MoCo Government Archives - Page 172 of 241

Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich on Hateful Vandalism Near Bethesda Trolley Trail

Published August 7, 2022 at 5:40PM

County Executive Marc Elrich has released a statement on the hateful vandalism found near the Bethesda Trolley Trail this weekend. The full statement can be seen below:

“I am saddened, upset, and, quite frankly, disgusted over the racist vandalism that occurred near the Bethesda Trolley Trail this weekend. This incident follows other recent attacks of vandalism and hate throughout the County over the last several months. Trying to intimidate others through fear will not succeed and will not be tolerated. I encourage anyone with any knowledge or information about this vandalism to contact the Montgomery County Police Department as soon as possible. Hate has no home in Montgomery County, and we will be investigating and prosecuting those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.

Governor Hogan Visits Several MoCo Businesses

By Patrick Herron

Published August 7, 2022 at 2:20PM | Updated August 7, 2022 at 3:10PM

On Friday, August 5, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan did a tour of Montgomery County, visiting several local businesses. He started the day off at the Glen Echo Fire Department, which is scheduled to undergo major renovations after receiving a state grant. He then toured Maxim Biomedical on E. Gude Dr. in Rockville, one of the few companies that produce American-made COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, followed by a tour of Twin Valley Distillers, also on E Gude. Twin Valley was the first distillery to open in MoCo in over 100 years and owner Edgardo Zuniga tells us Twin valley was, “honored having the Governor visit when he presented us a proclamation for small business in Maryland.”

Hogan then spent the afternoon in Poolesville visiting the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, and having lunch at the recently reopened Bassett’s Restaurant.

David Blair Issues Statement, “The AP has declared our race too close to call. We’ll be requesting a recount.”

By MCS Staff

Published August 7, 2022 at 9:36AM

David Blair has released a statement via social media. Blair says “The AP has declared our race too close to call. We’ll be requesting a recount.” David Blair released the following statement on the 2022 Montgomery County Executive Democratic primary election:

“After several weeks of counting and virtually all votes recorded, the Associated Press has declared this race too close to call. Given the extremely close margin, we will be requesting a full recount and are hopeful that the outcome will be in our favor.

Marc Elrich Declares Victory in Democratic Primary

By MCS Staff

Published August 7, 2022 at 12:22AM

Marc Elrich has declared victory in the Democratic Primary after an update earlier on Saturday night showed that Marc Elrich (55,469, 39.20%) had a 42 vote lead over David Blair (55,427, 39.17%) with all mail-in ballots and all but 37 of the 7,000 + provisional ballots tabulated. He released the following statement via social media:

When asked about a potential recount, County Executive Marc Elrich replied, “Recounbt [sic] wont change ahmnything [sic]. It chan ged 2. Votes in 2018”

Marc Elrich Leads David Blair By 42 Votes After Saturday Night’s Democratic Primary Update; 34 Ballots Left To Be Scanned Sunday

By MCS Staff

Published August 6, 2022 at 10:07PM

All mail-in ballots and all but 37 of the 7,000 + provisional ballots have been tabulated, according to Montgomery County’s Board of Elections. The latest update by the Maryland State Board of Elections in the Democratic primary for Montgomery County Executive (8:15pm, 8/6) shows that incumbent Marc Elrich (55,469, 39.20%) has a 42 vote lead over David Blair (55,427, 39.17%), going from a lead of 198 after Friday night’s update.

David Blair led by 1,191 votes when early voting and Election Day votes were tallied. The lead went back and forth with Marc Elrich keeping a three-digit lead over David Blair the last few days until Saturday night’s update. Overall, Blair has received 26,073 mail-in/provisional ballot votes compared to 27,441 for Marc Elrich. Marc Elrich defeated David Blair by just 77 votes in the 2018 Democratic Primary.

Thrive 2050 Community Forum on Racial Equity and Social Justice to be Held on Aug. 16

By Patrick Herron

Published August 6, 2022 at 10:25AM

Register for the Community Forum

If you have not done so already, please also consider responding to the Thrive 2050 community survey. The survey, which will remain open for community feedback until Aug. 19, 2022, will be used to inform a racial equity and social justice review of Thrive 2050 and the development of a new racial equity and social justice chapter for the plan.

Marc Elrich’s Lead Over David Blair Has Increased to 198 After Friday Night’s Democratic Primary Update

By MCS Staff

Published August 5, 2022 at 10:13PM

“Most, if not all” canvassing of mail-in ballots has been completed and work has begun on 7,000 + provisional ballots (additional information below). The latest update by the Maryland State Board of Elections in the Democratic primary for Montgomery County Executive (9:47pm, 8/5) shows that incumbent Marc Elrich (53,224, 39.29%) has increased his lead over David Blair (53,026, 39.14%), going from a lead of 154 votes after Wednesday night’s tabulations to 198 after Friday night’s update (canvassing did not take place on Thursday.

David Blair led by 1,191 votes when early voting and Election Day votes were tallied. Elrich took the lead early on during the canvassing of mail-in votes, but Blair closed the gap and eventually reclaimed the lead. Elrich regained the lead on the first day of August, increased it by 53 additional votes in Tuesday night‘s update, with David Blair cutting the lead by 19 in the Wednesday night update before Elrich increased his heal by 44 votes a Friday night. Overall, Blair has received 23,672 mail-in/provisional ballot votes compared to 25,196 for Marc Elrich. Marc Elrich defeated David Blair by just 77 votes in the 2018 Democratic Primary.

Department of Permitting Services Conducts ‘Sign Sweep’ to Collect Illegally Placed Signs

By MCS Staff

Published August 5, 2022 at 7:57AM

Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services (DPS) conducted a “sign sweep” on Thursday, Aug. 4, to remove signs illegally placed in public rights-of-way throughout the County. Those signs included campaign signs that were placed leading up to the July 19 Maryland gubernatorial primary election. The “sign sweep” was conducted on County-maintained roads.

DPS Zoning and Code Compliance Manager Greg Nichols said inspectors formed teams to target assigned areas around the County. He said the teams removed any type of sign—not just campaign signs—that were placed illegally in the public right-of-way. DPS staff delivered the signs to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station in Derwood for recycling and disposal.

Marc Elrich Leads David Blair By 154 Votes Going Into Friday’s Canvass Session

By MCS Staff

Published August 5, 2022 at 7:40AM | Updated August 5, 2022 at 10:39AM

Canvassing of mail-in and provisional ballots continues on Friday after a day off on Thursday. The current remaining canvass days are scheduled for Friday, August 5th and Sunday, August 6th (staring at 10am), with additional dates to be added should they be needed, according to the Montgomery County Board of Elections. The latest update by the Maryland State Board of Elections in the Democratic primary for Montgomery County Executive (9:51pm, 8/3) shows that incumbent Marc Elrich (51,883, 39.28%) has maintained his lead over David Blair (51,729, 39.16%), going from a lead of 173 votes after Tuesday night’s tabulations to 154 votes in Wednesday night’s update.

David Blair led by 1,191 votes when early voting and Election Day votes were tallied. Elrich took the lead early on during the canvassing of mail-in votes, but Blair closed the gap and eventually reclaimed the lead. Elrich regained the lead on the first day of August, increased it by 53 additional votes in Tuesday night‘s update, with David Blair cutting the lead by 19 in the Wednesday night update. Overall, Blair has received 22,375 mail-in/provisional ballot votes compared to 23,885 for Marc Elrich. Marc Elrich defeated David Blair by just 77 votes in the 2018 Democratic Primary.

Officials Launch Online Preregistration Survey for Monkeypox (MPX) Vaccine While Supplies Remain Limited

By Patrick Herron

Published August 4, 2022 at 3:10PM | Updated August 4, 2022 at 7:00PM

As of Aug. 4, there are 6,617 confirmed MPX cases in the United States and 157 cases in Maryland.

“We know that residents are concerned about MPX, and we continue to support the Maryland Department of Health’s effort to receive more vaccine supply from the federal government,” said Dr. James Bridgers, acting County Health Officer. “As with the early days of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, there is more demand for vaccination than there is supply. The preregistration system will help us identify those who are eligible for vaccination and provides us a way to contact them when vaccine doses are available.”

RISE Program That Provides Connections Between High School Students and Employers Concludes Another Successful Summer

By Patrick Herron

Published August 4, 2022 at 9:47AM

The program ran for four weeks, from July 5-29. Each student had a minimum of 50 hours of either in-person, virtual or a combination of the two experiences.

Among the experiences RISE participants were exposed to this summer were: