MoCo Government Archives - Page 171 of 241

Marc Elrich Leads David Blair By 35 Votes After 102 Additional Ballots Were Canvassed Saturday; Election Certification at 3pm

Published August 13, 2022 at 2:43PM

Marc Elrich had a 42 vote lead going into Saturday’s canvassing of 102 provisional ballots that were found unopened and sealed during an audit on Thursday. The ballots were canvassed, scanned, and tabulated starting at 11am Saturday morning and the unofficial final result gives Marc Elrich a 35 vote lead. The Board of Elections will meet at 3pm to certify the election results and David Blair is expected to request a recount.

If a recount petition is filed, election officials must work at least eight hours for each day of the recount and may choose to pause the recount on Sundays and holidays, per the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

102 Remaining Ballots to Be Canvassed At 11am Saturday Morning; Election To Be Certified At 3pm

By MCS Staff

Published August 13, 2022 at 7:47AM

The 102 unopened and sealed provisional ballots will be canvassed, scanned, and tabulated starting at 11am Saturday morning. The Board of Elections will meet at 3pm to certify the election results. On Thursday, August 11, at 11:19pm, Montgomery County’s Acting Election Director, Alysoun McLaughlin, released the following statement:

“Our precertification audit identified additional provisional ballots to be counted and the Board of Elections will be unable to certify the election as scheduled at its meeting tomorrow afternoon.”

Montgomery County’s Continues to Receive ‘Triple-A’ Bond Rating and Status Among Nation’s Best for Fiscal Responsibility

By Patrick Herron

Published August 12, 2022 at 2:21PM

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings all affirmed the Triple-A rating—the highest achievable—for the County. Montgomery County has earned Triple-A ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. every year since 1973 (50 consecutive years); from Standard & Poor’s every year since 1976 (47 consecutive years) and from Fitch every year since 1991 (32 consecutive years).

All three rating agencies emphasized Montgomery County’s large and diverse tax base, proximity to the District of Columbia, growing commercial and residential development as well as the County’s strong fiscal management policies and strong financial position.

Election Certification Delayed; 102 Additional Ballots Remain to Be Counted

By MCS Staff

Published August 12, 2022 at 7:05AM

Montgomery County’s Acting Election Director, Alysoun McLaughlin, released the following statement at 11:19pm on Thursday, August 11:

“I apologize for this error and for not identifying it until today, or the remaining ballots could have been counted earlier. I want to emphasize that Maryland’s comprehensive precertification audit was designed to identify issues like this before an election is certified to ensure the accuracy of the results. It worked as intended.”

Montgomery County to Open Applications for Retail Business Rental Assistance Grants on Sept. 1, with Informational Webinars to be Held Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 19

By Patrick Herron

Published August 11, 2022 at 4:07PM

A business could be eligible to receive assistance from this program if it:

The SBRA program application, eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions and registration for informational webinars Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 19,, are available at Montgomery County Small Business Rental Assistance Program – Phase 2.

(NOW DELAYED) Election Certification Planned for Friday; Recount Could Start As Early As Thursday, August 18

By MCS Staff

Published August 11, 2022 at 7:48AM | Updated August 12, 2022 at 7:00AM

Update 8/11, 11:19pm: Certification has been delayed as board of elections releases statement on additional provisional ballots that still need to be counted

If a recount petition is filed, which David Blair stated he would do, it could tentatively start Thursday, August 18. Election officials must work at least eight hours for each day of the recount and may choose to pause the recount on Sundays and holidays, per the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

RESCHEDULED: County to Host Ceremony of Remembrance to Commemorate ‘International Overdose Awareness Day’ on Aug. 25, and Will Launch ‘Montgomery Goes Purple’

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 9:16PM | Updated August 23, 2022 at 3:58PM

UPDATE: Montgomery County’s ceremony of remembrance and candlelight vigil has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1, in Downtown Rockville to memorialize lives lost to overdose or substance use.

“Montgomery Goes Purple,” an awareness campaign aimed at spotlighting the impact of opioid addiction on the community, will be launched as part of the ceremonies which also lead to September being recognized as “Recovery Month.” The color purple has been adopted internationally to illustrate the struggles endured by people who are drug addicted and the related impacts on their families and friends.

Electric Vehicle Ownership Continues to Rise in MoCo

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 9:13PM

This growth is welcome news for the County’s carbon emissions goals. The Climate Action Plan identified transitioning to electric vehicles as a key action for reducing emissions in the County – along with reducing driving overall with increased use of transit, waking, and bicycling. With EVs only making up 1.5 percent of registered vehicles, there is a long way to go.

According to a Bloomberg News study of EV adoption around the world, once a market reaches 5 percent of new vehicle sales, demand starts to accelerate rapidly. The United States recently passed this milestone, and Montgomery County is ahead of the curve.

Montgomery County Completes ‘High Road Economic Inclusion Framework for an Equitable Climate-Ready Economy’ Report Addressing Climate Change, Equity, Economic Development

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 2:08PM

The analysis, conducted by Emerald Cities Collaborativeand its subcontractors, Inclusive Economics and Health Care Without Harm, focuses on the need to actively align the County workforce and small business ecosystems. It also recommends leveraging partnerships with large “anchor institutions” to advance climate action and economic inclusion.

“We can’t reach our climate change goals without addressing systemic inequities and we can’t build a robust and resilient economy without considering climate change,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “While climate change is no doubt an extraordinary threat to our very livelihood, it also presents an historic opportunity to boost our economic development and address racial economic disparities. We intend to seize that opportunity.”

County Council Seeks Applicants for the Merit System Protection Board

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 11:29AM

Letters of application must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7.

In additional to Ms. Chiles (Democrat), other members of the Board are Harriet Davidson (Democrat), and Barbara S. Fredericks (Unaffiliated). By law, no more than two of the three members of the Merit System Protection Board may be of the same political party. The appointee for this position may be Republican, Democrat, someone who declines to affiliate with a party, or a member of another party officially recognized by the Board of Elections.

Statement from Councilmember Hucker on Federal Highway Administration’s Decision to Delay Action on Managed Lanes Project

By Patrick Herron

Published August 8, 2022 at 12:01PM

“This decision sends a message that our federal partners are united with us in our commitment to multi-modal, environmentally friendly, 21st century traffic solutions that actually work.

“After four years of organizing and advocacy for our County taxpayers, this is a big win for commuters, taxpayers and the environment. This decision reflects all the information Congressman Anthony Brown and I conveyed to Sec. Pete Buttigieg. I’m grateful to my Council colleagues, County Executive Marc Elrich and Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson, who have been consistent advocates for common-sense traffic solutions and community input. I am equally grateful to all the community members and stakeholders who have provided input and voiced their concerns throughout this process.