MoCo Government Archives - Page 185 of 241

Montgomery County Council Statement on Tragedy at Saint Francis Hospital’s Natalie Medical Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Published June 3, 2022 at 8:48AM

“Yesterday, four people were killed in a Tulsa medical building, in what can only be described as a horrific and senseless incident of violence. This marks the 233rd mass shooting in 2022.

“The Montgomery County Council is enraged that our nation is suffering from yet another mass shooting, mere days after the tragedies that took place in Buffalo, New York, in Uvalde, Texas and across the United States where over a dozen mass shootings took nine lives and injured more than 70 individuals during the Memorial Day weekend.

Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Council, and the Jewish Community Relations Council on Antisemitic Vandalism in Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Published June 2, 2022 at 5:48PM

There is no place for hate in Montgomery County and our community will not tolerate any attempts like this to intimidate religious, racial, ethnic, or minority group in our County. We are committed to creating a community of inclusion and respect. Today, we stand united with our Jewish residents, particularly our local Holocaust survivors, their children, and grandchildren.

In fact, we are the only local jurisdiction in the region that provides grant money to nonprofit entities and houses of worship to protect their members and congregants. Following last month’s hate crimes and tragedies in Buffalo and at an Asian American church in Southern California, faith and government leaders came together to increase our communication and vigilance in our County. In response to today’s incident, we will be meeting with members of the Kemp Mill Jewish Community to discuss safety and security and emphasize that our County stands united against hate.

Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Offers Tips to Prepare for the Summer Storm Season

By Patrick Herron

Published June 1, 2022 at 12:54PM

While it is possible for a hurricane or tropical storm to impact the County, the greater summer weather threats are flooding, hail, lightning strikes, thunderstorms, and strong winds. Thunderstorms can occur singly or in clusters or lines and typically produce heavy rain for a brief period. During severe thunderstorms there is a risk that a tornado could occur.

“During the summer months, it is important to know the difference between a weather watch and warning, and understand that when a warning is announced, it is important to take immediate action,” said acting OEMHS Director Marianne Souders. “I encourage everyone to sign-up for Alert Montgomery to receive emergency updates to protect you and your loved ones.”

Montgomery County Council to Hold Public Hearings on June 14 and 21

By Patrick Herron

Published May 31, 2022 at 1:15PM

Deadline to sign up to speak is June 13 at 5 p.m.

Deadline to sign up to speak is June 20 at 5 p.m.

Montgomery County Supports Preservation of Affordable Housing at 515 Thayer Ave. in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Published May 29, 2022 at 11:14AM

“Our approach is to Protect, Preserve and Produce dedicated affordable housing – protecting tenants from displacement while we produce needed new affordable units,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “At 515 Thayer, we are protecting tenants from displacement and preserving NOAH housing before it was lost to rising rents. In FY22, the County committed $69 million in low-cost loans to support long-term control of rents on over 1,200 units, including preserving 627 units in 11 properties and producing 587 new units in six properties—which includes repurposed office buildings and on church-owned land. To protect more tenants and produce even more affordable housing, I recommended, and Council approved, $140 million for affordable housing, with $100 million of that for capital lending—two-and-a-half-times previous budgets. We have dedicated at least $40 million of that capital lending to preserve affordability of up to 700 units facing increasing rent pressures, including properties near transit like the Purple Line.”

The County provided a $6 million HIF loan in 2021 to support the recapitalization and full renovation of the property.

Montgomery County Council Passes Resolution Approving the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan

By MCS Staff

Published May 27, 2022 at 7:02AM

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 26, 2022

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 26, 2022 —The Montgomery County Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution approving the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan. The Plan makes recommendations within the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan area for land use and zoning, housing, economic development, urban design, transportation, parks and public spaces, environmental resiliency, community facilities and historic resources.

Commission on Veterans Affairs Honors County’s Fallen Heroes from Military Action Dating Back to World War I With Online Tributes of Bios and Photos

By Patrick Herron

Published May 26, 2022 at 6:52PM

“It seems that every day we are reminded of how our freedom is so special, and throughout the history of our nation, some special men and women have given their lives to protect that freedom,” said Wayne Miller, a Vietnam veteran who now chairs the County Commission on Veterans Affairs. “The Commission on Veterans Affairs wanted residents of all ages to know more about these people and our Fallen Heroes website is a great way to learn their fascinating and heroic stories.”

County Executive Marc Elrich said residents should take time to recognize the people who sacrificed their lives while serving the nation.

Montgomery County Holiday Schedule for Memorial Day on Monday, May 30

By Patrick Herron

Published May 26, 2022 at 6:50PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Government will observe the following schedule changes for Memorial Day on Monday, May 30: County offices—Closed. State offices and courts—Closed. State Motor Vehicle Administration […]

Community Meetings Being Held In-Person to Address Progress of Purple Line Construction

By Patrick Herron

Published May 26, 2022 at 3:22PM

The Purple Line will be a 16-mile light rail line that will extend from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County. It will provide a direct connection to the Metrorail Red, Green and Orange Lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrollton. The Purple Line also will connect to MARC, Amtrak and local bus services. The revised planned completion date is 2026.

MDOT MTA is planning community meetings, open houses and Community Advisory Meetings (CATs) to give residents updates on the Purple Line. Additional information is available on the project’s website at purplelinemd.com/upcoming-meetings.

Free At-home COVID-19 PCR Test Kits Available at Multiple Locations, But Which COVID-19 Test is Right for You?     

By Patrick Herron

Published May 26, 2022 at 3:05PM

In-person PCR testing continues at multiple sites throughout the community. A schedule of testing locations can be found at the County’s website.

If you are high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, wear a mask indoors in public settings. In addition, talk to your healthcare provider about additional precautions and whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP and monoclonal antibodies.

County Council Unanimously Approves $6.3 Billion Operating Budget and $5.3 Bllion Six-Year Capital Improvements Program

By Patrick Herron

Published May 26, 2022 at 10:39AM

The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved the county’s $6.3 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2023 and the $5.3 billion six-year capital improvements program at this morning’s council meeting. The budget includes $2.9 Billion for Montgomery County Public Schools. “Montgomery County’s $6.3 billion operating budget and six-year capital budget creates the foundation for what is most important to us: a community with excellent schools, housing for all our residents, strong economic development, green spaces for recreation and relaxation, safe neighborhoods, robust libraries, strong public health services, resources for older adults to age in place with grace, a healthy environment and an essential safety net for our most vulnerable resident,” said Council President Gabe Albornoz on May 19 after a preliminary vote was held. The budget resolutions will be available on the Council’s webpage later today.