MoCo Government

Councilmembers Unveil Tenant Assistance and Protection Package to Address Growing Crisis in Housing Affordability

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Councilmembers Natali Fani-González, Andrew Friedson, Gabe Albornoz, Marilyn Balcombe, Sidney Katz, and Dawn Luedtke today announced a bold new proposal to alleviate pressures on the County’s most vulnerable renters. Like most similar jurisdictions throughout the country, Montgomery County faces a housing affordability crisis. The County has a tremendous housing challenge, with 41,000 housing units needed by 2030 to accommodate population growth and alleviate pressure on county renter households that are cost burdened. Based on a County-specific study, extensive research including from the NYU Furman Center, and the real-world experiences of other jurisdictions across the country, particularly Oregon, Minnesota, and California, the Tenant Assistance and Protection Package will provide direct assistance to the most vulnerable residents, protect against rent gouging, provide access to homeownership to build generational wealth, and increase supply of income-restricted affordable housing.

The sponsors of the Tenant Assistance and Protection Package are calling on County Executive Marc Elrich to include these funds in his recommended budget, due for submission to the Council on March 15.

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Silver Spring

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 18-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 18-year-old from Hyattsville. Virginia Francis Pelham was last seen on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m., in the 11800 block of Healing Way in Silver Spring.  Virginia is 5-feet, 7-inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white and orange top, black sweatpants and multicolor Crocs. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Virginia Francis Pelham is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Gaithersburg

Brio’s Chicken No Longer Coming to Kentlands

By Patrick Herron

Brio’s Chicken has announced it will no longer be opening its location at the Kentlands in Gaithersburg.  Signage for Brio’s Chicken first went up at the location back in 2020 but the restaurant was delayed several years due to issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We were told by the restaurant back in February that construction had finally began but financing fell through. Brio’s Chicken previously had a location in Aspen Hill in the Aspen Manor shopping center, where Outback is located, but that location is under new ownership and is now known as Gio’s Chicken. The owner of the restaurant tells us that they are looking to sell the restaurant equipment they have already purchased. You can reach Jose at 240-342-0067.

Potomac Cookie Co: Potomac Cookie Co is coming to 109A Market St in the Kentlands Square shopping center in Gaithersburg, near Moby Dick and the upcoming Poke Bros. Potomac Cookie is known for its “giant size” 4oz cookies.  Flavors include Choco-delight, Da Fudge, Dorothy’s Slippers, Double Dutch,  Peebee ‘n’ Yay!, and S’more Love. No opening date for Potomac Cookie Co has been announced.

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Bethesda

Tara Thai Closes Bethesda Location

By Patrick Herron

About Tara Thai: “Walking into Tara Thai is like walking into the soothing serenity of the deep blue sea, with indoor waterfalls and seaside colors sparking from the ceilings and walls. This is a place worth indulging in courses. We proudly bring you to experience fine dining with the most successful Thai restaurant on the east coast. Serving delicious Thai cuisine, along with an enjoyable atmosphere. Our unique decoration reflects quality of our dishes with finest ingredients, in preparing our gourmet-quality dishes. All ingredients are carefully selected by our experience head chef.”

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Takoma Park

Takoma Park Appoints David Eubanks as Acting Deputy City Manager

By MCS Staff

Statement from Takoma Park Mayor Talisha Searcy: The Takoma Park City Council is happy to announce that it has appointed David Eubanks as Acting Deputy City Manager, effective Monday, March 6, 2023. Mr. Eubanks joined the City of Takoma Park in 2021 as the Deputy Director of Public Works and is currently the Director of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

As HCD Director, Mr. Eubanks has been instrumental in advancing key City initiatives such as the library construction project. Prior to joining the City, Mr. Eubanks had over a decade of experience in housing and community development. The Council looks forward to working with Mr. Eubanks in this new role.

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Rockville

Rockville Mayor and Council to Consider Regulations for Short-Term and Residential Room Rentals

By MCS Staff

The Mayor and Council will meet Monday, March 6 and further discuss whether to initiate a public review that could lead to regulating short-term rentals in the city, such as AirBnB and VRBO, as well as the rental of rooms within a residence.

The intent of the proposed changes is to clarify when short-term rentals are permitted. Proposed conditions include limitations on the number of days per year that a unit may be rented and the number of rental unit guests. The public review process would be initiated if the Mayor and Council introduce the draft ordinances.

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Maryland

Rockville High School Sophomore, Madison Watts, Elected As Finalist For State SMOB

By MCS Staff

On Saturday, February 11, 2023, Madison Watts, a sophomore from Rockville High School, was elected as a finalist for the Maryland State Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB).

Over 300 student leaders from across the state of Maryland attended the Maryland Association of Student Councils annual Legislative Session hosted by the Wheaton High School Student Government Association and the Montgomery Regional Student Government Association. The other finalist is Abisola Ayoola, a junior from Wilde Lake High School (Howard County). Maryland Governor, Wes Moore, will select one of these finalists as the next Maryland State SMOB in late spring.

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Events

MCPS To Host Second Annual Youth Climate Summit

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Public Schools is hosting the 2nd annual Youth Climate Summit on April 22nd from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.  The event will take place at the recently opened Tilden Middle School; a LEED Silver awarded example of Sustainable architecture in MCPS.

This event is an education-packed conference designed to teach MCPS high school students about climate change and important information to encourage climate action! Students are invited to speak with environmental mentors, collaborate with student leaders, gain imperative environmental information, and grow as environmental activists.

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Gaithersburg

Two Displaced Following Gaithersburg Townhouse Fire

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a fire at a middle-of-the-row townhouse on Travis Court in Gaithersburg at approximately 6:30pm on Thursday afternoon.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the fire started on the second floor of the house and was contained to the bedroom. Red Cross assisted and two occupants have been displaced. There were no injuries.

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Education

Northwest High School Junior, Dwarakesh Baraneetharan, Was Finalist in Statewide Black History Month Essay Contest

By MCS Staff

Dwarakesh Baraneetharan, a junior at Northwest High School in Germantown, was one of 20 finalists in a Black history essay contest sponsored by WJZ-TV, CBS Baltimore. His full essay can be seen below:

George Washington Carver once said that “Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.” While true, the keys and doors are actually multiple, freedom a multi-level building with incremental levels separated by doors. As you acquire more education, you receive keys to unlock higher levels, gaining eligibility for opportunity. Of course, people aspire to reach different degrees of freedom. Some aspire to have the freedom to possess a lavish lifestyle, while others may aspire to escape poverty. Education is key in both scenarios.

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