The public members on the Commission should reflect a range of ethnicities, socioeconomic status and places of origin to reflect the racial and economic diversity of the County’s communities, including religious creed, age, sex – including on the basis of gender identity or orientation, disability and geographic location, with emphasis on those disproportionately impacted by inequities; and have an interest or expertise in policing matters. Public members must participate in the Montgomery County Police Department’s Citizen Academy.

The 15-member Commission consists of nine voting public members nominated and appointed by the County Council; four voting public members nominated by the County Executive and appointed by the County Council; and two non-voting ex officio members appointed by the County Council: the Police Chief or the Police Chief’s designee, and the President of an employee organization certified under Article V of Chapter 33 (Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35) or the President’s designee.


With all Election Day precincts having reported,  Mail-In/Provisional Ballots are currently being counted. Incumbent Marc Elrich is inching closer in the Democratic primary for Montgomery County Executive. As of the latest update at 8:23am, David Blair (30,337, 39.3%) holds a lead of just 550 votes Marc Elrich (29,787, 38.59%). David Blair led by 1,191 votes when early voting and Election Day votes were tallied, but has only received 1,376 mail-in/provisional ballot votes compared to 2,017 for Marc Elrich. Marc Elrich defeated David Blair by just 77 votes in 2018.

Approximately 115,000 mail-in ballots were sent to voters in Montgomery County. According the State Board of Elections, there were 25,453 Democratic mail-in ballots received by the county, with more being picked up in the coming days from drop boxes across the county. A final result could take days due to how close the race is and the amount of ballots left to count.


The joint Transportation and Environment (T&E) and Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet on Monday, July 25 at 1:30 p.m. to review Bill 36-21, Motor Vehicles and Traffic – E-Scooters – Operation Requirements and Registration.

The PS Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m. to review Bill 14-22, Police – Private Security Camera Incentive Program – Established.


DPS issues hundreds of permits for fences each year. Generally, a permit is required to install any type of fence in Montgomery County.

To replace an existing fence with the same kind of fence in the same location and at the same height, a fence permit is not required if the original fence was permitted. If the existing fence was not permitted, a fence permit is required for the replacement fence.


The 30th Anniversary of the self-driving Farm Tour and Harvest Sale was celebrated in 2019, but the Montgomery Office of Agriculture’s informal tour was not held in the past two years due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The tour is back with 20 farms open to the public. The Farm Tour brochure can be viewed at brochure front (montgomerycountymd.gov). For more information, call 301-590-2823.

Several farms are open for “pick your own” opportunities. Some will be selling fruits, vegetables or meats. Refreshments will be available at other stops. Eight locations will have animals that can be viewed up close. Montgomery County’s emerging brewing and vineyard industries will be found at seven stops.


Hans Riemer has officially conceded in the still-to-be determined Democratic primary for Montgomery County Exefutive. Riemer received 14,911 (20.4%) votes, coming in third behind David Blair (28,961, 39.63%) and incumbent Marc Elrich (27,770, 38%) with all 258 Election Day precincts reporting. The mail-in and provisional ballots still have to be counted. Riemer’s message can be seen below:

Earlier today I conceded


Wednesday, July 20 (6:35pm) Update:

With 246 of 258 election day precincts reporting, David Blair (28,961, 39.63%)  holds a slight lead over incumbent Marc Elrich (27,770, 38.00%) in the Montgomery County Executive Democratic primary. Hans Riemer is currently in third (14,911, 20.40%) and Peter James in fourth (1,445, 1.98%). Reardon Sullivan (6,840, 63.58%) leads the Republican primary over Shelly Skolnick (4,949, 36.42%). Mail-In/Provisional Ballots still also have to be counted.


With 246 of 258 Election Day precincts reporting, Maxwell Uy leads Robert Bass in the race to become Montgomery County Sheriff. As of 1:57pm on Wednesday, Uy had 20,654 (53.52%) votes compared to 18,332 (46.48%) for Bass. The winner will take over for outgoing Sheriff Darren Popkin, who has served in the position since 2010 and announced last year that he will not seek re-election. Prior to his election on November 2, 2010 and re-election in 2014,  Sheriff Popkin was the Chief Deputy, second-in-command of the Sheriff’s Office for twelve years.

Uy currently serves as Chief Deputy Sheriff for Montgomery County, in charge of the day to day operations of the Sheriff’s office on behalf of Sheriff Darren Popkin. Per his campaign website, he “worked his way up the ladder after gaining experience in the Criminal Section, Domestic Violence Section (both as a Deputy and supervising Sergeant), and Court & Transportation Section. His experience extends further as a former Montgomery County Public Safety Academy Sergeant and Training Coordinator cooperating with the Montgomery County Police Department.


Montgomery County is committed to reducing waste and recycling more as it aims for zero waste. Reducing food waste is a key objective of the County’s Climate Action Plan, which includes preventing and lessening the amount of food waste created.

“It’s sad to think Montgomery County residents and businesses are throwing away roughly 124,000 tons of food scraps a year, when we have residents who do not have regular access to quality, nutritious food,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We can help reduce food insecurity and the amount of food that is thrown away by buying only what we need and donating excess edible foods to food rescue organizations, food pantries and shelters. This is just part of look out for those who are most in need, something that is key to having a healthy community.”


With almost all precincts reporting Early Voting and Election Day results (Mail-In/Provisional Ballot results not yet available), you’ll see the results below for each district in the races for County Council as of 9:00am on Wednesday. Results for the At-Large County Council primary can be seen here.

District 1: Andrew Friedson has officially won the District 1 Democratic primary (11,069 votes, 100%). He ran unopposed.


Wednesday, July 20 (6:35pm) Update:

With 246 of 258 election day precincts reporting, David Blair (28,961, 39.63%)  holds a slight lead over incumbent Marc Elrich (27,770, 38.00%) in the Montgomery County Executive Democratic primary. Hans Riemer is currently in third (14,911, 20.40%) and Peter James in fourth (1,445, 1.98%). Reardon Sullivan (6,840, 63.58%) leads the Republican primary over Shelly Skolnick (4,949, 36.42%).


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