MoCo Archives - Page 26 of 218

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

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.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services Receives Record Number of Requests for Residential Deck Inspections During ‘Building Safety Month‘

By Patrick Herron

Published May 16, 2022 at 9:24AM

The previous record was 422 inspections in 2019. Inspectors have completed more than 300 of the deck safety inspection requests this year to date.

“We want homeowners to know that inspection appointments are being completed in the order they have been received,” said James Sackett, DPS residential inspections manager. “We will continue taking requests during the month of May, and inspections will continue until we meet the demand.”

MoCo

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen Hospitalized After Stroke

By Patrick Herron

Published May 16, 2022 at 7:44AM

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen was hospitalized over the weekend after suffering what he described as a “minor stroke.” Van Hollen was giving a speech in Western Maryland when he began to feel light headed and acute pain in his neck. He was then taken to George Washington University Hospital where the stroke was diagnosed. Before joining the U.S. Senate, Van Hollen represented Maryland’s 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Full statement from Senator Van Hollen: “This weekend, I was admitted to George Washington University Hospital after experiencing lightheadedness and acute neck pain while I was delivering a speech in Western Maryland. At the recommendation of the Attending Physician, I sought medical attention upon my return home. Earlier today, an angiogram indicated that I had experienced a minor stroke in the form of a small venous tear at the back of my head. Fortunately, I have been informed that there are no long-term effects or damage as a result of this incident, but my doctors have advised that out of an abundance of caution I remain under observation for a few days. I look forward to returning to work in the Senate later this week and thank the medical team for their excellent care.”

MoCo Government

County Executive Marc Elrich Discusses Current COVID-19 Case Surge, MCPD’s 100th Anniversary, and More in This Week’s Message

By Patrick Herron

Published May 12, 2022 at 10:12PM | Updated May 13, 2022 at 2:35AM

Per MCPD:

Dear Friends,

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Helping Low Income Households With Past Due Water Bills

By Patrick Herron

Published May 12, 2022 at 3:09PM

LIHWAP is a one-time benefit grant of $100 – $2,000 that can be paid toward residential water and/or wastewater accounts that have accumulated arrearages. Arrearages must be a minimum of at least $100 and 30 days old to apply. LIHWAP will assist in the payment of arrearages for immediate restoration of residential water and/or wastewater services and/or to prevent the disconnection of service by placing the account back in good standing.

“No one should have to worry about not being able to pay for something as essential as water,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Through these funds, we can relieve some of the pressure that working families are facing and provide greater peace of mind that basic needs are being met. I encourage any Montgomery County family that qualifies to apply today and get the relief you deserve.”

Education

MCPS Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight to be Paid Annual Salary of $320,000

By Patrick Herron

Published May 11, 2022 at 4:34PM | Updated May 11, 2022 at 4:58PM

On Tuesday, the Montgomery County’s Board of Education approved a four-year contract that finalizes Monifa B. McKnight as superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools and will pay her an annual base salary of $320,000. According to a report by the Washington Post, the contract will require McKnight, who currently resides in Prince George’s County, to relocate to Montgomery County “as soon as possible”, but no later than June 30, 2022, with the BOE paying up to $15,000 in relocation costs. McKnight and her family currently reside in Prince George’s County. McKnight will receive 30 days of paid annual leave and an additional 25 days for sick/personal leave, as well as a vehicle paid BOE. You can view the full contract here.

On Tuesday McKnight sent out a community message announcing a 3.35% cost of living adjustment and step wage increases for eligible MCPS employees.

MoCo

Additional Details on This Year’s Pride in the Plaza in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Published May 11, 2022 at 12:14PM

Pride in the Plaza will feature food, music, an LGBTQ+ focused resource and vendor fair, bilingual Drag Queen Story Hour, and the championship finale of Live in Your Truth Program’s Drag Duels series. The day will conclude with the second annual Pride in the Plaza Mini-Ball, a free voguing competition with cash prizes, starting at 5 p.m., in partnership with Capitol Ballroom Council. Local businesses that want to support Pride in the Plaza can visit PrideInThePlaza.com/partners-in-pride.

Pride in the Plaza will showcase a diverse cross-section of local nonprofit organizations, LGBTQ+ owned businesses, artists, and networks tabling to share information about their services for Montgomery County’s LGBTQ+ communities. HIV and other health screenings will be provided free of charge, in honor of National HIV Testing Day (June 27).

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich Announces New $1 Million Dollar Fund To Ensure Access to Abortion Services

By Patrick Herron

Published May 10, 2022 at 4:47PM

“We live in a time where people’s rights are under attack – from the Supreme Court to the halls of Congress, to State Houses throughout this nation,” said County Executive Elrich. “We must do all we can to protect women’s health and their personal rights. With this allocation of funds, we are helping ensure that any woman who needs assistance will be able to access it. I want to thank our nonprofit partners, doctors, and nurses who are so critical to our efforts. In Montgomery County, we are committed to working in partnership to stand up for all people and will continue to do so.”

“The County Executive’s initiative is in great alignment with the County Council’s resolution on reproductive rights, which I spearheaded,” said County Councilmember Nancy Navarro. “The resolution affirmed our commitment to ensuring that health care organizations that provide reproductive health services have the appropriate supports and capacity to safeguard the reproductive rights of residents in our communities. As the lone woman Councilmember on the Council, I will continue to do all I can to support the County executive and the County Council in doing the right thing – protecting our reproductive rights and safeguarding the welfare of all our residents. I also call on Governor Hogan to support reproductive rights in Maryland by releasing the $3.5 million earmarked by the legislature for training.”

Montgomery Parks

May is Filled with Special Events from Montgomery Parks

By Patrick Herron

Published May 10, 2022 at 1:56PM

Montgomery Parks special events in May will include:

MoCo Government

Councilmember Navarro to Host Press Conference on May 10 on Resolution Supporting the Preservation of Reproductive Freedom Under Roe v. Wade

By Patrick Herron

Published May 9, 2022 at 1:44PM

“The potential overturning of Roe v. Wade is outrageous and devastating for all women and a clear violation of women’s rights,” said Councilmember Navarro, who chairs the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee. “This would be a culmination of a coordinated and relentless effort to eliminate hard-fought progress. For decades, I have joined the fight to ensure women’s access to quality and safe reproductive health services.

“In Montgomery County, we need to be prepared to be a beacon for women in need of this potentially life-saving medical treatment. As President Biden said, it is up to the nation’s elected officials at all levels of government to fight for a woman’s right to choose, and we are stepping up to the challenge. It is also up to all of us to use our voice, our vote and our collective power to protect women’s rights.”

Maryland

Montgomery County Sends Over $4 million in Tax Refund Checks to Homeowners After State Error

By Patrick Herron

Published May 9, 2022 at 10:11AM

Montgomery County has sent out over $4,000,000 in tax refund checks after a tax error by the state of Maryland. The mistake was first discovered by Olney resident Louis Wilen back in 2016, which FOX 5 first reported on in 2020. Maryland had been miscalculating the Homeowner Tax Credit, which is for seniors and low-income residents. Montgomery County has issued over 5,000 checks to homeowners eligible for the $346 senior supplement, according to FOX.

Per Montgomery County, “Homeowner tax credit refunds for the County portion (issued by Montgomery County Treasury Office in Finance), have now been completed and refund checks are being mailed out to taxpayers now. Refunds are being issued because of a State Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT) error that was made in the calculations. Checks and letters for the State portion of the refund have already been mailed out to taxpayers from the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. The refunds cover levy years 2017, 2018 and 2019, however, not all homeowners will receive refunds for all years, it just depends on what the homeowner applied for and were deemed eligible for.”