MoCo Government Archives - Page 194 of 256

Montgomery County Adopts Noncooperation Policy With Outside States That Attempt to Prosecute Women Who Come to Maryland Seeking to Obtain an Abortion

Published July 6, 2022 at 4:13PM

State’s Attorney John McCarthy pledges to protect the reproductive rights of all women. His office will not participate in the extradition of any woman who travels to Maryland as a safe haven in order to obtain an abortion, nor cooperate with any investigative efforts to identify providers. It is the position of the State’s Attorney’s Office that no state would have the legal authority to pass a law that would criminalize the legal activity of a woman who came to Maryland to obtain a medical procedure. The State’s Attorney’s Office for Montgomery County will continue to protect the HIPAA rights of anyone who receives medical care in the state of Maryland.

As Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh has stated, broad access to abortion remains protected in states, including Maryland, that recognize reproductive freedom. The State’s Attorney’s Office for Montgomery County will use the full force of the law to continue to protect women’s rights.”

Board of Elections Offers Suggestions on How to Successfully Vote by Mail in Upcoming Primary

By Patrick Herron

Published July 6, 2022 at 3:20PM

It is not too late to request a mail-in ballot. To get one, text VBM to 77788 or visit 777vote.org. The request deadline to receive a mail-in ballot by mail is July 12.

The Board of Elections encourages voters to cast ballots as soon as possible. It also offers the following suggestions on steps that can be taken to help the mail-in voting process go smoothly:

Montgomery County’s ‘Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar’s’ Communications Efforts Recognized as Outstanding Public Service Announcement Campaigns during the 64th Emmy Awards Ceremony

By Patrick Herron

Published July 6, 2022 at 10:48AM

Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar initiative was created under the leadership of Montgomery County council members Nancy Navarro and Gabriel Albornoz and County Executive Marc Elrich. The initiative focuses on curbing COVID-19 infections and lessening the impact of the virus among the Latino community, which has been among the hardest hit communities in the area. Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar is led by Montgomery County’s Latino Health Initiative in partnership with seven community-based organizations: Care For Your Health, CASA, Identity, Inc., Mary’s Center, Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic, Proyecto Salud Clinic, and the Up County Hub. It aims to provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary resources and services in Spanish for the Latino community of Montgomery County to help them address and cope with the impact caused by the pandemic and promote COVID-19 testing and vaccination, among other services.

Montgomery County Rolls Out New Portal for Filing Complaints Against Police Officers

By Patrick Herron

Published July 5, 2022 at 4:00PM

The newly formed Police Accountability Board (PAB) will oversee complaints filed against the Montgomery County Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, City of Gaithersburg Police Department, City of Takoma Park Police Department, City of Rockville Police Department, and Village of Chevy Chase Police Department and its officers.

Montgomery County’s PAB was established after the passage of the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 (MD-HB 670.) It is a repeal and replacement of the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights.

Stealing Houses or Scare Tactic Advertising? Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection Provides Information on Home Title ‘Protection’

By Patrick Herron

Published July 5, 2022 at 1:01PM

OCP has been receiving calls and email messages from homeowners who are concerned about the alleged ease with which a crook can file a “quitclaim deed” in the Circuit Court Land Records to change the ownership of a consumer’s house and property. Homeowners report that these heightened concerns are the result of receiving popup or radio advertisements on the internet from several firms that warn consumers about what might happen to their homes if they fail to purchase “protection” and “monitoring” services.

“These predatory advertisements seek to capture customers through fear and missing information, making consumers believe that they will be subjected to financial harm if they do not purchase their services,” said OCP Director Eric Friedman. “In fact, house stealing by filing fraudulent quitclaim deeds is extremely rare in Montgomery County, and there are several internal processes that make such activity highly unlikely. These advertisements do not disclose full information.”

Chelsea J. Andrews Named Executive Director of Montgomery County’s Housing Opportunities Commission

By Patrick Herron

Published July 5, 2022 at 11:57AM

She has multiple years of demonstrated exemplary leadership experience and expertise in directing large scale housing organizations in the public and non-profit sectors. Roy Priest, Chair of the Board commented, “We look forward to working with her to build upon our current successes in the production and preservation of affordable housing, expanding our capacity and service delivery efforts to our residents and strengthening our engagements with our community housing partners, business associates and public officials. Chelsea’s selection marks the beginning of a new era for HOC’s visioning and building financial and community programs that will lead to the creation of new affordable housing and service opportunities for the residents of the County who struggle daily to stabilize their families in this volatile economic environment”

Ms. Andrews was selected from a pool of over a dozen candidates in a nationwide search conducted by the Board of Commissioners during the past year. She brings to her new role experience leading agencies in both affordable housing and homeless sectors, with the reputation of being a bridge builder and community transformer. Currently Ms. Andrews is the Interim Executive Director of EveryOne Home, a HUD designated Continuum of Care organization in the San Francisco area, bringing together stakeholders representing Alameda County and 14 cities including Oakland and Berkeley to end homelessness for nearly 10,000 individuals.

‘The Life and Hats of Milliner Mae Reeves: A Conversation with Her Daughter, Donna Limerick’ to be Presented by Montgomery History on Tuesday, July 5

By Patrick Herron

Published July 4, 2022 at 8:21AM

Mae was a pioneering milliner who was famous for her custom-made hats. She was active in her field from 1940 until 1997. She passed away in 2016 at age 104.

At age 28, she opened “Mae’s Millinery Shop,” located at 1630 South Street in Philadelphia. By so doing she became one of the first African American women to own her own business in downtown Philadelphia.

‘Let Freedom Ring’: Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center and FMCA to Host Fee-Waived Adoption Event for Big Dogs and Small Animals Now Through July 7

By Patrick Herron

Published July 4, 2022 at 8:00AM

The summer months are a wonderful time to bring a new family member home. Adopting is easy—and even easier with the fees waived.

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

County Offering COVID-19 Vaccines to Children 6 Months to 5 Years, But Supplies Are Limited

By Patrick Herron

Published July 4, 2022 at 7:53AM

DHHS will be making vaccines available by appointment for this age group. Information will be updated daily at www.GoVaxMoCo.com. When vaccine supply is available, new appointments will be posted at 3 p.m. at www.GoVaxMoco.com.

““It is good news that this last age group is now eligible to receive their vaccine doses,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We know that many parents are anxious to get their babies and young children vaccinated as quickly as possible. As we have seen with previous vaccine rollouts, we expect great demand over the next couple of weeks for these vaccines with limited supply available. Because the majority of the vaccines are going to private pediatric providers, we encourage all parents to check with their pediatrician’s office before using our website to sign up for an appointment. I am grateful for the preparation, planning and outreach efforts from DHHS and our community partners to ensure equitable access to these vaccines. Getting vaccinated and boosted is important to our COVID mitigation efforts, and we continue to encourage everyone to make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations.”

Montgomery County Government Holiday Schedule for July 4

By Patrick Herron

Published July 4, 2022 at 7:41AM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will observe schedule and program changes for the formal observance of Independence Day on Monday, July 4. […]

Council President Gabe Albornoz to Hold Press Conference with County Leaders and Advocates on Food Security

By Patrick Herron

Published July 4, 2022 at 7:32AM

Council President Albornoz, at the request of the County Executive, recently introduced a bill to create an Office of Food Systems Resilience as a non-principal office of the Executive Branch. The Council approved funding to create this office as part of the FY23 Budget with a provision to enhance grant funding for food assistance programs and $4 million in one-time funding to continue to directly provide food to individuals and families in greatest need.

In addition, following a special appropriation led by Council President Albornoz to develop a county government Strategic Plan to Address Childhood Hunger, the Montgomery County Food Council will be serving as the project manager for this effort with the aim to build upon County-based strategies in the County Food Security Plan and the work of the County’s Food Security Task Force by incorporating feedback from stakeholders, subject matter experts and residents. The report will identify food access barriers and strategies to reduce food insecurity across all childhood age groups, develop recommendations to systemically address childhood hunger and identify metrics for success.