MoCo

Bill Introduced to Create Airpark Community Advisory Committee

By Patrick Herron

Bill 24-23 would create the ACAC, providing a regular forum to discuss and propose recommendations to improve Airpark operations. Council President Evan Glass and Councilmembers Will Jawando, Gabe Albornoz, Sidney Katz and Laurie-Anne Sayles are co-sponsoring the measure.

The MCA is a public general aviation airport in Gaithersburg and is home to a reported 67,195 flight operations a year. In 2019, the MCA partnered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to set up an online portal for residents to submit aircraft noise complaints similar to what’s offered in communities near other airports. In 2019, there were 27 complaints, in 2020 there were 191 complaints made from 11 unique households, and in 2021 there were 2,835 complaints made from 35 unique households, according to a 2022 report from the Council’s Office of Legislative Oversight.

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Councilmember Will Jawando to Run for U.S. Senate

By Patrick Herron

Councilmember Will Jawando announced today that he is launching a campaign for the U.S. Senate. Yesterday, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland’s senior senator and Chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, announced that he would not seek re-election at the end of his current term. Statement below courtesy of @willjawando on Twitter:

I don’t accept that one must suffer for another to gain. There’s more than enough for us all, and every American has the right to thrive. I’ve spent the last five years on the Montgomery County Council dismantling the economic and racial barriers that keep too many down.

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Montgomery County Produces Nation’s First Health Care Providers’ Handbook on Hindu Patients

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Coinciding with the celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, The Health Care Providers’ Handbook on Hindu Patients was released today marking a major initiative by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s Office of Community Partnerships Asian Pacific American Advisory Group (APAAG.) This is the first such handbook in the nation providing detailed information specifically for Hindu and Jain patients.

“With over 2 million Hindus in the United States and over 80,000 Indians and Nepali Americans in Maryland alone, it is important that our caregivers are sensitive to the needs of an ever growing and diverse community,” said APAAG co-chair Chowdhury. “By being culturally in-tune caregivers may be better equipped to address a variety of issues that are unique to the Hindu and Jain diaspora. With over 15% of Montgomery County residents self-identifying as Asian descent, Maryland can serve as a model in helping health care providers understand and meet the distinct cultural and religious needs of its many patients.”

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Montgomery County Council Meets on May 2 at 9 a.m. to Conduct Interviews with Candidates for the Montgomery County Planning Board

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, May 2 at 9 a.m. and the meeting will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first proclamation, presented by Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, commemorates Mental Health Awareness Month. The second proclamation presentation, led by Councilmember Natali Fani-González and County Executive Marc Elrich, recognizes Building Safety Month. At 11:30 a.m., Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Kristin Mink will lead a commemoration celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Interviews

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Statements from Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Will Jawando on the Retirement of Senator Ben Cardin

By Patrick Herron
Hearings to examine the oral health crisis, focusing on identifying and addressing health disparities. (Official U.S. Senate photo by Dan Rios)

Senator Cardin played a pivotal role in passing landmark legislation to preserve clean air and America’s waterways, safeguard protections for patients in healthcare settings, and expand access to affordable, quality dental care for youth. As a third-generation Marylander, he has been a dedicated defender of Maryland’s treasured Chesapeake Bay. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he established programs to help small businesses in Maryland and nationwide mitigate the worst impacts of a crushing recession.

There are few people in Maryland, let alone the United States Senate, that have delivered more for working families than Senator Cardin. His tireless work has had a positive impact on our community and will be felt for generations of Marylanders for years to come. I thank him and his family for their selfless service on behalf of our state and nation.”

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Detectives Investigating Fatal Collision Involving Tow Truck in Montgomery Village; Identity of Victim Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are investigating a fatal collision that occurred on Friday, April 28, 2023 on Wightman Road at Aspenwood Lane. At approximately 2 a.m., 6th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for the report of two vehicle collision.

The investigation has revealed that a red 2017 Ford F-450 tow truck was traveling north on Wightman Road when it struck a silver 2021 Nissan Versa attempting to turn left from southbound Wightman Road onto eastbound Aspenwood Lane. The adult male driver of the Nissan Versa was pronounced dead at the scene. The decedent has been identified as 51-year-old, Juan Antonio Lamas Salcido, of Gaithersburg.

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Montgomery Council Seeks Applicants for County Committee to Recommend Funding for the Public Election Fund

By Patrick Herron

The legislation created the Committee to recommend funding for the Public Election Fund, to estimate the funds necessary to implement the public campaign finance system, and to recommend an annual appropriation by the Council for the Public Election Fund. The Committee is composed of seven County residents appointed by the County Council for four-year terms beginning on May 1 of the first year of the new Council’s term of office. The term of this Committee will begin once established and ends April 30, 2027.

These positions can be filled by residents affiliated with any political party or unaffiliated with a political party. Political party affiliation will be verified with the Board of Elections. No more than three members can be from the same political party. Once established, the Committee will determine when it meets. There is no compensation for service on this Committee, but members may be reimbursed for travel and dependent care expenses associated with Committee duties. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.

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Police and Family Concerned For Welfare of Missing 11 and 15-Year-Old Brothers

By MCS Staff

15-year-old Sean and 11-year-old Santino Jones were last seen on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at approximately 10 p.m. near the area of Bethesda Lane and Bethesda Avenue. Sean is approximately 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on right arm and was last seen wearing black jeans and carrying a backpack. Santino is approximately 4-feet, 9-inches tall and weighs 135 pounds. He wears his hair in short locs and has brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and mint green sweatpants. Police and family are concerned for their welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Sean and Santino Jones is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Air Bag Crime Prevention Information and Tips

By MCS Staff

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) estimates roughly 50,000 air bags are stolen each year, resulting in an annual loss of more than $50 million to owners and insurance companies. Hondas are the most common target of thieves, because their air bags can be removed in as little as 30 seconds.

Air bags are easy to steal and hide.  Thieves resell the stolen air bags on the black market or on internet websites. Unscrupulous collision repair shops purchase the stolen air bags for between $50 to $200 each—which is cheaper than the $1,000 price tag at a dealership—in order to turn a profit, according to the NICB. Some tips to avoid falling victim to air bag thieves, by Takoma Park Police:

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“Sideline Swap”, an Event That Allows You to Trade-in Your Gently Used Sports Gear For Gift Cards, Runs Until This Sunday

By MCS Staff

Sideline Swap is hosting a trade-in event at the Dick’s Sporting Good in Wheaton Mall (11160 Veirs Mill Rd) from Friday, April 28th until Sunday, April 30th. You can bring your gently-used sports gear to receive a gift card for the trade-in value. Sideline Swap is accepting hockey, baseball, lacrosse, golf, ski gear & more. Sideline Swap runs from 2pm-7pm on Friday, 10am-6pm on Saturday, and 10am-6pm on Sunday. Items accepted include:

Items not accepted include:

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