Emergency Response team, OAS was able to accept 10 cats and three dogs from the Humane Society of Pinellas, which acted as a transport hub for dogs and cats to move out of Florida in the wake of the hurricane to create more room in local shelters for displaced pets. Animals from the transport originally came from multiple Florida shelters, but primarily from Manatee County Animal Services.

Montgomery County Completes Bikeway Construction on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda and Will Reopen Reconfigured ‘Streetery’

By Patrick Herron

Published October 13, 2022 at 2:36PM

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has been constructing a link of the Bethesda bicycle network along Woodmont Avenue for the last few weeks, between Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street. The bikeway is separated from the roadway to protect bike riders. The cycle track is part of a new, two-way bike network in Bethesda that offers bright green, protected bike lanes. The cycle track loops around a wide stretch of Downtown Bethesda and connects to the Capital Crescent Trail.

Whether or not the streetery should remain closed to traffic as businesses returned closer to pre-pandemic status was the focus of a recent survey conducted by the County’s Bethesda Chevy-Chase Regional ServicesOffice (BCCRS) and the Bethesda Urban Partnership. Residents and businesses were asked for feedback.

Montgomery County Holiday Giving Project Seeking Partners to Help During This Year’s Campaign

By Patrick Herron

Published October 12, 2022 at 9:03PM

Each year the project comes closer to assigning all referred families in need, but some zip codes still struggle to meet demand. Zip codes in great need this year include Aspen Hill (20906), Wheaton (20902), Bethesda-Chevy Chase (20814, 20815, 20817), Burtonsville (20866), Clarksburg (20871), Damascus (20872) and Rockville (20850, 20851, 20852, 20853).

Individuals or groups interested in joining the partnership should email HGP coordinators at [email protected]to discuss how they can be paired with families in need. HGP is seeking to have partnerships lined by Friday, Oct 21.

Board of Elections Installs 55 Drop Boxes for Deposit of Mail-in Ballots for November Election

By Patrick Herron

Published October 12, 2022 at 9:01PM

To be counted, mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 8 and the oath on the postage-paid return envelope that arrives with the ballot must be signed. Those who choose to cast their votes using ballot drop boxes must submit their completed ballots by the final collection time of 8 p.m. on Nov. 8 for their ballot to count.

To identify the nearest ballot drop box and post office locator, text BOX plus a zip code (example: BOX 20879) to 77788 or visit 777vote.org. To request a mail-in ballot, text VBM to 77788 or visit 777vote.org.

Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich on the Resignation of the Montgomery County Planning Board: “Park and Planning has been run by a group of insiders for far too long”

By MCS Staff

Published October 12, 2022 at 6:27PM

Like many in the County, I have followed with growing concern the unfolding events at the Park and Planning Commission. As County Executive, I have not been a participant in the conversations about the details. I think where people are implicated, a resignation is appropriate. This cannot be the end of the conversation on the dysfunction and structural issues at Planning. The Planning Board faces a deficit of trust, and continued questions about management, transparency and process must be addressed. I stand ready to work with the Council to ensure transparency in choosing the interim members of the board and ensure that the investigations continue.

Beyond the recent reports regarding infighting and questionable behavior and decisions, the Planning Board has also been cited with multiple violations of the Open Meetings Act. Furthermore, the problems with Thrive 2050 and equity and community input should have been recognized and dealt with instead of a push for quick adoption of this significant guide for the next 30 years of development. As noted by one racial equity consultant hired by the Council, “compressed timeframes are the enemy of equity.”

Montgomery County Planning Board Commissioners Resign

By Patrick Herron

Published October 12, 2022 at 2:20PM

“The Montgomery County Council is united in taking the steps necessary to ensure that the Montgomery County Planning Board can serve its critical functions and oversee the Planning and Parks Departments’ important work for our community,” said Council President Gabe Albornoz. “The Council has lost confidence in the Montgomery County Planning Board and accepted these resignations to reset operations. We are acting with deliberate speed to appoint new commissioners to move Montgomery County forward. We thank the commissioners for their service to our County.”

“The Council is confident that the Planning Department’s newly appointed Acting Director Tanya Stern will provide steady leadership in the weeks ahead. The Council also appreciates and supports Park and Planning staff.”