MoCo Archives - Page 381 of 605

David Blair Maintains Slim Lead in Democratic Primary for County Executive

Published July 28, 2022 at 8:07AM

Five days worth of Mail-in ballots have been counted in the Democratic primary for Montgomery County Executive, and in the latest update by the Maryland State Board of Elections (7:51pm, 7/27), David Blair (44,722) leads incumbent Marc Elrich (44,577) by 145 votes.

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. Overall, Blair has received 15,368 mail-in/provisional ballot votes compared to 16,549 for Marc Elrich. Marc Elrich defeated David Blair by just 77 votes in the 2018 Democratic Primary.

County Commission on Women Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary by Creating Time Capsule to Be Opened in 50 Years

By Patrick Herron

Published July 28, 2022 at 7:09AM

At the celebration, County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Gabe Albornoz issued a joint proclamation recognizing the commission’s accomplishments in advancing and protecting women’s rights since its establishment in 1972.

In addition to County Executive Elrich and Council President Albornoz, among those at the celebration were CFW Chair Donna Rojas, County Councilmember Nancy Navarro, founding commissioner and former Congresswoman Connie Morella, CFW Executive Director Jodi Finkelstein and Sandy Spring Museum Board of Directors President Naomi Yadin-Mendick.

County Commitment to Inspiring Use of Electric Vehicles Continues with Dedication of Six EV Charging Stations at Clarksburg Condominium II

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2022 at 11:19PM

Montgomery County’s commitment to combatting climate change includes trying to inspire residents and businesses to purchase electric vehicles. To make that plan viable, accessibility to EV charging stations is a necessity. The commitment to that aspect of the County’s Climate Action Plan continued on July 23 as six new EV charging stations were dedicated at the Clarksburg Condominium II.

Clarksburg Condominium II is located at 12824 Clarksburg Square Road in Clarksburg. The condominium association website states that residents who register in advance will receive reduced rates for charging their vehicles at the new charging stations.

2022 Primary Election Update: Mail-in Ballots That Were Postmarked by July 19 and Arrive by Friday, July 29, Will Be Counted

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2022 at 11:16PM

Ballot-counting sessions, referred to as the “canvasses,” have been conducted daily by the Board of Elections since July 21. Those votes are added to the totals of early voting (July 7-14) and Election Day.

The count of provisional ballots started on Thursday, July 28.

Montgomery County Reopens Fourth Phase of COVID-19 Rent Relief Program; Previously Incomplete and New Applications Will Be Accepted

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2022 at 2:53PM

“I am pleased to announce the reopening of the rental relief program. We have additional funds to distribute, and we know that the need for this assistance has not gone away,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “The impact of this pandemic will be with us for quite some time, so I urge eligible residents who are in need to not delay and apply today.”

The rent relief program launched in May 2020 and as of July 24, has distributed $79.1 million in financial assistance. Funding for the fourth phase was provided by U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance funds in direct allocations to the County and as a sub-grantee to the State of Maryland.

MoCo Made Food & Beverage Expo to Take Place on Thursday, July 28

By MCS Staff

Published July 27, 2022 at 9:18AM

Per the event page: Attendees will get an industry insider’s sneak peek at the newest local food and beverage offerings, sample, and take home new and unique local products. Whether you are a savvy food system professional, a budding vegan chef, a beginner at buying local, trying to eat healthy, or you just love a great beer, this event has something for you. Parking at adjacent Silver Spring municipal parking garages. Limited street parking available. Tickets will be available at the door.

The Montgomery County Food Council invites all food and beverage professionals to participate in our 2022 Food Expo at the Silver Spring Civic Building on Thursday, July 28th from 11AM – 2PM.

Commuters in MoCo Can Get Reimbursed Up to $280/Month for Using Public Transit or Vanpools

By Patrick Herron

Published July 26, 2022 at 7:29PM

In addition to vanpools, the program could cover expenses incurred by commuters using Ride On bus, Metrobus, Metrorail or MARC train to commute to and from a workplace within Montgomery County.

Businesses looking to implement or expand a transportation benefit program must commit to covering the first $25 per month of travel costs for employees who use buses or vanpools. The County will cover expenses over the initial $25, up to $280 a month. The full subsidy could be as high as $3,360 per year, per employee. It is tax-free to both the employee and the employer.

Montgomery County Office of Procurement Wins Achievement in Excellence Award from NPI and Four NACo Awards

By Patrick Herron

Published July 26, 2022 at 7:26PM

The award from the National Procurement Institute is the ninth received by the Office of Procurement. The prestigious annual award is presented to organizations that demonstrate excellence based on criteria designed to measure innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement and leadership attributes of the procurement organization.

The Office of Procurement has received 11 NACo awards in the last 10 years. In the past two years, Procurement received eight NACo awards.

Press Conference Postponed on Resolution to Define and Address Antisemitism

By Patrick Herron

Published July 26, 2022 at 4:15PM

The resolution, introduced by the Council and led by Councilmember Friedson, was introduced in response to the disturbing rise of antisemitism and acts of assault, vandalism and harassment against Jewish community members and Jewish organizations across the County and nation.

As originally drafted, the resolution proposes the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism and reaffirms the Council’s commitment to combat all forms of hate and extremism and reflects the Council’s strong support for and solidarity with Montgomery County’s Jewish community.

Montgomery County Council Enacts Bill to Create Private Security Camera Incentive Program

By Patrick Herron

Published July 26, 2022 at 4:13PM

Individuals, business owners can apply to receive a voucher or rebate to offset the cost of a security camera on property in high priority areas

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 26, 2022—The Montgomery County Council voted to enact a new public safety bill today that seeks to deter and solve crime by incentivizing the purchase of private security cameras by residents and businesses in areas experiencing relatively high incidences of crime.

Montgomery County’s Community Covid-19 Level is Now ‘High’

By MCS Staff

Published July 26, 2022 at 3:50PM

Montgomery County’s Community Covid-19 Level is Now ‘High’, according to the county’s Covid-19 surveillance dashboard (photo below). On February 25, 2022, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new metrics enabling communities and individuals to make better decisions based on their local context and unique needs. The new “COVID-19 community level” metrics are based on three pieces of data:

The COVID-19 community level is determined by the higher of the new admissions and inpatient beds metrics, based on the current level of new cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days. To find out the COVID-19 community level: