MoCo Archives - Page 395 of 613

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

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.

Montgomery County Executive Elrich Appoints Two Residents to the Administrative Charging Committee That State Law Requires Must be Established by July 1

By Patrick Herron

Published July 2, 2022 at 9:00AM

Establishment of the ACC is in accordance with House Bill 670, which was approved by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021. The State law created a new uniform procedure for police accountability and discipline, including the establishment of a PAB and ACC in each county.

Appointed by County Executive Elrich to Montgomery County’s ACC are Christopher Jennison and Andrea McCoy Johnson.

Happening Today: Minimum Wage Increases to $15.65 For All Large Employers in Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Published July 1, 2022 at 12:01AM

Based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) for the Washington-Baltimore region, the Montgomery County Chief Administrative Officer has set the rate for the increase of minimum wage for July 2022 for large employers (those with 51 employees or more) at $15.65 per hour. After hitting the $15 minimum wage rate last year, the law now requires the Chief Administrative Officer to adjust the rate each year. The change is based on the previous calendar year. Previous years were based on rate of increase determined by the Montgomery County Council to get to $15.

“This is an important next step to ensure that the minimum wage keeps up with inflation,” said County Executive Elrich. “For too long, the minimum wage was stagnant and did not change based on inflation. I was proud to champion the increase in minimum wage when I was a County Councilmember and pleased to see it finally reached $15 per hour for large employers last year, and under the law, once the minimum wage hits $15, it is then increased based on inflation so that low wage workers are not left behind. A decent wage is the path to more opportunity and improved equity.”

Board of Elections Installs 55 Ballot Drop Box Locations for Upcoming Gubernatorial Primary Election

By Patrick Herron

Published June 30, 2022 at 8:07PM

Eligible voters in Maryland have been mailed applications for mail-in ballots. Applications for mail-in ballots must be received by July 12. Mail-in ballots will be sent to voters via first-class U.S. Mail beginning June 13.

To be counted, mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than July 19, and the oath on the postage-paid return envelope that arrives with the ballot must be signed. Those who choose to cast their votes using ballot drop boxes must submit their completed ballots by the final collection time—8 p.m. on Tuesday, July—for their ballot to count.

The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL) Will Award $1,345,000 in Grants to 23 Organizations in Fiscal Year 2023 to Support Adult English Literacy Programs

By Patrick Herron

Published June 30, 2022 at 8:05PM

Funding for the grants is provided in partnership with the Montgomery County Government, with the support of County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council.

“We are excited to work with the grant recipients this upcoming year, in addition to all of the community members who participate in our trainings,” MCAEL Executive Director Kathy Stevens. “Through the work of the entire coalition, more and more adults in Montgomery County are gaining the English skills they need to speak English, read news or writing skills to fill out a job application.”