Government Archives - Page 35 of 114

Harold Maldonado Announces Candidacy for New Council District 7

Published May 20, 2022 at 7:57AM

Republican Harold Maldonado has announced his candidacy for the newly created District 7 county council seat. According to his website, Maldonado says the current council has “ignored the concerns of residents all over the county that have produced erroneous, ill-advised policies that have and continue to deteriorate the quality of life in our communities by lowering the quality of education in our schools, deteriorating the economy, and seriously undermining security in our streets.”

Mr. Maldonado’s campaign will focus on using his professional background to promote economic growth, quality education, family values, and personal freedoms. “I believe our quality of life is deteriorating at an alarming rate because the concerns of parents and businesses have been ignored by county officials. It’s time for competent and honest leaders on the Council who hear the concerns of upcounty residents and find commonsense solutions.”

MoCo Government

Council President Gabe Albornoz’s Statement on the FY23 Operating Budget and FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program

By Patrick Herron

Published May 19, 2022 at 7:36PM

Below is Council President Albornoz’s full statement:

This week, as I reflected on the budget we are about to approve, it occurred to me that this is the eighteenth budget I have had a hand in shaping. My early experience with the County budget was as an executive for a non-profit organization, then later as a cabinet official and now, as Council President. Those experiences provide valuable context that helps me see this budget from multiple angles.

Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces Plan to Deploy $198 Million in Small Business Relief

By Patrick Herron

Published May 19, 2022 at 11:51AM

“Through a number of relief programs, our efforts to keep Maryland ‘open for business’ during the pandemic have protected jobs and empowered one of the strongest and sustainable recoveries in the nation,” said Governor Hogan. “We have one of the most aggressive plans in the country to get these resources out the door utilizing our very successful lending and investment programs to help our small businesses, particularly those in underserved communities primed for revitalization.”

Initially established by Congress in 2010 to provide loans and investments to underserved small businesses, SSBCI received a $10 billion allocation as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. The SSBCI funds will be administered by three state agencies, including the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the Maryland Department of Commerce, and the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). The funds from SSBCI will be used to augment existing business lending programs to support businesses with limited opportunities for growth whether due to the pandemic or historic disinvestment. Maryland’s statewide SSBCI initiatives will target communities and areas with a high concentration of small, micro, and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) businesses to support ongoing state investments in underserved communities.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Looking Into Changing “Intimidating” Black Police Uniforms

By Patrick Herron

Published May 19, 2022 at 10:38AM | Updated May 19, 2022 at 12:19PM

At Thursday’s weekly media briefing, County Executive Marc Elrich said that the county is looking into changing the all black uniforms that Montgomery County Police Officers currently wear. Elrich said that there is a broad consensus that the black uniforms appear to be intimidating, and were originally “meant to be intimidating”, and that the change to a new color is a part of the “reimagining police” initiative. “It’s something that we ought to do, and it will help take some of the intimidation out of the appearance of an officer” he said.

Montgomery County is discussing alternate colors with MCPD and their union. Elrich also mentioned that black uniform are hot and that the new uniforms should be more comfortable, and that they are leaving the decision up to the department and officers. The cost of the uniform change could be more than a million dollars. Prior to the black uniforms, Montgomery County Police Officers wore khaki colored uniforms. You can view the media briefing below:

MoCo Government

Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich on the Tragic Mass Shooting in Buffalo, NY

By Patrick Herron

Published May 18, 2022 at 9:57PM

“This past weekend a lone gunman changed the world for a countless number of Americans. Ten people were tragically killed at a grocery store in Buffalo, NY, and countless others have been traumatized by an attack that not only targeted the innocent but was also motivated by hate. Police have discovered the man they arrested for the crime drove hours to get to that supermarket because he wanted to target the Black community. It’s the kind of detail that prompted President Joe Biden to call the shooting ‘terrorism’ when he visited Buffalo on Tuesday.

People are increasingly feeling insecure about being able to move freely about our communities. We cannot allow this to be tolerated or to become ‘normalized’. Replacement theory is pure garbage and there is no replacement of anyone planned – the last replacement event in North America was when Native peoples were replaced by Europeans. Along with the demonization of critical race theory, otherwise known as our history to most of us, these are attacks on efforts to build an inclusive and unbiased community where all are valued, and all are safe.

Health

COVID-19 Test Kits and N95 Masks Still Available at Montgomery County Libraries

By Patrick Herron

Published May 18, 2022 at 10:20AM

Courtesy MCPL

Kits and masks are available on a table or cart near the library service desk. Residents can get two test kits and four adult N95 masks per person per day. Each kit contains two tests. If you are unable to access COVID test kits or masks due to a disability, you can request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act by contacting 240-777-2982. Request rapid test kits for your organization.

Rapid tests produce results 15 minutes after you complete all steps.

MoCo

Former Montgomery County Executive Sidney Kramer Passes Away

By Patrick Herron

Published May 17, 2022 at 5:51PM

County Executive Marc Elrich released this statement upon learning of Kramer’s death:

County Flags will fly at half-staff in honor of Kramer until after his funeral services which have yet to be announced.

MoCo Government

Statement from Councilmember Will Jawando on Positive COVID-19 Test Result

By Patrick Herron

Published May 17, 2022 at 11:20AM

“Yesterday I tested positive for COVID-19. Thankfully, I am fully vaccinated and boosted against the virus and am only experiencing mild symptoms. I am currently isolating in accordance with CDC guidance and will continue to work remotely.

“I encourage all eligible Montgomery County residents to get fully vaccinated and boosted to best protect themselves and their loved ones against this virus.”

Health

With COVID-19 Cases Rising Again, County Recommends Precautionary Measures to Protect Against Greater Community Spread of Virus

By Patrick Herron

Published May 17, 2022 at 9:28AM

“Our current surge in cases is lasting longer than expected, which leaves more people at-risk of being exposed to COVID-19,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I encourage everyone to wear masks indoors in public spaces when possible as well as continue to use our ample testing and vaccination resources we have in the County. I know we are all tired of this virus, but the virus is not tired of us. If we keep doing our individual parts, as a community, we can tamp down this increase in the case rate and avoid going back to days of more restrictive measures.”

The County’s COVID-19 case rate has risen steadily over the last month and is now more than triple the recent low on March 15. Although the County is currently an area of low-level community transmission as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the case rate is quickly approaching medium-level community transmission. While there has not been a commensurate increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the County, there is concern about the impact that spring break travel and holiday gatherings may have on transmission.

Maryland

Governor Hogan Signs 140 Additional Bills Into Law, Including Legislation to Cap the Cost of Insulin and Allowing Paramedics to Administer Vaccines

By Patrick Herron

Published May 16, 2022 at 4:10PM

“Today we are signing dozens of impactful measures that directly affect Marylanders’ daily lives, including a historic capital budget that will help build new schools, modernize our parks, and make homeownership more accessible,” said Governor Hogan. “Together, we have put the people’s priorities first, and we have achieved real, common sense bipartisan solutions to change Maryland for the better.”

The governor was joined for today’s signing ceremony—the sixth of 2022—by House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson.

Beyond MoCo

Montgomery County Council Statement on Mass Shooting in Buffalo at Tops Friendly Markets

By Patrick Herron

Published May 16, 2022 at 11:40AM

“Moreover, we are thankful for the swift action taken by law enforcement and their ongoing investigation of this deadly attack as a racially motivated hate crime.

“In the midst of our grief about this tragedy, we must all recommit ourselves to stamp out hate in all its forms and to continue the fight for gun control across our nation. We stand with the residents of Buffalo, and we encourage Montgomery County residents to remain vigilant and report all acts of hate or discrimination in our own community.”